"What?!" I snapped, struggling to free myself from the bind. I ignored uncle Pete's disproving stare. Jared, on the other hand, looked like he had just been dealt a serious blow. It was a mixture of shock and disbelief. "What are you saying? What is she saying, uncle Pete?"The older man heaved a sigh, pinched the area between his brows and plopped into a chair. "I did not want you to find out that way but here we go..."I ignored them both, focusing on getting out of this ridiculously hard knot he had my wrists tied in. "Here what goes, uncle? What is she talking about?!" Jared's tone was slightly increased in an apprehensive way. "Sit and don't raise your tone at me. I'm exhausted already as it is." Uncle Pete admonished slightly."How did you even tie this...fuck!" I was beginning to grow frustrated. I melted to the floor, flinging my body in a desperate attempt to get rid of this bind. My whole body was shaking. I just needed to avenge Zaya's death and mourn her. Nausea rais
PETERI was exhausted and tired. It had been a very long, tiring, painful day. I wish I could just have my bath and sleep but I couldn't.This was not the time to slumber. There were enemies everywhere and evil plots surrounded us, especially Jared and Hailey. I pitied Hailey. The pain she must be going through now, even Jared. His career and marriage had just been shattered because I knew he would not continue that marriage with Mia and the President would not want to adopt Jared politically anymore due to this scandal.That reminded me, the President had called me twice when we were still at the hospital, but I hadn't picked. I didn't tell Jared because I didn't want add to his panic.He was with Hailey now in her room. She had managed to eat something and was now asleep. Jared refused to leave her side. I peeled off my shirt and pants, ready to go into the bathroom, have my bath and get plotting.My phone pinged with notification. I checked it to see a message from a saved contac
CHRISTIAN"Hello, man.""Where are you?" I steered the wheel, driving into the place of rendezvous. My phone was on the speaker, Jerome's voice loud and clear. "Priscilla called." I informed him."Really? And I was beginning to get impatient." He stated. "Well, let's just hope she's willing to cooperate this time.""What if you send me your location and I send my men to bring her here?" He suggested."No, we can't do that. It's a bad idea. This woman is... she's the soft type and fiercely loyal. She'll break but we just need to give her time. She called me, didn't she? And from her tone, I could tell all is not well." I told him, parking in the car section.I turned off the engine and remained in the car, continuing my call with him. "So you're saying let's give her time, huh?" "Yes, Jerome."I would not say Priscilla was a total hard nut to crack because she was a softie. Emotional and a bit naive. But there was the loyalty and strength hidden beneath. She wasn't one who would
"Hello..uhh, can you call back, she's sleeping. This is not a good...""Who's that?" I blinked my eyes open after the half part of my brain that had been awaken by his voice nudged me out of my vague dream."Yes, thank you. I think that'll be better." He ended the call, removing the phone from his ears. "I'm sorry for waking you, just go back to sleep.""Who was that?" Though I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, I was curious to know who had called me. "A guy named Kazim. He said...""What the hell? Why did you pick my call?!" I lashed out, grabbing my phone from him and jumping out of the bed, dashing out of my room."He would not stop calling. What is wrong with you?" His annoyed voice followed me out.Not bothering to reply, I headed for one of the rooms far away from mine so he would not listen in. My temples throbbed.I dialed Kazim's number. "Did you tell him anything?" I asked as soon as he picked. "No, ma'am." He replied."Okay, thank goodness. Now what do you have for me
"Uncle Pete." I called, knocking on the door of his room. "Hailey." He opened the door.He was looking all dressed up which was quite surprising because he was not supposed to go to the office today. Though we didn't talk about it but I just lost my daughter. I thought we would all be home. But then again, he wasn't exactly dressed for the office. "Where are you going all dressed up?" I asked, sizing him up."I...I have a meeting with someone." He replied. "How are you feeling now?""I just lost my daughter, how do you think I am?" I threw back."Fair enough. But I want you to be fine, Hailey. I really do " His tone turned sympathetic and caring. I swallowed a big lump and nodded. "I want to ask you something." "What is it? Do you want to come in?" He opened his door wider."No." I shook my head. "I'm fine here. I just wanted to ask this. You once told me your brother, Jared's father, died on a business trip. But then you said he was found dead with a knife stuck in his chest. Wh
"I don't even know where or how to start." His tone was low, broken and defeated. "I told you we'll find a way." I reassured him.He turned to him with red, despaired eyes. "You said 'we'?""Yes. Or do you find it impossible?" I asked, maintaining eye contact with him.He shook his head, his shoulders slumped. "No, it's not that. I'm just surprised you're willing to help me."We locked gazes for what seemed like a long time but was actually for a few seconds. I cleared my throat and averted my gaze, shrugging. "I'm doing it for Zion. He needs to be able to achieve his dreams and live as he wants without having the alleged scandalous past of his father weighing down on him." He bit his lower lip, though slightly. "Yeah, you're right. And thank you for that.""For what?""For giving me this opportunity to know my son." He voiced though depressingly. I had never seen Jared in such sad state before and it tugged on my heartstrings for him. I moved closer to hold one of his hands. "We
