“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you and I am very sorry for that. I am just disappointed in the fact that you didn’t deem it necessary to place a call to me. I couldn’t place a call to you because I was in an emergency.” He lied. Emergency indeed.
“Was Carey involved in an emergency as well?” “Hey, you should…” My blood boiled within me that very minute as I heard her speak to him, perhaps, unaware he was over the phone with me. My eyes suddenly became teary but I managed to hold it all in. I couldn’t break down over the phone. “Carey? What.. No, she isn’t. Why? Did something happen?” Uneasiness was evident in his voice. It was so hard to not yell at him at that minute. Needless to say, I was struggling not to live in denial. “I haven’t been able to reach her. She hasn’t sent me a message.” I responded and rubbed my forehead. “Oh… when I get to see her, then I would let her know. I can check up on her though, perhaps, she isn’t close by.” He lied. I squeezed my dress and shut my eyes. “You haven’t seen her today? You haven’t seen her in a while?” I probed further. “Not at all. I have been quite occupied that I haven’t checked up on her. I believe she is fine though. Perhaps, she is occupied or anything like that.” He defended. “I will get back to you later. I have to tend to something quite important.” He spoke and ended the call before I could say another word. Just then, my phone rang. It was Carey. I was quite skeptical if to pick up the call or not but I decided to go with the former hence I picked it up. “Hey girlfriend! How are you doing? It’s been a while, you know?” She squealed with excitement. My heart broke as I heard her voice. The same voice that spoke ill things about me. “Yes, it has. “ I replied briskly. “Are you okay? You sound tired and worried. Are you fine?” She probed. I wished I could cry to her and tell her everything that I was going through but it would only be to her delight. It would only make her as well as Jason happy and that was the last thing I wanted. “It is still the wedding stress of yesterday. I am recovering anyway. I haven’t been able to get through to you today. Are you fine though? I tried to reach you but I couldn’t. Are you fine?” I questioned. “Yes, yes… I… I had to attend to something urgent. I am sorry I couldn’t reach you this morning. I miss you though.” She answered. “How is Jason?” I started. “How is he doing? Hoe is he holding up?” I questioned. “Jason? Didn’t you just speak to him?” She probed. I knew she wasn’t so smart after all. A grin spread on my face and I shook my head. “Yes, I did. How did you know?” I questioned. “Oh… he.. he spoke to me over the phone .” She responded. They were dummies. There was possibly no way that magic could have happened. Their calls was a couple of seconds apart. “Oh, I had no idea. I mean.. that was quite fast. It was just a couple of seconds difference.” I responded. The grin spread even wider as I heard her struggle for the right words to say. “Thank you so much. Please, do keep an eyes on him and make sure he is fine always. I have to go now. I have to attend to something quite important.” I informed her and ended the call. I held the phone to my chest. It was so hard .. hard to deal with but I guess I had no choice. I shut my eyes tight and reminisced on everything we had been through and the life I had before this. “You haven’t done my son’s laundry. What on earth are you doing with your phone held tightly to your chest?” My mother in law’s voice drew my attention to her. I hadn’t noticed when she had walked in. A frown was etched to my face as I twisted my head to look at her. “I had a life of my own. The least I can do is speak to my people.” I responded. It was definitely not my people. What else could j say? There were once my people. “And.. Kelan?” “He is fine. I have done all that is required and will be with him in a couple of minutes to check up on him. “ I responded. Just like I had envisioned, she was surprised by my sudden change in attitude. “I will be heading out tonight. I have to see someone.” I informed her. She was quiet for a while and then turned to look at me with a questioning look. “A friend.” I added. “A friend….” She repeated, staring at me with all indications of suspicions. “You do know you are to keep your husband company. He needs you more than anything else. Your presence is of so much importance to his life.” “I will be back before you notice it. I will watch over him.” I responded and she nodded, perhaps, a little bit convinced. I let out a sigh of relief as she walked out of the kitchen, leaving me all to myself. Hurriedly, I did the dishes and made sure everywhere was clean. As soon as I was done, I returned to my room. It had been two days. Two boring days yet it felt like I had been there since forever. There was no one to talk to neither was there anyone to see. Boredom was killing me but i'd rather stay in there than see either of them. I picked up my phone once again and placed a call to my mother. On the second ring, my mother picked up the phone. “Where have you been, child?You got me so worried. I have been searching everywhere for you. I tried to find out from Jason and Carey but they both claimed they do not have an idea of where you are. It’s been two days. Where are you?” She questioned all at the same time. I wasn’t surprised they denied knowing my whereabouts anyway. “Are you there? Can you hear me?” She spoke once again as I had suddenly went mute. “Yes, I… uhmm.. I am here. I just had to… I am fine. How are you doing?” I questioned, trying so hard to be strong. “Where are you? You haven’t spoken a word to me. You have gotten me so worried. You promised to return my call but you didn’t . Where are you currently?” She questioned once again. I tried to think of something to say and I came up with one. “Well, I…. I had to travel for an emergency. There is .. there is… it was an emergency. I am sorry I couldn’t tell you before leaving. I just didn’t have enough time on my side.” I responded. “Emergency? Is everything okay? Are you fine?” She qu
