CHRISTIAN I pulled up into the compound hidden amongst bushes and forest, wondering why my friend had chosen to have his home built outside of civilization.Two of his men were outside to lead me into the building."Long time, my friend." Jerome's lips spread a bit in a welcoming smile.I smiled back. "Long time indeed, Jerome." I hastened my steps to go meet him. He met me halfway and we shook hands then hugged each other, clapping each other on the back.Jerome and I had known each other in the strangest of ways. He used to stay in the neighborhood where I did my illegal activities.We were young and would go shoplifting together. The first time our paths cross, I'd decided to go shoplifting in a big supermarket situated in the upscale city.Growing up poor and less privileged, my family and I had to survive somehow. I would visit the town for the rich to steal from them. I met Jerome who had come into the store to carry out the same shoplifting. I used to think he was poor like
"Where's Jared?" Uncle Pete questioned as soon as he stepped into the hospital's cafeteria.It was getting late and I was yet to see Zaya or be told anything about her health. These people were getting on my nerves.Zion's health was improving, said the pediatric doctor attending to my kids. They could share with me Zion's progress but not Zaya's.He should be fully fine in few days. They were giving him medications that induced unconsciousness so his body system would be able to regain strength and energy.Once they saw his system was fully clean, they would stop the sleep-inducing medication and allow his body do the rest naturally.That was good news. Now it was left with Zaya."What's wrong with Zaya?" I asked in return, disregarding his own question."Hailey, where's Jared?" He probed, also ignoring my question.Impatience tugged but I maintained a calm exterior. "I don't know."He made a face. "What do you mean you don't know? I asked him to come be with you and now he's not pi
I literally felt the room spin and my temples throbbed. Apprehension gripped my heart tight when I raised my face to see Jared walking into the room. "I...I thought you were gone." I licked my dry lips and gulped nervously."Zion and Zaya are my children?" He kept his gaze on mine.I filed away apprehensive thoughts and conjured calmness and quick thinking. "Where did you hear that?""You just said it. I heard you clearly." He looked ready to argue and was that hope and excitement I saw in his eyes?Oh no! He was not getting his hands on my children. "You heard wrong." I replied, folding my arms in defiance."Uncle Pete." He faced his uncle who was still seated and quiet. "Tell me the truth."He met my gaze, I silently pleaded with him not to reveal anything. Damn my big mouth!But then in my defense, I thought he was gone. How would I have known he was lurking and eavesdropping."Why were you not picking my calls?" Uncle Pete asked him instead."Uncle Pete...""Answer my question,
"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
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