"What would you like to say about this Mr. Reid." Mr. Weimar went on. "There's a lot of speculations in this rumor. We can't believe what the rumors say or what the company told the reporters. We would prefer to hear things directly from you. After all, as the chairman of this company, it is only appropriate to share your worries with the shareholders.""I agree with Mr. Weimer." Another shareholder stood up. Mr. Cahill, Owing fifteen percent second to Mr. Weimer, he'd be the second candidate. And unlike the others, he didn't hide his true intentions behind those awkward smiles. The man was straightforward. At least there was someone not acting like a chicken. He knew what he wanted even though it would land him in trouble. "Those rumors have a chance of affecting the company's shares. It is such huge news that you got married. The whole city would be shocked by that knowledge. If it's the truth, I'm afraid hiding it from others would lead to dire consequences.""That is true, Mr. Re
His eyes went to the first three men that spoke up. "I won't tolerate anyone questioning my private life or thinking they have a say in it. Whatever are your intentions, It better not be what I'm thinking." And they knew what he was thinking, because he knew their real intentions. "I advise you all to mind your business. Your shares are nothing. And if I deem it so, I'll buy them all and have no one else pester me on what's happening in my life.""But, Mr. Reid." The shareholders widened their eyes and they exchanged surprised gazes. "That is not how things work. And we're only concerned—""You should be concerned." Kendrick shut him up. "Because rules are about to change. This is not the first time someone step on the rules. And I'll do so gladly. Because I can't wait to bring everything to light. The rumors, as well as whoever started it and whoever has a hand in it, I'm not going to take it lightly. And listen carefully when I said this, I'm going to find out soon and I'll put a
"Devon." Kendrick glared at him. He didn't need to tell him to explain himself. He didn't want to waste his time doing that. Devon knew well that he had an explanation to give. Was he trying to evade the topic or what? If yes, Kendrick didn't see why he should appear all of a sudden and look like he hadn't shaved for a long time.Maybe it was his appearance that had scared Rosslyn off.Devon's hand went to the back of his neck and he rubbed it with an awkward smile. "I'm actually here because I have a confession to make," he muttered sadly. "But it's no biggie, Buddy. I've spent so many days reflecting and pondering on what I did." His eyes lit up and he said, "If you see what I've made, I'm very sure that if forgiveness is a person, you'll wholeheartedly give it to me."Then he pulled Kendrick's hand and dragged him into the office. "See, I've spent every day working on this. It's my best invention so far. Even you can't resist it."The huge box that stood in the center of the offi
And his friend had sold him out to his wife. That was an unforgivable thing. Yet, why couldn't he feel the anger he was supposed to? He'd had the intention to flare up at whatever Devon had to say. At whatever he had done to upset Hailey. But right now, all he could feel was exhaustion. He couldn't even bring himself to be mad at the guy. Not because of his disheveled appearance, and definitely not because he'd said something about him thinking Hailey and him were now a normal couple."So, you see, Buddy. It was only a slip of tongue. I'll bet a million that I didn't tell her of my own volition," Devon went on before the office went silent. Kendrick leaned back on the couch and shut his eyes. Now he had another huge task at hand. Pacifying Hailey and telling her things would be fine. He'd tell her he had everything in control. She shouldn't be worried about some worthless shareholders. She would live in safety because her life was not in danger.And the other thing. He couldn't tell
He sounded like a fool. But it was the truth. If he had stayed with her those three months instead of going on the trip, she wouldn't have had the chance to plan that. Things might have not been as they were at the moment. "I hope it's nothing serious." Devon rubbed his hand together and his expression turned serious.Nothing serious? Kendrick frowned. It wasn't anything serious. As long as his parents believed she didn't do it, which they already did, things were not serious at all. He understood they might not even have the heart to face her now. Which was why he needed to make things right.His father had said something about looking for the real culprit. He wouldn't find out anyways. Kendrick would make sure of that."It's a minor problem," he replied.Devon's brows came together. He looked as if he wanted to ask more. But he bit his lips and shrugged. "Since it's nothing serious, make them spend some time together, I guess. I'd say a nice holiday on an island. But that won't go
"Because Devon has told me everything," Kendrick answered in a soft tone. "You don't have to be scared, Hailey." He carefully watched her expression. "They don't even know of your existence. Even if they do, they will only dream of hurting you." Hailey pried her hand away from his and lowered her head. "You knew all along that Devon told me something.""Yeah." Kendrick nodded. "Th–Then, why didn't you ask me?" She stare up and looked at him with glossy eyes. She should be happy but instead, she appeared sad. Kendrick took her hand and waited for the maid to serve him food. After she was done and left, he turned to Hailey and spoke."You didn't want to talk about it. And I didn't want to upset you." Hailey searched his gaze for a few seconds before she lowered her head again. He had seen that expression returning to her eyes. Why would she feel guilt because of this?She was sad but she didn't seem to be worried about what he said of the shareholders. Maybe she was but she hid it.
Kendrick watched her with both hands in his pants pockets. She squealed as she touched the drones and her eyes shone with happiness for once. She loved them. "How do I operate this?" She waved the joystick at him and he moved to her side and sat on the couch. He took it from her hands and showed her how the buttons worked. "Let me try." She didn't even wait for him to finish his instruction, and she snatched it from his hand.The next moment, one drone started flying in the air and she screamed."It worked, Kendrick. It is working." Hailey pointed at the drone and laughed. Kendrick gave a nod of admiration. The drone flew smoothly in the air, circling the chandelier. She was a natural.However, he had judged too soon. Because things immediately went haywire and the drone disappeared. It flew in a random direction, no one knew where it went. They could only hear its sound from a distance. She had pressed the speed button."Where is it, Kendrick." Hailey stared at him, dumbfounded.
Hailey shook her head and ceiled the box. "Devon is your friend. I– I can't." After saying that, she didn't even meet his eyes and rushed for the stairs.Kendrick sat there, flabbergasted. What had gotten into her? She didn't want them anymore? All because Devon was his friend? Did that even make sense? He broke out of his trance and stood up to go after her, but after making sure he picked the box also.He didn't see why she wouldn't accept any gift from his friend. Would she do the same if it was he that bought it? Hadn't she been the one that wanted it in the first place? She had told him she loved the drones and he promised to get them for her. And now she didn't want them? That was ridiculous.He grabbed his coat from the dining area and walked to the stairs. As he walked down the hallway, he thought of many ways to talk some sense into her.She couldn't just ask for something and shove it away in the next second. This shouldn't be related to her cravings. And she was going to
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