043Dorothy.†_†_†_†_†FLASHBACK CONTINUES†_†_†_†_†“Sit," he commanded, stretching his hand out towards a chair that was placed in a corner of the room.I scoffed, raising my torso and striding towards the chair. I pulled it to where he sat, positioning the chair to face his side. He shifted his chair also, turning it to face me.My eyes darted to the men who remained there.“Leave," I gestured.They remained immobile, waiting for Charlie's command.I rolled my eyes. “Tell them to leave us to have our conversation,"He gestured for them to leave and they immediately turned, leaving the room.After the door slammed, I waited patiently, allowing their footsteps to fade away before I turned to Charlie, grabbing the arms of my chair and pulling it closer to him.“Don't come any closer," he commanded, his voice etched with dominance.I cleared my throat, resting back on the chair. “So, about the perfect scheme,”“I'm listening,”"We both agreed to meet because of that but you seem to be mo
044†_†_†_†_†_†FLASHBACK ENDS†_†_†_†_†_†Lavender.She placed a hand on my shoulder, smirking.“Anyway, I'm not here to fight you or report you,” she giggled. She then leaned in, and whispered, “not because I can't,"I gulped. “Tha-"“Shush," she whispered, taking her hand off my shoulder and placing her index on her lips. “Don't thank me yet. I won't tell him about it, on one condition,”She turned away, cat walking slowly to the bed. Spinning around, she lowered her body as she arched her back to sit on the soft bed.“We both have the same goal. You find the flash drive with me and we take it to Charlie. It's a fair deal actually. Lorenzo loves me, so I'll distract him most of the time to buy you time to search for the flash drive. Once you find it, you get out of this mess as we'll take it to Charlie together.”I took in a sharp breath, my chest inflating. I parted my lips to speak but before a word could escape my throat, she cut me off.“Deal? Or not. Don't waste my time," she ad
045Dorothy.“What a fool. It took less than 5 hours to manipulate her.” I scoffed, relaxing in the car as it sped through the road.The look on her face at the last second was amazing. She looked nothing far from a lost kitten.In no time, I arrived at the hotel where Charlie said he was for the meantime that afternoon.I climbed out of the car, striding into the building.“I'm here to see Charlie Brown. He's at room 001" I said to the ladies behind the counter, skipping the pleasantries.I had no time for fucking greetings. I just needed to see Charlie now! Right away!“Are you Dorothy?” One of them asked.I scoffed, looking away."Here you go," she slid a key to my side of the counter. I flashed her a smile, “Have a great day ahead of you,"She hummed. I turned to leave, taking the elevator until I got to the second floor.I walked out of the elevator and the room that was right ahead of me had the tag 001 on it.I sighed, walking to the door. I inserted the key and twisted it, pu
046Lavender.My nails sank deep into my palm, my grip tightening on the fork as I sat right beside Lorenzo, puncturing the salad repeatedly.Since Dorothy left, betraying me, Lorenzo and I had still not said anything to each other and my fate was uncertain.Does this mean I’m now free from Charlie’s assignment, or does it mean I’ve failed—and should be afraid?My heart kept pounding in my chest the whole time, not only because of my uncertain fate but somehow, jealousy had been spreading in me like wildfire since earlier today, threatening to erupt.I swallowed for the nth time, trying to hold myself from throwing questions at Lorenzo. But again, I shouldn’t be worried about that. I should worry about myself and what Charlie might possibly do to me.“What’s wrong?" Lorenzo whispered, his voice low.I didn’t respond. I kept staring into space silently until I felt my phone vibrate on the table.I grabbed it, my face plastered to the screen.‘Where is the original flash drive, this shi
048Lavender.It's been hours since we've brought Lorenzo to the hospital and it was now 3am. I sat in the waiting room, my eyes heavy and pleading to rest but my heart desired otherwise. I forced myself to stay awake, pacing back and forth for some minutes then settling down then pacing again.I was restless while Lorenzo's best friend sat there with his head facing down.“Just rest.” He advised, observing my restlessness.I gulped, letting out a sigh as I turned to look at him with hopeless eyes.He stretched his hand, inviting me to come sit.“Relax. He'll be fine.”I groaned, dragging myself back to sit beside him. “I hope so.”We sat there for about thirty minutes, and somehow, the silence ate me up slowly.Seeing him sit calmly beside me was baffling. “Do you not care about him?” I mouthed, placing my elbow on my knee with my jaw in my palm.“Of course, I do. He's my favorite person.”“I know, but you don't seem worried. You're way too calm.”“This ain't the first time anyway. I
001 Lavender. I glanced at myself in the mirror before me as a small smile crept on my lips, confidence spreading in me like wildfire. I never knew beauty also boosts confidence until this moment. I tilted slightly for the makeover lady to carve my brow just like the other one. Deep inside my confidence, uneasiness lingered, throbbing at a corner of my mind. I couldn't seem to stop wondering what all this fuss was all about. All my life, I have never attempted applying this much makeover but today, my own mother persuaded me to do it as if today wasn't like any of my other birthdays. “All done!” The lady squealed, sleeking my hair back tenderly. She soon stepped forward to strap my heels on for me as I pulled my dress up for her to reach my legs. As soon as she was done, my legs felt firm and comfortable in the white heels with silver pearls on the delicate straps. The straps hugged my legs, defining the elegant curves of my ankle as the silver color of the pearls compleme
