"How could you have been so careless, Jared?" "Mom, I don't know. I was just..." A sigh followed."Mia must not find out about this and also don't forget that Mia's father is one of your biggest clients. You don't want to lose him.""Of course, I know that mom. I don't want to lose Mia either, you know that." "You should have used protection, at least. Moreover, if you wanted to have a girl who's not Mia, you could have had other girls, not that cheap slut who almost ruined your career." "Mom, the deed had been done. I can not explain why I kept sleeping with her but we must find a solution. I can't have her be pregnant for me." He sounded upset and a bit apprehensive. "Maybe I should ask uncle Pete for help. She listens to him.""Don't do that. You know Peter likes the girl, I wonder the kind of relationship they have.""What are you trying to say, mom? Uncle Pete is not like that.""You can never tell. Anyways, he's a bad option. He'll just end up taking sides with the bitch.""S
PETER JOHNSONI stood as soon as I spotted her being led through the entrance of the private section of the restaurant by a staff.She had asked to see me. I was here with my friend who owned the place when she'd called.I had to stay and wait for her. She sounded distraught but there was also this anger folded between layers of hurt and pain.What had Jared foolishly done to the poor girl this time?"Uncle Pete." She came to give me a hug.I returned the hug warmly, then held her at arm's length, observing her closely. "Are you okay?"She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "I will be.""What has Jared done to you this time?" I asked, leading her to the seat opposite mine."He's a soulless murderer." She deadpanned, her eyes were puffy which revealed a long while of crying.But when she'd uttered those words, no tears had run down. Just piled up anger was heard.I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Are you sure of this, Hailey?" Uncle Pete held my wrist just as I was about to scribble my signature in the empty box on the left down side of the papers before me.I struggled back tears and nodded. "Yes, uncle Pete. I can't take it anymore. The humiliation from his mother, the bullying from his girlfriend. Everything is just too much for me at this point." "Are his mom and Mia the problems here?" He asked, concern lacing his features."It's not just them. It's him. I have taken enough, uncle Pete and I am done." The tears came now. "He doesn't want me. Doesn't even like me. These past few days, ever since he found out about the pregnancy, he has been avoiding me. And now that he thinks I have aborted the pregnancy, he won't talk to me or n-n-notice me..." I was holding in stream of tears."It's okay." He shifted his chair so he was closer to me and consoled. "How could he ask me to have an abortion? This is the second time he's getting rid of our child. I'm so stupid!" I gripped
MIA PILLAX"What's going on?" I stepped into the living room to see Martha seated calmly but looking very angry.Jared was fuming, pacing about. "She's gone." Jared blurted, looking more pissed as he uttered those words."Who's gone?" I stared in sheer confusion."Who else?! How dare she?!" Jared kicked a table."I don't care that she's gone. I'm just angry she stole from you." Martha put in."Mom, the money is the least of my problem. I don't care how much she made away with. I...I just don't know why she would leave!" He groaned, then kicked the poor table again."Hailey?" I guessed that would be the only person they were talking about."Yes." Martha responded when she noticed Jared was not going to."And she had the fucking guts to drop me divorce papers and this stupid note!" I took a seat and watched him display anger in ways I'd never seen him do before. Was he that affected by her leaving?"This should be good news." I said. "I mean, aside the money she stole. Though what wou
JARED"Hey babe." My wife, Mia, stepped in through the door.I raised my face from the computer on my office desk to offer a smile. "Hey wifey."She came around the desk to sit on my lap. I pushed away the computer to give her space to sit comfortably.My hands went around her waist.It's been five years since we got married. Mom and me decided not to go with the kidnapping plan because there were loopholes. We didn't want to tell the media a lie that would return to haunt the Johnson family — specifically me.So we went with telling the media Hailey had just disappeared from the scene. There had been talks and all but then it died down.A year later, Mia and I tied the knot and we had been happy ever since. I loved her, she was my highschool sweetheart. It was only right I ended up with her.Five years had been peaceful only that she was yet to get pregnant but I was hopeful. We were both still young.She was twenty nine and I was thirty, that was definitely considered young. "What'
"Are you ready...woah!"I turned with a beam on my face. "How do I look?"Uncle Pete's expression read of awe and admiration, it didn't feel weird at all. Rather I felt satisfied that the group of stylists I'd called had done a marvelous job."You look like you'll make the men have a cardiac arrest and the women go green with envy." He complimented, proceeding into one of the rooms of the mansion I'd just acquired with his help.That had me laughing. "Thank you, uncle Pete. You look dashing in that suit as well."He really looked good in his custom-made suit. Even at fifty two, the man looked really handsome. The strong, attractive genes ran in their family."Ah, come on." He waved away my compliment.I shook my head, knowing he was a bit...I wouldn't say shy but he wasn't really the type to care about his looks or the compliments given on his features.I was so grateful for him. These past six years he had been wit
