I was distracted the entire time as I sat with Hillary, who seemed to enjoy my company. I did feel a little sorry for the fact that I wasn't giving her full attention when the main purpose of this was just that. I sighed, running my hands through my hair, a small sigh escaping me."That's the ninth one. One more till you break a record."I sighed, and she broke into a laugh. "You did it, Red. Maybe you should tell me what's wrong with you."I shook my head slowly. "I am just worried for Vector. He seemed like he was doing something dangerous when he left.""Call him," she said with a shrug. "What if that gets in his way or something?"She gave a sigh and sat up, her eyes meeting mine. "What do you want to do, then? Even if I do let you go, it wouldn't help anything. You should call him. It's been an hour."I sucked in my bottom lip, then slowly stood up. "I will be back."She gave me an understanding nod, and I walked past her and out of the room. The rest of the house felt eerily q
I took a slow shower, but my mind was distant. Vector wasn't back yet, and it made me nervous. He had said he would be back in the morning. Had he forgotten about the burial? Had he forgotten about... coming back to me? He could have called, but..I sighed, hoping that by the time I stepped out of the shower, he would be lying in my bed, hisveyes closed, his hair all over my sheets. I miss seeing him that way, completely unguarded around me.I stepped out of the shower. He wasn't there. The black dress I had picked was lying on the bed, and I sighed. I slowly got ready and wore the knee-length dress. It was plain, thankfully, and I smoothened it over my body."Red?" Manuel suddenly said, and I turned to the door, then gave him a weak smile."Do you know where Vector is?"He gave a nod. "He asked me to make sure the burial goes well. He will meet us there."I gave a sigh of relief. "I was so worried."Manuel shrugged. "You act like you don't know who Vector is.""I do, but... I can't h
I held on to Hillary as she struggled to stay standing, her chest heaving as she cried into her palm. I swallowed hard as the prayers continued till the priest was finally done, and the graves were slowly lowered.Suddenly, I heard the revving of a car engine. I turned as everyone else did, just as Vector's car came to the burial grounds. It stopped, and the door opened. I watched keenly, my heart skipping beats randomly as I watched him. Slowly, he got out of the car, and I gasped, my eyes wide. He was still wearing the white suit he had worn to go out, but it was deeply stained with blood that it was hardly white now.His eyes were set in ice as he slowly covered the distance, wearing dark spectacles on his eyes. I could hear the gasos of horror, the hushed whispers, and the speculations flying around.If Vector cared, he didn't show it, as he covered the distance and took my hand. I swallowed, turning back to the graves. The coffins were now six feet under, and Hillary went tondro
Hillary and Manuel arrived a little while before we did, and when I got down, he was holding her shoulder, her head buried in his chest.Vector held my hand, and without a word to them, he pulled me to the main entrance. "Can you have breakfast?" Vector asked, his eyes lifting to Hillary. "I reckon none of you have eaten?"I nodded. "Don't worry, I will take care of her till she feels better. Just go on without me."Vector nodded, then turned away, leaving me standing there with Hillary and Manuel. Manuel slowly took her to the table and drew out a seat, and I helped her to it, then started drawing out a plate.She gave a small sigh, then shook her head. "Don't worry, Red. I will just take a nap.""But, Hillary...""Please. Okay?"I sighed, then slowly nodded, by eyes slowly blinking as I watched her leave. I turned to Manuel, whose gaze lingered for a long while, his brows lightly furrowed."You pity her, don't you?""Yeah, it must be hard. Her mother was always the only one, and se
When I went up, Vector was in the shower, and I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to come out of it. He took a bit of time, but he soon emerged, his eyes thin, his hair ruffled and wet, a towel wrapped around his waist.He didn't acknowledge me and started to walk the opposite way to the main door when I ran up to him, my hand spread on either side of me, my eyes wide."Hey, hey... big boy.""Red, not now," he said, meeting my eyes. "You and Manuel keep acting like I am the most heartless of men out there, and I am not able to process basic human decency.""No, sweetheart. I swear. Maybe Manuel just knows that you can. You feel strongly about this and...""Don't sweettalk me. After years of trust, you are the one he finally tells the truth about his mother. Should I be scared of his feelings for you, too?""Vector," I said, my eyes pleading. "I swear, that isn't it. He wanted to keep his mum away. She abandoned him, and he thought, keeping her away would be granting her wis
I was soon done with my shower, but the voices in my head remained as loud as ever, causing me to have a slight headache. The room was empty, and I dressed up slowly, my lips sucked in as I lightly bit down on it. It helped me calm down and focus on dressing up. I wore a simple dress and wedges, then simply ley my hair up in a tight ponytail.I turned towards the door as a knock came on it. Vector poked his head in, then opened the door a little wider. "Are you ready?"I nodded slowly, then walked to him. He didn't move from the door, however, and I tried to squeeze myself in the little space he had left. He moved, however, his eyes focused on me."Maybe you should stay home," he said, his eyes thin as he examined me.I met his eyes. "Why?""I don't reckon you looked in the mirror?"I swallowed. "I am fine. I just...""Thought about the man, Leo Gomes?"I sighed. "Stop reading me like an open book, sweetie.""Took practice," he said, shrugging. "I will do what I please."I met his ey
