LINXARA BROOKE
"Don't cry! Don't worry about me, Vivian. I will be fine. Just help me take care of my mother, please. Don't let anything bad happen to her. She can't suffer. I promise I will find a way to get out of here. Please, don't tell her I got arrested okay? Just find something to tell her." I pleaded in tears with her.
"That twin sister of yours is a devil. She is evil. Can you imagine she hasn't come home since two days ago? I heard from your mother when I went to visit your house yesterday." Vivian blurted angrily. I knew she was mad.
"I will take care of myself. Leave Vanessa. She knew she had done something wrong. I just need to put a call through Nicole. Only she can clear my name." I said with tears coming out of my puffy eyes.
"I will do what you ask. Please don't cry. I will find a way to calm your mother. I will come to visit soon. But do you think Nicole will clear your name? She won't even do that for anyone. You know how she is. She hates you."
I sighed. "Don't worry. I will find a way. I have got only two minutes left. Take care!" I said and hung up.
I dialed Nicole's office number and after three rings, she finally picked up.
"It's me, ma'am Nicole. Please can you help me? You are the only one that can clear my name. I don't want to stay here." I pleaded.
"There is nothing I can do about it, Lin. You caused this upon yourself. Don't drag me into your matter. The reason is you are so stupid to let that happen. You are not smart enough to let your smart sister, Vynessa pin this on you. So deal with it. Call this number one more time and you will regret it. I hope you never get out of there." She retorted and before I could say anything else, she disconnected the call.
I tried calling it again but the line was already disconnected. It won't go through at all. My stomach churned and rumbled at the same time.
"Time is up!" The warder announced silently. I have no choice but to return the phone to her.
I returned it and limped to the corner. I slid down the wall, and hot tears spilled.
Then I remembered how all of these started...
FLASHBACK***
Vynessa came back home one evening to break the news to me about her new job as a stripper in a nightclub. She was overjoyed as she embraced me. I wasn't that happy about it but ruining her mood for the evening was the last thing I wanted. I don't want to run her mood. I have always wanted her happiness. Her joy and all. I don't want to be the killjoy in the family.
"I know you aren't happy for me, Lin but this job pays better than that cheap, local restaurant that you work in. You know you are just wasting your time. Becoming a stripper will pay our bills faster than anything else." Vynessa spoke as she tucked her hair behind her hair. I cleared my throat trying to explain things to her.
"Listen, Vynessa. I am not judging you. I promise. I just want you to find a decent job that is -"
She cut me off immediately, "But you are already judging me!" She spat, getting up on her feet and getting all worked up. I tried to make her calm down.
"I promise I wasn't judging you it's just that -"
She scoffed stopping me again. "Just because you don't work where you need to show off your body doesn't mean you are a saint. You are the worst, Linxara. You are the worst one between us. So don't even try to judge me. You have what it takes but you choose to stick with that stressful work. Don't judge me, Linxara. Don't even dare." She warned and my hand dropped.
Vynessa was never an easy person to talk to. I find it so hard to understand her and I failed once again to understand. She's my twin sister but we are so different. She is the difficult one while I am the opposite. I hope she doesn't get into trouble one day. I just hope she doesn't get me and mother in trouble.
I plopped down on the sofa and some envelopes caught my attention from the cabinet. I stood up and headed in the direction and grabbed them to see what they were for. They were a handful of bills. Different bills stacked upon each other. Electricity, water, thousands of debts, including the student loan I acquired before my finals in the university, my mother's drugs, and hospital bills. I have to split my income into different places.
I have been the one paying the debts here and there and still no one to help. Vanessa isn't helping, either. She keeps spending on unnecessary material things that we don't need for now.
My father died two years ago and this caused my mother's blood pressure to rise higher than normal. She was also diagnosed with a diabetic foot ulcer.
I left the envelopes and proceeded to go inside to see Mother. She was asleep but as I walked in fully, she opened her eyes. "Mom," I muttered and moved closer to her.
