DYLANLate in the afternoon that same Friday, I sat on the couch in the main lounge, my head hanging low. I was helpless.I tried all my connections and everything, but there was still no lead or even a clue. Liam hadn't been seen ever since, and he didn't have any family to ask about his whereabouts.One thing that added to my worry was his background. He had a criminal record of transporting illegal drugs and domestic violence in his past relationships. He had also been charged with rape in two different encounters.I tried asking around the people who knew him, but it seemed he trusted no one to the extent of sharing such issues. Some of his friends suggested that if ever he had any plans of bringing her back, he'd have already done so.If it was money he wanted, then he was supposed to have already made contact, but there was nothing at all. Not even a threat or anything.Searches were carried out around the entire neighborhood for possible hideouts. They were all fruitless.The l
DYLAN"So what are you gonna do? Expose me?""Initially, that was my plan, but I changed my mind. I'm going to respect your privacy this time around. It's the least I can do for the man who supplied me and lavished me with luxuries," she said, filing her nails. She never changed. She was always full of surprises."How much will that cost me?""We'll talk about that later. I'm out of rehab.""I can tell. You look better and sound more human. No offense.""Offense taken. So have I been an animal all along?" she said, batting her eyelashes."Not exactly, but close to that.""Can we have real talk like normal people, not ex-lovers who have a bitter past?" She suggested putting her nail filer in her purse."Sure. As long as it has nothing to do with my wife. I don't want to talk about it. It's sensitive.""If you like calling her your wife so much, then why don't you love her? Wherever she is right now, you must be the only one on her mind. She probably misses you a lot," she said, looking
ALENA"Wake up, Princess," a deep voice awakened me from my not-so-peaceful sleep. I felt ice on my knee, and I shot up despite the pain my entire body was in.My head felt heavy. The migraine was killing me. I couldn't even imagine how I had survived the past couple of days."That's cold. What are you doing?" I asked the man I recognized to be Sean, Liam's man, who was in charge of me.He ignored me and ripped my jeans on the knees. My knee was swollen and throbbing in pain. When his fingers made contact with my knee, I winced in pain."If you make it out alive, this knee is going to give you problems for quite some time. You might need some crutches or a wheelchair," he said, rubbing in the ice. I screamed in pain, and immediately, he jumped on top of me and covered my mouth, muffling my scream."Are you crazy, Princess? I'm trying to help you here," he grunted through gritted teeth."Sean, is everything okay in there?" I heard a voice ask from outside. Sean covered my mouth much mo
ALENA"Are you playing games with me, Crystal?" I asked her. More tears clouded her eyes."How can I lie about such a thing?" she cried innocently."So why were you smiling like that?""Because I'm happy Dyl found someone like you who is willing to risk her life for him. That's really an act of true love. He sure does need you. You have to go.""I'll escape. I have to see my husband.""Go. I'll take care of the guys outside. Just run and follow the clear path. I'll send help if need be.""Why are you helping me?" I asked, pulling my hair into a messy bun. Was trusting her a good idea?"You'll know soon. You just go. Don't listen to the pain. Dylan is suffering ten times the pain."Just then, I heard voices from outside. Crystal stood up and adjusted her dress."The man who hurt the man you love is outside. He's coming in here anytime soon. I won't tell you what to do. Just be a Weston and remember everything I told you," Crystal whispered before leaving. She was right. I was furious.
