Mia's POVI walked into the premises of my duplex with my phone between my face and shoulder as I juggled the goods in my hands.“ Yes, I'll try and make it for the opening of your bookstore,” I said to Nita, my best friend, over the phone.“ Are we still meeting up today?” She sounded disheartened as she already knew my answer.“ I'm afraid not. I have to take Natalie out to shop for dinner gowns, her prom is coming up soon,” I sighed.“ I understand, prom night is every girl's dream,” Nita got lost in her imaginary world. “ It reminds me of my time in school, though nobody liked me,” she said dramatically.“ That's because you are and were crazy,” I spat out.“ I liked scaring and harassing boys. It was fun,” she said. She could be creepy and weird as fuck sometimes.“ Anyway, I'll call you back later on. I'm heading in now,” I said turning the door knob and opening it.“ Alright, see you later,” she blew a kiss from her end and I quickly hung up on her. Crazy.I walked into the liv
A week laterMia's POV“ Mia, do you want to get married? I mean, this is so sudden,” Natalie was worried sick about me getting married. She suspected that something was fishy but of course, I wouldn't let her know.“ Especially since you never told me that you had a boyfriend,” Nita twisted her lips. She didn't believe any nonsense I spewed to her.“ You both shouldn't worry, we were both dating before but it was sort of a secret thing because of his identity,” I clenched the perfectly white wedding gown I was wearing and tried my best to hold my smile up as the make-up artist did her work. Deep down, I wanted to cry but that would have to wait until I wasn't around these two.“ If something is going on, you can always tell me,” Natalie had tears gathered in her eyes already. I waited for the make-up artist to finish up my makeup before getting up to look at Natalie who was on the verge of breaking down in tears.“ Naty, I'm fine. I've told you that I love him and we've been having s
“ Sir, ma'am, we're here,” the driver of the limo we were in announced as parked within the courtyard. His butler opened the door for him to get down, and he left without saying a word to me.“ Sir, aren't you going to help her out?” The butler questioned. He had to be close to ask such a question given Azek’s temperament.“ Her legs aren't broken, she can get down on her own. Even if they were, she might as well just crawl her way into the mansion,” he shrugged as he walked towards the mansion’s main door - his bodyguards following him.“ Azek is a bit on the cold side so don't take it to heart,” his Butler gave me a reassuring smile.“ I'm alright,” I lied as I beamed at him. He took me by the hand and helped me out. I walked hurriedly in an attempt to catch up with Azek.“ Welcome, young master!” There was a long line of maids and workers bent at an angle of ninety as they greeted. I hadn't expected this at all.” Get Ms. Mendez settled in. Help her get out of her dress and show he
Mia's POVTwo weeks later“ Erm... Aren't you going to have breakfast? I... I made you breakfast but of course I got help from Madam Lisa,” I said feeling awkward. I wasn't sure if I said that I prepared it alone, he would want to eat.“ Jeena, throw away the food she made,” he ordered. He was going to throw away the food I had spent my time and effort making just because he didn't like me. I clenched my fist and fought back the tears that wanted to flow so badly.“ Yes, sir,” the maid was hesitant but she couldn't lose her job because of me of course.“ Don't ever cook for me. I never asked you to, to begin with so stop playing wife,” he frowned. Did he think I was insincere? Besides, wasn't he the one who told me that even if it's just on paper, I should still perform my wifely duties?“ I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered.“ Neo, get the car ready,” he said walking out of the dining room.“ Yes, sir,” Neo, his secretary replied.“ W-will you be back early?” I looked away the moment I asked,
* * * *We got back to doing our duties quietly and eventually, Lizzy's obsession left the store, not forgetting to flash a smile before leaving. Evening came quicker than I had imagined and all I could think of was how to prove myself to Azek. How to make him see that I'm not who he thinks I am and that I would never hurt him.“ The best time in our job is when it's evening. Little customers to attend to and most importantly, time for clocking out is approaching,” Lizzy yawned and stretched in gladness.“ Your eagerness to get off work sometimes makes me wonder why you even accepted the job to begin with,” I chuckled.“ I guess, I need the money,” she rested her head in her palm which was propped up by her arm. “ Mia, lover boy is back,” she whispered as she stood upright. I turned towards the glass door only to see him walking in. He had come back.“ Hello, Mia and...,” he paused looking at Lizzy as he tried hard to remember her name.“ Lizzy,” she reminded.“ Yeah, Lizzy,” he scrat
“ You're hurting me, let go of me,” I begged as he kept pulling me by the hand. Getting to his room, he nearly threw me ahead of him making me fall. “ This is a misunderstanding,” I tried explaining. “ I am the victim, not what you think,” I tried to reason with him. “ Of course you are. You always are,” he said taking off his shirt. “ Strip,” he ordered. I stood there in shock and confusion. “ Didn't you hear me? I said S-T-R-I-P, ” he broke it down. Before I could oppose his command, he helped me rip my clothes off before pinning me to the wall. “ You're my property and I'm not the type to share even if the property is scrap,” he said kissing my neck. “ Maybe I didn't mark out my territory. I should probably do it tonight,” his hands were everywhere as he bit my neck and sucked unto it making me gasp. “ From now on, whenever you're going out, put on the ring,” he instructed. “ But first, I need to teach you a lesson you won't
