"Eat carefully." He gave her a stern look and shook his head."Ken, why don't you eat your food? It's getting cold." Sharon's voice interrupted them and Hailey looked up to find her scooping more food into Kendrick's plate. "Hailey, why don't you quit acting like a baby? You're giving Ken a hard time concentrating on his food." Hailey glared at her. She wanted to retort. But the girl's hypocritic smile made her stop. She was smiling so widely, one would almost get fooled by her words. And Kendrick! Urgh! He definitely believed Sharon because he picked up his fork and went on to eat his food. Her attention turned back to Sharon and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Ken, what do you think about the new art theater? I want to visit there, would you like to go with me?" Sharon started. "You know last time we went to the old one together, I couldn't get enough of the sculptures. I also heard that the new ones delivered are so beautiful. And I would really love to have one.""You c
Hailey frowned at his expression. The man was trying so hard to avoid her gaze and his face was ashen as if shocked at the sight of her. Hailey narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a cautious nod."I-I I'll get going then," The Butler stammered. "I have some things to take care of. Urgh, those maids. I wonder where they've run off to."Then he scuttled past her and down the stairs. Hailey's gaze followed his back, the frown on her face deepening. There was something about this Butler. What was he hiding this time? She scratched her head and continued up the stairs. Hopefully, he wouldn't appear back inside the house soon. This way, she could take as much time as she could, without getting afraid of the possibility to get caught by him, red-handed, like the previous time. Hailey picked up her pace and she appeared in no time in the hallway. The study room's door came into view, and her heart started pounding. However—"Hailey." A voice interrupted her from the hallway and she l
She should have reserved her compliment to him for the appropriate time. Clever was an understatement. That guy was too sensitive. He must have sensed her desperation down there in the dining room. And what did he do next? Urgh! He asked for the damned door to be locked. That only meant one thing. Kendrick knew. Shit! He knew that she had her eyes on the bag. And the Butler had definitely told him of her attempt last time to look inside it.And Hailey had a score to settle with the Butler. That man. She would make sure he spilled everything. But would he even? Even if she shouted and yell and seek for an answer for an entire day, she doubted if that man would even make a sound about it. Hailey pulled at her hair and let out another groan. What the bloody hell was inside that bag for God's sake? She paced in front of the study room, biting her fingernails with one fist clenched. Kendrick. Kendrick. Kendrick. That man!And what was wrong with her? Why was she acting like this? Why co
Hailey listened to them silently as she ate the fruits while keeping the smile on her face. And she had a doubt. Even these maids seemed so royal to Kendrick. Would she even get a word out of them? 'Urgh'"Girls." She looked between them as they kept on talking. The maids stopped speaking and they gave her their rapt attention. And Hailey cleared her throat."Don't you think the Butler has been acting weird recently?" She asked and furrowed her brows. "As if he's hiding something, have you seen him sneaking around?"Alright, Hailey had been the one sneaking around but sometimes she felt the Butler was doing the same thing. Come to think of it, his secret conversations with Kendrick and how he had walked in on her in the study room. Had he been keeping an eye on her?The maids' all widened their eyes and they gave each other looks. "W-We don't know what you're talking about, Madam.""The Butler looks quite okay to us.""We've seen him this morning and he seems alright."They both d
"I understand, Sister," Chloe murmured. "I understand that you don't want to make peace with Dad soon. However, that's not why I've called." She paused and Hailey's brows knitted. Why then had she called? Hailey was about to ask when Chloe's voice went on."You have the right to be mad at Dad for what he did yesterday. But as I've said, Dad didn't mean all that." She sounded sad. "Even though you're heartbroken by his actions, you shouldn't have taken it to heart... you shouldn't have told on him to brother-in-law."Hailey's confusion only grew. What was her sister speaking about? She didn't tell on him to Kendrick. He had instantly guessed everything the moment she cried in his arms and when he noticed her bruised cheek and— wait!Her eyes flew wide. Kendrick was mad, she even had a long time convincing him not to do anything. Did he go behind her back and dealt with her father as he promised? Fear gripped her heart and her sister's words confirmed her thoughts."Brother-in-law has
After the call ended, Hailey's eyes remained closed and she held the phone against her chest. Was she a bad person doing this? Was Chloe right? But she wasn't even sure whether she wanted her father's love anymore. She would also wish more than anything for the family to be together. But if this was what it would take. If she had to become greedy like her father, then her hands were tied and her mind was long made up. She had grown up without his love. She could thrive well without the love of both her parents. She ended up falling asleep on the couch with the phone still in her hands and in her sitting position.By the time Hailey woke up, the back of her neck which was against the headrest ached slightly and she used her hand to rub it.What time was it? She pressed a button on her phone and the screen lit up. Her lips parted at the sight of the time. Well– she had overslept. And Hailey was afraid that sleep wouldn't come to her early tonight. She went inside the bathroom to wa
