"Good morning, ma'am!" Mr Martin waves at Susan as she enters."Good morning Martin." She adjusts her dress with haste, trying to be more coordinated than the other days, then a phone call vibrates her bag, and she quickly grabs it. "Hello, Ava!" Her voice lit up with a small smile, pretending like she wasn't bothered earlier when she called. "Long time, no see. How are you doing over there?""I'm fine, thanks." Ava continues, "Oh, great! As you know, I'm on a business trip with the boss. We just finished up a meeting with some potential clients. Currently resting for the launch this afternoon. It was a great experience, but I miss you and the rest of the team."Susan smiles, finding it hard to believe, "I miss you too, Ava." She swallows hard a bitter taste to let go of Ava's words and not think much about it because she knows that Ava intentionally said those words to bitter her and nothing more. "Right? I can't relate. besides, I have never been on any business trip with the boss."
It's a few minutes past ten o'clock in the morning when Xander calls Ava's phone. "Hey Ava, how are you?""I'm good sir, thank you," Ava replies."I hope you're ready and getting dressed up because we'll be leaving early,""Leaving early? For what, sir?""The launch ceremony," Xander replies. "Remember? I told you about it last week. Going early to events is always to your own advantage. It's for the Empire construction and business establishment.""Oh, right? I remember the conversation. What time do we need to be there?""We should be there by noon," Xander replies. "So we'll be leaving in the next hour.""Okay, I'll start getting dressed up right away," Ava response. "Thanks for reminding me.""No problem," Xander mentions. "I'll see you soon."After hanging up the phone and Ava quickly gets dressed and heads out to the lobby, she sees Xander waiting there. As she draws close, Xander points to the exit door, getting out. As they step out, she orders a cab. Sitting in front, she giv
"Come on, move it!" One of the muscular men, six packs body built grabs Susan by the arm while struggling to break free, slightly conscious as they tie her up, "What's going on? Let me go!" She says in a lowly voice, trying to get hold of herself but the effects of the chemical contained in the tear gas was much more powerful. They ignore her and continue to drag her towards a van parking outside. She tries screaming for help, but to no effect as no one is around. "Someone, help me!"The other throws her into the back of the van and slams the door shut, "Don't even think about making a sound." He says as he sits inside the van"Please, just tell me what's going on." She sobs having a tight blindfold tied to her face."You'll find out soon enough." Immediately they drive off.She clenches her fists and tries to stay calm, distracting her mind but still isn't working. "Please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone.""Really?" One smirks at her. "So sorry about that but it's too late for t
Stepping off the plane, his mind races with thoughts of Susan. He grabs his bags and rushes out of the airport alongside Ava, his secretary, hoping to find someone who can help him. He hails the cabs along the airport roads and when finally a taxi stops by, he hops in with Ava."Take me to the EMPIRE." "Okay." The cab guy skim around to the passenger's seat before he gears forwards, just then he recognises Xander's face as a familiar one. "Ahhhaa, you're the popular CEO of the EMPIRE. You're welcome back, sir." The cab man mutters in excitement."Thanks, man.""You're welcome. I'm actually a fan and your success story have been a great inspiration to many youths out here and I happen to be one of them.""Wow... I'm flattered though." Xander smiles and chuckles atleast to ease the tension built up in his heart. "Nice meeting you.""Same here Mr Xander."Few minutes later, The cab driver opines as he comes to a stop. "Here we are.""Thanks for the ride." Ava hops out with Xander. She br
Susan sits in the dark, her eyes flickering over the two sleeping but armed, muscular gigantic men in front of her. She breaths with fear while seated then waits, silently observing their breaths as they shift in their sleep to snoring. Knowing she has to be fast if she wants to escape, she glances around the room, taking in every detail. The dim light filtering through the cracks in the window blinds is the only illumination in the room. She can hear the soft rustle of leaves outside, a reminder of the forest she is in. She slowly moves her hand towards her middle palm, feeling the cold metal of the sharp object the gang leader had given her earlier. She gulps down a ball of saliva when she realizes that it's definitely going to hurt her if she must be free from the ropes. She takes a deep breath afterwards and slowly reaches out to the first guy, her hand shaking slightly. With a swift movement, she presses the sharp edge of the object against his rope and it goes out, cutting in tw
All shades of anger overwhelm Xander as he sits down, fuming in front of Ava. He can't believe how cruel and petty she's been to her so-called best friend all this while. "First, I heard rumors of you spreading lies about yourself to Susan. I overlooked that and now you went as far as accusing the poor innocent Susan of stealing your man?" He groans in anger and smacks the desk. " The man you never had? Ava! What the h*ll is wrong with you? How can you be so evil to someone who loves and trust you?"Ava lifts an eyebrow at Xander, surprised at his tone. She'd never seen him this angry before, not until today when it concerns Susan. "What are you talking about?" She mutters, trying to play dumb."C'mon, don't play dumb with me, Ava!" he smacks the desk again, his voice growing louder. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been spreading lies about us to Susan and about her stealing your boyfriend, which is me. Knowing fully well that I am dating her. How could you do that to
