CHAPTER ONE My cheek flared with heat, the echo of the slap rang still in my ears, and time seemed to slow as the sharp pain radiated throughout my face. I stumbled back at the impact, my hand found my face impulsively, I lowered my head in case he tried to slap me again.“You're going to keep acting stubborn, huh?” Marco snarled, pulling me by the hair and lifting my face to meet his. “Do you know how much money I lose every day because of you?” He grabbed me roughly by the face, his breath reeked of cigarettes and alcohol, I wished I could cry but I had run out of tears somehow, anger and humiliation simmered within me but I was helpless against him, if I tried anything funny they could hurt me worse than they already had.“I will break you, you don't want to work right? Let's see how you do two more days without food.” He hissed, letting go of my face he stormed out of the room leaving me to the mercy of two Samoan-looking men. I crumpled up in a corner in the empty room, to th
CHAPTER TWO “Mr. Osvaldo, fancy seeing you here in my office,” Marco exclaimed as he walked into his office, followed by two security men, he flashed a very toothy smile at him showing off his teeth grills which were made out of fake gold.He scowled when he noticed me sitting in the corner of his office, but then for some reason he chose to ignore me. Sitting behind his desk he propped his legs up on the table, crossed his fingers in a business-like manner and then spoke, “My men tell me you want to buy her out of this… industry.” He drawled, on the last part.“I'm proposing a million dollars,” Mr. Osvaldo responded, concisely. “That was very straightforward, Mr. Osvaldo, you made a good bargain but her contract states that she would be working here until she pays her debt off.” Marco said, smiling impishly. I don't owe any debt, matter of fact I was sold to him for a price even lower than what Mr. Osvaldo had proposed, he lied about the debt to get a higher bargain. If I were to
CHAPTER THREE I woke up to the sound of someone rustling in the room and when I peered to see who it was, I saw Mrs. Elton draping the blinds shut. “Good morning, Mrs. Elton,” I greeted, stifling a yawn.“Oh dear, did I wake you? I didn't mean to.” She said, “It's really, okay, I should be up anyways, what time is it?” I yawned, looking around for an alarm clock. “It's 12pm.” She replied, turning down the thermostat.“Oh, shit.” I exclaimed, becoming fully awake. Mrs. Elton chuckled, moving towards the door she said “Brunch will be ready soon, Yara will help you out with your bath.” I wanted to let her know that I could prepare my bath myself but she left the room before I could say anything. Yara bolted in later, with a huge smile on her face, she looked like a happy person and the dimples on her face quite suited her personality, she was also quite the chatterbox. After I had gotten out of the bath, she had clothes laid on the bed and I wondered whom they'd belong to. Yara
CHAPTER FOURMr. Osvaldo listened intently to my story, and when I was done telling it, he went silent like he was contemplating on what to do with the information he had gotten.“I don't mind working as a cleaner, if you wouldn’t mind…” I offered but was cut off mid sentence.“Who said anything about you working for me?” He retorted, going back to sorting the paperwork he had on his desk.“Excuse me.” I blurted out, genuinely confused by his statement.He stacked his paperwork aside and looked up at me with a very serious expression. "I have a better proposal for you if you're willing to comply, of course."If I was willing to comply? Given my limited options, I had no choice, as long as it wasn't prostitution."What's your proposal, Sir?" I asked, a little anxious to hear what he was about to say.He stared at me with a very serious expression on his face, “Lenora Prescott,” He began “Will you marry me?” “That's a good one,” I burst out laughing, amused by his all of a sudden quest
It had been over a month since I signed the contract with Richard and to be honest there wasn't much to do. Yara wouldn't hear of me helping around the house, treating me like I'd break if I touched a sponge. And Remo; my assigned bodyguard wouldn’t accept my request to leave the house because ‘The boss’ disapproves of it. I had gained a couple pounds and my bruises had healed, well, most of them. “You're wearing this boring outfit again?” Yara sighed, as she walked into my room with a tray of smoothie and snacks. “I really like you, Mrs. Lenora but I hate your sense of style.” “No one wears fancy dresses and jewelry at home," I retorted, snapping my journal shut.“You're the lady of the house at least look the part, on some occasions.” She responded, leaving the tray on a stool, she went ahead to open the window drapes muttering under her breath. “And let some light in, this room looks as gloomy as your outfit.” “Sometimes I wonder who is incharge of who.” I chuckled, taking a si
I stood alone in front of a display case, in the jewelry store. Yara tried going all out in choosing my outfit for the night and no matter how much I objected to her idea of going all out, she simply wouldn't hear of it. “You're going out with the boss, you have to look your very best or else everyone would just think you're his P.A.” She had told me earlier and with how expensive I was looking, I couldn't imagine anyone thinking that. But of course at the end I wore something simple leaving Yara highly devastated. The necklaces sitting on the display case were stunning, I trailed my fingertips over the glass case as if I were caressing the gems on one of the necklaces. It was a real diamond, I could tell because this wasn't any ordinary Jewelry store, it was Harry Winston. “I would advise that you don't stand too close or lean on that.” A female staff walked up to me and suggested quite rudely.I gave her a confused stare and replied, “Yeah, I'm barely even touching it.” “Please
