Chapter 1 Call the cops
TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
The door bell jangled repeatedly. Kiara stepped out of the bathroom and she frowned at the small alarm clock sitting on the bedside drawer. The red light on the clock beeped 10:30 p.m which was already passed her usual bed time. She came home too late because more people had showed up at the salon today. Two of her workers didn’t show up at the salon because they had family functions to attend respectively. She had almost regretted giving them two days off from work because their absence was so obvious and there wasn’t enough hands to tends to the customers.
Kiara was getting ready to sleep after a long day at the salon and now someone was at the door.
“Who the heck has a plan to destroy my poor doorbell!” Kiara grumbled as she wore her night wear and pulled on the robe and secured it in place with a tight knot. She rushed to attend to whoever was at the door
She swore that the person would hear few harsh words from her before uttering a polite greeting and it didn’t matter even if it was her only friend, Lila. She motioned out of the room and made her ways towards the door.
“Who the hell wants to break down my door?!” She screamed out when a loud bang hit the door. No response came from whoever was out there.
Kiara peered through the small gap on the wooden door. Immediately, she recognized the figure standing on the porch. It was her greatest nightmare, Carlos Osvaldo.
“Why...why...is...he...here at this time...of the night?”Kiara stuttered. He is the last person she wanted to see at that moment.
“Kiara, I know you can see me through this goddamn holes! So open up this door while I am still calm!” Carlos gritted.
No, he wasn’t calm. Kiara knew it. His voice was clear of annoyance and his words were spiteful. No way, she was going to let him into this house.
Slowly, she started backwards as Carlos banged on the door again. Fear gripped her. “I won’t...open it...no..I won’t..open it...” She began to tremble.
“Go away, Carlos!” Kiara screamed as a tear strayed down her right cheek.
“Kiara! Open up this damn door! Or I’ll be forced to bring it down!” Carlos barked out.
His voice sent terror down her spine. She could imagine how angry he would look just standing out there without getting what he wanted. She knows what he would do to her once she opens up that door.
No doubt, it would end up with her taking several of his punches and slaps just like always. Kiara glanced down at the purple bruises on her wrist and the scar on her palm. He had inflicted most of the injuries on her body and all she ever did was take it all because it was hopeless trying to fight against him or even defend herself. Carlos was strong and she wouldn’t dare to say a word or even scream out during the abuse.
All of a sudden, Kiara turned away and ran into the bedroom. She locked the door and went in search of her cellphone. Her only escape route was calling her best friend, Lila. She found the phone on the bed under the pillow and in a hurry she dialed Lila’s number.
“Pick up...pick up...please Lila.” Kiara begged after the second ring.
She was left with two possible options if Lila doesn’t pick up the call. It’s either she escape through the window or wait for Carlos to break down all the doors until he gets a hold of her. Thinking about it deeply, Kiara knew the second option meant that it would be the end of her life.
A repeated sound jolted Lila up from the deep sleep. She grumbled and stretch her hand to reach for her cellphone under the second pillow.
‘Hello...Kiara.’ She picked up after like the fourth ring on Kiara’s side.
‘Lila...Lila! He is here again. What should...I do?’ Kiara said in a tight whisper.
‘Who?’ Lila sounded like she was sleep-talking.
‘Carlos! My husband is here!’ Kiara cried out.
‘What?!’ Lila sat up on the other end abruptly. ‘Carlos is back home?! Did he hit you again?!’ She questioned frantically.
‘No...no...he didn’t hit me. But he is still out on the porch...’ Her voice trailed off to listen to the bang but everywhere was silent. Did he leave already? She mused.
‘That son of a bi**ch!’ Lila cursed out loud.
‘Save me...Lila. I am so scared of what he would do to me this time.’ Kiara’s voice pleaded with her best friend.
‘Call the cops! Kiara, call the cops! I already made it clear that you should make a report to the police!’ Lila rushed out her words as she dashed to the closet.
‘I can’t do it. He might go to jail if I report him to the police. Or not! Have you forgotten who the Osvaldos are in this town?! Listen Lila, I think he came back home because of my text to file a divorce if he doesn’t stop the abuse on me.’ She sobbed.
