NATASHA The next day. My babies got enrolled into another school. All fees were paid and their dad insisted they resumed the next day. He wanted them to spend their day with him at the office. I too decided to go out and catch my breath. “ Keep your phone on you at all times. Don't go anywhere without the guards. If you feel someone is watching you or following you, I want you to come straight to the company. Clear?” “ Yes.” I didn't tell him I was going to visit mom's grave, I'll let him find that out himself. He could track me down with my phone. I haven't seen her since the shooting incident with Hattie that almost claimed my life. “ Can't you wait at the car? I'm only going to talk to mom, then we head straight back home.” “ I'm sorry ma'am, but we can't risk that. We all know what happened the last time you were here.” Yeah right. But it wasn't my fault that happened anyway, plus I had no idea Nicholas would be paying Hattie a visit.
MADELYN Later that day.The sun had already turned it's back to earth when Jason and the kids came back. I left the graveyard by 3pm and went straight home. With the maids help, I cooked for the kids and Jason. Lately, I have been enjoying cooking for him. Fortunately for me, he never complains about me doing the chores or cooking. As long as it's what I want. “ You went to mom's grave? Tracked you down..” we were ready to sleep, and he had his hands wrapped around me. We had been talking about the kids, his day at work and literally every other thing. “ Yes. Since the last time, I haven't been to see her. Just needed to check on her and Hattie. By the way, Hattie says thank you. She knows about the men you hired.” His hand crept down my arms to my stomach, massaging every spot he touched. “ She's smart to figure that out. I made sure the men stayed as far as they could.” “ Mmh, she's a smart one. If I had been absent that day, I'm certain it would
CARA Isn't it weird that you have to plan your sister's abduction with a maniac who can't seem to leave her alone? Madelyn and mother were the good ones and they were more closer. They thought I and Craig were just a younger version of our father. They thought wrong. I can't say for Craig, but I do know I'm not as evil as people paint me to be. I never really gave Madelyn or my mother to see the little bright light in me. Of course, that light dimmed each passing day as our father led us down the path of evil. I wasn't born heartless. Ironic! Haha, I'm just as good and pure-hearted as the late Evelyn Adrian. I'm half as good as Madelyn Black. I know I am. Deep within me, I know I didn't choose this course, my dad forced me down it. He ignited our fury by pointing out how malevolent our mother and sister thought us to be. “ See? They're scared of you and Craig, Cara. Why do you think they keep their distance? Why do you think they look at you with eyes
MADELYN Family. That was the one word that could either break you or make you. I lost my family about eight years ago. Evelyn Adrian, was the only family I had. The one true person I could refer to as family. I had her blood running through my veins. I talk like her, act like her and think like her. She was family. The remaining members of the supposed family’I have are only related to me by name. The name Adrian is the only thing keeping me bond to them. I was nothing like them. “ You look really happy, Madelyn. I'm so glad that Jason is treating you well.” Grandma and I were spending the afternoon together. She suggested I keep her company while she did tended to her garden. I could not turn down the offer. I loved her company. “ I'm grateful to you, grandma. You raised a gentleman. I have you to thank for that.” “ You know his dad was the complete..”My phone's vibration cut through our conversation and I smiled apologetically, “ I'm sorry, I have to
MADELYN “Coffee or tea?” I stiffened. I know why she brought me back here. “ Why did you pick this cafe, when there are hundreds of others?” She smiled lightly, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. I noticed how she winced, but I couldn't tell if she was hurt physically, or otherwise. Cara beckoned on a waitress nearby. “ Two cups of grande Mocha please.”I watched quietly. Observing the environs for any signs of danger. So far, it was just I and Cara. Nicholas or Natasha were no where in sight. I heaved a sigh of relief when my eyes met that of Oliver's, one of my guards. If anything should go wrong, he would get to me before a hair on my head is harmed. This sucks! I couldn't even have coffee with my sister without being at alert. In my purse laid a small knife. What is family without trust? “ You should stop acting weird and tensed. Loosen up. Glance around all you want,” her eyes travelled around, and I did same. “ There's no one here, but us. I hav
NICHOLAS. Fear. The one feeling that's present in every human. Even in a monster. It was present in my dad shortly before he died, I saw it in mom's eyes when she got admitted into a mental home. It was the same feeling present that now engulfed my little Ms. Sunshine, Madelyn. After today's meeting, I suspected there was something going on with Cara. For once, I read a person wrongly. I initially thought she was backing out, or perhaps she had gotten tired of her father and I, but, it was something else. Turned out Cara wanted revenge on her sister more than I wanted revenge on her family. Her eyes shone with hate when she told me how much she wanted Madelyn dead. Dead? If I had been the same old person who thought taking revenge revolves around killing a person, I'd have gladly indulged her. But no, I want Madelyn Black to pay twice. She can't do that when she's dead. “ What do you want, Xavier? Or should I say, CEO Nicholas Brightman..” Natasha s
