I swiped the card over the lock and the door opened while I stepped into the apartment. Everything still felt like a dream. My new place looked so much better than I'd expected after making the decision so fast, Oliver would be shocked to know I'm long gone. "I'll let you get your own place but the contract still stands," he had said only last night. I still remember the shock I felt from hearing it. I thought it was a joke at first but I've known Oliver long enough to know he doesn't bluff once he's made up his mind. I move around the suite, enjoying the feel of my own space. He didn't let me off without a strong warning though and it still resounded in my mind even now. "But if anything happens to you, Becca, I swear to God that's it for you. You must never again mention a word about seeking to leave. I've told you already that I'm the only one who can protect you-" Yadda yadda yadda. To hell with that. So long as he doesn't sabotage me by setting me up somehow, he'd be surpr
I couldn't sleep.The bags under my eyes were proof enough and as I mopped my face with make-up, I recalled tossing and turning all night before finally sitting to hug my knees all night in a very sober mood.The room felt too large like it was just missing him.I took a shower and got dressed for work in a light silky blouse tucked in a high waisted plaid skirt with black heels, throwing on a matching pair of watch I share with Oliver and a gold necklace he got me on my birthday last year.I checked myself out in the mirror again-- yeah, I looked good.Hate the man not his gifts, I mean!I hurried downstairs just in time to see Tania waving at me, "Hurry up, we're going to run late."I sent her a smile as I rushed into the car, slamming the door shut and feeling thankful that I gave her a chance. I guess I've made a friend.***"You moved?" Chloe expressed her shock at the news and I looked around, telling her to bring her voice down. "I'm shocked he let you out of the house with how
Oliver spun me around with a twist of my waist and I prepared to lash out at him. My heart was yet to calm down from his stupid scare game and he- His lips were on mine the next minute, eyes closed as he kissed me while cupping my face with one hand and the other, on my waist. "Did you miss me?" He asked softly, so soft that a shocked tear rolled down my eyes and I'm slowly responding on impulse. I wrapped my hands around his neck, kissing him back with so much intense feeling and my emotions all over the place. God! I've wanted this so bad. I never left the house without a kiss neither did he. Was it hard for him just as it was hard for me? When he grabbed my butt and pulled me in, brushing against his hard on, he growled into my mouth, making me melt like a marshmallow, softening up for him- "Stop!" I pushed him away before this could go on any further and I stepped away, trying to catch my breath. "You're right," he gulped, his face clouded with need. I knew what he wanted.
"I can't believe she left without a word," Chloe took a swing from her beer with narrowed eyes. We were seated on my couch with drinks on the table, a box of large Pizza and open boxes of chicken wings."Did she leave a note? Anything?" Tania asked but I shook my head, refusing to share Molly's last words with anyone other than myself.It was mine to treasure whether or not she cared less about me unlike Oliver who claimed to believe she had to leave for my own good.What's a bad name I cannot possibly endure for her?I'm living alone now and I'm on my way to getting rid of that bastard. I wish she were by my side.Speaking of him, it slipped my mind to ask him about the promotion. I didn't trust a word from Edward. He cut down my allowance but found a way to put it back somehow.I don't need his help from here on out."Oh well, I guess you two were never going to be the same as before," Tania shrugged with her mouth full, unaware of how much her words just pricked my heart.At least
I groaned tapping around the bed in search of my phone when the sudden ringtone cut through my sleep.What the hell! I still had thirty minutes before my alarm went off. Who the fuck was calling so early-"Oliver," I growled his name into the phone, hoping he had a very good explanation for waking me up this early. I was still drowsy from the alcohol of last night and I was yet to get enough sleep.Why did they convince me again that it was alright to drink on a weekday?He made a sexy chuckle that reminded me of those mornings where I'd wake up to him kneading my breasts to get me prepared for our morning sex ritual."I could've sworn you'd be up by this time. You should invite me over-""You woke me up just to nag your ex girlfriend to take you back?""Very funny, Becca. That's far from it," I could hear his eye roll from over the phone.I rolled over on my back, exhausted and trying to gather my strength, "What do you want?""I heard you lost something."My heart skipped as I froze
I yawned as I slowed down at the red light. I was done with work and today had been the most stressful since I had to handle one day at being in a new position which I dropped half way. I couldn't hold it out on Mr. Edwards, he was only doing his job but goddamn! If I could just find one person who wasn't kissing these people's ass for money- I knew I was too but not anymore. I wasn't done typing my resignation letter yet but I assured him that once I was, he'd be the first to get it. I felt a little hurt and bruised especially when he looked at me with that guilt and shame in his eyes. I had trusted him to be among the few to tell me the truth yet he just-- A motorcycle thundered by my side and I jerked, snapping my head to the left. A black motorcycle came to a stop by my side, waiting for the green light to pop up. I admired the black leather seats, the leather pants and jacket- damn! I used to love those when I was in college. A total spec, I'd always call them. I've always wa