‘You did what? Oh my goodness! When did you send it to him?!’ Lila demanded.
‘Yesterday.’ Kiara muttered.
‘At this point, I can’t fold my hands and do nothing anymore! You have given Carlos enough chances to make things up to you and change for good! I am calling the cops on him! So don’t you dare let him into that house!’ Lila warned and the line went off.
‘No...no...Lila...don’t call the cops. I can talk things out with him.’
Silence. Kiara looked at the phone and realized that Lila already disconnected the call. She dialed Lila’s number back for about four times.
‘The number you dialed is on another call. Please leave a message or call back later.’ The auto response boomed over the phone.
“She shouldn’t call the...cops.” Kiara paced to and fro. Again, she realized that the banging of the door had stopped for quite sometime now.
She walked to the door and unlocked it. Carlos must have left because she didn’t open the door to let him in. She thought. Kiara hoped that he already left so that the cops won’t apprehend him.
Chapter 2 The life of Kiara Jaden TEXAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICAKiara would have heaved a sigh of relief but she stopped abruptly as soon as she walked into the sitting room. Carlos was there standing by the window. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw that the door was intact.Carlos came in through the window. “Lucky you, I didn’t have to break down the door.” He smirked before it was replaced by a devious grin.Her heart beat accelerated in marathon at the sight of him. “My dear...Kiara.” Carlos started towards her while she took a step at a time backwards.Carlos raised his hand up in surrender. “Relax, I won’t hurt you. So just be a good girl, who knows? I might give a very big candy.” He shrugged.Kiara stopped to study his expression. Carlos wasn’t sincere so she knew better than trusting his words. All he ever did was manipulate her into believing his words.“I know you don’t believe me but—““Why are you here?” Kiara mumbled.Carlos arched his eyebrows. “You don’
Chapter 3 Existence of a Vampwolf THE CELESTIAL IMPERIAL“Vaewolf, Lycanpire, Vampwolf, Cucubuth. Legends speaks of them being Hybrids. But a Vampwolf has the most history ever written and has been passed down from generation to generation. Not a myth but it is real.” She stopped, looking up at the seven years old blonde haired boy who sat in front of her with curious eyes wanting to know more.“A Vampwolf?” He arched his brows.She hummed a positive response. “Are you sure you want to read a book like this, Dwayne?”“Yes mother. Please continue! Please continue!” He pestered.She heaved a sigh. “A Vampwolf. Half-Vampire...Half-Lycan. But stronger than both. A cross breed deadlier than any werewolf or vampire. Werewolf-Vampire hybrids are the mixture of a vampire and a werewolf. They possess the powers of both species, making them twice as powerful. And—““Wow! Mother! Is it really true that the Alpha King is a Vampwolf?!” He asked, a gasp escaping his lips.She smiled. “Yes
Chapter 4 The Osvaldos TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA. KJ BEAUTY EMPIRE: KIARA’S OFFICEKiara’s head snapped up to look at whoever just opened the office and she found Lila standing at the entrance with a bright smile on her face.“Hey best friend!” Lila giggled as she strolled further into the room.Kiara managed a smile on her face. “Good afternoon, Lila.”Lila raised her eyebrows at the unusual way her best friend just acknowledged her presence. “Is that the right way to greet me? Woah! You didn’t even offer me a seat! So rude of you, CEO Kiara! Is this how you treat a good client?” Lila questioned in feigned annoyance with her hands on her waist as she stood at akimbo.Kiara glanced up again from the laptop screen. She was busy taking a free spa lessons online.“Let me ask you a question.” She paused.“Yes I am listening.”“Are you here today as a client or a best friend?” Kiara asked.Lila thought for a moment. “Such a cunning question. Perhaps am I making you uncomfortable
