~Gerald~“Boss, I was just about to call you.”“Speak,” I said, pressing my phone on my ear.Elvis took a deep breath before replying, “The operation went on smoothly. The cops are currently in the drug house. Some of Angel’s men and the workers managed to escape, but a few others were arrested because our men bundled them up.”“Good, good,” I muttered. “Did you leave the message I told you to?”“Yes, Boss. I just sent you the photo.”At that statement, I moved the phone away from my ear and opened the latest email Elvis sent me. I smirked, looking at the inscription of the letter G on a heap of cocaine on the floor.After my last call with Angel, I knew that he was going to capitalize on my weakness and that wasn't going to be good for both me and Rosemary. I decided to strike him where it’s gonna hurt. So when Elvis found one of the drug houses that Angel’s mafia was commissioned to protect earlier today, I instructed him to send some of the men there. They tore the whole place do
~Gerald~I dropped the gun and shoved it in my pocket. Walking over to the bedside, I called out, “Ma’am, are you all right?”The old woman’s eyes glistened as I pointed the flashlight at her. She whimpered, shaking like a leaf.I raised my hands. “Don’t be scared. I am not here to hurt you.”“Who did this to you? Angel?” I asked, looking at the handcuff around her wrist.She shook her head and shifted back on the bed in fear. Still, she didn't utter a word.“I came here for my wife. Have you seen her? She's this tall, beautiful, slim-thick, and…”When the woman shook her head even harder, I frowned. “You haven't seen her? How about you speak to me?”She shook her head again.Was she mute?I signed the question respectfully. But to my surprise, she just shook her head again.What was happening? Did Angel make her swear to silence? Or was this yet another ambush?After seeing a switch on the wall, I turned on the light and looked around carefully. I found an en-suite bathroom and searc
~Gerald“Get closer!” I commanded Elvis, the binoculars still over my eyes.Elvis shouted back, “Hold on tight, boss!”I did as instructed. The chopper slanted a little and picked momentum. I took a deep breath as the distance between us and the ship got shorter and shorter.“Keep it steady now! I think we are close enough!”As soon as I said that, Elvis steadied the chopper. I took out the small megaphone from a compartment and spoke right into it. “Come out, you bastard!”“I know you are in there!” I added, staring down at the deck of the ship.A couple of seconds later, a tall and muscular figure appeared. He was holding a megaphone too. “Oh, Gerald. Now I am not sure you love your wife like you claim you do. How can you come out here after everything I told you?”“Let her go!”“Tsk, tsk, tsk! How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn't work that way?” Angel asked, shoving one hand in his pocket as he walked to the railing. I shouted louder, “I am not going to leave here
~Gerald~“Gerald, wake up! Save me!”My eyes flew open as soon as I heard that voice. I looked in the distance and saw an image of her.Rose? I said in my mind. What are you doing here?“Shhh!” She pressed a ginger on my lips after swimming over. “You have to swim to the surface. If you don't, you can't save me.”I blinked.But I don’t want to leave you here…“You aren't. Go up!”I glanced at two gunshot wounds on my shoulders. When I looked back at Rosemary, she was smiling. “What would you do if you have no hands?”Kick fiercely! I answered, still in my mind.“What would you do if the love of your life was in that ship?”“Go up there to save her!” I finally shouted against the salty water.As if charged by a new burst of energy, I clenched my fists as hard as I could and began to kick my feet.I wasn't so sure if it would work, but it did.The light that had grown faint a while ago began to shine more brightly. I looked down into the water again, but Rosemary wasn't there anymore.
~Rosemary~“You could have gotten yourself killed!” I buried my face in his cheek. “But I am so happy to see you, Ger. I missed you so much.”He squeezed me tighter. “I missed you too.”I cried like a baby as we held onto each other. Although the atmosphere was still very cold, I felt warmth from the inside out.Just a few minutes ago, I thought I was going to die. But here I was in the arms of the man I loved the most. And he risked his life for me.“Thank you, Ger. Thank—”“Shhh… I did this for us. How could I live with you in captivity?”I held on to his shirt as he pulled back. When he looked at me, I smiled through the tears.“Let’s get you out of here. It’s still not safe.”“You are hurt!” I exclaimed when I noticed the bloodstains on both of his shoulders.“It's nothing. One of the bullets went through. I will get the other one out soon, so don't worry.”“Oh, my God!” I covered my mouth, staring at one of the wounds. “I am sorry.”“Don’t be. I should be the one saying sorry.”H
~Rosemary~The phone fell off my hand to the countertop. My heart was beating fast as I looked at the screen and read the message again.There was only one person who called me princess. And that was…Angel.How did he get my number? So he was still alive and he knew where we lived? Did this mean he also knew about Henny?Oh, my God! No!My hands trembled as I picked up the phone. After much hesitation, I typed a reply: Please leave me alone!A few seconds after I hit send, my phone rang. I stared at the phone screen while biting my nails.He was the one calling, right? I shouldn't pick up, right?Against my better judgment, I swiped the screen and hit the speaker icon. I pulled back, holding my breath.“Hello, princess.”A shiver ran down my spine at the sound of his voice. I held the countertop for support.“You know, your husband really outdid himself the other day.”“Stop stalking me! Why don’t you just leave us alone?”Angel chuckled on the phone. “I am afraid that’s not possible.