"Why, Hailey?" Uncle Pete looked at me in surprise.Our limo was close to the venue. "Because I don't want to reveal myself yet." I told him."But you're the CEO of Astra-Z not me. I have only been managing it these past few years.""Please, uncle Pete." I begged.I didn't want to reveal myself as the CEO yet for reasons best known to me. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Uncle Pete questioned.Our limo slowed to a stop. My burgundy painted lips spread in a smile. "I guess. We're here. Let's go, Mr. CEO."He chuckled as our chauffeur came around to open the door for us. He stepped out before me, holding out a hand for me to take. I took it and stepped out confidently, squashing any buzz of apprehension that wanted to sway my confidence and have me falter in my heels.I was no longer that pushover. I was matured now. A mother, a successful business woman with people who loved and supported her.I beamed at uncle Pete.His eyes told me he understood how I felt beneath. Maki
"Uncle Pete?" Jared rushed to meet us before others could come to us.After his speech and the commencement of the events of the evening, everyone wanted to talk to the CEO of Astra-Z."Hello, Jared. It's been a while." Uncle Pete greeted as casually and as warmly."You..." He began but caught himself, realizing there were eyes watching."You were saying?" Uncle Pete urged.I stood beside uncle Pete, quietly watching the drama about to unfold."We'll talk later, uncle." He decided.Uncle Pete nodded and went on to attend to other guests wanting his attention.I sipped my champagne, ignoring the fact he was literally standing close with Mia who would not stop giving me the sneaky stink eye.It didn't bother me, just amused me.Then I remembered. "Oh yes, Jared. I believe you saw the note I dropped on your desk that day." I brought out my phone from my purse. "I'll need your account details so I ca
"He's still not picking his phone. Why is he not picking his phone?!" I paced about the living, almost out of my wits. The television was on. I'd turned it on with the hope of hearing the President making his denouncement speech regarding Jared. The voices of random people talking on TV buzzed around the room, but I didn't pay attention.They weren't what I was interested in."Hey. Hey. Hey. Come here." Jared stopped my agitated pacing and drew me into his embrace. "Calm down, worrying yourself will not help.""That girl is counting on me to save her. I have to save her. Oh God! She gave me a clue, I have unraveled it and now, I have... I have to save her." My heart was beating faster than usual. Time was running out. Just few hours ago, the kidnapper had called just as I was leaving the room assigned to Denise until she recovered and reminded me, in no mirthful or light tone if I may add, about the deal. I had no idea why the President was doing this to his own daughter. Now, he w
BRONX"What are you still doing sitting there, Bronx?!" The sharp, trembling voice of my wife shook me out of my depressing thoughts. "Why aren't you on air yet?!"She was like a woman on a mission, storming into my small, private office without knocking. Not that any of my family members ever needed the permission to have access to me unless I was with very important guests or in a crucial political meeting. "What?" I almost knocked my glass of bourbon off the table in a slightly tipsy daze. "I said why are you not on air right now pulling Jared from the race and saving my daughter's life?!" She seethed, reaching my table and placing both hands on it. "Francesca where did you hear that?" I had to ask. I didn't tell anyone about my meeting with Peter, Hailey and Jared. "Don't reply me with questions, Bronx. Where is my daughter?! Why are you intent on making my poor girl suffer in the hands of those...those monsters?!" She cried, anger and despair clouding her big, blue puffy eyes
MIA"Husband-to-be? What are...""Come here." His lips smiled, his tone calm but there was an underlying order coating those two words. "Now."Subtly clearing my throat, I took small steps towards him knowing my mom and his mom were watching. He grabbed me by my waist and lowered his head, I dodged his kiss. "What are you doing? Our moms are watching and I'm married to your brother. Stop this.""Exactly, baby. I want them to watch and know I'm the right brother for you. And henceforth, you're no longer married to my brother. I went into the room you used to share with him, I saw the divorce papers, he signed but you're yet to. You'll sign it." His tone gave the hint of a command.Our voices were hushed whispers so only us could hear. "No, I'll not. Stop this, Jerome.""Say you don't want me. Look into my eyes and say it, I'll leave you alone. Maybe." It was almost as if his eyes were taunting me knowing I couldn't.I licked my lips. "See, I want you. I love you but it's your brother
