Chapter 5
Janet. I was in my room for three whole days, lying in bed sobbing. I was heart broken. Fran came many times to console me and beg me to eat, but I refused. Dad came too, but I was so angry with him I refused to open the door. How could Anna do this to me? What would I tell my friends who knew I’d been set to marry Tony? How could Tony do this to me? Had he ever loved me? Or had it all been a lie? Finally on the fourth day, Fran brought a casserole to my room and demanded I open the door. I did reluctantly and she came in and put the plate on my reading desk. Then turned to me and said firmly. “Janet Benson you’re going to take a bath then eat this casserole or I swear I’ll quit.” “Fran please-“ “Are you going to obey, or am I going to start packing my stuff?” I knew she meant it. I loved Fran like a mother and didn’t want her quitting, so I took a shower, put on a robe, and forced a few spoons of food down my throat while she watched. “Thanks Fran,” I said pushing the plate away, “ I’m done.” “No you are not. Eat a little more.” I took a spoon more and pushed the plate away. She didn’t protest but sat next to me. “You must snap out of this.” She told me. “ I know your hurting but you can’t allow this to break you.” “How could Anna do this to me? She’s my sister. I thought she loved me?” Fran shrugged. “We are hurt by the people we love. But look at it this way, would you have wanted to marry a man who would betray you with your sister? You dodged a bullet. I’m actually feeling sorry for Anna. She doesn’t know what she’s getting into.” “I’m so embarrassed, what will my friends say?” I asked. “Whatever they like.” Fran said firmly. “ What they think is their problem. What’s important is you put this behind you and get your life back. You can do it.” There was a knock on my door and dad came in. “So you are eating?” He asked, looking at the half eaten casserole. “ Wow Fran, I’m giving you a raise. You’re a miracle worker.” I ignored my Dad’s attempt at humor. “ Please can I talk to you Janet?” He asked Fran stood up and left with the dishes. “You’re mad at me.” Dad said sitting beside me. “Shouldn’t I be?” I shot back. “Why? What did I do? “My sister betrayed me with my fiancée and you went ahead and blessed their union! That’s what you did!” “I was only making the best out of a bad situation.” “You were only interested in the business deal, my feelings be damned!” “You’re hurt I know and I’m sorry. Look, I’m mad at Anna, but if she and Tony insist on getting married, what can I do?” “Say no perhaps.” “You’ll get over this honey. I promise. You’re intelligent and beautiful, you’ll meet a great guy in no time.” “I don’t want a great guy!” I said furiously. “ In fact I don’t want any guy! The two people closest to me have betrayed me and you act like it’s nothing!” I itched to tell him that his bitch girlfriend knew all about the betrayal, but I didn’t want to get Fran in trouble. And I knew he wouldn’t believe me He sighed. “Take a break from work. Go on a vacation, fly to France, Italy, anywhere. Just leave for a while and cool off. You need it.” “What I need right now is to be left alone.” I said trying to control my anger. Dad sighed again and stood up. “The vacation offer still stands if you change your mind.” He said and left. I sat staring at myself in the vanity mirror tears rolling down my cheeks. I was tired of staying in my room, but didn’t want to go out. Tired of crying, but couldn’t stop. My emotions were a mess, and I desperately wanted to talk to someone who wasn’t a member of my household. But who? Which of me friends could I confide in? As if the Fates were reading my mind my cell rang. “Hey bride to be!” A cheery voice exclaimed. It was Gina, one of my would-be bridesmaids. We’d been friends since college. “You better have a good reason for inviting me for a girls night out then ghosting me.” She continued. “Although I did meet-“ I remembered I’d invited her for a drink, hours before Fran gave me the devastating news “Where are you?” I interrupted. “At home. I’m just getting back from work. What’s wrong? Are you ok? You sound like you’ve been crying.” “I need to see you.” “Of course. Come over, or you prefer I did?” “I’m on my way.” I hung up. Still not trusting myself to drive, I ordered an Uber. Then dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, not bothering with makeup. The Uber arrived and I headed downstairs. Anna was relaxing by the swimming pool. She watched me walk to the Uber a half smile on her face. I resisted the urge to rush over and drown her. I got into the Uber clenching my fist. They were clenched throughout the drive to Gina’s house. ******* “There must be some mistake!” Gina exclaimed. I’d just tearfully told her my wedding had been cancelled and why. “I’m not really surprised about Tony, I’ve suspected all along he was a no good SOB, but Anna? She would never betray you.” “She has.” I cried. “ I caught them having sex. Now they are getting married. My own sister is marrying my fiancé!” “What does