*BENNETT*My entire body grew weak and I sat on the ground,feeling my whole world crumbling.By the time the first responders came,they took some time to end the fire and retrieve what was left of the damage.Two bodies.Two bodies burnt beyond recognition.A male and a female.I couldn’t explain the state of devastation I was in when I saw my ring on her finger.I never thought…I never imagined I would see Maliyah in death.I couldn’t even bring myself to touch the body.I should be crying but it’s as if this wasn’t sinking in yet.Mark ran up to Logan and I.“We just got information that Charlotte is trying to leave the country.Her father and his men are escorting her.”My teeth clenched.She had definitely gotten her father involved in this in hopes that I wouldn’t hurt her myself.But there was no way she was escaping.“Get her arrested now!”I ordered.I’d make sure she gets a death sentence.But first I needed to see her,perhaps she could explain this to me.She could tell me that
Jerome frantically glanced up at the screen again and then shut his eyes for a moment.“I’ve…I’ve worked for Miss Watson for eight years now…”And then he started to talk…to say everything Charlotte had ordered him to do.Even before I met Charlotte,she had killed a lot of people.She had always had this belief that anyone who crossed her deserved to die.She killed anyone who posed as a threat to her career,she killed people who even upset her by mistake,she killed people as if they were insects.She was responsible for my warehouse explosion which also cut short so many lives.She was responsible for Maliyah’s accident which led to the pregnancy loss.And now,Drew and Maliyah’s death.Jerome didn’t know exactly what happened that day.He told me that Charlotte’s plan was to give Maliyah a painless death.He had already gone home and left her to the rest of the men.He didn’t know why Charlotte changed her mind or what transpired that day.He was only called up by Charlotte after the car
NEARLY SIX YEARS LATER…Life went on,but it was never the same again.There were nights,there was days Ben felt like killing himself but he felt that was too quick a punishment for him.So he had been existing,merely existing and wanting to slowly wither and die.He had indeed been withering for the past six years.It had started that night at the beach when he had saw that flame from the lighter.It became a constant trigger for him.Anytime,he sees flame or fire,he breaks down into a panic attack.He didn’t seek any help and his PTSD worsened.From having panic attacks,he started having short mental episodes whenever he was triggered.He got tattoos of her.The many nights when he couldn’t sleep,he painted lots and lots of portraits of her,offhand.His life now revolved around a cocktail of mind-numbing pain,sadness and guilt.Logan tried by all means to be by his side most of the times,to make sure he doesn’t get triggered.Over the years,Logan had arranged different therapists for him an
*BENNETT*After spending some time at the private cemetery,Emily and I strolled towards a park.I sat on a bench as I watched the kids play on the slide few meters away from us.“Here.”I turned to face Emily to see her stretching a small bag at me.“I was told this tea works like magic for insomnia.It’s more effective than the last one I got you.”“Thanks.”I murmured,taking it from her.I always try to take whatever medication she found for my lack of sleep over the years.I just wanted a good sleep,even if it was just one night.I no longer know how it feels to sleep soundly.“I was just telling Drew that I found someone.”She said,wincing.I cocked an eyebrow.”You found someone?”She sighed.”It’s the guy at work.The one I told you was infuriating before,well,I kinda…I’m in love with him now.After Drew died,I honestly thought I could never fall in love again,I just wanted to focus on raising the kids but Lewis is…I don’t know…he gives me butterflies.”She said and winced even more.I o
*BENNETT*I shut my eyes and opened them a couple of times not believing what I was seeing.Vaguely,I heard Leah asking if I was okay.I moved closer to the woman.She had…she had the same set of beautiful blue eyes.And when my heartbeat began to accelerate,I knew it was her.I don’t know how but I’m standing in front of Maliyah.It was as if time had slowed and before I could stop myself,I pulled her into my arms,hugging her tightly.“Maliyah.”I breathed.”How…you…how…”I was so flabbergasted.Someone pulled me off her and I realized it was Timothy.It was only then I recalled that he had introduced her as his assistant and wife.“What’s the meaning of this,Mr Graham?!”He thundered.I ran my hand through my hair still very much in shock.“I’m…I’m sorry about that.”I rasped.”I…Maliyah and I were…”I paused staring at her and trying to let this sink in.It felt like a dream.She stared back at me and she looked confused.“Have you met Mr Graham before?”Timothy asked her.“No.”She replied
*BENNETT*“I’ll come…”“If it turns out that Mrs Bassett really is a different person, do you realize that will break you all over again?”Leah asked.“She’s not a different person.”“She is.Just let this go and focus on getting better.Logan,leave the dead to Rest In Peace!”“Leah,you have a point but I need answers.She…she obviously have a better life now and I don’t want to ruin anything for her.But this isn’t something I can turn a blind eye to.Logan,I’m coming with you.Let’s get the graves exhumed tonight.”******************I stood beside Logan at the cemetery as I watched the men dig the graves.Yeah,I wanted an analysis done on Drew as well.As they brought out the coffins,my fingers started to shake recalling the day they were buried.If Maliyah had escaped death and had been in London all these time,I knew it mustn’t have been easy for her.I never meant to disrupt her life like this.All I ever wanted to do was shower her with love.I should’ve known that not everyone in love
