Lauren gazed into the mirror as she peeled off her clothes, not wanting to miss a single sight of it. The once white bandages that had been wrapped on her back now had a hue of red. She sighed and even when she knew it would earn her scolding from Malcolm, she slowly peeled the bandage off her back closing her eyes at the gory sight that greeted her. Her eyes teared. She didn’t believe it was this bad. And Bryan had seen it too? It made her sob more. She didn’t want him to end up having trauma because of her. She was used to it after all.
Used to being a subject of suffering and misery.
Used to the fact that she wasn’t bound to have any lasting joy. She hated herself for being miserable. She hated herself for being so pitiful. She looked at the knife slash that dripped blood slowly but she didn’t move to clean it. She didn’t have the mind to. She just looked at it like she was hypnotized by it and at the same time, her eyes bled tears. Jus
Malcolm looked out through the window of his office, wishing he could see the mansion, particularly, his room. He wanted to be sure she was fine. he wanted to make sure she didn’t move about harshly and opened her wound again. The thought of being able to see his room through his office window excited him. He envisioned watching her while working. That way, he wouldn’t get to miss her. He suddenly frowned, didn’t that mean that others could see her too? The thought of her being admired by other men gave him goose pimples. He would definitely strangle any man that dared lust after her. She was his. His alone.The door opened behind him and his Assistant walked in, carrying a small velvet box made of fur. “Here is what you wanted, sir.” He spoke up, dropping the box on the table and then leaving quietly. The minute the door closed, Malcolm rushed to the table and opened the box. Dangling inside was a necklace with a diamond pendant. A
Lauren was unable to hide the shock on her face. What was this man up to? Why was he fuming already so early in the morning? “I’m sorry, you said?” “You cannot go to the kitchen. I forbid you to.” The man reiterated. “B-b-but why? Am I in some kind of detention?” she questioned, ignorant of the two men who glared angrily at themselves. “Did you forget your injury, Michelle? You might end up reopening the wounds again.” And you haven’t said thank you for my gift. He almost added. “I’ll be careful, I promise.” “You are always clumsy. I just don’t want the news to spread that you died under my roof.” “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of her. Dad.”After an eternity of silence and pleading, Malcolm finally conceded, and ecstatic, Lauren unconsciously
A month passed by slowly, watching Lauren’s injury fully heal. Thanks to Doctor Alfred’s expertise, no scar was left to remind her that it was once there. Now, she could wear a low shoulder dress like the one she wore now. Malcolm had told her they were going out. She couldn’t help but feel nervous. What if things turned out bad the way they did the previous time? When she finally came out of the room, Malcolm was waiting for her in the car. He was reclining on the seat with his eyes closed as usual. It made her wonder if he was really sleeping. “Umm… where are we going?” she asked but got no reply. Nodding, she turned to face her front. Maybe he was truly napping. “Don’t worry, I won’t send you off to a room full of arrogant looking women.” A baritone voice sounded just right beside her ear, making her jerk just a bit.Lauren blushed, “That was not what…”
The car drove slowly into a big mansion, two times bigger than the one they lived in. Lauren resisted the urge to gasp. She adjusted the dress she wore over and over again.Malcolm sighed exasperatedly, “Stop that already. You’ll do just fine.”She nodded, hoping he was right. The car came to a halt and the two doors opened and the couple stepped out. Lauren put on her best smile and decorum. She walked in with Malcolm, their arms linked together. If Malcolm hadn’t informed her before time, she would have gasped at the sight of the neatly kept Victorian-style sitting room.A smartly dressed man walked up to them, bowing smoothly, “Welcome, Young Master, Miss.”Lauren saw Malcolm frown at the young man’s address and quickly squeezed his palm gently to avoid him lashing out at the young man. “She is your Young Mistress.” He spoke calmly, “Next time, I might not be too lenient.”