She smiled weakly at me and cupped my face in her hands. "Don't worry, Mother, I am doing all I can to pay for your treatments," I whispered.
"It must be tiring. Your sister isn't helping you.."
I shook my head. "She's helping..." I said softly and my mother nodded negatively. She knew I was lying.
"You are covering up for her." She stated. She pulled me and embraced me.
Tears pooled out of her eyes, and I got scared. I didn't want anything to happen to her. "You don't have to always cover up for your sister, Linxara. Sometimes, you should allow her to see the wrong she is doing. Just know that no matter what, I love you. I love you both so much. Maybe there are things that I have done wrong in the past to deserve a rebellious child like Vynessa. I know you are the one who used to pay the bills in the house. You don't even have time for yourself at all. I will get better and very soon, I will be the one working and providing for all our needs." She whispered in tears.
I sniffed through tears. "It's okay, Mother. You don't have to do anything. I will take care of you I promise." I smiled at her. All I wanted for her was to be happy. She smiled back and said, "One day, you will find the one for you. The one that will love you and take good care of you. Don't give yourself to men cheaply. Give yourself to the man who will go to the moon and back for you. Your pride and dignity will save you from a lot of bad men my child. Do not let anyone take it away from you. I love you, my child."
**
A week later, nothing has changed. I was still rotting behind bars. I was still suffering for the things I didn't do. I have acquired wounds, bruises, and marks all over my body. The inmates here weren't making things easy for me. I could barely even recognize myself. I was worried about my mother. The debts and all.
I don't even know how to get myself out of this mess.
Hours later, I found the warder telling me that I had a visitor. Visitor? It must be Vivian. She has been coming here frequently to give me food and all. I limped out until I got to the visitors' room.
It turned out to be him.
Paxton.
What does he want from me now? The hate I developed for him grew even stronger. Just as I got to him, he didn't say anything. He only stared at me for a while before he flung a brown paper to the table.
I stared at it.
What does he want now?
LINXARA POVCladded in a rolled-up sleeve, white shirt,, and a black office pant. His blue eyes were scanning me, taking in my look. Honestly, I don't care; I have no business with this man at all. I don't have a business with him. I don't even know him at all. This was all Vynessa's fault. She was the one who slept with him. I have never slept with someone in my life. My gaze shifted to the brown envelope on the table. What was it about? Was he about to sue me further and take me to court? How do I explain to this hard-headed and hot-tempered man that I know nothing about his missing jewelry and money?I folded my arms. I still have to let him understand that I didn't steal from him. It wasn't me but the problem was that I was finding it so hard to say it was my twin sister. The police will find her, capture her, and throw her in jail. This will lead to depression for my mother. Something bad might happen to her. Her blood pressure will go higher. I'd rather stay here and prevent t
LINXARA'S POV No! I can't suffer for my sister's crimes. I wasn't even the one that slept with his ass that night, so he won't force me to do what I don't want to do. I won't take others from anybody, not especially from someone like him. I stared deep back into his eyes while he did the same thing and I leaned over the table. "You can do whatever you want but I will not do any of those things. I won't get married to you and I definitely won't allow you to touch me. I am not giving birth to your kids, so get the fuck out of here and go look for the person that stole your property." I seethed and turned to walk away when he suddenly grabbed my wrist preventing me from leaving. His blue piercing eyes held no emotions. It was like he was going to hurt me if I didn't do what he was asking of me. I don't care. I hate when someone forces me to do things I don't want to do, so definitely, his offers are no exception. "You aren't about walking away from me, right? How about I drag you out