Chapter 5 Kiara’s Decision TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA KJ BEAUTY EMPIRE: KIARA’S OFFICE“First thing first, you can’t say no to me.” Lila pointed out.“Spill it.” Kiara breathed out heavily.“In a bid to not wallow in self pity for getting fired at work, Daniel made a reservation at the biggest club in town so he asked me to bring my friends. And I do not have any friends except you. So you are hanging out with us at the club tonight.” Lila stated in excitement that one would doubt she had just lost a job.Kiara rubbed her temples gently. She hadn’t seen that coming if not she would have come up with a better topic to distract Lila. But at the same time, Kiara know that wouldn’t work on Lila who can get too persistent whenever she wants something to go her way.“You can’t say no...remember.” Lila rushed to sit next to her.This isn’t the first time Lila was asking her to hang out with she and Daniel. Ever since Kiara divorced Carlos Osvaldo, Lila had made it a point of duty to
Chapter 6 Feeling alive TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA AT KIARA’S HOUSELila and her boyfriend, Daniel Dantes who is a CEO of a big clothing brand in Texas showed up at Kiara’s house at exactly nine o’clock p.m.Kiara had rolled her eyes severally when Jessica brought the dress into the office. It was way beyond what she imagined and even Jessica couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her throat at the sight of the dress. It was way too revealing and wasn’t Kiara’s sort of clothing.“You look so hot! Damn! How could you hide such a beautiful body under baggy wears?!” Lila gasped out.A bright smile played on Daniel Dante’s face as his eyes did a slow crawl on Kiara’s body. She looked sexy in the tiny strapped short crimson dress. He couldn’t deny that Kiara looked amazing and beautiful. Ever since he knew Kiara, Daniel has never seen her in such an outfit aside casual jeans, sweatshirts, baggy trousers and tops.“Why on earth did you buy this sort of dress?!” Kiara asked.“Listen t
Chapter 7 Defensive stanceTEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA AT THE CLUBHOUSEAside Liam being one of Carlos close friends, he had his eyes on Kiara in college even before she met Carlos. Kiara had turned him down thrice which had hurt his ego so badly and when she started going out with Carlos, he had expressed how heartbroken he felt via text message.Liam was even present at the court on the day she divorced Carlos. She knew he would be rejoicing about the failed marriage because he had tried to warn her about Carlos.“I love what I am seeing. You have done well for yourself, Kiara. Oh sorry…how has life been without Carlos Osvaldo? Good or bad?” He asked.“What?” Kiara muttered.“Since you are looking this good, I guess the money you made from the Osvaldos has been put into a good use.” He grinned widely. “So tell me are you here all dolled up this way to get another catch like Carlos Osvaldo?” His eyes did a slow crawl from her face to her cleavage.Kiara felt insulted. She
Chapter 8 Blood SuckersTEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICAAfter a long trek of about forty minutes, Kiara was lucky to get a taxi that drove her to a point. All she needed to do was cross the dark alley that would give a sight to her street ahead. She heaved a sigh of relief for reaching her destination finally.All of a sudden, Kiara stopped midway when she heard voices in the alley.“You thought I won’t ever find you?! Even if you go beneath the sea, I’ll have my merfriends bring you out!” The voice grounded out.Reasons why Kiara doesn’t keep late nights whenever she leaves home without her car. There are always teenage boys lurking around this alley in particular to rob and harass people. She wondered why the cops are nowhere to be found today. They are always on patrol in the area ever since the dead body of a teenage girl was found in the alley and news had it that she was raped to death.This alley was forbidden but she had to use it today because it was closer to her house.“Plea
Chapter 9 The Celestial Imperial THE CELESTIAL IMPERIALIn an unconscious state, Kiara felt gentle swaying motion, almost as if being on a boat, where the waves lifted and eased at the whimsy of the wind, peaceful and comforting. And she might have been comforted by the motion, were it not for the fiery hot throbbing pain in her neck. Her breathe sputtered in irregular patterns, short, sharp and incomplete.Kiara was burning inside for terrifying moments but soon everything faded in her mind again. ******************************Kiara could hear hushed voices from a far distance and it felt like she was dreaming."Hey…I think she is awake now…her eyelashes are fluttering.”“No…I think she is still asleep.""Her wound has healed completely.""Let us wake her up before those cruel guards comes around to pour water on her."Cruel guards? What's happening? Wait! Did she die and didn’t make it to heaven but hell? Oh no! Was she in hell or what? Kiara bantered within herself."Hey…w