I was still on my rush from what transpired when I entered Raphael's office.
'Are we giving interviews now?', Raphael asked with irritation.
Just like that all my high is gone. 'I solved the crisis. I handled as best as I can without further damaging our sales. With the limited time that's all I could come up with', I responded sinking into the same mood he is in.
'You could have just offered her the money she wants and done with it. Now the other channels are aligning for an interview. We are not running a talk show here', he gritted each word out.
'But she asked half a million dollars', I gasped.
He lifted his eyebrow implying, 'so?'
The maddening quirk of his eyebrow. Oh, how I itched to pluck the stupid thing from his forehead. Seriously, if I saved half a million dollars of someone other than him, they would have been falling under my feet, ok at the least, grateful. But not Raphael Sinclair. He is irritated even for doing that. I wonde
Before I could say more his mouth crashed on mine. This is no sweet, gentle kiss. He kissed me hard, fast. He kissed like a man. All I could do was respond to the kiss. Our lips danced creating fireworks. As fast it started, it ended when we heard the tell-tale of the elevator sound. Anyone seeing us now could say that we are hardly composed. Our irregular breathing gives away the effect we had on each other.Still not breaking eye contact Raphael said, 'I'll drop you''There is no need for that', I weakly protested not yet recovered from the kiss.He just gave me the look; you know with the whole eyebrow thing (someday I'm going to learn it)I sighed and followed him to his car. Not so surprisingly the ride was filled with sexual tension. I was so strung with an awareness that I couldn't speak a single word even if I tried. Very soon we reached my place.Raphael stopped the car, but didn’t move to open the lock. His gaze was in my neighborho
I don't know what it feels like to be on the top of Mount Everest. I don't know the rush you feel when you do bungee jumping from the tallest point. You get the gist. I'm not a poet, not even close, but being with Rafa made me feel things that are very new to me. Euphoric. I'm not the first virgin to spout nonsense about a guy after losing virginity to him. But this is not about sex. It's the care with which he handled it. Other than Kade, Rafa is the first one to show care for me. Rafa is the one to NOTICE me. I may be good looking but no one cared enough to get past the skin deep. Before it was only Kade, and now Rafa. Both are attractive, but with Rafa, we have this weird connection full of sexual tension hanging between us, it's...explosive. It's like I can pinpoint his exact location in a crowd. THAT explosive.This was the nonsense dwelling in my mind when I opened my eyes to gaze into his eyes. We are both naked (obvious), tangled, each in their own thoughts.'I
For a minute I couldn't comprehend what was being said.'Which family?', I asked hoping I heard wrong.'Sinclair’, Claire said.'Are you sure?''I'm not 100% sure that this is the family you were looking for. You must know that this is a prestigious hotel and many rich families are catered here. Depending on your requirement, I'm guessing it's them. This is as far as I can know. Even if I ask other staff discreetly, I don't think anyone remembers after such a Long time. I'm sorry honey, I wish I have done more to confirm it. Now if you don't mind let's sort this out before someone catches us.''Ya. Sure'My thoughts are scrambled. I don't know what to trust anymore. Should I trust Claire's deducted results or wait for more concrete evidence? Isn't it wrong to doubt someone you love? Love? Whoa.My brain put a sudden screeching brake to my thoughts. When did it happen? When did it change from like to love? Can one tell the exact
What Kade doesn't say is that it also means my sister's Boyfriend is from the Sinclair family or at the very least, they know him.'I want to make sure that Jack is connected to this family', I said deep in my thoughts.'You mean, before targeting them?', he interpreted my statement.I shrugged nonchalantly. A million thoughts are circulating my mind.' how to make sure?', I projected my doubt. He was quiet for such a long time, I thought he didn't hear. I opened my mouth to repeat but he interrupted by saying,'We can't say. The only way I see right now is to dig the dirt on this family. To search the skeletons in their closet. And pray that one of these leads to Jack. And even then, if we catch him, it's not like he will be the murderer. We are doing guesswork here Erica. A hell of a lot of guesswork.'I started pacing, 'let me get this straight, A) we are not sure Jack is related to the Sinclair family. B) if he is related and we find out
One-on-one I could beat the crap out. Two together... is a little difficult but not so tough. But I'm faced with not 2 or even 3...but five people. Five dangerously looking, mean-faced, probably weight-lifting bikers. A girl must know her limit. I'm no wonder girl, and I don't even fancy the idea of me coming out of this scot-free. Still, I must try and hope that I can handle it. Hope, to live and take my revenge.I scanned the alley, locating anything I could use in my fight. Before I could take note of the inventory, they pounced on me. It was harsh... it was painful...it was brutal. I gave everything I got, not letting them pin me down. Because I know...I know that once I'm pinned, I'm done for. My knuckles are bleeding, I have scratch marks and I lost count of my bruises. I cannot get them to me. I will not.As the fight progressed, things got ugly. It's clearly visible in their faces, they thought it's easy picking. They didn't expect a fight. Maybe because of thi
