KIMBERLY"You'll find out soon."Bran smiles down at me,"You know I hate surprises right? What if you're going to tell me you're no longer interested in marrying me?"I laugh smoothly but the sudden tense of his muscles has me pausing, he continues dragging me to the car,I get in and he drives off.The entire ride is quiet, I leave it at that because maybe he's thinking about the surprise. I smile to myself and roll down the window, enjoying the feel of the cool breeze filling the space.We arrive at a museum,I frown then look up at Bran and find him watching me."An Art museum?""Yes, come on."We walk inside and I melt. The place is full of beautiful paintings hanging on the wall,my lips part and I can't seem to close them,one painting grabs my attention. I move forward and stare at it,it's so beautiful,I tilt my head to the side trying to make sense of it.The colors and design are catchy,I don't even really know why I'm so mesmerized by it. "If you keep staring at that portrait
KIMBERLYI see Harry rounding the corner,he seems to be in a rush,I can't catch up with hi, so I call out his name loudly."Stuart!" I use his last name.He looks back and pauses,I wave for him to stop."Hey!" I breathe heavily once I reach him."Uh..hi." he smiles awkwardly and pushes his spectacles up the bridge of his nose."Can I walk with you?" I ask and he looks around nervously."What's wrong?" I follow his gaze but there nobody around."Harry?" I touch his arm and he startles."L-look Kim,there's something I need to tel-""Hey baby."Bran hugs me from behind,I don't answer him as I keep looking at Harry. He was about to tell me something but when he looks behind me,his mouth seals shut."Har-""I should go,see you later Kimberly."Then he scurries off. I frown,he just called me Kimberly and not Kim. I turn and face Brandon,he's looking in the direction Stuart went.He looks down and finds me watching him,his eyes soften and a smile pulls at his lips."How was your day?""It w
KIMBERLY Ever since Matt told me about his bucket list being all about me, I just brushed it off and tried to get rid of him, but he wouldn't stop following me around or pushing me to be friends with him. I honestly don't know what the guy's problem is, there's thousands of girls here throwing themselves at his feet but he just won't stop bothering me.The last thing I want is him getting into trouble with Brandon, if he finds out there's a guy onto me, things won't go well.I place my books on my lap as I sit in a chair in the hall. Suddenly, the feeling of being watched starts to crawl on my skin, I search my surroundings and there's no one looking at me, i frown.That's weird.The entire time, I keep feeling a weight on me but I try my best to ignore it.Once the lecture stops, I get up and make my way to the entrance then accidentally bump into someone."Oh crap." I crouch and start to pick up my books when I catch someone mirroring my position and helping me out."Oh my goodne
BRANDON A two hours drive to the next city was not something I thought I would be doing anytime soon. I told Kimberly I was going to visit my cousin Brent in New York, but the truth is I'm actually going to San Diego to see Xander.In a few hours, I get to Xander's apartment, I pull out my phone and call him."I'm here."I find him waiting at the door.He smiles and I return it, then give him a bro hug."Man it feels like ages since I last saw you," he says as he steps inside the house and i follow behind him, closing the door.He offers me a drink and then sits on the chair,facing the couch I'm sitting on."How are you dealing? Still purging?""Yes," I nod. "I hate the fact that I'm lying to Kimberly, I don't want it to be like this."Xander sighs.I've been filling him in over the phone on everything that has been happening since someone from my past life came back, trying to get back into my life. It's not just any typical old fling that I can easily push away and avoid, this was s
KIMBERLYI know this is wrong, I shouldn't be doing this, I'm supposed to trust Brandon but with what Jonathan said and how he's been acting lately, I'm sure he's hiding something.I call Lydia and ask for Anna's phone number."Hello?" She picks up on the first ring."Hi Lydia, this is Kimberly.""Oh, hi Kimberly, how've you been doing?" she says with a tired voice.I look at the time and it's 9pm, so that means she must be asleep."Oh my god, I'm so sorry I woke you, I totally forgot about the time.""No, it's fine." There's shuffling in the background. "Is everything okay?""Yeah, yeah, I'm actually planning a surprise for my mom and was wondering if you could give me Anna's number?""Oh, sure, I'll send it to you right away.""Thanks."I hang up.Anna is Brandon's cousin's girlfriend, Brent, who he said he was going to visit in New York. She's one of the most famous event planners in New York.A message from Lydia with her number reaches me and I call her."Hi Anna, it's Kimberly, B
KIMBERLY"He's lying to me, he's lying and I don't know why.""Kim," Nao places her hand on top of mine. "Are we you sure you want to do this?""Yes Nao, I want this whole mystery and lies to come to an end." I suck in a deep breath. "I think he's seeing someone," i finally say the words that burn my throat."Kim.." Nao shakes her head."If what I think is true, I don't know what will happen to me Nao, I won't be able to take it."Tears slide down my cheeks, Naomi stands and comes to my side, holding me in a side hug, she leans the side of her head against mine."It's going to be okay."* "Hours Later* *After leaving campus, i meet up with Nao, we have lunch together and Sam later joins us."Hey, what took you so long?" Nao asks."I was handling a few things, whatsup?" She settles down and places her book on the table."I think Brandon is seeing someone."She eyes Naomi, I frown and look between the two of them."We have to tell her Nao," Sam says."Tell me what?" I ask."Hello ladie
