Jake's POV I groaned inwardly as Mercy practically dragged me into the spa. “Come on, Jake, it’ll be fun,” she insisted. " I don't understand.Why do I owe you any obedience,little sister? Are you handing over your inheritance?" Mercy giggled and frowned at the same time. " I didn't know you were such a sucker for money. No doubt you are my mother's son. " Her enthusiasm was unwavering despite my reluctance. " And here I am trying to give you something that no money can buy. " After spending time at the art gallery, I thought we were done for the day, but no, my sister had other plans. “Mercy, this really isn’t my thing,” I protested, but she shot me a look that brokered no argument as we stood at the entrance.Resigned, I followed her inside, feeling out of place among the plush surroundings and soothing scents. The receptionist greeted us warmly, and soon enough, I was handed a robe and slippers. “See you later,” Mercy said with a wink before disappearing into her own treatmen
Lea's POV Lisa dropped me at the most exquisite restro-bar in Paris, partially owned by my host, Phillippe, attached to their 7 star hotel in the same compound. The air was rich with the scent of gourmet dishes. Philippe certainly knew how to impress.I looked around the table at the faces of the influential men Philippe had gathered. Julien, Nicholas and a few more whose names I couldn't recall. Strangely and awkwardly,I was the only woman. " We meet again, beautiful lady!What a coincidence." Julien extended his hand after I finished greeting Philippe. " Yes, right after yesterday! " I chuckled at his comic attempt. We settled down, Julien taking the spot to my right while Nicholas sat on the left before Philippe could come any near. After a formal round of introduction and some light boasting about our companies and endeavors the food was served and we were about to dig in. "So, Lea," Julien leaned in, "how do you juggle all your ventures and still look this stunning? There'
Jake's POV I walked into the restro-bar Mercy and Percy dragged me to. I had no idea Percy was in town as well but nevertheless it was fun. It took us time to overcome our awkwardness because of our family situation but it eventually worked out and we were on good terms if not best of friends. But the two of them abandoned me at the gate, excusing themselves to go to the washroom.Botj of them at the same time. Which was obviously childish and absurd.I didn't pay much notice because this entire trip was based on Mercy's childish whimp. Given that she was my biological younger sister and I was also quite fond of her, I was just playing along in her game of stupidity. As soon as I entered their reserved section,my brain froze. I was literally blown off. It wasn’t the decor or the luxury that caught my attention. It was her. Lea. My Lea in flesh and blood. Right in front of me. She was in Paris after all. She looked more radiant than ever, surrounded by those men. Men I didn't k
Jake's POV I watched Lea excuse herself and start to leave. Her exit was graceful and I watched her move, mesmerized as she nodded and waved at the rest of them goodbye. The moment she walked out, I excused myself hastily, mumbling something incoherent about needing some air. Philippe and his band of pests barely noticed as I slipped away, their focus possibly on their next prey. I sprinted after her, my heart pounding, my mind racing. When I reached the street, I spotted her heading towards a sleek, black car parked just down the road. "Lea!" I called out, my voice breaking with desperation.She didn't turn around, didn't even flinch. She just kept walking, her pace quickening as if she knew I was right behind her. "Lea, wait!" I shouted again, breaking into a run.Just as she reached her car and fumbled for her keys, I caught up with her. Grabbing her arm, I spun her around to face me. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and anger. "Jake, what the hell are you doing?"
