Chapter 29 Janet “So what do you do?” I asked him. I had just finished telling him about my job. We had been talking for a while and had discovered our likes were almost identical. “I am a hedge fund manager.” He said. “I worked in an investment bank in New York. It was pretty boring, so I quit last month and hopped on the first plane to Texas.” “You are hoping to find a more challenging job here?” I asked. “That, and I’ve heard the most beautiful women in the world are in Dallas. Looking at you I can say they are right.” I raised my brows. He laughed. “It is true." “Thanks. So have you found the dream job yet?” I asked. “Not yet, but I know I will. Still trying to find my way around the city.” “Are you thinking of joining Gabhill?" “No, real-estate isn’t for me. I actually came for an interview in the insurance company next door. They had zero parking space so I decided to steal yours. Are you going to snitch on me?” He smiled. I laughed. “ Mayb
Chapter 31 Anna “Babe…babe.” I called. Tony looked up from his phone. “Hmm?” “Are you okay?” I asked, sitting next to him. “ You have been distracted since yesterday?” “I’m fine.” “You are frowning. What are you looking at on your phone?” “It’s nothing. Just news.” “What kind of news? Anything about the companies?” “No it’s all good. What were you saying?” “I was saying let’s go enjoy our last day in the city. We can have fun and then go shopping. I want to buy some souvenirs to take back to everyone.” He shook his head. “ You go ahead. I want to start packing.” “Are you sure? We can do that when we come back.” “No, the earlier the better. Go enjoy yourself.” I was a little disappointed. “Okay then. What do you think I should buy for Fran?” He shrugged. “ Jewelry would be nice. A necklace or watch.” “Great idea.” I kissed him and noticed him tense. “Are you sure you are okay?” I asked. “Sure.” He forced a smile. I grabbed my purse on the dressing
Chapter 32 Anna I couldn’t stop the shock showing on my face. “What are talking about? Where is this coming from?” I asked, trying to control myself. “Yes or no?” He asked looking at me. “Of course I am. Why are you asking me this?” He looked at me for a long time, then picked up something on the coffee table in front of him and walked over to me. “Here,” he said stretching it to me. “What is that?” I asked knowing the answer. “A pregnancy kit. Take it. Run a test now. I want to see the result myself.” I felt myself go pale. I couldn’t take it. “Go on Anna, if you are really pregnant then do it.” “Why?” “Just do it.” “Don’t you trust me anymore? What is going on?” “This isn’t about trust! Run the test now!” “No.” I said. “ There is no need for this. I taken the test before and I am pregnant. I am not taking another one.” He stared at me. “For the last time Anna, are you pregnant?” “Yes! For fuck sake, what the hell has gotten into you? Why all these
Chapter 33 Janet I felt a tap on my arm, which jolted me out of my reverie. Startled, I looked at Liz, one of Gabhills new interns and my assistant. We were in my office working on new ways to improve Gabhills P.R. She had been telling me all the great ideas she had, but I wasn’t paying attention. “Is everything alright Ms. Benson” She asked looking at me with surprise and concern. “Yes of course.” “Are you sure? You looked faraway.” “No. I am fine.” I insisted. “Okay so what do you think?” “Think?” I asked blankly. “ Think about what?” “What I just said. My ideas on the ways to improve our P.R.” I hadn’t heard a word she’d said. “Sorry my mind wandered, please what were they again?” I asked embarrassed. She started to tell me and I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering. Yesterday Anna had phoned to say she and Tony had arrived Dallas. They were expected for dinner tonight. The thought of both of them sitting across me at the dining table mad
Chapter 34 Kevin As soon as the meeting ended I jumped up and left. I had been bored out of my mind sitting there. I entered my office and slumped in my chair. I was irritated, restless, and in no mood for work, fun or anything else. I brought out my phone and tried calling the source of my headache, Janet. I had been calling her for the past two days, since our argument in the garage, but she didn’t pick up. Now I found out she had blocked my number. Damn her! I wasn't calling her ever. I cursed and slammed the phone down on my desk. “Whoa! Is that your phone you are trying to break?” Brian asked coming into my office. “ What did it do to you?” “Shut up.” I growled. “What is up with you? You barely said a word at the meeting and you’ve been brooding since yesterday.” He sat down in the visitors chair. “Is it Janet?” I nodded. “Don’t tell me you guys are fighting again.” “We never do anything but fight.” I told him everything going on between us. “You m
Chapter 35 Janet Jason stood up and stretched out his hand. “Long time man. How have you been?” Kevin took the hand reluctantly. “What are doing here?” He asked. “In Dallas? I live here. Moved down from New York.” “I didn’t realize you knew Jason.” Kevin frowned at me. “Yeah we met a couple of days ago.” Jason explained. “Then I found out you guys were engaged. Small world right?” “What are you doing here?” I asked Kevin, slightly annoyed. He had interrupted what Jason had been about to tell me, the truth about Kevin. What truth? Was he abusive? No. I would have heard. I'd heard all the rumors about his escapades but nothing involving battered girlfriends. “I came to see you. We need to talk.” Kevin told me. Jason drained his glass. “Guess I will leave you guys to it. Catch you later Janet, thanks for the drink. Be seeing you Kev.“ He left. “How do you know that guy?” Kevin demanded. “Like he said we met a couple of days ago. Not that it is any of yo