"What is wrong with you, Jared? Get down from this vehicle." We were already in the hospital but Jared was refusing to step down."You forced me to come here. You can't force me to see her." Came his tired reply."She's your mother and no matter what she has done, she needs you now.""Thanks to her and that bitch I married, there's nothing left of me to need. What exactly is she needing me for? She ruined me, so she has no right to need me!" He responded heatedly.I could see he was ready to buck and fight me this time. He was angry, getting angry as well would not solve anything.I willed myself to be calm. "I know you're pissed and you have every right to be. I should be the last person pushing you to go see your mom especially with my history with her. You know how much damage she brought to my life and how she treated me.""Then why are you helping her? I say we get the hell out of here and leave her there to...""To w
"Hello, mommy. Are you there?" The phone was still pressed to my ear but my son's voice was now a far away echo. My whole attention was now on Jared and the ward my daughter had died in. Pain hit even harder and made breathing a bit difficult. Without meaning to, I removed the phone from my ear and ended the call, my watery gaze steadfast on Jared. Pocketing my phone, I stepped forward on shaky legs and a bleeding heart while steadying my breath.He spotted me and quickly brought out his handkerchief to wipe his eyes as though he was embarrassed to be seen being vulnerable. "Hi. I...I was looking for you." My voice had gone from clear to croaky. He shrugged, refusing to look at me. "I wanted to be away from that woman.""Jared." Despite the fact that standing so close to my daughter's ward had my soul and every other part of me mourning woefully, I felt sympathy for him. "I'm sorry you saw me like this..." He apologized, still using the handkerchief to ensure there was no trace
My son had been so happy when I'd told him we were bringing food to Jared in his office. Uncle Pete had gone to the office. For the past days, I've been avoiding Astra-Z especially after the death of Zaya. I just wasn't ready to deal with anything pertaining to work at this moment. I'd made some food for Jared, he was still living with us for the main time and no one was complaining. I was enjoying his presence, Zion obviously was as well and uncle Pete seemed relieved to have his nephew within close proximity during such trying period.Bringing Jared lunch had been a surprise, but it turned out I was the one in for the surprise. I stepped into the tensed, angry office space and gaped. "Christian?! Wh-what are you doing here?""Are you fighting, Jared?" My son stepped forward, examining both men's faces. "Christian? Your name is Christian?" Mia looked confused and angry. "What else would you think his name is?" I had to ask because it sounded strange hearing her question the tru
CHRISTIAN I stepped into the office building and a felt a bit overwhelmed. It was bigger than the one I used to handle. I guess I understood now why they termed it a 'multi-billion company' as opposed to the 'million-dollar company' I used to run. The receptionist's face lifted in the professional smile I just knew was a part of her job. "Good morning, Sir. How may I help you?" Her tone was polite but still held professionalism. "I'm here to see your boss." My tone copied hers. "Okay, sir. Any prior appointment?" She interrogated further. Company's rules, I understood them. I used to be at the top too. "Honestly, no. But I'm a potential business partner. I was just around the vicinity, and decided to drop by to see the man I might be working with in the future. You know how businesses go." I flashed her a charming smile.She responded with a smile of hers but she kept it professional and didn't seem fazed by the charm behind mine. "I'll have to check with his secretary, sir. Pl
PRISCILLA"You've been scarce around the house, why's that?"I was just coming out of the room I'd turned to mine, freshly showered and all dressed for a stay at home.I bumped into my husband, someone I'd been avoiding for a few days now. "You've been scarce around the house, why's that?" I threw back.He curled his fists, I saw it and my eyes flashed him a warning. He had better not raise that hand to my body ever again."So now you have the audacity to throw back questions at me?" His temper was like a short fuse."If I can't question you, then you have no right to question me." I made to walk past him but he drew me back roughly.I struggled with him and pushed him with all my might. He staggered, disbelief making its way into his eyes. "How dare you, Priscilla?! Have you forgotten who the head of the house is?!""If you notice, I no longer share the same room with you. Until you learn how to b
