CATHERINEMy life was going to change forever. My relationship with Peter had only gotten better. Though I still received money from Derek but nothing was going to happen between us, no future was in the cards for us.Collecting his money was my right and I was going to keep getting it, after all, I had a child for him. My son. Noah.Philip had stopped picking my calls, I guess he no longer wanted me to work for him. Maybe he'd gotten someone else which didn't bother me, really.I just wanted to know where my son was. When I moved into Peter's new mansion, I'd have the power and the wealth to search for my son. I was yet to let Peter know and I didn't know how he would react if he ever found out."We're here, ma'am." The cab driver's voice drew me out of my thoughts and had me focused back on reality. "Oh. Here." I gave him a hundred just 'cause I was in a good mood. "Keep the change.""Thanks, ma'am." He tipped his baseball cap at me, feeling happy at the huge tip. Well, I was go
CATHERINE"So he asked you to use the children as bait to release his own daughter?" He was surprised."Yes. Then he kidnapped my son and asked me to find and bring anything incriminating to use against you. I couldn't.""Oh. I'm sorry you had to go through that." He removed his hand from beneath mine and placed it atop, patting it as though he was comforting me. "It's okay." I shrugged, smiling a little. Peter was too good for me and that was just my luck. He had the money, had the looks and was the man I had feelings for. Nah, Derek didn't come close on any of this aforementioned three. "You're better than Derek." I said. "Ah, how so?" He was smiling as well."At least, the nature of your job is legit and I still love you." I mentioned."Oh, nature of his job you say? What kind of job does he do?" "He sells drugs, weapon and everything illegal. He has big clients, wealthy ones. He does this business with Philip Pillax, they are partners..." "Is that so?" He lifted a brow, sip
"Yes, it is Noah." She whirled around to see who had spoken. She sneered when she spotted me with Jared standing beside me. Her eyes blazed with fury as she turned to Uncle Pete. "What is the meaning of this, Peter? What is my child doing in here? In your estate?""You should thank Hailey for taking your son away from Phillip Pillax. You should also be grateful she didn't, out of anger and vengeance, kill your son the same way you murdered her daughter." Uncle Pete spoke with hate in his eyes. "So, this is what? Some kind of revenge or what? Luring me here to kill me instead?" She was displaced and lost and angry all at once.It was thrilling to watch. Jared and I had followed them but carefully so she wouldn't see us. We'd been listening to their conversation from the moment she stepped feet into the house."You sound like you prefer Noah to die in your place." I pointed out. She glared at me. "Shut up, bitch! You know what, having Zaya die is the best news. When Peter here told m
"How's she, doctor?" I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes. Now was not the time for tears.I'd heard uncle Pete's conversation with Catherine and had bring both angry and sad hearing her confess to Derek having a hand in my father's death.It was all part of the plan though. Jared and I had stayed hidden to take pictures and videos of her.I should have him and Denise locked up but not yet. Something told me that was not the whole story and I would want to know it before having the police take over. "The bleeding has stopped, her system is stabilized but she's still weak and sleeping." The doctor said. "I'll be back to check up on her.""Thank you, doctor." I shook hands with him and he left.I couldn't wait to hear Denise's story on how she had ended up on the side of the road, almost bleeding to death until I and Jared drove past.Jared came in just then, uncle Pete and his lover, Miss Nancy, as well.Zion rubbed his eyes, he was feeling sleepy. But he smiled when he finally s
"What?" They chorused in puzzlement. "She did a play on words there. I can't feel my lip. I need a pill to help me relax. Get it? Feel-lip Pill-ax." "Oh, good gracious! That girl's smart as hell." Uncle Pete said. "Exactly!" I concurred excitedly."And Hailey is just brilliant enough to figure it out." Pride shone in Jared's eyes. Jared and uncle Pete looked impressed. "I do my best." I cleared my throat, carelessly ignoring the fluttering in my stomach. "Philip Pillax is behind this?" Uncle Pete looked from me to Jared. "I'd always known that guy to be shady and dangerous. But he must have some guts kidnapping the President's daughter.""And some help." I put in. The men looked at me. "The President's aide, a creepy guy named Rashford. I suspect he's the one giving information out to Philip from the White House.""How do you know this?" This was from Jared. "I noticed how he was lingering at the door the day I went to visit the President. Plus, I talked to Nina who confirmed he
"What the hell is she saying, Peter?" The President who was currently pacing his office, looking sleep-deprived and angry, faced uncle Pete."Calm down and listen to what she has to say. There's sense in it." Uncle Pete was trying to calm him. "What sense is in there, Peter?! She's asking me to make a fool of myself out there!" He looked like he was about to pummel someone. "If denouncing your support for Jared and pulling him out of the race is what makes you a fool, then be a fool to save your daughter!" I retorted, getting worked up by his own anger. I was trying to save his daughter's life but he was proving stubborn all for some keeping a clean record and an unblemished career. "It's your fault she's kidnapped! I told you this was a dangerous game but you thought blackmailing me with a secret daughter from my past will solve everything. Now look at where it has landed me! Damn it! I can not believe I let myself be toyed by you! A woman!" He all but spat at me. I leaned closer
"Well, that went well. I guess." I strapped in just as uncle Pete started the vehicle, driving out of the compound. "I guess so too." Jared stared from the rearview mirror, our eyes met. The drive back home was mostly silent. My mind were filled with thoughts of Nina, Celine and when Denise would become conscious and tell her side of the story.Feeling exhausted, I closed my eyes and worried more. "Hey." A soft voice sounded close yet far. "Hailey." The voice called again, a gentle, patient tap followed. My lips parted slightly open in an unconscious response when I felt a pair of lips mesh with mine. A small moan escaped me. All of this was a dream. The face I saw kissing me was Jared. I wound my arms round his neck to bring him closer to me. The kiss progressed more passionately and it became a delightful merging of mouths, tongues yearning to each other. "I love you, Hailey." That had my eyes fluttering open. I released a shocked gasp and unwound my arms, licking my lips.
PRISCILLA "Leave me alone, you wife beater!" I struggled with him to let go of my shirt he'd held on to. I heard a rip and seethed. This was one of my very expensive shirts. "Not until you tell me where the stuff in my safe is." He seethed as well. "What safe? What stuff? Did you tell me of any safe in this house?""You and I are the only occupants of this house, Priscilla. Don't fucking lie to me! Your behavior recently have been rousing suspicions.""And yours haven't?" I shot back."Give me the things you took from that safe or I'll make you regret knowing me, Priscilla." He threatened."I already regret knowing you, Philip!" I retorted. "I regret ever walking down the aisle and tying the nuptial knot with you! You're meaner than a snake and more vicious than a bear!" I lashed out. "One would look at your calm exterior and be deceived, I know I was until you began to show you true, evil colors! The devil resides in you, Philip!" The back of his hand swiped across my cheek, har
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 — 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