(Author’s POV).The gun was pointed closer to Laura’s forehead. She stood still and remained calm.Her mind was recalling the lessons her brothers had taught her to defend herself from physical attacks. She had practised her moves many times and kept training herself to fight at night before she sleeps.It was going to be easy. That was when she was practising.But, in real life combat, it was not as easy as she thought it to be.“What message?” Laura asked to buy some time before she finds the right moment to attack. She needed to observe her attackers’ movement and hit them when they least expect it to be.“Stop investigating” the man said and moved his gun on her head closer to her forehead. The range was something she was prepared for to defend. It was the perfect timing.‘BAM!’The sound of a metal object was heard hitting the back of the man holding the gun. It was supposed to put the attacker down or at least a concussion was expected with the hard blow to the head. But, it ha
(Laura’s POV).“Are you alright? Oh my God! Why are you at work today? You should be at home resting” my best friend Marie Lee came barging in to my room endlessly talking to me. Sometimes I wondered how she could breathe and talk for so long.“I’m fine. It is not the first time that someone pointed a gun at me” I said casually while signing some documents to hand over to my secretary, Felix. Many wondered why I hired a young man with lack of experience to be my new secretary to replace my soon to retire secretary, Ruma.Simple. I trust him.And trusting someone was a luxury for me.“Did you hear a word that I am saying? Hello, earth to Laura” Marie waved her hands infront of my face that was not showing any emotions to her.“Did you find out who leaked where I was going yesterday? It was only Felicity, you, Marco and Ruma, who knew where I was going for lunch with Calvin. I sighed and sat back on my chair.Of course, my first guess was Felicity. But why?She was supposed to be on my
(Laura’s POV).Thanks to my efficient security personnel that came in just in time before Vincent punched Calvin’s face. I could not let that happen. Calvin did nothing but to defend my honour.For a moment, it had touched my heart hearing him saying sweet words about me to Vincent. I could then see Vincent’s face turned red like a burnt lobster. Serve you right, Vincent Verdi!After both men left my room, I sat at my chair for a moment and fixed my hair into a neat bun. I needed to look professional for the meeting that Marie had set up with Calvin and our new investors. They wanted assurance that I could deliver my promised project that could make them richer and happier.Money was all they were thinking about.But, I had more in mind.For one, I wanted to make sure the resort was built on a sustainability basis. Environmental friendly. It was all not just for money. I wanted more than that.Having the real Julia Raine as one of my esteemed investors, I knew she would help me fight
(Laura’s POV).I was going home feeling angry and frustrated with what had happened between Calvin and me. Without wasting any more time, I had made calls to my supportive investors and asked them to give me time to find a better consultant to replace Vincent Verdi.There was one in mind. Someone that was known to be Vincent’s competitor. I smiled to that thought.“I would rub that on his face!” I said aloud to myself while driving my own car. I decided to drive with Ray, my bodyguard seated on the passenger seat.It has been awhile since I drove a car and I did so to release my anger on the road at a high speed. Ray was holding on to the hand rail and I could see him sweat.“You can go home, Ray. I want to be alone to think of my great strategy to kick Vincent out from my life” I said to Ray who maintained a straight face. Ray only had one thing in mind. Protect me. Nothing else. He was not bothered about me hating Vincent.He would just ensure Vincent would not hurt me, physically.
