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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. "
OLIVERI picked up a napkin on the table and proceeded to wipe my face, "In all my years, I never thought you could actually feel fear, Mr. Wright." an old name I used to call him before I 'proved' myself worthy of being his grandchild.Yet the old man still never hesitated to slam me with the 'you're not my son' card. He was always quick to deny him.Watching him now, he was no more than a whiny baby who craved attention."Relax," I dumped the napkin on the table after wiping my face but my suit was half soaked. I made a mental note to contact his assistant to get me a replacement from his bank account."She doesn't remember a thing."His eyes flashed with more anger. "You think I don’t know that little bitch is looking for a way to get her hands on that property which I know you bought a long time ago under a false name!""I appreciate the fact that you think so highly of me. You must think I take after you-""Quit the flattering, boy. Now hand over the properties document!" As soon
REBECCA"What do you want?" I asked Annie instead as I paced my room, biting my nails with nervousness starting a tug-of-war in my belly. I wondered how far I would go just to know what Oliver was hiding."Well…" she stretched in a high pitched voice and irritation made me scowl. "That depends on how much you want to know.""Everything.""Everything? Oh boy!" she chuckled, fueling my suspicion. "Oliver's not going to like that.""I don't care what he likes. I want to know why his grandfather wants to kill me so badly and why they seem to be afraid of my mother gaining her memories."Different scenarios began to play out in my head. Were the two long time enemies? Was there something my mother knew that could put his grandfather in trouble?"How am I sure you won't go running to Oliver when you find out? I don't want him to hate him, we'll be getting married soon…""I won't say a word," she was trying to taunt me with it. That tease in her voice was too obvious-"Ha!" she laughed. "If
REBECCA Oliver quickly masked his shock and his annoyance weighed down on his brows, "I came to have a talk with the doctor-""This is not the doctor's office.""Are you accusing me of something, Rebecca? Say it."He looked pissed but his red eyes still made me question his intentions. I wondered if he was here to see my mother but something strongly told me that was it.Did he cry?Did he hate her too like his grandfather did and was he here to finish her off?I turned my head to look at her, she was lying on the bed like she was asleep. She didn't move and for a moment there I thought the worst case scenario-"She's getting some rest," he read my mind. "She was awake when I came in but didn't say a word."Then why did he look like he was devastated? I thought back to what Annie said and she was right. I'd never look at Oliver the same way again. I was filled with nothing but questions in my heart and it made me doubt every single thing he has ever done for me and my mother."Okay,"
REBECCAThe cops swarmed the place at once and my mother and I were moved to another room. After thorough inspection of the room, they began questioning the doctors, nurses and even the bodyguards that stood outside.Theo was nowhere in sight but he was the first one I called after seeing that device. He was currently on a mission and it would take him a while to return today. My ghost had left my body when I saw it but I walked out of the room, not wanting to scream to scare my mom. I called the bodyguards and they quickly identified it as a wireless microphone.Everything in that room was being listened to by someone at the other end of it.Our conversation- every word I spoke, every truth I told my mother had never been for her ears alone."Did they check the CCTV?" I asked the bodyguard who handed me some doughnuts and two drinks. I gave one to my mother and pulled him aside to continue our conversation. She was clueless the whole time she was being moved to another room.I still
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