JARED"You can not fold your hands and watch her take your children away, Jared." Mom was in her usual angry mode whenever she wasn't getting what she wanted."Mom, stop it. Okay? It's enough." I was trying to think of a better solution."I'm trying to be helpful here." She eyed me unhappily."But you're making matters worse. Uncle Pete is right. We wronged that girl, we should be apologizing to her not making matters worse."I had thought of everything uncle Pete had said and I'd reminisced on the past, I was ashamed of how low I'd sunk myself to treat her that way.Even though she had accused me of being responsible for her pregnancy, it wasn't enough reason to treat her like that. She had lost her first pregnancy and all I had done was stand against her. The second one which I knew I was responsible for, I'd asked her to abort without a thought to her feelings.She had once confessed to being in love with me and in every way, she had shown me but I had turned a blind eye because I
MARTHAFear, disbelief, surprise and a sense of motherly yearning for her child all attacked me at once.My son was back? I knew what he was and his capabilities but he was still my son.Thought there was a reason he was dead to us. He had to be."Are you certain of what you're saying?" Jared questioned, the dread and disbelief on his face wa enough answer for me.Jerome's presence meant a lot of things would go wrong."Of course he's not certain of what he's saying. How can a dead man be back? Back to where?" Mia remarked.Everyone went silent immediately. No one could tell her the truth. Even she was not aware that Jerome was alive. We had her and others believed he was dead."Right?" She looked at Jared, then at me and finally at my brother-in-law.None of us spoke."Why's everyone quiet?" She was asking, looking clueless. "Is he alive?" She faced me."Yes, he is but I'll tell you
"Hello, ma'am."The young guy I'd employed recently to work for me discreetly greeted as soon as my car stopped at the spot I'd asked him to meet me.It was a deserted place that had old, abandoned houses and other buildings. It used to be a residential area from the looks of it but now was like no man's island.He was already there, waiting for me. I had just finished from the restaurant and came out to meet him. "Hi, Kazim."He was a Muslim and a Pakistani. He had come highly recommended. He was not more than twenty two but was very good.I also liked the fact he wasn't much of a talker. At least, it won't be me doing the spilling of our secret business. He handed me an envelope. "The information you need, ma'am.""Thank you." I took it and brought out its contents to peruse. My eyes widened in surprise at what I saw, I raised my head to meet his eyes. "Are you sure this is the right information?""Yes, ma'am." He simply replied.So Catherine had a son. Perfect! Such a pity he wa
As soon as I stepped into the house and heard the cries, I hurried my steps, maternal instincts kicking in."What's wrong with him, uncle Pete?" I rushed towards them."He's been crying few minutes after you left." Uncle Pete was seen trying to calm Zion but my little boy was having none of it. "Zion baby." I tried to hold him but he clung tighter to uncle Pete's shirt and cried harder. "He's not letting me hold him.""Do you think he's fully recovered?"Uncle Pete had to increase his tone just so I could hear him over my son's ear-splitting wails. "Or we should take him back to the hospital?""Let's go back to the hospital." The fact that Zion had never behaved like this before, worried me even more. He was discharged yesterday and had been calm until now. "Hospital?" He paused in his tantrums to look at us both. "Are we going to the hospital?"Uncle Pete and I exchanged glances then looked back at him. He was rubbing his watery, puffy eyes and sniffling back tears and snot. "Why
MIA"I knew you wouldn't disobey me." He commented as soon as I walked into the living room of his home.I eye rolled. "This is an issue of urgency, Jerome. Why didn't you tell me about her?"I dropped the small brown leather purse I was holding in the nearest sofa and folded my arms. "What difference will it make?" He chugged the remaining contents in his glass. "Why don't you sit and let's have a drink?""I'm not having drinks with you until you answer me, Jerome! Why didn't you tell me you fucked and impregnated Hailey?!" The more I thought of the matter, I felt used and stupid. "Are you jealous?" He flashed me a grin that made a dent on both sides of his face. Jared had the same dimples and the skin on both sides of his face sucked in whenever he smiled or laughed. The same effect it had on me whenever Jared smiled was the same effect it was having on me now seeing Jerome flash me a grin. That was ridiculous, I told myself. I could not be harboring feelings for two brothers.