An elderly woman stood by the door, her eyes wide as she looked between us, her brows lightly furrowed. I turned to Manuel, who now had a single tear running down his left cheek."Do I... know you?"Manuel sniffed, but Vector took the lead. "You will, soon. Could you let us in?"She nodded, then slowly moved away from the door, her legs rather shaky. Vector ushered us in, and Manuel went first, followed by me. Vector lingered by the door, then slowly leaned to the woman."Do you need help?""Why, you are so kind. My legs are rather weak."Vector gave a small smile, then held her hand and walked her to the couch."Thank you very much, son."Vector sat next to me, then sighed. "Son?"She smiled. "I apologize. I always call everyone that.""Don't you have one?"She opened her mouth, then hesitated, and shook her head. "No, I..."She hadn't finished before Manuel stood up and started to head for the door."Manuel," Vector said, his voice low and threatening.The woman turned slowly to Man
Manuel looked up to the new girl, and he slowly moved away from his mother, his lips parting as he took her in. I turned to her too, and she was taking him in, confusion etched in her face. Her brows were furrowed, but she had the same warm brown eyes as Manuel and the silky dark brown hair. She looked almost like a female version of him.Her eyes moved to her mother's, and she swallowed, then walked in, her chest heaving."I... I dropped them at school and made a few deliveries. What's happening here, mum?"Manuel stood up, then helped their mother back up on the couch, his eyes a little uncertain."How are you doing?" Vector suddenly asked, and she turned to him with a polite smile."I am good. I hope you are too."Vector nodded again. "I am Vector. This is my girlfriend, Red, and that is... your brother, Manuel."Her eyes widened, and she turned to Manuel, the brown paper bag she was holding, slowly leaving her hand. A few apples and other things rolled out, but her eyes were fixed
Vector was in bed, and I slowly leaned to him, my lips gently kissing his forehead. He gave a small smile and turned to me, his eyes slowly meeting mine."Aren't you going out today?"He shook his head. "She called me dada. She obviously wants me to stay home."I broke into a laugh. "That little traitor. Betraying me like that."He pulled me in. "I could call you baby whenever you want."I broke into a laugh, my eyes darting to the sleeping child. She was just six months old, and she was closer to Vector than ever. She even took after his beautiful, different colored eyes, and I was convinced that my genes hadn't even tried at all.I kissed his forehead again, then smiled. "Everyone is coming for dinner today. Get ready, okay?""Yes, ma'am."I broke into a smile, stealing one more kiss from him, before I walked away. We spent the evening downstairs with everyone. Dad, who was more than excited to be a grandfather and was even taking lessons, Rose, who took every chance to touch Victor
I woke up naked in bed, and Vector wasn't by my side either. I turned, my eyes squinting, my chest heaving as I took the room in. There was no sign of the shower. I turned to my left, and a bouquet of roses was sitting there, with a letter hanging out from it. I broke into a smile, then sat up, grabbing the letter, a smile lighting up my lips."Come meet me in the below address in an hour. I love you."My brows furrowed as I looked down at the address, my chest heaving. I jumped out of bed, then swiftly went to the shower. I checked the time on my phone. I hadn't realized it was past twelve already, but anyone would understand how much I needed my first worry free sleep in so long. In forever. Slowly, I chose a dress, then put my hair up in a ponytail. It was a cute, flowery sun dress, and I twirled around in it for a bit, my smile big.Manuel was waiting in the car when I got down, and something about his smile made me feel like he knew what was going on but simply won't tell me.I
I wrapped Vector's jacket around me as the doctor gave us instructions to take care of the wound. Vector nodded slowly, but his eyes held mine, and I wondered if he ever actually did listen to the doctor. Manuel followed the doctor and finished with the remaining discharge processes, and I stayed back with Vector, who was finally falling asleep, fatigue, lack of sleep, and the pain catching up with him."We can go now," Manuel announced, coming up to us. I went to Vector's side, then wrapped his arm around me, while Manuel did the same to his left. That way, we got him out of the hospital and to the car. I got in the back with him, then gently adjusted him to lie on my lap, my fingers slowly pushing through his hair, my smile small.He was now weak, and it didn't take him long to fall asleep, his eyes closing gradually. I leaned to kiss his forehead, and he gave a weak smile before he finally fell asleep. The ride this time was slow, and I actually got to breathe. I watched the sig
