"What is wrong with you, Jared? How could you allow something like this happen?""She started it, uncle. Don't blame me or Mia for fighting back.""How stupid can you be?""Uncle...""Don't 'uncle' me, Jared. You and your mother and that empty-handed girlfriend of yours are really being unkind to her.""Don't insult the woman I love, uncle.""What about the one you married? The one the society know you married, is she not worth being treated kindly, hm?"A pause..."Answer me, Jared. You're really disappointing me right now.""I never wanted to marry her, you know that.""Really? That's all you have to say, Jared Kylian Johnson?!" The anger, however quietly displayed, was still heavy. Not to mention the disappointment as well."What..." An audible sigh. "What do you want me to do, uncle? I...""I'm taking her with me." "What? No, uncle. You can't do that. She...what if there's an event? Like you said, the society knows my relationship with her already.""Being selfish again, I see.
"What is she doing here?" A woman who looked to be in her late thirties frowned as soon as she saw me.She had short black curls and a heavy load of make up. She would have been pretty if she hadn't decided to cake her face with so much beauty products. She was tall and slim but not really a model shaped kind of physique. She chewed and popped bubblegum with careless abandon. "Not now, Catherine." Uncle Pete merely said, leading me further into his living room.His house was beautiful and spoke of wealth too. I had spent ten days in the hospital trying to get better. The doctor had refused to discharge me until he was sure my blood pressure was back to normal. I was still hurting and mourning the miscarriage of the baby I would never meet but I had tried not to stress much so I could leave the hospital. Jared had visited everyday but I was not talking to him. He had realized that and didn't bother striking conversations with me anymore. Uncle Pete was the one who informed him of
"What are you doing with her?!" The door to my room barged open.Catherine came in and without warning, pulled me roughly by my shirt and began to hit me. Thankfully, uncle Pete was fast on his feet and pushed her away. "What the hell, Catherine?"She had managed to scratch my neck and that part hurt. More tears fell from my eyes.Uncle Pete had been consoling me as I wouldn't stop mourning the loss of my pregnancy. I'd refused breakfast because I didn't have the appetite for it.Who would think of food when their life was turned upside down and full of chaos? Just a month before, I had been okay in my marriage until that incident.I wish I could ask uncle Pete to loan me some money to start up my life but not in this place. I didn't want to be anywhere close to Christian and Jared.I didn't want to know or see them even by mistake. And as long as I remained in the same state and country with them, I'd keep seeing or hearing about them
"When will you be back?" I inquired, trying to hide the quiver in my voice.Uncle Pete was traveling and that would mean leaving me and his crazy wife all alone in the house.Oh God, I didn't even want to think of what would happen if he left."Soon." His smile was reassuring as though he already understood my thoughts about being left alone with his wife.The said wife was watching us — me specifically — through spiteful glares as she popped her gum. He had already given me some money to keep me busy until he was back.And by busy, he meant I should go shopping and have some fun. I was grateful but I kept the cash. It was going to be useful.If I kept saving whatever he gave me, I might actually have enough to start up life again. But he gave me the money in her absence, else she would likely kill me for it. Then, he was gone. I quickly left for my room. "Hey you!" She called.I halted on the short flight of stairs. I had a mind to ignore but she could push me from behind, I was
I'd never had such a strong stuff before and it was really making me lose awareness and control of myself. The most drink of my intoxication was wine and I easily got intoxicated.Whatever they had given me to sniff and swallow were just foreign to my system. I was feeling no pain but I was feeling like I'd just gulped six — or maybe eight — bottles of 1945 Pinot Noir.What little strength I had in me, I had walked like a drunk person to the counter and booked a room, used the elevator and was now occupying the suite.It was dark and the door was closed. Or it should be.I laid like an almost dead person, trying to find sleep when the door opened. I frowned but was too intoxicated to get up. "Who are you?""Oh baby, it's me." The voice was sounded equally drunk said. "I called and you came. Business was good today. I landed the biggest deal and decided to call you.""W-what?" Confusion wrapped my being."It's a good one. Let's just have fun tonight and tomorrow, I'll tell you all ab
"What the hell is going on here?!" I was startled awake by the voice beside me. A throbbing came on immediately and hit both my temples.My eyes lazily fluttered open to meet the angry, shocked gaze of...my eyes flew open in disbelief and my brain immediately went into denial."Jared?" My jaw was almost touching the floor. My eyes quickly assessed the situation and saw I was naked. Barely covered and he was staring...no, glaring at me."How did you get here?!" The incredulity tinged heavily in my tone.I winced as soon as the question was out of my mouth, I held my head and massaged my temples. What had happened to here?Why was I in bed with...him?!"I should be asking you that. I was not expecting you in my room!" He yelled."You...I..." I lacked words in that moment and just stared at him, partly because I felt like I had been kicked by ten horses on the stomach and partly because my brain was still trying to process what had happened. "How did you know where to find me? Are you
