"I'm going to call the police," Denzel said but I stopped him. I had to think fast and use this opportunity for my benefit.
"Don't call the police. There's nothing much they can do without any leads. I will get to the bottom of this myself."
"You know who did this?" His face dulled in confusion.
"It's Morgan. Your father. He has every reason to hurt me. I've been hurting him for the past months. It's his turn I suppose." I was blatant in revealing my thoughts.
"My father? Do you think he's that dangerous to hire an assassin? You could have been dead by now." He examined.
I guess he doesn't entirely detest the man.
I chuckled. "It's a clumsy job. I think he's only trying to scare me."
He blinked twice, observing me like I was a completely different person. "Why aren't you suspecting my mother? She's the only trouble we all know."
"She has no beef with me. Not yet. But your father, right from the moment we said we were marrying each other, he loathed me. And he's helpless because your mother is not aware of his illicit affairs."
He sighed and leaned next to the wall, looking worried.
"Denzel, please go, I'll handle this." I touched his shoulder and he avoided my gaze. "What's the matter?"
"You know how much I want to marry you. This problem you have with my parents —"
"Is going to make them hate me and I won't get their approval?" His mouth snapped shut. "If that's what you're worried about, then don't bother."
"Their approval? What are you saying, Sheldon? This has nothing to do with them. Last time I checked, I'm old enough to make my own decisions."
"Then, what were you going to say?"
"I meant you might not accept me because of the evil my parents have done." His head hung low.
I rolled my eyes. Marriage was the last thing on my mind right now.
"Can you do me a favor?"
He lifted his head, eyes piercing into mine.
I didn't know he'd agree to do what I wanted but he did. And he did it with some reflection that he cared about me.
Denzel was gone. I convinced him to meet his mother so she wouldn't think there was a problem because it had been a while since the both of them spoke.
I invited Mr. Morgan.
How foolish of me.
I didn't let Denzel know exactly what my plan was. He didn't have to know anyway.
The man arrived, his breath sagged and his suit tinted with blood.
"What the hell happened to you?" I asked as I began to pour us a drink.
"None of your business."
I chuckled. "Morgan, you're always getting into fistfights. Don't you know violence isn't the answer? It might get you sued one day, just so you know."
He looked away as if in disgust.
"Why did you call me here? I'm sure you know we can't do anything funny in my son's house."
"And who's doing anything with you?" I sat on the couch and crossed my legs. "I just wanted to let you know that I've received your message and you don't have to keep hiding behind texts to threaten me. One thing for sure, you'll die before I do."
"What?" He yelled. "What are you talking about, you little devil?"
"Stop pretending. We both know you sent an assassin to finish me off this morning."
He scoffed. "You think I would waste my time and money on you? It's only a matter of time before my son detests you and dumps you for good. I have nothing to fear."
I gazed at him, dumbfounded.
"I don't believe you."
"I'm innocent."
Right before my eyes, Morgan swore that he had nothing to do with the threats I'd been receiving. If not him, then who?
"I'll file a report to the police and maybe when they interrogate you, you'll finally spill the truth." I was bluffing.
"There's no need for that, I never did such a thing..."
I was helpless.
I thought I was finally getting somewhere but I was back to the beginning. My suspicions were very wrong.
"Sheldon, I need you to promise me one thing. It's a favor I'm asking." Without waiting for me to respond, he went on. "Promise me you'll leave my son. This revenge path you're on will only hurt you more and more. It's best if you build your life somewhere else. Just not in my home."
My eyes got teary all of a sudden.
"That will be left for me to decide. Please, get out. We are done here and if I ever learn that you lied to me, I'll hit you with everything I've got."
After Morgan left the house, I was using most of my time to worry and analyze who my enemies were. Morgan wasn't the only one this whole arrangement was supposed to spite. There's another hidden figure who's pointing a gun at my head.
The moment I heard the sound of movement in the kitchen, I called out for Denzel but I didn't get a response. All of a sudden, a shadow appeared before me, smashing my head with a vase. I crashed to the ground but I was still conscious. I slid my hand to the back of my head to feel blood, dripping. I tried running on my fours. The intruder stabbed a syringe into my back and I was immobile, everything gradually going blank.
