šššš ššššš ššššššš š: šššš "Desperate times call for desperate measures." *** Nala Kaydence Cabral's life took a drastic turn after her mother's passing. She thought her fate was sealed, but she soon realized that she had the power to shape her own destiny. Despite her promise to her late mother, Nala had to resort to illegal means to survive their dire circumstances. It's a harsh reality, but it's the only way out. Little did Nala know that crossing paths with a stranger would lead her down a dangerous path. Their eyes met, and she felt a strange connection, but she had no idea that her decisions would ultimately lead to her downfall. With just a simple gesture, everything changed between them, and Nala found herself in deeper trouble than before. Life can be unpredictable, but for Nala, it's a matter of survival. Will she be able to navigate the treacherous waters ahead, or will she succumb to the dangers lurking around every corner?
View MorePROLOGUE
Nalaās Point of ViewāCan you really do this?ā Lawrence asked worriedly as we walked down the dark alley.I chuckled softly, masking the growing doubt within me. The darkness of the alley concealed my true appearance, preventing him from seeing the extent of my uncertainty.āYes,ā I calmly answered.He took a deep breath and looked at me seriously.āDonāt lie to me, Nala. I know you. You can lie to everyone, but not to me. I know you really donāt want to do this.āTss. Why did you ask if you already knew it then?We stopped walking when we were almost out of the alley. I faced him. Even though it was dark, I could still see the worry in Lawrenceās eyes. Thanks for the few lights from the city building outside the alley.Honestly, no one else seems to give a damn about what I'm going through right now. But you know what? This guy, he's been there for me. I mean, seriously, he's like my rock. When I needed someone the most, he didn't bail on me. And for that, I'm beyond grateful. It's rare to find someone who actually cares, you know?āI know. I think you know me better than I know myself,ā I said, chuckling. āDo I have a choice, Lawrence. Let's be real here, if I just sit on my ass and don't make a move, we're screwed. Like, seriously screwed. We'll be pushing up daisies before we know it. So yeah, I've accepted my fate, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna sit around and wait for the Grim Reaper to come knocking. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means taking risks and making tough decisions."āBut you can look for a job. You graduated from junior highschāāāYou know that I already tried to do that, right? Before you tell me what youāre talking about, why donāt you apply that to yourself first?ā I cut him off.Lawrence took a deep breath and remained silent.I took my cigarette from the pocket of my loose, faded jeans and then lit the tobacco rod using the lighter I always carry with me.I casually handed him a pack of Marlboro, tempting him to take a stick. Without hesitation, he accepted the offer. In a spontaneous act of camaraderie, we ingeniously glued the ends of our cigarettes together, ensuring that his cigar would have a light too. It was a clever way to share the enjoyment of smoking.It's funny how we always end up doing that, even though we literally always have a lighter on us.āWhatās your plan, then? What if you get caught?ā he suddenly asked after a long, deafening silence.I laughed softly. āWhy? Would you let me get caught?ā I asked back.āOf course not!āāI'm not worried at all. With you by my side, Lawrence, I know I'm in good hands. You've got plenty of experience, so I trust you completely. I have no doubt that you'll keep me out of harm's way.āHe messed up my natural brown hair, which I inherited from my American father.āI will protect you because you are important to me.āI winced.āYouāre disgusting!ā I said, and then I slightly moved away from him.āWhat?ā He burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement. But his laughter abruptly ceased when his ancient cherry mobile keypad phone began to ring, a device that seemed to have been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. It was so outdated, it could probably qualify as a relic in a museum.āYes, Balong?ā I heard him open the conversation.I smoked my cigarette until it burned down completely. Then, I casually flicked it onto the pavement and proceeded to stomp on it with great satisfaction, extinguishing the fire.I turned in Lawrenceās direction, who had just finished talking to Balongā our leader.āSo, how was it?ā I curiously asked.āThey were ready,ā he said.That is our cue.I steadied my nerves with a deep breath before giving a nod of affirmation. Both Lawrence and I were clad in black hoodie jackets and black face masks, concealing our identities. Concern and hesitation were evident in Lawrence's eyes as he glanced at me once more.āLetās go,ā I said seriously, because maybe if we stay here longer, I will back off.