Jake's POVThere was strange hesitation in her eyes that I didn't understand. I didn't want to. I seized the moment. Without thinking, I pulled Lea closer and kissed her, pouring all my desperation,my love, and my regret into that kiss. Lea resisted at first, her body tense, but then she melted against me, her hands clutching my shirt as if anchoring herself. "Jake," she whispered trying to breathe between the kiss, "This won't solve anything." "I know," I murmured, as my lips trailing down her neck. "But I need you, Lea. I need you so much.But if you want you can stop me. But I beg you not to. " Her response was a soft moan, her hands tangling in my hair. "I've missed you too. Too much to be exact," she finally admitted, her breath hitching as my hands roamed her body. "But it's so complicated." "We'll figure it out," I promised.And I wanted to assure her that I meant it. Every word. "Together."The car windows fogged up as our kisses grew more urgent, our need for each other ov
Jake's POV "Jake," she murmured as she sat up, leaning against my chest but looking straight into my eyes. "Hmm?" I replied, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back. "There's something I need to show you. Can you please give me my phone back? " She asked looking back at the dashboard. I frowned, sitting up as well. "What is it?" "Just trust me," she said with a small smile. Once she switched on her phone, she scrolled through the gallery and handed it to me, displaying a picture of a little boy. It was the most beautiful baby thatI had ever seen, perfect in every way. My breath caught in my throat. "Who's this?" I asked, my voice thick with emotion as I took in the image of the child. I knew it right away that it was Lea'skid but I didn't want to admit. I was jealous. A strange poison was corrupting the calm that had descended on me, moments ago. His eyes were bright, his smile infectious."His name is Kai," she said softly. "He's three years old." I almost choked wi
All hell broke loose when Anna's words sank in. "No, no, no!" Lea cried, her voice breaking as she clutched the phone to her chest. "He can't be missing! Not my Kai!Where the hell did you lose him? " "He was in the backyard playing, and then we couldn't find him. We've been looking everywhere." Lea's face went pale as soon as Anna finished talking, her grip on the phone tightening. "Anna, find him. At any cost. We’re on our way." She said, about to hang up. Jake stood frozen, his face ashen. " How could you let this happen?" he demanded coming close to the screen, his voice trembling with fury and fear. "How did you lose him?" Anna looked equally distraught but tried to calm everyone down. "I'm so sorry! Maybe he's just playing hide and seek. He loves that game!" "Are you kidding me?" Lea snapped, her eyes blazing. "This is not a game! Call the police right now! We need to find him!" Lea’s fingers flew across her phone screen as she navigated through the security cameras in
Phill's POVI rarely slept at work. I had no idea when I had dozed off over my desk. The vibration from my phone woke me up. I rubbed my eyes as I stared at the screen. Not one, not two but fifteen missed calls from Mercy. I immediately called her back. She answered at the first ring. " Thank goodness you are alive. I thought I would have to send someone to check after you as well. Where the hell were you, Phill? " I rubbed my eyes and strained to look at the clock. It was almost twelve. It would be early morning in Paris. Why was Mercy yelling at me early in the morning? " What's up, Mercy? Is everything alright in Paris? " I heard her heaving a deep sigh. " Everything is fine here but nothing is alright back home. You need to head over to Lea's place immediately. Her son is missing! " " Wait! What? " I almost fell from my chair. " Yes! Our nephew went missing about an hour or two ago. Lea said she saw a hooded figure or something like that around her garage.In her camera feed
A month after Lea's death - Jake stood in front of Lea's grave, holding onto the bouquet that he had brought. He had her favourite box of chocolate, custom made by the old baker lady back in their home town. He brought her flowers everyday after seeing Kai off at his daycare. He spent the rest of his day talking to her before going back to picking Kai up again. He brought her all the things he had promised to get her one day when they were little. He was trying to give her everything he always wanted to give her but never really could. Today was no different. As if Lea's death wasn't enough of a blow, after the postmortem Jake was told that Lea was pregnant with their second child. It didn't make things any easier only driving another dagger through Jake's heart. Perhaps it was just because Kai existed that he could move forward.He didn't want to but he had to for the sake of the little guy. With Lea gone, there was no meaning left in this world. All colours were gone. It was o
" NOOOOOO! " Jake flung himself forward trying to put himself between Lea and the bullet but it was too late. The bullet hit her right on point blank. She fell right in front of his eyes,blood gushing out like a crimson fountain. " LEAAAAAA!!! "Jake's voice broke with the sheer intensity of his scream as he ripped his white shirt and pressed it over her forehead. " CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE! NOW!!! " He barked, desperately clinging onto Lea's body as Kai grabbed his shoulder and began to whimper. " It's alright, baby. Don't worry. Mommy will be fine. " Jake could barely hold onto his child as his hands started to tremble. Mercy fell down on her knees, probably the only one whose rationale was still working. She closed Lea's lifeless eyes as her body whacked with tremors as she cried.Lea was no more. It was instant death. " Mercy! What are you doing? " Jake shoved her hand away from Lea's body. " Somebody please call an ambulance! " He kept screaming as Kai's cries reached the breaking po