(Vincent’s POV).“Hahaha! You got beaten by a woman, Vince. This is unforgettable” Calvin spoke to me and pat my back once. I moved his hand away with anger. My eyes were staring at him like it was shooting fires to his skull.“Shut up! If you still want to live, shut up” I sat on the chair of a bar and waved to order a drink.It has been three days since I last saw Julia. She was said to be travelling for work and would only return in two days’ time. For some reason that I hated to admit, I did miss her.I wanted to see her.What is wrong with me?“Are you still thinking about her, Vince? Come on. Admit it. You lost” Calvin continued laughing in an annoying way. I felt like punching his pretty flawless face.“Remind me why are we still friends” I asked as I emptied the glass of alcoholic mix.“Because you have no other friends other than me. No one likes you, Vince” Calvin was obviously drunk. In no circumstance that his sober version would say those words to me on my face.“I do ha
(Laura’s POV).I came back home and wanted so much to rest in my Jacuzzi pool with no one disturbing my peace. But, that was what I wanted in my imagination.The truth was me arriving at my home seeing two of my housekeepers came running towards me. They were both talking at the same time that made me a little dizzy.I signalled with my hand asking them to talked to me in turns.“She was trying to go to your room. I think she steals things” one of them, Raya said to me while the other nodded in agreement, “She pushed us out from the door, saying it was her house. Crazy woman. She hit me with a book”I shook my head and walked towards the entrance of my mansion. Carla was scolding the butler who seemed to block her way to enter the way up to the second floor of my mansion.When she started to hit the butler who had been loyal to my family for many years, I shouted at her, “STOP!”My voice got her attention. Carla turned her head to look at me and started to fake her tears.Here we go
(Laura’s POV).The art exhibition held in Amberose City was held at the large building with futuristic concept. The outer side of the building was shielded with metal pieces reflecting the light to shine inside the building allowing natural lights to enter. It was also run by solar panel that generated clean energy.How happy I was to know Rise Corporation led by the real Julia Raine was behind the project that had built the magnificent looking building.I smiled as I walked to enter the building and saw unique art sculptures decorating the sides of the hallway. I paused to observe each one of them and even asked my bodyguard Ray to take some photos of me where I was allowed to do so. Some sections were restricted and no photos were allowed.I recalled the last time I came to the place was went I was just a little girl, probably at ten years old at most. The place had changed much and it had more exquisite art collections on display.“Miss Knight, I believed the show is starting. The
(Laura’s POV).URGHH! Why must I see that pig here bidding for that one piece of work that I had always wanted from Roselle?I stared at Vincent and kept on bidding with him outbid me every time. My eyes were focused on him and I felt more disgusted when he smiled at me as if it was all a game to him.I had wished I was close enough to slap his face.I wanted the painting not only for me but it was because the painting was something my late father wanted to own but never got a chance to purchase it. He had once approached Roselle directly but his offer was refused by her.“Fifty million dollars to Mister Verdi. Anyone else would like to outbid his offer?” the woman on the stage asked and her question was obviously directed to me.“Fifty million dollars is a lot of money, Miss Knight” Ray whispered to me and I knew he was right. It was a lot for a painting and definitely above my budget for tonight.I sighed and sat back on my chair trying hard not to shout at Vincent from where I was
(Laura’s POV).Several years had gone by. I was happily married with Vincent keeping his wedding vow to love me and stay loyal to me as long as his heart was still beating.His wedding vow for me was what the press stated as something they never expected coming from a well known feared man would ever say to a woman. He poured his heart out to me in his vow. I recalled myself in tears, and of course with abundance of joy.The wedding was held at Tuscany with a garden theme filled with fresh flowers and nature. He kept to his words making it my dream wedding. I had to thank both my mother in laws who had helped me to prepare it. I loved them both and I was happy to have both of them to fill the void in my heart that was empty since my own mother passed away.Life was perfect and having three children with him made it more exciting.Three boys, who would have thought I could go through that at such a young age! This was not what I had planned in my life after the death of my parents.I
(Vincent’s POV).I was looking around. Mostly to find a way to exit the crowded little ice cream parlour filled with mostly people from Laura’s side. The look of her angry eyes at me after knowing I had read her diary was piercing my soul. Her beautiful blue eyes were on fire.I raised both of my hands in a surrender mode and said, “I can explain. You need to calm down. Not good for our babies that you are carrying. Your stress level needs to be managed”What the hell was I rambling about? It was not going to help me save myself from her wrath that was coming to me.“You did read my diary! How could you do such thing” She said before her face was turning red. She was blushing and for a moment I thought I was wrong. She was not angry, she was embarrassed.Then, I recalled on what I read in her diary. I was pretty embarrassing. She wroter things about me and how she adored me all those years. There was even a picture of my younger self kept in her pink shimmering diary.“I hate you!” L
