**TRACY SCOTT POV** Following that fulfilment, I became pale, unable to utter another word. I kept to myself, giving solace from the cool temperature of the evening, I also didn't find that satisfying anymore. My body turned emotionless, I just wanted to get back to the hotel then crawl straight into bed.The time read a few minutes after seven pm when we settled comfortably back in our room. The lingering part of the trip was more than uneasy, it got even worse being confined to a room, all alone. Pin drop silence prevailed in the room. For one, I couldn't seem to muster the courage to speak to Antony after our ordeal with Shawn, coupled with the revealing advice that followed.For him, I had zero ideas on why he acted that way. Also, for some reason, he refused to make eye contact, or at least talk to me.The only thing he did was to arrange the couch; his makeshift bed. Reasonable as he needed to get some rest before tomorrow. Although, I also lost the zeal for shopping. I just n
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV** As a girl, you get different praises from the opposite gender. Each one of them had very different meanings, it was up to you to find them out. Here was a simple examination of everything just in case you were wondering, my thoughts though. The first would be; Sexy. As a model, I got this from my manager all the time. Not just him, producers, managers, all the works. This was a very common word. Most females actually get all happy when being called, if only they knew what it meant. Being called sexy had to do with having an amazing body. It started and ended with your figure. Nothing more, nothing less. The next was; Hot. A word most common amongst dirty men, drunkards, and people who just want to get into your pants. They also look at your body and nothing else.Likewise, you could be called pretty, it was actually really sweet. It meant you had a good facial look. Usually, you didn't have blemishes or anything of that sort. Then, when a man called you b
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV** He placed me down while making a weird sound, synonymous to an hungry lion with a low growl emiting from his throat, and I sounded like a prey ready to quench his thirst. We remained standing in the same position. Hurriedly, he removed the hair which had gathered at the back of my neck, taking his time to trail kisses all around. I stood facing the bed, finding it hard to hold on to anything or keep myself from screaming in pleasure. Noticing my discomfort, he lifted me for the third time. My back touched something smooth and soft. I can't place my finger around what it was. My brain stopped functioning properly. The only thing I could think of was this sexy god extremely close to me kissing me like no one has.Then, it hit me like for a moment. We were on a bed, he hovered over me still kissing the crook of my neck, but not for long. He didn't seem to be satisfied, slowly moving downwards. I finally opened my eyes noticing we were back in my room. How we go
**TRACY SCOTT POV **My body felt livid, they would walk out soon and meet me here. I didn't want to face him, I couldn't."Move!"I yelled at myself, my brain processed my words but my dad declined the action. I stood feets away from the door in deep thought.He was quitting. Of course he was. I chuckled hysterically at the thought of those words. As I said, I should not be surprised by these turn of events no matter how sudden they may seem. Everyone quits on me.They got tired and left eventually, but a part of me thought that maybe Antony would be different or something but he was quitting. He was no different from any of the men that have guarded me. Although I'd give him extra credits for actually getting intimate with me, having a glimpse of my true self. But all the say, he was leaving.I had numerous bodyguards over the past few months. Most of them ended up dead but I doubt any turned in a resignation letter and quit. Antony had to be one in five to quit. None left because o
**TRACY SCOTT POV **He pulled away after a few seconds and stared deeply into my eyes. Our fingers were laced somehow, I didn't know when that happened. Then, he began tracing lines on my body from my hands, to other parts. He paused right above my cleavages. It felt so good to be close to him in this way. So fucking wrong but also good. I shut my eyes and moaned in delight. His hands were too good to be true, I just wanted to lay on my back and let him do whatever he wanted to my body. His finger traced an unknown symbol across my lips. I parted them wishing he would replace those fingers with his lips and take them somewhere else. God knows where these thoughts were coming from.The nagging voice screamed in my head, it told me I was getting involved with a married man. It said this was wrong. It said I should stop. Likewise, it said I should scream, someone would come and break us apart. It said to shove him away, it said I was being a terrible person. It reminded me I was a virtu
**TRACY SCOTT POV **The car ride was slow and extremely tortuous, I kept thinking what if that strange man was Antony. Moments ago, I decided to move on, now I realized that would be when I got home. I needed a few moments to dwell in the past, gain a little closure if I can.What would I have said to him? I didn't think about that for a second, I got too excited, I didn't think straight. I would hug him out of excitement, that was one