I slowly leaned away from Vector, my eyes lowering to take him in. His eyes were closed, and my fingers cupped both sides of his face, my lips lightly parting. He was hardly breathing now, his lashes fluttering slowly against each other, his body cold against mine."Vector?"He swallowed, then leaned away from me, his hands cupping his face before I even got a chance to look at it."Vector.""You should go. I will take care of things here."I sighed, turning towards the bed. A small knock came on the door, and I turned to Manuel. He was with three other people, and I gave him a small nod, then turned towards Vector."Come to my room, Vector."He slowly shook his head, but I wouldn't have any of it. I pulled him, and he let me, yielding gradually to my insistence. Slowly, he stood up while Manuel and the others entered the room.I pulled Vector away with me and led him straight to my room. It was empty, clean, and whoever had done that knew exactly where Vector's room was. That was w
I lost track of the minutes we spent, standing there, his hands around me, his face in my neck. The cries had stopped a while ago, but neither of us moved, like standing there, the world in front of us, helped us find a bit of respite.Slowly, Vector loosened his grip against me and moved away, his chest heaving. I started to turn to him, but before I could, he was gone towards the bathroom, leaving nothing but the moisture on my neck and my heart that had broken for him.I turned towards the open drapes. It was already dusk, and the world was achieving a serene tranquillity that fell with every night.I wondered how my father felt after doing this. Could he have been responsible for the car bomb, too?I shook my head, my eyes closing for a bit. I gave a small sigh, then shook my head and moved away from the window.Slowly, Vector emerged from the bathroom wearing a robe, his hair damp. His eyes were dark and reddened, and without a word to me, he walked straight to bed. I went to h
I woke up to the noises from downstairs. My brows furrowed, and I turned, my hands immediately searching for Vector. The space where he should be occupying was empty, and my eyes immediately opened. Alarm bells went off in my head as I sat up, my chest heaving as I looked around. Vector was not in the room. I got out of bed, then went out, my brows furrowed. There were a lot of people around Vector's room, and I immediately panicked."Vector?" I called, pushing through them, wondering if something else had happened or if... of God forbid, something happened to Vector."Vector?""Red." I looked up, and he was right in front of the herd, his eyes shielded behind dark glasses. He was wearing a white suit and looked ready to leave. His room, however, wasn't.It was being torn down, and everything was taken out. I now understood why there were so many men around. They were taking out everything and taking it down one by one.Vector pulled me to him, his hand slowly caressing my shoulde
Manuel gave a small sigh. "You know Vector would hate that.""Don't you have your suspicions, Manuel? Don Lucian could be the one doing all of these.""I honestly don't see it," Manuel said, turning away. "How did he know where Vector's room was? And whoever slept with her...""You mean rape," I said, cutting him off."My theory is that she invited whoever it was, Red. It is the only way to explain something like this. She probably booked someone, or maybe a fling...""She was always in love with Vector.""Explains why she could have gone to his room. It is sick, I know, but she could have been doing the roleplay thing, and he ended up killing her. There is no way to know. But there is also no way for a stranger to know Vector's room and get in without alerting anyone."I swallowed. "Is there no footage?""Vector does not want it. He just wants to keep it away."My brows furrowed. "But...""Why do you think Vector wants to keep this under wraps? Because he has the same suspicions as y
Like Manuel had overheard us, he was sitting on the dining table, his legs crossed, his eyes focused on his phone. His hair fell to shield half of his face away.I broke into a laugh as I turned to Hillary, who had turned a bright red. Manuel looked up, his brows furrowing as he looked between us."What's wrong?"It only made me laugh more, and Hillary nudged me hard on my shoulder and immediately started to walk faster.I overtook her and went to the left, thenbushered her to the empty seat right next to Manuel. He raised a brow but drew out her seat for her, his eyes looking between us. "What's funny, Red?" I shrugged, my chest heaving. "Just something I remembered."He rolled his eyes, turning, just as Hillary started to reach for a plate."Wait," he said, his hand slightly touching hers. I saw how much redder she got, and I struggled to keep the laughter down."Let me taste it first."Her brows furrowed. "Why?""To keep safe," he said, then proceeded to take a bite out of ever
My brows furrowed as I sat alone in the room, my thoughts wandering between Manuel and Hillary, Don Lucian, and Emilia. It was hard to focus on anything, however, and I slowly stood up, stretching my legs as I walked to the window. I could see the pool dow beneath. It was empty, and I gave a small sigh, my gaze turning to the painting.A sudden knock came on the door, and I turned to it, just as Hillary walked in, wearing a big smile that threatened to split her face in two."Red!" She squealed, her habds wrapping around me. "You saw it, right? He kissed me, Red. He really kissed me!"I laughed, my hands wrapping around her too. She broke away, then gasped, her eyes wide."How was it?" I asked, my smile big."It was novel. So beautiful. He is soft, gentle, and damn so dreamy! I can't believe that was his first kiss!"My smile faltered a bit, and I felt my chest tightening with a bit of guilt. I swallowed, then forced a smile, and nodded. "Now, he won't ever forget you."She laughed,
I gave a small sigh as Vector returned to where I was standing, my eyes fixed on the pool. Hillary and Manuel were still there, and they were sitting side by side now, her hand lightly touching his."When did that happen?"I turned to him, then shrugged. "This morning."Vector gave a small laugh. "Manuel was never the type for rebounds. This is surprising."My brows furrowed. "Rebounds?""Mhm. She is a rebound. You don't think so?"I bit down on my lips. Of course I did. I knew she was a rebound. He saw an opportunity, and he took it. I felt terrible because it was obvious house that she actually did like him."I... why do you think so?"Vector shrugged and moved away from me. "I know. I know he is in love with you, too. And I know that kiss meant a lot more to him than it did to you."I turned to Vector. "Yet...""Yes. Yet. Because Manuel would never try to take something I want. If it was anything else, I would have given it to him. Just not you."I swallowed. "I feel bad for Hillar
The rest of the day passed by in a rather solemn state. Vector was with me all day, alternating between sleeping and just being there, enjoying my company without saying anything at all. I wondered how Hillary was doing and if Manuel was still with her. He had looked more sincere about comforting her than he had been about kissing her."Vector?" I said, my fingers running through his hair. "Mhm?" I swallowed, then kissed his head. "I will be back soon."He nodded sleepily, then adjusted, letting me leave the bed. I got out, then slowly walked out of the room. The house was quiet except for the maids putting dinner in order, and a few others just fixing the place. A few workers were in Vector's room, too, but the house just held a rather solemn vibe to it.I slowly walked to the spare room Hillary was in, then knocked. There was no answer the first time. I knocked again, and there was still no answer. My brows furrowed as alarm bells started to ring in my head.I wondered if somethin
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