LINXARA'S POV I ran as fast as I could, trying to get out of this huge place. I kept running like my life depended on it, but it felt like no matter how fast I ran, I was running in circles. Like running from a point and coming back to that same point again. My visions were getting blurry. I was getting weaker, and before I knew it, I stumbled on the floor, and I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. The pain held me down like a predator holding down its prey. Then he caught up with me staring deep into my eyes like he was going to hit me. I raised my arm, using it like a shield, thinking he was going to hit me, but he didn't. Instead, he went on his knees in front of me, and I burst into tears, pleading with me not to hurt me and to let me go. Tears rolled out of my eyes. "Please I am begging you, don't hurt me. Let me go home. I don't want to be here at all. Please. I am not used to this kind of life. I didn't steal your stuff. Please. I want to go home to my mother. I want to -" "Shh
LINXARA'S POV WHAT the actual hell was he thinking huh? I can't go to see his parents. How was I going to do that? Paxton and I barely know each other. We barely even talked to each other ever since I met him in a compromising way. Fuck you, Vanessa. Fuck you for everything you have dragged me into. I don't hate you but you will meet your karma right in front of you when the time comes. I ran my fingers through my hair and bit my lips. "Hey stop doing that." He said looking down at me."Doing what? What do you want me to do then? I told you that I don't know you. I didn't steal anything away from you. My life would have been better without your ass-butting into my life. My life was peaceful before I met you." I retorted and he smirked. "You don't seem like the type of person who would use strong language, given your gentle appearance." He pointed out. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. What was he taking me for? Who does he think I am?"I am a virgin but not a saint," I uttered. I don't
LINXARA'S POVI was faced with ten wealthy people. His family members. My heart raced so fast as their eyes bored into my skin. I bit my lips as their judging eyes pierced through my body. It was like they were waiting for me to say something. My gaze shifted to Paxton whose eyes were on mine. Sweats formed on my palm. "What is this...I can't..." I said silently through gritted teeth. Paxton looked away, cutting me off completely. Just as I was about to say something, two identical twins rushed to me instantly and hugged me. My heart almost dropped. One of the twins kept kissing my cheek, giggling. "Oh, brother. Your girlfriend is so pretty." The twin sister kissing my cheek squealed and the rest of them laughed. "I love your skin. What skincare product do you go for? Fenty? Rare? Sephora? Mag -"The second twin sister was cut off by a tall man in his fifties. He has the same eye color as Paxton and the same hair color. Looking at them, one could see that he is the older version
LINXARA'S POV "NO, this is not happening. What do they mean by wedding preparations? It's too soon." I protested, entering the room that was prepared for us. I put my hands around my waist as I pondered about it. The wedding is too soon. "Yes, Linxara. We are getting married in three days." He dropped the bombshell. I turned around swiftly staring into his eyes. "You are not serious," I whispered. "What? You think I am joking?" He questioned and put his hand in his pocket, bringing out a pack of cigarettes. He pulled out one and lighted it. He didn't bother to think about my well-being. He smoked in front of me. "Three days is out of it. I already told you I don't want to get married to you. Why do you make it your hobby to make my life a living hell?" He sat on the bed and smirked. "You are getting married to me whether you like it or not. So don't even think about arguing about this further because your mother is already aware of it and guess what? She has consented to it. Inc
LINXARA BROOKE "Two barbeques shrimps for table four, Lin." Two barbeques shrimps, a succulent shrimps grilled to perfection on the barbecue. I sliced the barbecues faster than anything else this day. A lot of customers coming in left and right making everything extra busy. I don't even have time for myself. Just as I was about to slice the last piece, I accidentally cut my hand and blood started gushing out. Hot tears rolled out of my eyes. I hurriedly moved over to the running water, washing the blood away. My life has not always been easy. It's either I get yelled at by my boss, Nicole or I cut myself with a knife or somethings else should happen. Something must happen in everyday of my life. I am not that lucky as my twin sister, Vynessa Brooke. She is lucky and she gets everything she wants either by nook or cranny. I can't do what she does honestly. She is a stripper at the same club I work. I am a waitress in the day and a bartender at night. I am in no position to judge