~Gerald~Angel, again? Why couldn't that bastard just stay dead?Although I knew there was a high possibility that Angel had survived the gunshot wound, I thought that was enough to keep him away from us for a while. I guess I was wrong.“Rose…” I began, looking at her softly. “Have I ever done anything to make you feel like you can't trust me?”She closed her eyes. When she opened them, I saw that they were filled with skepticism.“You told me that there were only two choppers around at the time of the rescue. But there were twelve, weren't they?”I sat up abruptly. “Did Angel tell you that?”“Does it matter?” she asked, the annoyance in her voice apparent. “It's not going to change the fact that you lied to me.”“I hate liars, Gerald.”I stood up and walked over to where she was sitting. Squatting, I took both of her hands in mine.“I am sorry, my love. I didn't tell you the truth about the number of choppers because I didn't want you to feel guilty that I had to go all out. Alrea
~Rosemary~Three hours ago.After dropping Henny off at his grandma’s, I stopped by the hotel to sign some important documents. I had been away for quite some time and my deputy had been holding the reins for me.“Keep up the good work. I am not sure when I will be able to resume fully, but for now, keep me updated on what’s happening, okay?”She nodded.“By the way, go to HR to sort out your new pay.”Her face instantly lit up. “Oh, my God! Thank you so much, ma’am.”“You earned it.”I held up my hand when my phone suddenly rang. “I have to take this. You may leave now.”“Hello?”“Hey, princess!”“You!” I screamed, pulling the phone away from my ear.The number on the screen wasn’t the same one Angel used to call me the other day. Had I known it was him, I wouldn't have answered it.“What do you want!”He laughed. “You really should fire your security guard. All he does is sleep.”“You are here?” I shot to my feet. “Not quite. But if I were a bad person, I would have bypassed that s
~Gerald~I slammed the door in his face. Before turning away, I listened as he stormed off, huffing and puffing about how I was making a huge mistake.“Before you say anything…” I began, looking at Elvis. “Get on the phone with the Russian mafia. I’m sure they would be pleased to know that Angel showed up here.”“No!”“What?” I exclaimed on the way to grab a glass of water.Elvis shook his head. “I don't think it’s a good idea to get involved in the battle between Angel and them. Time and time again, this has always ended with a bloodbath. It was hard enough for you to stay alive all these years despite having many enemies. I can't watch you get involved in a mafia war just because you want to take Angel down.”I sighed. “What do you suggest I do then?”“I suggest we wait. We wait for them to locate Angel and take him out. Since he's roaming without a care in the world, that should be pretty easy.”I shook my head with uncertainty. As far as I knew, Angel was much more powerful than m
~Rosemary~“Boss, are you okay? Boss!” Elvis ran to me as soon as the phone dropped from my hand. He made me sit on the sofa and peered down at my face.His tone changed. “Gerald, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?”I shook my head, clutching my chest. It was as if I was going to have a heart attack. But I knew going to the hospital won't help me.“Was that Rosemary on the phone? What did she say? Why are you like this?”I looked at him. “I don't know what to do, man. She’s getting married to Max again.”“What! How…but your divorce hasn't being finalized. You didn't sign the divorce papers, did you?”“I didn't. But now that she doesn't remember me or the love we shared, I’m afraid Max would make her drag me to court for the divorce. He's manipulating her big time.”I went on to tell him about the wedding photo Rosemary found and how she accused me of faking it and planting it in Max’s house.“This is getting out of hand. Should I tell the boys to take him out?”I groaned. “No. T
~Rosemary~“H-how is this… how did this…”I couldn't believe my eyes at all. I stared at the woman standing beside Max. She was wearing a very beautiful wedding dress. Most importantly, she wasn't me!She looked like me, but she wasn't me. She was Amani. I was sure of it!“So it’s true? What that man said is true! Max divorced me so he could be with Amani?”The photo slipped off my hands. Taking a step back, I stared down at it. “They even had a wedding. But why did Max propose to me two days ago? And Amani was so happy for me!”What the fuck is going on? Who's playing me for a freaking fool!All of a sudden, the door opened. I turned and saw Max. His eyes widened at the sight of me. He looked at my feet, and his eyes widened even more.“Care to explain?” I asked, folding my arms.I was trying so hard to keep it together. Heaven knows I wanted to jump at him and scratch his face. Another part of me also wanted to just break down crying. This moment reminded me of the heartbreak I su
~Rosemary~Call me insecure, but something didn't sit right about this meeting. First, because Amani showed up here at night. And second because for as long as I could remember, Amani had a thing for Max.She even snatched him from me when we were in high school. It was a miracle that we got married. Was she trying to snatch him yet again?But seeing this beautiful ring now, I realized what a fool I had been. Why did I think that the puppy dating they had in school still meant anything to Max after all the love I showed him since Amani left for college?“Yes!” I screamed, putting out my hand. “I will marry you, Max Smith!”“Really?” Max asked, his eyes lighting up.I nodded vigorously. After he slipped the ring on my finger, I raised my hand and looked at it. The rock was much bigger than the one he gave me when we first married. By the looks of it, it was probably worth millions.“You shouldn't have!” I said, tearing up.Max pulled me into a hug. “You deserve the very best, my love.