“You wouldn’t be this tired if you went to bed when you were asked to.” Richard nagged, as Vanya handed me a cup of coffee at the breakfast table.“Is this Latte?” I yawned.“It's a Macchiato.” She responded, gesturing for me to drink up.I took a sip and grimaced at the bitter taste of the coffee. I've always been a sweet tooth and did not have a good liking for bitter things. “I can't take this, I need cream with it and sugar.”Richard shook his head at Vanya in disapproval and she retreated to the kitchen in silence, “What do you mean, I can't have cream and sugar with my coffee?” I ranted.“Take your coffee and breakfast, so that we can leave, I haven't got all day.” He reprimanded.“I thought you said Remo was taking me?” I asked, trying to gulp down the coffee in large portions. “Times like this, you make me feel like I'm dealing with some sort of child.” Richard sighed.“I don't recall ever telling you I was mature, you just assumed that.” I retorted, taking the last gulp of t
“You know firing your secretary wasn't really necessary.” I said, going through an employee file I had picked from his desk.“You mean I should promote unethical work behavior?” He responded with a quizzical expression on his face.“No, I'm just saying she probably had a situation come up, for the Director of Operations to lie for her sake, I'm pretty sure it's an important cause.” I defended, my interest piqued at the file I was going through.I heard the ruffling of what sounded like paper and his voice along with it, “An important cause like what?” I turned the file towards his direction, pointing at a particular profile, as if he could see it from his desk, “Her file here says she's a Mrs… with two kids.”“What are you telling me?” He asked.“At my old job, our secretary usually came in to work very late, no one knew why she was always late until the day our boss threatened to fire her, she'd worked overtime everyday since that day. We'd notice her puffy eyes each time she came o
Epilogue Richard's POVThinking that meeting Lenora when we were little was the most surprising thing ever, I was so wrong. This, that I am seeing right now in front of me, was worse. I was sitting in a chair not to make myself comfortable but because my legs couldn't carry my weight as I was experiencing the shock of my life. “Remo?” Tears welled up in my eyes as my heart shattered over and over again. This has to be a dream, this cannot be true. My best friend is the mastermind behind everything that has been going on.How can I explain to anyone who knows the both of us that Remo is the spy, the betrayal in my life? What did I ever do to deserve this from him? What's my offense? Since when has this been happening? Questions kept ringing in my heart as I stared at the man tied to the chair. His feet and hands were tied up but his eyes stared right back at me. Blood was dripping down his dangerous-looking face, He had been tortured by the men, until he confessed to his crimes.
CHAPTER 145Lenora's Pov:I snuggled deeper into Richard's arms. It had been more than two months, everything had been going smoothly. Remo had been able to fish out the spy in the house, it only turned out to be one of the kitchen maids which we couldn’t think of.My eyes scanned through the face over me, I was suddenly tempted by the reddish lips. No matter how I have it, I can’t just get enough of it.Richard's eyes quietly opened up meeting my gaze.“Tempted by my lips?” He smirked.“Of course, I’m not.” I scoffed turning sideways I heard him abruptly over my head.I got out of bed and stepped into the bathroom. I suddenly felt dizzy but ignored it. I had been feeling the same way for a couple of days and I instantly felt it was all because I had been overworking myself.“You okay?” Richard glanced at me. I had stopped halfway trying to regain my balance.“I’m fine,” I mumbled, walking back to him.Later, Vanya came with our breakfast and we ate on the balcony.After breakfast l
CHAPTER 144Lenora's Pov:My life so far has been really surprising, I kept finding myself at the least expected places. I never imagined I would find myself at a different house calling the mother of the house, my mom.I washed the cabbages with a big smile on my face.“You aren’t done with that yet? Are you thinking of Richard again?” I was teased by my Grandmother again, my real grandma.I instantly smiled hearing her voice.“Mom, you should tell her to stop involving Richard every time.” I pouted childishly, turning to the woman who was smiling the whole time.At this rate, I don’t think we are going to eat our breakfast at the appropriate time. I had decided to spend little time with my newfound family, Richard agreed to it and that was why I had come to spend the weekend with them, I must confirm that it was filled with love and happiness.After taking most of our time In the kitchen, we finally set up a dining table and sat around it to have our breakfast.Being an only child,