*MALIYAH*“Fuck,that man is relentless.”Timothy breathed as I walked down the stairs.”I warned you about changing your name.”“Would that have changed my face?He would’ve recognized me either way.”“Granted,I knew he would be shocked to see you again since you’re supposed to be dead to him,but since he tried to get you killed,I thought he would only pretend not to know you,but he keeps acting like a broken husband.Did he perhaps grow a conscience?”“He’s very good manipulator and I’m not going to put up with him this time.Our problem now should be the project.Your mom will be so disappointed to know it might not push through.”Timothy sighed.”This was literally one of my father’s dreams.Even if Ben said he wasn’t terminating the contract, it would be freaking hard to work with him if he keeps pestering you.He has done enough to you already.The least he can do is respect your wishes and leave you alone.”“We shouldn’t tell your mom anything about the contract yet.Maybe, he might finall
*BENNETT*As I wrapped a bandage around my palm,I thought about years ago,how she would get worked up if there was the slightest bruise or burns in my body.I sighed wanting to go back to those moments.They were the best time of my life.Now,I had become a monster to her.A sound came from the door,I looked back to see Logan walking in.“What happened to you?”He asked,walking closer to me.I shrugged.”I was cutting some fruits and I accidentally cut myself.”He eyed me.”Were you able to explain everything to her?”“No.She wouldn’t let me.And I had to agree to what she wants.”“What did she want?”“She wants us to act like we never met.”“What?How are you supposed to do that?”“I’ll try…”“You two were together for quite some time.You almost had a child together and now, you’re supposed to pretend none of that happened.Hell,you’ve been traumatized for years thinking she had died…what the…”“Logan,she’s been through a lot.This is the least I can do for her.”“Fine.I know she was hurt as
THREE MONTHS LATER…*MALIYAH*“He just got here.”I announced to the others and we quickly took out positions.As soon as Ben walked into the house,we turned on the lights and yelled.“SURPRISE!”“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!”We began to sing for him.I knew he won’t be overly thrilled but he tried his best to look thrilled.He had said before he’d prefer spending his birthday with just me.But I wanted him to be surrounded by other people,to know more people found him amazing.In attendance were Logan,Leah,Timothy,Miles,Simon,Madam Valentina,my mom and Aunt FeliciaI could his smile fade as he saw Madam Valentina and I quickly walked up to him,whispering and warning him not to chase her away.He had been talking into forgiving my mom but he won’t forgive his grandmother.He always says what his Grandma did was unforgivable but she was remorseful about it and I felt that was all that matters now.Not that things were back to the way they were with my mom,I was still pretty wary of her but she
*MALIYAH*I moved in with Ben that day because I just couldn’t spend another day away from him.The following day,I got to the office super late.It had been hard for Ben and I to go our separate ways to work this morning.He had dropped me off at the front of Mobilotech and it was another struggle to get down from his car.He had to walk me into the company’s lobby hand in hand and we eventually let go of each other,promising each other that we would close from work early.“Look who finally decided to show up.”Timothy teased when I walked into his office to submit some documents to him.“I’m sorry…I was stuck in traffic.”That made him laugh,because it was an obvious lie.“My God,look at you,you’re glowing.You two are so in love.I was watching from my window…he practically walked you into the company,I thought he might just start work here because of you.”I laughed.”I’m missing him already.Tim,can I close early today?”“No.”He chuckled.“Please…”“Maliyah,look at the time…you’re very
“You’re always in my head.”He said to me.I was going to go up in flames.“You’re in my blood.”I let out a shaky breath as he continued thrusting into me with the vibrator.“You’re in every one of my fucking veins.”Oh I needed him,I needed him right now.“Ben…Ben…wait…I need…I need your cock.”I panted,trying to control the movements of my hips to prevent myself from coming.“I want you inside of me when I come.”I murmured.He grinned at me.I gasped as the bulbous head slid from me.He knelt on the bed,positioning himself between my legs,nudging my legs wide with his powerful hair roughened thighs.I tried to catch my breath as I looked up at him,I tried to calm the thundering of my heart,the roar in my ears, but all I wanted was to feel his weight on me…in me.He was poised against me,I could feel him.One push and he’d be inside me.He leaned down over me, his legs opening me wider,his forearms resting next to my head as he looked straight down into my eyes.His jaw flexed before h