PAXTON CARSON At a tender age, I learned different survival skills, which excluded taking what was not mine and taking another person's life. I detest those and it makes my skin crawl. I grew up in a fucking complex and dysfunctional family filled with secrets and lies and I don't take "NO" for an answer. Especially when it comes to taking what belongs to me. I am thirty, and for the past fifteen years of my goddamn life, nobody has ever taken something that belongs to me, and not even a single man has done it because of the repercussion behind it. And now, a mere woman has done it. A single woman has taken what belongs to me and I am going to get it back. And if she refuses, I won't hesitate to do to her what I do to traitors.I am not a man who involves himself in some idle chatters, and I am not one to go to social events, but I broke the rule. I allowed a snake into my social life for just a few hours, and she released loads of venom by making my golden wristwatch, jewelry,y, a
LINXARA'S POV "NO, this is not happening. What do they mean by wedding preparations? It's too soon." I protested, entering the room that was prepared for us. I put my hands around my waist as I pondered about it. The wedding is too soon. "Yes, Linxara. We are getting married in three days." He dropped the bombshell. I turned around swiftly staring into his eyes. "You are not serious," I whispered. "What? You think I am joking?" He questioned and put his hand in his pocket, bringing out a pack of cigarettes. He pulled out one and lighted it. He didn't bother to think about my well-being. He smoked in front of me. "Three days is out of it. I already told you I don't want to get married to you. Why do you make it your hobby to make my life a living hell?" He sat on the bed and smirked. "You are getting married to me whether you like it or not. So don't even think about arguing about this further because your mother is already aware of it and guess what? She has consented to it. Inc
LINXARA'S POVI was faced with ten wealthy people. His family members. My heart raced so fast as their eyes bored into my skin. I bit my lips as their judging eyes pierced through my body. It was like they were waiting for me to say something. My gaze shifted to Paxton whose eyes were on mine. Sweats formed on my palm. "What is this...I can't..." I said silently through gritted teeth. Paxton looked away, cutting me off completely. Just as I was about to say something, two identical twins rushed to me instantly and hugged me. My heart almost dropped. One of the twins kept kissing my cheek, giggling. "Oh, brother. Your girlfriend is so pretty." The twin sister kissing my cheek squealed and the rest of them laughed. "I love your skin. What skincare product do you go for? Fenty? Rare? Sephora? Mag -"The second twin sister was cut off by a tall man in his fifties. He has the same eye color as Paxton and the same hair color. Looking at them, one could see that he is the older version
LINXARA'S POV WHAT the actual hell was he thinking huh? I can't go to see his parents. How was I going to do that? Paxton and I barely know each other. We barely even talked to each other ever since I met him in a compromising way. Fuck you, Vanessa. Fuck you for everything you have dragged me into. I don't hate you but you will meet your karma right in front of you when the time comes. I ran my fingers through my hair and bit my lips. "Hey stop doing that." He said looking down at me."Doing what? What do you want me to do then? I told you that I don't know you. I didn't steal anything away from you. My life would have been better without your ass-butting into my life. My life was peaceful before I met you." I retorted and he smirked. "You don't seem like the type of person who would use strong language, given your gentle appearance." He pointed out. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. What was he taking me for? Who does he think I am?"I am a virgin but not a saint," I uttered. I don't
LINXARA'S POV I ran as fast as I could, trying to get out of this huge place. I kept running like my life depended on it, but it felt like no matter how fast I ran, I was running in circles. Like running from a point and coming back to that same point again. My visions were getting blurry. I was getting weaker, and before I knew it, I stumbled on the floor, and I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. The pain held me down like a predator holding down its prey. Then he caught up with me staring deep into my eyes like he was going to hit me. I raised my arm, using it like a shield, thinking he was going to hit me, but he didn't. Instead, he went on his knees in front of me, and I burst into tears, pleading with me not to hurt me and to let me go. Tears rolled out of my eyes. "Please I am begging you, don't hurt me. Let me go home. I don't want to be here at all. Please. I am not used to this kind of life. I didn't steal your stuff. Please. I want to go home to my mother. I want to -" "Shh