MIAI watched her come out of the mall, my car parked a distance from hers. My blood boiled and hatred flamed. She was the cause. It was all her fault and I was here to stop that nonsense. I stepped out of my vehicle, my sunglasses in place, I approached her, hurrying as she walked to her car with shopping bags in her hands. What was Jared's old secretary doing with her? Anyways, she was not my concern. "Hey you." I didn't bother to hide my disdain when I neared her.Removing her own sunglasses, she coolly assessed me. "Didn't expect to find you here, Mia. It's been awhile.""Where's my husband?" I got to the heat of the matter. A chuckle escaped her. "Does it look like I have him in my purse or in the back of my car?"A growl rumbled low. "You bitch! I see what you're trying to do here. You couldn't have him six years ago, now, you're playing every dirty game in your book to keep my husband from me.""Pick a side, Mia. Stop gallivanting like a helpless feline cub who can not dec
PRISCILLA "Leave me alone, you wife beater!" I struggled with him to let go of my shirt he'd held on to. I heard a rip and seethed. This was one of my very expensive shirts. "Not until you tell me where the stuff in my safe is." He seethed as well. "What safe? What stuff? Did you tell me of any safe in this house?""You and I are the only occupants of this house, Priscilla. Don't fucking lie to me! Your behavior recently have been rousing suspicions.""And yours haven't?" I shot back."Give me the things you took from that safe or I'll make you regret knowing me, Priscilla." He threatened."I already regret knowing you, Philip!" I retorted. "I regret ever walking down the aisle and tying the nuptial knot with you! You're meaner than a snake and more vicious than a bear!" I lashed out. "One would look at your calm exterior and be deceived, I know I was until you began to show you true, evil colors! The devil resides in you, Philip!" The back of his hand swiped across my cheek, har
"Well, that went well. I guess." I strapped in just as uncle Pete started the vehicle, driving out of the compound. "I guess so too." Jared stared from the rearview mirror, our eyes met. The drive back home was mostly silent. My mind were filled with thoughts of Nina, Celine and when Denise would become conscious and tell her side of the story.Feeling exhausted, I closed my eyes and worried more. "Hey." A soft voice sounded close yet far. "Hailey." The voice called again, a gentle, patient tap followed. My lips parted slightly open in an unconscious response when I felt a pair of lips mesh with mine. A small moan escaped me. All of this was a dream. The face I saw kissing me was Jared. I wound my arms round his neck to bring him closer to me. The kiss progressed more passionately and it became a delightful merging of mouths, tongues yearning to each other. "I love you, Hailey." That had my eyes fluttering open. I released a shocked gasp and unwound my arms, licking my lips.
"What the hell is she saying, Peter?" The President who was currently pacing his office, looking sleep-deprived and angry, faced uncle Pete."Calm down and listen to what she has to say. There's sense in it." Uncle Pete was trying to calm him. "What sense is in there, Peter?! She's asking me to make a fool of myself out there!" He looked like he was about to pummel someone. "If denouncing your support for Jared and pulling him out of the race is what makes you a fool, then be a fool to save your daughter!" I retorted, getting worked up by his own anger. I was trying to save his daughter's life but he was proving stubborn all for some keeping a clean record and an unblemished career. "It's your fault she's kidnapped! I told you this was a dangerous game but you thought blackmailing me with a secret daughter from my past will solve everything. Now look at where it has landed me! Damn it! I can not believe I let myself be toyed by you! A woman!" He all but spat at me. I leaned closer
"What?" They chorused in puzzlement. "She did a play on words there. I can't feel my lip. I need a pill to help me relax. Get it? Feel-lip Pill-ax." "Oh, good gracious! That girl's smart as hell." Uncle Pete said. "Exactly!" I concurred excitedly."And Hailey is just brilliant enough to figure it out." Pride shone in Jared's eyes. Jared and uncle Pete looked impressed. "I do my best." I cleared my throat, carelessly ignoring the fluttering in my stomach. "Philip Pillax is behind this?" Uncle Pete looked from me to Jared. "I'd always known that guy to be shady and dangerous. But he must have some guts kidnapping the President's daughter.""And some help." I put in. The men looked at me. "The President's aide, a creepy guy named Rashford. I suspect he's the one giving information out to Philip from the White House.""How do you know this?" This was from Jared. "I noticed how he was lingering at the door the day I went to visit the President. Plus, I talked to Nina who confirmed he
"How's she, doctor?" I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes. Now was not the time for tears.I'd heard uncle Pete's conversation with Catherine and had bring both angry and sad hearing her confess to Derek having a hand in my father's death.It was all part of the plan though. Jared and I had stayed hidden to take pictures and videos of her.I should have him and Denise locked up but not yet. Something told me that was not the whole story and I would want to know it before having the police take over. "The bleeding has stopped, her system is stabilized but she's still weak and sleeping." The doctor said. "I'll be back to check up on her.""Thank you, doctor." I shook hands with him and he left.I couldn't wait to hear Denise's story on how she had ended up on the side of the road, almost bleeding to death until I and Jared drove past.Jared came in just then, uncle Pete and his lover, Miss Nancy, as well.Zion rubbed his eyes, he was feeling sleepy. But he smiled when he finally s