REBECCA FLASHBACK I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing his soft lips with tears rolling down my cheek. Our bodies were pressed against each other, his hands sliding down my back to my waist in a smooth and sensual move that Oliver used to do. I choked on a sob but he didn't let me go, thrusting his tongue in my mouth as I tangled my fingers in his hair as he deepened the kiss. My chest felt tight, my heart ached as her moans plagued my mind. I imagined him touching her, mastering her body, bringing her to pleasure this very minute. What happened to 'I love you?' What happened to that? His confession had felt so sincere. Was I the fool here; willing to hold and trust one man even putting my life on it? "Rebecca, breathe," he whispered against my lips and I sucked in a breath. Oh God! I shouldn’t be doing this but I hated how sober I was right now. I hated that my heart was hurting like he drove a spear through me. I hated that I felt all of these while he fucked someone el
REBECCA I didn’t know how much I sobbed or how much time had passed but at some point, my eyes stopped producing tears and I gave up trying to call him. Ninety-three times I called and not one did he answer. Where was he? Oliver had never slept outside the house without prior notice and I always knew his exact location. I called Christopher too but he wasn't answering and it was obvious that I was being ignored. Where did he go so late? Did he go to her? The image of him embracing Annie who would gladly welcome him in her open arms took air from my lungs and I gasped for breath, choking on my own tears. I pushed him away. I did that. Why didn't I walk into the room to see for myself? There were CCTV's everywhere, I could as well check one of them now to find out if he spoke the truth but I was too terrified to confirm for myself that he was right. I overreacted. I let my emotions get the better of me. I sat on the couch, waiting, with my arms wrapped around my knees as I drew
REBECCA "Do you remember your name?" "Lucia." "How old are you?" "Thirty-one," she turned her head to look at me again, uncertain in her gaze and she smiled nervously, "Although… I doubt that now seeing how my daughter is all grown up." She hung her head low. "That means… Patrick is…" My heart clenched for her, unsure of what to say as I remained mute at a corner of the room. The doctors asked their questions to make sure she was alright while I still struggled to wake up from this dream. I've always looked forward to seeing her, to her waking up again and having her by my side. To hear her laugh, smile, pout and scold me. Now that she's awake, I'm suddenly aware of what we are. Strangers. Connected by blood but we were strangers. I wasn't her little girl anymore. She had missed fifteen years of my life. I needed her so much in those times, not just her but father too. I took out my phone suddenly remembering I missed a call and stared at Victor's call. Silly me, I thought it
REBECCA "Like I said," the doctor began. "It'll take her a while to remember and hold onto the memories." My heart sank to my stomach as I heard those words and I haven't been able to recover from it. I squeezed my phone as I watched her sleep. It was midnight already and I still didn't want to leave her side. I painfully exited her room and sat outside when one of the bodyguards handed me a milkshake and a burger. "You haven't had anything to eat yet. We went down to get you something." I wanted to ask on whose orders? Was this Oliver checking in on me but right now he was the least of my worries? "Thanks," I accepted it and ate little as I thought back on what the doctor said, tapping my feet rather impatiently. "She may or may not recover but only time will tell. I'd advise she's put around familiar surroundings that hold very strong and passionate good memories. A family home sounds good enough. She mentioned her husband. Maybe being in her old house would do." That was a v
REBECCA “Mom? Mom, what did you say?” I swallowed hard as I approached her, tense with shock. Her brows furrowed questioning as she studied my face, “What?” She asked and I grabbed her hands searching her eyes. Was Oliver here when I was gone? Did he tell her anything? Did she hear anything from the nurses? Ollie? No one else called him that except me and some other woman he said was no longer alive. His mom or aunt, he didn't say. “Mom, was anyone here when I was gone?” I asked, gripping her hands tight. Fear flashed in her orbs but I carried on, “Did anyone come here? Any man–” “Wh-What are you talking about?” She started to pull her hand away but I grabbed her tighter. “Mom, tell me-” “Rebecca, you're scaring her,” Theo jerked me out of it and she used that opportunity to yank her hand away, staring at me like I would harm her. She heaved with heavy breaths, tears stinging her eyes and her brows were in a heavy frown. She looked like she would scold me if she could just fi
REBECCA"I'll let you know when I get the information you seek," Theo pulled over at Oliver's place and I wasted no time in unfastening my seatbelt. We had sat under a very uncomfortable silence on the way here and I had been praying for the ride to end.Did I mess things up between us without realising it?Even as he looked at me, I could tell he didn’t really look at me. It was almost as if he had so much to say."Okay, thanks-"He grabbed the door handle before I could open it and I turned my neck to him."Don't hesitate to call me if you need to talk," he made clear. "I will come get you faster than the speed of light."I knew I could rely on him but after what happened between us, I dreaded staying in the same room together.I gulped, nodding, unable to use my words and he let go. I hurried out, slamming the door shut and I didn't wait to watch him drive off before I hurried in. my bodyguards were already right behind me. They rode in a separate car.The fact that they didn't com
REBECCAWell there goes my chance to ask him about the property. Something told me he would know about it. He was always interested in my business, sometimes more than I was.Oliver was acting off and I was starting to wonder if this had been going on for a while and I was just blind to it.I went up to my room feeling overwhelmed by his attitude, determined to look into this further.I was pissed about the fact that he knew my mother was awake yet he didn't even... Oliver didn't even... For the love of God! He said he loved me!Shit! Now I sounded like a whiny little bitch in my own head. I was expecting way too much from this man.As much as I wanted to get into that private jet and flee with my mother, I didn't want to leave more regrets in this city. I knew I would never be truly happy if I just whisked her away.She didn't know who I was, and couldn't recognize me for no more than a minute or two.I just needed a few days on that property. Just a few days. I didn't even plan to g
OLIVER"She's awake."I couldn't count the number of times Victor had said that today but I still had the same reaction every time.My heart sank to my stomach and my hands trembled. This wasn't a feeling of joy, it was one of fear. I had congratulated Rebecca but deep down, I was wickedly relieved by the fact that Lucia had woken up with a clean slate memory.Was this the heavens trying to give me a second chance or trying to save her from death? Once my grandfather knew she had her memories, they'd be dead before I could move a muscle."Prepare the jet, they leave tonight," I sipped my hot coffee and rolled up my sleeves. I was starting to get hot like the air conditioner wasn't working. I loosened my tie and popped open the first two buttons."It just got complicated, didn't it?" Victor smirked, teasingly as he watched me. "You're finally feeling the heat, aren't you?""What are you talking about?" I scoffed. "They are leaving.""The doctors said-""They can piss off!" I snapped. "
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