āIāll ask you again, Nala. Are you sure about this? You know I donāt want you to get hurt, right?āāYes, I know. Donāt talk too much. Letās go. And yes, Iām sure about this. Iāve thought about this very well, Lawrence, so donāt ever try to stop me,ā I said and started walking away from him.It's 1 AM and the streets are practically empty. The alleys in ParaƱaque, Philippines, are eerily quiet and pitch black. We're feeling pretty confident that we won't get caught. It appears that the police have recently completed their patrol in this area.I felt that Lawrence was just following me.āDonāt go too far, Nala. Stay away from the CCTVs. Do you understand?ā he simply said to me while we were walking as if we didnāt know each other.āYes, I know that. Balong already explained that earlier,ā I said in a listless tone.As discussed, we went through the dark part of Inferno Barās parking lot so that the CCTV would not catch us at the entrance. My heart was beating so fast as each second ticked by. I can feel cold beads of sweat forming on my forehead.The bar was absolutely booming, even from outside. The music was blaring and the screams of the people inside were deafening. It's no doubt that things were getting wild in there, especially considering it was already one o'clock.Rich people indeed.It's ridiculous how some people splurge on unnecessary things while we struggle to survive. We're forced to resort to crime just to put food on the table. I get it, it's not entirely their fault, but seriously, they need to learn to appreciate what they have.This is the first time that I am going to do what Lawrence has been doing for a long time, so I canāt help but be afraid of what might happen to me after this. I realized that no matter what changes I make to myself, I still fail at this kind of job.Well, I'll be honest, it's pretty ironic. I made this grand promise to myself, swore up and down that I'd never go back to being the person I was before. But guess what? Poverty had other plans for me.Can I really do this? Can I really let my hands get dirty?āI-I... L-Love... you... A-Ate,ā Nadine, my sister, said with difficulty earlier before I left the hospital.Closing my eyes tightly, I knew I had to do this for my sister. Losing her is not an option. Nadine, the only family I have left, is in the hospital, and without money, she won't make it. I'll do whatever it takes for the person who means everything to me. I'm ready to get my hands dirty for my remaining family.āLawrenceāāMy eyes suddenly widened when I saw that Lawrence was no longer in front of me. I saw him heading to a red car, and he expertly opened the door with the wire and screwdriver he was carrying.I remembered what Balong said earlier, before Lawrence and I left the abandoned factory that served as our hideout.āIf you donāt want to go behind bars, donāt do anything stupid. Is that clear?āI couldn't help but bite my bottom lip as I surveyed the parking lot. It was a sea of beautiful, expensive cars. The kind that screamed wealth and privilege.And here I was, with a plan forming in my mind. All I had to do was open one of those cars and clear out anything that could be sold.Yes, I know that what I am going to do is illegal, and I might put myself in jeopardy or be imprisoned if caught, but I donāt care about that anymore. Iām sure I wonāt get caught because thereās no one else here, and Lawrence wonāt let me put myself in danger. I trust Lawrence. I nervously swallowed the lump in my throat and set off on a mission to find a fancy car that could be easily opened. I mean, if I'm gonna rob a car, might as well make it a pricey one, right? And hey, if it's the most expensive car around, chances are the stuff inside will be worth a pretty penny too.If I only knew how to drive a car, I would have stolen the car itself and sold it.I just hope that I donāt get hurt by what I am going to do. My plan is too risky, but nothing will happen if I do nothing, right?My eyes lit up like Christmas lights when I spotted it. There it was, a sleek black McLaren, parked all the way at the end of the lot. That car is seriously expensive. I know this because I've seen it in one of those fancy vehicle magazines that I saw from the trash.I looked around to see if there was CCTV, and my ears almost clapped to each other upon seeing that there was none. I could no longer see Lawrence from where I was standing.I pressed my face against the car window, eager to catch a glimpse of who might be inside. But damn, that tinted glass was playing tricks on me. Couldn't see a damn thing!I took a deep breath because my heart was starting to beat faster. This is it. Itās happening. With my shaking hands, I grabbed the door handle of the car to check if it was locked or not, but my eyes widened when I confirmed that it was not.I want to thank the owner of this car for being stupid for not locking his car.I glanced around, making sure no one was watching. Swiftly, I unlocked the car and hopped inside. My fingers anxiously scratched at the backseat, revealing a mysterious black bag. Intrigued, I unzipped it to find a sleek black laptop and its trusty charger.After thoroughly searching the car, I not only found the laptop but also stumbled upon a fancy cellphone and a classy brown wallet. There was a whole bunch of bull bill cash inside!