I snapped out of my shock when he waved his fingers before my eyes. "Anyone home or do you plan on ghosting me again?" Ghosting him? God! When did I ever-- right! Oliver smashed my phone and I only just got it back yesterday. I didn't even bother to check in with him. It completely slipped my mind. "Let's move out of the way first so we don't attract the cops," he offered. "There's a restaurant right over there. If you're not in a hurry, shall we?" He shrugged so fast, I almost missed it. "Er- Y-Yes," I nodded and turned to my car immediately, wondering why I went speechless all of a sudden. He suddenly grabbed my arm and I turned my neck to his blank face, the look in his eyes causing my heart to skip a beat. "Please don't run," he stated rather flatly and no gulped, nodding. His face suddenly lifted in a smile, making my insides explode as he let go of me. "I'll be right in front of you." I got into the car and waited for him to lead the way on his bike and it was just around
I was biting my nails, trembling as I paced the floors. At the sharp sound of the elevator ding, I turned around to the direction and saw his relieved face when he saw me. He took long strides and I met him half way, the effect of the fear finally getting to me as I'm sniffing at my tears. He grabbed my shoulders with his face heavy with concern. "Rebecca, are you alright?" he had one warm hand on my cheek wiping my tears and I shook my head. "What is it? What did you see?" I gathered myself to explain the beautiful message someone left me, ignoring that he was a stranger and I probably shouldn't be doing this but during the call where I had screamed, his voice was the only thing that made me sane at that moment and he had demanded my address. "It was written in red- I don't know if it's blood or lipstick or paint. I just freaked out when I saw it." 'Found you.' those were the words I'd seen back there and I still couldn't get the image out of my head. "Did you call security?" he
REBECCAI put the coffee on the table and looked around.Where was Victor?He called me a few minutes ago that he'd be here.I glanced at the time. It was a few minutes past 6pm. and I had to rush to the grocery store to get groceries for dinner. Mom already sent me a list of things she would need.My phone rang and I quickly picked it up, "Hey, Tania.""Hey, girl. How are you doing?""I'm alright. Just waiting for Victor to show up so I can get home and get some sleep.""That assistant guy? What's he doing over there?" she wondered."He's here on a business trip and he's supposed to give me some documents to sign. Some kind of shares split." Oliver had a big part of Arthur's and my father's share and now he was transferring it back.Well… some."You're splitting it?""He is the adopted son of Arthur and should have Arthur's share.""Didn't they both decide to give it to you?""That was before Oliver came into the picture. Besides, I can't just take it all. He's worked hard for that c
REBECCA:FEW MONTHS LATERI grabbed my coat off the hanger by the side of the door and threw it on, wore my boots and grabbed my bag pack. Gently and quietly, I tried to open the door-"Rebecca Hoffman, you come back here, right now!" my mother screamed from behind me and I yelped, turned around with a racing heart to find her glaring at me. She was still in her pyjamas and had on her hair net."Jesus, Mom! It's 8am. and we have neighbours," I tried to remind her but she only stormed towards me with her face in a pout and grabbed my hands."You're not leaving without breakfast, now sit!" She pulled me to a stool in the kitchen and she took out some pots."I'm going to run late," I whined. "I have class in about an hour and that professor is as strict as they come.""I'll come beat him up if you want."I rolled my eyes as she tried to make something simple and light while I drummed my fingers on the table. I pulled off my jacket and laid it to rest on the counter and scrolled through m
REBECCA"Is that why your mother is heavily guarded?" I wondered, making sense of it now as I took a step closer to him. "You've been associated with him. You used me-"He shook his head-"Say something," anything but of what use was it when the evidence stared me right in the face? He couldn't deny it. Not after what I've heard so clearly."I didn't…" he trailed off. "I didn’t use you… in the beginning, yes, I approached you because I was-""Oh my God!" I gasped and sobbed as the tears spilled over."But that was until I got to know you-""Yadda, yadda, yadda," Richard dismissed. "It's the same damn thing. You used her because she was close to Oliver and wanted to get closer to me. Well congratulations, it worked. You must be pleased with yourself now.""You know, the cops are fortunate to have you. Why don't you come work for me? I'll double-- no, triple your salary and we could start with you getting rid of that boy, Oliver for me. He's my adoptive grandchild and I can do whatever