'Not now', he cut me off.'No, seriously, what are you doing here?', I wheezed out, my adrenaline wearing off, as I started to register the pain.'Later', he looked pointedly at Kade and continued, ' first, let's have you checked'.My body was waiting for that to be mentioned I think, because as soon as he said checked, my mind went black, I slumped in a dead faint. Good, let's just solidify the fact that you are a damsel in distress was my last thought.When I regained my consciousness, I thought I would hear chatting (arguing), anything, but it's eerily silent. Have they killed each other already? A girl would know when two men interested in her would react if faced with each other. I haven't opened my eyes yet, and not about to anytime soon.No one poked me to open them and gave me an idea of how thick the tension is. Come on Erica, you could do it. Try to be casual. I took a deep breath and finally opened my eyes to-Thanks for making a
The sudden knock of the door let me know where we are. Oh my god, for a minute there I almost revealed my feelings. Saved by the knock or should I say by an angry Kade.Generally, Kade looks at me as if he is tolerating my annoying presence barely. Recently, he started looking at me with acceptance, dare I say 0.000001 percent with a grudging respect for me. I know it's barely a blip but when it's on Kade's radar, it's hard not to miss. The gist of this is, the way he is currently glaring at me now took the new meaning to glaring daggers. It's not jealousy I could at least clarify that. It's like an accusation. What is he accusing me of? Until it, all came crashing down. Oh hell, Sophie-Jack-Nathaniel-Sinclair family-murderer. How could I forget? I was trying to avoid him, and now almost declared my feelings!!My sudden intake of breath may have alerted Raphael to my changed demeanor, he turned to look at the door and in 3...2...1...go. As if they are in hunger games a
Thanks to Richard I got over feeling sorry for myself. But I can't let them watch over me all night. Time to break the staring match. Even gay couples won't communicate this much with their eyes. With that in mind, I went to Raphael.I tapped on his window. It's a waste of use asking what he is doing here! Instead, I said, ' Go. Take a rest. You are tired. You had a Super Long flight, on top of that you must fight today. You need to sleep. I'm going to Kade's home anyway', I said, the last part diverting my eyes. It will hurt him. Me going to Kade's home. But he never took me to his in the past 2 weeks. And I don't want to visit it for the first time, because he must take me there, not want to.'I wanted to rip them. Not have to fight', he replied, totally ignoring my other comment. Ookk.'Just take some rest and eat something while at it.'He just gave me a Long stare, reversed his car, and left. There would probably be more than one ticket he would be c
He extended his hand, before everyone important to us, to join him. I searched for Kade. Understanding what I’m asking, Kade appeared beside me, to walk me through the aisle.When I reached Raphael, he joined our hands together and turned us to the pastor. We both looked into each other’s eyes ignoring the pastor, until the time he asked Raphael, ‘do you Raphael Jacob Sinclair take Erica Anderson as your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?’Raphael said ‘I do’ while looking into my eyes.Then the pastor turned towards me and asked ‘Do you Erica Anderson, take Raphael Jacob Sinclair, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him fo
Two days have passed since I cut our ties.Despite telling him no, I was suffering from a lassitude, a vagueness, that prevented me from doing anything more energetic and profitable than wandering the streets of New York listlessly. A strenuous exercise may help, but my body was not obeying my commands. What I need is, I decided fretfully, something to take my mind off Raphael Sinclair.Remind me why are we doing this again? Asked my inner diva.Self-respect, I gritted out.It must be nice sleeping with that self-respect, my inner self said sarcasm dripping from her voice.Decide which side you are before sprouting your nonsense.Can I say, peace? My inner b queried.There was nothing dramatically changing in my life once I said no. No light pointed out whether I have done the right thing or not. No mini-Raphael’s asking, ‘Why did you leave daddy, mommy?’ In the dreams. All the same, I felt lonely. Sometimes I questi
‘That’s the point. You never considered how I may feel! Normally, when a girlfriend says she is pregnant, her boyfriend asks-how does she feel? Is she happy? Does she want this baby?... you know the basic things. But do not place surveillance on her as if she is a fugitive. Who does that? You always canter to what I may want without consulting me, yet never wait and think what I may need, Raphael?’‘You are being unreasonable Erica. I explained to you the circumstances and the delicacy the situation warranted’‘No! You had your turn, now you listen to me. This relationship’, I swallowed the lump that formed on what I was about to say, ‘this...whatever we are having is not how a relationship works. There must be a give and take. There must be dates, talking...not soulful silences, sharing each other’s feelings, emotions, fear’s, hobbies, musical tastes, not to forget the past(like have any more surprise family