LINXARA'S POV No! I can't suffer for my sister's crimes. I wasn't even the one that slept with his ass that night, so he won't force me to do what I don't want to do. I won't take others from anybody, not especially from someone like him. I stared deep back into his eyes while he did the same thing and I leaned over the table. "You can do whatever you want but I will not do any of those things. I won't get married to you and I definitely won't allow you to touch me. I am not giving birth to your kids, so get the fuck out of here and go look for the person that stole your property." I seethed and turned to walk away when he suddenly grabbed my wrist preventing me from leaving. His blue piercing eyes held no emotions. It was like he was going to hurt me if I didn't do what he was asking of me. I don't care. I hate when someone forces me to do things I don't want to do, so definitely, his offers are no exception. "You aren't about walking away from me, right? How about I drag you out
LINXARA POVCladded in a rolled-up sleeve, white shirt,, and a black office pant. His blue eyes were scanning me, taking in my look. Honestly, I don't care; I have no business with this man at all. I don't have a business with him. I don't even know him at all. This was all Vynessa's fault. She was the one who slept with him. I have never slept with someone in my life. My gaze shifted to the brown envelope on the table. What was it about? Was he about to sue me further and take me to court? How do I explain to this hard-headed and hot-tempered man that I know nothing about his missing jewelry and money?I folded my arms. I still have to let him understand that I didn't steal from him. It wasn't me but the problem was that I was finding it so hard to say it was my twin sister. The police will find her, capture her, and throw her in jail. This will lead to depression for my mother. Something bad might happen to her. Her blood pressure will go higher. I'd rather stay here and prevent t
LINXARA BROOKE "Don't cry! Don't worry about me, Vivian. I will be fine. Just help me take care of my mother, please. Don't let anything bad happen to her. She can't suffer. I promise I will find a way to get out of here. Please, don't tell her I got arrested okay? Just find something to tell her." I pleaded in tears with her. "That twin sister of yours is a devil. She is evil. Can you imagine she hasn't come home since two days ago? I heard from your mother when I went to visit your house yesterday." Vivian blurted angrily. I knew she was mad. "I will take care of myself. Leave Vanessa. She knew she had done something wrong. I just need to put a call through Nicole. Only she can clear my name." I said with tears coming out of my puffy eyes. "I will do what you ask. Please don't cry. I will find a way to calm your mother. I will come to visit soon. But do you think Nicole will clear your name? She won't even do that for anyone. You know how she is. She hates you." I sighed. "Don'
LINXARA BROOKESuddenly, two of the female cops grabbed my arms on both sides. I struggled to get their hands off me but they didn't move. They were like bricks. It left me wondering how much they have exercised for them to look like this. That aside, I shifted my gaze to the heartless man who refused to listen to me. "I promise you, I didn't steal your money or your golden wristwatch. I swear to you." I said, hoping he would listen to me but this devil-like man wasn't ready to listen to my bullshit. "Oh, are you saying that I am a fool? That I was drunk? It was you. You gave me a private service. I paid you, and you still went ahead to do what you want, and now you have to face the consequences. Do you understand that?" He seethed and his face grew even darker. I felt anger brewing in the depths of my stomach. How else was I going to prove myself to this heartless man? I am a virgin. I have never done such nasty things with him. Who else is going to believe me now? My boss. My bo
LINXARA BROOKE These people? I don't know them. I have never seen them before in my entire life. Especially this person who seemed to be the boss of them. He didn't tell them to stop dragging me. Even Nicole couldn't say anything. I was rough-handled like I committed a crime. I was handled like they didn't want my existence. I kicked against the floor trying to stop them. "Let me go! Leave me alone!" I yelled out but no one seemed to answer me. They all ignored my screams. "I told you that I don't know you. Where are you taking me?" I voiced out and once we were out of the building, four flashy cars were waiting. One of the men dressed in a tailored suit opened the car door for the man and he entered without looking back. I was dragged into one of the flashy cars. "Please, let me go. Mr, please I don't know you. I didn't do anything wrong. Where are you taking me?" I screamed with tears pouring down my eyes. I have never been embarrassed like this in my life. I was the gentle one.