What was he doing? He should go look for her. His child's life was at stake. The reporters— yes, whoever leaked that news was still out there loose. It wasn't a question that that person very well knew her. She had to be safe.And again, he found himself going after the bodyguards who must have toured half the city already. But he didn't reach his car. He was only on his way to the parking lot when the gates opened. Her car, the very familiar pink car drove in. He strode to her as she came out, the rage now taking over. "Hailey." Kendrick gritted out. "Where did you go? Where are you coming from?" Her eyes darted everywhere but him and he could notice fear in them."W–What do you mean?" "You know what I mean!" That made her flinch. The tone he used. It only brought out more fear in her eyes. And now, he was certain that wherever she went, he wasn't going to like it. She gripped the straps of her bag so tightly her knuckles turned white. Without waiting another second, she made
"You broke one of my rules, Hailey." Kendrick tried to reason with her. "I told you I don't go back on my words." Going back on his words meant hurting his own ego. She had it coming. He wasn't going to stand still and allow her to get herself involved with other men. No matter their history, her reputation was his. She should know that more than anyone."Kendrick, you can't do anything." Hailey stared up at him with teary eyes. "If you do, you're going to lose me as well as this baby." "Is that a threat?" Kendrick's eyes narrowed.Hailey shook her head weakly and she sniffed. Right now, she had calmed down, only tiny sobs escaped her lips. "I'm only telling you the truth. If you hurt others because of me, especially Rob, I can't keep on living. I might as well, die with that grief."Hearing her confess her love for another man, Kendrick didn't know what to feel at the moment. But one thing was prominent, it didn't make him feel good. On the contrary, his blood only boiled more and
Hailey couldn't help but smile that at least her baby would inherit great genes. 'Urgh!' what was she thinking? She shook her head quickly. Was she crazy? She was also pretty, her baby must take after her. Maybe the shock from last night hadn't worn off. Yeah. That should be the only reason why she still wasn't herself. And even admiring the devil's face. Or maybe because she had never woken up to find him still in bed before. 'Urgh!' her thoughts were a mess.She pushed down the bedsheet and carefully left the bed, avoiding even the slightest movement. After taking her bath and changing into new clothes, her eyes darted to the bed once more. Kendrick was still sleeping. Good. But that was weird. He didn't appear tired last night. Did he have a long day at work? Well, she couldn't care less. She grabbed her shoes and headed downstairs, where she found the maids gathered around the Butler and conversing in low voices. She wasn't even surprised. They were surely gossiping about he
No way she would be Mrs. Reid. She was just Hailey. The food was finally done, much to Hailey's relief. She took off the apron while the Butler called for the maids to help her set the dining table. She washed her hands and followed them out of the kitchen, where she met Kendrick sitting on his chair on the dining table, and dressed in casual home clothes. His expression was relaxed, he didn't seem shocked to see her coming from the Kitchen. His lips even held an amused smile as his eyes raked over her. The maids must have told him she was cooking. And what was with that look of victory? 'Urgh' the devil. Hailey took it upon herself to serve him the food while trying to appear as calm and relaxed as possible. She had to be as practical as she could, to get him to agree. When she was done, she took a seat beside him and also served herself. "When you said everything," Kendrick said, all of a sudden, as he started eating, and Hailey had to pause in her movement.She looked up t
"You even promised to be nice to me." Hailey found herself tugging at his hand. "You won't deny me opening my own eatery, right?" She said in a whiny voice. After collecting himself, Kendrick's eyes narrowed at her. He tilted his head, as if looking for some sign on her face, and Hailey batted her lashes again, she was very sure her face looked so innocent at the moment. "Hailey." Kendrick finally found his voice. "Are you sure you're alright?" He placed a palm on her forehead.Hailey groaned inside before nodding. Kendrick dropped his hand, and Hailey could swear she had heard him sigh. "Do you really want to?" He asked again, now in a calm voice. "Yeah, it has always been my dream.""Are you sure?" Now he stared at her and she could see the worry in his eyes.Okay, that wasn't what Hailey had expected. She had expected anything but this. Why was he looking at her as if she was a child that wasn't even sure of what decision she wanted to make? Wasn't this the part that he should
"I made it clear that I don't need your help," Hailey said helplessly. And she needed to find it on time as she had already made an appointment with the real estate agent. But Kendrick wasn't willing to leave her alone. He even moved closer, so they both were now facing the screen. "Did you back it up?" He asked as he stared into the documents folder. If she had backed it up, would she be looking through a bunch of documents to find it? "Kendrick." Hailey rubbed her head in exasperation. "What exactly do you want?" "I want to help you." "Urgh." Hailey groaned again. She gave him a glare, but he wasn't willing to back down, as he held her gaze with that smirk on his face. "Aren't you supposed to go to work?" Hailey decided to distract him from the topic. Because she really didn't care if he went to work or not, even though the weekend was over already. "I don't work for anyone." Kendrick shrugged. "And don't change the subject."Well, he had caught her. Without waiting for her
"N-No, y-yes." Hailey couldn't even form a coherent answer, as she shook her head and nodded at the same time. She swatted his hands off and wrapped both hands around her stomach. "J-Just stay away... ."That came out as a plea as her voice broke.Kendrick's frown dissipated and he ran a hand through his hair. She could swear he had let out a curse, as his eyes searched hers. His gaze was fixed on hers for a few seconds before he blew out an air, almost a sigh. Then he looked back at her laptop whose screen was still lit up and he picked it up from the edge of the bed. "Talk to Kara, she might have a copy," he advised, his voice returning to normal. Then he dropped the laptop beside her and got off the bed. He didn't give her another glance after that. But Hailey couldn't decipher the last look in his eyes before he left the room. Damn! She was too shaken to try understanding that look. She only returned to her senses after the door closed behind him. A huge sigh of relief escape
He shook his head as a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Are you trying to use my words to make me let you out?" He rose to his feet. Hailey stood her ground and met his gaze. Shit! She should have known he wouldn't be tricked so easily. He must have learned a lesson from the last time. "Or, are you seeking permission to go out?" Kendrick continued and he lifted his hand to touch her face. However, Hailey flinched back on instinct. Her heart even skipped a beat. 'Shit!' Kendrick had really traumatized her.Kendrick's hand was left hanging mid-air and that frown returned to his face. "Hailey–"Hailey didn't let him finish his words as she quickly said, "Yes, I want to go out. I need to speak with Kara and it's very important." "I can get people to bring her here." Kendrick dropped his hand and said, "You don't have to go anywhere." "No." Hailey's pupils dilated. Was he even in his right mind? Wouldn't that be like kidnapping? Kara did not even know him for goodness sake. But she wo
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