Becky’s POV “Before all the afternoon's craziness, I was thinking of what romantic thing I could do to surprise you this evening,” Phillip said, rubbing my cheeks.“And what did you come up with?” I teased.“Nothing yet. My thoughts were interrupted.”“My fault,” I said, wincing.“No, it was actually Celine that came over to distract me.”“Was Celine in your office? What did she want?”“To bother me as usual. Forget her, let’s talk about us.”“What should we do?” I smiled.“This first.” He kissed me.“Have you now thought of how to surprise me?” I asked.“Mmm…hey! I have it,” he said, and lifted me in his arms.“Wait! Where are we going?” I asked as he carried me out of the room.“It is a surprise,” he said, and carried me to the elevator. We rode upstairs.“Here we are,” he grinned, stepping into his private swimming pool.He put me down gently on a recliner. “I will be right back.”He left. I leaned backward, and looked up at the stars, enjoying the gentle breeze creasing my face.
Phillip’s POV Rebecca turned pale.“What!” She gasped. “That is awful. I am so sorry.”“Me too. It may have been caused by the fall.” I sighed. “Celine’s drama has gotten her into trouble this time.”“I hope she is going to be okay.”“I hope so too. I have to get to the hospital.” I left, my heart beating wildly as I drove to the hospital. I had a feeling Celine and her dad were going to somehow try to get Rebecca in trouble because of this, and I was determined to protect her.The hospital was a small private hospital, and I wondered why they had come here instead of a bigger hospital. Perhaps it was not so serious, I hoped. I rushed in and met Frank in the waiting room.“Where are they?” I asked.“Inside. I was just on my way out.”We sat down. “Did the doctor say what happened?” I asked.“Yeah, he said the fall caused her to lose the baby.”I sighed. “Damn! I really am sorry about that,” I said.I knew from his expression there was something he wasn’t telling me.“What is it?” I
Phillip’s POV They stared at me in surprise as I left the room.They hadn’t expected my reaction. They thought I would do as they had asked, but I wouldn't. Now that I knew their plan, I could think how to stop them.The first thing I had to do to outsmart their plot was gather evidence against them.It is true that Celine had informed me of her pregnancy, and even brought a test she carried out to confirm it. But what if it was all a lie, and I had foolishly taken her word for it? I went to find the doctor. I saw him in the corridor.“Doctor, I want to talk to you about one of your patients, Celine Davis. She is a friend of mine.”“Who are you please?” He asked.“Phillip Dale.”“Really? Can we go to my office?” he said, and I followed behind him.“What are you interested in knowing?” He asked when we were seated.“First, was Celine pregnant? Because I find it hard to believe a small fall would cause her to lose the baby,” I said.“She was. She was pregnant, and the fall was not small
Becky’s POV I watched the video in horror. It was a clip of the fight in the supermarket. It had been taken from the supermarket camera. Not everything has been shown though just a part of it, the aspect that did not tell the full story. It showed me pushing Kate. It was just after she slapped me and pulled my hair, before I hit her in return.It was edited to make it appear like I had just attacked Kate.“This is not what happened,” I insisted. “Kate attacked me first.” “I know, but the clip does not show that here. This is Davis' doing,” Phillip said, frowning.“But why?” “He is trying to make you look like a troublemaker. To make people believe you go around looking for trouble, so that they will believe you attacked Celine and his case will look good.”“Would it work?” I asked, with wrinkles evident on my forehead.“I am not sure, but I do not think so. Even if you did attack Kate, which you didn’t, that does not mean you attacked Celine. Don’t worry, this means nothing,” he sai
Becky's POV The lawyer's name was Jake. He and Frank arrived just before lunchtime. Phillip, Anna, and I were at the dining table when they walked in. Frank introduced him to Anna as a business partner and they joined us. They talked about business while we ate, then later on I helped Anna upstairs and came to join them. He began talking about my problem.“Frank has explained everything to me,” Jake said. “The case is a bit difficult because there were no witnesses, but not bad.”“What about the video? Can that cause us any trouble?” Frank asked.“No, not really.”“Good. See I told you.” Phillip smiled at me.“Well, I am glad,” Frank said.“Except,” Jake continued. “We have to make sure there is no witness who Davis can hire to ruin Rebecca’s image.”“What do you mean?” I asked.“If maybe a friend, or relative was to say you were a troublemaker or someone who liked fighting, then it would be very hard to prove you did not do it.”I recollected what Davis had said and became scared.“
Becky’s POV After I took Anna upstairs that evening, I went straight to my room. Phillip was in his private pool, and he was expecting me to join him, but I was not composed enough to do so. I couldn’t face him just yet. I paced about my room trying to think of the best way to tell the horrible lie.What would his reaction be? Good or bad? What would he think of me? Would he fire me and ask me to leave immediately? I became cold as I thought of it. Where would I go if he did?Maybe I should not inform him. I would leave things as they were, I decided. But what if we lose? His reputation would be ruined. I can't let that happen. I have caused him enough trouble already.My buzzing phone startled me out of my thoughts. My heart skipped, it was Phillip.“Hello?” I answered. I could hear my voice trembling.“Great, you are awake. Aren’t you coming to join me? The weather is really cool.”“Em I....”“Are you okay?” He asked.“No. I have a little headache, but I will be fine. I just need s