MARTHAIt was difficult to comprehend the scene before me even though I was seeing it with my own two eyes.Mia and Jerome?"Mom." Jerome seemed shocked to see me, but there was excitement as well.I was stunned speechless that I could only stare foolishly at them both. Mia quickly got out of Jerome's hold and wore her clothes.She was trembling, that much was clear to me. Trembling out of fear."How did you find your way here?" Jerome crossed the room to meet me buck naked, I saw him signalling his boys to go.I turned back to see their backs. I faced him again.As he was about to hug me, I moved back and slapped him. "Get dressed!"He grinned and wore his clothes.Mia didn't say a word, she grabbed her bag from the sofa I was standing near and made to leave."Where are you going to?" Jerome went to grab her."Leave me alone." Her voice shook as though she was abo
PRISCILLA "You need to know when to stop, Phil. What are you doing?!" I yelled at my husband in exasperation.His face was taunt with anger and determination. "You had better shut your mouth, Priscilla."I wanted to flinch but held it in. I knew Phil had a temper and could throw tantrums like a baby if he was not getting his way.Sometimes he could get verbally and emotionally abusive towards me but I'd endured.Lately, it was getting worse and I had somehow knew it had to do with his anger over not being invited to that party. An event that had taken place weeks ago! How petty could he be? It was beginning to grate my nerves raw. I wasn't one for confrontations but he was making it difficult to live with him. I just had to address it. "Why don't you just focus on your business and let Peter Johnson be. He's family by marriage.""I don't care who he is, Priscilla. I need to have the upper hand. I just heard from a reliable source that Jared is being favored for that political positi
CHRISTIANI spotted her in the dark corner of the bar, nursing a drink. One long look at her and I knew she was not in a good mood.Although that was to be expected. I'd been informed.The ringing of my phone cut off my thoughts.Jerome."What's up, man?""Have you spotted her?""Yes. I'll get back to you soon."I ended the call and took a seat on the high stool at the bar where I could easily keep an eye on her, waiting for my moment.I was doing this as a favor to Jerome. He had said he was going to help me with getting Hailey back. I'd been trying to reach her ever since but she wouldn't pick my calls and it was really difficult seeing her these days."What would you like to have, sir?" A young bartender with red hair that looks obviously dyed and a long pattern of tattoo that ran from her neck down to her left arm addressed me."A shot of tequila." I responded, still keeping an e
THREE YEARS LATER...I stood outside in front the prison's huge gate, Zion and Zaya, still having their sibling rivalry, stood beside me. I paid them no mind. The day they would not argue, I would be genuinely worried. Jared stood beside me as I held a cardboard paper in view, waiting for her. "Where is she?" I questioned impatiently.Uncle Pete and Miss Nancy were home, they couldn't come because Miss Nancy had just put to bed a beautiful set of twin boys. The twin gene was really strong in the Johnson family. Celine was due at any moment. Funny right? Dylan had proposed a year after my wedding. Celine was expecting her first child but was advised to stay home and to stress as little as possible. That was what happened when your husband was a big shot doctor.The gates opened and there she was. I beamed.Zion and Zaya, now eight years of age, ran forward in unison, forgetting their meaningless squabble. "Aunt Denise!""Hey!" She opened her arms, stooping to hug them only they wer
When I finally came to, the first thing I heard was the steady beeping of the heart's monitor. I blinked reflexively as the bulb overhead hurt my eyes some. I tried to raise myself to a sitting position but a groan escaped my lips."Hailey." Someone rushed to the bed, helping me to sit up.It was Jared. "W-what happened? I had a dream. A weird dream." I told him, looking quite disoriented. "Really? What kind of dream was that?" He asked, tucking hair behind my ears. "I saw Zaya. Zion was holding her hand and they...they..." Emotions swamped me, making it difficult for me to continue speaking.I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge tears suck in my throat. He heaved a sigh. "It was not a dream, baby. Zaya is alive. I'm as shocked as you are but after uncle Pete and Miss Nancy explained all that happened, I am just thankful she's alive." Emotions rose to his throat. "No." I shook my head, not wanting to believe. "No, no. Zaya died. I saw her body. She...she laid there unconscious an
"Thank you Brenda, you did a superb job." I shook hands with the very pretty bartender dressed in revealing clothes as the cops threw handcuffs around the wrists of drugged, oblivious Philip and Derek.Finally, I did it. Actually, to be fair, I had help. Jared and me had tracked them to the location Denise had provided and it was true. I realized they frequented a rundown bar at this remote area and they were smart to because no one would have ever traced them here."It's my pleasure. Plus, the money was too good to pass up." She seemed pleased with herself. "Just a second." I left her to go get my checkbook and pen from my bag sitting in the car. I returned to her with these, wrote a figure and extended it to her. "This is thank you for a job well done."She took the check, her eyes bulged in both excitement and shock. "This is freaking much! What the hell do I do with so much money?"My eyes did a quick sweep of her work environment, then moved back to her. "You can pursue your dr