"Hello, uncle Pete.""Yes, Hailey. What is it? Are you crying?" His voice immediately became concerned.The tears I'd been holding back let loose and swam to the surface, wasting no time to stream down my face.Using the heel of my palm, I wiped them away but more replaced the old, wiped ones. "W-when will you be back?"I was still lodging in that hotel, though not the same room because the thought of staying in a room that Jared had shared a night with me was taunting and too painful.I asked for another room but my money, the one uncle Pete had given me was almost exhausted. If I lodged one more night, I would be empty and I didn't know the area well enough to find a cheaper lodge."I'm on my way home. Why? Is Catherine troubling you?"Catherine was the reason I was yet to go back to that house as there was no telling what she would do to me but I couldn't tell uncle Pete that, especially on the phone."N-no
"This place is nice, uncle Pete." I admired the interior decor of the restaurant we had just stepped into.One of the waiters seem to know uncle Pete and had ushered us to a private booth that had no customers except us."It belongs to a very close friend of mine." He said, taking a seat opposite me. Menus were placed before us. My stomach rumbled in hunger as soon as I opened the black and gold hardcover book-like menu that had so many dishes, categorized according to types and origins. I decided on Greek souvlaki, not because I'd had it before but because it looked nice.Uncle Pete went for Italian beef tortellini in broth. "I've had it once when I travelled to Florence and I liked it.""What drinks will you have?" The waitress who was attending our table inquired."I want something fruity. Moscato or Riesling will do." I answered."Get me beer." Uncle Pete decided.The waitress went away with our orders."So tell me, what did she do? I brought us here because it's private and you
MIAThe smile that had plastered itself on my face would not come off and I didn't think I wanted it to. This was going to be another issue but I didn't realize how much I missed waking up beside Jared.I couldn't remember much of yesterday but I knew something had happened between us both and it was really nice. I wish both brothers would let me be with them together.A woman having two husbands was unusual but not forbidden. "Where have you been?"The familiar voice finally succeeded in wiping off my smile, the old hag. Slowly, I did a turn to face her. I'd intentionally ignored her presence on one of the sofas while her face was glued to the television, hoping she'd ignore me as well. "Out." My response was bland."Jerome called you all night and this morning.""I already told him where I'd be." I knew how to deal with Jerome, if only Martha would butt out of it. "Yeah, of course." She sneered."What are you watching the television for anyways, you're better off in your room."
"Hailey?" "Mommy!"Celine was with Zion when I entered...or to be exact, pushed in by the good, nerdy doctor.She seemed shocked to see my condition but was happy as well. She hurried towards me.Zion too. They hugged me at the same time, causing a wince to escape me as Celine's embrace was a bit too tight, so was my son's but his hands were still very small and could do no harm or cause much discomfort.Not to say I didn't like Celine hugging me but my body was still covered in bruises. I guessed she heard me wince and pulled back, releasing her hold on me. She took a long examining look at me, her brows furrowing. "What happened to you?""Mommy, I missed you. Who hurt you?" Zion chipped in, his innocent eyes roaming my face. "I'll be fine, baby." I held his both hands, my heart swelling with love for my son. I couldn't tell him exactly what had happened. He was too young to hear such plus he wouldn't even understand all of it. "Who did this to you?" Celine asked, her expressi
It's been hours since Christian left after receiving that call, but he'd made sure the doctor had left as well before locking me in.I had to find a way to escape but how? I had no phone to make call. I tried to stand on my feet, it was a failed attempt. Frustration, pain and anger clawed viciously at me. I couldn't even walk to get to the door, much less break it to find a way out of the door.The only thing I was capable of doing was sitting on the bed and crying my eyes out. The pain relief drugs that doctor had given me just before he left had helped with the pain some. I heard an activity just outside the door, making me apprehensive. I couldn't tell what was happening but when the door opened few minutes later, it was the doctor.Relief flooded me. A familiar face, the one I hoped to see before I eventually gave up. "Doctor? I stopped hoping you would come a while ago.""I didn't think I'd change my mind too. My conscience and need for not involving myself were at a clash, I t
