Chapter Twenty-Six – Thief. Outside, Damien was getting a call from his mother. She was reporting an insult Debby gave her, where she asked a question and the girl yelled back at her. Damien’s hand stayed on his hips as his mother narrated, he was resting on his car, facing the mall to keep watch on Arya. He knew his mother typically exaggerated her reports but since she added Junior as a witness, he was sure it happened. “Mom, I’m sorry about this and I promise to talk with her. But I also hope Junior didn’t snap at her.” He asked, calmly. “Why do you care if he did? Should he watch me get insulted by that girl! Whatever he did yielded no result as she didn’t answer the door when he knocked!” Mrs. Wade ranted. Damien sighed, rubbing his temples. Couldn’t the universe just make a day all round beautiful for him? “Mom, it’s not like that. Debby gets irrational when she’s mad, like storming out of the house and the likes. She was kidnapped earlier today so I’m…” “Kidnapped? The
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Opening up.Arya had a brain freeze so she shook her head when the ice cream man tried to give her another when the one she had having remained little. She glanced inside the mall where Damien was speaking with the sales assistant. She licked her ice cream, still feeling sulky that the thief was allowed to leave after she begged. Damien may be too nice for his own good, that lady would never have felt guilty if she wasn’t caught. “Are you worried about something, pretty lady?” it was the ice cream vendor. Arya looked up at home feeling shy. Did he call her pretty? Was she pretty? “Um… no. I’m just waiting for him.” She pointed at Damien, with a small smile. “Thanks for calling me pretty.” she felt the need to say. That was a hard compliment to come by. The ice cream vendor smiled back. “Aren’t you?” he walked back into his shop. His last words made Arya’s smile widen, when Damien came out, she put them away so he wouldn’t ask why.He walked to her with a r
Chapter Twenty-Eight – WhoreArya walked into the restaurant with steady steps, once again hoping she wouldn’t see someone she knew. She really wished she could enjoy Damien’s kindness comfortably but since her heart belonged to someone else, she couldn’t act like it. Her hands were pulled on and she dragged them from the person, glaring at the intruder. Her eyes softened when she saw it her cousin, Lucy, her aunt’s Jenna’s daughter. The lady stood at a height of 5’9 eyeing Arya down, her head was high proudly. “Why are you sneaking in like a thief, thief!” Arya frowned, many people were calling her a thief today. She glanced at Damien who was trying to park the car. She folded her arms. “I am not a thief! You were the one who lost your school fees that year. And don’t you get over stuff?” she retorted. It was since they were little that Lucy’s school fees went missing and she blamed it on Arya because they were in the same classroom.Lucy walked around Arya in a demeaning manne
Chapter Twenty-Nine – Break up. Arya’s face was still ruffled and her eyebrows furrowed as she remembered the words of her cousin. She should have slapped her twice, left and right. Damien noticed her fists clenched, he smirked. “I totally loved the energy with your cousin back there. I’m not an advocate for peace either.” She exhaled, blowing all the annoyance she was feeling. Facing Damien, she ran her hands through her hair, while staring at him. He was confused by the move, being distracted and he nearly hit someone’s car. Was she trying to seduce him or was he misunderstanding the situation? “Is there a reason you wanted me to be your contracted wife? Because I don’t think there’s a need for me to be.” Arya asked. Damien felt at ease that she wasn’t trying to seduce him but he didn’t know how to react. He cleared his throat. “From what I remembered, you called me first.” She agreed. “Yes, but then I didn’t know you and was desperate.” “So?” he raised a brow. “I’m not des
Chapter Thirty – Dinnertime.It was dinner time in the Wade’s mansion. Arya was helping the servants bring the soup bowls to the table, when a ball made her trip. Thankfully, the soup bowl was covered and didn’t spill. She snapped her head at Debby’s direction, knowing fully well the ball came from her. Debby smirked, “Oh, a mistake.” She was about walking away, through the other door when it suddenly opened and slammed on her face. She fell back with it’s a scream, holding her nose. Junior popped out of the door. “Oh, a mistake.” Arya grinned, getting up from the ground, “Oh, you both should be careful next time to avoid such mistakes.” Debby frowned deeply at Junior, then at Arya. She left the ground, still holding unto her nose. “It’s on!” she stormed off. “Won’t you stay for some of the lovely soup by lovely sister-in-law brought?” Junior teased further. Debby ignored him. Junior and Arya shared a laugh as he helped her dress the table. Mrs. Wade and Damien joined them lat
Chapter Thirty-One – Instagram. Her husband wouldn’t be at home that night. Arya fell on the bed feeling so free. Today had been a win, if she should remove meeting Lucy and the discussion she had with Damien. And realizing that the little teenage Debby was in love with her husband had made her whole day humorous. She’d have love to tease her about it for a while but she was leaving. And she having feelings for a married man, didn’t that make her a whore? Or the definition of a whore had been twisted. Arya saved herself the thinking and thought of happier things. The dresses she had bought from the shopping mall were the prettiest she’d seen. Turning on her back, she picked up her phone from the table. She had taken the upcoming designers social media handles from the sales assistant. And the sales assistant had told her that, to promote the upcoming designer, she could post herself wearing her dresses and upload on Instagram or make a vid for Tiktok. “I don’t even know how t