KIMBERLY *Two Years Ago* "Kimberly, thanks for what you did yesterday, I don't know what would have happened to him if you hadn't showed up." "It's okay, Lydia, I'll always be there for Brandon." She smiles sadly and blinks back tears. "Are you okay?" I take a step closer then place my hand on top of her shaking one. She looks up at me and wipes the tears with her other hand. "I got so scared when he refused to open the door,Kim. It took me back to the darkest times of his life." "The darkest times?" "Yes, you see, there was this girl in Bran's life, they literally grew up together, it was obvious they both had a crush on each other since childhood ,but when they grew up,they still refused to admit it. They got into so much trouble, Bran would scare off boys who liked her and she would make other girl's lives miserable." I listen to her attentively as she tells her son's love story. "At fourteen, they finally got together and they were so cute. As they grew older, they fell
KIMBERLYIt's been two days since I last saw Brandon, I've been doing everything possible to make sure I don't bump into him. Of course I do reply to his messages, he checks up on me from time to time."Are you sure you want to go back?" Nao asks."I'll be fine."I hug her and then leave.* *Our Apartment* *I take a shower and lay down on the bed, taking a deep breath in and out.I call Xander."Look who decided to call."I smile at the sound of his voice."Hey Xander, how are you doing? I miss you.""What's wrong? I know something is wrong when you use that line.""I'm just..." I pause. "Has Brandon called you these past few days?""Uh,yes, why?""It's just, anyway,it's nothing. How've you been?""Don't do that Kim, you're my friend, you can tell me anything, I'm here for you."My emotions start to get the best of me, my eyes water and I can't stop thinking about that picture."But you're also Bran's best friend," I whisper and there's silence on the other end."So this is about Bra
KIMBERLY "Oh my God sweetie," my mom gasps and places her hand over her mouth and i watch as her eyes start turning glassy. "Mom.. Don't start again, please." She shakes her head. "I just can't help it. You're so beautiful in white. I can't believe my baby is all grown up and getting married. " She smiles and i hold up my dress then move to her. I kiss her cheek and pull her in for a hug. Pulling back, i stare at her through blurry eyes. "Oh, no, no. Not with that makeup." I laugh. "Then don't cry if you don't want me to either." She nods and places her hands on my cheeks. "I'm so happy for you, baby." "Thanks, mom." A knock comes at the door and my mom goes to check. She opens it wide after seeing who it is and my father steps in. He looks so handsome in a perfectly pressed blue suit. "Is this a bad time?" He asks then pauses when his eyes land on mine. I bite the corner of my bottom lip nervously as he slowly scans his eyes over me. It turns out that the person who wa
BRANDONMichael starts the car with me and Kim in the back. Carrying her to the car in this condition in my arms only made me wish i were the one in this position and not her. I'd give anything to trade places with her. To be the one in pain and not her."Baby, please hold on. Don't close your eyes.""Brandon.." she swallows, and i can see how difficult it is for her. "I love you.""Don't, don't do that. You'll be okay." My heart squeezes.We get to the hospital at the emergency exit, and nurses rush to us. Michael had already made the call, so they were ready for us. They place her on the bed and roll her down the hall and into the emergency room."Hurry, hurry. The patient is losing consciousness." One of them says.I go to step in but the nurse stops me."Sir. I'm sorry, but you can't go in.""I have to be with her.""I'm sorry, but you need to trust us if you want her to survive this, please."She walks away and i start pacing the hall."Jonathan just got Harry and Lily at the st
BRANDON "Fuck!" I pull out my phone and dial Jonathan's number. Stepping out of the store only to see the car door wide open and tiremarks on the road with no sign of Kim almost gave me a heart attack. When Jonathan picks up, i rush out. "I think they took her." "Shit. Tell me where you are, we'll be on our way immediately." I tell him my location and fly my fist into the side of the car, breathing hard and not caring about the pain buzzing in my arm. I rush back into the store and explain to the lady at the counter. She calls her coworker, and they flip the sign from open to closed. We walk to a small room and he pulls up the gas stations camera footage and does a rewind to a few minutes ago. I watch how everything happened and i get a very eerie feeling as i watch Harry searching his surroundings and then walking up to the side of Kim's car, they talk for a few seconds and he tries to leave. She stops him and then a car comes to an abrubt stop. Two men step out and drag the
