PETER"I never knew you'd want to see me again." The man I'd been waiting for finally made an appearance after sitting idly and nursing a bottle of beer in this local bar far away from the upscale life and activities."It's been a long time, Derek." Derek Kellers.The man I used to know but never associated with. Even in highschool, he'd always been a truant and a rebellious person. With his love for trouble and everything illegal, I stayed away. Percy, my late twin brother, had been the one he was close to. "Yes. Imagine my surprise when the Almighty CEO of Astra-Z called. Never even knew you had my number." He removed his sunglasses and placed them on the table."I didn't." I told him."How did you get my number then?"Without permission, he grabbed my bottle and downed its contents. "Poor beer sat there looking eager to be chugged."He belched and sniffed. His hair was held in a loose ponytail and an eyebrow ring glinted.I wasn't happy sitting down with him. His presence could
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
"He's still not picking his phone. Why is he not picking his phone?!" I paced about the living, almost out of my wits. The television was on. I'd turned it on with the hope of hearing the President making his denouncement speech regarding Jared. The voices of random people talking on TV buzzed around the room, but I didn't pay attention.They weren't what I was interested in."Hey. Hey. Hey. Come here." Jared stopped my agitated pacing and drew me into his embrace. "Calm down, worrying yourself will not help.""That girl is counting on me to save her. I have to save her. Oh God! She gave me a clue, I have unraveled it and now, I have... I have to save her." My heart was beating faster than usual. Time was running out. Just few hours ago, the kidnapper had called just as I was leaving the room assigned to Denise until she recovered and reminded me, in no mirthful or light tone if I may add, about the deal. I had no idea why the President was doing this to his own daughter. Now, he w
BRONX"What are you still doing sitting there, Bronx?!" The sharp, trembling voice of my wife shook me out of my depressing thoughts. "Why aren't you on air yet?!"She was like a woman on a mission, storming into my small, private office without knocking. Not that any of my family members ever needed the permission to have access to me unless I was with very important guests or in a crucial political meeting. "What?" I almost knocked my glass of bourbon off the table in a slightly tipsy daze. "I said why are you not on air right now pulling Jared from the race and saving my daughter's life?!" She seethed, reaching my table and placing both hands on it. "Francesca where did you hear that?" I had to ask. I didn't tell anyone about my meeting with Peter, Hailey and Jared. "Don't reply me with questions, Bronx. Where is my daughter?! Why are you intent on making my poor girl suffer in the hands of those...those monsters?!" She cried, anger and despair clouding her big, blue puffy eyes
MIA"Husband-to-be? What are...""Come here." His lips smiled, his tone calm but there was an underlying order coating those two words. "Now."Subtly clearing my throat, I took small steps towards him knowing my mom and his mom were watching. He grabbed me by my waist and lowered his head, I dodged his kiss. "What are you doing? Our moms are watching and I'm married to your brother. Stop this.""Exactly, baby. I want them to watch and know I'm the right brother for you. And henceforth, you're no longer married to my brother. I went into the room you used to share with him, I saw the divorce papers, he signed but you're yet to. You'll sign it." His tone gave the hint of a command.Our voices were hushed whispers so only us could hear. "No, I'll not. Stop this, Jerome.""Say you don't want me. Look into my eyes and say it, I'll leave you alone. Maybe." It was almost as if his eyes were taunting me knowing I couldn't.I licked my lips. "See, I want you. I love you but it's your brother
MIAI watched her come out of the mall, my car parked a distance from hers. My blood boiled and hatred flamed. She was the cause. It was all her fault and I was here to stop that nonsense. I stepped out of my vehicle, my sunglasses in place, I approached her, hurrying as she walked to her car with shopping bags in her hands. What was Jared's old secretary doing with her? Anyways, she was not my concern. "Hey you." I didn't bother to hide my disdain when I neared her.Removing her own sunglasses, she coolly assessed me. "Didn't expect to find you here, Mia. It's been awhile.""Where's my husband?" I got to the heat of the matter. A chuckle escaped her. "Does it look like I have him in my purse or in the back of my car?"A growl rumbled low. "You bitch! I see what you're trying to do here. You couldn't have him six years ago, now, you're playing every dirty game in your book to keep my husband from me.""Pick a side, Mia. Stop gallivanting like a helpless feline cub who can not dec
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
"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.
"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
"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
"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