Chapter Thirty-Two – Bullies.Breathing the air around the university, Arya felt like dancing around. There had been a holiday after the summit and she never knew she’d miss the place. “Winx!” she waved at her best friend as she sighted her chatting with some girls. Winx crawled away from the girls looking guilty. “Hey, Bestie!” Arya frowned. “Bestie? You were making new friends and wanna leave me in this world, right?” Winx chuckled, hitting her arm. “They were talking about Kpop. You know that’s my whole life.” Arya sighed, rubbing her head. “That’s really your whole life.” They were some cheering as they entered into their lecture hall. Students were circling a lecturer and cheering him. “What’s up?” Winx held a girl passing, to ask. “Oh, our lecturer just got accepted as local government chairman of this district. Thanks to Seth and his father actually.” The girl blushed then walked away. Arya rolled her eyes, looking at the lecturer. That was her least favorite lecturer s
Chapter Thirty-Three – Same tone.Arya squeezed the paper and tossed it in the trash bin as she passed. Why was she that bad at Maths? She tried hard, she really did. But it was always to no avail. It didn’t help matters that the math lecturer was her least favorite lecturer and now local government chairman. She couldn’t wait till he left and there would be someone else to take over from him. Her phone rang and it was a number she hadn’t seen before. “Hey, Arya!” It was her sister Anna. Arya smiled. “Hey, how are you? Did you change your number? I don’t think I know this one.” “Come meet me at Dublin companies! I want to show you something.” Anna said instead, then cut the line. Arya made a little pout, glaring at her phone. Why did she ignore her like that? And what was at Dublin companies? That place was an abandoned building. She tucked her phone into her skirt pocket and strolled to the entrance of the university. Winx was still writing her math test so she’d be leaving w
Chapter Ninety-Eight – Interest. It was the second wedding Arya was attending but the first she was feeling really excited about. It was Anna’s wedding. The reception had taken place immediately and ran out to look for Connor. He was with her phone and she needed to take lot’s of pictures of Anna. She has to show them to Winx who couldn’t attend the wedding due to her injury. Arya wished Jim could have taken it back so Winx would attend as a bridesmaid but the groom was in so much haste to marry his bride. One of the reasons being that he had to return to his base as soon as possible. Arya finally caught sight of Connor with some girls. Should she walk over to him or just let him be? She wasn’t sure. He once told her how he grew more popular at school after his issue with the reporters went viral. All she hoped was he didn’t repeat it again, it might take a different turn. Thankfully, Connor turned around to look at something and noticed her watching him. “My phone
Chapter Ninety-Seven – Paired up. Lucy had heard the news on the radio. The part she didn’t hear, however, was how her mother was the murderer of Juliet Marbles, her aunt. How in the world? Lucy was still fighting with the fact her mother conspired to kill Arya, she was hoping her mother was still her mother while holding on the fact she wasn’t the mastermind. But to think she had actually masterminded and perfectly executed the murder of her own sister years ago? It blew Lucy’s mind away. Everyone at the work place was talking about Debby and Winx issue while Lucy racked her brain over her mother’s. It was revealed that one of Debby’s accomplice had been caught, while the other escaped. No name was mentioned. Lucy knew she was safe even still because her mom didn’t share her surname. She divorced her father and went to Mr. Stark so decided to go back to her maiden name. “And to think that Mr. Stark was also killed.” Lucy shivered. Her mother had really gone down a dang
Chapter Ninety-Six – Parting gift. Winx accepted to be a witness to keep Deborah Chan in rehab. Many protesters wanted her to be kept in jail despite her being a minor. She was losing fans by the minute. The media had caught whiff of what happened because a popular celebrity had been in the boutique when it happened, while shooting a video for her fans. She also witnessed that Debby just walked into the store then went after the girls. The identity of the other girl wasn’t necessary to the media, they only wanted to know why the genius attempted murder. Also, it seemed they forgot Debby was once acquainted to the Wades or they’d begin asking barrages of questions. Meanwhile, while detained, Debby desisted from answering unnecessary questions. All she said was she didn’t regret going after the girl because she wanted her dead. The girl being Arya but to the masses, Winx. Debby’s reason was unknown and since there was no prior relationship between Winx and Debby, the med
