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
"Where are you?" I asked into the phone just as my bodyguards surrounded me.I had come with four of them, they were here for the physical support in case things went bad.Uncle Pete had said four would attract attention to me but I didn't care and he had finally seen things from my own perspective and supported my decision.I could not tell what Christian wanted to tell me that was a secret but I was definitely going to...wait!I removed my dark glasses, recognition and confusion mixed.When I confirmed what I had seen, rage began to boil within. I ended the call unconsciously.Catherine? That woman at the far end of the car park looked like her. And who was that man in ponytails?No, I didn't care who he was. I was going to march up to that child-thieving, drug junkie and deal with her. "Guys, go get that woman and make sure she doesn't escape." I decided, on a second thought, not to march up to her and let my security men handle her.She was strong and might go violent on me. Wh
"What do you mean she's a Codza? Who are you talking about? Where is my house and company? The documents?" Confusion ran deep and pulsed through veins.He made another attempt to hold my hand and gripped it firmly this tight. No matter how much I tried to snatch it away, he wouldn't let go."I'm sorry babe. I regret everything I did to you. When I saw you at that party, I realized I had made a huge mistake leaving you. I'm sorry, babe. Let's fight to get this company and house back from that witch and live as we used to. I'm sorry but I want you back in my life."He rushed through his words, his eyes glazed with regret and pleas.My brain was frozen, unable to comprehend whatever he was saying. What did he mean by getting the house and company back?Had he mismanaged my father's hard work? Was he running bankrupt?"Is...is the company not doing well?" I asked him."Of course it's doing okay. More than okay. I'v
"W-what are you doing here?" Christian stepped forward.My bodyguards thought he wanted to come near me so they pushed him back. But he struggled with them and snatched his hand away from their hold. I stared at the face of Jared, wondering why he was talking like that. "What is wrong with you? Why are you talking to me in that manner?"I had to remove my shades as though they were suddenly affecting my vision."What manner?" Jared stepped closer, brought his fingers to trail my face. I avoided his touch and frowned. "Don't touch me. Why the hell are you two trying to touch me and soften me up after the wrongs you have both done to me?!"A corner of his lip quirked. "What are...""Can I talk to you for a sec, J-jared?" Christian said from behind me."I'm not..." His eyes narrowed, his attention solely on Christian.His expression was suspicious so I turned to catch Christian trying to buy his silence, pleading with him not to talk.It made me suspicious all the more. I turned to Ja
JAREDMy eyes widened. "W-what?!" I almost choked on my own spit. "Slow down, Nina. We're never going to happen. You're a beautiful girl...""Woman." She corrected firmly."Sorry. You're a beautiful woman and I'm sure there are guys your age who'll be willing to...""I don't want them. It's you I want, Jared. And it's you I'll have." She rose from her seat. "Come see me off. I have somewhere else to be.""I can't let you go alone. I'll have to reach out to my uncle, then he'll reach out to your father." I brought out my phone.In a swift, unexpected motion, she leaned over and grabbed my phone, giggling and heading for the door in a race."Give me my phone, Nina." I followed her, already exhausted from her child-like behavior."No, I'm not letting you call anyone." She opened the door and I went after her.Eyes raised from their respective jobs once again to lock in on an excited Nina and an embarrassed me.&n
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
"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