Mia's POVI got back home early from work purposefully just to prepare dinner for Azek. I would give him the good news over dinner. I obviously felt a bit nervous since I wasn't exactly sure how he would react to the news given that he currently hates me but still, I don't think Azek would ever hurt his child. “ Madam Mel, I want to use candles and candleholders tonight,” I informed her. “ I already sent some maids to prepare it,” she was quick on her feet. “ But now, I'm sorta curious as to the reason for this good mood you're in today,” she pried in a way a mother would. “ It's nothing really. I just want to talk to Azek about something, you'll find out eventually,” I scratched my head.“ If you say so,” she chuckled.Once everything was set, I sat on the dining table checking the time every five minutes. He should be here by now, what was taking him so long? “ It's been thirty minutes past the regular time he should have been back,” I mumbled to myself. “ Ma
Mia's POV"Are you sure you want to take this job?" Lilian asked me as I packed the suitcases and luggage into the car booth."I'm sure Lillian, the money is way better than what I can earn here in five years. You know I've always wanted to give the twins a better life." I said to her and she shook her head. "I know but, I'm just saying. You are leaving your position as the top chef in one of the fast-rising five-star hotels to go and be a resident chef in one rich man's house. Well, I don't see that as progress." Lillian continued to complain while I just continued to pack my stuff."Well, that is very encouraging of you to say," I said and she sighed deeply, she came to me and then hugged me from behind me."I'm going to miss you, do you have to go?" She asked me and I nodded my head. "Yes you know I have been wanting a better job, you don't have to worry. Once we are settled over there, you will come over and visit us." I said to her and she pretended to be sad. "I'm really sad
Azek's P.O.V."No, Azek," she cut in, her voice firm. "You're not going anywhere. You're still recovering and I won't risk losing you again."I blew a raspberry, frustration bubbling."Mia, Chloe's getting closer. I need to""Tell the police," Mia said, an edge in her voice silky smooth and firm. "Let them take care of it. You aren't in any condition to go after her."I knew Mia was right, but something inside me was screaming for me to act."Mia, I-""Azek, listen to me," Mia said, her eyes pleading. "You're not Superman. You can't save everyone, let alone when you're still recovering. Let the police do their job."I took a deep breath then, knowing that at this stage, Mia was right; I shouldn't take any risks regarding my health."Okay," I finally said, digging out my phone. "I'll call Daniel and he can let the police know."Mia's face relaxed now, as if in relief."Thank you," she said softly, still holding onto my hand.As I typed in Daniel's number, Liam and Lewis looked up at me
Azek's POV I lay there, eyes closed, feigning sleep, as the nurse came closer. She wasn't buying it, though."Mr. Azek, I know you're awake," she said, her voice soft yet serious. "It's time for your physical therapy. We need to get those muscles moving."I finally opened my eyes, catching her bright stare."I don't want to do it," I growled, frustrated and embarrassed.The nurse was sympathetic but smiling. "I know, but believe me, it is part of your recovery process. You want to get back to your family, don't you?"Her words hit home. Mia's voice still echoed in my head, and the thought of being separated from her and the boys just added to my determination.I nodded, clenching my teeth. "Let's get this over with."She got me to a sitting position, and the painful process of exercising my now-weakened muscles began. Every movement hurt, but I kept on going, fueled by this voice in my head that was Mia's.As we worked, my mind strayed to Chloe and the menace she was. I knew I needed
Mia’s POV All through the night I tossed around on my bed, finding it difficult to get some rest. My mind was filled with thoughts and emotions, all pointing to the well-being of Azek. His voice and words from the call, echoed in my mind repeatedly, waking me to a reality filled with dread and trauma. The Determination in his voice gave me a sense of comfort. Despite all he had been through He still wanted to provide protection and safety for his family. I spent the entire morning alone in my room, before proceeding to roam the house as everything around me reminded me of Azek. Shortly after, the boys came running to me, as they hadn't seen me since the morning became bright. “Hey Mom, I need some cereal,” Liam asked politely staring at me with big puppy eyes. I gave him a soft glance and smiled “Sure honey, you can have some” I said to him stroking his hair gently. The boys were clueless about the emotional stress I was currently under. I couldn't blame them, after all, they we