002 Lavender. “What are you fucking saying to me?! That you sold me to the twins for a billion dollars?!” I spat, pointed at her face as tears blurred my vision. Hurt was etched on her face but I didn't care. Just a few hours ago, I was married to twin CEOs and I was forced to say the vows. She planned all of this and I should have known it was nothing close to a birthday when I was asked to wear a white dress. “Don’t yell at your mother like that, Lavender! That's disrespectful! It was all for your own good. You don't understand! Don't make a supposed happy day terrible for your mother,” Aunt Kathy said, standing from the chair and pulling Mom back to defend her. “Aunt Kathy, I only have business with my mother and not you. Don't add to the reasons why I hate you. This is a nuclear family conversation and you shouldn't even be here in the first place!” I retorted, feeling rage swell in me and I could tell it would explode soon “How dare you say such a thing to me! I didn't te
003 Lavender. "What?” I mouthed. The door slammed open, making me jolt. My neck cocked to look at the end of the hall. A lady was standing before the opened door. She was dressed in a white shirt and a black skirt that complemented her petite figure. Her short brown hair was pulled into a tight ponytail, defining her pretty face which held a small smile. “Miss Brille, it's time to leave,” her voice floated through the hall as she slightly lowered her head in respect. My neck tilted back to look at Mom. I flashed her a staggering smile as another tear escaped my eyes. “Happy to hear me lose our last name?” I asked. "See you never, Mom," I added in a whisper with a heavy breath, my voice breaking at each syllable as my heart compressed in my chest. I turned to the door, shoving Aunt Kathy out of the way as I ran out, grabbing my dress by the knee, my heels clinking against the marbles. “Are you alright, miss?" The lady asked. I nodded, wiping my tears with the back of my hand
048Lavender.It's been hours since we've brought Lorenzo to the hospital and it was now 3am. I sat in the waiting room, my eyes heavy and pleading to rest but my heart desired otherwise. I forced myself to stay awake, pacing back and forth for some minutes then settling down then pacing again.I was restless while Lorenzo's best friend sat there with his head facing down.“Just rest.” He advised, observing my restlessness.I gulped, letting out a sigh as I turned to look at him with hopeless eyes.He stretched his hand, inviting me to come sit.“Relax. He'll be fine.”I groaned, dragging myself back to sit beside him. “I hope so.”We sat there for about thirty minutes, and somehow, the silence ate me up slowly.Seeing him sit calmly beside me was baffling. “Do you not care about him?” I mouthed, placing my elbow on my knee with my jaw in my palm.“Of course, I do. He's my favorite person.”“I know, but you don't seem worried. You're way too calm.”“This ain't the first time anyway. I
046Lavender.My nails sank deep into my palm, my grip tightening on the fork as I sat right beside Lorenzo, puncturing the salad repeatedly.Since Dorothy left, betraying me, Lorenzo and I had still not said anything to each other and my fate was uncertain.Does this mean I’m now free from Charlie’s assignment, or does it mean I’ve failed—and should be afraid?My heart kept pounding in my chest the whole time, not only because of my uncertain fate but somehow, jealousy had been spreading in me like wildfire since earlier today, threatening to erupt.I swallowed for the nth time, trying to hold myself from throwing questions at Lorenzo. But again, I shouldn’t be worried about that. I should worry about myself and what Charlie might possibly do to me.“What’s wrong?" Lorenzo whispered, his voice low.I didn’t respond. I kept staring into space silently until I felt my phone vibrate on the table.I grabbed it, my face plastered to the screen.‘Where is the original flash drive, this shi
045Dorothy.“What a fool. It took less than 5 hours to manipulate her.” I scoffed, relaxing in the car as it sped through the road.The look on her face at the last second was amazing. She looked nothing far from a lost kitten.In no time, I arrived at the hotel where Charlie said he was for the meantime that afternoon.I climbed out of the car, striding into the building.“I'm here to see Charlie Brown. He's at room 001" I said to the ladies behind the counter, skipping the pleasantries.I had no time for fucking greetings. I just needed to see Charlie now! Right away!“Are you Dorothy?” One of them asked.I scoffed, looking away."Here you go," she slid a key to my side of the counter. I flashed her a smile, “Have a great day ahead of you,"She hummed. I turned to leave, taking the elevator until I got to the second floor.I walked out of the elevator and the room that was right ahead of me had the tag 001 on it.I sighed, walking to the door. I inserted the key and twisted it, pu