ALENA"I thought you said Dylan was in a coma. How can he come if he's in a coma?" I asked Crystal, who was busy taking off her heels and slipping into sneakers."I don't have time to answer such questions right now. What's important right now is that you are out, and Liam and his men are probably after us right now, ready to turn this forest into a battlefield," Crystal fussed, panic evident in her voice."Will you calm down? You chose this, Crystal. You knew the consequences," Sean hushed. He was focusing on driving. He seemed to know where he was driving and was used to the bumpy road."Do you think he's following us, or he'll just let it go? I mean, he'll get caught if he follows us," Crystal continued chattering. She was much more scared than I was."This is Liam Hopper we are talking about. He's coming, and he's probably already ahead of us. You should have at least had a plan in mind before doing all this.""We have the jackpot here. We have a billionaire's wife, and he's comin
ALENA"Stop! Please, stop!" I cried out in agony. I could feel his pain. It hurt me more."Stop!" Liam commanded, raising his hand. They obeyed him. My tears were back, this time flooding me completely."Are you ready to be a good girl now?" he asked me, crouching close to me again.I didn't want to answer him. I just did it. I kissed him even though it hurt a lot to do it in front of my husband. He fueled the kiss with every second and pulled me much closer to him. He gathered me las if I was his priceless possession."No, no, no, no. Stop. Alena, come on. Stop this, please. He can't put his dirty hands on your body. Please, no. Alena!" Dylan cried out. My own tears flowed faster than my heartbeat.Liam broke our kiss and stood up furiously. He strode towards Dylan."Shut the fuck up, Cameron! You're distracting her! Let me enjoy your delicious wife in peace!" he screamed at him."Over my dead body!" Dylan shouted back at Liam, infuriating him more. He formed a fist to punch him in t
DYLANA week later, things were gradually falling back into place. It'd never be the same again, but at least we were together. This entire kidnapping thing really pulled the Westons and the Camerons together. Closer than ever.I had just released a press statement together with Dad, Lynette, Steve, and Celeste. It was basically about Alena's health, Liam's trial, and how we were handling the situation. A couple of questions were asked, and we answered quite well. We had the situation under control.Alena was yet to be discharged from the hospital the following morning. She was doing way better than the first few days she was in the intensive care unit.Her treatment was progressing well, and it was the best. She had to sit in a wheelchair until her knee was in good condition. They had carried out a minor surgery on it and multiple tests on her whole body.Her physical state was better than her emotional state. She was traumatized. The experience was horrible for her, and it taunted h
DYLAN"No. Not at all. We're just good friends." I lied, and I saw a wide grin on Steve's face."Hmm. Good friends, huh? I like it. You do know, right, that Alena is taking a one-month-long sick leave. And she's coming home to her momma," Steve finished the sentence."No! What? No, no, no.""What's wrong? I thought you might want a break. She's not yet fully recovered. She needs a lot of help with many things, like bathing and stuff. She needs special care.""I can take special care of her. I'm very capable, Lynette. Please don't take her away from me.""Come on, Dyl. Just four weeks. You are free to visit anytime you want and also sleep over. We have a lot to talk about.""She's my wife, Lynette. I need her home with me.""Contract wife, Dylan. Gwen can come and live with you. She'll be thrilled. Alena is coming home with us, and I'm not changing my mind. It's good for you, too. You're not feeling well. You can't take care of her and yourself too.""Please. I can take care of her. Do
ALENA’S EPILOGUE Our black SUV pulled up in Mom's driveway a little late in the afternoon and we all got out of the car. Amelia was snuggled in her daddy's arms, a place I knew was one of her favourites in the whole world and the way he paid enough attention to her and kept her smiling just made their bond stronger.Aidan and Iris were on either of my sides each holding each of my hands tightly as we walked up the driveway to the main entrance. We had all been looking forward to this family gathering for some time now. Spending time together, catching up on each other's lives and just being there for each other was something we all enjoyed. We were a family and meeting up together like this was always a pleasure."Thank you so much, Mommy, for buying me these pretty sparkly shoes and sparkly dress," Iris squealed excitedly, jumping up and down on her feet as we walked, staring admirably at her new outfit. "I feel like a princess," she added, giving me a brilliant smile that revealed
FIVE YEARS LATERDYLAN’S EPILOGUEThey say that you will never truly understand something until it happens to you.I honestly never paid much attention to this saying until realistic things happening in my own life started weighing much on it and opening my eyes to how everything I was once told about this big mystery called life started unfolding before my own eyes and manifesting in my life.Many a time, Dad would tell me about how marriage and fatherhood changed his life greatly for the better and it barely made any meaningful sense to me, but right now in this very moment, bonding with my baby and showering her with unconditional love made it all make perfect sense.There was something inexplicably intoxicating about seeing our precious bundle of joy happy with a radiant smile on her face. That smile had to be the prettiest thing I had ever seen, for it extended deep into my soul and filled me with joy. I couldn't resist smiling back at her with an even brighter smile, placing the