When I finally opened my eyes, an open window was before me, the landscape was of a mountain, hidden in the darkness. I looked around the room, freaking out with the state that I was handcuffed to a table—a huge one that couldn't be moved by one person. I struggled to get free but it was impossible. I couldn't do this without the key, so I screamed.
"Help! Is someone out there? Please, help me."
After what felt like an hour, the sounds of the door unlocking filled the cabin. It opened with a weary creak and I braced up for the worse. I got tired of guessing who could have done this to me. If I would become a slave to a human trafficker from now on?
A foot made its way through the door and I curled up like a ball. If it was Mr. Morgan, he's a dead man.
The person was finally in.
My heart sank. She was covered in a thick coat. The night was freezing anyway. Reaching for her mask, she pulled it off swiftly.
"Raven?" Slipped from my lips when our eyes met.
She laughed and drew a chair to sit before me. "Raven? No more formalities, huh?"
I stuttered. This must be a mistake. She must be here to rescue me. "I wasn't expecting to see you out here, alone."
"It's funny, isn't it? How can I climb a mountain considering my health condition? I flew a chopper if that satisfied your curiosity. I can afford it, unlike some rats who could only dream from the sewers." She had a visibly irritating grin on her face which I'd never seen before.
I think she's just giving me a feel of what's to come. She's about to make my stay here very uncomfortable and she's not here to rescue me.
"Did I do something wrong?" I inquired, surprised by the fearlessness in my voice.
Her hand went across my cheek giving me a pain to think about.
"How dare you ask me that, you wrench? As if Morgan cheating on me with a college student wasn't enough, he let her into my home to marry my son. The guts!"
She paced around the room, reaching for a pressing iron from the top shelf of a cupboard.
"You knew this whole time, didn't you?" I whispered.
She paused and flashed a smile my way. "You have no idea. I knew about everything. Every single affair. I don't care about Morgan. But my son? You're as good as dead, Sheldon."
I sat on my knees so she could see me clearly. "You hurt my mother, you're as good as dead, Raven."
Her brows curved in confusion.
SHELDON I belong to the department of short girls. It usually doesn't bother me until tonight whereby I'm sitting among other college ladies. They're all putting on heels, wearing lit dresses that could make men shiver, and gorgeous wigs that possibly cost my entire yearly saving. I am completely intimidated but I didn't understand why they look nice. I was thinking they would be bitchy towards someone they don't know. Their smile was heartwarming, the way the oldest patted my hair made me want to melt, and the soft chuckle they made when someone cracked a joke was just wholesome. It made me feel like there's nothing wrong with showing up at a strip club wearing long sleeves and baggy jeans. I'm a total mess. No one can convince me otherwise. And for the fact I am not putting on makeup, proves that I should be dumped in the trash for being so ignorant. I'm yet to fully settle because I can't stop anticipating my cousin, Winter to show up. She was the last person I wanted to
SHELDONThe door was freaking open. I didn't lock it because I wasn't expecting anyone to intrude. Dealing with intruders has never been an issue in a hotel for me. Everyone was supposed to mind their business, right? So, how in the world did this guy get in and Mr. Morgan wasn't fighting or making calls to have his ass arrested. I couldn't download what was going on."Who...who are you?" I shivered pulling the stranger's attention to myself. He glanced at me, showing his cocked brow. His faux stare doesn't last as his eyes drift back to the man who's transfixed.That's just perfect."So, this is where you're having a business meeting, dad." Whispered the stranger. "I was thinking there would be more men and zero nudity." 'Dad.' That's the only thing I'm left with to question.I put the missing pieces together so fast and my heart panged on realizing the young man's identity.He's my client's son! Mr. Morgan's flesh and blood.My hands tremble as I got the decency to cover myse
SHELDON Unaware of my presence behind the stall, he walked towards a transparent fridge and reached for something. A short moment later, he withdrew his hand with a bottle of water in his grasp. His fingers were roughly squeezing on the plastic and I noticed a bruise cut on his lower lip. He didn't have that before. Which means someone hit him. Possibly his weird father who doesn't have any remorse. I panicked when he started looking around and at some point, I had to stop spying on him so his eyes don't find me. I was facing the other side of the stall waiting for him to leave. The ticking of the wall clock was what my attention was glued to for the meantime. I came up with a plan to wait him out and when he's at the counter paying, I could then run out of the store. "Excuse me." A soft-toned voice interrupted my thoughts from behind. A worried buzz rang inside of me and I'm overwhelmed by fear as I responded by looking at the person. It was an elderly woman who was trying to