MADELYN As I walked out, Cara and I exchanged glances. Natasha was oblivious of what went on right in her presence. My guards were already outside waiting for me. My car was parked just besides the textile store. They had come in it, while I came in a taxi. “ Let's go.” James held out the door and I climbed in. Once in the safety of my car, I felt relieved. If it had not been in a cafe, Nicholas would have tried to hurt me or take me along with him. 6:50pm. Jason would be searching for me. Speak of the devil, his call came in. “ Where are you, wife?” Where am I? That means he didn't check the tracker. I couldn't possibly tell him that I decided to meet with Cara, neither could I afford to mention that Nicholas came to visit. “ Oh, I just stopped by the park. I needed fresh air and that was the only place I could think of.” No one spoke on the other end. Did he believe that ? Perhaps, he's trying to check the tracker. “ Nichol.. Sorry
JASON Unsettled, I paced around the waiting room just of outside Madelyn's ward. There was this guilt that filled me. Perhaps it was her fear for me at that moment that brought about this. I thought of many ways where I could have been the cause of her misfortune. At the end, none of them seemed logical, but I was still going to take the blame anyway. This happened because of me. “ Calm down, Jason. The doctor will be out in no time and then we can find out what's wrong with her.” Grandma held my hand and drew me in for a hug. I was scared. Terrified. What if something bad happens? I would livd with the guilt of it till the end of the world. “ Grandma, I.. I hurt her. If I had waited till tomorrow before we talked about her meeting with Nicholas, she would still be very much okay...” The doors flew open with a strong gust of air, and our attention went to the male doctor. It was a critical condition, and I had no choice but to let a male examine her. Madelyn was
Madelyn Cara had called me on her way to Nicholas's house. After what Jason had said yesterday, I came to the conclusion that something was wrong. Maybe he had found out who it was that Cara always met with, or perhaps he was going to change the plan. “ I'm sorry. Jason found out on his own, I never told him. He's right beside me, you can ask him yourself.” Cara bellowed, “ I believe you. I and Jason are not best of friends yet, I don't want to to talk to him. Anyways, I will keep you updated on whatever happens at Nicholas's house.” I had a bad feeling, but I couldn't just say it out. I wanted to ask her to come right to us. Why not end this game and seek protection from Jason? I'm sure my husband would do anything I ask of him, even if it included taking my sister in. “ Be safe, Cara. I don't feel good about this.” She tried to lighten my mood. “ Have you eaten? You will feel much better when you eat, Madelyn.” “ You will be pregnant someda
CARA { Warning: Content unsuitable for young readers. This novel is R-18.} Before I could make up my mind about what I was going to do, Nicholas jerked me against him and claimed my mouth in a fierce kiss that made me gasp, then tense. His tongue slipped between my lips, and without wanting to, I opened up for him, parted my lips, wrestled his tongue with mine. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging, raking, wanting him closer and at the same time wanting to shove him away. We always had good sex, but he always made it excruciating. It was either I get whipped during sex or after it. Slipping the vibrating phone into his pocket, he picked me up. My sister called a thousand times before she gave up. Nicholas's dark eyes watched me, something hungry and furious gleaming in their depth. “ I don't want to hurt you, Cara, but you brought this upon yourself. You could have patiently worked with me, after today you would have become a free woman. I would ha
NICHOLAS It's the D-Day. That was all that ran through my head as I took a cold shower. I was more happier for the birth of Madelyn than she was for herself. My outfits were laid out on the bed and though, it was still too early to set out, I went through the list of things we needed, to make sure that we didn't skip a thing. The main reason I was up early was to think about my next move. I knew something was off with Cara, but since I haven't caught her yet, I couldn't accuse her of snitching on me. I knew she was seeing someone yesterday, my men had said they saw her with a strange lady whose face they weren't able to make out. I decided to come see what she was up to, but I was late and those dumb fools said they didn't know when the strange lady left. They saw her make her way for the bathroom, but that was it. She never returned to her seat. She made use of the backdoor. How smart of her. I bumped into Cara on her way out. She wasn't surprised to see m