Chapter 36 Anna I sat hunched over my cup of coffee, trying to think of a way out of the mess I was in. I had been crying since yesterday and my eyes were swollen. A week ago when I had pictured the return flight from Honolulu to Dallas I had smiled, thinking how wonderful it would be flying home from my honeymoon with the man I loved by my side. But yesterday, I had flown home alone. I had called Tony repeatedly after he had left me crying in the hotel but it had gone straight to voicemail. I tried contacting him on social media and found out he had blocked me. I was out of my mind with worry. Was he truly going to divorce me? Had he told everyone what had happened? Where was he? And most importantly, how did he find out? Someone had told him I had faked my pregnancy, but how did they know? I hadn’t told anyone one. It was my secret alone. So how had the person found out? And who was it? Not having answers to these questions was torture. If he did carry out his threat t
Chapter 37 Anna It wasn’t Tony but his friend Chance. I didn’t recognize the girl. “Anna!” He grabbed a pillow from the bed and held it against his groin. The girl covered hers with her hands. “Chance what are you doing here?” I asked, glad it wasn’t Tony. “I live here now. Tony didn’t tell you?” “No he didn’t. When did you move in?” “Last week, the day after your wedding. Tony and I had discussed it before. He told me you guys would be getting your own place and I could have this one. When he came over yesterday he-” “Wait, Tony was here yesterday? When?” “Yesterday evening. He came to pick the last of his stuff.” “Any idea where he went?” “No. He didn’t talk much, seemed upset. He just said he would be back later to get his car.” He frowned. “Is everything okay?” “Yes fine. Never mind.” I turned to go. “Can I have the key? Since you guys have moved out and this is now my flat.” Chance asked shyly. Rolling my eyes I tossed him the key and left. I stood o
Chapter 155JanetIt was nearly 4pm when I finally closed my laptop and leaned back in my chair. I massaged my neck gently to ease the tension.It had been a very busy day. I had spent it running from one meeting to another and answering phone call after phone call.Everything had fallen on me as the only Benson in the company right now. The newly wedded couples were away on their honeymoon and weren’t expected back till the end of next week. Which meant I had a lot more stressful days ahead. But I didn’t mind. The thought of Dad enjoying his honeymoon because he knew I was here to handle any problem was all the motivation I needed.I yawned and stretched, then decided to call them and see how they were doing. I called Anna first but she didn’t pick up. But from the pictures she had posted on social media this afternoon I knew she and Justin were having a great time in Florida. I called my Dad."Hey Dad!"“Hey honey, how are you doing over there?” Dad asked."Great and yo
Chapter 154 Janet The room was filled with people. My family, friends, coworkers, and company staff were all there. A banner with, Welcome Home Janet, was hanging on the wall. “Welcome home sweetheart.” Fran, who was standing besides me, said hugging me. “You knew about this?” I asked Kevin who stood behind her. He smiled mischievously and shrugged. I was really surprised and pleased. The last thing I had expected was a welcome home party with so many people turning up. I walked towards the crowd of people and received a lot of hugs and kisses. “We were so worried about you Miss Benson. I am happy you are alright.” My secretary Dani said. “Thanks Dani. I am happy to be back.” Someone handed me a glass of champagne and I sat on the couch with Kevin, watching the people who had come to celebrate my homecoming. “Okay Jan,” Gina said sitting on the arm on my chair. “ I want the whole story. Everything. How did you fall into the hands of those psycho?” “
Chapter 153 Janet I was brushing my hair when Kevin walked in. “Hey beautiful! Wow you are ready so soon?” He asked. “Yeah. I can’t wait to get out of here.” He laughed. “ Why the rush?” “Are you even asking? I have been here for a week. It is a miracle I am still sane. You know I hate hospitals.” I said. “Sorry but the doctor wants to keep you here a week more.” He said. The look on my face made him explode with laughter. “Joking babe, I am here to take you home.” He walked over to me and kissed me. “I still can’t believe that nightmare was just a week ago.” He said gently. I couldn’t believe it, but it was. A week ago I had escaped from Lois and had been airlifted to a hospital in Dallas. I had awaken from hours of unconsciousness, to find Dad, Fran, Anna and Justin around me. “She is awake!” “Honey are you okay?” “Jan thank God.” “We were so worried-“ Their had all been talking at once and struggling to hug me. I watched then tongue tied, not sure