"I don't know why you brought me here. You could have come alone." I folded my arms, staring with a displeased expression at the entrance of the police station. "You need this." Jared said, turning off the engine and unbuckling his seatbelt. "Aren't you getting out?""I told you I'm not ready. I don't know what to tell her. I'm not even sure I want to talk to her, I can't forget the fact that she had a hand in my father's death.""Fine. Then don't talk, let me do the talking. I just want you to be available so you can hear the information she has. You want Philip and Derek to pay for what they have done to you, don't you?" He shifted to face me. "I guess." My tone was reluctant."Good, because I want Philip to pay for killing my father." His jaw tightened.I frowned a little. "You've never been this upset ever since...I don't know, he was your father-in-law.""A big mistake. My father's death ruined my family with my mother as an accomplice." His words were bitter to the ears. I pl
I was dressed for the event — a simple tank top and distressed denim shorts. It was time to pluck off another adversary.I opened the door and turned on the lights. "There you are." My smile was anything but welcoming or friendly. "And I thought I smelled a rotten fish." She spat, looking unkempt and dirty. And she was tied to a chair. "Oh, that'll be you seeing as you haven't had your bath in like...well, weeks." I drew a chair from the wall, placed it few feet from hers and sat. "Forgive my lack of hospitality, I've been busy.""It's been a while. What do you want?" Her once shiny red hair was now a matted mess. "Revenge." I simply said. As though on cue, I heard a rap on the door. I opened it to allow Celine and Jared walk in. Jared was carrying a box of things I'd asked for. "You bitch! You think I'm scared of you?" She was trying to act strong but the little quiver in her voice gave her away. "I think you already are." I emptied the contents in the box.I heard her gasp. "
"Room 48." I mumbled, blowing nerves away. I was here and there was no turning back. Uncle Pete and Jared had no idea where I was going. I'd lied about picking some things for Zion from the store. This should be over in no time. I raised a fist and rapped gently but firmly on the door. "Who's that?"Two of the cops had followed me upstairs but were hiding from view. That sounded like the President's voice. I knocked again, cleared my tone in a bit to disguise it and said. "Room service."There was seconds of silence, then the padding of feet coming towards the door. The door opened. "We didn't order any..." The rest of his words were drowned by shock."Hello, Mr. President." I plastered on a smile. "Can I come in?" He was yet to see the cops."Get out." Fear and anger had him growl out those words. He tried to shut the door in my face but before he succeeded, I had a foot stuck between the door and used all of my power to push it open, making him lose balance and fall to the gro
"Uncle Pete!" I dashed into the room to envelope him into a hug, not minding the presence of Miss Nancy and a nurse. He hugged me back, his chuckle a bit weak. "I missed you too."I blinked my eyes, struggling back tears and swallowing emotions lodged stubbornly in my throat. "I'm so glad you're okay, uncle Pete. I...I... thought..." I couldn't even say the words out loud. "You thought what? I'm going nowhere for a long, long time, babygirl."My heart swelled with both gratitude and love for the man. It was the first time he would be using such an endearing term in that soft, affectionate tone. "You'd better not.""Can't...breathe." He said, still hugging me. "Thank you for saving my life. Thank you." I sniffled. "I owe you everything, my life included." "I did what I'm supposed to do, Hailey. You don't have to thank me for that." He rubbed my back. I held onto him for a few more moment. "Save some for us, Hailey." Celine who had come with me chuckled. I let go, finally paying
Jared unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me onto his laps, I could not stop sobbing. "Shh. It's okay.""I...I..." I hiccuped, words failing me. "You don't have to say anything now." His hand on my back, comforting and soothing was a bit helpful."But...oh God. I don't want to believe her, but..." I trailed off as more tears interrupted my speech."Me too. I thought she just being her sly self but when I heard her talk, I knew she wasn't lying."I sniffled back snot, raising my head to look at him. "You heard her talk? When?""When we worked together. See, everyone makes mistakes, including your father. And that mistake led to his untimely, unfortunate demise. Denise too and we both know where the mistake landed her.""I can't imagine being poor and having a rich father who didn't want you. I know my dad was wrong to have pretended Denise didn't exist but killing him didn't solve anything. She only killed the man I've loved all my life till the day he died.""And I'm sorry for that. I
"He's not our son." Was the only argument I could come up with. Disappointment and disbelief darkened his eyes. "So you're prepared to let that young boy who left his country to provide a life for himself and his family to die in a fight that doesn't concern him? Coming from you, a mother?"Guilty speared, so I kept mute, partly to reflect. "Look, babe, I know you've been through a lot and Kazim was giving every information to bring every injustice to an end and the people responsible to book and he has done a wonderful job so far, but it was getting too heated. He was digging in too deep and I feared it was only a matter of time before he would wound up dead probably in some remote location. I know you're a good person and would never want to put his life at risk, you just wanted to fight back the only way you knew how."I hated that the anger was no longer aimed at him. I felt ashamed that he'd considered the risks while I was only interested in what Kazim had to offer. "Where is