ALENADylan twirled me around, dipping me as he leaned forward closer to me. Staring at the masterpiece of a husband before me, my breathing became shallow and my heart felt heavy in my chest.Dylan pulled me back up into his arms and I rested my head on his chest and let him sway my body as the chorus rolled in. The song twirled like thread around us, the rhythm of our bodies simply passionate and majestic. I was deep in love."Alena, you're the inspiration for this precious song, and I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on. So now I say goodbye to the old me, it's already gone. And I can't wait to get you home, just to let you know, you are...""The love of my life," we whispered together in unison as I joined him in saying some of the lyrics along to the song playing.I was crying. He was way too sweet. I never imagined he'd be able to love me this much and take our relationship to a whole new level.Couples eventually started joining us on the dancefloor. I looked
ALENADylan pulled me towards him gently but firmly by my waist and he placed his lips firmly on mine, cupping my cheek with his hand.His lips were soft, almost silken against my own. Our lips fitted perfectly as if they were meant for each other. Moving against each other, feeling each other.Warmth blossomed in my chest, sparks igniting. This was beautiful and magical, a dream come true. When we pulled away from each other, the crowd was cheering loudly for us, clapping and everything.We both chuckled, holding hands tightly. We turned and faced everyone. Their cheers grew even louder and more enthusiastic.I could see Mom sitting in front with Benjamin, Steve and Celeste. Ezra was in front on the other side with Axel, Sophie and Elizabeth. Everyone else followed behind them. They all looked happy for us.Dylan and I stepped down from the wedding altar and we proceeded down the aisle. Everyone rose and started throwing confetti at us as we walked out. It was perfect.I looked up at
ALENA"Of course, I will. When can we start making the preparations?"Dylan laughed, pinching my nose. "Silly, I mean today. Everything is already set. You just have to get ready and walk down the aisle.""You're kidding right?""I'm dead serious, honey. Everything's the way you wanted it and mostly your choice. I know this isn't our first wedding, but I want us to consider this our actual wedding because the previous wasn't even one. This time around, I'm marrying you willingly with pride."I laughed, failing to believe this. "How? I can't believe this.""Believe it, baby. We're getting married and this time around the proper way. I've been so excited to finally take you as my wife the proper way and give you the joy you deserve. I want to marry you, Alena.""Dylan, how did you even think of this? Just how?" I asked him, blinking away my tears.He wiped away my tears with his hands. "Because I want to see you happy and make your dreams come true. It's called love, honey. You've drown
ALENADylan opened the door of his car on my side and I stepped out, taking his hand which he had extended politely towards me to help me out. I murmured a polite thank you with a smile on my face as he helped out and closed the door once I was standing next to him.We linked arms and he gave me a small peck on my forehead before we started walking down the pathway that led to the dock of a beautiful lake.There were bright heart shaped lanterns hanging on tree branches and rose petals artistically scattered on the pathway we were walking on. Star shaped twinkle lights were wound around branches and lining the pathway. It was breathtakingly beautiful.It was a beautiful sunset and it felt extraordinarily magical with the water in the lake glimmering beneath the beautiful sky, looking calm and inviting.I had no idea if it was the beautiful weather and scene that added the special magical effect or if it was the exceptional man right next to me, holding me like his entire life depended
DYLANI loved it when she played dirty. I loved seeing that side of her that only I knew. I loved this state where she was raw, untamed and fierce sexy."Naughty girl," I chuckled, smacking her butt firmly. She winced, her lips cracking into a wider smile."If I am naughty, what are you?" she purred, pressing her body firmly into mine. She bit her bottom lip tenderly, looking at me with lust filled eyes."Your sexy husband who loves bringing the naughtiness out of you." I smacked Alena's butt one more time, pressing her body into mine at the same time."Ah," she moaned, throwing her head back. She loved it.I took my spoon and scooped some ice cream onto it. I trailed the spoon from her earlobe down to her throat. She shivered, looking at my hand. "Cold," she breathed."I'll set you on fire," I promised and with those words, I smashed my lips onto her neck, earning a loud moan from her.I held her firmly close to me by her butt as I attacked her neck with deep kisses, soft nibbles and
DYLANShe took her wine glass from me and looked up at me, taking a step closer. "Careful what you wish for, Princess. I want to, I can and I will eat you," I said, closing the small gap between us."Is that a promise?" she asked me, running her finger slowly down my torso. I had been working out a lot to get back in shape. All my hard work hadn't gone to waste."It is," I affirmed, brushing my lips against her smooth skin. "And you know I never break my promises."Alena stood on her toes and she pecked my lips. She held both of our glasses, looking deep into my eyes with her bottom lip between her white teeth. I poured the wine and took my glass from her."What are we toasting to?" she asked me."To us. To our lives, love, freedom and everything we ever wanted that we can proudly say we achieved.""Cheers to that," she said, raising her glass."Cheers." We clicked our glasses and washed down the red wine together in one go. We had a second round and we drank the wine in the same mann
DYLAN"No," she mumbled quietly. She was crying."Show me your face. I want to look at you," I spoke softly."Do I have to?" she replied quietly. She sounded cute and in my head, I could see a cute pout on her lips as she said so. That made me smile."Yes. You have to," I murmured, kissing her temples. Alena slowly pulled away from me and she sat up, facing me. She had tears in her eyes and a few had fallen down her cheeks. I wiped them away using my thumbs."And why is my beautiful princess crying when we're supposed to be celebrating?" I asked her, taking both of her warm hands into mine. I planted sweet kisses on both of them and looked up at her. "I don't know," she mumbled, looking at our hands. "Tears of relief if there's anything of that sort I guess.""You don't have to hide your feelings from me, you know. It's okay to cry if you feel like it. We all express joy and relief in different ways.""Does that mean I can bawl my eyes out and you'll still be okay with it?""Hmmm...