Hailey's fears went away, replaced by her curiosity again. And after getting her bearings and collecting herself, she walked close to stand beside him."What is inside that bag, Kendrick? What are you trying to hide?" "It's none of your business." His answer came immediately. Hailey let out a curse and ran a hand through her hair. Of course, it wasn't her business. But she was curious. Curious to know why he was hiding it. And curious to know what was in the bag. "Kendrick, just tell me. Otherwise, I might die of curiosity." "Go away, Hailey." His voice sounded weak. And Hailey couldn't help but groan out loud. "If it isn't my business, then why are you hiding it from me? Why are you and the Butler acting so secretive?"Kendrick did not answer her. He remained silent and his brows came together. "Argh! Answer me, Kendrick!" Hailey yelled, but he still didn't answer. Then she started pacing. 'Urgh!' this was killing her.She paced by his side but he didn't even open his eyes. He
Hailey sniffed and she released him. "W-Will he be alright?" She asked but the Butler shook his head."I– I don't know— he wasn't supposed to stand up, he was supposed to take a rest. D-Don't worry Madam—" He didn't even finish his words and he sprinted away, disappearing out of Hailey's sight. Hailey was left there alone, with her heart in her stomach and her hands hanging mid-air. Rapid sobs left her lips and she wrapped both hands around her stomach. Nothing made sense. She still couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Kendrick was fine, he should be alright. He shouldn't pass out all of a sudden. He shouldn't have fainted. She was only dreaming. But Hailey knew she wasn't dreaming. If she was actually dreaming, she shouldn't feel this pain in her chest. She shouldn't be having this weird premonition in her stomach. Her feet stood rooted for a while, staring into space. And when she couldn't cry anymore – Her throat burned as well as her eyes – she turned around, having n
Sharelene stood in a corner, watching everything unfold. The family was in a frenzy. She could only see fear in their eyes and hear the fright in their voices.As the staff wheeled Hailey out of the emergency room, a deafening silence fell upon the hallway. And Ken...He hadn't been himself since they came here. He hadn't been himself since a few days back when he learned Hailey was kidnapped. Neither would he speak to anyone, nor listen to those that tried to talk reason into him and advise him to take it rationally. Since a few days back, he was the complete opposite of the man she had met many years ago and had a second chance of getting close to again. The man that would always keep calm no matter the circumstances...He was nowhere to be found. Ken was completely different from that man she knew. In her mind, she'd almost gotten what she wanted... Or more specifically, what her family wanted. But now, staring down at the ring on her finger, it was as if the engagement neve
```````And every day, Kendrick lived in guilt. For the next several months, every minute of his life was consumed by guilt. It took him weeks to gain her mother's favor, and even months to regain her grandfather's. He would come back every day, hoping that her eyes would at least flutter. Her bump kept increasing at an alarming rate. His every day was filled with fear and trepidation. And one day, her eyes did flutter. He was supposed to feel joy, but not at a chance that more trouble loomed ahead. Her pregnancy was due and not a week after that, the babies arrived. His real fear resurfaced at that moment. The fear that they would never be able to hold their bundles of joy together. The fear that he would never get the chance to tell her that he loved her. However, she proved the doctors wrong, chasing away his fears. Now, staring down at the babies, her utmost gifts to him, Kendrick had never felt so much contented in his life. He'd never been able to wipe off his smile sin
***Kendrick paced in front of the Emergency Room. His heart was in his stomach and his hand never left his hair. It was as if she'd been inside there for hours now despite being wheeled in just now.No amount of self-reassurance could calm him. No one attempted to offer him reassuring words even. They've all been in the same dilemma.Her mother wouldn't stop crying and he couldn't find the heart to offer her those words he'd yearned so much to hear. Hadn't it all been his fault? Hailey was pregnant. How was that possible? When they arrived here, it was the first thing the nurses said after taking her vitals. But Kendrick still found it hard to digest.And the fact that the child would definitely turn out to be his only made him more confused. It made him angrier with himself. "Ken, what is going on here?" Rushed footsteps sounded in the hallway and he glanced sideways to find his parents as well as Sharelene. "What are you doing in this place? Is someone wounded?" Asked his f
~~~'Hailey.'Kendrick's hands trembled and his grip on the gun threatened to loosen. Staring up at the balcony where she was being held captive, he fought not to let the rage take over. The rage that became multifold the moment he sighted them dragging her here. Her body was limped. She looked worse than how she'd looked in the video. And an almost similar-looking lady, whose face was cascaded with tears, was being held at gunpoint beside her. Was that her mother? "Don't worry, Mr. Reid." Standing with them were the three shareholders. "She isn't dead yet. But she'll soon be, if you don't follow our commands."Mr. Weimar and the rest. Kendrick's assumption hadn't been wrong. They had a hand in this. "Already, you've broken one of our rules," scoffed one of them. "We thought we told you to come alone. Coming here with your friend is like seeking more trouble. Will Mr. Carter be competent enough to fend for himself?""Shit! Buddy, these stupid old fools are underestimating me," De
