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72 Zed
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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 73 Zed
Zed's POV The surroundings have already turned dark when I finally look around. However, the streetlamps nearby reflect some shreds of silver light, illuminating the immense darkness that swallows my place. I had been drowning in my miseries, slumping in the corner with my back on the wall. Who knows I'd end up like this? I have motivated thousands of brokenhearted, given hope to millions. Yet I am even finding it hard to drag my body inside the house. A moment later, my phone rings. I glance at the screen to see the caller's name, and I see Ara's. "What the hell, Zed?! My finger is already getting numb from pressing on your doorbell. Where are you?" "Just here on the terrace." "I'm also here outside. Open the gate!" "No. Call Ella and ask for the code," I tell her. I'm just too lazy to get up and open the door for her. I toss back the phone, and I'm glad that Ara seems to cooperate. I close my
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 74 Zed
“Is buying a painting sin? Why the hell did you run away?” Ara snickers, and I shrug. I don’t care what she thinks. I had all my reason to run away. “Simple. I didn’t want the artist to know who was stupid enough to squander his lifetime savings just to purchase that portrait.” Ara’s mouth drops, her eyes as wide as the moon that has started to sail in the sky. “Do you mean it’s so expensive?” “More expensive than buying a car,” I smirk after hearing her gasp. “So where is it now?” she asks, looking at me like she’ll do whatever it takes to see that painting. “It’s upstairs. “Tell me more, Zed. This part of you seems so interesting,” she implores happily, her excitement palpable in the air. While I’m giving a thought to what she asks, some scenes of the past start floating in the back of my mind… ______ “Mr. Ramos, someone wants to see you. He said he just needs five minutes,” one of the seminar organizers approached me while I was resting in the anteroom, waiting for the int
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 75 Zed
A chilling breeze sweeps across the terrace, sending our skin into goosebumps. Ara raises her arms and folds them tightly across her chest. She grits her teeth and looks at me; her body starts quivering.“Zed, it's getting too cold here. Can we get inside, please?”Seeing that she’s not kidding, I drag my body from the floor and force myself to stand up. Ara immediately offers her hand, and I accept it. It may be shameful to show weakness, but I stopped fighting against my pride and allowed her to help me get into my room.“Zed, this is not good. Please fight,” she says after we almost stumble forward because I hit a piece of furniture in a corner.“I’m good, Ar. I’ll just have to sleep away. It’s been several days since I had a good sleep,” I tell her the truth.Ever since Ella left, sleep has eluded me. The loneliness and the pain of her betrayal in marrying Dennis have gnawed up my battered heart. And now the news of Yen getting punished for things Kim will never understand adds up
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 76 Ella
The sight of Ella stealing my father's painting crushes my heart. Of all the people out there, why does it have to be her? And of all the things in the house, why does it have to be that painting? It's one of my precious possessions because it belongs to my father! Going back to the dining room in slow strides, Ara raises her brows at me. "You were just fine when you left a while ago. But what's that face means?" I slump in my seat and bury my face in my palms. "Ella stole my painting." "What?! she exclaims, her eyes darting wide. "Yes. Ellatricked you into believing she wanted to know how I am. That she misses me," I sneer. "But there has to be a reason, Zed. Ella isn't short of money." "You better ask her that and let her return the painting if she doesn't want me to report her to police." Ara throws her hands on her chest, clenching them tightly. "Can you do that, Zed?" I feel my eyes darkening as I loo
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 77 Ella
Ella's POV Maezy walks into the room in a matching black dress and stiletto. Her neckline shows quite a large portion of her cleavage, as though only her nipples are covered. The hemline of her skirt also falls a few inches below the edge of her panties, making her look like a slut entering a bar. Groomed with heavy makeup, I can never picture how she looks with a clean face. And the more I can't imagine how she became Kim's mistress with her seductive aura. "Miss Maezy, thanks for coming," I greet her with a smile. "Anything for James," she smirks, her left brow arching higher than the other. It's Thursday once again, the day the fake guard at Kim's prison goes on duty. And I can't wait to tell him about my progress. Thus, I called Maezy, and we agreed to meet at a coffee shop. "When is your due date?" she asks, looking at my bump. "It's at the end of the month." I run my hand immediately to my
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 78 Special Episode 1: (Ara's POV)
