Chapter 16 One week later"What do you mean you haven't found her anywhere? Are you kidding me, huh?" Knoxville yelled at the top of his voice as he grabbed the flower vase and threw it across the living room, and it came crashing on the floor. "I have searched everywhere for her, but..." "Just shut your mouth, you incompetent fool. I gave you a simple instruction to find someone, and you are here, telling me you can't find her? Are you kidding me?" He yelled again, while the young man that was standing in front of him just held his gaze low. He had told one of his men to find her at all costs, and it has been one whole week only for him to come and tell him that he couldn't find her. Is this some joke or something? "We have done everything possible to find her, boss. I tried to track down her location, but her phone is not active..." "Just shut your damn mouth and do something, you fool! Has she left the country already? She is still in the country, and you ne
Chapter 17 Aliyah's apartment "What? Are you shocked? You think I didn't know you have been cheating on me with her?" Tears welled up in Aliyah's eyes as she stared at the young man that was standing in front of her, looking like he has just been beaten to a pulp. "I'm sorry, babe... I...I...I didn't mean to..." "Just shut your mouth, you bastard! I gave you everything! My heart, body, and I would give you my soul if I could. I did everything I could to prove to you how much I loved you, but what did you do to pay me back? You fucking cheated on me with her..." She paused as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt her heart tighten in pain as she stared at the young man. She felt her whole world crashing down to her feet. Even if this was just acting in the training class, she felt like venting out all her pain on this man that didn't even know what happened to her, she felt like he was Knox. If it were to be in the script, she would've slapped him hard on th
Chapter 18 The whole world seemed to be frozen for seconds as she stared at him, her heart came thumping heavily against her chest. She suddenly became nervous as those eyes pierce into hers, and she gulped down nothing. "Aliyah..." Knox called her as he tried to move close to her, but she stepped away from him. "Who are..." "Can you just quit with this denial, please? I really need to talk to you, Aliyah... Please," He wasn't the hard-hearted Knox this time, but a weak Knox that wanted to really talk to her, the Knox that really needed her time this time. "Who are you? Do I know you from anywhere?" She asked with a blank expression on her face. Getting him frustrated until he assaulted her again, was the only thing she could think of. Maybe that would make him stay away from her as she wanted. "Just stop this, Aliyah. You are driving me crazy for fuck's sake, can't you see it?" He tried hard not to yell at the top of his voice even as the urge kept trying
Chapter 19 A few days laterKnoxville Daniel I scoffed for the umpteenth time as I tossed on the bed. The last few days have been filled with me going to that training school each day to talk to Aliyah, and she hasn't given me a listening ear since then. I have been regretting my actions, and guess who has been running away from his granddad? Well, that is me. What the hell was I supposed to do when I haven't been able to do what he asked me to do? The least I could do was stay away from him, for now, to avoid dying of frustration. It was Saturday morning today, and since I wasn't going to the office, I just stayed in the bed to think about my life. I had work to do, but I didn't just feel like it anymore. My head was hurting from all the thoughts, and I couldn't help but wonder when all this shit will be over, so I could go back to living the way I used to. With all the strength left in me, I dragged myself to my feet and walked sluggishly out of the room when my
Chapter 20 One week onKnoxville thought he had been having a tough time, but after what he went through the last few days, he concluded that he was just starting to experience the worst nightmare of his life. Having his granddad choking life out of him with frustrations, and Aliyah whom he had been going to the training school to see in a bid to talk to her but never succeeded, and Nina constantly disturbing her about the baby. He felt he was going to eventually die with all the frustrations, because why not? It was a Monday morning, and he was supposed to go to the office, since he had managed to stop the rumors on the internet some days ago, and there was nothing to worry about again, but he couldn't even lift a finger from the bed. It wasn't like he was having sleeping paralysis but was just lazy to stand up. As he stared up at the ceiling, memories of months ago flooded his mind. The thought of how Aliyah would constantly wait up for him even if he was out late, how s
Chapter 21 "Is it something you want to talk about?" Tate asked as he drove her home later, but she shook her head, not even bothered about raising her gaze to look at him, since she was busy with her phone. She had many things on her plate now, and allowing Knox to disturb her head was the last thing she wanted. "What time is Carole coming over today?" She asked him, not sparing him a glance. "I think she should be here an hour after we arrive home," He replied to her, and she nodded her head. "Mr. Arnaldo said that I had a few documents to revise from home. Has he sent it already?" She asked, and he sighed briefly as he glanced at her through the visor. "Why don't you drop the honorific for once, Aliyah? He will feel bad if he heard you say that," Tate uttered, and she sighed as she slowly raised her gaze. Of course, she wanted to call him her dad, she wanted to be free with him and maybe make up for the past life they never had together, but even after all this