Phillip’s POV I stared at Rebecca in confusion. “What do you mean by you probably pushed Celine?” I asked, baffled.“We were arguing, and maybe in the process my hand mistakenly touched her, and she fell down the stairs,” she said quickly. “I wasn't really sure of what happened. I am deeply sorry. I don't want you to go on with the case.”I looked at her. Not sure of what to make from the information I just heard. Then something occurred to me and I smiled.“I understand you are saying this to protect my image, but don’t worry, I will be fine.”“No Philip, let us end this matter quietly. I am not interested in going to court, please.”“Are you sure, Rebecca?”“Yes. Please forgive me,” she said sadly.“Where did you push her?” I asked.“What?”“What part of her body? Was it her head? Chest? Or?”“On her chest, perhaps,” she said, puzzled by the question.I hissed and nodded.“It is alright. In court, stick to your story. Tell them you did not push Celine!” I stated firmly.“I cannot
Becky's POV I went straight to my room and sat down on my bed. I was no longer upset, but I was confused. What had just happened? Phillip did not get mad at me. And he didn't order me out of the house. From the way Frank had put it, I was expecting him to be really angry but he wasn’t. Why?Because he loves you. A small voice told me. I smiled. I love him too, I thought, and I will make sure he does not get hurt.I remember the wrong information I gave him and sighed. I have made a promise to him to always be honest. Should I tell him then, or leave things as they were?I decided to leave things the way they are, but from now on there will be no more dishonest words, I hated doing that in the first place. But I hope it's all for good. I got into my bed, wondering what deal Phillip planned to make with Celine and her dad. Whatever it was, I pray it wouldn't hurt him or his company.After breakfast in the morning, I took Anna shopping. “Let’s go to the bag section, I want to pick a ne
Becky’s POVIt didn’t take long for the cop to find the key and get the chain off my leg. I felt a little dizzy when I tried to stand, but aside from that I was fine. The officer insisted on taking me to the hospital even though I told them I was okay. All I needed was a bath. Phillip rode with me in the ambulance while Celine and Frank were handcuffed and taken away.The doctors agreed I was okay except for the bruise on my ankle, I was told they would keep me for twenty-four hours then I could go home.“I will call Sandra, and the rest to let them know you are okay,” Phillip said as he kissed me.“Sure.”Finally, I was able to take a shower. I felt a lot better, but when I laid down, I couldn’t help being furious about the whole thing. How could Frank do such a thing? He said he loved me, was kidnapping me a funny way of showing it?Sandra and Jenny arrived so quickly I wondered if they had been in the area.They hugged me tightly, laughing and crying.“Thank God you are okay! What
Phillip’s POV“Frank! What the hell! Is this a joke?” Rebecca asked.I just stared at him, too lost to find my voice.“Does it look like a joke, Rebecca?” Frank sneered.“Frank, what are you doing?” I finally was able to mutter.“We are working together. Are you surprised?” Celine asked.“What? So Dom is working for you?” Rebecca asked in astonishment.“Sure. He has been my eye in the house from the day he was hired,” Frank smirked. “His job was to keep an eye on everyone there.”“Why?” I asked, stunned.“Are you asking, you idiot?” he laughed. “You really think I like you? You are dumber than I thought.”“We have been working together from the beginning. We knew each other before he introduced me to you, so it wasn’t so hard to come along,” Celine grinned.“So all the sabotage I have been having at the company, and the investors pulling out because of a false rumor, you were behind it?” I flared at Frank.“Yes. And I also told Jessica to dump you. I told her you were having an affair
Phillip’s POVIt was quite late when I got to the beach. Throughout the drive I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing. The kidnapper had phoned me on my way down and asked me to meet him there. He had told me to turn off my handset, and leave it in the car, warning me not to try anything stupid. The way he spoke, I guessed he was somehow observing me. And on my way down I had a feeling that there was someone coming behind me. I pulled up in front of the rundown abandoned building on the edge of the beach that had once been a warehouse. I did everything I was told and stepped out of the car. The air was cold and damp. I could hear the waves and my heart raced as I walked towards the building. I touched an old wooden door and it opened. It was dark inside, but the moonlight streamed in. Everywhere was quiet.“Hello!” I called out. The empty building echoed back at me.“Anyone here? Rebecca?”“Put your hands behind you!” A voice said quietly behind me.My heart skipped, but I o