āJackpot!ā I whispered to myself and quickly took the money inside.I finally decided to leave the car after five long minutes. I was feeling pretty good about what I had accomplished. But as soon as I closed the car door, my face turned pale when I felt something icy cold pressed against the back of my head.āWho sent you here?ā A freezing, deep baritone voice occupied my senses and quickly sent a shiver down my spine.I'm frozen in place, completely clueless about my next move. The sensation of a frigid object pressed against my head sends chills down my spine, making it difficult to catch my breath. It's clear as day what that thing is, and I'm not about to play dumb. I know exactly what that thing is!I wore a flimsy hoodie, just enough to let the frigid touch of metal tickle my scalp.āSpeak! Who fucking sent you here?!ā he asked me flatly but more emphatically, and he pressed the gun on my head more.Sweat is dripping from my forehead. My lips are also trembling because of nervousness. I shook my head because I didnāt want to say Balongās name. I know what Balong can do. He can kill people when I sing his name to this man. My sister will perish!āN-No one. I donāt know what youāre saying!ā I said with a trembling voice.He laughed because of what I said. āAs expected from your answer,ā he said. āAny last message?ā he asked mercilessly, pressing the muzzle of the gun harder on my head.I shook my head again. Is he going to kill me?I wonāt allow him!āD-Donāt. Have mercy. I have a sister who depends on me. Iāll just return what I stole. J-Just... just donāt kill me,ā I said desperately.I donāt know how I said those things. I donāt know where I got the courage. Thereās only one thing on my mind right now, and thatās that my sister still needs me. I canāt die yet!Many scenarios are running through my mind right now. Where the heck is Lawrence? He promised he would not let me down! I really need him now!āFace me!āAs the gun vanished from my head, I instinctively turned to confront him, my heart pounding with fear. The darkness concealed his face, leaving me in the dark both literally and figuratively.āRemove your mask and put down my fucking things,ā he ordered coldly.I gulped hard. My hand was shaking as I put down his things that I took from his car, and then I removed my black facemask.I have never experienced such an intense fear before, not even when I was caught smoking at school and had to go to the guidance office. Surprisingly, I even found solace in the air-conditioned environment of the office.My schoolās guidance counselor and I became close because I was taken there almost twice a week. Fortunately, I was not kicked out of school, probably out of pity for me.āWho are you?ā asked the unknown man.My head was still down, avoiding eye contact. Who wants to look at someone when their face is already out there for all to see? And let's not forget the whole stealing thing. Robbery is definitely a crime, no doubt about it. But is this guy a cop or something? Why on earth is he waving a gun around?No way am I letting him catch a glimpse of my face. Gotta figure out how to ditch this guy. And damn, his ride is the priciest in this whole lot. Does that mean he's the richest too? Judging by his posture, he's not someone to mess with.Fuck! How can you get through this, Nala! You are stupid!He sighed. āI really hate repeating my words, so if you donāt have any plans to open your fucking mouth, then dieāāI cut him off mid-sentence and swiftly kicked his hand, sending the gun crashing to the ground. Clearly caught off guard, I seized the opportunity to deliver a swift kick to his nether regions. The satisfying groan of pain that followed was music to my ears.āFuck!ā he roared.āIām sorry,ā I said, and then took his wallet, which contained the money I got earlier from his car.I thought I could already escape, but my eyes widened when he suddenly grabbed my leg. I looked at him. My lips parted when our eyes met.His eyes are like two shimmering pools of gunmetal blue, their almond shape adding an air of mystery to his gaze. They possess a captivating glow, as if they hold a secret that only the darkness can reveal. These eyes are not just ordinary; they are extraordinary. They draw you in, making it impossible to look away.I swallowed nervously, determined not to let his intense gaze overpower me. With a swift and forceful kick, I managed to free my leg from his grasp. The pain made him cursed.āYouāll pay for this! Iāll make sure of that! I saw your face! Youāll regret messing with me!ā I heard him shout as I ran away. My heart slowed down because of what he said.He saw my face?!āNala!