(Laura’s POV).A month has passed. Time had moved so swiftly and my pregnant belly was starting to show.Vincent was true to his words, being by my side taking care of me and my constant need of attention. I blamed it on my pregnancy hormones. I was never like this, wanting him by my side most of the time.It had been a challenging process with me having nausea and sensitivity of things around me. I had even lost some weight as my body was rejecting some food, even those that I used to like to eat.“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Vincent said and lifted my chin to give me a brief kiss on my lips. We were walking towards the place where we first met. A little ice cream shop in Tuscany where I had first saved him from being hit by a motorcycle.The place where I fell in a nearby ditch, stuck for almost an hour until my brother, Henry came to the rescue. I smiled to that thought as he moved to caress my cheeks, smiling at me. “What’s so funny?”I laughed softly and pointed to the exa
(Author’s POV).At the same time, seated in a rented car, Marie was looking out of the window not wanting to start any conversation with the man who was seated next to her. He was driving with his focus on the road.At times she knew, he was taking few glances at her, hoping that she would start the conversation.After a few minutes, the silence was getting weird.“Are you happy with him?” Henry wished he could take that questions back. His words slipped his tongue as they waited in the car being stuck in traffic.“It is none of your concern. Please focus on your driving” Marie said while pretending to look outside the window. There was nothing else to see except for the cars on the road stuck with them in the traffic.“Do you love him? Why.. him?” Henry exhaled his breath and gripped the sterring wheel hard while controlling his anger, “I don’t get it, Marie. At one point, you did not believe in marriage. Now, you are engaged with a man I know you are definitely not in love with”Hi
(Laura’s POV).I came out from the cold waters while pulling Vincent’s unconscious body with me. He was heavy and I struggled to pull him further.I needed to check on his breathing so I placed my ear next to Vincent’s mouth and nose. I smiled after feeling some air from his mouth warming my cheeks. “Vincent? Wake up” I said while caressing his cheeks.He did not respond to me calling him several times. I then placed my finger to check on his pulse. It was getting weaker. That made me panic for a moment.I felt his body getting cold and that frightened me further, “Vincent, please. Wake up”There was no response.I then whispered to his ears while placing my hand on his cheeks, “I know you can hear me. Please don’t leave me alone in this cold place. Please don’t leave us alone. I want our baby to grow up with a father. The father that I love very much”I then cried and rested my head on his shoulders as I let out my sadness and tiredness on his body. I was tired. I did not sleep well
(Author’s POV).Out from the busy current of Rivera river, Cherry managed to hold on to a large tree trunk and held on it with her trembling hands. She was panting out of air and was choking out water stuck in her throat.After a few minutes, she took one deep breath before climbing on the tree to get out from the cold waters. She knew if Vincent had arrived, it would mean he would have by then blocked her way out from Rivera. There would be no way out using the normal route.It was time for her to execute her contingency plan.But first, Cherry needed to locate an acquaintance who she knew could get her new identification card and passport to escape from the country. She knew Vincent was not going to make it easy for her. She knew she needed him to think that she was dead.Smiling to that thought, she was ready to fight him.As Cherry reached the shore, she walked slowly towards what looked like houses built near the river. They were local folks living in Rivera. A signage was seen
(Vincent’s POV).I was running fast leaving the rest behind. The woods were thick with many trees blocking my way.I heard her. And I knew that voice was her pleading for help. She was in trouble.Jumping over branches of trees and pushing aside any obstacle that was blocking my way, I felt no pain. All I had in mind was to save my Laura. I hope I was not going to be too late for that.I wanted to call her name and assured her everything was going to be fine. I was closeby and I knew all this drama would end soon. But, calling her name would alert the attacker. I needed to be careful.I knew who it was. The crazy woman who was obsessed with me, Cherry, was to be blamed for all that had happened to Laura. I was going to end it. Tonight, it would be over.Cherry would be placed behind bars.Standing behind a tree, I then saw her. My Laura.She was looking weak and shaken.Laura was standing too close to the edge of the cliff while Cherry was pointing a gun at her. They were arguing and
(Laura’s POV).I took steps slowly back as I saw Cherry coming closer to me. There was blood on her clothes which I thought most likely may not be hers. She looked fine, or was she pretending to look fine?I did not know her well. A deceiving woman who seemed to fight for what she believed in. And I knew all that she believed in was her being the daughter of Lucas Knight and my half-sister.“Do you realised we kind of look alike?” she said with a smile showing her perfectly shaped teeth. It was kind of scary with her eyes looking at me as if I was an object of her admiration.“We have the same eyes. Different colour though. And your hair, look” she touched her hair with one hand, “It is the same colour as mine. Do you think people would believe we are actually related?”Was she kidding me? I knew Cherry made herself look like me. She was obsessed to be me.I opened my mouth to say something but she cut me off with her words, “Laura. You want to know the truth?” Cherry smiled and sang
(Vincent’s POV).I got up from a short nap that I took without even realising it. Pieces of papers were scattered on the chair I was seated on. A large map of Rivera was spread on the table where I had marked on the potential places that Laura could be at.Something was not right. I felt a pain inside my chest. Was it Laura? Was she in trouble?I got up from my chair and walked to the drinking cabinet in my room to get a drink. A strong one I hoped to find.I hoped I could find Laura soon. Calvin and Cherry had already arrived in Rivera and I knew it would not be long until they move Laura again. I needed to be fast.My men were following Cherry and two hours ago I was informed that they had lost track of Cherry who went into the dark woods of Rivera. One thing for sure, both Cherry and Calvin were still in town. I would make sure they will never leave Rivera until I found my Laura.I rubbed my temple and walked to the bathroom to do my business. Taking a glance at the mirror in the