Malcolm knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. It was a study. The most exquisite study Lauren had ever seen. It had a big shelf filled with books and a fireplace. A splendid mahogany table stood in the middle and behind it sat a man whose face was blocked out by a newspaper. “Grandpa.” Malcolm greeted. Lauren noted how cold and indifferent his voice sounded, unlike when he greeted his grandmother.After a few seconds of silence, the newspaper was finally shifted out of sight, revealing a huge figure with an unsmiling face. Lauren shivered for a second. She was actually in front of Alexander Knight—one time most powerful man and head of the Knight family—she didn’t know how to address him. Should she call him Grandpa too? Or just sir? Or his name? “Hello, Mr. Knight.” She greeted with her best smile.His face remained unsmiling. He didn’t even look at her face for a mini-second. &l
Dinner had more people than Lauren had expected. There were two aunties from Malcolm’s grandfather's side and one from his grandmother’s side. Three more females aside Claire and Miranda, an uncle and a dead handsome guy that kept looking at her in shock the minute he entered the room. “That is Christian Mavericks. He’s the son to Grandpa’s immediate younger brother.” Elena introduced. “Christian, this is Michelle Byrne. Malcolm’s… wife.”Lauren noted the reluctance in her voice as she said the word wife. She said a ‘hi’ but the guy barely replied. He just had a shocked expression on his face that made Lauren wonder if he had seen her somewhere. Dinner went on quietly and Lauren was grateful. She could read tons of questions on the faces of the people who were seated but thankfully, Malcolm’s menacing look shut them up. His grandpa finished eating and excused himself with his grandmot
Malcolm laid Lauren on the bed with care and then rang the bell on the wall. A maid appeared seconds later. “Pack our bags. We’re leaving in a few minutes.” Malcolm spoke, his anger very visible in his voice. “Malcolm,” Lauren called out. “Not a single word, Michelle.” He barked and then hissed. How did it come to this? How did it come to a point where every single thing about this woman affected him so much! Why was the urge to protect her from the claws of his family so strong that even he cannot fight it? He hit the wall with his fist. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this weak because of a woman. Sensing her Master’s anger, the maid took to her heels closing the door quietly behind her.Lauren got up from the bed and approached him. She had never seen him so conflicted before. The Malcolm she knew was always calm and composed even in the face of danger. It made her mor
Lauren opened her eyes and unconsciously reached for the other side of the bed. On finding it empty, she frowned and her drowsy self was wide awake. Had he gone to meet Christian? Maybe the two of them were discussing her right now. The thought of that made her jump out of the bed only to see him relaxing on a seat a few inches away, sipping from a glass of dark red liquid. “Looking for someone?” He teased.Her cheeks turned pink, “I…I thought you left.”He smirked, “Why? Are you scared of being alone?”Lauren threw him a glare. Will this guy die if he stops being shameless? She looked for a way to change the topic and just then, she noticed he was already dressed up. “You are dressed so early. Are you going somewhere?”He got up, dropping the champagne flute in his hand on the bedside table, “Go get ready, we are leaving.” Not giving her a chance to question hi
Lauren found herself in a big mansion. It was so big and beautiful that she couldn't help but admire it. Just as she was about to move about to admire it, something clung to her legs and when she turned, she saw Bryan. "Bryan?" She turned and carried him into her arms so naturally like he was a part of his life. She played around with him and just when she was getting tired, she heard a voice call out her name. Turning around, she saw no one. Was she just imagining it? It came again, this time, the voice was filled with longing and loneliness. "Who are you?" She asked. The voice came the third time and this time, a figure appeared by the door, slowly walking towards her. As the face came into light, a wave of recognition hit her and her tears began to flow freely as she ran into his arms. "Malcolm." She closed her eyes familiarizing herself with the feeling he brought and when she opened them, she was no longer in the beautiful mansion.
...Be downstairs in five minutes or forget about living...Warren flung his phone in fear and without waiting for his wife to question him, he scurried downstairs. If the voice he heard on the phone was real, then he was dead. He flew down the stairs to meet the 'visitor' who was seated comfortably on the sofa, sipping from a glass of blood-red wine. "Mr. Knight," Warren called out in respect. The man before him maybe his son-in-law but three was no way he was going to disrespect him. Malcolm finally looked at him, his eyes as icy as ever. "Start talking," Malcolm said.Warren was confused. What was the meaning of this? Was this man trying to play a prank?He smiled, "Is Mr. Knight trying to crack a joke?"Malcolm didn't reply. He kept looking at the giant clock at the other end of the room and after exactly five minutes, he threw a stack of documents at Warren. Realizing how serious the man before him was, Warren pick
Malcolm leaned by the car, smoking a cigarette and staring into the space his son disappeared into. His subordinates looked confused but they dared not question him. They had been there for hours but instead of going after the little guy and bringing him back home, they stood they for close to an hour. Malcolm however, was ignorant of what his subordinates were thinking. He only stood there quietly, with a stick of burning cigarette between his fingers, feeling as nervous as ever. Just then, he heard Bryan scream for help and that was enough to jolt him out of whatever reverie he was in. Quickly, he rushed in and the sight that greeted him, made his blood boil. Lauren laid on the floor helplessly unconscious. Quickly, he dished out an order to call Dr. Alfred before carrying the frail girl into his arms to the car and driving her off to Dr. Alfred's hospital. Bryan ignored his father. His only attention was on his mother. The thought of her death made his heart wrench. He didn't wan