āI stopped running upon hearing Lawrenceās voice. There was a trace of concern on his face as he ran toward me. There is now a black backpack on his back that wasnāt there before.āWhere have you been? Are you okay? Why did you suddenly disappear? You should have waited for me because I was going withāāāShut up. Letās get out of here!ā I said and pulled his arm, and then we ran together.āWhereās your face maskāāāI said shut up! I will explain to you later! We have to get out of here. Faster!ā I cut him off again.He didn't say a word. Must've seen how freaked out I was. So we just kept on running. My heart was still pounding like crazy.I have to prepare myself for tomorrow. I have to leave my sister with Lawrence because any time tomorrow; I am sure that there will be policemen knocking on my houseās door to arrest me because that man with strange eyes saw my face. And at that moment, I knew within myself that I had nothing to do.Youāre very dumb, Nala! Idiot!Hugoās Point of ViewAs I sit on the terrace of my condo unit, sipping a glass of rum, I am captivated by the city of Brussels, Belgium.The Grand Place, with its ornate buildings and intricate facades, is a true masterpiece. The Atomium, a modern marvel, stands tall in the distance, symbolizing the cityās forward-thinking nature.The streets are alive with the sound of laughter and chatter as locals and tourists alike explore the countless shops and cafes.The scent of Belgian waffles fills the air. As the sun sets, the city comes alive with a kaleidoscope of lights.Itās been two years and three months since I moved here to give Nala the space she wanted. Honestly, itās hard without her by my side because I know that sheās my strength that keeps me alive, yet I need to respect her decision.I know that she loves me. I still hold on to the words she said to me beforeāthat she loves me. Iāll do whatever it takes to make her come back to me. I believe that we are meant to be together.
Nalaās Point of ViewāIām sorry, Hugoā¦ā Those were the first words that came out of my mouth as I looked into his eyes.Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered everything that had happened before. How we were happy in each otherās arms. How we overcame all the challenges together and how I gave up so quickly.I bit my lower lip and lowered my head. He didnāt respond, so I spoke again. I wanted to say everything I wanted to say before itās too late.āIām sorry for hurting you back then. Iām sorry for being too much and not thinking about how you felt. I didnāt realize that you were also hurting from Lorcanās death.āāL-Lorcan?ā he asked.I smiled, but it didnāt reach my eyes. āLorcan is what I named our child. Lorcan Amani Cabral Fabellon.āHis eyes widened, seemingly unable to believe what I just said. āD-Did you really follow his last name with me?ā he asked in disbelief.I bit my lower lip and nodded slowly. āYes, I did. Because I know you deserve it. Lorcan is our child⦠Youāre
Nalaās Point of ViewI smiled at my reflection in the human-sized mirror, admiring myself in the royal blue evening gown that Uncle Gael sent earlier for the event I would be attending tonight with Mr. Joseph Zuniga.I was in awe as I continuously gazed at the gown, as if it were a bubble that would disappear if I blinked my eyes.The gown features a strapless sweetheart neckline that accentuates my shoulders and collarbone. The bodice of the gown was perfectly tailored, hugging my waist and creating an elegant silhouette. The skirt, on the other hand, was floor-length and in an A-line style.I also noticed that the fabric used was luxurious satin, which Iām sure was more expensive than my monthly salary. It didnāt itch on my skin like other expensive clothes tend to do, and it was adorned with intricate beading and sequins that created a shimmering effect under the lights.The gown also had a low V-shaped cut at the back, exposing my fair skin. I kept my makeup natural to avoid looki
Nalaās Point of ViewMy eyes widened as I recognized that deep baritone voice. I held my breath as he slowly turned towards me, confirming my suspicion.I didnāt know how to react. I didnāt know what to feel. My normally rational thoughts became jumbled in the face of this sudden turn of events.I swallowed hard as my heart rate quickened upon meeting his gunmetal blue eyes, eyes that I used to love so much.Just moments ago, I was thinking about him, and now he was standing right in front of me. It had been three years since I last saw him, and I could say that he had changed physically.His face had become even more mature. From his eyes, which used to seduce, to his thicker eyebrows and pointed nose, which had become more defined, his lips are now even redder In a natural way. I also noticed that his chest had broadened and his physique was becoming more sculpted.I noticed all of this within a few seconds. I couldnāt bring myself to speak as I stared into his cold eyes, eyes that