your dad say?” “All he cares about is a Sand being part of the family. He doesn’t care how.” “This is fucking unbelievable.” I was still crying. “Pull yourself together Jan. Don’t waste your tears on those two assholes. They deserve each other. Get up and show them you don’t give a damn.” “All I want to do is go to sleep and never wake up.” I sniffed. “Stop talking like a weakling! Start acting like the boss lady you are!” She pulled me out of the chair and dragged me into her bedroom. “No friend of mine is going to cry after a man, when men are a dime a dozen. Wash your face. We are going drinking, dancing and screwing.” She declared. “I don’t feel like partying.” I protested. “I’m not asking. Now wash your face.” She ordered. Sighing I obeyed. She brought out one of her dresses and made me put it on. It was bright red with an open back and plunging neckline. It was also very tight and very short, barely concealing my ass. “Don’t you have anything with more fabric?” I asked. Looking at myself in the mirror. I looked as miserable as I felt. “We are going to a club not meeting.” She shot back. She fixed my makeup and arranged my hair then we left. “Where exactly are we going?” I asked as she started the engine. “Club 101. A well known musician is going to be there tonight. So is every hot guy in town. You might meet someone new.” “I don’t want to have anything to do with men.” “Okay, at least you can drink away your sorrows.” I did just that. I drank shot after shot. Hoping to drink away my pain. An hour after we arrived at the club I was tipsy. Men approached our table, flirting and trying to get me to dance. I refuse. All I wanted was to drink myself to oblivion. I didn’t want male company, ever. “Men are scum.” I declared drunkenly, as Gina tried to convince me to say yes to a hunky bald guy who had persistently been asking me for a dance. Gina giggled. “Some of them are useful scum. Come on dance and forget your sorrows. You’re here to have fun.” I shook my head and drained my cup. I was mentally cursing the male gender thinking how life would be great if they all went extinct when I heard, “Hey ladies may we join you?” I looked up and found myself staring into the sexiest pair of eyes ever.Chapter 6 Kevin I hung up the phone and leaned back in my swivel chair, smiling broadly . Another successful deal concluded, and it wasn’t even midday. I was feeling on top of the world. I’d been co-CEO of WilGas for nearly three months now and I’d been making a success of it, landing deal after deal. My father who had initially been skeptical that I could change for the better, had been pleasantly surprised. Gone was the irresponsible party boy. I now lived a responsible life of business meetings, making deals, and occasional drinks with investors. My was proud, and was promising to make the position permanent at the end of the month. I was still basking in my success when my secretary announced I had a visitor. “Send him in,” I said. My buddy Brian came in. “Guess what Kev?” He said excitedly, coming into my office. I yawned. “ Nice to see you too pal, why the excitement?” “Its about Club 101. You remember it right?” “Yeah it’s the biggest in the city. We u
Chapter 7KevinI rushed to help her up.“You’re drunk and I’m taking you home.” I said firmly. “I don’t need your help.” She protested leaning against me. I looked round for Brian and Gina. They were nowhere to be found. Probably making out in a corner. There was no way I was letting Janet go home alone when she could barely stand. I decided to take her home, only I didn’t know her address. I’ll take her to my place and call Brain to tell Gina where she was. I thought. I put her arm around my shoulder and half carried her outside the club, then hailed a cab. She was asleep by the time we got to my apartment. I had to carry her inside. I wanted to put her in the guest room, then remember it was locked and I didn’t know where the damn key was. I had never bothered to look for it because I’d never used the room. Cursing, I took her to my room and lay her on my bed, then stood looking down at her, while my sexual urge and decency fought each other. "Have sex wit
Chapter 8Kevin.I followed him my heart pounding. The blonde was sitting on the bed her head in her hands. Mercifully, she was wearing one of my shirts over her flimsy dress. I recognized the shirt as the one I’d worn the previous morning. It had been soiled and I’d thrown it in my hamper.She looked up as we came in and was as surprised to see us as my dad was to see her.Dad turned to me, red with anger.“So this is what you were doing all night? You haven’t changed a bit! And I was stupid enough to think you had!” He said furiously.“Dad I can explain-“ I stammered.“Since the co- CEO chair means nothing to you I’ll make sure you don’t get it!”“If I can just explain-““Save your lies Kevin! I’ve heard enough. You’re fired. I don’t want to see you anywhere near my company.”This can’t be happening! I thought. In my desperation I blurted out the first lie that came into my head.“Dad! It's not what you think! She’s my fiancée, we’re engaged.” I said frantically.D
