I knew I had run out of luck the minute I heard that voice. I thought of what to say, but my head was blank. "Hi," I whispered the minute I turned to face him. "Not wondering off; actually, it's a funny story; you won't believe me if I tell you.""try me""Ugh, I came out with my friend, to smoke and I have no idea why I am out here all alone again." "What are you doing on this side of the house? Gala is that way," he said, wearing a stern expression. I instantly became scared. "I think I got lost; I should get back to the gala," I said, moving backward. "Don't be in a hurry; we have a lot to talk about, he said. I looked around, waiting for the right moment to run away from him. "Who are you? And who sent you?" he queried me as he moved closer. "No one, just here for the gala." I answered shakily. "If you don't talk right now, I will kill you right here and now.""I swear, I'm just lost." I tried convincing him while crying. Don't look at me like that; even if I told him the
I turned, heading towards the door, but I began hearing footsteps behind me. I turned around immediately, only to see no one. I looked around, but the alley was empty and dark.I heard a sound coming from behind the waste bins stacked in the corner. I became scared, and my body was covered in goosebumps. It was as if some fight was going on behind those bins. I moved backward with my eyes still fixed on the bins, waiting for something to jump out to take to my heels. "Oh God!" I screamed and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a tiny cat run out from behind the bin, but the bin didn't stop shaking. I spun on my heels and ran to my apartment. I slumped into the couch the minute I got into my apartment while breathing heavily. "That was scary," I said as laid on the couch to rest for a few seconds before I went to freshen up.I woke up and checked the time only to realize it was already morning. I was surprised I had slept off till this morning, putting on the same clothes. I mu
My heart skipped a bit as it began racing. I turned back to face her. "Ma'am," I answered. "Let's get this exclusive before any company gets to know about it.""Yes, ma'am," I quickly replied, sighing in relief. I got out of Tanner's office and picked up my bag to leave. "Leaving so soon," Lin asked the instant we bumped into each other outside the office. "I have an interview to attend," I said as I hurriedly walked past her. I wasn't in the mood to stand for a second to talk with her. "See you later then!" she yelled as I hurried out without looking back. Immediately I got downstairs, I hailed a cab heading to Oliver's mansion. I don't even know if I was going to meet him at home, but heck, I'd just try anyway.I was busy rehearsing what I would say to him in my mind. I thought of different things to say and different ways to go about it. Immediately the driver got to his place, I paid the cab driver and got off. I turned to enter, but my legs suddenly became weak and too hea
For the past few days, I have been locked inside my apartment, throwing the grandest pity party of all time. It was damn frustrating and heartbreaking, but I just couldn't get past the fact that Oliver broke me into tiny pieces for the first time in my life. Honestly, if this is what heartbreak looks like, I would rather remain a gold digger. I woke up this morning feeling reluctant to get back to work, but knowing Mrs. Tanner well, she would circumcise me if I didn't show up at the office today.My apartment looks like a pig lives in it, but I don't give a fuck about anything. I took my bath and I got to the office, and Ethan came to my desk with his wacky jokes.But I wasn't in the mood for any of them. He tried to get me to laugh at his jokes, but there was practically nothing funny about the jokes to begin with.He would just dabble a few words and expect you to laugh. "Come on, Charm, these are my Harvard jokes," he said, looking sad and making faces. "I'm sorry, but they a
I stood there for close to 2 minutes, mute and wondering what reply to give Dean. It would probably kill me to see Oliver partying and smiling with another woman after all we had shared. "Charm!" he called out, snapping me right out of my thoughts. But I couldn't still say another word as I stood transfixed, my head a little fuzzy. "You know what? Forget I even asked," he said as he turned around to leave. "No!" I blurted out, and he turned right back, facing me. "What?" he asked as his brows went up in a furrow. I cleared my throat as my voice sounded a bit pitchy a few seconds ago. "I mean, no, it's fine; ugh, I will go to the engagement party with you.""Really!" he exclaimed excitedly, but his face suddenly turned serious. "You won't back out at the last minute?" he asked me. "No, I won't. Later tonight, right?""Yes, I would come pick you up if you want." "I would love that," I said, smiling. "See you tonight, then." "Sure, see you," I replied as I turned to leave his
We walked into the party hands locked. I could feel their gazes on us as we walked in. The whispers in the air were like music to my ears. I can't begin to explain my satisfaction with seeing their puzzled faces. Dean was talking to one of the servers while I was busy checking up on some of the guests in attendance. I had to be on the lookout for a potential date. "That is our seat," Dean pointed at a table in the center of the room. It was as though the person who arranged the sitting position knew that I would be in attendance. I don't know about you, but you can't hide a rare beauty like me in a corner. "Nice," I whispered, and he looked at me with a scowl. I could tell he was a little confused, seeing how excited I was. "Shall we then?" I said as I wasn't prepared to tell him all about my plans to slay at the engagement party. He smiled and led me to the table. As I sat down, my eyes met Mrs. Caine's gaze. It seemed he had eyes on me from the moment I came, but I couldn't ca
