"She's gone.""Where's my phone?""What do you––""She won't be––""Sam, your phone please?"Sam handed over his phone without complaint. Upon Jasmine's complaint, Brandon sat, but still rose the phone to his ear."Hello?" Frederico answered gruffly."Frederico, it's me. Find out where Elizabeth is," he barked in Portuguese."Brandon?! Welcome back, buddy. I already have her location.""Good. Where?""Jfk airport. I'll be there in twenty minutes."Brandon nodded once and ended the call. Everyone stared at him expectantly. With sudden strength, Brandon pushed up to his feet and marched to Brian, ignoring Jasmine's growl, and said,"I need a change of clothes and––""I got it all ready. Bathroom.""Thanks," Brandon breathed with relief and rushed into the bathroom."Byron, we can't let him go now," Jasmine appealed to Byron, seeing as everyone else was either too shocked to move or had smiles on their faces.Byron wrapped his arms around his troubled wife and said,"I understand your wo

All thoughts left his head.Brandon felt his brain rattle in his head. His ears tingled. He blinked once... Twice... Then blinked again. Goosebumps rode his skin with an ardent vigor, turning his flesh inside out. His nipples puckered. It was night time, yet he felt the heat of the sun. He simmered and bubbled till he felt as joyous as the sun in the summer, but he didn't know what to do with himself. His head felt full and empty at the same time.Beth waited for something. Anything. Her fists clenched with anticipation. 'Please say something.'Her mouth dried out and her skin crawled with an emotion she refused to identify.'Please say something.'Her eyes held his, waiting. Begging.'Say something. Please!'When he looked away, her shoulders fell. The dark mist of absolute gloom clouded her heart, and she smiled. And she'd thought she had nothing else to lose... She chuckled lowly even as a tear fell. It felt like her heart had been ripped out and the space, emptied. Slowly and

Brandon remained on his knee, waiting. Hoping. Begging. He didn't know what it would be like without Beth and honestly, he didn't want to. The fear in his heart was something he never wanted to feel again. If not Elizabeth, no matter how much he preached strength, he didn't think he would be able to open up to anyone else, ever again. Being so vulnerable came with a feeling so pungent, it stripped you of all your shame, pride and excellence, and left you a bare, helpless man. How she did it, how she forgave him after finding out about the bet, he would never know, but he was too selfish to let her go. How could he? Outside his circle of money, friends and family, she was all he had, and he was man enough to admit it. The hopeful looks of Jasmine and Sherlie reached Beth. Nina couldn't stand still, fidgeting from one foot to the other. The men watched on with tense looks on their faces. Stella and Marcella were holding hands with their fingers crossed. The only person with a blatant q

A week later, Brandon took Beth on a drive round town. Later that evening, they appeared at a large mansion of Spanish revival architecture. At first glance, Beth’s mouth fell open. Brandon pulled her round the huge tree in the center of the compound and into the house. Eight bedrooms, a movie room, art room, sound proofed room, game room, cozy lounge, laundry room, a kitchen that was nothing short of a chef’s dream with a garden right behind it, two ridiculously sized living rooms, a wonderful pool out back, a modest sized changing room—considering the size of the rest of the house—a shaded veranda on the second floor, and a gym. All complete with warm, radiant lights and—no doubt—expensive furnishing. Beth was floored, stunned and every other word that there was to describe shock. What a house! She began to fan herself with her hand. Brandon took her back to the front of the house where she spotted a shed nailed against the far-right wall which served as covering for a delectable

Sherlie crossed her arms and nodded once. “As a matter of fact, I have.”Beth’s brows shot up. Her eyes widened. “You have? When?!”“Two days ago.”“And you’re just telling me this?”“I—”“And you accused me of forgetting you.”Sherlie pursed her lips and looked away guiltily.Beth scoffed. “Wow.”“Why haven’t you?”“What do you mean why haven’t you? It took you over a month!”“That… that is true. Still aren’t ready?”Beth sighed and shook her head.“Okay. I can’t fault that. Take your time, B.”Beth nodded.“Although!” Sherlie rose a sharp finger and Beth reared back like the finger was right in her face. “Whenever you are ready, you have to come to me.”“Why?”“So that I could give you a few tips,” Sherlie finished with a smug smile.Beth's gave her an unimpressed look. “You’ve had sex, what, a handful of times in the last two days and you already consider yourself a pro?”“Compared to you? Yes.”Beth rose a brow.“Promise to come to me when you’re ready and in need of advice.”Beth