The first 'what?' had been exclaimed by Jared but the second one had been stuttered by..."Miss Nancy?" I called, not believing she was behind us. At her feet laid shattered glass of water that pooled around her and flowed in short distances. How had she even walked passed us the first time without us seeing her?Except she took a different route as there were many hallways in the house.She seemed to realize herself and blinked, getting rid of tears that had welled to the surface but were yet to fall. "I-I'm sorry for intruding, everyone. I'll clean this up too."With one pained look thrown at guilty uncle Pete's way, she left. What was happening? What did I just witness? My tears had stopped flowing.Jared and me exchanged meaningful stares. "Excuse me, I'll be right back. Hailey, don't go anywhere, please. There's an explanation for this, I don't know how logical or valid it'll sound to you but I'll clear the air." Maybe it was the pleading stare or the fact that he was on the b
"I've been trying to call you, Hailey. Why haven't you...hey, I'm talking to you." His eyes followed me as I walked past him like he wasn't even there."Mommy." Zion wriggled out of Miss Nancy's hold, and ran to hug me. "Hey, baby." I grinned, stooping to receive him into my arms. "I missed you, mommy." He kissed my cheek, making my heart swell."I missed you too, my baby.""Miss Nancy, take Zion to his playroom, I want to have a minute with Hailey." Uncle Pete instructed a befuddled Miss Nancy who had seen how I'd ignored him.She was probably wondering what had transpired between us. "Good afternoon, uncle." Jared's voice had me turning in surprise to see him carrying a bag. My brows furrowed. "What's with the bag?""Jared!" Zion left my side and ran to Jared's. The latter immediately dropped his bag and lifted him in the air, making Zion giggle so hard. "Hey, champ.""Are you coming to live with us?" Zion asked as soon as he was well positioned on Jared's hip."If you and them
As I stepped out of the main building of the White House, I saw some men dressed in black carrying some suspicious looking bags rounding a corner. "What are those?" I asked in a low tone."I have no idea. Daddy said it's nothing to concern myself with." The girl who'd introduced herself as Nina replied. After we'd had our conversation, she had decided to see me off to where my car was parked. She asked a lot of questions about Jared and I'd responded likewise. It was obvious she had a huge crush on him. I almost felt pity for her because I knew Jared would not allow it happen. She was too young. A minor from what she'd told me of her age. Though she was one very beautiful girl with a smart head sitting on her shoulders. "Hm." I averted my eyes when one of the black suits began to give me pointed stares. "Thank you for standing up to my father. I hope he does allow Jared back into the race." Her face fell a little, brown tendrils strayed to her eyes.She pushed them back behind h
"You must be lying! This is bullshit! I'll advice you to leave my office this minute before I call security." He appeared angry."Do that and I'll have this published in two days, Mr. President." Despite his show of anger, I remained calm. "You don't have an impeccable past and I am sure you damn well know what I am talking about. Were you aware Cecilia was pregnant before you broke up?""I will not answer that question." He gritted."I'm guessing it's a yes." I stared unblinkingly.He soon lowered his lashes, anger and defeat in his eyes. "You're playing a dangerous game, Hailey.""Life is a risk. This way, that way, any way, danger surrounds us all." I shrugged.He heaved a sigh. "How did you find out?""Doesn't matter, Mr. President. The question is why would you abandon your own child?""I..." Another sigh, suddenly, he looked weary. "I didn't mean to. She came to me with the pregnancy but my parents
"Hello, Mr. President." I stepped majestically into his office, clad in my custom-made cream-colored suit.My pair of burgundy Manolo Blahnik clicked confidently as I reached where the President was. My lip stick was burgundy as well.My black leather purse and my pair of Ray Ban were a wonderful match.Not to mention that I smelled exactly like the interestingly contrasting mix of sweet and strong, adding to my confidence and charm.He stood from behind his desk to give me a handshake.It had not taken long to arrange for this meeting with him, given his relationship with uncle Pete who many still thought was my lover, the President included, he couldn't turn me down."Thank you for making time to see me on such short notice." I emitted a polite smile.He returned the smile. "It's a pleasure. When I got the message from Rashford, my P.A, I wondered why the fiancee of my closest friend wants to see me.""You n
DENISE"It would seem fate is on our side, dad." I was in a jolly mood that evening. "What is it? What happened?" He was sitting on one of the sofa, a small console table before him. A big ashtray almost filled with ashes and bottles of beer littered the area. He was also in a jolly mood, that I could see. "News just reached me that Hailey's daughter is dead." I grinned, it was a mile-wide stretch. "Oh. And you're happy because..." His brows furrowed a bit as though he was not getting how that was making me excited. "She won't have time to come after us. She'll be too busy mourning and crying. No more court nonsense." I said in a 'duh' tone as if I couldn't believe he was not getting the point. "It's just a temporary distraction, sweet pea. How long do you think she'll mourn? Till eternity? Once she's fine, she's coming back for you again. For us. For the company." He reasoned. "Oh." My level of excitement drastically reduced. I was getting his point now. Once she was over the