...Sophie."No. No. Who are you? Where's this place?" The shadow kept quiet. I knew I was not alone. I knew I was being watched but my company refused to talk. It was dark, chilly and stuffy with only the sounds of the cricket keeping me company. The dimly lit atmosphere felt suffocating. I hyperventilated severally unable to catch my breath. There was no breeze coming in since the windows were locked. I gasped for air. My wrists weren't free, they were cuffed behind my back. My legs were chained to the bed. My neck was strapped with a collar as if I was some caged dog. Was the mysterious stranger who locked me in here planning on mistreating me like a dog that went astray?The situation was above me. It was one I couldn't deal with. My lips were sealed with plastic tape. I couldn't move. I couldn't call out for help with the little breath I had left but I had to try, nevertheless. I found myself screaming but it was muffled. I was slowly losing my mind. Then another shadow appe
..."I'm afraid Father but I'll have to decline." He said.Webster took a quick gulp of his drink, polishing it off afterwards. Just as expected, he knew his son was going to shy away from it. His chest rose and fell, his expression prickled with anger.He was the kind that liked obedience. He never liked his authority being questioned. "How can you so adamantly refuse such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Many in your shoes would like nothing but to have such an opportunity thrown their way. The decision has been made and you will not go against it. You will do as I say. I insist. The company won't be passed on to anyone if not you." He said, decisively.Lorenzo shrank back in his seat, adjusting the cufflinks on his sleeves in sudden discomfort as he thought of what to say. "But father... Why me? I don't understand why this sudden responsibility has to fall on my shoulders when my older brother is still alive and kicking. Atkins is the supposed rightful heir, not me. I'm just th
...She pulled away, clearing her throat. "Since we're on that topic. Can you accompany me to my friend's night party?" She asked, blinking twice. It was all written on her face how she wanted my response to "I don't think that's...," I was still talking when she cut me off."I mean, he's not really my friend 'cause he once betrayed my trust but I've moved on long ago," she said, taking a sip of her drink. Trying to cover the look of hurt on her face.I sighed, crawling an inch closer to her. "Do you wanna talk about it?" I asked.She looked at me and bit her inner lips. "It's all in the past. It's just a guy I was unfortunate enough to cross roads with during my second-year semester. That was two years ago and I'm now in my finals. We fell in love at first sight like all fantasy stories begin. I thought he was my night in shining armour. My prince charming and I was his Cinderella with the missing silver shoe. Little did I know it was my own wild imagination." He huffed, continuin
. . . "I have a plan A. We'll escape through the window, then we bolt through the backyard gate. It's already late so it's definitely locked against intruders. Then again... I have a spare. Let's just pray there's no one watching over the gate." She said, exhaling. "Wow! That's a nice plan. But how'd you get your hands on a spare one?" I asked, curiously. "Um. Your husband gave it to me the day he bolted from home. Let me check if I even brought it with me. I always bring it along in case an emergency like this one, occurs." She said, searching through her things. After a few seconds, she found it. "Yepii! it's here!" She shouted, excitedly, locking eyes with me. "Come let's move." She slowly shifted the opening of the window able to slip herself in. I huffed. Not in relief cause it never really mattered if we were able to slip off the night or not. At least not to me, it didn't. I still couldn't believe I was doing this. I thought, inwardly. Once she was out, I sneaked out,
...Sophie.I followed Daphne's lead as we entered the night hall. The different fluorescent lights shining all over the place were blinding. The deafening rock music fueled my senses and it was apparent that every person present there with them was in for a long show. The night vibe was killing. The party clubbers were of course, massive.Daphne held my hand like some child whom she wouldn't like to lose amidst all these crowds as we made our way, shoving people aside until we found a joint that was by far less noisy. She pushed back a chair and sat me down on it, going ahead to sit beside me. My eyes took in every little detail as it roamed around the place. We weren't the only people waiting to be attended to. There were many others and they probably had the same reason for finding peace and serenity here instead of the lively dancefloor.Before I knew it, I was already the centre of attention. Hungry men's attention as they undressed me with their lustful gazes. One of them smi
Chapter 59Fake marriage with the billionaire playboy..."Fascinating. I can be an exception, then. That ring shouldn't define you. Don't let it cage you in the name of marriage. Not all marriages work. You might think you love him now but you two will grow apart in the end. It's no curse. All marriages, drift apart as time goes on. You can hardly find one that lasts in this century." He said the words like a sane human. Like he was actually making sense when as a matter of fact, he was losing his mind.I scoffed. Dumbfounded. What century did he think he was still living in? God. To think I could even have a proper conversation with such a man was alarming.He continued. "Your husband doesn't need to know. I can replace him. Just say the word." He got off my face. At some point, I was tempted to drag his grey hair and pull it all out but I tried to be a lady. To do as I was taught. Manners and courtesy. If it were my mother."I don't hide anything from my hubby and you can never
..."I beg of you," I found myself begging but it fell on deaf ears."Dream on." He smirked, adding more pressure around my waist as I beat and slammed my fragile fists on his unmoving body but he still wouldn't let go. He didn't even budge. "Let go of me! Spike, I said you should fucking let go of me! Please...," I cried, wrangling to get out of his grasp.He scoffed, shaking his head. "And like I said... it's never gonna happen again, Sophie. We still have a lot of catch-up to do. Now I'd say you remain quiet and don't make a scene or your punishment would be more severe." He warned.Punishment. I gulped hard on that particular word, and finally, I stopped throwing punches at him. I knew I had given in quickly, however, I never stopped weighing my options. I had no chance against a man like him who could easily overpower me a thousand times. He'd probably impose his sadistic rights over me when we were alone, outside of this suffocating vicinity and that fear brought out the figh
...We never talked till we reached our destination. Lorenzo parked his car and came down. I had to admit I missed my child just a few hours of being apart from him. My gaze swept around the entire building as I searched for the guard to whom I entrusted Miguel. Successfully finding the two of them, I ran to the poor guard first, thanking him wholeheartedly as I took over. Miguel relaxed in my arms, kicking out his arms and feet, excitedly as he clung to me. He was with one of the bodyguards. I knew he'd wake up if he suspected I was gone. My baby boy always knew when I was near. He could always feel his mother's presence and I don't ever wanna be apart from him, again. I thought getting emotional as a tear of contentment slipped down my cheeks.What would've happened if I was dragged away by that heartless monster? Shaking off the thoughts, I sighed. Relieved. Lorenzo had had enough of the drama as he grabbed my wrist, dragging me along with him as we stepped inside the house. H