CHAPTER 143Richard's POV:After ending my conversation with Remo, I walked out of my room heading for Lenora’s room. I was stopped slightly by Yara again but this time she announced that Lenora was up.I pushed the door open revealing the young lady who was slipping out of her bed.“Babe, I’m just about to come see you. I heard you came here for me.” Lenora's face flushed seeing me.I forced a little smile at her before walking over to her side.“Lenny, what do you know about this?” I suddenly asked bringing out the sketch she had given RemoSeeing it, she looked a bit shocked and absentmindedly.“Where did you get that from?” She asked, looking perplexed.“How did you find that?” She got up completely from the bed walking closer to me.Of course, she must have thought Remo snitched on her and told me.“It’s not what you are thinking. Remo didn’t betray you, I found out by myself.” I added it instantly.Lenora sighed quietly.“I had been having a memory frequently these days and In t
CHAPTER 142RICHARD'S POVThe car finally stopped in front of the building, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and alighted from the car, I stepped on the marble floor before proceeding to the door.Lenora must have missed me, I walked in the direction of her room feeling a bit bad, I had felt a bit bad though, I had promised to stay with her the whole day but I got an urgent call that required me to leave the house instantly.Feeling a bit hot, I decided to head to my room first, I walked directly into the bathroom and took a cold bath. Getting back to the room, I changed to a more free wear before getting out of my room and heading to Lenora’s room.I made an apologetic expression the moment I got to her door but I was stopped by Yara who was smiling all over.“You are here for Ma’am?” She inquired and I nodded slightly.“What about her?” I raised my brow slightlyI had been expecting to meet her, probably on the balcony outside or inside the living room but I was a bit surprise
CHAPTER 141Lenora's PovRichard used to have nightmares?I instantly remembered he talked about them a long time ago when we visited my parent's house, but I didn’t think it was something serious.“You didn’t know about it?” Vanya raised her brows slightly.“He told me one time but I didn’t know it was something serious.” I slightly lowered my head a little.I thought I knew everything about the man I married but there was still a lot that I didn’t know about him.“I understand, He hardly talks about it except to his doctor, and also he stopped having them three years ago but I think they are back.” She added, getting me a bit worried.“Why are they back?” I raised my brows even more.I mean why would they be back now?“I don’t know, something might have triggered it.” She said but I was even more confused.What could have triggered them?“What was his nightmare always about? Did he ever tell you about it?” I inquired“He started having them when he was very young and back then he to
CHAPTER 140LENORA'S POVAfter Remo left, I went to the bathroom and took a warm scented bath, in a bathrobe I walked back to my room which strangely felt empty to me, or maybe I was the one who felt empty.My mind suddenly went to Richard, remembering the way I asked to be alone the other time and remembering his expression, I felt a little bad.I took my cell phone and instantly walked out of his room and walked directly to his room. I ran into Vanya who had an expression on her face that I couldn’t read, her face was a little filled with guilt and resentment.“Are you okay?” I asked out of concern.Seeing me, she instantly forced a smile on her face.“I’m fine.” She mumbled.I nodded slightly even though I wasn’t convinced. She instantly left.Ignoring my thoughts, I took my feet and walked to Richard’s room.I placed a knock on his door and strangely he was the one who came to open up. He looked angry the moment he opened up like he was being disturbed by someone, but seeing it w
CHAPTER 139Richard's POVI walked in the direction of my room after Lenora asked to be alone. I was slightly hurt by that but I tried not to show it, I was hurt but yet I was a little worried. Ever since she woke up from her concussion, Lenora had been acting a bit strange and weird. Out of curiosity, I asked her in the car but she said she was okay. I knew Lenora always tried to keep things bothering her to herself and sort it out by herself but I didn’t like that. What if she ended up getting hurt along the way?I walked into my room which was already arranged by Vanya, and my eyes scanned through my arranged clothes.I pulled off the shirt I was wearing and changed into my blue pajamas. I sat at the edge of my bed bringing out my cell phone and checking the internet for the latest update.I suddenly felt a little bored, I felt a terrible headache and decided to take a bath. The headache had begun the previous night but I didn’t think much of it.I made my way into the bathroom a
CHAPTER 138Lenora's PovI thought I would be able to dive out by myself since Richard had taught me some basic things, but that was a lie. I found myself battling to breathe and fighting for my life.I flayed my arms and legs, attempting to reach the surface, but it seemed too far away.I waited for someone to dive into the pool and help me, but it appeared no help was coming.I started to lose my energy, and quietly, I hit the bottom of the pool. A memory suddenly flashed in my head; I couldn’t understand what it was, but I could see that it was a continuation of the memory I had back at Richard's family house when Tara pushed me into the lake.This time I saw a necklace, very unfamiliar, yet I felt it was connected to me.With that, I slowly passed out, losing consciousness completely. ******“Lenora, are you okay?” I heard a familiar voice over my headI grunted from sleep and managed to push my weak body up. I was lying on a hospital bed, with Ri