Chapter Ninety-Five – Sorry end. Chen broke into boisterous laughter, then he pointed the knife at Aunt Jenna and slowly menacingly towards her. “You want to meet your man?" He scoffed."Didn’t we both have a deal? You should protect the woman I love and I’d not harm your loved ones, right?” Jenna’s eyes shook. What ever did he mean by that? Had something happened to his loved one? Had Debby been caught? And even if she wanted to, how did he expect her to protect Debby when she was Debby’s hostage? And between she and Debby, she needed protection against Debby than she needed to protect the girl. Aunt Jenna looked at the blood on his knife, and her stomach turned. Who did that belong to? “I-I don’t understand you.” Did something happen? “Well, Since it has come to this, I’d flee the country, never to return here.” Chen seethed. “But you, the police will come for you next.” Next? Jenna realized what had happened. Debby must have been captured. “Did you go after her? Those
Chapter Ninety-Four – Last Card Arya arrived at the Wades’ Mansion. Kane dropped her then drove out again, without speaking. She knew his head would be filled already. She slowly walked into the living room but was immediately embraced by someone. She patted Connor’s back when she realized it was him. A part of her wanted to see Damien first. Kane had called home to inform them what happened. When Connor let go, Arya saw that Damien wasn’t home yet. “Are you alright? And was it really Debby?” Selena asked quite agitated. It's the first time she showed concern for her. Arya smiled, nodding. “Yeah, it was her. Winx protected me and was stabbed at her right collar bone. The nurse said she’d be okay though. It was very sudden.” Selena gasped, rubbing her face. “Winx. My poor girl. I can’t still believe Debby became this selfish, became this monster!” Mrs. Wade just had a sour expression, looking down at her hands. “Arya, go and rest. This incident must be frightening.”
Chapter Ninety-Three – Fear. The dark circles under her eyes had increased, along with the heaviness of her eyes and her heart. Debby didn’t know if she was still alive because she felt so dead. She could hardly walk around in public for fear that the police could be unto her. And she really needed to stroll. “Chen?” she called but no one answered. Since he spoke to her, asking her intent on killing Arya, he had been distant after she didn’t give a satisfactory response. Had he left her alone too? She just wanted that bitch dead. Why was it too much to do? Why didn’t anyone get her? She slammed her hand at the desk and screamed. “Arya, I’d kill you if it’s the last thing I do!! Bitch!!” The fact that she was somewhere, excited and with Damien made her furious. Damien rarely showed excitement with her, how was he able to open up with Arya within a short time? Debby grabbed Chen’s hoodie and forced it on her body. She needed to move out and plan her next attack. She had been to
Chapter Ninety-Two – I’d stay.But why did it feel like a miracle she stayed in the marriage? Arya wondered if he didn’t expect her to stay. “Did you plan to divorce me?” she asked jokingly. “Ah no. I actually thought you’d find someone else. You know, the contract permits you to.” Connor smirked. Arya shrugged. “I thought so too but…” she paused. Wait! He knew about the contract marriage?? She grabbed his shoulder and shook him. “You knew about it? How?” Damien would definitely not have told him. “I married you, you know. I had gotten curious and read the contract during the court marriage.” He revealed. Arya clenched her teeth. Then all these while, he knew their marriage wasn’t real? Did he tell anyone? Even when she had asked him from relationship advice. She felt so stupid. “Well, I was bent on making it work out, though. So I didn’t tell anyone about it, if that’s what you’re worried about.” he added with a pat on her back. Her expression changed to a sober one. He wante
Chapter Ninety-One – Wedding She had been having second thoughts about lots of things lately. It was partly Debby’s fault, but the other, hers. Arya washed her face with water then left the restroom. Winx was waiting for her, she stared at her best friend and smiled. “Something’s been on your mind.” She had been noticing her stalling or standing at a place, lost in thoughts. “No shit, of course.” Arya agreed with a smirk. “I don’t want to talk about it, though. I’d like to sort this out myself.” She always had a way of sorting out her emotions, the ones she needed and the ones she didn’t. Crying and feeling overly excited weren’t things she grew up doing due to her strict father so she didn’t have time to ponder about strange feelings. “Wouldn’t it be weird if I liked Damien now after trying to stay away from him for months?” She muttered to herself. But could she do anything about what she felt? She was matured enough to like someone. Only that her feelings for Damien were qu
Chapter Ninety – Satisfaction.Jenna tried the knob of the door but it didn’t still open. It’s been hours since Chen left to check on Debby. She sighed, plopping down on the bed besides her. The only thing in the room. She had ended up being kidnapped and forced to be an accomplice. Her current situation was far worse than she could contain. She was beginning to harbor thoughts of turning herself to the police, after all, Stark, who she was hiding her dark side from was already involved. Chen had drugged him for days, keeping him unconscious. Jenna knew it wasn’t healthy but she had no say as Stark had seen Chen when he came to her house to drop instructions and he began asking questions. The both of them were basically hostages at the moment. She hadn’t been able to contact Lucy while Debby had been sending strange letters to her. “I don’t want Lucy to get involved, really.” She groaned. “If only there was a way to reach the outside world now.” She regretted everything. Her h