Malcolm stood by Bryan's door, listening to him sulk all night with a sigh. How could he have not known? How could he have allowed himself to be deceived twice by the same person? Now, he had hurt everybody around him, including his son and most especially, Lauren. He wondered how meeting her again would feel like. He didn't even know where she was for crying out loud! Gradually pushing his weak body to his room, his face scrunched at the sight of it. The scent of that woman still lingered. In fact, it had overshadowed the scent of his Lauren and it disgusted him. He walked to the balcony, lighting a cigarette and drawing in the smoke like he was trying to find comfort in it. He chuckle as he choked. He didn't believe that a day would come when he of all people would feel pain. Maybe, karma was finally knocking at his doorstep. He chuckled wryly.Karma.Did he even believe in that word?Anna hummed a song as she took a morning shower. Perhaps, it w
Michelle let go of Bryan's chin quickly and staggered backward, her eyes not leaving the figure at the door.Malcolm.How come? She didn't even hear his car drive in. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Bryan glared at her and then his father before slowly walking away to his room upstairs. His face, clearly showing how to hurt he was. "Welcome baby." Michelle greeted in the most natural voice ever, hoping Malcolm hadn't seen what had transpired earlier since Bryan had his back to him. Smiling she walked up to him and made to collect his briefcase but his firm hold on it told her he had clearly seen the scene earlier. Like an executioner approaching his victim, he took cold steps towards her, her mind skipping at each step he made.He flung the briefcase to one side of the sofa, "Start talking." He said in a calm voice.Huh?! " Baby I don't know what you are talking about." Michelle tried hard to maintain her innocent look despi
Bryan stayed with Anna and her family, unwilling to return home. Anna tried every technique she could remember but the little guy was resolute. He wanted to stay with her. Anna panicked. It was getting pretty late. The sky was turning dark. She had successfully spent her whole day with the little guy but yet even now, he was ever reluctant to return to his parents. "How about this? We will meet at the lake tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" Anna negotiated, finding it funny that she was actually bargaining with a little chap.Bryan blinked, "Pinky promise?"Anna sighed. She hadn't meant her word but she really wasn't expecting him to hold her by her words. "If I Pinky swear, will you return home?"He pretended to be in deep thoughts and after a while, he looked up to her and nodded. "Fine then." She gave in, bringing her pinky finger close to the guy, and just as their Pinkys met, images began to fly through her head at a ridiculously
Bryan sat almost lifelessly, starring straight into the lake. He looked downcast. Things have never been the same ever since his mother left. His father had become so into that woman that he no longer listened or care about him.Mommy... His heart cried out, Bryan has been a good boy. Please come back to little Bryan.He didn't feel like going home despite the fact that he knew guards would be on the search for him. Luckily, that woman didn't know a thing about this place. He frowned at the thought of her discovering his mother's most treasured place. It would be like a weed entering into a place where it isn't wanted. "Little One?"Bryan froze. Had he been imagining too much that he now heard her voice in his head? Tears welled in his eyes. But just when he concluded it was an illusion, a hand touched his shoulder and the voice came again. This time, he couldn't resist it. He turned around and at the sight of her, the tears that
Anna sighed in relief after they were settled in. Luckily, Grandpa Worth had a friend in the city who was willing to accommodate them. As she looked at the family of three, her heart swelled with gratitude. They knew nothing about her yet, they risked leaving their home to accompany her to a hospital. She could only hope in her heart that someday, she would be able to repay their kindness to her. She gazed lovingly at little Gwen who was busy watching the city through the window. From her exclamations, Anna could guess it was her first time being in a big city like this. "Anna, why don't you take a walk with your sister? I think I'm going to have a headache listening to all her nonsense." Keira suggested with a smile. Behind Anna, she shared a brief meaningful gaze with her husband. If a part of her memory could flash the minute they entered the city, it only meant she was somehow connected to this city. And who knows? Perhaps, she might end up recalling more if she ge
Michelle looked in the direction of the open door, her mouth wide open in shock. She even forgot she was naked! By the door, stood Malcolm with an extremely chilly aura. God! She was doomed! She turned to look at the cause of her problems but instead of being as shocked as her, he actually had a sly smile on his face. "Malcolm..." Michelle lacked what to say. She had been caught red-handed so she couldn't whip up a single lie. "You really don't know what is called bad timing, bro, do you?" Christian said with a satisfied look on his face. It was like he had done it on purpose to piss his brother off.Quickly, Michelle grabbed her shirt and flew out of the bed. She put it on and quickly approached the man with the vicious aura standing by the door but before she could reach out to touch him, he evaded her touch. "Darling, it wasn't my fault. Christian tried to force himself on me." She said, sounding grieved.The man didn't say