KIMBERLY"Kim...."I hear a faint voice call out to me but I'm wea. Too weak to respond. What's happening? Where am i and why is it so dark?"Kim.. please." I hear it but a little bit louder this time.Mt eyes slowly peel open and the stench of blood and something else that makes me extremely nauseous hits me immediately. I slowly get to a sitting position and look around. I'm in a cell and little light from a corridor is the only thing that allows me to see a little bit of my surroundings. Everything comes rushing back. I was with Brandon at the gas station, then Harry appeared, scared and saying things that didn't make sense. I ran after him and then the mysterious van..Screaming.Thrashing and then...Harry.Oh my goddess. "Kim.." A low voice calls again and i get on my knees, crawling my way to the corner where it's coming from because i recognize his voice.Light illuminates his features, he's lying on his back, looking pale, and theres dried blood on the side of his face."Ha
KIMBERLY I sigh.Brandon refuses to tell me any details about what happened with Matt that day. The proof of bloodstains that were on his shirt and skin are the only signs that it wasn't something good. It also doesn't help that the guy has vanished into thin air and none of his close friends are asking about him. It'salmost as if he didn't exist. I'm not worried about Matt, I'm worried about Brandon and the trouble he might have gotten himself into. I checked Matt's social media but he hasn't posted anything. Matt always posts something, especially pictures of him in the gym first thing in the morning. I try to call his number using Sam's phone just to see if it will go through, but still nothing. I sigh and rest my elbows on my knees. Then i bury my fingers in my hair and straighten back up."What if he accidentally killed him and buried him somewhere to keep the truth from everyone?" I widen my eyes as i ask Sam. "No." She shakes her head. "Nobody is dead, Kim. You need to calm
BRANDON *HOURS AGO* I look at thr little fuck who is tied to the ceiling, his legs hand midway in the air, his heels up and toes touching the ground. I throw a bucket of water on him and he gasps, his eyes peeling open. "Wake up, you little shit." I say to him. He blinks slowly and tgen focuses his eyes on me. When our eyes meet, fury burns in his probably remembering the last thing he did before he was drugged by a hooker i hired to seduce him and bring him here. "It was you. What the fuck do you want?" He screams and i straighten to my full height, stalking close to him because he's damn well my prey. "You walk into my life, take my woman sneakily, get her in bed, and made me fuck up her lufe and you still ask me what the fuck i want?" I'm now standing in front if him. "You didn't think I'd find out about you little rape stunt?" His eyes widen and i smirk. I wrap my fist in a cloth and he watches me with panic. "You see, Matt. I hate it when people try to take my girl aw
BRANDON Reap my heart out right now because the way it's beating is so painfully unbearable. I stare at the white walls of the hospital. It's been two days and she hasn't yet woken up. When i didn't kiss her back there in the apartment, it wasn't because i'm still mad at her or that i'm disgusted by her. It was because i didn't deserve to kiss her, to have her hold me. After i failed her so badly and hurt her in the worst way possible. I left that room, beating myself up. All i could do was that i don't deserve her. She can't be with someone who hurts her when he's hurt. I don't deserve her forgiveness for being so blind and easy to manipulate. I didn't leave. I sat in my car with my heart cracking open at the reminder of what she went through. I should have had a conversation with her and thoroughly investigated, but i let anger consume me. Then i decided i would do anything to make it right, because i wasn't willing to do the, "if you love her but you cause her pain, then
KIMBERLYI've been anxious since Brandon left in a murderous mood. When he gets like that, he makes me panic. I just know that he's going to something rash and violent. I've seen him like this before, once. And i don't want him to get in trouble because this time, we're talking about the son of a wealthy drug dealer. I've been at our girls aprtment for over fifteen hours without signs of Brandon, his phone is also unreachable, which had me biting my fingernails impatiently, a habit i have never done or liked before.I hear voices downstairs, i turn off the shower and rush out, then i grab the first material i see and put it on. I'm heading to the door when it opens and Brandon walks back in the room, all bruised and bloodied. I take his shirt off and wipe him with a clean wet towel, turning to take a small bandage to cover the cut on his cherkbone.My fingers pause when his hands slowly wrap around me from behind. His fingers rest on my stomach and then he sprawls them like a web.
BRANDON I'm not fucking her!" I pin her against the wall with my hand wrapped around her delicious delicate smooth throat. "No matter how much I fucking try, I can't dip my dick in anyone that isn't you." Her watery eyes stare up at me and I see the mixture of shock and relief in them. "I can't revenge you by doing what you did to me and that pisses me off." I shove off her and take a few steps back. I need to get away from her. "I want to break you the way you did me, but why can't I fucking do it!" My fist flies into the nearest wall with so much force that my hand stings with pain. "I'm sorry," I hear her whisper and low sobs. "I'm so sorry that I did this to us." My hands flattens on the wall on each side of my head and I close my eyes as fresh pain flows through me. "Brandon..." I feel her small hand on my back and I don't push it off. Her hand comes to my shoulder and she turns me around. Her eyes are red and tears keep flowing down her cheeks. She reaches up a