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
We stayed with them till sunset and way past that, too. Manuel was almost too reluctant to leave, especially since the children came back home, and they were immediately all over him, bringing their toys to show him.It was beautiful to watch, and I got on the floor with them and joined in on the fun. Anne was pleased and kept packing homemade food for us to go with, saying it has forever heen her mother's dream to pack those for Manuel. He had to eat two portions for Emma, too.Manuel gladly accepted it, with a promise to return tomorrow. I knew he would. I almost wanted to go with him, too.I sighed as we got in the car, and Vector leaned back, his hand coming to his head. "That was such a beautiful environment, Manuel."Manuel smiled, then turned to Vector. "Thank you, Vector. So much. I would have missed out on this one more day."Vector smiled. "At least one of you is finally acknowledging me."I broke into a laugh as Manuel smiled, too. "You are such a whiny baby."Vector rolle
I was lying on my side, my face buried in Vector's chest, my eyes closed. I was wrapped up in one of his robes, my hair sprawled across the pillows. His hand was gently caressing my thigh, his lips grazing my forehead.This is where I loved to be."You haven't eaten, Red."I shrugged. "I don't want to. I am fine here."He moved so he could look in my eyes. "You are?"I nodded. "Is it so hard to believe?"He gave a small chuckle. "No, not exactly. It just tickles me in a whole lot of places that you went from poisoning me to... cuddling with me. "It made me laugh, my eyes closing. "Younare very hard to kill, that I must admit.""Or you didn't want to?"I met his eyes, and he shrugged. "I know what I am saying. You could put a gun to my head, and I wouldn't move."I gave a small giggle, then sighed. "I think I like this better. I don't want to have to be on my toes around you.""Oh, Muneca. Others will have to be on their toes around me for you."I gave a laugh, and he took the chance
"What?" I asked, my brows furrowed. "But why?"He shrugged. "I found my family. I think it's time to...""You talk like you were a stray dog that was picked up until your owners come to claim you.""Red. You are being hurtful.""No. You know you are the only one Vector truly trusts. You are going to hurt him too, and you know leaving him isn't what he had in mind when he insisted you reunite with your mother. I doubt he would ever stop you from going to meet them, but...""You are worried about Vector being hurt, but what about me, Red?""What?"He sighed, closing his eyes. "I don't want to talk about this. I will see Vector when he is awake."He turned away and started to walk away, but I went after him, holding his hand in place. He stopped, a sigh escaping his lips."Manuel, talk to me at least. Please. What went so wrong?"He turned to me, his eyes darting slowly across both of mine. "I... I just want to be able to keep my loyalty to Vector, Red. It's getting increasingly harder f
I sniffed, moving away from Hillary, a small sigh escaping my lips. "I am sorry."She shook her head, a smile lifting her lips. "Thank you. For everything. Honestly, Red."I shook my head, then sat back. "I wanted to check up on you. Have you had anything to eat?"She gave a small shrug. "I honestly don't have an appetite. It feels like it just happened, and I don't know how to feel, Red. Manuel told me he would be leaving, and I just feel..."My lips parted, and I leaned to her, my eyes whr4. "I think I have an idea."Her brows furrowed, but she leaned closer. "Tell me."I gave a small smile, my mind reeling with the prospect of keeping Manuel back. Slowly, I leaned to her, then whispered, my eyes checking to see her reaction.I loved how she immediately brightened up and turned to me, her eyes wide."You think something like that would work?"I shrugged. "Maybe. Manuel is a simple guy. Honestly, I don't want to see him leave, not just for the dact that he would hurt Vector, but...""
I stepped back from the spread as Hillary ran around to me, a small smile on her face. I was glad that she looked much happier, a small twinkle in her eyes as she turned back to the table.I held her hand, then gave a small sigh. "Thank you for helping out, Hillary."She gave a small sigh. "Do you think he would be impressed?""Maybe. But we won't know if we don't try. I really hope he will understand and stay back. Even if not for me, then for you, Hillary," I said, but I was hoping he would stay for me too. Just so he would stay my friend. Just so he wouldn't hurt Vector by leaving."Red?"I turned to Vector, and his eyes were thin as he took in the spread. "What's all of this? Are we celebrating something?"I shrugged. "Maybe we should before the dinner later tonight. And... I want to tell you something."Vector's eyes moved between me and Hillary, then at the phone set up on the table."Okay?"I walked towards him, my lips slightly parting. "You were asleep earlier, but Manuel came
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