Chapter 22 "I love you, Mandy... I love you with everything in me. I know this is too sudden, but I can't help it," Tate uttered as he held Aliyah's hands while staring into her eyes directly. It was evening, and since she had no one else to practice with, she had to do it with Tate. She was going to act that part in the class tomorrow, so it would be difficult for her if she didn't practice at home. "Ugh! This is creepily awkward," Aliyah muttered as she retracted her hands from his grasp, sinking into the couch afterward. "Why? You don't feel like practicing again?" He asked as he sat beside her on the couch, and she sighed briefly. She was kind of having weird feelings about this. "I don't want to practice. It's late, and I want to go to bed," She replied to him, even though she knew very well that she wasn't feeling sleepy yet. It was just 8pm, so how the hell was she supposed to be sleepy by this time? "They are going to pick the actors for Orange entertainmen
Chapter 23 Knox tossed on the bed for the fifth time, finding it difficult to get some sleep. His mind was occupied with lots of thoughts, and he couldn't even bring himself to get some sleep, at least, not after what happened back at Aliyah's school today. It took him some time before he finally felt his eyes heavy, and he didn't resist the sleep since it was what he has been waiting for, drifting into dreamland. The sound of his ringing phone pulled him out of his deep slumber, and he groaned tiredly as he tossed on the bed, and as he cast a lazy look toward his side, the bright sunlight penetrated his eyes, and he forced them open as the realization hit him that it was already morning, or late in the morning, rather. He groaned as he sat up on the bed tiredly, and he gasped when he glanced at the wall clock to see that it was already 10am. "Shit!" He cursed under his breath, realizing he had an appointment with his workers this morning, and it was already time
Chapter 148 Two weeks later Aliyah tossed on the bed for the umpteenth time, lazy to get off the bed. Her eyes felt heavy and her head wasn't exempted from the feeling. "What's this?" She mumbled as she finally managed to sit up on the bed, rubbing her fingers gently on her forehead while groaning in pain. Knox has traveled on a business trip since three days and she was left here by herself all alone. Her Mom only comes by once in a while, and now that Tate's fiancee is pregnant and also they were planning to get married, he didn't have enough time to come by. Mason has been busy with work and his girlfriend too, while Janice and Lee traveled on a honeymoon trip to Italy, so she was left here all alone by herself. "I should've just gone with Knox," she regretted her hesitance to go with Knox when he asked her to. "It's just five days you are going to spend there, so it's fine," She had said to him when he asked her to come with him, but now it felt like he has been gone for thre
Chapter 147A lot has happened in the last few weeks. James and Janice have sorted things out, and even after all the hatred, James realized his mistake and asked Janice for forgiveness, and to make up for everything that has happened in the past, he said he was going to take the blame for all the things Janice has done in the past. Janice was going to turn herself in, but he refused. To him, it was all his fault and he should take the blame for everything and let Janice live her life like nothing happened. Besides, she still had a whole lot ahead of her and he didn't want to be in jail.James was put on trial after series of investigation which all proved that he was the culprit, and found guilty of murder, taking the blame for his daughter and going to jail in her place so she could have a good life ahead. Lisa was also given life imprisonment for the murder of Rebecca's husband and an attempt to kill her husband and stepdaughter, Aliyah. Everything has gone back to the way it used
Chapter 146Aliyah stared at her reflection in the mirror, and as she thought about what happened in these past few months, then she could only be grateful that everything although would remain in her heart forever, was always going to be memories to her.Knowing that everything was over now, she was finally at peace. No reason to worry when her husband leaves the house, no need to worry that some assassin might break into the house and harm her. There was nothing to worry about, but most importantly, having her parents alive and healthy was what she was most grateful for, but it hurts knowing that her stepdad died protecting her Mom. He never deserved to die.The sound of the shower in the bathroom finally stopped after a while, and the door opened, revealing Knox. His body was dripping wet and his hair was damp. He had a white towel wrapped around his waist and a little bulge down there."Hey..." He smiled brightly as he walked over to the closet and picked out his robe, dropping it
