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•29• Priscilla
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2021-07-28 14:37:07It’s that black SUV.
I just know it’s that same one that’s always parked around the curb of my apartment building whenever I get in or out of the building.
At first, I’d only thought it a coincidence for it to be around at the same time as me, but as the days progressed, that car began giving me an uncomfortable feeling.
Almost as if it were watching me.
And now?
I don’t know how long that car’s been here, watching me, watching us, rather, because as soon as it sees that I’ve spotted it, it drives away.
Before Gerrard can see it.
I’m afraid I sound like an idiot to him right now, but what I’m saying is the truth. I really do think that someone’s following me. There’s only so many times that can be counted as a coincidence.
But now is not one of those times, because how the fuck could that car know that I’m with
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When Love Strikes Hard •30• Gerrard
I knew that car was trouble.When I'd seen it outside Priscilla's apartment building that day of the storm, I knew something was off about it. That's exactly why I'd gotten all riled up when she hadn't opened the door that day.It had scared the shit out of me.As she lies on my bicep, curled up against my chest, sound asleep, I'm cursing myself in my head. If I hadn't gotten carried away because of my damn hormones the night I stayed at her place, I could've asked her about the SUV.Things wouldn't have escalated so much.I breathe out a frustrated sigh.Something needs to be done about this stalker.And to be honest, I was working on this issue ever since he texted me, but that was before the office party came up; I'd just been so fucked up when Priscilla told me she was Ruben's date to the dinner that my mind just couldn't keep up with shit. Now, though, I'm only focused on one thing.Who the fu
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •31• Gerrard
Priscilla’s alarm wakes me up earlythe next morning. By the time I manage to sleepily locate her phone on the other side of the bed, she’s woken up.What I can say?I neverwas very efficient straight out of bed.“Gerrard,” Priscilla mumbles groggily from beside me, her face snuggled up in my side. “Did you set that thing on snooze?”Did I mention how fucking adorable her sleepy voice is? It’s slightly heavier than normal, and irregular around some words, but I swear to god I’ve never heard anything sexier.My morning wood was going to be in for such a treat—it never knew.”Hm?” she nudges me with her elbowwhen I still don’t respond.I curl a hand into her hair, working my fingers closer to her scalp gently. “I switched it off.”She abruptly lifts her head to look at me, but she’s so sleep-ridden right now that it
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •32• Priscilla
Gerrard seems distracted.We're watching Sinister, cooped up in my room with the lights off and huddled in a blanket,but even such a scary ficdoesn't seem intense enough to get Gerrard’sundivided attention.He keeps glancing at his phone, or chewing on his nails instead of eating the popcorn we made, or just plainfiddling with things. It’s starting to worry me.Does he have some place else to be?Does he not really want to be here?With me?”Gerra-”I don’t really get to voice my thoughts out loud though, because at that same time, his phone rings.And he hides it from me to pick up the call.A weird kind of… hurt flows through me.He told me about his family. His deepest inhibitions about them. He told me about his father. About the accident. About his situation with his family. But he feels the need to hide that call from me?W
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •33• Gerrard
I can’t believe the picture was blurred.The fuck?The tension that’s beginning to consume my mind makes my teeth almostmince my lips.The hell am I going to do?-Keith.I’ll call Keith. He’ll have a better shot at getting a picture of the car’s registration number now that it’s already here, parked by the curb. I quickly dial my brother’s number.”Hello? Hey, Gerr. Did you get the number?””I tried, Keith,” I tell him quickly, talking hushedly so Cilla doesn’t hear. “But the picture I got is blurred. Can you come over? The car’s right by the curb. It won’t suspect you if you click the picture driving by it.”A muffled series of sounds come from the other side when-“Hey, Gerr,” Bru’s voice says then, instead of Keith’s. “We’re coming in an hour, okay? I’ll get
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •34• Priscilla
I'm late for work by fifteen whole minutes.It's 8:15 am by the time I reach Southerford Inc., but to be really honest, the fact that I'm late isn't my fault. Not completely anyway.Gerrard's been calling me ever since I began getting ready for work. God knows why, because he hasn't called once since the past week. Not once.He only kept leaving me those blasted notes of his, with false promises.And then when I finally decide to leave the house for once, and that, too, to go to work, this man wants to spoil that for me too.The fuck?I never picked up any of his calls.I only cursed the whole time his name lit up my phone screen as it rang.Shaking my head to myself, I press the button for an elevator on the ground floor in the main atrium. But even that stupid lift was trying my patience this morning, because no matter how hard or how often I poked the button, the lift just wouldn't arrive.I hu
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •35• Gerrard