"You don't know who you're messing with." Aunt Tina scoffs, her hands handcuffed against each other."Indeed." Police man 1 pushes her towards the seat at the interrogation room. "We're just about to know who we're messing with and for your own good, I'll advise that you cooperate with us off course."Just as she sits, she sighs and breathes heavily for a while, locking stern glances with the police officer sitting opposite her like it was a battleground. Neither was the dark skin brown eyes muscular cop smiling nor saying a word to her. Just as micro second turns into split seconds, his stern face lit up sarcastically, "Welcome Dear gorgeous looking Mrs Tina Godfred." Still smiling, he brushes his beards with his fingers, adjusting and relaxing properly on his chair. "Left with me, I'll verge that you wouldn't hurt a fly, seeing how beautiful you look but... Huh." He sighs and shakes his head sideways. "I'm disappointed. But that's by the way because you did it, anyway. But can't hel
"Hmh... Hmhm." Susan groans and breathes. While lying hopelessly in pain, a hunter, walking briskly through the hills to set traps. Another early morning for him, to make sure his traps are set before sunrise. As he walks further to the bottom of the hill, he hears a sound coming from a deep corner so early when he can barely see anything unless close enough. He stops to listen but the voice fades so faintly, "Help... help..." pausing briefly, then shrugging it off. "Just my imagination." He murmurs. "No time to waste, need to finish up." As he tries to put up another trap, he hears it again, but this time the voice growing fainter. "Help... please..."The hunter stops hesitating, then quickens his pace. "That voice again? What if someone is in trouble? I better check it out, just to be sure." He tells himself, feeling for who it is. He adjusts his grip on his hunting gun and follows the direction of the faint voice. The urgency in his steps grows. Muttering to himself so slowly, prep
"Meehhn... That was hectic but cool, though." John bounces on the couch. They just got back from the hospital. The two elbow bodied lover men, sits across from each other, excitement radiating from their faces with Susan in the living room. They already decided to get married on the same date, a year ago, as a symbol of their love and commitment. While ketty hastens her way upstairs to clean up Susan's room up as to make it conducive for her. As a patient coming back from the hospital doing this isn't right. Coming down stairs, Susan stands up to join Ketty go upstairs to her room but Ketty stops her. "Susi, you just have to pick up a few important things you'll needing because you're not staying here alone.""Er...–""No, no, no." Ketty waves her finger. "It's not an option and if I remember vividly, I didn't ask for your opinion."Susan's jaw drops."Then where do I go? If I don't stay here." "You're staying with your man in his apartment."Susan shakes her head in disagreement. "No
An hour since the blood transfusion and the machines read loudly. Susan slowly opens her eyes, her vision blurry at first. As her surroundings come into focus, her first sight gazes at Xander, sleeping on a small couch nearby. She tries to sit up, feeling groggy and disoriented, but she still holds up persistent to wake up but she falls back asleep. As soon as ketty hears some sounds, she stands to observe Susan. Just then, Xander wakes up, feeling so tired. He rubs his eyes, looking around the room, seeing John Ketty, who appears to be staring. "What..." He chuckles, surprised. "What happened? Why is everyone staring at me and is she okay?" He takes a fast glance at Susan.John relieved, smiles back at Xander's facial expression. "Bro, you're awake. Susan had a moment of distress after the blood transfusion, but she's stable now. We're still trying to figure out what caused it. There is surely nothing to worry about.""She is showing signs of waking up. Let's stay by her side and mon
With the insistence in his tone, ketty asks the nurse to stand behind her. "We need immediate medical help here! She has lost consciousness, and we need to examine her condition thoroughly. Please call for another doctor to stand by."Both Xander and John exchange worried glances and quickly leave the room to find another doctor while Ketty focuses on examining Susan. As they step out, they sight a doctor coming out from the ward near to that of Susans. He stops him, explaining the matter. "Ooh, that's what the scream earlier on was about?" "Yes, doctor." "Let's get going then." He follows them."Come on, Susan, wake up." Ketty keeps muttering to herself. "I shouldn't have let you walk out on your own, regardless of your insistence. What have I done?" She pats her forehead, blaming herself.---Several moments pass as Ketty carefully checks Susan's vital signs, monitors her breathing, and performs various neurological tests. When the other doctor steps in again after a while, he loo
