Because right now, it wasn't the worry that he was in danger that drove her forward, but the worry of what would happen when he was finally awake. Kendrick was safe, he was out of danger already. The only thing that remained was the impending danger looming over her head like dark clouds. She stepped out of the elevator and her footsteps got slower as she neared the door where the bodyguards were still patrolling. As she got closer, she couldn't help but pause for a few seconds. Then she continued walking and her ears caught noises.Hailey's heart did a leap as several voices came from the room. Was Kendrick awake? She gasped and pushed past the bodyguard who was about to open the door for her.She didn't even wait to respond to their greetings. She didn't have the time to notice them. Her apprehension and gloom were long forgotten. Even her guilt, as she barged inside the room. And her eyes were met with Kendrick's face. She almost tripped, her knees immediately went weak while h
"Hailey." Kendrick's palm was still on her face, his other hand still holding her waist. He went ahead to brush her hair aside. Her messed up hair. She didn't even get to brush it properly—'Urgh! Get a hold of yourself, Hailey.'Kendrick let out a soft laugh and went on. "Are you scared that you'll lose me?" His eyes flashed with amusement. "Have you been crying because you're afraid I wouldn't wake up?" Hailey's lips parted. And she blinked, before shaking her head quickly. This shameless man. W-Was she afraid because of that? Of course not. She was just scared that her baby would come out and find her father gone— yes, it was because of her baby. Otherwise, why the hell would she be afraid? Kendrick studied her face, his smile widening. Then he leaned downward, his hand still on her cheek.Hailey's heart was about to rip out of her ribcage. What in the world was happening? What the hell was Kendrick about to do? She struggled again, but heck! He was too strong. How could he be
And without a second thought, Hailey quickly let go of his shirt and stumbled backward. She didn't want to witness this. She didn't want to look at his face. 'Urgh,' she even wanted them to go back to moments ago when she was feeling all embarrassed and agitated. She didn't even know what to say. She didn't know how to start speaking or where to start. Sharon had made it seem like she was a shameless person. That stupid girl had weaved her into a perfect trap. If she started apologizing now, it would only prove her words right. The silence was so suffocating, Hailey couldn't breathe. She kept her head down for God knew how long. But she knew sooner or later, she had to face the music.It was either she spoke first or Kendrick erupted first. Her hands fisted the sides of her dress and she bit her lips hard. Gathering every courage she could, Hailey lifted her head to meet Kendrick's face and his anger. And true to her thoughts, when she looked up, his eyes were dark. And anger wa
Kendrick looked away from her and faced the Butler instead."Master, you asked for me?" The Butler looked between him and Hailey. She could see the confusion on his face. Because Hailey knew that she looked so scared at the moment, it was even reflecting on her face. "I want you to get me my phone," Kendrick said. "Oh. I have it here with me." The Butler turned to him and quickly reached for his pocket, then he drew a phone out. "I picked it from the study when I went back to the house. Here it is, Master." He handed Kendrick the phone. Kendrick took it and placed it beside him on the bed. "Do you need anything else, Master?" Asked the Butler. Kendrick muttered an answer and waved his hand to dismiss him. After the Butler left, there was silence in the ward. Kendrick kept on staring at Hailey, his frown returning. He didn't care calling her to come close again, and before she could react, his hands reached forward and he caught her hand.Hailey yelped and she tried to struggle
That piqued Hailey's curiosity. But in a safe way. Which of Kendrick's employees had the guts to tell him that? Well, well, that was interesting. "I'm in the hospital," Kendrick replied to that person, his voice getting dark.There was silence from the other end, before the voice spoke. And it started asking Kendrick a barrage of questions about why he was sick. And what his sickness was. Kendrick didn't answer that and he went on. "Just tell her. And don't let her know I'm sick."The other person started demanding again to know why. There was a whining tone to his voice. He also sounded agitated. Was that even one of his employees? Kendrick spoke with him so casually, it must be someone else. And who was that Rosslyn? Why didn't he want her to know he was sick? He seemed to be hiding his sickness from a lot of people. And Rosslyn was a girl's name. Why didn't he want her to know?Hailey frowned as he kept on speaking on his phone. That person continued pestering him about why he
"You can start taking your drugs," The Doctor said and the nurse picked something from her tray. It was a bag. A white bag. The same kind of white bag. Hailey found herself staring too long and she quickly looked away. The doctor's eyes returned to her cautiously, before he faced Kendrick again and continued, "These drugs are safer, as you requested. Please make sure you take them. We'll speak later."Kendrick gave him a reply with a nod. Hailey didn't like the look the doctor was giving her, because she honestly didn't understand. And before he could turn around and leave with the nurse, she found herself blurting out."Is there a way I can help?" She asked. Because if her thoughts were correct, this doctor didn't seem to like her. He had treated Kendrick last time, and he knew what she did. Maybe that was why he was acting so secretive and treating her this way. Otherwise, why wouldn't he speak with Kendrick in front of her? "Yes, Madam." The doctor answered her question and g
Kendrick didn't hide his reluctance and that only made her more determined. Hailey had made sure to follow the doctor's prescription, and had made him swallow a pill from each of the drugs cards. It didn't take long for the drugs to start working, because a few seconds later, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep. But Kendrick didn't close his eyes until he had given Hailey another glare. She covered her mouth to stifle another laughter, as he slept. He fought the sleep, however, he couldn't fight it for long."Madam." The Butler who had stayed in the room and watched everything, flabbergasted, pulled Hailey to the side. "Could you please take care of Master's medication from now?" He whispered while his eyes went to the bed. Hailey gave him a nod and patted him on the shoulder. "I'll be honored, Collins. Just leave it to me.""Thank you, Madam. That is very nice of you." The Butler beamed at her, he almost hugged Hailey. The poor man looked so relieved that she wouldn't be surpr
He might say something like he wouldn't dare to, only his stupid Master had the right to get her contact. Well, Hailey had immediately blocked Kendrick's contact the moment he put it inside her phone. They never spoke on the phone once. And she started contemplating. She contemplated for a while. If she unblock him now and gave him a call, would he listen to her and send one of the bodyguards to come pick her up? But what if he didn't? Kendrick was as stubborn as a mule and as hard as a rock. She might just waste her time trying to convince him. If that man had his mind set on something, talking him out of it was like telling a weed to stop growing. And that Rick. Even if she had his contact, he was going to follow his precious Master's command in the end.'Argh' Hailey wanted to pull at her hair. And she sat down on the couch. She folded her hands and puffed up her cheeks. Why was he this stubborn? She couldn't help but ask for the umpteenth time. He should be grateful that she
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