REBECCAI stared at Theo in shock as the old man looked beyond pleased staring at him. Betrayed yet again? By everyone surrounding my life. I was betrayed by the one I thought would have my back."Why…?" I trailed off. I couldn't even cry or feel sorry for myself this time. "I trusted you-""You trust the wrong people," the old man said. "I tried to extend a genuine hand to help you but what did you do? You decided to bite a good hand. How does it taste now?" he glared at me but still had that look of triumph because he was clearly enjoying himself and his victory.I failed.Right at the edge of a breakthrough… I… "Why?" I screamed at him and Sophia gasped. I was immediately reminded that the two were still here and now they clung to each other as they trembled in fear."I can't believe I missed this spot," he sighed. "I searched for years and years for this yet you two idiots had this lying under your shop? Do you know what these are!" he screamed at them, instilling more fear and th
REBECCAMy father sure made a fool out of these people for fifteen whole years."Are you sure we're in the right place?" Theo asked again, refusing to believe his eyes and I looked at the picture my mother had confirmed."Yes," it was a coffee shop facing the Wright Company.How interesting was it that they all passed the place every day for fifteen years yet not one of them thought to come here to check."Wow. Okay. Let’s go in and order coffee? Or how does this work?" I looked at the key again and all that was on it was just numbers. "I guess we'll have to go in and find out." I opened the door and stepped out.We walked in together, and we walked right onto the front.The young woman behind the counter smiled, "Hello-" her eyes widened in realisation when she saw me but she was nice enough to shut her mouth and go straight to business. "What would you like to order?""Can I see the manager please?"She arched her brows, "Uhm… may I know why? Do you have a complaint? You can relay
REBECCA"Are you sure?" Theo asked over the phone and I shut the door and turned in the lock."Positive. I heard her discussing with Oliver while I was at his place then saw her pick it up from the ground."How could she have kept something like that away from me? She knew how much I was worried about her. I wanted to leave this damn country and the only reason we stayed back was because of her.I felt betrayed and this one hurt more than anything."Calm down. You're breathing too hard.""I can't help it. She betrayed me-""I'm sure she has her reasons. She wouldn't do that to you-"I tried to tell myself that but it sounded like a big fat lie and I didn’t want to delude myself. How could she trust Oliver more than me, her own daughter? After everything…"I'm gonna steal it," I whispered."What?""I need to know what's in that warehouse and I can't trust the fucking police. Help me, please."He took a while before he responded because he pondered on it-"You're the only one I have rig
REBECCAFrom the front door as I walked into the house to the living room where we used to watch movies and have little date nights, tears filled my eyes as I looked around. I trailed my fingers over the counter top in the kitchen and memories of when he once made my mother's favourite soup waltzed back in my head and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down.This used to be a home once.Oliver and I were so comfortable around each other that we felt married. Or at least, I had felt that way. Clearly it was a delusion but it was everything to me at one point.I loved waking up to Saturday mornings where he would cook breakfast while I watched sometimes or he served me in bed. Where we both decorated with our favourite colours blending into something beautiful.Oh, I had dreams and he had orchestrated every single one of them. Whether he truly loved me or not, I would never know. Not like I even wanted to anymore. I was calling it quits.I climbed the stairs, remembering how he once
REBECCA I've been bedridden for a few days. I took the rest of my exams online with a supervisor assigned to me. It went smoothly despite the chaos of a few days but I didn't want anything to weigh me down.If I wasn't reading, I caught myself staring into space, thinking of my child and how he managed to survive.“I guess this one is really stubborn, isn't he?” I thought to myself. Just like his damn daddy. At least that was one way to know the baby was Oliver's.Despite seeing my condition, he still kept his mouth shut.Most nights I woke up from a nightmare, screaming the house down. It was always the same scene, only this time instead of the strange man who stabbed me, it was Oliver's grandfather while I watched Oliver stand at a distance with either his sealed or he rendered endless apologies instead.I was sick of hearing him apologise. I was tired of it. It burned in my memory and now whenever I thought about him, it was always about him saying sorry.Funny how he used to do f
OLIVER I was sent with a mission; to poison the Hoffman's down to their little girl. The old man was heartless but what did I care, it was a chance to be accepted and not to be thrown out to the streets once more.But that night, I picked up all my stuff and chose to run away for their own safety.I'd go to a river somewhere and drown because returning to the orphanage would only put the other kids in trouble and I didn't want to cause more trouble for anyone.A black van pulled up to me and I wasn't surprised to see my father's men. One of them grabbed me before I could bolt.“Pay up,” they said, one to the other. “I told you he couldn't do it.”“Look at him. He's a desperate little thing with no guts. You can't live a good life by being weak, you imbecile!” they smacked my head and tossed me about, laughing as they had fun.“I'll call them that I have the boy,” one of them said and took out his phone-“No!” I tried to reach for it but I was knocked down before I even knew what hit