"If anything should happen to my kids Jared, trust me, I'll make sure you and your wife sleep in jail for years." I threatened as he drove me to God-knows-where.
"What do you mean by that?" He passed me an angry glance."Your wife now knows where my kids are, thanks to you. I do not trust her. If any more harm comes to them, I'm having you both thrown in jail and the keys forgotten at the bottom of the Pacific." I continued with my threat.My phone rang.It was in the back pocket of the denim I wore. I brought it out, thinking it was probably uncle Pete.I frowned when I saw it was an unknown number.Should I pick or not? I pondered."Pick your call." Jared said from my side."Mind your business." I shunned him.Then for the sole reason of hating his opinion of picking, I rejected the call.My phone rang again. This person didn't seem like they would stop calling so I had to pick finally and put it on loudspeaker and waited for them to spea"You're wasting your time." I began, ready to pour my anger more on him.All the punches did little to affect him. Fuck! I should have gone to that fighting class when I was in Florence.The elevator dinged and slid open, signalling the end of our destination.When he saw I was not moving an inch, he grabbed me by my arm and pulled me along. I tried to sink my teeth into his own arm but to my ire, it didn't work.I soon found myself in a very elegant suite that uninhibitedly exhibited luxury and comfort but because of my mood, I was in no state to admire whatever."Start talking." He moved to a small bar to pour us some drinks.He brought a flute to me, I took and splashed it on his face. "Go to hell!"I headed for the door but he dragged me back. It turned to a full struggle, both flutes ended up as shards on the gleaming floor. He pushed me to the bed, eyes blazing, wine dripping from his face and the few straying strands.Not to mention the front of his shirt was stained as well.
"Uncle Pete, I want you to tell me what is wrong with my daughter." I stormed into the living room, determined to get the truth.It was almost dusk. Jared has wasted my time in that suite of his. Arguing back and forth but I had stood my ground and with a lot of profanities aimed at him, also I would not stop breaking things, he finally took me out of there and brought me back home promising to ensure his presence in the lives of Zaya and Zion.I had no time to reply him because I didn't want to think of what length he could go to do just that.Not that I was scared of him but I didn't want my children exposed to that.Now I was home and ready to make sure uncle Pete told me the truth. Hands akimbo, I stood before him. "I've been trying to reach you all afternoon, what happened?" His worried expression roamed my face."Answer the question." I was mad at him too for hiding something so important to me. This was my daughter's life on the line!"Why, you look like you have been in a
"Hello, ma'am." The pediatrician I now knew by the name Dr. Philips walked into the hallway where uncle Pete and I anxiously waited. "Morning, Dr Philips." I met her halfway, uncle Pete following behind closely. "Uhmm...so today huh?" I tried not to think of the risky surgery my daughter was about to undergo.Zion was off any sleep-inducing medication and the doctor said his body should be responsive towards physical touches by the end of today and he could be awake by tomorrow. So yay! For my son. Now, was my daughter. She was strong and she would pull through just as her brother had. "We'll be..."I heard the brisk walk and inhaled the familiar scent before I even saw the face.My expression went sour as I raised my eyes to meet his. "What are you doing here?!""Good day, doctor." He shook hands with her, then turned to Uncle Pete. "Good morning, uncle.""Good morning, Jared." Uncle acknowledged his greeting, passing me a wary look. "Did you call him here?" I faced uncle Pete w
"Where are you?" I asked into the phone just as my bodyguards surrounded me.I had come with four of them, they were here for the physical support in case things went bad.Uncle Pete had said four would attract attention to me but I didn't care and he had finally seen things from my own perspective and supported my decision.I could not tell what Christian wanted to tell me that was a secret but I was definitely going to...wait!I removed my dark glasses, recognition and confusion mixed.When I confirmed what I had seen, rage began to boil within. I ended the call unconsciously.Catherine? That woman at the far end of the car park looked like her. And who was that man in ponytails?No, I didn't care who he was. I was going to march up to that child-thieving, drug junkie and deal with her. "Guys, go get that woman and make sure she doesn't escape." I decided, on a second thought, not to march up to her and let my security men handle her.She was strong and might go violent on me. Wh
"What do you mean she's a Codza? Who are you talking about? Where is my house and company? The documents?" Confusion ran deep and pulsed through veins.He made another attempt to hold my hand and gripped it firmly this tight. No matter how much I tried to snatch it away, he wouldn't let go."I'm sorry babe. I regret everything I did to you. When I saw you at that party, I realized I had made a huge mistake leaving you. I'm sorry, babe. Let's fight to get this company and house back from that witch and live as we used to. I'm sorry but I want you back in my life."He rushed through his words, his eyes glazed with regret and pleas.My brain was frozen, unable to comprehend whatever he was saying. What did he mean by getting the house and company back?Had he mismanaged my father's hard work? Was he running bankrupt?"Is...is the company not doing well?" I asked him."Of course it's doing okay. More than okay. I'v
"W-what are you doing here?" Christian stepped forward.My bodyguards thought he wanted to come near me so they pushed him back. But he struggled with them and snatched his hand away from their hold. I stared at the face of Jared, wondering why he was talking like that. "What is wrong with you? Why are you talking to me in that manner?"I had to remove my shades as though they were suddenly affecting my vision."What manner?" Jared stepped closer, brought his fingers to trail my face. I avoided his touch and frowned. "Don't touch me. Why the hell are you two trying to touch me and soften me up after the wrongs you have both done to me?!"A corner of his lip quirked. "What are...""Can I talk to you for a sec, J-jared?" Christian said from behind me."I'm not..." His eyes narrowed, his attention solely on Christian.His expression was suspicious so I turned to catch Christian trying to buy his silence, pleading with him not to talk.It made me suspicious all the more. I turned to Ja
CATHERINE"What do you think you're doing, you pompous jerk?!" I fumed as I approached Phil Pillax.The man would not let me rest. Now he had me leaving my home to this same bridge in the middle of the night."Are you ready to work for me or not?" Just like me, he had his identity concealed.Even though it was midnight, no single soul on the road, one still had to be careful. There could also be the ones who might be walking home or wherever by this time of the night.The street lights were doing enough to keep the night bright. One could see well enough."No! Call me a million times, it's still no! I came all the way here to tell you that. Good night and good bye forever, Mr. Pillax!" My tone sharp and pissed.I turned on my heel, heading for home."I think this will help change your mind." He said casually."Nothing will change my mind." I threw a venomous glance over my shoulder."You're
JEROME"Why would you do that, man?" Christian rounded on me as soon as we got to my place in the isolated part of the state. I wanted a low-key life while I carried out my reasons for returning to this place of painful memories."Do what?" I strode casually to the nicely built-in bar in my living room to get a bottle of vodka. "Hey you!" I snapped my fingers at one of the three maids I'd employed to keep the place clean and organized for me. "Yes sir." She approached me. "Get me lemon and a small knife." I ordered.She nodded. "Alright sir." And scurried out. I filled my glass, waiting for the lemon. "Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about, Jerome. How could you?!" He continued to rant. "Do you want a glass?" I asked instead. He emitted a low growl, reached where I was in three huge strides, snatched the glass I'd pour for myself and chugged. "Don't play the game of pretend with me Jerome, I'm not in the mood for it."I shrugged, knowing my next response woul
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 â 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