Manuel cut through the teeming traffic as he drove us at top speed to the hospital. My heart was in my throat by the time we got to the hospital, my eyes darting fearfully between the outside environment and Vector, who was now motionless.Manuel got out, then came around and opened the door. I got out first, and he leaned, then slowly brought Vector out of the car. I ran to support him, and we walked into the hospital with Vector between us.They immediately brought a stroller, and we lay Vector on it. We followed behind them as they wheeled him to the operating room."It appears to be a gunshot wound, " one of the doctors said, adjusting his gloves. "Do you have a police report?"I swallowed. Tears were running down my cheeks now, and I wasn't even sure how to control it. They wanted to wait another ten minutes to bring that man to give a police report even when my Vector wasn't even moving anymore?I turned. Vector's gun was still in my hand, and I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes
I gasped as Vector gave a small smile, his eyes darkening as he got progressively angrier. Slowly, he cracked his gun, then slowly moved Don Lucian's head, his voice low with a murderous darkness behind it. "Let's try, then.""Vector," I said, but before the word could get out of my mouth, a van I recognized drove into the port and then parked. I turned, just as my real father was brought out at gun point, his eyes wide, his hands brought up in a surrender."Dad!" I screamed, and it distracted Vector momentarily, causing Don Lucian to swing for the chance he got.He immediately grabbed me by the neck, forcing me to his body, a wicked laugh escaping his lips, his eyes thin with evil."You fool, you really thought you could outsmart me? How about living the rest of your life like that bastard pining for your Rose?""Red," Vector said, his eyes wide. I could immediately see his resolve weakening, fear flashing in his eyes. Manuel ran out, his chest heaving. "Don't shoot!"Vector blinke
I nodded, my breath hitching in my throat. The cars stopped, and for a short while, no one came out of them. I held my breath, then turned to Vector, whose eyes were thin now, his fingers clasped into each other.Slowly, the first car opened, and I watched as Don Lucian walked out of the car, his eyes thin. His eyes took in the port before it landed on Jonas' dead body.He looked up, and in the blink of an eye, the other cars he had come with opened up, armed men trooping out immediately, surrounding us.Vector gave a small chuckle, his eyes becoming a lot thinner. I know what that meant. He was getting even angrier."Deploy the men," Vector said, and I watched as the place was slowly covered by even more men, armed to the core, their guns aimed towards Don Lucian's men.Don Lucian looked cornered, his eyes wide and filled with rage. Manuel slowly came out of his car, his gun held tight and ready to shoot."Have you missed us? Don?"Don Lucian met Manuel's eyes, and he swallowed, clen
The ride was silent, and Vector called once to make sure I was on my way. He spoke to the driver, and I leaned back, my chest heaving. All of it was so nerve-wracking, and I needed to see the end to this. Has there been some sort of change in plans? Was there some sort of problem?Suddenly, the car stopped. I turned around, and Vector's car was parked by the aide. My eyes thinned as I watched the car. Slowly, he rolled down the glass, and Vector's face slowly came into view.He had a small smile and a cigar between his lips, his eyes dark. I broke into a smile and went out of the car, without waiting for him to come to me.I went into the car, and he broke into a laugh as I lunged myself into him, smile big, my chest heaving hard. He wrapped his hands around me, his lips blessing every inch of my skin available to him. My face, my lips, my neck, my shoulders, the tops of my breasts, my fingers, my arms.I guess he felt the same emptiness I had all night long."Fuck, I missed you," he
I lay in bed, my eyes watching the bright chandelier. I had lost track of time, and I just lay there. Halfway across the city to Vector, and another part of me just laying here, waiting for something, anything. Needing something to tell me that Vector was okay.A knock came on my door, and I turned to it, my eyes slowly blinking. Hillary poked her head in, then gave me a small smile as she caught my eyes."I thought you would be alone. Manuel told me they were leaving."I nodded, then slowly sat up. My phone was lying on the bedside drawer, and I sighed, watching it. There was nothing."Are you okay?"I nodded slowly. "You?""Ibam fine. Could you lend me one of your clothes, please? We are the same size and I really need to go somewhere."I nodded, forcing myself to sit up, my chest slightly heaving. I got out of bed, then slowly led her to the wardrobe. I let her choose, and she picked the simplest one, just something that looked rather plain."Is that really what you want?" I asked,
Vector closed the door and turned back to me, a small smile on his face. He leaned to me, his fingers gently massaging my scalp. "You should rest. I will be back."I shook my head, sitting up, my chest slightly heaving. "I will dress up and come downstairs. This involves me as much as it does you."He nodded, kissing me hard, his grip on my face almost desperate. He pulled away, then kissed around my face again, his eyes closed.I could hear the silent prayer in those kisses. I could tell he was nervous. He never really was, but now, because I was there, because I was a weakness, he had no other option.He was scared, just as I was. This could go either way, and this story could end with me losing him. This story could come to an end with me standing above him. I would hate for that to happen.I got out of bed, then slowly dressed up in comfortable shorts and a large sweatshirt. Soon enough, we went downstairs where Manuel was, with a group of armed men.His eyes were thin, and ever