~Max~The cold was biting hard. Standing on the lawn, I listened to Amani as she went on and on about her grievances.Just two weeks ago, she had asked for a divorce. I knew it was because of my current financial woes. It hurt a lot that she wanted to leave me. But I begged.I begged her like I had never begged anyone before. She was my life!“I will stay on one condition. Get me everything that Rosemary has,” she had said.At the time, I thought that would be impossible considering the fact that Rosemary hated my guts. But after I received that call ordering me to come to the hospital because my “wife” was admitted there, I thought maybe…maybe it wasn't impossible after all.Although I suspected that Amani had a hand in Rosemary’s accident, I didn't dare to ask her that or even tell Rosemary the truth. I was going to do anything to make Amani stay with me.She agreed to leave the house for a while so I could make Rosemary comfortable with me. The plan was to make her transfer all he
~Rosemary~My eyes zoomed in on Max’s puckered lips. It was as if I was having a nightmare in a horror film.“No!” I said, turning the other way.Max sniffed. “My love, what’s wrong?”Yeah, what’s wrong with me? I thought I loved him? Or did that man get into my head?“There’s no rush, okay?”I turned to see him smiling awkwardly. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Max. I just…”“I understand perfectly. You don't have to explain yourself. You have just been through something so traumatic. I shouldn't have made such a move.”Aw… He’s so understanding. Seeing his face, I felt even guiltier for thinking about that guy. Why can't I get him off my mind? This isn't fair!“But… I just want you to know that I love you, Rosemary. Although we have had our ups and downs and people have tried to break us apart, we are soulmates.”I nodded, remembering what he said about us having a fight and me getting deceived into divorcing him and remarrying someone else.“Ermm. What was our quarrel about again?”Max scr
~Rosemary~The man stared at me before taking the burger from me. He smiled. “Thank you.”“Don’t you ever get tired?” I blurted out. He chuckled. “What do you mean?”“Come, sit,” he added, tapping the space on the bench.I hesitated. I didn't even know this man, but here I was, sharing my lunch. There was something warm about him.“Don’t you ever get tired?” I asked again, sitting down on the edge of the bench.I turned, smiling. “I do, Rose.”“But you have been staying out here day and night.”He shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you were all right and I wanted a chance to talk to you. Max banned me from coming close to your ward.”I sighed, placing my hands on my knees. “My husband… I mean, Max doesn't like you. He says you are bad news.”He shook his head. “Honestly… I am not in the least surprised by his behavior.”“Because you are a gigolo who deceived me into marrying you?”He chuckled. But when I looked at his face, he looked sad.“Actually…” he began, turning to face me again.
~Gerald~Amani gasped. “Of course not! Why would you accuse me of such a thing?”I shrugged. “Maybe because of the fact that you have always been jealous of Rosemary and you have been shamelessly trying to get with me. Or the fact that you are the most evil person I know!”Amani slapped her chest. “That's mean, Gerald! I might not be perfect, but I would never push my own sister off a cliff!”“Oh, cut the crap! Do I have to remind you that you once put honey in her food, slept with her husband, and even stole her baby?”Amani rolled her eyes. “I don't know what you are talking about.”“Typical!”I sucked my teeth and began to walk away.“Wait! I have something else to say,” Amani stopped me.I frowned. “What is it?”“I was thinking..” Amani fiddled with her fingers like a little girl.“Get to the point. I don't have all day!”“Ermm… I was wondering if you could give me some money.”I scoffed. “I don't have money to give you.”“But I heard that you are a billionaire and you own several
~Gerald~“Rose, it’s me, Gerald. Can you see me now?” I uttered, pulling back so she could see my face.But Rosemary squinted even more. “Why are you in my ward? I don't know who you are, sir.”What! Did I hear wrong?I blinked, then shook my head. “Rose, you are joking right?”“I came as soon as I found out you were here. Why didn't you call me?” I added, sitting on the edge of the bed.Rosemary slowly turned her neck to look at me. “Why would I call you? I don't know you!”“Why do you keep saying that? It’s me, Gerald. Can't you see me?”She frowned. “Look, mister. As you can see, I am not in the right state to be arguing. I need to rest. Leave now before my husband comes and sees you here.”“What!” I sprang to my feet. “Rosemary, please you are taking this joke too far. I am your husband!”“No, you are not!”The second Rosemary raised her voice, I heard the door open behind me.I turned to see who it was.“Max? What the fuck are you doing here?”Max stood frozen at the door with a