Lauren forced her heavy eyelids to open only to notice she was in a moving car. At first, she felt relieved thinking it was her guards that came for them but when she noticed the unfamiliar environment of the car, she panicked. Beside her, sat a still unconscious Bryan and almost immediately, her heart began to race. Bryan was in trouble. She didn’t care about herself. She was willing to suffer to whatever end, as long as Bryan was safe.
“Who are you?” she asked the driver of the fast moving car but got a cold shoulder in reply. It freaked her more. “What do you want from us?”
She turned to look at the masked man sitting beside Bryan but the man wasn’t ready to give her the reply she wanted. She tried to move and only then did she realize she had been tied.
“I’ll do whatever you want. Just let the boy go. He is innocent.”
This time, she earned a scoff from the man at the backseat.
Lauren kept running. The weight of Bryann whom she hugged tight plus her burning back kept holding her back but she ignored it all. Her priority right now was to make sure Bryan was safe. She wanted to make sure he was still alive, although his breathing told her so, she just wanted to confirm that he hadn’t been poisoned. Finally, she found herself back on a busy road and she heaved a sigh of relief. Quickly, she flagged down a cab. She couldn’t go back home, at least not right now. She didn’t think she had the energy to face Malcolm’s wrath. She didn’t want him to see her bleeding back or her ruined dress that was now soaked in her own blood. She couldn’t go to the Byrne mansion either. Only one place came to her head and quickly, she gave him an address.As the car came to a halt in front of the Knight mansion, Lauren took deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. Bryan first. She reminded herself. She wasn’t
Doctor Alfred was addressing the trio, telling them Bryan was fine and would wake up soon, when the door burst open and Malcolm walked in, like a king from hell, filling the room with his dangerous aura. Joyce quickly approached him but his eyes barely saw her. He halted when his eyes caught Lauren, wearing another man’s jacket.He chuckled coldly that it sent chills to everybody’s spine. So that was it. She had gone to visit her secret lover and had probably made Bryan pass out so he wouldn’t intervene in her love affair.This bitch! This pretentious woman!!He walked in strides, his eyes never leaving her for a second. Her flinching did nothing to calm his anger. how dared she! How dare she put his son in danger just so she could act dirty with another man? He just prayed he wouldn’t see this so-called other man so that would be the end of his life, whoever he was.Joyce intercepted him and held onto his arms, “This isn&rsq
Yolanda shivered uncontrollably, looking at her father as he paced to and fro the room. “She insulted me, father. I only taught her a lesson.” She cried. “Of all people, Yolanda. Of all people, you chose to vex Malcolm Knight!” he barked.Yolanda knew he was angry for real this time. Her father never called her by her name no matter what crime she committed. It seemed this time, she couldn’t buy her way out. “How was I supposed to know! I thought she was one of his flings!” she said trying to work her puppy eyes on her father but the old man was so busy thinking of a way out that he didn’t bother to glance in her direction. “I don’t care!” he thundered hitting the study table hard. Yolanda jerked in fear. “You are not planning to give me to him, are you?” Yolanda asked with pleading eyes.Her father looked at her, “If I have to.&rd
“Welcome Master.” Kate greeted as Malcolm walked in but the man barely heard her. He just walked past her and made for the stairs when she dared to stop him. “Lunch is ready, Master.”He halted but only for a second, “Send it upstairs to Bryan.”Kate opened her mouth to speak but he was already gone. She hit herself. What was she thinking?! It had been three days. Three days since the little warmth that was left of the mansion died. Three days since she had prepared meals that was never touched.Three days since Miss. Byrne had been unconscious.The entire staff had been walking on their toes. Everybody was very meticulous with what they did to avoid being fired by the master. It was like Miss. Byrne took whatever warmth was left of the house when she passed out. Kate shook her head, she too missed the lively young girl who seemed to give life to everyone and everything around her. She could only hope she woke up soon.
Lauren opened her eyes slowly. It had been a long dream—a dream of a perfect family with Raymond Spencer, her first love. At first, her brows creased as she tried to recall what happened last. It felt weird that she couldn’t recall what had happened the previous night or even the day before. Before she could think of it, she felt a warm little palm cover hers, and instinctively, she smiled. No doubt it was Bryan.Bryan…Suddenly, her eyes flew open and she sat up forcefully with burgling eyes which quickly returned to their normal size as pain stabbed through her back, at the same time, the memory she had lost returned. The flogging, the slashing, taking Bryan to the Knight mansion, and not to forget, Malcolm nearly choking her to death. She felt the little figure beside her sit up too and quickly, she turned to him, enclosing him in her arms. “Bunny? Are you okay? You aren’t hurt, are you?” she pulled him away and ran
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
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