One look at the caller, and he quickly excused himself. I took a sneak peek at his phone, and it had Ellen as the caller. I wonder what I was expecting anyway. I waved him off and went downstairs after a few minutes to see Dean speaking to Oliver. I couldn't help but imagine what he could be telling Dean with all seriousness if not to warn him to stay away from me. "Hey, is everything okay?" I was beginning to get worried." Dean asked the minute I came over. "Sorry, I should have called; I ran into a friend and had a little catching up," I said. "Oh, ok," Oliver gave me a side eye, but I ignored it. I walked away from both men with the excuse of getting something to eat. I took a plate to dish out food from the feast right before me. "The puppy has a new owner now." I heard Mrs. Caine's voice from behind me, but I ignored her anyway. The last thing I want is another confrontation with her. "You should take more food, you poor thing; I don't think that would be enough," she chuc
"Hey, what just happened?" Malcolm asked, looking all worried. I was surprised to see him here of all places."What are you doing in this neighborhood?" I asked him." I came to see a friend, I was about to leave when I noticed what was happening," he explained."Are you okay? What was that about?" he queried. "Oh, it's nothing much; I just picked up a difficult case," I quickly said while trying not to mention anything concerning the Carson's. I don't want him running off to tell Oliver a thing. "Are you sure? That guy was about to stab you, Charm." "It's fine; I will be more careful from henceforth, and I will make an entry at the station," I said while I tried leaving. "Charm, I don't think it's a great idea to walk alone tonight; after that," he said, holding my hand and dragging me along. I didn't bother fighting because it didn't seem like I stood any chance. We drove home silently without saying a word. I noticed his concerned stares, every now and then, but I didn't say a
I could swear I saw that guard standing behind me the day Ellen visited me; normally I shouldn't have recalled, but they scared the shit out of me."What is he doing here?" I asked myself, hurriedly walking into the building, hoping Ellen didn't send him here to kill me just because I called Oliver. I mean, that will be madness, but it isn't beneath her anyway."Hey," I heard a male voice yelling behind me, and I quickly increased my pace, almost running."Hey, stop," he kept yelling, but something was off about him; he wasn't yelling at the top of his voice; it was more like he didn't want to attract attention to himself.But I will be damned to stand around and find out what he wanted."Stop, I just want to talk," he said in a whispering tone.I stabbed the elevator button with my fingers, occasionally looking back to see if he had caught up with me.The elevator door pulled open, and I quickly ran inside, stabbing the button to close faster.The door was almost closed when he stuck
DEAN'S POVI haven't been myself ever since I left. I found it hard to go back ever since I left. I thought she had finally accepted me and made up her mind to forget about Oliver, but seeing how pale she was at the engagement party, I knew I stood no chance against Oliver. I was feeling guilty seeing how miserable she looked.I made up my mind after dropping her off at her apartment to leave the city for a while, but that was the dumbest idea ever. I should have stayed behind to fight for her love.I had known her for only a couple of months, but it just felt like I had known her like forever. I couldn't stand watching her pine for someone who would be married to someone else in a matter of weeks.I packed up my things and decided to leave. I came by her apartment to tell her about how I felt and my plans to leave.I stood at her door for hours contemplating my options, but I wasn't ready to learn the truth, so I decided to leave without telling her.I thought maybe it would give he
I haven't seen Oliver ever since the incident with Ellen; at first, I was pissed, hoping to see him and return the slap, but when I remembered he gave me a video of Carson trafficking young girls, I became scared for him.I worried that he must have told her those things because he was scared. But I couldn't bring myself to call him; the last thing I want is another visit, from Ellen. But anyway, I was kind of glad it wasn't Carson or Geoffrey; it wouldn't have gone after the slap, and maybe it would have been a bullet to my head.I was still lost in thought thinking about what best to do and how to go about it when I heard my phone ringing. I grabbed the phone from my desk, hoping to be done with the call before Tanner caught me.She is literally on my neck lately; I guess Geoffrey threatened the shit out of her when he came for Barker's file and she decided to take it out on me like she always did.One look at the caller ID, and I was pissed. I thought I made it clear that I didn't