044†_†_†_†_†_†FLASHBACK ENDS†_†_†_†_†_†Lavender.She placed a hand on my shoulder, smirking.“Anyway, I'm not here to fight you or report you,” she giggled. She then leaned in, and whispered, “not because I can't,"I gulped. “Tha-"“Shush," she whispered, taking her hand off my shoulder and placing her index on her lips. “Don't thank me yet. I won't tell him about it, on one condition,”She turned away, cat walking slowly to the bed. Spinning around, she lowered her body as she arched her back to sit on the soft bed.“We both have the same goal. You find the flash drive with me and we take it to Charlie. It's a fair deal actually. Lorenzo loves me, so I'll distract him most of the time to buy you time to search for the flash drive. Once you find it, you get out of this mess as we'll take it to Charlie together.”I took in a sharp breath, my chest inflating. I parted my lips to speak but before a word could escape my throat, she cut me off.“Deal? Or not. Don't waste my time," she ad
043Dorothy.†_†_†_†_†FLASHBACK CONTINUES†_†_†_†_†“Sit," he commanded, stretching his hand out towards a chair that was placed in a corner of the room.I scoffed, raising my torso and striding towards the chair. I pulled it to where he sat, positioning the chair to face his side. He shifted his chair also, turning it to face me.My eyes darted to the men who remained there.“Leave," I gestured.They remained immobile, waiting for Charlie's command.I rolled my eyes. “Tell them to leave us to have our conversation,"He gestured for them to leave and they immediately turned, leaving the room.After the door slammed, I waited patiently, allowing their footsteps to fade away before I turned to Charlie, grabbing the arms of my chair and pulling it closer to him.“Don't come any closer," he commanded, his voice etched with dominance.I cleared my throat, resting back on the chair. “So, about the perfect scheme,”“I'm listening,”"We both agreed to meet because of that but you seem to be mo
042Dorothy(the lady who caught Lavender searching for the drive).She didn't understand the fact that this was a game and I caught her red-handed so I could decide to eliminate her or not.I also had my own assignment. In fact, we had the same assignment– to get the damned flash drive and whoever gets it first would be the favored person. However, this wasn't a game of speed, it's a game of logic and skills. Who would find it first isn't the fastest, the person who finds it first has better searching skills as nobody knew where Lorenzo kept the flash drive. It would take critical thinking and spying to watch him closely and point out the location of the drive.The way she looked at me was quite satisfying. The feeling that I was winning couldn't just rub off me. Yes, I was winning. Nothing, I repeat, nothing would make her beat me unless she catches me red-handed.And even if she does, it depends on her approach. The way I approached her made me be a step ahead of her. Only if she w
041Lavender.“I can't believe the baby isn't mine. Are you kidding me?!” He raised his voice, slamming the door behind us.My brows furrowed and I immediately turned to look at him. “What are you talking about? I thought we talked about this back there and I thought it ended there. What's all the fuss about this time, huh? We talked about this, Lorenzo. What the fuck are you talking about!” I yelled.He snapped at me, stepping closer. "Yes, we talked about this there. We couldn't finish such a private discussion there. It makes no sense to me to talk about things like that away from home.”"I understand,” I sighed, shaking my head. I placed my hands on my hips, "We already know the baby isn't yours, right? We both know. Then what do you want me to do after you discovered it? I'm sorry I didn't come out clean in the first place, but the deed has been done and you should understand that and just let this slide. Can we change the Father?”"You just know I'm not caring for a woman who's
040Lavender.He stepped in slowly, his eyes darting away from me to the Don's son.Then, he stepped in slowly, looking directly at the Don's son and pretending not to see me even though he clearly saw me. I could see the hurt in his eyes. He heard what I said.“Lorenzo," I whispered, moving closer to him and stopping him from reaching the Don's son.His brows furrowed and he finally looked at me.I placed my hands on his shoulders, trying to stop him.“I can explain," I uttered, pleading for a chance to just be heard. I was only hoping he would listen.“Explain what?" He roared, his voice busting out all of a sudden.I jolted, swallowing hard on my saliva. “What you heard. I'm sorry. It's not what you think. Let me explain.”"Oh, you mean what I heard that the baby isn't mine, right?” He asked sarcastically.I nodded.He scoffed. “Yeah, alright. But I never asked for an explanation. Would you just let me pass and speak with him or would you love to be stuck with him forever?”“I'm so
039Lavender.My eyes fluttered open and I looked around, finding myself in a brightly lit room.I was laid on a cold surface and as soon as I spotted a huge chandelier above, I need not be told that I was on the floor.I squealed in fear, sitting upright as I shifted myself, pressing my back against a sofa.The living room was luxurious and looked accommodating enough, but I didn't know where I was which made everything even worse.I swallowed, looking in front of me, directly at the turned off TV. My neck snapped to the left to look at the door, but it was shut and it seemed as though the place was only luxurious yet abandoned.Just then, I heard a strange, cold voice from behind me. I jolted, a small scream escaping my throat. I then got up immediately, my body spinning to face the direction I heard the voice come from. There was a guy. I recognized him immediately, he was the one who pulled my leg during the kidnap.I stumbled back, looking at him with fear dripping in my eyes.T