Madelyn It's my birthday, today. What is it people usually say? Something like the day God brought me into the world for y'all. My husband was up early. When I woke up, he wasn't beside me. Where could he have gone to this early in the morning? Jason was one patient lover. He took his time to explain everything to me yesterday. I can now agree that I'm naive. How come I never thought that plans could be changed? “ Who is it?” someone knocked on the door. I was still in my nighties and I still haven't left my bed. “ Grandma Lorelei asked that you come with me, ma'am Madelyn.” I quickly checked the mirror to see if I had drooled in my sleep. I straightened my hair and strolled out. “ Good morning, Laura.” The maid greeted me with a warm hug. Yes, I hug my maids. At first, they were uncomfortable with it. I knew just what my husband was capable of doing if he found out I was hugging our maids. But, they are humans too. They deserved to be loved and respe
JASON I hurried home and waited for Madelyn. I noticed she had been going out more and her movements were usually discreet. Whenever I asked where she was off to, she would smile and say she only needed to check out some restaurant in town. At first, it was understandable since she was always craving food. But today, I noticed how weirdly she dressed. It's like she was trying to disguise. Over the week she became a very huge fan of scarfs and sunshades and over sized clothing. I knew something wasn't right, so I decided to follow her today and find out where it was she always went, or who she always visited. I have never thought my wife would ever cheat on me, but that was the first thought that came to mind. She didn't have any friends in the city, so who was it that she always visited? I followed the cab she was in. She would never know it was me cause I went on bike, and I had my helmet on. Madelyn stopped at a restaurant just as she had told me,
CARA A day to the big Day. I was running around making last minute preparations. I have to meet with Madelyn today to inform her of all our plans. Or better still, I could call her. Nicholas asked that we all meet at our usual spot. Natasha called to let us know she would be late, her mom had fallen ill. All Nicholas could ever think of was how we should make this work and not about some sick person. “ Listen to me, I don't care if your mom is dying. I want you here on time, we can't have you mess up our big Day. Is this what would happen tomorrow? What? You call and inform us that your mom had a heart attack? See you by 12pm, Natasha.” That was harsh but it would be better to see this two turn against each other. They were the ones calling the shots in this game, and I needed a sort of division between them. “ Do you think she's trying to bail at the last minute? It might be that she doesn't want to go ahead with this, that's why she keeps bringing
JASON A week later after the incident with Black's body, it was my wife's birthday tomorrow. As excited as I was, I was frightened something might go wrong at the party. “ Birthday girl, you look stunning, wife.” Madelyn walked up to me, her smile widened with each passing second. “ It's been a long, long ride Jason. I'm glad we came this far.” “ Do you want a massage? Are you having any of those weird cravings of yours?” I didn't know being pregnant came with a lot of responsibilities. We were just three weeks gone, and I have never been more at loss for the perfect words to describe this whole new feeling. Was this what men went through at the hands of their pregnant wives? Wasn't it a bit too early for her to start having weird cravings? Madelyn never spared me at all. She would wake me up at past 2am and ask me to go get her some sea food. Who the fuck wants seafood at that time of the night? Was it the baby who was demanding for all this or was it my
Rebecca ( Natasha's Mom) Continuation of flashback.It seemed like the end of the world for Caspian. I could have sworn I saw him shed a tear. He looked lost. I should look the same too considering I had just broken up with my boyfriend who I thought I'd be getting married to, but, no one felt much pain like Caspian. Grandma Lorelei warned me. Caspian had a raging temper. He had been in and out of a rehabilitation facility. She said he was just starting to make progress when Melissa came into his life. Over the last couple of months, his anger issues has been kept on check. But now, Black ruined it all. The furious, venomous dark creature made a mess of his room. We could all hear the noise coming from Caspian's room, but neither his mom or brother could dare trying to stop him. “ We should go check on him, grandma. No one deserves to be in such..” Lorelei grabbed my hands and made me promise I'd keep my distance from Caspian, for now. “ When he's like t
NATASHA'S MOM I hurried home after I saw Grandma Lorelei leave. I was heartbroken. It's clear she was the only one that visited yesterday. Why couldn't anyone find a clue, a hint, anything at all? “ Argh!!” I yelled, almost ripping my lungs out as I threw something to the wall. I have been getting more fiery these days and I threw objects more frequently too. If I continue at this rate, I'd have broken almost every object in the house. “ Why have you been so angry the past few days, mom?” My daughter asked from the dinning table. I didn't even notice she was there all throughout. It was just 8am. She was not yet dressed, so I guess she's taking the day off. I had a quick flashback about how last night ended and I felt nothing but guilt for the way I treated her. It was not the best thing to do. I know that too well but I couldn't keep it in no more. She needed to hear a few unkind words, maybe it might help faster. She was too self-centered, and cared abou