SHELDON"You're not kidding?" I asked watching him suspiciously."I'm not. I have a contract written by my lawyer for this arrangement. All you have to do is to sign." He replied bringing out a white paper from his coat. He placed it on my table alongside a pen. "I remember you asking me if that amount is enough. Well, my answer is no. Add more and maybe I'll accept it." I proposed folding my hands together."Done." I looked at the screen and saw he added a few thousand to the amount."Is that all you can do?" I yelped finding it ridiculous that he doesn't add much. Someone willing to pay me a lot of money in a month must be fucking rich. "This is the final offer." He bickered, bending his brows. I knew the face he was forming, the same one his father usually had when I tried to squeeze a few bills from him. He doesn't bulge just like his father. Blood is definitely thicker than water.I grabbed the paper and pen, and after glancing at the big words, I signed them."There, we hav
SHELDON. The elevator in the hotel seemed to be taking forever to get me to the floor where the room was. Mr. Morgan changed the venue to an entirely distant hotel and I knew it was because he didn't want his son to show up again. It's insane how he still wants to keep doing this despite being caught. Unless he really didn't give a damn in the first place. Since he's adamant about keeping this up, I don't think Denzel's plan with me should hinder me from doing my job. I wanted to do this. The elevator doors parted ways eventually and I stepped out in a short skirt and strapless top. Not sure what inspired this look but I definitely want him to feel like he is going to miss a lot during tomorrow's dinner.I spotted the room number engraved on the door and using the key the receptionist gave me, I went in.He hasn't arrived yet, leaving the enclosed space in complete silence.I was about to turn on some music when someone suddenly rushed into the room and locked the door. I freake
SHELDON I felt like a Christmas tree with all the shining pieces of jewelry I put all over me for the dinner with Denzel's family. I don't usually get a chance to wear so much but I knew it was the perfect touch Denzel needed beside him. He was a living darkness with most of his outfits being too dark-colored. I'd represent the light coming into his world. That might make us blend. After getting his text message that he was downstairs, I scurried off to meet him. Yesterday ended with him dropping me off in front of my building. We didn't say anything to each other afterward because of the thong he found in his pocket. I don't know if he's mad or disappointed that he couldn't get the girl's number.But I had better things to worry about like the information I had to study about him.Winter's calls also blew up my cellphone the minute I was about to go to bed. I told her I would explain everything later but she gave me a choice. Either I'm in or I'm out. I still haven't decided if I'
SHELDON "What? Denzel, she is so funny!" Kimberly chuckled. I felt like a princess doll sitting in their midst who had no sense of life. I thought that it would be better if she said, 'What? Sheldon, you're so funny!'."Yeah, she loves kids," Denzel replied. He sat there, looking flustered but he didn't act surprised by my response. Naturally, we are already supposed to talk about all these things as a couple. Gosh! How does he not miss any detail?"We have three and they're too much of a handful. But I'm sure you can handle it." Lena said bashfully.Sometime later, a tall lady dressed as a nurse approached Mrs. Raven and whispered in her ear. I watched how her eyeballs jumped from me to Denzel. There was a clear difference in the way she looked at us. She paid more attention to him. Something tells me she's not just a nurse in this household. I was amused at how insecure I was pretending to be. Who cares if she and Denzel have anything going on? I was here for the money.I did mo
SHELDON Everything hurt. From my ankle to my shoulders and an ache in my head. After absorbing the chilly feeling of the tiles I was lying on, I got up slowly. My phone was vibrating nonstop in my purse. There was no sign of Mr. Morgan which means he ditched me here to die.I spewed silent insults at him as I tried straightening my dress to look exactly as it was before the fall.Suddenly, I could hear loud footsteps approaching and I stiffened. I'd be ready for doom if it turns out to be Mrs. Raven. The hairs on my skin rose as I didn't have enough time to run away. There was no point in running anyway. It'll make me look suspicious.So, I remained standing until the person causing the sound showed up from the other side of the hallway. He was tall, very tall, and dressed in a suit. Wearing gloves in his hands that clutched a black disposable sack and a nose mask. I could only see his eyes.At first, he was staring at the ground I fainted on before his eyes darted toward me."Well