PHILIPI watched from across the street as they held hands, my blood boiling. "Imagine the bitch I married! As though selling me out was not enough, she had to get a boy toy!""That's Christian, Denise's ex. Who would have thought that my stepdaughter's ex would end up with your wife? Life's funny." Derek was making a joke out of it and it was irking me.I turned from the wheel to give him a look, he raised his hand in mid-air surrender. "Don't be so uptight, man.""Try telling that to someone whose life is ruined by the devil he married. The police have raided my home and company. They have literally taken over. I can never return to my old life. All the companies I have shares with are busy ratting me out to the cops and pulling me from my shares." There was an angry whine coated in my words. "Well, their reputation is also at stake, Philip. You slept with their wives and girlfriends, they didn't like it but for the sake of their reputation, you were put on board. Now that your sec
DENISEThese spoilt rich kids knew nothing more than to command and act like they deserved to be pampered and obeyed. Jared might be a hardworking, nice guy but he was nonetheless as spoiled as, his brother, Jerome was.I was doing my best here yet he couldn't even be thankful for it. He was lucky we couldn't yell, else I'd be screaming his ear off! What a crazy, spoilt guy Hailey had to go find her...what the fuck! I legit froze for a minute the moment I saw the person I'd never expected to see before rushing away from view to go hide at a corner. Peeking my head out from behind one of the pillars in the wide restaurant of the hotel, I studied him and the woman he was with.She looked older than him. What was he doing with an older woman? Who was she?My brows quirked in surprise as he lifted her hand, kissing it. Oh my! When did my ex become interested in older women?I couldn't see the woman's face, just her back and if the years of wealth I'd lived in was anything to go by, I
JARED"Hey." The look of surprise on her face showed she'd thought I'd never want to see her again.And she was right. I never wanted to see her again but if she was the vessel to be used in finding Hailey and helping her get revenge for the destruction of her family's company, then I had to. "Hey." I was sure my expression was unfriendly and stoic."I was not expecting you to call me." She took a seat, facing me at the table of the restaurant of the hotel Denise and me had finally agreed upon.Denise had wanted us to use the restaurant in my own hotel but I'd refused. No extra person had to know about my hotel and I definitely didn't want Mia going there. "I wouldn't have called you if it wasn't important." My response was sharp that it had her blinking, her surprise deepening. I had to play this out better than I was doing. "I'm sorry, I've just been stressed, you know. Trying to get my life back on track."She observed me, then looked around us, her eyes sweeping the area in an o
"She'll be fine, though the healing process might take a while." The doctor diagnosed, after checking me up medically."H-how long is a while, doctor?" I was the one asking. It was my second day here, the doctor had arrived five minutes ago. I'd watched them exchanged pleasantries all the while hoping the doctor would be kind enough to help me. "Depends. Could be months or a year. Your bones are badly fractured and to repair will take time. Your face also, it'll take time but it will definitely heal. We can facilitate the process by having you do surgery."A year? Months before I could walk again? Tears stung my eyes that I so badly wanted to be left alone to cry my eyes out. Christian stood beside my bed, observing without a word. Saving the tears for later, I willed them back. "Is the surgery reconstructive?""Just know it is nothing that will alter your original facial features, just to fix a few damaged tissues." His tone was reassuring, he had probably seen the fear in my eye
JARED"What were you saying on the phone earlier?" I questioned as soon as she opened the door of her suite. "Hello to you too." She closed the door and pulled her see-through robe tighter around her, taking slow steps towards me. "What deal did you make with my brother?" I ignored her attempt at making me realize how rude and brash I'd been walking into the suite without a word of greeting.I didn't care about greetings at this point, my head was full and my heart was bothered greatly by Hailey's disappearance. "The deal that will get us what we both desire." She stated casually, walking past me to go get glasses and a bottle of chilled wine on the mini glass refrigerator-shelf "How do you expect us to find evidence of Mia cheating on him?" Frustration and annoyance tinged my tone, not to mention the fear lurking behind for Hailey. It would have been better if she was kidnapped for ransom only purpose, I'd have paid to have her free and by my side. "We find someone, a guy, lure
UNCLE PETEWe reached the location where Hailey's car was abandoned.There were few spectators curiously miling around to know what had happened to both the owner and the car. One of the brake lights was smashed into a lamp post. The front of her car door was open. Jared stuck his head inside to know if he could find anything useful.His location had led us here and when he finally brought out his head, he was holding a phone. "Her phone. Found it on the floor of the car.""Is it still in good working condition?" I asked. He tapped the screen of the phone, it came on immediately. "Yes, I guess it is." He gave the whole vehicle a thoughtful stare. I could literally see the wheels of thought turning in his head. "She was kidnapped, that much is clear." I said with certainty."Of course she was kidnapped, damn it!" Angrily, my nephew punched the body of the car. "Relax, Jared. All we need to do is involve the police." I reminded him.He gave me a rueful glare. I exhaled, raised my