"Ar, do everything to convince Zed to go with you today. Trick him if you have to. Go to Mountain Paradise, a mountain resort not far from his place. Aliyah is there already. From there, they will fly directly to Bhutan." Ella's voice is louder than a whisper, but the hissing sound of her shallow breaths draws a string of fear within me. It looks like she has arranged a private plane for Zed and Aliyah's escape. "Ella, what's going on?" I ask her, staring at the screen on my phone. How I wish she were on video call so that I could see the actual situation she is in. "We don't have time to talk, Ara. Just please listen to me. Get Zed into the plane right now!" Everything that Zed revealed flashes yesterday in my mind. Ella has betrayed him! He's even sure that she was the one who leaked his secret on social media. Because, apart from Yen, only Ella knows his story – his regular sessions with Dr. Vergara. And even if he believes that Ella still loves him, he al
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 79 Special Episode 2: (Ara's POV)
“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.” Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.” I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off? “I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction. I
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 80 Special Episode 3 : (Ara's POV)
"You're seeking more trouble, Zed. Do you think James will give you peace?" I am already shaking in anger. Zed is just too stubborn. Just where does this man get his courage from? If he relies on his previous investigation team, I don't believe they're more powerful than the assassin's group. They have been delving into James' case for several years already. They would have solved the case long ago if they were that good. "Let him do what he wants." Zed doesn't look like he is kidding. His eyes are on the road, but his sharp gaze reflects his determination. Silence envelopes inside the car, giving me more time to look left and right, scared that a convoy of vehicles will suddenly overtake and block our way. I am fond of watching suspense movies, and finally, I have become the leading character in my life's drama. My phone suddenly vibrates, and I immediately presume it comes from a bomb planted under my seat. I scream, and Zed s
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SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 87 The Epilogue
Zed's POV I stare at the charcoal portraits of two little kids. One painting shows them holding hands, another shows them eating together, and another shows them chasing happily. Those portraits depict my longing to be with the brother I had never met. I don't realize that my tears are already brimming as I recall those days. Those days when I sent those paintings to the orphanage together with my father's monthly allocation for him. I wonder if dad had noticed that I also painted a portrait every month and made sure I finished them before it was time to send them to him. "You keep them," I say, lifting my teary eyes to Dennis. Dennis rolls his eyes. "You made me so poor back then. All the money that daddy sent went to the expensive frames I bought for those portraits." Ella laughs but tears pool at the corners of her beautiful eyes. She looks so divine in her bridal gown; her angelic face matches the glitters of those thousands of diamonds that Den adorned on her wedding dress.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 86 Special Episode 9 ( Ara's POV)
My brows furrow as I look at the woman whose voice rings loud and clear inside the room. She looks like she is in her mid-fifties, but a strong and domineering aura emanates from her. Her presence speaks of authority, and the lift of her chin and fiery gaze is enough to tell she holds a high position that even James bows down in respect. “My queen! Why are you here?” exclaims James, his previous arrogant look melts down against the power and authority of this woman. “Put down your weapons!” she orders, moving her eyes around. The three burly men instantly bend down and put their guns on the floor. I look at James and also find him conceding. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, then bows down, placing his gun on the floor. “Surrender all the weapons, not only those in your hands!” My eyes grow wide at her command, and my gaze darts toward the men pulling the pistols and knives hidden inside their jackets. I also watch James disengage an oliv
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 85 Special Episode 8 : (Ara's POV)
"Very well," James raises his hands and claps slowly but loudly. He stands at the doorway, slowly pacing towards us. Following behind him are three burly-looking men who quickly spread apart, covering the room's corners. However, his claps are not to applaud but to mock. James is devilishly a handsome man in his mid-thirties but doesn't have the aura of domineering and stunning CEOs. He has gold piercings on his ears, messy bangs that he keeps pushing to the side, and tattoos painting his entire arms. He stands tall in a pair of signature rubber shoes and bleached denim jeans, coupled with a button-up shirt that lays open down to the center of his chest. His figure better fits the definition of a mobster. James looks at Zed and says, "I always know you would come to play the role of a knight in shining armor, saving a damsel in distress." I glance at Zed, now sitting beside Ella and holding her hand. He looks back at James, his eyes keen and watchful.