I opened my mouth to say something, but it closed right back. He started from Oliver to me, then back to Oliver. I have no idea what was going through his mind, but I would give everything to find out."Hi, Dean, you're back," I blurted out, running my fingers through my hair."Yes, I came back a few days ago," his gaze was still on my hair. But then it hit me; did he just say he came back a few days ago; he couldn't call me since he came back."Maybe he lost his phone," I thought to myself."Oh, what are you doing here?" I asked him, hoping that would make him forget all about me."I have an appointment with Oliver," my gaze shifted to Oliver."Yeah, yeah, I forgot the brunch," he said, checking his time."What brunch?" I asked confused."Uh, the club is holding a brunch later today," Oliver explained."Oh," I spat out, taken aback.For the love of God, he had the time to attend a brunch but didn't bother seeing me after how we left things."I should go," I quickly said, turning to l
To think I was taking shit from the security guy to find out more about the shipment only for Oliver to hand it over to me on a platter without ass-licking anyone. I felt the urge to shove my foot down the security guy's throat but decided not to. I have always known that our system was dysfunctional, but I never imagined that our system was rotten to this extent.For heaven's sake, why would he traffic these little girls in a container halfway across the world? I could feel my blood boiling and my muscles cringing while watching the video.But one thing still baffles me: where do they all go? I mean, the girls. He gets the shipment every month; where does he keep these girls?It takes a lot of work and connection to keep this kind of deal off the police and the media raiders. I was lost in my world losing track of time. I looked up from the video I was watching to see Oliver dozing off with his head leaning on the window.I sighed, "He has gotten thinner." I whispered to myself; he
I was at the office going through the stupid case Tanner gave me; you know, some days I just hate my job more than you can imagine.How on earth am I stuck behind this desk learning about how cats mate, just to cover the news of two neighbors fighting because of their cats? When I should be covering better cases, I think Tanner is back to her usual self now.When I mean back, I mean back to torment me, because tell me what the heck is this?I was getting frustrated by the stupid case, and my throat was getting dry, I was about to get myself something to drink when someone pushed a cup of coffee to me.I stopped, staring at Kevin as he stood there smiling. "You look beautiful when you are working hard," he said, smiling. I was confused at first wondering what he was on about, then it hit me."He isn't hitting on me," I whispered to myself, staring like a moron while he was acting like he just handed me the world."I have lost my charm, I'm doomed," I murmured."Enjoy," he waved, smil
It's been one week since the incident at the office, but why the gray sedan was still on my ass beats me.It was more like a third leg following me everywhere. I was in the room one evening preparing to step out for a date. Yes, I know what you are thinking.I am not going to let any man tie my ass down, nor will I allow anyone to kill my dreams.That dream of living in wealth and affluence, I checked myself out in the mirror, and I was looking so good.I picked up my clutch and my phone to step out. But decided to take a final look at my date, to feed my eyes before I gaze on the real thing.Nick Barnes is one of the most talked about eligible bachelors in New York City. I heard he lost his father recently to a terrible accident, making him the sole heir of his father's fortunes.I feel so terrible, but it's great news. I mean, now is the perfect time for him to get married, and I heard he recently broke up with his girlfriend. Are you thinking what am thinking? You know what that m
"Hey, what just happened?" Malcolm asked, looking all worried. I was surprised to see him here of all places."What are you doing in this neighborhood?" I asked him." I came to see a friend, I was about to leave when I noticed what was happening," he explained."Are you okay? What was that about?" he queried. "Oh, it's nothing much; I just picked up a difficult case," I quickly said while trying not to mention anything concerning the Carson's. I don't want him running off to tell Oliver a thing. "Are you sure? That guy was about to stab you, Charm." "It's fine; I will be more careful from henceforth, and I will make an entry at the station," I said while I tried leaving. "Charm, I don't think it's a great idea to walk alone tonight; after that," he said, holding my hand and dragging me along. I didn't bother fighting because it didn't seem like I stood any chance. We drove home silently without saying a word. I noticed his concerned stares, every now and then, but I didn't say a
One look at the caller, and he quickly excused himself. I took a sneak peek at his phone, and it had Ellen as the caller. I wonder what I was expecting anyway. I waved him off and went downstairs after a few minutes to see Dean speaking to Oliver. I couldn't help but imagine what he could be telling Dean with all seriousness if not to warn him to stay away from me. "Hey, is everything okay?" I was beginning to get worried." Dean asked the minute I came over. "Sorry, I should have called; I ran into a friend and had a little catching up," I said. "Oh, ok," Oliver gave me a side eye, but I ignored it. I walked away from both men with the excuse of getting something to eat. I took a plate to dish out food from the feast right before me. "The puppy has a new owner now." I heard Mrs. Caine's voice from behind me, but I ignored her anyway. The last thing I want is another confrontation with her. "You should take more food, you poor thing; I don't think that would be enough," she chuc