***"Hailey, listen to me!" Rob grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look up. "This is important, you have to take it."Nothing was more important to Hailey right now than getting away from him. Not only did she fear these drugs he had brought her, but she also feared the way his demeanor had changed ever since he returned with them.Of course, even if Rob was really trying to save her, there was no way she was going to cooperate with him.Yesterday, he'd secretly taken her blood, waking her up. And he returned this morning, looking agitated and somehow angry at her. "Hailey!" Rob's hold became tighter. "You must take these drugs immediately. I can't get you out here if you don't. Please, Hailey." He softened his voice. "Just take the damned drugs, you'll feel better. We both will feel better.""What exactly is wrong with you?" Her mother's voice faded in the background. "Leave her alone, she doesn't want to take them. Please I'm begging you, don't torment her any further."While he
Maniac.Hailey lifted her hand weakly to send a slap across his face, but her hand went limp and fell mid-way."M–Murderer." She pushed his chest. "Just go, leave me alone.""Hailey." Footsteps approached the room and Rob said frantically, "Please hold on." He touched her forehead. "You're sick. I'll get someone to treat you. I'll get you out, I promise."Then he sprang to his feet and left, closing the door behind him. Hailey was left wondering how such lunatics could be left wandering among normal people. She sniffed and waddled back into her mother's embrace. How blind had she been to associate with these kinds of people in the past?And how could she put a stop to these endless noises and intense headaches? She didn't want to remember? She didn't want to recall whatever they had shared in the past. ***'Ken, you have to save me. These strange men have captured me and they won't release me until you come. If you don't come alone, Ken, they're going to kill me and my Mum.'Kendric
...The hours dragged on, and from the tiny cracks in the wall, it seemed night had come. Still in her mother's embrace, Hailey shut her eyes to keep up with that pain.Both hands were wrapped around her stomach and she'd shiver now and then. As much as she'd like sleep to overtake her, it didn't. The exhaustion weighing her down didn't let her achieve that. The exhaustion caused by the aches all over her body. Her head pounded constantly, the voices also became louder each time she was left to her thoughts. Those hallucinations were neverending, and very soon she was afraid that they'd burst out, damaging more parts of her brain.The darkness slowly disappeared and the creaking sound of the door made her aware that morning had come. Another day of torture and pain."Hey, wake up!"Before cold water or anything worse could be splashed on her, Hailey leaned away from her mother's embrace who was also awake."Take your food!" The man burly man threw a food box and a water bottle at them
***"Ken, you have to save me. These strange men have captured me and they won't release me until you come. If you don't come alone, Ken, they're going to kill me and my Mum. They have laid traps for you, Ken—"Hailey was cut shut by a hard slap across her face. Bound to a chair with ropes, cold water was splashed on her face. She licked the side of her lips, tasting the metallic liquid; the only thing that kept her from fainting."Damnit! Woman. I told you to leave the trap part out! Are you deaf or what!?" The man holding a camera in front of her shouted. "Now, let's take another video. You will say everything you were asked to.""Stop wasting your time, Man," the portly man said and walked forward. "I don't think this lady is willing to cooperate.""I told you she's a stubborn one," Chloe scoffed from a corner."Now listen to me, Young lady." The portly man approached her and lifted her chin. "If you keep acting this way, we can't fulfill our promise to you. Give us your cooperation
***"Buddy, this is serious. How could she just disappear into thin air? Is there a chance that they're hidden somewhere in this city?"This city? Probably not. Kendrick had turned the whole city upside down. He'd deployed every force he could think of. They'd searched everywhere; every warehouse, every dilapidated building. There was no sign of them. It had been three days and there wasn't any traces of them. He'd driven to the cemetery that day, hoping more than anything that she hadn't spent the night there. And his prayers turned out to work. Only that, what actually happened was worse than spending a night in the cemetery. The sight of her phone by the cemetery gates was all he needed to know that something bad had happened. She was abducted. And there was still no traces of the suspects. Her sister and that guy. "Damnit! This is all screwed up." Devon paced for a while before sitting on the couch. "You didn't tell me you've taken her back. You never should have allowed her