"Hmmm. Susan, I need to tell you something, something that will be hard to say and even harder to believe. But I need you to listen, please. Growing up living with my aunt, whom I loved so much. She was like a second mother to me. But little did I know that the woman I adore is," he breathes heavily. "In fact, the devil herself." Susan, knowing nothing is wowed, "What do you mean, Xander? How could your aunt be...?"Interrupting her, Xander continues. "Just listen, Susan. It's important you understand as it might help you remember some things alright. My aunt recently confessed everything to me. This week, she finally got to pay for her crimes and is now in prison. She is charged with murder, kidnapping, and manipulation. It's unimaginable what she has done." He hisses.With an unbelievable look on her face, she adjusts to ask him. "Murder? kidnapping? I can't believe it. Who did she...?" "She killed her only sister because she was obsessed with a man. That man was my father. My aun
A bustling morning outside the courthouse as Xander and his sister, Ketty, strides purposefully towards the entrance, leaving John to watch over Susan until their return with good news. While walking down to the courtroom, Xander whispers, "finally sis, we're here. The day we've all wished and worked for and those responsible will finally face the consequences.""Absolutely, bro. Susan deserves closure, and we owe it to her to fight for the truth. After what has happened to our family, the separation and the ordeals, things like this should be put out as an example to warn evil people of what the consequence of their actions will be," Ketty replies in an angry tone.Inside the courtroom, the session begins. The police inspector presents the evidence, meticulously laying out the case against the suspects, which are Miss Ava, Mrs. Tina Godfred, and her husband, Mr. Godfred. The instigator and her accomplices."Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have substantial evidence th
"How are you feeling?" John gives her a warm hug. "We rushed here as soon as we received Xander's call." Seeing John, Susan's eyes light up with recognition and relief."I was wondering when you'd come. I'm so glad to see you." She looks at Ketty, her expression confuses. She drags John much closer to whisper into his ears. "But who are these two people with you?" John and Ketty exchanges puzzle glances, their minds racing to understand the situation.John is so lost. What is happening here?" He questions in his mind. "Susan, don't you remember? This is Ketty, your sister-in-law to be, and my sweetheart. And the man beside her is Xander, your boyfriend.""Boyfriend?!" She chuckles for a while and breathes down when she sees it wasn't funny and no one else was laughing, obviously herself. "Wait a minute, you're serious?" "Of course. I am,"Her brows furrow with confusion clear in her eyes. "Miss Ketty? Mr. Xander? I'm sorry, but I don't remember any of you. According to the doctor, I
"Doc... Doctor! Doctor! Please come quickly!" Xander howls out of the door and the Doctor on duty for the night shift rushes into the room, noticing the urgency in the voice. "Oh, it's you, Mr Xander when did you step in?" The Doctor asks him out of curiosity. "She's awake!" Xander cuts in, pointing to Susan's bed, paying dumb ears to how he entered the hospital premises without a sight.The doctor hastens to Susan. "Wow. Just stay aside. Let me pay attention to her." "But why is she asking me who am I? And why is she in the hospital? Doctor, what's happening?"The Doctor examines her while trying to calm both Xander and Susan. "ma'am, how are you feeling and can you recall the last incident before the hospital?" He observes her expression and lamentations."Am feeling okay, but sore on my body, it's feels like I rolled from a hill down. For the last thing that happened, I can't recall anything, and why am I at the hospital?"The doctor, after listening to her, turns to Xander his s
"Wait... Wait a minute." Xander stops for a second, stunned and shocked. "You were the doctor who delivered me and ketty at the hospital?" "Wow... Ketty? Is that her name?""Yeah. Dr Godfred or whatever you bear, but you sold my sister under my aunt's influence? Is that what you want to tell me?" Fast running tears run down Xander's eyes as he rethinks everything.Mr. Godfred with a heavy sigh, "Yes, Xander, it pains me to admit it. I was weak, and under the influence of your aunt, I made a terrible decision. I sold your sister to ensure her safety, or so I thought at that time. So did your aunty think, but I couldn't sell her as my heart will not sleep. I gave her away to my elder sister, who was married and didn't have a child back then. So instead of selling, I gave her over. I know that nothing I say here can make you forgive me and my act, and I take full responsibilities for my actions."Xander's emotions surge with anger and sadness coursing through him. "How could you do such
"Whoops." Xander exhales lightly, standing outside the police station, his heart pounding in his chest. The air feels heavy, suffocating almost, as he contemplates the upcoming divulgence. He knows he has to embrace the truth, no matter how painful it might be. If Susan's parents were responsible for the death of his own parents, fine. But he can't hold it against Susan. He's already undoubtfully in love with her and she is the one for him and he can't let vengeance cloud his judgment. As he steps in, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the bustling police station within. Detectives hurriedly moving from one room to another, their voices muffles by the thick walls. He takes another deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead while he closes on a distance to the front desk. "Excuse me," he calls out to the officer behind the counter. "I'm here to see Detective Reynolds. Is he in?""Yeah.""And do you mind pointing in the direction where he is?"Just as he conversed with the