Chapter 9JanetI stared incredulously at the sexy man standing in front of me. Despite being in need of a shower and shave, he looked incredibly hot.“Sorry but my livelihood was at stake. I had to come up with an acceptable lie.” He explained.I buried my face in my hands, trying to make sense of all that had happened last night.I remembered Gina driving me to the club, then me getting shitfaced hoping to ease my pain. Then this hunk and his friend coming to our table, but after that I drew blank. Then I’d woken up in this strange room with a throbbing headache. I’d tried to find my phone and ended up knocking down a proclaim jar standing on the side table. Feeling somehow naked in the thin dress I was wearing, I grabbed the nearest shirt I’d seen lying in a hamper and put it on. Then Mr. Hunk and his dad had come in and everything seemed to have escalated comically.“What happened last night how did I get here? Where is Gina, and your friend?” I asked“They disa
Chapter 10JanetI was lucky enough to find a cab almost immediately. The driver raised his eyebrows slightly at my untidy and comical appearance, but I couldn’t be bothered.I gave him Gina’s address and settled in the back seat trying to gather my jumble thoughts. I’d been reckless and stupid to have drank so much and then gone off with a stranger. But then I hadn’t been thinking very straight. Thank god it hadn’t ended badly And to think it was Kevin Watson of all people. I had never met him before yesterday but had heard countless stories of his partying, womanizing and drinking. A guy with a body like that had to be a womanizer, I thought wryly. What woman would resist such a guy?I found myself wondering what he was like in bed.Falling for him? A voice in my head asked.I went cold. Falling for a guy again? No way! Not in this lifetime. I’d sworn off relationships for good. This was the second time I was suffering betrayal and heartbreak and I’d had enou
Chapter 11KevinWhat were the odds that the girl I’d brought home from the club was the daughter of a real estate tycoon? And she and dad had met before.I was driving to work and still thinking of the incident with my dad. I thought about what could have happened if it had gone differently. I would be unemployed, and probably disowned by dad, Rommel would be the new co- CEO.Whew! I had gotten out of that jam by fast thinking and luck. But now I was in another. I needed quicker thinking, and more luck, to get out of this one“I could have avoided all this if I hadn’t listened to Brian and followed him to the club.” I muttered bitterly.But if I hadn’t, I won’t have met sexy Janet.If only she had been more conscious last night, I thought regretfully, we definitely would have had sex.Thinking about what my mouth would like to do to that body gave me a hard on. Despite her coldness, I had seen the desire in her eyes this morning. She was willing, and I would do everything possibl
Chapter 12 Janet “You heartless snake!” I yelled furiously at Anna. I had been waiting for Anna and Lois all afternoon, itching to give them a piece of my mind. Fran had been trying to calm me down but I was too hurt and angry to be calm. First Anna had snatched my fiancé, now to add salt to the wound she was having a party in this house to celebrate it, and marrying him on the day I’d originally picked for my wedding. “You have the nerve to hold an engagement party with my fiance in this house!” “Tony is no longer your fiance. He is marrying me remember? We are having a party to celebrate it. Youu are welcome to join us.” “Anna! This is most insensitive of you.” Fran told her. “ Please don’t do this to your sister.” “What am I doing wrong Fran? Is having fun now a crime?” Anna asked innocently. “It’s just harmless fun Jan. Please be happy for your sister.” Lois said. I itched to slap her. “Keep out of this Lois.” I warned and turned to Anna. “ I don’t care what dad said,
Chapter 13 Kevin I looked at my watch for probably the tenth time. 12:15pm. She still hadn’t arrived and lunch was at 1pm. I was parked in front of the local shopping mall, sitting in my car, waiting for Janet to show up. She had insisted I wait for her there. I was tense and restless. I hated waiting around and I wondered if she was still coming. Or had she changed her mind? If so then I was sunk. I tried her number again it rang unanswered. Nearly 12:20pm. She wasn’t going to come. This was her attempt to make a fool of me and I was mad at her for it, but more with myself. If I hadn’t told that stupid lie none of this would be happening. I wondered what had possessed me to tell my Dad we were engaged. Now I was trapped in my own lie. 12:30pm. It was clear she wasn’t going to show up and I’ll be damned if I wait a minute longer. As I started the engine my phone rang. It was her. “Where the hell are you? I complained. “Keep your voice down,” She snapped. “I’m in
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