ELIZABETHSomething was wrong… I had no idea what it was but as I lay in my bed in Jason’s family house, I knew something was wrong.I suddenly felt it, the reason I had woken up in such a panic, a sharp jab in my stomach was enough to get me sprawling on the ground so I could crawl away from whatever was causing me pain.I saw it… the blood, trailing me from the bed and onto the ground as I cried.A blood curdling scream tore from my throat as my knees buck and I fell, crying and crying.It was a big house so chances were that I had not been heard. I slapped a hand to my mouth crying as I frantically looked around for my phone.I was losing the baby, something had to be done, all these and more ran through my mind as I finally located my phone and dialed Jason’s number, sobbing.“Elizabeth, are you okay?” he asked, I had woken him up from sleep.“I...I…don’t… please come, I am losing the baby.” I cried, the phone falling from my hand.It was only a matter of seconds before he burst i
JASONThe chances in young females who have never given birth are low and also for virgins, the only way we can be sure is if you are to have actual sex with the lady…The doctor droned on but it was fine to say that I was not listening to him, my thoughts were filled with concern for Elizabeth and how she was taking this worse than I was.The call from her had snapped me to attention and seeing her in a fetal position on the floor, trying to protect the baby was my undoing. I did not want to think about what could have been but what was right now and my plans were to make sure I did everything to make her forget this unfortunate incident.“are you listening to me, Mr. Rodrigues?” the doctor asked after some time.“you were saying?” I responded, still not listening.“you have to have actual sex with your girlfriend if you want her to get pregnant.” He said.“I hear you doctor and we will consider that, just please make sure nothing happens to her.”Mara was waiting inside the room wit
ELIZABETHI was discharged from the hospital with strict warnings to watch myself for the next couple of days, Jason had been most supportive and sometimes when I was still in the hospital, I wondered if it was all a dream and I would make up and realize I had just been imagining the whole scenario including the loss of my baby…My baby? Was that what it had been? Is that why I was this devastated, I thought“A penny for your thoughts?” Jason asked, smiling into my eyes.Why was he so happy? I thought fleetingly.“why are you happy? Shouldn’t you be sad about the baby, just like I am?”“oh, do not mistake the smile on my face for happiness. I am sad that this did not work out but I just need you to rest and then we shall talk about what we shall do next.” He said.What we shall do next? Could he have been more obvious about his dismiss of me?I kept quiet throughout the whole ride and pretended to be asleep because I did not want Mara worrying about me or Lucien giving me the side eye
JASONI hit my head in frustration and headed to the island… I needed a damn drink, a very strong one.“what did you do to her?” Lucien asked, following me.“damn if I knew, she has been like that since the whole incident happened and I am really trying to be the strong one here. Does she have any idea how much I am blaming myself at this moment?” I asked mixing myself something strong.“maybe this time around you could show it? I believe she is hurting and needs someone to hurt with.”“when did you become such an expert on these matters, dear brother?” I askedHe was right, I was hurting in more ways than I would care to admit. I had desperately wanted just this once to be a father and it wasn’t that we could not always try again but it just put a dampen on my hope.“what do you think I should do?” I asked.I could not believe I was actually asking my brother who, a month ago was actively doing all he could to soil Elizabeth but it seemed that since the time he left, something had ch
ELIZABETHYou would think that after the conversation we had and after the kiss we shared, that Jason and I would be on level ground with whatever was going on between us… well you thought wrong.After the conversation with Jason, the next day he decided to resume work. According to him, he had a lot on his plate and could not continue to wallow while more work piled on for him. It was just a ploy to get away from the house and me because the next day, he was looking everywhere else but at me and even when I had tried to engage him in a conversation, he had barely added two words before going to his work area.It was as though he was embarrassed about sharing what he did with me last night and he did not want a recap of it or for us to get any closer. I was hurt and told Mara about the whole everything.“you might be overreading meaning into his actions. I am sure he does have a lot of work to do.” She said, reassuring me.“I know he does Mar but I cannot help but feel that he is runn
JASONThe sight of Elizabeth was driving me crazy… hell the mere thought of her was enough to send blood rushing to my lower region, I was a gentleman but not where she was concerned. She had me stuck in the eye of a needle but was blissfully unaware and ignorant of it, which did nothing placate my aches.I had tried avoiding her for these past few days by staying at the office till it was late and even visiting the club to check on their progress, something I delegated to Caleb, my assistant but even her scent lingered everywhere in the house.She must have noticed my ever grumpy mood and always kept her distance most of the time. Today was no exception, I was thinking of her and barely concentrating on the report in front of me. It was like a disease that I wanted to rid myself of but every time I would imagine some scenario in my head and think of what she would say too.“Jason Rodrigues, you are going crazy” I muttered to myself, shaking my head repeatedly.“it is quite obvious yo