Priscilla's not picking up the phone.I've been ringing her up ever since I left the dealer store an hour ago, but instead of picking up, she just cancelled my latest call.Is she mad at me, still?Or is she sleeping and I'm just disturbing her?I sigh, attempting one more call, but like all the previous calls, this one goes unanswered, too.Gripping the steering wheel hard, I determinedly go on for my house. I'd been calling Priscilla to tell her who the stalker is. I wanted to tell her to come to the office. But I don't have enough time or patience to go to her house and shit.I need to go home and make a few calls for a board meeting, gather my documents and evidence, too.Guess I'll just tell Priscilla when this is all over and well behind us.* ^ * ^ * ^ *I've only just gotten out of the shower when I get a call from Bru. Wiping my long mane with a towel, I pick up. "Hello?""Hey, Gerr. Keith told me. Ab
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •36• Priscilla
I feel lost.Abandoned.Betrayed.The whole way to my apartment feels like a blur. I just can't believe it. I can't believe it that just to get me out of his company, Gerrard would play me like this. Use me like this. It doesn't take long for my numbness to go away, because soon, I'm breaking down into sobs.I knew it was too good to be true.I knew it.But I still allowed myself to believe.To hope.And look where that got me.Not only did I lose a job I'd already been thinking of resigning from, but also got my heart broken.Throwing myself onto my bed, I bury my face into my pillow as I finally let the tears flow freely.All that man had to do to get me out of his company was simply say it. Say it. And that would've been the last he would've seen of me. Then why in the name of god did he have to play me like this? Why? But no matt
Last Updated : 2021-07-28When Love Strikes Hard •37• Gerrard
I can't reach Priscilla.Call after call gets cancelled, text after text undelivered... I'm panicking.As I rush out of the conference room, Bru bumps into me. But one look at my face, and she holds me by the shoulders. "Woah, G. What happened?"I can hardly breathe as one more call to Cilla gets cancelled. I swallow hard. "It's Cilla…Bru, the- the termination letter. Smith, Bru. Smith- I need to go see her. I- I need to go."That's all I can manage to get out of my system before I pull away from her, running for the lift. But it couldn't have gone down slower than it did. I'm sweating by the time I clamber out of it, making a dash for my car whenthe valet brings it out, but I doubt my sweating more than normal in an air conditioned office has anything to do with heat.Priscilla... baby, don't do anything stupid... just wait for me. Please.It's all I can think of as I speed away for her apartment.* ^ * ^
Last Updated : 2021-07-28
Latest chapter
When Love Strikes Hard •Epilogue•
Keith and Bru chose a barn marriage, far from the cold of their home country.Priscilla and Gerrard helped prepare most of everything, and were currently receiving guests at the entrance. Gerrardand Keith's mother didn't show up, not even after being informed of the life-changing decision her eldest son had made.The sons had been expecting this, but Bru and Priscilla hadn't.They still felt let down by Ms. Southerford.Bru's parents, on the other hand, were all about the place, her father taking care that all guests hada drink in their hands, while her mother wasprobably helping her deal with wedding day jitters. What could be said? The girl had already ordered two boxes of pizza in the last two hours alone."I'm worried about Keith," Gerrard muttered from beside Priscilla, shaking an old man's hand before gesturing towards the other guests.Priscilla gave him a look, observing him growing more fidgety
When Love Strikes Hard •42• Priscilla
I'm listening to Bru speak on the phone, but it's hard to actually believe what's coming out of her mouth. Gerrard? In my apartment?Why?...How?"...come as soon as you can, Priscilla," she sighs at the end. "We miss you."My heart melts. "I miss you, too... I'll try and come as soon as possible, Bru. I'll call you when I get there."She pretty much squeals on the other end."You have no idea how eagerly we're waiting to see you again! See you soon!"It's hard not to hear the smile in her voice."See you soon, Bru," I grin, before hanging up.So Gerrard's been-"-Your boyfriend's been camping at your house?"The sudden voice by the door to my room startles me, to the point where I almost fall from the edge of the bed where I'm sitting. Whipping towards the source of the sound, I see Victoria looking at me all innocently from the little gap between the door and the wall."The fuck, Vira?" I scowl, pl
When Love Strikes Hard •41• Gerrard
It's been one week since I packed up all my stuff and shifted base closer to the office.Since I shifted to Priscilla's apartment.It's not what I'm used to, but at the same time, it is.It's what I'm craving.The apartment barely fits me. And living here is probably the only time I've found myself wishing that I wasn't so huge. The washroom is so tiny that I can't move my arms much when I'm taking a dunk without knocking some random shampoo bottle off a shelf, or without hitting my elbow in that way that makes my entire nervous system freeze for a second.But this apartment is also the only thing close to making me feel nearer to Priscilla. Although she isn't here anymore, her memory is. I have her memorized in every part of the house from those few days we spent together here, and it's all I have left of her living, physical memory.Every time I enterher room, the bed shows us cuddling under the covers, wat