certain variable, what would happen when I pull away?I would be angry at him for leaving me. The pain would return so there was no need to want him anymore.If I do see him, it'll be like he didn't exist to me because he doesn't, not anymore. He left me without a good reason and never looked back so Antony Santos is dead to me. Nothing can change that. It was time to move on, that was what I would do.I gave Tim instructions to alert me when we've reached our destination. I needed to rest for a while. Once again, my subconscious compared my time with
**Antony Santos pov**~THREE WEEKS EARLIER~After what I called a goodbye kiss, I stood behind the door breathing like a madman. I held one of my hands with the other, breathing through my mouth. I did this because if I didn't, I would rush back into the room and take her, I didn't know how but I would. Understanding I couldn't, I ran down the stairs with the little self-control I had left. Call me a coward for leaving, for hurting her, for going against my words, call me a coward, I fucking am. I bowed my head as I approached the door."Mr.Antony.," Her dad clamored to me. I forced a small smile but I was sure I looked creepy. There was nothing to be happy about."Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" He asked with pleading eyes, as much I wanted to scream hell yeah, I couldn't stay here. I needed to leave. After Dubai, a lot became clear to me."I'm sorry Sir,” I answered back indirectly, if he wanted a monosyllabic response, he would get a positive one. I couldn't do that. He
**ANTONY SANTOS POV**It took a few seconds for me to decide my next course of action. When I got the idea, on first thought, It was the most stupid one yet but I didn't mind. I'd just add it to the list or something. Come to think of it, it was actually appropriate, it also had a really high chance of success. So, I would just go with it.I grinned widely before chuckling and bursting into fits of laughter. If I could see the expression on whoever was talking, it'd be priceless. I knew how it felt to be laughed at in this manner, so I was sure of the outcome. I didn't mean a chuckle, I threw my head and clutched my tummy laughing heartily, not like the past few weeks when most things had just been fake. Now, I was actually laughing for the first time in weeks. A real laughter caused by an unknown person planning to bring a person I care about down. My eyes widened and my lips screwed shut. What did I just blurt out? Do I care about her? Those were the words that ran through my head.
**TRACY SCOTT**. "Where do you want to go?"Jimmy asked, dirverting into the main road.It's a miracle we've even gotten this far without any reporters trying to bash into the car or take pictures. Maybe they don't have vans?I'm almost sure Father would have gotten the news by nowThey've flock around the office begging for a comment or the house.I expected it. In fact I want it.The more influence I have, the more people get to hear the truth.Father can't oppose this even. That man killed his wife. He took me for days and now they're going to just let him go.Well I'll be dammed.Just like clockwork, my cell began ringing.Lucky guess it's Ethan. He's calling to rant aboutIt'll be rude not to answer, plus I'm not ashamed of what I've done I'll repeat it if necessary."What is it?"I snapped. From the corner, Jimmy's brows shot up."I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm happy you're going to do something that n
**TRACY SCOTT**. Murmurs. Bickering. Incessant sounds that's currently irking. Echoing in my ear and makes me want to scream. Maybe they'll shut up.More reporters are gathering since I've gotten what I wanted. For this to air live. For the entire world to hear me.For the whole world to see and understand my plague. To know why I went through and decide for themselves if what's going to happen is the right thing. It's not. They know it. It's why they'll stand up and stop it. I hope."Everyone is eager to understand what I'm about to say. I'll tell you and since this is live, there won't be any miscommunication."My eyes went above their heads as the teachers would advise us while we gave our speeches. I wished I hadn't done that though.For the side entrance, I noticed Antony burst out with Ethan behind him.Perfect. I had all the media attention, they weren't affected by two men.I turned away. Antony's eyes move
TRACY SCOTT**. Jimmy loves me. I should not be considering that with everything that's happening and all that's at stake, but in some weird way I can't help the tingles all around me with the realization that Jimmy loves me.He's actually in love with me. I know that because what we about to do is similar to jumping off a cliff with no safety on, he's willing to do that.I think he is. Maybe he'll just walk me up to it, tell me what to do then leave me hanging.He'll remain neutral in the dealings and I'll face the music myself.I would not blame him. It's typically the smart thing to do.Ethan. Antony. They should all stay away from me. The best thing to do is taking it all head on.In fact involving anyone else will just make matters worse.I'm the center piece of everything.It started with me. It should end with me."Are you reconsidering it? I won't lie to you, it'spolitical suicide, that what we would call it
