MIA"I knew you wouldn't disobey me." He commented as soon as I walked into the living room of his home.I eye rolled. "This is an issue of urgency, Jerome. Why didn't you tell me about her?"I dropped the small brown leather purse I was holding in the nearest sofa and folded my arms. "What difference will it make?" He chugged the remaining contents in his glass. "Why don't you sit and let's have a drink?""I'm not having drinks with you until you answer me, Jerome! Why didn't you tell me you fucked and impregnated Hailey?!" The more I thought of the matter, I felt used and stupid. "Are you jealous?" He flashed me a grin that made a dent on both sides of his face. Jared had the same dimples and the skin on both sides of his face sucked in whenever he smiled or laughed. The same effect it had on me whenever Jared smiled was the same effect it was having on me now seeing Jerome flash me a grin. That was ridiculous, I told myself. I could not be harboring feelings for two brothers.
MARTHAIt was difficult to comprehend the scene before me even though I was seeing it with my own two eyes.Mia and Jerome?"Mom." Jerome seemed shocked to see me, but there was excitement as well.I was stunned speechless that I could only stare foolishly at them both. Mia quickly got out of Jerome's hold and wore her clothes.She was trembling, that much was clear to me. Trembling out of fear."How did you find your way here?" Jerome crossed the room to meet me buck naked, I saw him signalling his boys to go.I turned back to see their backs. I faced him again.As he was about to hug me, I moved back and slapped him. "Get dressed!"He grinned and wore his clothes.Mia didn't say a word, she grabbed her bag from the sofa I was standing near and made to leave."Where are you going to?" Jerome went to grab her."Leave me alone." Her voice shook as though she was abo
PRISCILLA "You need to know when to stop, Phil. What are you doing?!" I yelled at my husband in exasperation.His face was taunt with anger and determination. "You had better shut your mouth, Priscilla."I wanted to flinch but held it in. I knew Phil had a temper and could throw tantrums like a baby if he was not getting his way.Sometimes he could get verbally and emotionally abusive towards me but I'd endured.Lately, it was getting worse and I had somehow knew it had to do with his anger over not being invited to that party. An event that had taken place weeks ago! How petty could he be? It was beginning to grate my nerves raw. I wasn't one for confrontations but he was making it difficult to live with him. I just had to address it. "Why don't you just focus on your business and let Peter Johnson be. He's family by marriage.""I don't care who he is, Priscilla. I need to have the upper hand. I just heard from a reliable source that Jared is being favored for that political positi
CHRISTIANI spotted her in the dark corner of the bar, nursing a drink. One long look at her and I knew she was not in a good mood.Although that was to be expected. I'd been informed.The ringing of my phone cut off my thoughts.Jerome."What's up, man?""Have you spotted her?""Yes. I'll get back to you soon."I ended the call and took a seat on the high stool at the bar where I could easily keep an eye on her, waiting for my moment.I was doing this as a favor to Jerome. He had said he was going to help me with getting Hailey back. I'd been trying to reach her ever since but she wouldn't pick my calls and it was really difficult seeing her these days."What would you like to have, sir?" A young bartender with red hair that looks obviously dyed and a long pattern of tattoo that ran from her neck down to her left arm addressed me."A shot of tequila." I responded, still keeping an e
I stormed into company, my glass, custom-made heels clicking angrily against the polished floor. The aura I oozed off, despite the ridiculously big bouquet of roses I was carrying, was intimidating.And that was what I was aiming for but not to intimidate these innocent staff but their boss.Their stupid, arrogant, stubborn boss who was gradually turning my home into a garden of roses, daisies and chrysanthemums.He couldn't even get my favorite flower right. Tulip.Not to say these weren't beautiful but I didn't want anything from him."Good day, ma'am.""Hello, ma'am."Greetings followed me as I continued my angry march towards the elevator and up the building to his office floor. His secretary saw me and recognized me immediately. I was a famous face.Who would forget the face that had been on the news on and off for the past six years?The only difference was now I attracted respect and honor as the 'fiancee' of America's biggest and most influential CEO — Peter Johnson.Though
I hated that I was enjoying his lips assault mine. I hated that I loved the rage oozing off of him as he pillaged my mouth and exercised dominance.I hated that his hands were crawling up my waist and gently squeezing my firm butt. I hated even more that I was allowing this. I had loved him and given him everything I was worth back then, but he'd taken it for granted and made a fool out of me. He was back. Begging. Because his marriage with the love of his life was not going according to plan. If he had children with Mia, he would not be regretting. He would not be sending flowers. He would not have paid mind to my kids. He would have still ignored me like I didn't exist. "So sweet." He groaned in my mouth. He had once said he could not resist my body. I had thought it to be a compliment and let it get to my head but it wasn't...He had just seen me as an available tool for satisfying his sexual urge and his insatiable urge died off the moment Mia returned.I had looked so stup
JARED"What did she come here to do, Jared?" She pushed herself away from me as I tried to help her get on her feet, her turquoise blue orbs staring heatedly at me."It's nothing. Just let me help you up." I tried again but she would not let me. Unexpectedly, anger coursed through me. "Fine! Remain on the floor then!"I rose to my feet and went to occupy my own chair, my head spinning spirally in thoughts. They were conflicted at that moment.Why had I kissed her? What was the motive behind that kiss and the way she had kissed me back? Fear Lord, it felt like old times.Illicit affairs of six years ago sprung and flooded my mind, making me feel things I didn't want to feel.Things I should definitely not be feeling. I was a married man and she was a woman who hated me.I wanted to bash my head against a wall for that kiss. Then her eyes just before she'd left. The betrayal, pain.Guilt wrapped me l
PHILIPS "What do you mean the boy is gone? How can you say that?! Who took him?!" I grabbed one of the men I had kept to be in charge of Catherine's son and landed him a slap.He staggered back from the force of it. "I-I'm s-sorry, Mr. Pillax.""You're stupid! Do I pay you to be sorry, you incompetent fool?!" I raged. Fuck! What would I tell the mother? I had promised nothing would happen to him. Also, that boy was the only tool to use against Catherine to work for me. I glared daggers at the guys I'd paid to work for me. Two of them were injured. "What happened here? Tell me." I cooled my temper to ask them. The one in charge, he was the one I'd landed a slap, began to talk. "We heard strange noises middle of the night and I thought to go check it out. I saw nothing. I went back inside only to find my boys under attack and injured. They wore masks and these men are good. They must be professionals." He concluded with an air of defeat and shame. Anger and annoyance stirred. "Is
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