‘Before I speak any further, why don’t you go change while I order something for you?’ He pointed towards his wardrobe that has his second set of clothes.‘Are you going to charge this one too?’ I joked, reminiscing his demand to pay for the clothes he bought.‘Consider this my investment’, he countered.Once I changed into his shirt and ate a sandwich that no doubt one of his possums provided, I asked relaxing on the couch, ‘so, what do you want to talk about?’‘Do you love me?’‘Just go to the jugular, why don’t you? You don’t have the right to ask that question. I’m not here to listen to this’, I tried to get up.‘Sit down Erica. Trust me, I will explain later. Just answer my question’I snorted at him demanding my trust. ‘Why?’‘Because I want to know how you feel about me before I say anything&rsquo
It didn’t help to improve my mood either when I stepped outside the subway to encounter the rain. The way my life is going I really ought to have known better than to think the weather would cooperate. A wry glance at the dense cloud-packed sky confirmed that the rain wasn't likely to let up. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I had no alternative but to get soaked in the rain as I walked. By the time I reached my former office, I’m drenched wet to the bone, my cream shirt and black skirt, no doubt liberally splattered with dirty rainwater spots. I don’t know what I’m going to accomplish once I meet Raphael, however, in my current mindset I would probably stab him with his pen that’s always neatly placed on his desk.Once I entered his floor, my eyes landed on none other than the woman who was cast alongside Raphael in the picture. She was lounging casually on the couch outside his office, doing her touch-up. Why, oh why? Can this day get any
All I’m saying is he is human... treat him as such. Don’t condemn him without listening to his side, Raphael’s new friend aka my inner b advised me.That’s not true. We talked about what happened, I mulled.No, you dissected, and he listened patiently, my inner b was on a roll.Yet, not once did he object, I countered.At this, my inner diva started counting his virtues while pacing the imaginary floor. ‘Did you give him the chance? You were the one to build an impossible castle of dreams on an insecure foundation. You were the one to abandon a relationship that has leavening magic which lacked in this generation. You may reason yourself with whatever you think is right, but just think... he was the guy who held you when you cried. He was the guy who listened to your blabbering and didn’t blanch at your imagination. He was the guy who rescued you when you are in danger, not once but twice. He was the guy who wanted to a
‘I... but doctor, how is that possible?’‘Are you asking me the basics Ms. Anderson?’, he asked playfully.‘What? Of course not. What I mean is... doctor it’s... it’s actually only been a month since I entered a relationship. You see what I’m getting at?’, I asked hopefully with my cheeks blushing red, hinting at a probable malfunction in the scanning report.‘My dear, if I can be blunt, all it takes is only one time done at the right moment. And you are six weeks pregnant from what I can see in the reports’‘But... how? Six weeks?’Please ask again, I want to have a nice laugh, my inner d said sarcastically.‘Well, many new would-be mothers’ get confused the first time. The counting starts from your last period, not from the date the sperm enters your body’.‘Oh...ok’, I mentally cringed, visualizing the scientific side.
‘No!!’, my scream was joined by another male one. Rose looked surprised at the blood coming from her. The bullet was lodged near her heart. I could feel her life force slipping. What a waste! A Life is driven by greed and envy. Though I didn’t agree with her choices, I didn’t want this for her. I wanted justice, yes, but this feels... cheated.I looked at the guy who was the cause of this mess and was shocked to see his facial characteristics. He is by no doubt Raphael’s half-brother. His jawline... his nose...his hair... They look like Raphael, only younger. How could Diana sleep with him, knowing he resembles Raphael? That was one twisted mind I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.He knelt beside Rose, gingerly holding his hand, ‘Oh Rose, I’m sorry’, silent tears can be seen leaking from his eyes.‘I knew... you were always ...a poor...shot’, Rose joked with her last breath.Even though
‘Stop your riddles and say clearly Rose’, I spat the words.‘Erica...Erica...Erica, you always had a problem with power. First, Raphael when he made you a workhorse, now, me for not spilling my guts faster. It’s ok though, as this will be your last conversation... I will tell you. You know, as a friend’, she said sarcastically before continuing to reply to my questions, ‘so, where was I? Oh, yes, children. Me and my brother. Where does Sophie fit into this?’, she tapped her finger on the Chin and said, ‘right in the middle of it. We are... the three musketeers’‘I won’t believe you’, I said, not wanting to see the image she is projecting.‘Whatever! Believe it or not. Just because you closed your eyes doesn’t mean it’s dark outside. However, I agree she was not part of the plan in the beginning. It all started four years ago. My mother’s bedtime story on her deathbed,