Reed’s POV“You better cooperate with the police” the prison Warder yelled at me as he unlocked my cell. Since my arrival at the prison, he had always treated me like I was some hardened criminal. But deep down I felt immense remorse for all I had done. I allowed my emotions to push me into signing a deal with the devil without weighing the consequences. I sat on the bunk bed, soaking in the guilt that ate my sanity slowly. All I could think of was the people I had hurt in the course, of executing the will of Chloe. The prison warder informed me that I had an interrogation session with an inspector. Before this, I had undergone multiple interrogation sessions, each one more dreadful than the last. “Hey, step out of the cell and walk down the hallway to the last room on your left” the prison warder directed me like I didn't know the drill. He finished his sentence, but I didn't make any move, I just sat there burying myself in guilt and self-hate. I just wanted to be left alone. “Mo
Chloe's POV“What is wrong with Marcus?” I asked myself these questions expecting a vivid answer, but they remained floating around in my mind. All my efforts in contacting Marcus kept heating dead ends. The psychological pressure made me flutter, draining my confidence and gradually bringing me to the brink of anxiety and fear. Failure wasn't an option at this point, additionally I had come too far to give up now. My conversation with my mom led me to see the eruption of the concealed desperation she has been holding in. Over the course of days, my mom has been calling to pester me. Always questioning my next move, the more I listened to her, the depressed I became. Her alliance with Mr. and Mrs. Mendez made it difficult to think as they were constantly on my neck. Constantly reminding me of my failed past efforts. After some time of thinking about my messed up life, I got a call from the contact I requested to contact Marcus. My phone rang loudly, breaking the silence I sat in.
Mia's POV “Lewis! Liam! Can you both come downstairs and have your breakfast ?” I yelled from the sitting room to the boys who were upstairs playing in their rooms. It was a bright morning, and the light from the sun cast a Golden hue on the house. The tension I and the boys felt on our arrival, had faded into a more comfortable feeling. It was indeed a safe house. As I prepared breakfast, my thoughts drifted into the trauma I experienced at the hospital. Flashbacks of Azek surrounded by nurses and doctors trying to save his life, replayed in my mind. These thoughts drained me emotionally. I had done so many things trying to get my mind off my anxiety, but all my efforts to achieve peace of mind proved fruitless. I guess being the soul Bond between family at critical times was exhausting. Despite the settled feeling of comfort and safety, my mind was still roaming, my heart pounding with anxiety about Azek’s condition. I wasn't sure if he had been moved or if he was still at
Azek's POV “Daniel ?” I asked more to myself than him. I tried to sit upright but the intense pain that surged through my body made it difficult to move. My memory will still foggy, the headache intensified, and my stomach twisted with worry. The young man, who had introduced himself as Daniel was a familiar face. But my current mental State didn't allow me to think. According to his introduction, he knew me and my family, so I decided to ask him about Mia. “Where is Mia ?” I asked him, my voice slightly elevated and strained, “you have to tell me where she is”.Daniel gave a loud sigh before answering me and his face laced with worry and concern. “Stop bothering your mind” he said, “you have to be calm” “Why were they hiding Mia's location from me” I asked myself. Everybody kept telling me to be calm. I was gradually getting to the limit of my patience, as all my efforts to get to Mia proved fruitless. Daniel noticed my anger. He glanced at me with hesitation and concern, she
Azek’s POV“What happened to me” was the question I had been asking myself for several days. I tried shaking off the foggy feeling I felt in my head as I woke up. I blinked countless times, but the haze didn’t clear up. My memory was cloudy, making it difficult to remember anything. The more I tried to think, the more intense this throbbing pain I felt at the back of my head. “Where am I” I finally forced some words out of my mouth after what felt like days of being mute. I have never felt such disorientation in my life. I was blind mentally. I opened my eyes and scanned the room. It was dimply lit, and I could barely hear any sound, except the sound of the heart rate monitor attached to me. “Was I in the hospital?” I blinked countless more times, forcing my articulation to come alive. I knew I was still alive, but a part of my brain felt dead. After a couple of minutes of laying still on the bed, my memories started coming in blurred fragments. Faces and actions of different peop
Mia's POV “Mummy, where are we going?” Lewis asked as we began our drive in the car. I sat there, sandwiched between Liam and Lewis. They both stared at me with confused faces. I couldn't bring myself to explain what was happening. I didn't understand fully. All I knew was Chloe intended to take my life. The more I gave the situation some thought, the more I felt a void form in my guts. Daniel had hurriedly whisked us away from the hospital, leaving Azek without any word of explanation and this was unfortunate for him. What if he started looking for us? His condition might worsen due to our absence. “We are going to someplace safe for now, it's not for long. We will see Daddy soon" I explained what was left of my shattered mind to Lewis. The drive was awkwardly quiet, the only dominant sound was the soft humming of the car engine. Liam on the other side of the car was quietly scanning the road Intensely. He behaved like he could sense that something was wrong. I could see him glan