JAQUELINE 8:00pm “Miss Nancy came to visit today,” Jessica said to me gleefully. I smiled at her and nodded slowly I was seated by her bed patting her hair but my mind wasn’t anywhere here, infact my mind was still stuck in Donald’s very scary mansion, my mind repeating the words he said to me like an endless horrifying loop.“I heard so too,” I whispered in reply. She scooted closer to me and looked up at me.“Can I really resume back to school next week?!” She asked, I smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead with a small nod. “Yes baby, you definitely will,” I said to her and she nodded with an ecstatic smile. “You should go to sleep now baby,” I whispered to her as I gently got up from beside her and tucked her in. “I love you Mama,” she muttered and I nodded with a smile. “I love you more my baby,” I whispered in a reply as I turned off the white light and turned on a softer hue. Immediately I was sure she was fast asleep, I turned around and walked out of her room, closing
Meanwhile …Willow Brooke District… MANUEL “So you lost her? Why exactly? What’s your reason for being so inefficient time and time again!” My boss growled at me, banging his hands on the table. I bowed slightly and slowly stepped backwards. “Sir, A woman was involved, I could not just leave her there, I …”“Can you even hear yourself speak?!” He slammed cutting me off sharply. “So you let a wanted criminal escape because you wanted to save a woman, what happened to calling for back up? Make your actions make sense?!” “I’m sorry sir,” I muttered bowing again.“What the heck do I need your sorry for?! Fix this as soon as possible!” He snorted in reply. I bowed slightly and turned to walk out of his office. “By the way, what’s that thing you sent to my mail this Morning?!” He asked. I swallowed hard and slowly turned back to him. “It’s about Julian Langston murder case! I think I have strong evidence to reopen the case,” I muttered softly, he narrowed his brows at me, I could tel
JACQUELINE Tuesday, Day 4 of 14 . 2:00pm. “This is perfect,” I breathed, turning in awe as the agent wrapped up the tour. Thanks to Trent’s startup sponsoring me, I wasn’t exactly starting small and this place proved it. “There are a few more spaces we could check out ..” “I’ll take this one,” I cut in, eyes sweeping over the beautifully crafted space again. “This is exactly what I want.” A satisfied smile curved on his lips. “If you wire the payment now, you can drop by the office later to finalize the paperwork.” “Of course.” I nodded. “We also have a trusted interior designer. I know you're short on time, but she might be able to get everything done in a week.” I exhaled. “A week is long. I need someone who can work round the clock and finish in three days. I’ll pay” “Then it’s best you speak with her. You might be able to work something out.” I nodded thoughtfully. “When can we meet?” “This evening?” “Perfect.” I gave him a thumbs up just as my phone rang. Jonathan’
JACQUELINE DAY 3 of 14 Monday, 9:00am“I must say, I’m impressed,” Trent said the moment I wrapped up my pitch and my lips unintentionally spread into a small smile. Though I knew it wasn’t perfect yet, he didn’t seem to mind. He had insisted I come to his office to seal the deal the formal way, since we weren’t able to talk the last time he was at Jonathan’s office. I smiled, stepping back with my hands folded neatly in front of me, my heart still pounding.“I like your presentation, It shows you know your an expert in your field,” one of the elderly board members added with a nod of approval. I bowed slightly, grateful. “Thank you, sir,” I whispered. Eight years in B&B event planning was actually no joke. “Well done, Jackie,” Trent said again, his tone firmer now, more assured.“My board and I are more than willing to invest in your business.”My eyes widened. I lifted my hands to my face, stunned.“Really?” I breathed, barely able to contain the tremble in my voice. He nodded
JACQUELINE “Did he hurt you?!”Jonathan’s voice cut through the air the moment I finished explaining what happened yesterday.“I… uh… He…” I stammered, unable to find the right words.“I said! did. He. Hurt. You?” he repeated, more sharply this time, his teeth clenched. I flinched at the intensity in his voice. Okay maybe I’m not even taking this as seriously as he does.“No,” I said quickly.“He said he rescued me. When I didn’t believe him, he let me go. That’s all.”Jonathan exhaled and rose slowly from his seat. He came around the table, half-sitting on the edge beside me. I instinctively shifted, moving my hands off the table and leaning slightly away. Very early during this arrangement I’ve come to realize that if I can stay atleast five inches away from him I’d be fine. He leaned in, brushing my hair aside. His fingers grazed my neck, warm and deliberate, sending a shiver down my spine. Gently, he tugged at the neckline of my dress, inspecting my skin, then tilted my head to
JACQUELINE 6:30am My eyes fluttered open, I slowly raised my hands to my face and rubbed my eyes adjusting slowly to the soft light in the room. I stared up at the ceiling, my body aching in places I didn’t even know could ache. It had been so long since I’d had a proper night’s sleep that even rest felt weird. I could feel soreness deep in my bone.Then it hit me, I wasn’t supposed to be alone. I had shared a room with Jonathan.The realization jolted me right up. My eyes quickly scanned the room, but he was nowhere in sight. I exhaled a quiet breath and peeled the duvet off, yawning softly as I swung my feet to the floor.Just then, the door creaked open. Jonathan stepped in, already dressed and looking like he was about to leave.“You’re awake,” he said, his tone neutral.I was just about to respond but the ringing of my phone cut me off.“Sorry,” I muttered, reaching for it. My chest tightened the moment I saw the caller ID: Ashley.A cold knot formed in my stomach as I answer