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 84 Special Episode 7 : (Ara's POV)
I feel my fear sucking the air out of me. If I have to see myself in the mirror, I must already be as pale as death’s shade. Zed glances at me worriedly, but his expression is worse than mine. I know very well that he’s not scared for himself but us. Every minute that ticks by feels like taking away some years from my life.“Where are we now?” Mitch asks, her eyes moving around fast. She’s as scared as me!“We’re going uphill,” says Zed. He looks now at Ella, who is now fast asleep due to the sedative that Mitch administered to her. Because of my fear, I didn’t even notice before that an intravenous solution was dripping above her.“Will the baby be alright?” He’s sleeping soundly on the stroller beside the stretcher. I can’t help noticing how Ella has prepared for this.“She must be. I have been able to prepare her needs ahead.”The ambulance then skids to a turn. Mitch and I hurriedly peer through the slits of the curtains and see that we’re entering a wide gate. Zed also peeks out,
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 83 Special Episode 6 : (Ara's POV)
"What are we going to do now?" I whisper, but my eyes dart wide in fear. Mitch and Ella also look back at me with freezing gazes, massive glints of fear and shock ruling their expressions. "Where are we heading?" Ella asks, her gaze shifting among the three of us. "I'll call a backup." Zed pulls out his phone from his back pocket without wasting a second. "Sir, we screwed up. When we reached the clinic, Ella was already in an ambulance. But an enemy has taken the driver's place." "Whose ambulance?" "From the hospital where her OB-Gyne is affiliated." "Where's Monster?" "At the clinic. But the key is with me." I realize that the monster they are talking about is the car we used in coming to the clinic. But, perhaps, it got that name because it is heavily tinted and bullet-proofed, aside from the ammunition loaded inside. "No worries. I have spare keys." "You're following?" Zed asks. "Yes."
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 82 Special Episode 5 (Ara's POV)
Zed moves straight ahead instead of turning to the left as initially planned. So I start presuming that Zed has changed his mind about picking up Ella himself. But then he turns right, and soon, we enter a black gate. “What are we doing here?” I ask Zed. Seeing him unfastening his seatbelt, I also do mine. “Hurry, Ar. We need to change the vehicle, a bullet-proof one.” “Who is living here?” “One of my teams.” Zed jumps down from the car and runs towards my side to open the door for me. But before he reaches me, I have already stepped one foot out. “Ara, just stay here. You will be safe here. This area is heavily guarded, and the security is high. I will pick you up once everything is over. But in case I can’t, my team knows what to do with you,” Zed speaks in utmost tenderness. His face even paints his gratefulness and worry for me. But I don’t like him saying goodbye. I may not be of any help to him, but I want to accompany him until
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 81 Special Episode 4: (Ara's POV)
"Ara, close your eyes and tighten your seatbelt!" I scream even before I see Zed's next move. He then looks over his right shoulder, places his right hand on the top of the steering wheel, then eases off his foot abruptly from the brake pedal. I scream again as the car reverses andaccelerates backward, missing the car that speeds next to us narrowly. "Slow down, Zed! I'm not ready to die yet!" I shout from the top of my lungs as our car is about to collide with another vehicle. And the torture doesn't end. Cars after cars come closer by a thread's width, but luckily, Zed swerves away just in time! Damn, Kim! I wouldn't be in death's mouth if it were not because of him! Is he siding now with James? "Scream as loud as you can, Ar! It eases your fear. Haven't I told you? Kim's kindness is just a show-off?" Zed yell in my left ear, jolting me off from my seat. "My goodness, Zedrick! I don't expect this side of you. How can you fly a
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 80 Special Episode 3 : (Ara's POV)
"You're seeking more trouble, Zed. Do you think James will give you peace?" I am already shaking in anger. Zed is just too stubborn. Just where does this man get his courage from? If he relies on his previous investigation team, I don't believe they're more powerful than the assassin's group. They have been delving into James' case for several years already. They would have solved the case long ago if they were that good. "Let him do what he wants." Zed doesn't look like he is kidding. His eyes are on the road, but his sharp gaze reflects his determination. Silence envelopes inside the car, giving me more time to look left and right, scared that a convoy of vehicles will suddenly overtake and block our way. I am fond of watching suspense movies, and finally, I have become the leading character in my life's drama. My phone suddenly vibrates, and I immediately presume it comes from a bomb planted under my seat. I scream, and Zed s
SINFUL INDULGENCE 3 79 Special Episode 2: (Ara's POV)
“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.” Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.” I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off? “I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction. I
