Chapter 66: One Step AheadKathleen’s P.O.VMy first thought was to run, to leave this godforsaken place and never return. After all, I could go back to my parent’s restaurant and start working there as if nothing had happened.Even though the pay wasn’t as good, I could still count on the fact that I would be surrounded by my loved ones and have their unrestricted support. I will slowly find my footing and my heart will heal eventually, and then, everything will be alright in the world.But then I remembered that this wasn’t just about what Arthur had done to me, or how things have soured between us. This…arrangement…also included a five year old, innocent child who had done nothing wrong and me leaving at such a crucial point in her life without a proper explanation would ruin her trust in people forever. Despite what her father had done, Hayley needed to know that there were still good people in the world and she could trust some of them.And besides, I was her nanny, in many ways
Chapter 67: MisunderstandingsArthur’s P.O.VI slowly looked up at Savannah, a subtle look of annoyance passing between us. I had nothing against her. She was my best friend, after all. But the fact that she let my family drag her down here, to create a scene that would disrupt my plans, made me feel extremely irritated."Stop staring at her like that!" My mother scolded me with a chuckle. "You both get hitched first and then you can do whatever naughty things you want, behind closed doors."I immediately looked away. My mother thought I was looking at Savannah lustfully? That was laughable to say the least. Everyone else seemed to think the same as well, since they all burst out laughing, before the discussion about wedding preparations resumed. I felt disturbed.The way Kathleen had looked at me when my mother had asked who she was…it was still embedded in my mind. God, I needed to get out of here and find her. I needed to explain everything properly!"How about we a beach wedding i
Chapter 68: Truth and LiesArthur’s P.O.VI let Savannah go, and she shifted away from me immediately, the both of us looking in the direction of the closed door, dumbfounded."Go after her!" Savannah told me after she regained her composure. "Explain what’s happening before its too late, Arthur! You just might lose her if she doesn’t understand the truth!”I turned towards Savannah in shock. "Will it be okay with you if I tell Kathleen the truth?"She looked down at the ground, swallowing hard before she looked up at me with determination in her eyes. “Yes. If it saves your relationship, then I’m okay with her knowing, no matter what the consequences. Go!”This was the first time that Savannah was doing this…willingly letting me tell others. She wasn’t being stubborn or selfish, actually. But Savannah had been bullied as a teen, relentless throughout high school and it made her weary to express who she was. But now, she seemed to have gained some form of courage after watching Kathle
Chapter 1: The KidnappingIn a cozy mansion at the heart of Queens, New York, a man who seemed to be in his mid-thirties took quick strides into a tastefully furnished living room. He had an athletic body and a handsome face, but his expression remained impassive. He exuded an air of authority and the butler at the entrance bowed his head to his master in respect.Behind him was another woman who wore her bright blonde hair in curly waves around her delicate, innocent face. She was younger, in her mid twenties and wore a bright light pink dress that barely reached her mid-thighs.Turning to face her, the man motioned for the young woman to sit. "Hold on, let me call her." "Alright sir," She beamed at him, hoping to get at least a polite smile in return, but his expression remained impassive.“I’ll wait here.” Her smile faltered a bit, and she went and settled on one of the sofas closest to the entrance door. Scanning through the ornately decorated living room, she looked impressed. "
Chapter 2: The Unexpected SaviorKat’s P.O.V"Kathleen! Why the hell aren't you ready yet?" I heard my mother's voice from downstairs, calling out to me angrily.I smiled to myself but said nothing in response as I quickly changed into my work clothes. But my mother continued to speak, annoyed by my lack of response."I asked you to change into something decent and you're taking forever to get ready." She sounded very impatient. "You know how important the delivery time is for our customers. Get going already."Taking my time to fix my collar and tuck my tee into my jeans, I smiled at the image that stared back at me. Satisfied, I made my way out of my room and down the stairs to our little family owned fried chicken joint, where I worked as the delivery girl for my hardworking parents."Kat, I don't want to keep reminding you that you have an important delivery to make. What's the hold-up?" My mother's voice sounded angry now. "If you do not come down now, I'll get mad at you."I eme
Chapter 3: The MisunderstandingArthur's POVAt maximum speed, my driver navigated the car home, while I was occupied with thoughts of work and the meeting that had probably started without me, my secretary equipped to handle the situation while I retrieved the files."You said it's in a few minutes, sir?" Gerald was very worried about the meeting like I was."Yes," I replied with a sigh. "Any faster than this would be considered overspeeding, right?" I asked him while checking my watch."Yes sir," he wished he could help. "Don't worry sir, we'll get there soon."When we passed one of the many places where policemen were usually mounted, he drove a lot faster. Way above the speed limit, but we didn’t get stopped on the way this time."Wait here, I'll get the document and I'll be out in a few minutes," I said to Gerald, who waited in the car as I rushed into the house.Unusual silence greeted me, which was odd except when Hayley was asleep. My girl was vibrant, energetic, and always ma
Chapter 4: The ImprisonmentKathleen’s P.O.VMy heart pounded as I heard the footsteps getting closer behind me. The man, who had been holding my hands behind my back painfully all this time, finally let me go and I hesitantly turned around, and my breath catching in my throat.A police officer was stood there, his hand on his gun and a stern expression on his face. He had an accomplice, whose hands were in his pockets, a scarf around his neck, and a woolen hat on his brown hair. "Don't take another step forward!" The policeman’s voice was both stern and cold. "You are under arrest. Hands where I can see them!"The words echoed in my ears, I couldn't quite believe it. I had done nothing wrong to deserve this, why was I getting arrested?It was a cold winter day and all I did was save a little girl from kidnappers. And now, I was suddenly getting cuffed by the cops.“You have the right to remain silent.” The policeman narrated like a sick 90’s crime show. “Anything you say can and wil
Chapter 5: The MistakeArthur’s P.O.VThe pediatric private ward was quiet and dimly lit, with a soft, hushed atmosphere. My little girl lay on the bed, her golden hair spread out around her like a halo. A teddy bear sat at her side, the one that she never left alone because it was a gift from her mother…the last gift that she received. She was the only occupant of the room, and I was the only one who was allowed in. I sat on the chair next to her bed, my face etched with worry and fear. My brow furrowed as my eyes scanned her unconscious form, looking at the bandage on her head.God! She must have been in so much pain!Since she was saved from the claws of the kidnappers, she hadn't opened her eyes. Many hours had passed, each tick of the clock feeling like an eternity, and yet…she lay still on the bed like an unmoving statue.A few moments later, as I stared at her to notice every tiny rise and fall of her breath, she moved her arm a little bit. "Hayley?" I called her, delighted, h