Becky’s POV“It has been awhile hasn’t it?” Celine sneered.“So you are behind this? You are working with Dom! I guessed it.”“I am not the only one, stupid.” She laughed.“Who else? Your dad, right?”“You don’t need to know. Did you really think you and Phillip would get away with what you did to my family?”“We didn’t do anything!” I said angrily. “He did. My dad lost his company and reputation because of him! Now it is time for payback.”“You won’t get away with this, Celine!” “Save it! We already have. We are going to get money and get rid of you both.”I swallowed nervously.“What do you mean?” I demanded.“Simple, stupid. We are going to get ransom for you, then make sure you are never seen again. Are you scared?” She asked mockingly.“It won’t work. Phillip has probably informed the security agencies. If you kill me, you will regret it,” I said bravely.“He hasn’t, and he won’t. Besides who said anything about killing you? Although I would have preferred that, my partner has
Phillip’s POVSandra and Jenny looked at me anxiously as I hung up.“Well?” They asked.“The caller is asking for two hundred million dollars.” Sandra gasped. “When does he want it?” She muttered.“In five days.”“I will pay for it.”“Do you have that much money aunt Sandy? Your company may collapse,” Jenny told her.“I don’t mind,” she said. “Okay, I will pay half. Can you make up for the rest, Phillip?”“Wait, you want us to pay the ransom?” I asked, surprised.“Of course,” they chorused.“No. We are not paying any ransom. I will call the police.”“No! The kidnapper warned you not to, remember?” Jenny said.Sandra joined her. “She is right. We will keep it quiet, pay the ransom and Rebecca will be returned to us.” “Come on you two, you can’t really believe that? What if he gets the money and we never hear from him or Rebecca again?”“It is a risk we have to take,” Jenny said.“I prefer to risk going to the police,” I insisted.“No. Pay the money. It is the only way to get her bac
Becky’s POVI groaned and twisted as light infiltrated into my eyes. My eyes still felt heavy and that arrogant fragrance was still hovering over my nose.I thought I was at home and was drifting off to sleep again when I heard a cellphone ringing somewhere. The ringtone sounded like mine. I forced myself to open my eyes, and realized with a shock that I wasn’t on my bed at home.Quickly sitting up, my head spun a bit, and realization hit me that I was on an airbed. I looked around and noticed how small and dusty the room was. The only thing visible being the airbed and a portable toilet. Light streamed in from a glass window that had metal bars.Where am I? I thought.I scanned through my brain to recollect my past. Then I remembered. I was at the cemetery, about to leave when I saw Dom standing near my car. I remembered the hankie he tossed before me before I went blank.My heart skipped a beat. Did Dom kidnap me? Why? For money or something more? I tried to stand up, but I felt a p
Phillip’s POV“Enough Wendy! Go to your room!” Her mother snapped.Wendy frowned. “If you know where she is, mom, you should say it. If anything happens to her, you will be held accountable.” She marched to her room.“You see what you have caused! Now my own daughter thinks I am guilty!” She told me angrily.“Are you?” I asked, looking her in the eye.“Don’t be stupid, of course not. I didn’t know she was missing until Wendy started accusing me this afternoon. She was here yesterday and left the way she came.”“So where were you hoping to get the half a million from?”“Like I said, from Rebecca. She promised to give it to me.”I frowned. This was definitely a lie.“She couldn’t have,” I said. “I have looked at the financial records, with the way you left the company, if she took that much money out she risked going bankrupt. So how was she going to do it?”She looked surprised then uncomfortable.“Well maybe from her savings.”“Definitely no. She hasn’t saved up to that.”“I said mayb
Phillip’s POVAn officer stood there. The look on his face caused my heart to sink.“Good evening, Sir, I am asking for Rebecca Richards,” he said.“She is not here. Is anything wrong?”“We found her car parked at the cemetery. We would like her to come and remove it.”“The cemetery. Oh my God!” Sandra said, coming to join us. “She is not with us; we guess she must be in trouble.”“Have you made a report?” The cop asked.“No. I wanted to wait for twenty-four hours. But I will go now and do it,” I responded.I went straight ahead with the cop to remove the vehicle. The car keys, her phone, and her purse were on the driver’s seat.It became glaring that something was definitely wrong. ***“Jerry has something to do with this!” Jenny insisted.We were all in my living room. After I left the station, I went home and let Sandra know what had happened, then I called Frank and Jenny to inform them too. They didn’t waste time to show up in the mansion.After we all agreed that Rebecca may ha
Phillip’s POVFrank was sitting at a table eating lunch when I got to the restaurant.“I thought you guys had changed your minds and weren’t coming. I decided to order lunch for myself and have a lonely meal,” he complained.“Sorry, I got caught up in an emergency meeting,” I said, joining him.“On Saturday?”“Like I said, it's an emergency.”“Is everything okay now?”“Yeah. I have it under control.”“Why weren’t you picking your calls?” He asked.“You called me? I didn’t hear it. I turned off the volume. Is Rebecca not here?”“No. I called her too, but she did not pick up. She must be at work.”“No. She is taking time off work to prepare for our wedding.”“Really?”“Yes. I thought she would be here, that's why I didn’t hurry so much.”“Nope. I haven’t seen any sign of her. I have been calling her all afternoon,” Frank told me.I dialed her number. It rang without an answer.“She is supposed to meet Jenny this afternoon to pick up her gown. I guess that is where she is. She must have