Caution: This chapter isn't meant to criticize the police or give a bad impression about them. The work is solely fictitious. Enjoy.Chapter 20 Vanessa's POV:"How do you like my weekend gift, Pompom?" His voice sounded excited over the phone. This was all his doing. Victor didn't know him at all; they'd never met before, yet he chose to punish my brother."You're quiet; got nothing to say?" He asked, and I stayed silent because I couldn't figure out my feelings."I warned you, Ms. Williams, but you thought I was joking and went to the police to report me, just to prove how courageous you can be." He tsked pitifully. "Let's see how they help you get out of this mess.""Why are you doing this?" I asked, "Please, just let my brother go. He doesn't know anything. You can do whatever you want with me.""Why? Does going to jail bring back old memories?" He chuckled. He wanted Victor to experience going to jail again."Sir, my mother will go crazy if she hears about this. Please, release h
Chapter 21Andre's POV:On Thursday morning, I sat in my chair, reading reports from the previous month. I also signed a few papers that required my approval. It was then that Stanley knocked on the door."Sir, there's a lady outside causing a small commotion about meeting you.""Send her away," I replied nonchalantly, tapping my pen on the desk as I studied the paper."We tried sending her away as we noticed she isn't someone you'd know, based on her appearance butt she has refused.""Do you know who she is?" "I don't know; I'll go outside and check again," Stanley said, quickly leaving the room. I got up from my seat, went to the window, and lowered the blind to see for myself who it was. It was a young lady who looked quite ordinary, and I doubted I'd seen her before. I usually didn't do business with people of her standing. A few moments later, Stanley returned."Sir, she claims she's a friend of Ms. Williams and she has something to speak with you about." I thought for a while,
Chapter 22Vanessa's POV:"I want to resign," I said sternly."What do you think my response will be?" he asked nonchalantly, briefly glancing between the road and me until he found a suitable spot to park the car by the side of the road."Huh?" I asked, a little confused at his reply, did he not take me seriously? I truly want to get away from him and I need him to let go."Let me guess, you're following a script, right? I should know my part of the dialogue to play along. Do you think you can quit on me?" He chuckled, tilting his head to the side."I supposed you didn't read the contract you signed, Vanessa Williams. Do a review of it once you get home. There's a clause that has the penalty you'll receive if you decide to quit halfway through paying back my money. I guess you enjoyed your stay in prison so much that you want to relive that experience."His eyes moved to the undone belt and he hissed, "There's hardly anything you can do right." He moved too close to me without notic
Chapter 23Vanessa's POV:The drive from the store to my house was an all-too-familiar one. The city streets had a certain rhythm, a pulse I had missed more than I could admit. After spending the last week in prison, I was relieved to be back.He dropped me off a few houses down from my own, reversed, and left with a reminder of tomorrow night's event. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and trepidation as I walked the remaining distance.I reached the front gate and took a deep breath before entering. As I approached the door, I felt a growing knot of guilt in my stomach. My mother had no idea where I had been, and now, I had to tell a lie to shield her from the harsh reality of my recent ordeal, I doubt I'd keep a straight face to lie to her, I never told her lies but ever since I met that man, I've turned something else with concealing truths.I pushed open the front door, and there she was, my mother, sitting on the living room couch with Claire and Victor by her side. He
Chapter 24: Fall in Love after Marriage****Andre's POV:***I whistled, twirling my car key between my fingers as I made my way inside. The living room, as always, remained empty, as Elizabeth often attended social gatherings with her daughter after school, believing they needed connections to excel in class. Louisa, on the other hand, spent most of her time with her new friends in Collinsville. Meanwhile, my father was away securing a new spot for our company in the international market.As I approached my room, I noticed that the door was slightly ajar. Assuming it was a mistake by the cleaner, I entered. The lights were on, and the room smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. Someone had been here or was still here. My eyes scanned the room for anything amiss, and I quickly noticed that the balcony door was open. Without much thought, I rushed outside and found Ethan standing in front of the railing."You're here?" I asked."Yeah, I've been waiting for you for a while. Mrs. Elizabeth sa
Chapter 25***Vanessa's POV:***Sunday evening had finally arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves. Claire had spent the day helping me prepare for my boss's dinner date. Claire was a perfectionist, and I had entrusted her with the task of getting me ready, and maybe she was beginning to do too much. She turned her room upside down searching for the perfect outfit."Vanessa, how's this?" She asked, raising a very skimpy, short, and revealing dress with nude mesh. I shook my head. "Too revealing?" She inquired, and I nodded."Ok, what else do I have here?" She said, looking at the loaded wardrobe with her hands on her hips. "Claire, I told you, something moderate. I'm not participating in a pageant...""But still, you have to look pretty and show him your worth, girl- I found it! The perfect outfit for tonight!" She said excitedly in between explaining why we should do this.As the evening sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, I stood before the mirror, barely recognizing the
Chapter 26Vanessa's POV:The night in the car with Mr. Garcia had been humiliating, and I couldn't shake off the burning heat that had crept into my cheeks. His harsh words and actions left a lasting wound, and I found it hard to forget the way my face flushed with humiliation. What did he think of me? Some toy without feelings?The following day at work, my boss acted as if nothing had happened. He was back to his usual distant and demanding self. "Why are you coming at this time?" Was the first question he asked the moment I walked through the door, his eyes staring lazily at me."Time?" I quickly stared at my watch; the time was exactly 7:59, which meant I was one minute away from being late. I was going to explain the time in the traffic, and how I had to walk here, but I'd rather not. I think the universe wants to go against me today, but I wouldn't give up."I'm early," I replied, trying to look straight into his eyes, but there was something about him that always left me intim
Chapter 27***Andre's POV:***Outside, I lit a cigarette, exhaling into the air. Just then, the gate opened with a creak, and a teenage boy stepped in. He was in his school uniform, with his bag slung over one shoulder and an AirPod in his ear. Upon seeing Ethan and me, he paused for a moment, then lowered his gaze to the ground and walked past us without a word.The first time I saw her other son, I thought. Ethan patted my shoulder. "Andre, I asked you nicely not to mess this up. Why are you acting strange?" He inquired."Did you see her son? He must be getting all the love he needs from having a complete family," I commented, changing the subject."Ethan, you know I was younger than him when my mother left me? Just a child who had to deal with things on his own. I had no one to turn to back then; my father was in his world." I took another drag from the cigarette before speaking again."I feel jealous of that young man.""Your brother?"I chuckled. "Says who? Just because he's Tayl