ELIZABETHMara was true to her word and came over with a bag of clothes, she had gone shopping without me but that was fine, I did not think I exactly had it in me for the walking and trying out clothes. She bought me a red and extremely short dress while she got herself a black number, matching pair of panties and heels so long, I could barely walk in them.“I invited some of my friends over so we can all go to the club together.” She told me.“what friends?” I groaned struggling with the shoes.“Hermes and his girlfriend Athena; weird names, right? Apparently, their parents thought it fitting to name them after Greek gods or something. Anyways, Hermes has a car and is going to be driving us to the club and then from there to any other place we would like to go. Tonight, we party.” She squealed.I wished I shared her optimism, it was quite true that I had been bored out of my mind these past few days and hours ago, I could do anything to get out of this house but right now, I just wa
JASONIt was almost noon time and I could hardly wait to be done with work and go to the club for some relaxation, the plan was for Lucien to meet me there but I was going to call him and confirm his availability, I did not want to drink alone. I got up and walked to the window of my office and looked out, I had a very great view of everyone and everywhere bustling with activity. I could see a woman trying to calm a wailing toddler down and a man standing far apart from them but watching, he was no doubt the father and did not want that sort of drama. She was saying something to the child who suddenly stopped crying and then she brought out a dollar bill from her purse and handed it to him, he bounded away to the nearest candy shop, smiling like he had not just been crying some minutes ago.There was another couple too, holding hands and I wondered immediately why I could see myself and Elizabeth, walking side by side and hand in hand like that one day… it happened suddenly though, on
CAMILLAIt was useless feeling sorry for myself, I thought.The lighting in the club was low as I stepped in with my friend, Bella.“Not bad” I murmured.“Told you” She responded triumphantly. “This is what you need to get over him. Nathan Clark is an asshole and should dump him in the dust where he belongs”I wanted to correct her that he wasn’t an asshole, he was merely disturbed but I did not.I was not here to sympathize with him or even think about him. I was here to have fun and that is what I am going to do.I was putting on a red dress and it complimented my eyes way more than I thought it would.“Come on, we should get a drink” Bella pulled me to the bar.The bartender winked at both of us and then asked what we would likeIt was at the tip of my tongue to say nothing but I was at a club, wasn’t I?“Sex on the beach” I announced.Bella turned to me, surprise in her eyes. I was pretty sure she thought she would have to force me to drink.“I would have the same” She told the ma
NATHANThere was nothing to say as I dropped Camilla off at her home.I waited until I was sure she had gotten in before I headed in the direction of my mother in law’s house.I pushed in Christian’s number, my teeth gritting as it rang.I was furious.I did not want to admit I was more furious at myself than anything.“How did your date go?” Christian’s asked as soon as the phone line clicked.“Send me the name of the witness” I grunted.“What is wrong?”“Send the name, dammit”“You need to calm down, Nathan. Where are you going?”“To settle this once and for all” I told him. “Now send the damned number to me”I hung up before he had the chance to say anything or convince me to back away because I would not.I drove way above the speed limit, stopping only when I had gotten to the mansion’s gate.It brought back memories of family dinners where I had to defend Eleanor over and over again. Where snide remarks about the reason I was with her reached my ears and she said nothing about
CAMILLA“I did not think I was ever going to see you again, Camilla” Sarah smiled as soon as I entered the restaurant.She wagged a finger in Nathan’s direction, shaking her head at him.“With the kind of food you sell? I will be coming in here for a very long time” I smiled back.Nathan and I took our seats and waited.She had a queue as usual and I could not help the smile as I glanced around.“You would have watched your father kill me” Nathan commented.“I admit that would have made me feel better for a bit” I told him.He appeared shocked but I could tell from the way his eyes twinkled with delight that he thought it hilarious.I had not expected he would go over to my parent’s house especially seeing as I wasn’t there in the first place.My father however had called me when he arrived with a gun to his head and asked if I wanted to see him. I had hesitated just for the fun of it“I deserved that”“Yes you did” I agreed.“Thank you for coming here with me”I nodded once.Sarah dr
