From last night till morning, it had been a roller coaster of emotions for him. He never knew there were different shades of happiness until now. And even now that he sat in his study room, scrolling through some documents on his computer, his mind couldn't stop wandering and his smile never disappeared even for a second. The images were vivid in his senses. He couldn't wipe them off and he wouldn't care to. He should relish them instead. He'd left Hailey in the bedroom, taking breakfast. Her pretend sleep didn't last long. Her stomach, probably, wouldn't cooperate. He'd asked the servants to bring up her food and that grateful look that she had given him was a sign that he had made the right decision. She didn't want to go downstairs... Maybe because she was exhausted, or maybe... She was still shy. Kendrick chuckled and swiveled his chair. He'd close the computer lid. Working on the documents was fruitless anyways. Not when his mind was occupied with everything about her. Tho
Maybe she should drop this topic. Maybe bringing it up reminded him of his fault. What he lacked. She'd seen the tiny hurt when she first brought it up. Even now, it wasn't so prominent, but she could sense it. "Th–Thank you, Ken– Kendrick." She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. These were everything an expecting mother would ever wish for. He always had ways to take her unaware by his actions. He didn't seize to surprise her in every way. Even things she never thought she would need, he'd bought them all.Hailey had anticipated her delivery but also dreaded it. She'd heard and read about how anxious mothers get before the big day. And she was slightly worried that her case might turn out the same. She never had any experience and she had no slightest idea about most of the things she would need.And Kendrick didn't consult her. He must have guessed she couldn't provide all the answers. He went ahead and bought everything, taking the loads off her shoulder. What else could s
"Of course." Kendrick chuckled. "Or even better..." He snaked an arm around her back, holding her in place. "I'd prefer you call me Hubby.""H–Hubby?" Hailey went into a trance for a few seconds."Yes," Kendrick replied. "Call me Hubby."Blood rushed to Hailey's cheeks and she snapped out of her daze. "You..." Her hands left his collar and she covered her face. This shameless man."What is wrong, Hailey." Kendrick pried her hands away from her face. "I don't think it is illegal to call me that."Hailey couldn't hide her face anywhere else and she bit her lip hard until it ached. "I think I should also call you something better." He pulled gently at her chin, freeing her lips. "How about wifey, or babe, or sweetheart.""S–Stop that..." Hailey shifted away and wished so much for the ground to open up. This shameless side of Kendrick was nerve-wracking. Those endearing words sounded so strange in her ears."Stop what, Babe?" Kendrick followed her movements and he ended up towering over
If the Butler or the maids walked in on them in this position, it was going to be the hot topic in the house. It would be so awkward. But Kendrick didn't move away, he was only frowning. Then a voice came and what Hailey dreaded became real. "Master..." It was a maid and the girl sounded shocked. Hailey couldn't see her but there was no doubt she had walked into the room. "Go out." Kendrick's command shut down anything the maid was saying next. And the next thing Hailey could hear was rapid footsteps running away. Damnit! This was it. Hailey shut her eyes. She was totally done for. Kendrick– this shameless man. Before she could even think further, his lips were on hers again. This time it was gentle, almost soothing. And Hailey couldn't tell how much it'd lasted. She had completely lost sense of reality. No awkwardness, no embracement, the only feeling Hailey was left with was that of bliss. What kind of power did this man have over her? She couldn't stop wondering. He would m
Just some hours at the diner wouldn't harm anyone. He wouldn't suspect anything and no one was going to speak a word about it. The bedroom door opened after a while and Kendrick came in. He didn't linger in the bedroom and after giving her a slight peck, he disappeared into the bathroom. He appeared to be in a hurry. Hailey didn't even get the chance to say more than two words. She stood in the middle of the room and paced for a while, waiting for him to leave the bathroom. Her confidence had begun wavering. She really must ask him tonight. Despite her stomach making noises non-stop, Hailey didn't leave the bedroom. Until the hunger was unbearable and it seemed like Kendrick was not going to be done bathing soon.'Urgh' was he a woman or what? Hailey left the bedroom and headed downstairs, her baby wouldn't stop moving and her hunger was now so unbearable— Argh! She was so much starving. Fortunately, dinner was already prepared. The maids had already spread food on the dining t
"Mm, you're correct." Kendrick nodded in agreement. "Your description is accurate.""You can say I have great eyes for beautiful things." Hailey smiled, her eyes still on the screen. "Yes, you do." Kendrick gave her hair a gentle pat. "I can also say that for myself." "Huh?" Hailey couldn't understand his words and her head turned sideways to look at him. "I meant I also have great eyes for beautiful things." Kendrick pinched her nose, his eyes softening. And Hailey instantly understood the meaning behind his nose. She bit the inside of her cheeks to suppress her smile, then turned her attention to the screen. Did he just say she was beautiful? She couldn't stop her smile anyways. "Do you think I should acquire them all?" He asked some moments later. "If there's a chance they'll bring profit, I don't see why you shouldn't go for them." Hailey had zero ideas about the cooperate world. But one thing was important. Every good business should bring great profits. "They're all goin
"You can't go," Kendrick turned her down flatly.Hailey's smile faltered, then she instantly retained her expression. She had already seen this coming. She already knew that trying to get his permission wasn't going to be easy. But she was finally able to bring it up after so long, she'd be a fool to let this opportunity pass."But, Hubby." She batted her lashes. "I'm so bored sick. I promise it will only be one visit. I won't touch even a utensil, and I'll go and come back before you get off work." Kendrick didn't answer. He watched her expression closely. "Please say yes," Hailey whined. "I promise I won't break any rule. Rick will be with me and the visit will be a breeze." "You've said you wouldn't step foot into the diner until you put to bed.""Guilty as charged." Hailey nodded. "But I just want to go this once, Ken... Please let me go, Hubby."This was the one visit that would determine her destiny. She had to go. She must go. "Hubby." She whined when he seemed to be thinki
The maids appeared to be having fun. Their laughter rippled in the air as they splashed water against each other on their way to the flower garden. And Hailey began wondering what it would feel like... To be as carefree as the maids. To have not many complicated events distrupting the harmony in their lives. And to have not many goals to look up to. "Sister." Chloe's voice came again. She seemed to have successfully evaded whoever she'd been speaking with. "I– I want to speak with you about last time. What happened at Grandpa's place." Hailey couldn't keep herself from frowning. That was not why she called. Shouldn't Chloe be asking about the reason why she called her? The only thing her sister would do was apologize. But Hailey didn't need any apology. She didn't blame the girl. She understood that Chloe was only looking out for her. "Chloe, let's talk about something different." Hailey's hand left the curtain and it fumbled with the fabric of her blouse. The maids had disappear
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