Chapter 145"I'm scared, Tate. Are you sure about this?" Shirley asked after they alighted from the car."Come on, I told you that there's no cause to be scared. I'm here for you... We are in this together," Tate cupped her cheek in his palms and assured her, looking into her eyes. As planned, Shirley was going to move in to live with Mrs. Andrews. This was the only thing she could do, she was determined to do it earlier, but now that she was here, her fear was already taking over her. What if her plans fail later? What if she ends up getting thrown out of the house? What if she insists that she can't marry her son? What will become of her."I told you there's nothing to worry about. Why do you look so scared like my Mom is a masquerade," He pinched her cheeks playfully, but deep inside he knew that there was really need for her to be worried knowing the kind of tough person his Mom was."Come on, smile for me," He uttered, and she forced a smile."Wait while I go get your things from
Chapter 144A few days later Knox pulled over at the parking lot of the restaurant and stepped out of the car. He then proceeded toward the entrance door, and found Janice waiting for him as soon as he walked inside. She had texted him yesterday and asked them to meet at the restaurant this morning so they could talk about something important, and that had made him curious since last night as many negative thoughts won't stop coming to his mind. Did she change her mind about turning herself in? That was one of the questions he kept asking himself, but he would soon find out about it, anyway."Hi! Did I keep you waiting?" He asked when he got to where she was seated, pulling out the chair across from her and settling in it."Not really. Good morning," She forced a smile at him, tucking her hair behind her ear. She was cladded in a short black armless gown and a pair of black heels like someone going to a funeral."Why is she dressed in all black? Is she planning to do something evil?"
Chapter 143It was a beautiful morning and a special day for Lee and Janice as it was their first day going out as official couples. Janice stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying everything she could to hold back her tears. It was a great day for her, a day she should push all the negative energies away and focus on her man so they could have fun to the fullest, but knowing that this moment won't last long for them was something she couldn't hold herself back for."It's ok, Janice. You already said you were going to enjoy the remaining days to the fullest. You said that you won't let anything tamper with your joy," She assured herself, fighting back the tears that already brimmed in her eyes."Yeah... There you go," She whispered as she leaned forward and cleaned her tears, adding some makeup to cover up her eyebags."Yes! That is perfect," She forced a smile at her reflection, then took a deep breath."Enjoy your day, baby girl," She said to her reflection and finally left t
Chapter 142A few weeks laterArnaldo has long woken up from coma and has been recovering over the last few weeks, but Rebecca was yet to recover although she has woken up too. Knox has been doing well too.It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and the day set for Arnaldo to go see Lisa in the prison along with Aliyah and Knox.Sitting in front of the mirror and staring at her reflection, Aliyah sighed as the thought of everything that has happened in the last few months played in her head. How they were able to survive until now was still like a miracle she couldn't comprehend, and she could only be grateful to her maker for being there for her all along. If anyone ever told her that the one behind the shit that has happened to her was her stepmom, she would've been the last person to believe it. The woman has always been good to her, and although she was never comfortable being around her, she never gave her any reason to doubt her pure heart toward her. She didn't imagine that she c
Chapter 141Aliyah paced restlessly along the hallway, her eyes filled with tears. Her hair was disheveled as a result of constantly scattering it. She looked horrible, but that was the least of the things she cared about at the moment. Her husband and Mom were in the ER fighting for their lives and she was hoping they'd survive it."Just this once, please... Please spare them for me. Please don't take them away from me," She fell to her knees and prayed silently, hoping he'd prayers would be answered. At least just this once.The sound of her ringing phone pulled her attention, and if not that the call was from her dad's maid, then she wouldn't have answered it. "Ma... ma'am Aliyah... There is a problem. Mr. Arnaldo... Blood... He...he was shot," The feminine voice quivered at the other end, and her heart sank into her stomach. Her jaw dropped."Wh... what did you say?" She stuttered, her lips trembling as she stared into space. No! This is not happening, please. Not now."I came ba
Chapter 140 Mr. Arnaldo paced restlessly along the hospital hallway, worried about Rebecca who was in the ER, fighting for her life. Why was this happening? Who was behind everything that has been happening? He asked himself, running his fingers through his hair, but couldn't come up with any answer, so he sighed deeply. Knox was also present in the hospital, and Aliyah too was worried. She was sitting on the bench and burying her face between her palms, crying her eyes out. She has just lost her foster Dad, and it hurts. "Babe, you need to be strong, ok?" Knox tried to comfort her, sitting beside her and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, but more tears came streaming down her cheeks. "What should I do, Knox? Why is everything falling apart?" She cried, and he wished he could provide an answer to her question. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly, slowly patting her hair assuring her yet again that everything was going to be fine even though it was obvious that t