What happened in Kelan’s room kept on playing on my mind. I didn't even know what to think anymore. "You shouldn't be thinking about the man waking up. You should be thinking of a solution on how you will get yourself freed from these mess you put yourself into" I said to myself. I watched the man lying there like he was dead. What was Jason's family trying to achieve by getting a man in coma, a wife. All these were still like a beautiful nightmare to me. If I could wake up from this dream, I was going to stay away from Jason. I remembered the warning of the officer and I regretted not listening to them. My life was good but I was blinded by a fake love and fell directly into the ditch filled with thorns. I was deep in thought when my phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. Looking at the caller it was Jason. I wondered how someone could be so heartless. After all he had done, he still had the nerves to call me. I picked up the phone and pretended to be happy to talk to him. "Hey
Aliyah's POVGetting threatened by Jason wasn't a joke at all. With what he did to me now, I didn't think he was bluffing. I couldn'timagine my nude moving around the city just after six months that my father died. My mother would definitely be heart broken and she would almost die.She had a lot of trust in me. I had disappointed her by disappearing already and now moving to my nudes and sex videos?I should have suspected something when Jason kept on insisting I send my nude and that we should also do videos when having sex. Now I'm in the middle of a dilemma. I can't be stuck with a man in a vegetative state forever, not to talk of his brutal family and also I can't let Jason release my nude to the world. My reputation would be ruined forever.I stood there not knowing what to do as tears rushed down my eyes and every part of me felt weak. Just as I stood there not having the strength to move, Jason's phone rang."Babe, when are you going to tell that bi*ch the mystery of her life.
Aliyah's POVI realized that living with a man who is as walking dead isn't easy. I've accepted my fate of ignorance. I wish my father was here to help me with this problem I dumped myself into. My mother would be too heartbroken to hear that I got caught up in this situation.Jason's family was not helping matters at all and they left me to care for their son alone and would even make me do the work of maids. There were tons of maids in Donald's mansion but they just derived love by torturing me.I didn't know about the enmity between the Donald's family and I, if not I wouldn't have gotten close to the Donald’s. I watched my husband lie in that bed and didn't even know what to do. After graduation, I was supposed to take up my father's business and start looking for a way to get it revived but then I'm here doing nothing but babysitting a man in a vegetative state. My mother would be so mad because she had made me promise her that I would do everything in my power to revive my fath
Aliyah’s PovI knew she must have been worried that I disappeared all of a sudden since the night of my graduation and till now I haven't showed up."Nothing mom, just tired," I replied, clearing my throat."Aliyah, tired from what? I hope it is not what I'm thinking girl, " I voice was very firm.My mom was the disciplinarian of our family and she was very harsh to me but in all that she still loves me."What are you thinking mom?" I asked.I'm sure she hasn't known anything about what Jason did to me, if not she would never be this calm. She would have called the cops on Jason. I didn't want Jason to hurt my mother because as it is now, Jason is not someone that I can trust that he can't hurt anyone. If he can do this to me, he can also hurt my mother. "Did you elope with Jason Donald because you didn't want to take up your father's business?" She asked.Even if Jason hasn't done what he did, eloping with him would be the last thing on my mind. I also had a good mind to revive my f
Jason’s POV"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?" Carey said when I came to pick her up. She didn't need to open her mouth to tell anyone that she was excited; the excitement showed in her behavior. She was all over me."Do you think your mother would accept this?" I asked. I was quite reluctant to announce our engagement, but Carey was not relenting on pestering me. What made me concur was because Aliyah would definitely hear the news, and she would be sad. I was happy whenever Aliyah was sad."She's my mother, and she doesn't have a choice but to accept anyone I bring home," Carey said, smiling brightly. Soon, the two of us arrived at Carey's house.Carey's mother had been telling her that she wanted to speak with her, but Carey had always feigned being busy. She knew her mother wanted to ask her about Aliyah, and since she wasn't ready to tell her a thing, she ignored her.Carey's mother was in her bedroom when Carey got inside. She made me sit while she went to call