NATHANI was pacing like a fucking clown.I was expecting Camilla at the office today to discuss the project that we were involved in together and I could not help the restlessness coursing through my body.I wasn’t one to be this nervous about anything.“Deep breaths” I told myself, trying to go along with my instructions but to no avail.So much so that when my receptionist announced her presence, I had worked myself into a frenzy.My breath caught in my throat as she walked in, her eyes taking the room before settling on me with stark clarity.What had I been thinking? I thought.Starved of attention?Who was the blithering idiot now?“You look well” She commented, taking the seat in front of me.“You look beautiful” I murmured.She paused, her eyes meeting mine.Sparks flew, that was for sure.“How do you feel?” She asked instead.“Much better. Thank you for attending to me yesterday. For even accepting the phone call from me”“Of course, I am not a demon even though I do hate you
CAMILLAI stared at my ringing phone with Nathan displayed boldly as the callers ID.What the fuck did he want?I however put it to my ear, my heart jumping at the sound of his voice“Camilla, I know you can hear me” He rasped“What do you want?” I asked.“To talk” He answered.His voice appeared tortured… like there was something wrong with him and for a minute I was concerned before my head overrode my stupidity.“Concerning the project-” I began“Not concerning the-” He sighed, his voice trailing off.“I need you” He muttered softly that if I had not been paying attention, I would have missed that simple statement.“Mr Clark” I stopped when I heard his labored breathing.“Is something wrong with you?”“No, its nothing… I just need to speak with you”“Nathan, what is the matter? You sound distressed”He chuckled and then I heard him cough in the background“You are not concerned about me now, are you?”“This is not a joke, what is wrong with you?” I asked again, feeling panicky.He
CAMILLAMy father drove us straight to the house and I did not argue nor say anything when we arrived and my mother enveloped me in a hug.“Oh baby” She crooned.“I am okay” I reassured her“Come on in”I inhaled the familiar scent of home, my muscles relaxing.“I am going to bed” I announced.Their words fell over themselves as they agreed immediately to my request.My eyes closed as soon as I fell on the bed. I did not want to think of anything, I did not want to begin to analyze the anger in my heart directed at one person in particular.When I finally opened my eyes, it was noon.I made my way downstairs and was met with the searching eyes of both my parents.“Are you okay, baby?” My mother asked.I took a seat beside them.“I am not some fragile child you have to be worried about always, mother” I said.“You are my child and I have every reason to be worried about you” she countered.“I am going to be fine” I told her.My father said nothing but I turned to him anyways.“I have d
NATHANI felt like an absolutely horrible beast or maybe that was what I wasStarved of attention?If there was anything, I would admit that I have been the one acting like a starved and crazed person anytime she was near.I had only said that to infuriate Rodrigues, her father more than he already was.I did not stop to think that she might be listening in or it was the worst thing to say about a girl I have come to like.I winced, rolling my tongue in my mouth as the pain from being punched in the face kicked in.Williams walked into the open room with surprise on his face.”What happened?” He asked immediately.“It is over” I told him, my voice unbelievably calm.“What have you done, Clark”I whirled at him with anger in my eyes“What makes you think I am the one at fault? You are the reason everything has gone to fucking shit” I barraged him. “What did you think was going to happen when you decided to invite Rodrigues and I?”I took a deep breath envisioning Camilla’s disapproving
CAMILLA“We really need to talk” I heard Nathan whisper from behind me.“I have nothing to speak to you about. Are you ready?” I asked him.“I am but-”“Then we should leave to the bar”I turned to look him over, angry at the flutter in my chest and the way my whole being appreciated his looks.He had jeans on and I never thought anyone would look absolutely stunning in them and there was the shirt he was wearing which was rolled up to his elbows, giving free view of his tattoos.I stilled my panicked heart, turning back around and taking a step before he stopped me with a hand on my arm.“I want to apologize for the things I did earlier. It was mean of me to try to take away the seriousness of your feelings and I am sorry. I should be a better person than that” He had a contrite look on his face as he said this.“I am not mad at you, Nathan” I lowered my voice. “I just feel I am more invested in this business than you are and I need you to be professional and take it seriously”He no
CAMILLAWhat had I been expecting?A profession of love?I knew the sort of person Nathan was… a hard man and I had thought maybe I would be able to get through to him and why?Because I found him intriguing? Because I loved his view on life or is it because I wanted to do all I could to get out of my father’s shadow.No, that is wrong.Nathan Clark might have been my ticket out but I had come to understand and admire him as an individual.He was a fighter that much was obvious but he was also an asshole.I locked the adjoining door as soon as he left, leaning against it with the tears stinging the corner of my eyes.Another knock“Camilla” My father’s voice came through.“Give me a minute” I called out.I stared at myself in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair.When I opened the door, my father knew immediately that something was wrong.“Are you okay?” He asked“I am fine” I responded. “I was just sleeping” I added so he did not ask any more questions.“I know we should ta