"Hello, Kazim." I answered the phone."Mommy, who's that? Is that daddy? Is he coming home? What is he saying? Can I talk to him?" Zion threw questions at me, temporarily abandoning his his soldier figure that was about to war with his batman figure."No, it's not daddy, honey." I pulled the phone away from my ear to whisper to him. I pressed the intercom on the wall of the playpen."Where are you, Kazim? Any update?" I continued with my call."Yes, ma'am. I'll text you the location and you'll come meet us." He said.I pulled the phone away from my ear for the second time when the door opened to reveal the person I'd summoned through the intercom."Yes, ma'am?" The young lady who was in her thirties stood before me.She was my son's new live-in nanny. I didn't want to have any because I didn't trust anyone but uncle Pete talked me into it plus I knew he was right.This election was drawing near, he neede
My jaw tightened and teeth clenched when I walked in to find Jared trying to engage Zion who was sparingly giving him his attention. He was focusing all his attention on uncle Pete, wanting them to play together.Though Jared didn't seem mad or impatient, he stopped when he spotted me.I averted my gaze from his, focusing on uncle Pete. "What is he doing here?"But he ignored me, focusing on his interaction with Zion. "Son, let's go get you some ice cream. Are you in the mood for one?" "Yes. And new toys." Zion said, already harboring that excited gleam in his eyes. "Let's buy for Zaya too. She might wake up anytime and ask for hers. I don't want her fighting me for mine."I gaped at uncle Pete. We had never told him Zaya's condition. He only knew she was still in the hospital but not how she was. So how did he know?Uncle Pete understood my expression. "I told him." He clarified."Why? He's just a child." My voice was low and calm. Zion, like his sister, was smart and could detect
It propelled us until I was naked and he was shirtless, only then did it occur to me...I pushed him away. "No! Not again. Never again."Ashamed of myself, how quick I was to melt into his arms at a mere kiss, I grabbed my sheets and covered my body. "Go away.""I swear I'm not leaving, Hailey.""What is wrong with you?! It's not like you want me! You want my children!""It was my mother's plan." The bulge in his pants was too obvious. Too distracting but I forced my eyes away and planted them on his face. "You think I'm stupid? You think I'm still...""Listen to me for once, Hailey. Please." He sounded exasperated and maybe there was a hint of desperation."I do not want to listen to any more of your...""Shut up, damnit!" He yelled.I jolted in shock, not expecting that deep, angry voice to be raised at me. I kept mute but fumed silently. He heaved a sigh, rubbing his face. "I'm sorry for raising my voice, I just want you to listen to me."I calmed but didn't relax. My mouth was p
DENISE"Finally! I thought you'd never return." I stood to welcome the man who had been the only family I'd known all my life. Mom had died young leaving me in the care of my stepfather, who was then her boyfriend. Yeah, they never got a chance to tie the knot before she died, so had my stepdad explained.I owed the man a lot especially when he'd gone through the stress of helping me find my root and discovering I was the biological daughter of a rich man.A dead rich man.He hugged me. "Yeah, I had some business to attend to. It took more time than I'd expected." He explained.He'd been gone for days. "I'm glad you're home now." I told him. He studied my face. "How did your meeting with Hailey go?"He had not been able to reach out to ask. The day I'd gone to see Hailey was the same day he'd left for his business. He dealt in a lot of illegal stuff but I didn't care and was ready to support him with whatever he wanted. He hardly made calls whenever he was on his business trip so
The room smelled of passion and the result of satisfying lust as we both held onto each other, reaching our climax at the same time. He spilled his seeds inside of me before collapsing on my body. None of us could talk for a while. I waited for my brain cells to return to normal and be able to comprehend what had just happened. When it did, I couldn't even bring myself to look at him or even speak.But I had to say something. "Get off me."I swallowed, totally not expecting my voice to tremble as it had just did. Why was I on the verge of crying over something that I'd been a willing participant?He raised his head to study my expression, then he sighed. It was low but I heard it. "What's wrong Hailey?""Your wife needs you." I managed to get out through an emotional voice.He roll off me but didn't let go, rather he cradled me in his arms. "I promise this is not like six years ago."That made me even struggle harder to get away from him. "Unwrap your arms from my body this minute,
MISS BORDEAUXI stepped out through the glass doors of my workplace, ready to go home. It was such a honor to be working for the second biggest company in the country.Also, with a boss like mine, it was an absolute dream come true. Mr Johnson was such a wonderful sight for good eyes, though it was a bumper he was married. Well, at least, I got to admire from afar. He wasn't the type to chase after women. And he respected the company's rules of no office romance. I hailed a taxi. A young graduate like myself from the trailer knew better than to wish for something she had no right wishing for.Mr Johnson treated me nice like every other staff under him. He paid us well and when I attended trips with him, I sure did have fun but he never made any advances.Sure he would talk to me but in a friendly, boss to employee manner. "Where to, ma'am?" The beardy cab man inquired. "Fin Square." I replied, proceeding to open the back of the taxi."That won't be necessary, Miss Bordeaux. I can
CATHERINE"You know we have to be careful how and where we meet. The last time we almost got caught by that bitch." I complained as soon as I entered the passenger seat of his car. And by that 'bitch', I meant Hailey. I had been quick to spot her at that hotel before she sent her goons to come after us.She didn't know Derek yet, just me. So it was specifically me she had wanted. Derek and me hadn't met again until now when he'd called to see me. "Exactly why I chose a place far from town and in this car with tinted windows, one can hardly recognize us." He responded, tucking a strand of his brown long hair behind his ear. "How has it been?" I shrugged and lied. "Fine."But I knew everything was far from fine. My son was held in that bastard's custody. And then he'd had the guts to call me to order me to carry out his bidding. "Are you sure?" He observed my expression.Rather than give him a response, I extended my palm. "The money you promised me."He stretched to the backseat of
JAREDI was going through the ledger when I heard the little commotion going on outside my office. What was happening?I rose from my chair and stepped out of my airy office to see my secretary having a little banter with someone.Other staff were watching with interest. Few eyes caught my presence and went back to their station or faced their jobs...or at least they pretended to.I had never seen Miss Bordeaux in this infuriated manner. And the person she was talking back to was a bit hidden by a staff's work station."You do not have an appointment, little girl." My secretary snapped."Do you know who I am? Who my father is?" The familiar voice had me halting in my tracks. Maybe I should let Celine handle this one all by herself.I had just done a U-turn and was about to flee to my office when I heard the excited squeal. "There he is! There's my boyfriend!"I froze in place. I could hear the deafening silence that followed her statement. Eyes were on me. Everyone knew I was marri
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