Carey’s POV My mom looked up at Jason before she responded. "I don't have any reason to decline if he also loves you," she said. Mom knew that Jason was a Donald, and they had massive wealth. They were in fact one of the wealthiest families in the city. "You have to worry, ma. I love Carey, and I'm going to take care of her for the rest of my life," he said with enthusiasm. Mom looked at him before she nodded. She then made the three of us sit to talk. "Are your family aware of your relationship with my daughter?" She asked. Knowing the status of the Donalds and our own status, we seemed like paupers to the Donalds. She wouldn't want me to be treated like trash by them. "Yes, they are aware, and they love her so much," Jason replied, smiling at me. Mom asked a few questions from Jason, which he replied. "Jason, I think you and Carey should try to help look for Aliyah's whereabouts..." I, who was unhappy that my mother still talked about Aliyah, interrupted her. "Mom, I know you
Somewhere in Kelan’s mind It’s over a hundred days since I’ve been here. Since I found myself entangled in the suffocating grip of the interstate. Time after time, I would wake up to the profound darkness of my subconscious, a place where I wished I never had to reside. I've been here for a while, and despite how quiet it was sometimes, it didn't sit right with me. If only I could slip away into eternal slumber, escaping the reality that has kept me tethered here for what feels like an eternity. The accident, a cruel twist of fate, has reduced me to a mere semblance of life, a hollow existence that I despise with every fiber of my being. I stayed here all day, all night and when I wasn't alone, the machines around me beeped to converse with me. Sometimes, as I navigated the labyrinth of my thoughts, I couldn't help but reflect on the life I've been robbed of. The thriving family business, where I would have played an important role, now flourishes without my contribution. My brot
Aliyah POV“Fuck,” I shouted. I had been trying so hard to fix the hairpin in the right direction on my well-permed hair. It would tilt sideways at intervals, and I would have to straighten it. Maybe I was looking at the mirror for too long. If Carey was here, maybe. My mind flashed to the last time I had seen her – body bagged up, headed to the morgue. It was a gory sight, one I never expected I would see Carey in. Kelan had told me how everything occurred; how she grew in rage after Jason shot himself, and fired at an officer. A bullet in her chest, and another buried deep into her head killed her instantly. “Fuck. You didn’t have to die like that, Carey,” I cursed, and soon fell to the ground, my face soiling with tears. I didn’t mind my wedding dress, as I kept pounding the floor, taking the hurt from every nudge I gave the hard floor. She was my best friend for as long as I have lived. The only person who could stand beside me on a day like this. She didn’t have to betray me
Kelan POV“Jason, let's not do this. Just listen to the officers and put down your gun.” “No. I will do no such thing. I'm walking out of here with Carey and my mom and no one here is stopping me,” His voice retorted with anger laced all over his tone. “Sir, permission to fire,” one of the FBI agents called out to his superintendent. Their eyes glared at me as I threw quick glances at my phone screen awaiting Aliyah's call. We had agreed to split just in case Jason was smart enough to leave the babies behind and come here alone. He was and currently Aliyah and another team of agents were following the trace of the last call. The tracker was still on the phone line and we hoped to find them before Jason or Carey realizes. “No one is shooting my brother,” I jumped into the rising tension. Jason hands still held the gun firmly as I gradually walked to the front of the men. My hands we up, and I knew it wouldn't cost him so much to shoot me right now, but it was a move I was willing
Jason's POV“I cant believe Kelan’s got the balls to boldly say no to me. His boys should be more important than the company or money.” I nagged, kicking my feet in the air. “Clearly, he is not as dumb as you think he is. I did not see that coming, I had already imagined he would come crying and begging for his children.” Carley said to me with a smirk on her face which was quite confusing. I furrowed my brows from feeling displeased with her facial expression. “What?” she snapped.“What? Are you really asking me that?” I walked towards her and paused my steps when I was right in front of her. “What is this look on your face?” I asked her and I could hear her whimper. Clearly, my facial expression got her terrified and that is exactly what I wanted her to feel. “Nothing Jason. Get out of my face.” She said and pushed me to the side but I gripped her hand before she had the chance to take another step. “What was that about?” I asked her again. “Nothing! Jesus!” she exclaimed and