Lea's POV I stood in front of the grand mirror.Today, I would marry Jake, the love of my life, and the father of my Kai. Our journey had been anything but normal but it had brought us to this breathtaking moment. My dress was a masterpiece, a custom creation by one of the most renowned designers in the town. The silk fabric clung to my figure, adorned with intricate lace and delicate pearls that sparkled as I moved. The train flowed behind me like a river and the veil was draped over my shoulders, waiting to be lifted.I felt goosebumps at the thought. "Lea, you look like an absolute dream," Lisa said, fussing with the final touches on my veil. She stepped back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "Mr.Rodger is not going to know what hit him." I laughed, trying to steady my breathing. "You think?" "I know," she replied, giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder."Wow, Lea. You're stunning. Seriously, Jake's going to lose it when he sees you."The door opened and my maid of h
Suddenly Jake leaped off the bed, crossing over Lea as he did. He went for the cupboards, yanking them open, rummaging through the drawer as he did. Lea raised herself up on one elbow, watching him closely. " Jake, what's going on? " She asked with one brow raised. " I swear it has to be somewhere in here. I left it just as it was. " Jake kept searching not looking back at her. Lea signed as she got up from the bed, still very naked and walked right over. " If you tell me what you are looking for, maybe I can help. Is it your wallet? " Jake yanked another section of the cupboard open and Lea stopped at the sight of all the neatly arranged laundry. It was her side of the cupboard. Absolutely mess-free and tidy, just like she had left it years ago. She left Jake as he went through the night stand , touching the fabrics and checking if they were still in the same sequence like she left them. " They are untouched. Why didn't you move them? " Lea's voice was barely above a whisper
Lea's POV His kiss soothed me a little. Those things had been bottled up inside and it was high time I let it escape. Tears streamed down my face as memories I had tried so hard to suppress resurfaced. I couldn't hold back the sobs that wracked my body. Jake's presence beside me was both comforting and agonizing."Lea," he begged, his voice trembling slightly, "talk to me." I shook my head, unable to find the words to express the turmoil inside me. Instead, I let out a choked sob, burying my face in my hands. Jake's arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. His embrace was warm and strong."I'm here," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair."I'm not going anywhere." His words broke something inside me. I clung to him, my fingers digging into his shirt as if he were the only thing keeping me from falling apart. His scent filled me with comfort as I burried my nose over his neck while he nibbled at mine. His lips slowly found it's way back to mine. But before he could kiss
Jake's POV " Yes, we are coming right now. Yes please. Keep the keys ready. " I called the old watchman because it had been ages since I last went there. Lea hadn't spoken for the rest of the drive and I knew for certain there was something cooking in her little head. I wasn't complaining. She had been through a lot and I was happy to be of any serve to her, any use... anything to make my Lea happy again. Make her smile and dance like when she was a little girl. My crazy, sweet, innocent Lea. She had been leaning on the seat but as soon as we entered the driveway towards the apartment she sat up, rolled down the window and stretched her neck out. " Lea, careful... " I tried to pull her back but she opened the car door before I could pull up and made a run for it. I tossed the keys to the valley with much frustration and ran after her. " Lea, wait" She topped right in front of the elevator and turned around. I was running so fast, I almost banged into her. She pulled my hand int
Jake's POV " Of course you get that job, whether you like it or not. " I wasn't even lying. Who better than Phil to look after my little one. I knew he would always have his back, no matter what. Phill chuckled before turning around. " By the way, did you sign the papers before coming inside? " He asked me and it took me off guard. " Papers? What papers? " " Discharge papers. Didn't they tell you before you entered? " He made a disappointed face and looked out of the door even though he could see no one. " These incompetent workers. They can't get one thing... " " Discharge papers? Who is getting discharged? I thought you needed around a week to recover. " Lea interrupted looking straight at Phill. " I am not getting discharged. You are! " Phill pointed at Lea but she stood up. " Me? Oh, alright. Makes sense. " Phill turned his gaze back to me and said, " Get the paper works done and take her home. I think I need to get some sleep... " " Take who home? " Lea stood face t
Phill's POV I had to do it. I knew how much I was going to suffer after that kiss ended. I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to let go of her hand. I didn't want to see her with anyone else, even if it was my own brother. I knew I was finally letting the dam break. I had been holding back way too long I couldn't do it anymore. I had to let her know. The moment her taste touched me, I lost track of everything. I lost control of myself. I lost my sense of the place. I kissed her and she let me and I was grateful for that. I was half expecting her to shove me back but she didn't. She held me, held my hand as I took from her what I needed. My life force. She was like an EpiPen bringing me back to life. " Phill... " She finally mumbled against my lips, her hands on my chest, gently holding them but not pushing. It took way too much of my energy to stop and finally look up at her face. I couldn't read her expression. Was it shock, fear, disgust, sympathy.... I could not understan
Lea's POV " Kai... " The moment my eyes opened I threw my hands in all directions, trying to get up and look for Kai. But i didn't have to look much further. He was right across and I could see him in the other room. My baby was latched to the beeping machines with pipes and wires and what not. And right beside him was Phill. He sat at his head side, his hand gently gliding up and down through his hair. Phill turned towards me with a smile when he realised I was up. My head was still groggy because of the sedative the nurse had injected me with but I was feeling all better and alright. " Lea, you are up! Are you feeling alright? "He asked me with that infectious smile. I should have been the one to ask him that question. He was the one with a wound. He had just saved my child's life all over again, perhaps for the zillionth time. " I am fine. How are you feeling? How is Kai holding up?" I walked towards where he was. He was in a wheelchair, I noticed when I went near. He