Nalaās Point of ViewāHey, just follow us, Nala, okay? Weāll wait for you there,ā Jenna reminded me, already prepared to leave with our other colleagues.I smiled and nodded at her. āOkay. Take care, everyone!ā I added.Once they had left, I continued packing up my belongings on my desk. It was already three in the afternoon, and we were about to leave work. We always leave early on Fridays because thereās no work at the office the next day.Just as I turned off the lampshade on my table, my cellphone, which was inside my bag, started ringing. I picked it up and quickly answered the call when I saw the name flashing on the screen.āHello, Uncle Gael?ā I greeted as soon as I answered.āHello, dear. Did I disturb something?āI shook my head, even though he couldnāt see me. āNo, Uncle. Iām actually about to leave. Do you have any orders for me?āāCan you come to my office, dear? We just need to talk about something in person; itās kind of important.āāSure, Uncle. Just wait for me.āāOka
Nalaās Point of ViewāEat something, Nala. Youāll get sick if you keep doing this,ā Lawrence said after knocking from outside my room here at my house in ParaƱaque.āLeave me alone, Lawrence. I can take care of myself. Go away!ā I shooed him away for the umpteenth time while I was wrapped in a blanket.Ever since he came over at nine this morning, he hasnāt left me alone. He keeps knocking, and Iām starting to get irritated.I came here after talking to Hugo at the park yesterday. I donāt know if it was the right decision to come straight home or not. I remember our memories together here. In every corner of this house, I see him, even though heās not with me.My eyes are swollen from crying. I havenāt eaten since yesterday, and all Iāve done is cry until Iām exhausted.My emotions are all mixed up, and my chest feels heavy. I donāt know what to do anymore. I just let myself cry because I wanted to let it all out. All the pain Iām feeling.Iām mourning the loss of my child. I still ca
Nalaās Point of ViewI left the hospital with a mix of emotions. I wanted to scream, but it felt like I had no voice. I wanted to cry, but it seemed like I didnāt have the strength to sob. My hand was shaking as I walked aimlessly along the side of the road, not caring if I was hit by cars.The sun was hot, but I didnāt feel any pain. My whole body was numb from what I had learned.I felt betrayed.All this time, I was no longer pregnant. For two weeks, I was oblivious to what happened to my child! I couldnāt even mourn because they kept the truth from me!It hurts! It's extremely painful to lose a child as a mother. I didnāt even see, touch, kiss, or do anything. I didnāt even make her feel a motherās care. I didnāt even apologize earlier. I neglected her. I failed to protect her!This is my fault.I didnāt know where my feet were taking me as I continued to walk. I ignored the people who were glancing at me. They probably thought I was going crazy. I didnāt care.I heard my cellphon
Nalaās Point of ViewI woke up earlier than Hugo the next morning. I got up slowly so as not to wake him. As far as I remember, he doesnāt fall asleep right away after we do that thing, so I knew he must still be tired. I donāt know what else he did because I fell asleep right away last night.I went to the bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth. Then I went downstairs to prepare breakfast. It shouldnāt be a problem for me to move around the house, right? The doctor said Iām okay.I was still wearing Hugoās loose clothes when I came downstairs. Itās fine because itās just the two of us here in the house, but there are still guards outside.Iām grateful that Daniel Cordova is no longer a problem. I donāt know if heās still alive, but Hugo assured me that he wouldnāt bother meāus anymore. I trust him, so I believe what he said.And now that our battle with the Pure Blood Organization is over, our lives have returned to normal. Dominic has been busy with his own life, so he hasnāt been a
Nalaās Point of ViewāSo, how are you feeling? Donāt you feel anything strange about your body?ā asked Doc Tami as she peeled an orange.I shook my head. āIām okay, Doc Tami. Actually, I could be discharged today,ā I joked.I still call her Doc Tami even though I know sheās my sister because Iām not comfortable calling her Sis or Sis Tami. I told her that on the second day since I woke up, and she understood. She said itās understandable because we just met. Everything takes time, she said.She raised an eyebrow. āDonāt be so sure. You might feel something different after youāre discharged.āI pouted. āIs there such a thing?āāOf course. Itās not impossible. Iāve had patients who just left the hospital but came back because they felt something different,ā she explained. āHere. Eat this. It will help you. Oranges are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which can boost the immune system, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases,ā she explained.I took the p
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