Aliyah's POVMy heart raced. My mind throbbed. My head pounded. I stood apprehended not knowing the exact emotions to process. Fear? Anger? I wasn't certain of the particular one to settle for. So, I paced from one end of the house to the other, running my hands through my dishevelled hair. I stopped abruptly and turned around immediately the front door creaked open with Kelan running towards me."Hey honey," he rushed towards me and held me in a tight embrace."Are you okay?" he asked with a tone of concern. "K... Kelan..." I called in a teary voice."Baby," he responded, running his fingers through my hair."Talk to me. How did it happen?" he released me from the embrace and cupped my cheeks in his palms."Our boys... They... Our boys..." I trailed off, welling up in tears."Honey, put yourself together and tell me all about it," he dried my tears with his eyes.I sniffed then blew my nose noisily into a tissue."Come, sit," he draped his arms around my shoulder and walked me to th
Kelan's POVAs I alighted from the cab and walked towards the wooden gate, a thousand thoughts cloud my mind. The past few days of my life had been dedicated to the search for my mum. I had talked with almost all of the old staff that worked in the company as at that time I figured that she was still around. But all of them had communicated their regrets of no longer having her contact. I had even looked up the internet but I realized that she wasn’t on any of the social media platforms. This woman whose house I approached, turned out to be my last resort. But I can’t help it but think if this search would turn out to be successful? If I wouldn’t get the same answers?Well, there is no better way to find out than finding out. So, pushing the gate silently, I walked in casting quick glances at my surrounding. Lilies and hibiscus flowers lined up at one end filling the atmosphere with the beautiful scent of nature. Standing at the door, I hesitated a while before I rang the bell. On the
Aliyah's POVMy soft hum filled the atmosphere as I gently stroked Jared whom I cradled in my arms. His body relaxed against mine while his little fingers curled around my index finger. I brewed a smile as I could see my face when I look at him, my exact prototype. Jacob, sat beside us grinning with content in his baby bouncer, sucking on his teething toy. His chubby cheeks curved into a smile then a chuckle, which was suddenly followed by a cry. I took the cry as a clue that he was trying to communicate that Jared's time in my arms was up. So, I carried him and Jared took his place in the baby bouncer. Minutes later, the front door creaked open, revealing Kelan, dressed in a black shirt tucked into an ash-coloured trousers. He loosened his tie as he walked over to where we were. "Hey, honey," he smiled. "Hey darl," I winked. "How was your day?" "Stressful," he sighed. "As usual," he replied, his voice sounding exhausted as he kept his briefcase gently on the table."My boys," he
Jason's POVPushing myself off the hard bunk with a grunt, I strode out alongside my fellow inmates into the dark corridor of the prison. In a single file, we dragged ourselves to the prison yard where we had our morning drills. During my first few days here, the space of about a plot of land was apportioned to me to clear up, but with my transition to the chief bully, such was no longer the case. I was even nicknamed Don Jay after I served the previous bully, loads of punches. "Would you all stop dragging your feet?" the prison officer barked. The question must have provoked the inmates as the shuffling of feet intensified. "Man, are you deaf? Lift your feet off the ground," I heard an inmate say. Swiftly turning around, I shot a fiersome gaze at this new scrawny inmate who probably doesn't know who I was. Because the rest of the inmates knew better than to question me or challenge my authority. Giving him a second chance, I ignored him and assumed my steps. "Hey!" he barked, wi
Aliyah’s POV“Your honor, my clients here,” the lawyer spoke, gesturing to Jason and Carey, “Plead not guilty as regards to the alleged murder,” his voice pierced through the hushed voices of the many individuals occupying the rows of wooden benches in the tensed atmosphere of the courtroom. I shift uneasily on my seat, eager for whatever verdict.Kelan must have noticed my uneasiness, as he pressed my palms. “Aliyah, relax,” he whispered.I heaved a sigh in response and reclined backwards because the last thing I wanted for myself was clouding my head with lots of thoughts, slumping again, and finding myself back at the hospital I had left a week ago.My gaze fell on Jason and Carey both wearing a smirk on their faces. I searched in vain for the expression of remorse, but I found none, not even a tiny bit. They seemed to be super confident in their lawyer or something else only them knew about. Slowly, my gaze travelled upwards to the elevated perch where the judge sat, peering throu
Kelan's POV Sitting in the front seat, next to Mr. Lanez, the silent ride was seemingly uncomfortable as I noticed the worry lines drawn on his forehead. There was this invisible cloud of tension hovering in the car as the engine hummed in melody. "Uhmm," I cleared my throat to gain his attention. "Thank you for saving me back there," I fondled with the handkerchief in my hands. I was taken aback by his silent treatment. Was he mad at me because of the way I relentlessly argued over his revelations yesterday? "I'm sorry for not believing you yesterday. I just found it so difficult to believe that they could be as terrible as that," I blabbed. "Mr Lanez," I called aloud, then immediately regretted my action as the eyes he flashed out me weren't friendly at all. "Did I do anything wrong?" I asked calmy."Kelan, you did everything wrong," he yelled. "You just added to all of the current complexities," he sighed, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. My mind raced, my heart