**TRACY SCOTT**. "How about here, it says foreign nationals who have committed a crime...""We can't use that, they'll argue that he didn't actual commit the crime.""That would make no sense?"I cringed my nose in utter confusion."In theory, it would not but if they did that, they'll make a center piece of the American justice system, they'll bring it out on the open for anyone interested to ask as many questions as they'd like and trust me, there are some many people interested in the system.""Ugh."I fell on the chair, tossing the books aside."Maybe we take a five minutes break..."He was interrupted by my cell phone."I'm sorry, I should get this."I slipped my hand into my pocket silently praying it wasn't my father or Antony, in that case I won't have to get anything.It wasn't. Ethan was calling. From the burner. How nice."Yes?"I answered. No filter needed. I didn't want to talk to any of them from that p
153**TRACY SCOTT**. "Tracy wait! I'm confused because it's as though both of you just shut me out in an instant. What is going on here? One minute I think maybe in actually part of the team or whatever shit and the next you're gone with him, you disappear for almost half an hour. What happened?"I held my purse, twirling in the free space outside."Get rid of the substance in your car, we do not want anyone getting a whiff of what that thing might be. It won't do anyone good."I instructed instead of answering the question."Tracy. you're just avoiding the question and I thought you would not be mad for telling Antony.""I'm not mad. Come on, do I seem mad? If I dol apologise for giving you the wrong impression, I am not."I giggled, palming my lips to stiffen it when it got too weird."I'm sorry we didn't take you in with us. I only got ten minutes and somehow you were lost in between, it wasn't my intention."His
152**TRACY SCOTT**. You're weak. You're fragile. That's what they think. That's what they'll never say to your face, but it's the reason they pet you in believing things which aren't actually true.They're all liars. They've been lying to you for the longest time. That is the truth. You can't trust any of them.Those are Antonov's words from earlier today replaying in my head like a broken record.When he dropped the last bombshell, the concluding piece of the puzzle in my head, the little secret Antony was keeping, I grew numb while seating on that chair.I kept my hands folded, staring into space.My head was faced forward, probably making eye contact of some sort with him, but I was not there physically.My mind had wandered off, making up the scenes in my head.How it happened. Who she was. Why he did it.I created an answer for each of those questions after which more would just pop up. That's howmy mind work
**TRACY SCOTT**. I need a grip. A tight grip and maybe a lid. A grip on these whirling emotions inside me, like a storm and I'm in the fucking eye.An hour ago I was prepared, willing, and heaven knows I was ready to commit first-degree murder and not even blink.That's how mad I was. Was it anger? Or hurt? Or thirst for vergence? That would be fueled by either the former or latter before it?I'm not sure what it is, but it's there.I can feel it inside of it, it's burning and it keeps increasing with each passing minute.I would have killed that man, I would have done so without so much as blinking.That's how vicious I have become.Ethan was the only anchor left, if it wasn't for him I would have finished Antonov off.For now, I just need to stay in the same room with him.I need to look him in the eye and figure out why he ruined my life.Why did he kill my mother?Why did he start this goose chase for me decades
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Why are you looking at me like that?"She asked after moments of silence reigned between us, neither bothering to utter a word. There weren't much seating positions in the gun range, so we merely relaxed our back over the wall, giving the other breathing space.Something I hadn't realised I needed, but I did."Like what?"I moved my shoulders, carefully flipping my front hair backwards and moving my eyes away which were raking her body with suspicion."Like I'm damaged goods. You're looking at me as though I'm damaged goods. It's what's going around and I can't seem to wrap my head around the look. It's getting annoying. Stop looking at me like that "She snapped, standing straight."I'm not looking at you like you're damaged goods. I would never think that, that's just being insensitive and anyone who is doing such hasn't the slightest clue of what you've been through nor has the right to judge
**ETHAN RAMIREZ**I searched the room with my eyes, it had cleared out leaving just us three. Antony and I standing metres away from one of the ranges, Tracy standing by the door with a smug look on her face that shows she's not exactly happy with either of us.What comes next is her feeling all too betrayed by both of us, but I'm sure Antony can handle it.I hope. I hope I didn't underestimate her angry she is at him, angry enough not to listen to a word he had to say, she has only made eye contact with him once since she walked in here and even then, she tore her gaze away quickly."I asked a question but it would seem no one is willing to give a weird answer. Since when did both of you become besties because that's what this seems. A get together for besties."She squirmed her shoulders, her tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery."Tracy..."She crossed her hand quickly, leaving one outside to place ahead of me and halt whatevermovement I had planned"I asked a question, Ethan. I