I was not listening. No, I could not listen. Everything was a blur, words flew over and at me, I heard voices but nothing was sticking in head. My brain cells were a scramble in that moment. Tears fell incessantly, my heart pounded so hard that I thought it would pull out from my chest. My knees buckled, every part of me trembled. I wanted to cry out, to rid myself of this shocking, brutal pain but I couldn't.Only tears fell. I saw the tall figure of someone hastening towards uncle Pete and me. Uncle Pete was still talking to the doctor.I was not interested in whatever she had to say. Nothing she could say that would stop this pain and fill my heart back with hope."What's going on, uncle Pete?" This person reached our side.I had no idea if he got his answer or not but he stooped to look at me. I turned my head to meet his gaze, to see his expression.My tears would not let me take a proper, clarifying look.His lips moved, he was saying something to me. But I was too far away t
PETER"I don't even know where to start from, uncle." He spoke with such downcast expression, there was anger too. "What did I ever do to Jerome? Why is he hellbent on ruining me?!" He punched the dashboard of the car we were in. We had initially decided on a restaurant but the looks he was getting were embarrassing and judgemental, we finally opted for his car.Hailey had left with the one we had come to the hospital together in. Hailey. I just hoped she was okay. She had spoken out of anger and pain, she was not one to harm a kid. Maybe.I hoped she was not too far deep into her agony and grief to know she was not that kind of a person. "Plus my daughter is dead. A child I never got the opportunity to be her father. Now, mom is in the hospital. Fuck! What's all this?!" He groaned, frustration ladened his eyes. It was still morning, though it was late morning by now, but Jared already looked as exhausted and defeated as I did. My greatest concerns were his political career and Ha
PRISCILLA"Come see this Phil. Oh my goodness!" I could not believe what my eyes were watching in that moment.I had woken up early and decided to put on the TV, I wasn't much of a news/politics person. I usually preferred watching Hollywood movies. But the mention of that familiar name — Jared Johnson — had caught my attention and had my index pausing on one of the buttons of the remote. With interest, I had wanted to know what they were talking about my son-in-law but never did I expect to hear this...or even see him in such a disgraceful position in a hotel with a naked young girl beneath him. What was this?! Was he not thinking of his career? Of my daughter? How dare he?"Phil!" I called loudly from the small living room upstairs, my voice carrying through the early hours of the morning while I suddenly remembered my daughter. My poor babygirl. She would be devastated, that was certain."What is it?" Phil's sleepy voice sounded annoyed as he came out of our matrimonial room, hi
"Pay attention to your son, Miss Codza. He needs you." My son's nanny's pleading voice sounded somewhat far from me.Audible but a bit distant. The cries of Zion calling mommy also sounded the same. All I was seeing and hearing clearly in that moment was Zaya's laugh. She was my first fruit. I'd pushed her out few minutes earlier. Her cries had filled the room. Then came Zion. He hadn't made much fuss like Zaya. Zion had gone mute the moment uncle Pete held him and spoke. Zaya had stopped crying when she came in contact with me. My heart constricted but I was fighting the tears. My baby girl's first laugh. Her first walk. Her first word had been 'dada'. She had called uncle Pete first because while I had been thinking of killing myself, he had taken over them both. Her first tooth. First seat up. First crawl. First walk. I remembered all of them like it was yesterday. Then she'd proceeded to grow into an outgoing, smart, sassy child, playing the role of a big sister more than m
"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
JEROME"What happened to your nose, man?" My brows furrowed a little as he walked into my house.Not saying anything, he walked past me, heading straight for the kitchen. He returned with an ice pack and a can of beer.The pack was pressed to his nose, he opened the can and began to gulp."Did you know that your brother is married to that Pillax man's daughter. That Priscilla is her mother?" He finally gave me his attention, the pack still pressed to his nose."You mean Mia? Of course, we grew up together. She's my girl." I informed him.His eyes widened. "She's your...oh, no wonder." His brows knitted thoughtfully."No wonder what?""No wonder your brother was accusing her...me of being another lover. She's having an affair with you and married to him? What the hell?" He chugged more beer, still pressing the pack to his broken nose."How did you even find out? I mean, did you guys stu
He didn't respond, just kept digging into his lunch. "Are you ever going to release her?" I asked again. Still no response. I noticed Zion was getting quieter. He stopped eating, crawled onto Jared's lap and made himself comfortable. He was feeling sleepy. Jared adjusted him so he would not press his weight on his little frame as he ate. Soon, Zion was fast asleep. "You're not saying anything, Jared. Are you ever going to release that girl?" "Can we not talk about her, please?" He raised his head long enough to cast me a glance before lowering his head to focus on his meal. "We have to. That girl needs to be out or I'll stop talking to you." I decided to threaten him."Are you threatening me?" He was in disbelief."You damn well right I am." I quirked a brow, biting back a smile. He would fold and agree..."But how do I know she's not a part of the plan?"...or he would rather argue to justify his actions and prove more stubborn. I scoffed. "How can she? Can you hear yourself
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