When Love Strikes Hard •40• Priscilla
Victoria--is obsessed with Gerrard?My boyfriend?... Ex-boyfriend?I don't even know at this point."So?" Vira grins, spinning a slowly circle about herself as she gestures to the posters all over the walls. "What do you think?"I don't have the heart (or guts) to tell her thetruth. What's worse, just the sight of her... attraction(?) towards him has me feeling nauseous all of a sudden, but let me make it very clear--that it has absolutely nothing to do with the raucous amount of food I almost chugged down my throat not even half an hour ago.Naturally, the smile that I give her in response looks more like a constipated grimace. "It's... something else," I laugh nervously as I back out of the room. She turns to look at me in concern, but before any of the questions hit me, I wave my hand vaguely. "I'll just... I'm really tired, Victoria. I should go sleep now."That's all I leave it at.* ^ * ^ *
When Love Strikes Hard •39• Gerrard
To say that I feel absolutely hollow inside would be a serious, serious understatement.I feel as if the world's closing in on me, and the corridor on Cilla's floor seems like it's choking me for coming here, punishing me for intruding on her space.She left.She left me.It doesn't take long for the hollowness in my chest to source itself to anger. Burning, vengeful, disastrous anger.Bounding over tothe elevator, I waste no time to dial Keith. When the lift dings open on the ground floor, he picks up. "Hey, Ger-""-I'll be at the office in 5, Keith. Is the meeting ready?""Yeah, b-"I don't wait to hear the rest, going straight for my car in the open parking.*****"Gentlemen, I've called for this extraordinary meeting today," I say to the meeting room at large, my file of evidences at the ready,"for an extremely pressing issue that I feel needs immediate attention. I deem
When Love Strikes Hard •38• Priscilla
When the plane lands, I switch my phone off of airplane mode.Like I'd thought, I have a lot of texts from my Mom, asking me how the flight was and if it's landed, and telling me that the driver's waiting outside the airport with my car, ready to take me home.But as I get off the aircraft and make my way into the airport, I notice I have a lot of missed calls from... Bru.My heart skips for no reason.She must've gone to my apartment. Must've seen I'm not there.But then my heart skips again.Did she tell Gerrard I'm not there? ...Or maybe:Did Gerrard ask her to go and check my apartment? To call me?But as I head to baggage claim, I dismiss the thought from my mind, because there really is no use building up hope. Again. And that, too, for a man like him.I've learnedmy lesson now.My suitcases are thankfully some of the first to arrive on the belt, and I swiftly pull them off
When Love Strikes Hard •37• Gerrard
I can't reach Priscilla.Call after call gets cancelled, text after text undelivered... I'm panicking.As I rush out of the conference room, Bru bumps into me. But one look at my face, and she holds me by the shoulders. "Woah, G. What happened?"I can hardly breathe as one more call to Cilla gets cancelled. I swallow hard. "It's Cilla…Bru, the- the termination letter. Smith, Bru. Smith- I need to go see her. I- I need to go."That's all I can manage to get out of my system before I pull away from her, running for the lift. But it couldn't have gone down slower than it did. I'm sweating by the time I clamber out of it, making a dash for my car whenthe valet brings it out, but I doubt my sweating more than normal in an air conditioned office has anything to do with heat.Priscilla... baby, don't do anything stupid... just wait for me. Please.It's all I can think of as I speed away for her apartment.* ^ * ^
When Love Strikes Hard •36• Priscilla
I feel lost.Abandoned.Betrayed.The whole way to my apartment feels like a blur. I just can't believe it. I can't believe it that just to get me out of his company, Gerrard would play me like this. Use me like this. It doesn't take long for my numbness to go away, because soon, I'm breaking down into sobs.I knew it was too good to be true.I knew it.But I still allowed myself to believe.To hope.And look where that got me.Not only did I lose a job I'd already been thinking of resigning from, but also got my heart broken.Throwing myself onto my bed, I bury my face into my pillow as I finally let the tears flow freely.All that man had to do to get me out of his company was simply say it. Say it. And that would've been the last he would've seen of me. Then why in the name of god did he have to play me like this? Why? But no matt
When Love Strikes Hard •35• Gerrard
Priscilla's not picking up the phone.I've been ringing her up ever since I left the dealer store an hour ago, but instead of picking up, she just cancelled my latest call.Is she mad at me, still?Or is she sleeping and I'm just disturbing her?I sigh, attempting one more call, but like all the previous calls, this one goes unanswered, too.Gripping the steering wheel hard, I determinedly go on for my house. I'd been calling Priscilla to tell her who the stalker is. I wanted to tell her to come to the office. But I don't have enough time or patience to go to her house and shit.I need to go home and make a few calls for a board meeting, gather my documents and evidence, too.Guess I'll just tell Priscilla when this is all over and well behind us.* ^ * ^ * ^ *I've only just gotten out of the shower when I get a call from Bru. Wiping my long mane with a towel, I pick up. "Hello?""Hey, Gerr. Keith told me. Ab