*MALIYAH*I tried to ease my tensed muscles,to calm the erratic breathing,the roaring of my blood,but only managed to gasp again as he rocked back and forth once more.“It’s okay.”He groaned.”Relax”I swallowed at the blunt pressure,squeezed my eyes shut and tried to do just that.I shifted my hips a little on the bed in a futile effort to ease his way, for a better angle,to help alleviate the feeling of fullness.“Easy.”He ground out.I was holding myself taut in anticipation of his next retreat and entry.I could feel it,but my muscles wound tighter,nerves strung taut.My body just wouldn’t cooperate.It felt as if he was breaking into me all over again.He moved completely out of me and I quickly held his hand.“No…please…don’t stop.I…I just…it’s been awhile since I…”I paused,not sure if I should talk about the men I had tried to be with in London.“I don’t want to hear about your sex experience with other men.”He informed me,calmly.“Does that make you love me less?”I asked,my heart
*BENNETT*“Kiss me,Ben…please.”She urged,pulling her face close to mine.I caressed her gently in my arms.She was warm and soft.I lowered my head and molded my lips to hers.Fuck!I ran my tongue over her lips and between them.I groaned at the shaft of heat that arrowed down right into my cock and tightened my balls.I dipped my tongue inside her mouth,once,twice, a third time before I pulled sharply back.God I had been avoiding kissing or touching her,because I knew that would wear off the tiny bit of resistant I had left.I took a deep breath in a futile effort to stem the rapid thud in my heart and fight the urge to kiss her again.But when she rubbed herself against me,I gave in again.I pressed my lips against hers.Maliyah nibbled along my bottom lip,used her tongue to taste the shape of my mouth.The soft,tentative moments caused a curl in my gut.I felt her soft breath fan out against my mouth as she pulled back and that sigh was my undoing.Before I had the time to think about
*MALIYAH*It’s a Saturday morning and I awoke without Ben in bed.I knew he wasn’t going to work today.Running my hand through my hair,I walked out of the bedroom and went in search for him.I found him at the gym.I leaned against the door as I watched him do some exercises.I nibbled my lower lip watching him do some pulls up.He was bare chested and his muscles bulged with his every movement.I squeezed my thighs together feeling hot and bothered.Oh God,I wanted him to touch me so bad.I stood there,watching until he was done.When he started to gulp down a bottle of water,I finally walked in,trying to keep my hands to myself.“I might just take you by force,Mr Graham.I don’t know how long I can resist this temptation.”I said to him.I could see he was trying hard not to smile.God,how much longer was he going to make me chase him?Not that I was tired of chasing him but I wish he could just give in a bit.He clearly was still very much attracted to me and he’s equally been trying
*MALIYAH*Things were pretty messy at the office that day.With so many calls,the news of him coming out was pretty scandalous,because it also had to do with a divorce.People were throwing shades,saying whatever they felt about the whole thing but Timothy was unbothered.I could tell he wasn’t fully unbothered though.He loved his family and it would make him happy if they accepted him.But he didn’t really care about what the public thought though.He felt people who didn’t know him personally had no right to judge him.Hell,he had even set up a date with Miles.Miles seemed to like him too but was still pretty hurt by Timothy’s rejection in high school so he was currently playing hard to get.I hope they could get back together soon.At the close of work,I walked out of the office,excited to go see Ben.I frowned seeing someone else at the receptionist stand.My mom.The receptionist had called earlier that she wanted to see me but I had specifically told her to send this woman away.
*MALIYAH*Since he might not come down for dinner,I’ll bring it up to him.I dished out the meals and headed upstairs with the tray.Getting to his bedroom,I walked in to finding him pulling on a sweatpants.“Jesus!”He seemed,startled.”Why are you still here?”“Let’s eat together and get some sleep.”I announced,setting down the tray.When I turned to face him,he was covering his bare chest with a robe.“You could’ve at least knocked.I could’ve been naked.”He lashed out.I laughed.”So?Well now that you mentioned it,I want to see all of you…I’ve missed seeing you.”I purred and started walking up to him.He walked back.”What is wrong with you?Where the hell is Timothy?I thought I heard the sound of a car.”“He knows I belong here.”“You don’t belong anywhere near me.Get out.”“I don’t want to.”I backed him against the wall.Oh how the tables had turned.He used to be the one chasing after me.Not that I mind being in this position right now.It’s actually quite fun.“Maliyah,go home.Stop
“I don’t care what happens to me now.I just want to be with him.”“Then don’t give up.Don’t give up on him.He needs someone.He needs love.He’s just scared to say he needs you.You have to show him that he doesn’t need to be scared,okay?”I nodded.”Thank you,Emily.I should have come see you sooner.”She hugged me,tightly.”Thanks for being alive,Maliyah.Drew will be so happy knowing you found your way back to Ben.”I sobbed into her arms.A sound came from the door and I lifted up my head to see a boy and a girl walking in,obviously returning from school.I wiped my cheeks as I stared at them.“Aiden has gotten so much bigger.”I cooed.“He’ll be thirteen in a few days.”“Mommy.”The little girl ran up to her and hugged her.“How was school,baby?”“It was fine.I learnt a poem.”“This is Ava.”Emily introduced.”I was pregnant with her when Drew…passed.”Oh.I hope Charlotte rots in hell.“Hello.”Aiden beamed at me,politely.“Aiden,this is Ben’s wife.”And then he frowned.”I thought she…”“It