Chapter 152 Janet “Hungry?” Lois asked me, waving a chicken wing in my face. I glared at her. There were hundreds of choice names I would have liked to call her but the gag in my mouth stopped me. We were in a motel, even more dirty and rundown than the previous one. I was sitting on the bed tied up and gagged. Lois sat on the only chair eating chicken and drinking soda. The greedy bitch hadn’t given me any food or water since we had arrived the evening before, and it was now well past midday. After she had knocked Jason out, she had dragged me from the bed and put a jacket around my shoulders. “Make any wrong move,” she said pointing the gun at me. “ And you are history.” We walked out of the room side by side, the gun sticking on my ribs. The motel was almost deserted. She unlocked the car and pushed me into the back seat then got behind the wheel. She made a call to the cops telling them to hurry to the motel because, Janet Benson and her kidnappers were in room 1
Chapter 151 Kevin I was awaken from a restless sleep by my ringing phone. It was a week since Jan had gone missing and it had been a week of hell for her loved ones. Her kidnappers hadn’t called again and we weren’t sure why. It would have been easier if they just made a ransom demand. We would have happily paid it. As usual I had been with the Benson’s all afternoon hoping for news, but there was non, not even from Breed. I had stayed up till after midnight thinking what to do, before falling asleep on my couch. I groaned and fumbled for my phone on the coffee table. “Hello?” I mumbled. “Kev? It’s me. I have got news. They’ve found Jason.” I jumped up immediately. “Where?” “The cops got an anonymous tip that led them to a motel outside of town. They found him unconscious in a room. Someone had knocked him out.” “And Jan?” “No sign of her or Lois. The desk clerk said a woman paid for the room a couple of days ago, which was the same day the cops raided the house w
Chapter 150 Janet “Couldn’t you just make the ransom demand already” Jason asked. “ What are we waiting for anyway?” Lois, who sat by the small desk eating a hamburger, glared at him. “The longer we wait, the riskier it becomes. Make the demand, get the money and let us fly to Canada like agreed.” He continued. “Will you shut the fuck up!” She said angrily. “ I don’t need your advice! You have done enough, so shut the fuck up!” “It’s not my fault everything isn’t going according to plan.” He said. “Really?” Lois said controlling her anger. “ So whose fault is it?” Jason looked uncomfortable. “Tell me Jason, whose fault is it? Who stupidly used their phone to make a call that was traced and nearly led to our capture, hmm? Whose idiocy caused our plans to be derailed? You! You had three jobs, shut up, listen, and obey my instructions. But no, you had to be a dumbass and now look.” “All I did was call Watson to annoy him a little. You called Benson didn’t you?” Jason
Chapter 149 Kevin Day four, and still no sign of Jan. To be fair the cops were doing all they could. The day after Jan went missing her car had been found abandoned in a supermarket parking lot. The cops had combed the area but no sign of her. We had given them the footage from Gabhill’s carpark and they had gotten to work. Pictures of Lois and Jason were all over the media and Gabriel was offering a reward for information on the kidnapping. Yet nothing, no sign of her. I had called Breed almost non stop, nearly driving the poor guy crazy and pressuring him to find something, anything that could lead us to Janet. I hadn’t eaten or slept since it happened and I couldn’t concentrate on work. All I could think of was getting her back. I spent most of my day at the Benson’s house, with Jan’s family. We all sat waiting anxiously for Lois or Jason to make contact. I was at home now, my dad had insisted I take time off till we found Jan, pacing about my apartment, half out of my min
Chapter 148 Janet “Hey Lois.” I said casually and bit a slice on pizza. I couldn’t see much of her face,but I knew she was wearing a short dark wig and I guessed contact lenses. Another one of her disguises. She seemed a little disappointed by my casually behavior, as if she had expected me to faint from shock. “You are not surprised?” She asked. “ Or perhaps Jason has told you already?” “I didn’t.” Jason said “No he didn’t. But still I am not surprised.” And I wasn’t. “ I knew you weren’t dead. Everyone, even the cops, thought you were but I knew you weren’t.” “You always were a smart ass. Unlike some people.” She turned to Jason. “ You have been made!” “What? How? Nobody saw-“ “The carpark has cameras dumbass. Your picture is all over the media.” “But you never mentioned cameras.” “I never mentioned traffic may be on the road, but I am sure you looked both ways before crossing. Didn’t you?” She snapped. Jason paled. “What do I do? How do I go out if they ar
Chapter 147 Janet “Hello! Can I get some water! Hello!” It was day two of my imprisonment. I had come to and found myself alone in a basement, lying on a small torn mattress. My right wrist was chained to the wall. It was cold and dark, except for a stream of light coming in through a crack in the single, boarded up window. The place was dirty and untidy, but there were no rats. I hated rats. Aside the humiliation of being chained up, and a slight heaviness in my head, I wasn’t hurt in any way. But I hadn’t had any food or water since I had been in here, and I still had no idea who my captor was or were. At first I had tried screaming but I found out I was wasting my energy. The sound only echoed back, so I gave up. I tried to remember what had happened. I had been on the phone, then sat in my car. I remembered hearing a noise in the back seat..then..…..I had smelt a chemical! Even now the smell was still on my nose. I must have been drugged! The person was hiding in the b