HER ~LIFE ~IN ~A ~NUTSHELL

CHAPTER 6

~~~~

Everything seemed like a dream come true for Gerard, although Naomi already made it clear that it was only for business. He was well aware of the fact that she wasn't safe anymore,not when her upcoming book would soon be released in the coming month,and she needs protection.

Which was the reason he'd make it his topmost priority to keep her safe.

He smiled when he remembered what his father told him and which was exactly the main reason he returned back to Australia.

Seems his father-in-law wasn't ordinary..

[THREE•DAYS•AGO]

“No!”, Gerard said to his father, after he told him of his plan to get him married to Naomi.

“What are you saying to no to son? Alessandro's daughter is a good match for you, I'm sure you know that” Roberto said,staring at his son with a bored look.

He was on a video call with him.

“Dad, I won't deny having romantic feelings for Naomi,to be honest, I'm obsessed with her. But…,I can't just get married to her in this way. It's inappropriate and also not fair to her. I love her but not to the point of forcing her to marry me” Gerard tried to reason with his dad.

Truth be told,he was madly happy about the marriage stuff and wasn't against it, but he still felt anxious as to what naomi's reaction would be when she eventually finds out.

“But I Can't refuse alessandro's request,he personally came to beg me so you could marry Naomi”

“WHAT?!” Gerard exclaimed. He was no doubt shocked about this information.

How? Alessandro doesn't want to learn from the last mistake he made and still wants to try this. He was surprised. But for what reason is alessandro doing all this?

“I can't possibly lie with his name,can I? You talk as if you're a kid. Listen son,this marriage is definitely profitable for both parties” Roberto assured.

A frown etched on Gerard's face as soon as he heard that. He would never marry for gain,rather for love.

“Explain this shit Roberto!” He threw at his father,wishing he was with him.

“You know nothing son,but alessandro isn't an ordinary man at all. He's very hideous and right now,he has insane connections across the world,though he barely used them. One of my boys even reported to me about his hidden business which I'm still trying to dig in” Roberto elaborated.

Gerard raised a brow at him, his expression already said it all.

“Apparently,the only person he genuinely cares about is his wife Bianca. He could do anything for that woman but what about his daughter? He said the reason he wants you both to get married was coz of Naomi's unpublished book which would be released in two months,but I'm not a fool to know his real intention” Roberto stated.

“Then what is his intention?” Gerard asked curiously.

“Son! Can't you see the writings on the wall? He's after someone and he needs me to get involved. He needs massive cover than the ones he already possess,that old man is really cunning. We're gonna play along and you'd marry his daughter,just to fulfil his wish”

By now, Gerard’s head was already spinning with too much informations to digest.

“Then what do we gain?” He said straightly.

“You don't have to worry about that son,just marry Naomi and everything wouldn't go south” Roberto advised.

“Alright! But I should make one thing clear Roberto,nothing should happen to Naomi,or I swear on the womb that sheltered me for nine months, I'm gonna kill you,I don't mind painting my hands with my father's blood.”

With that,he ended the video call.

[•PRESENT•]

Gerard had a deep respect for Naomi's father,even after what he did years back,he still admired and looked up to him. He even once wished to be like him when he grew up.

Thinking about that wish,he thought of how stupid he was.

Since Naomi already agreed,then it was settled.

Naomi would be his and that's final. Till death do them apart.

He was in his office,sitting on his desk. He had nothing important to do anyways.

‘Gerard, she's another man's woman. Don't you think you're going to far with all this?’

His subconscious scolded him.

Another man's woman would rightfully become his woman in two months time anyways. The man could go to hell.

______

[•DEATH•VILLA•(Torture Room)•]

Lewiston's face was almost unrecognizable from the intense slaps he had been receiving from the ruthless Herbert and his fellow guys.

Herbert was kind enough to treat his wounds,he was grateful for that,else he would be six feet down now.

That stupid fool must think he's wise. Fuck! He'd been in this game for a long time and he knows how to play his cards.

He was LEWISTON FUCKIN CARL,that oldwag must have forgotten that name,which was good.

So far,everything had been going the way he wants it and things would soon fall in place,the way they were supposed to be.

But first,he already found out about his child and naomi's supposed wedding in two months.

She's really strong,he must compliment her for that but she really thinks things would end well with her stupid fiancee(GERARD),funny how she still wants to live her whole life with the same boy she rejected till death do them apart.

That was the least of his problem right now anyways,he needs to get out here.

As if hearing his thoughts,the door creaked open and Herbert stepped in.

“Master says to let you out,he needs to see you” He squeezed the words out of his mouth.

“He still values me, that's good news. Thought I was gonna get buried here” His arrogant voice sounded.

Herbert didn't answer him,he released him and led him to a room.

Lewiston entered the room and headed straight to the bathroom.

The water was already prepared for him,his muscles relaxed in the warm water.

He spent 50mins in the water before he came out .

He wore the neat clothes which he met on the bed and left the room,headimg to the boss’s domain.

[•BOSS’S•DOMAIN•DANGER]

No one has ever seen his face.

The man behind the mask,[DEATH]. That was his name. Just as his name implied,he was death.

Anywhere he goes,that place experiences destruction and any unfortunate family he visits would be prepared to welcome sorrow and misfortune.

He relaxed on his chair as Ruth,displayed what she tagged *SEDUCTION*. Se was almost naked by now,clothes gone,leaving only her panty and bra on.

She took slow seductive steps towards him,getting to him,she placed her hands on his exposed hairy chest,she drew invisible lines on it. After getting tired of her drawings,she bent a little bit,making her oranges fall on death's face.

Call her shameless,but that was what she was. She's been serving this man for 5years now and she hasn't gotten any golden opportunity to see his face.

He always promised to reveal his face to her but, he never fulfilled any of ‘em. She was frustrated and promised to do whatever she could even if it includes having sex with him to reveal his face.

By now,her hands were all over his body,just when she zipped his trousers to get down to business,he walked in.

“Death,are you satisfied after punishing me now?” His unmistakeable deep voice filled the room.

Ruth turned around sharply and faced the door.

She looked guilty,like a wife who had been caught cheating. She looked at lewiston,shock dancing on her facing.

“Ah…”, Death chuckled. “Your arrogant self is here”

He looked at Ruth briefly. Picking up her poor innocent gown,he handed it to her.

“Put them back on and stop disgracing yourself Ruth,you wouldn't see what you want unless I willingly allow you. GIVE UP!” DEATH deadpanned.

All this while,she was tongue-tied.

What the hell was Lewiston doing here?

Fuck! She really didn't expect to meet Lewiston here at all and he seemed to have been here for a while.

“Let's get down to ruthlessness,shall we?” DEATH'S voice broke through her thoughts.

___

[SATURDAY•Caramel’s House]

Caramel was humming a song happily as she selected the clothes she would 0wear.

She was so happy,because finally,she and Silas were back together and they promised not to quarrel anymore. He suddenly told her he wants to take her out yesterday.

And since then, she's been so acting like a fairy.

She finally dressed up and checked the time.

She gasped.

“Fuck! Princess would be mad at me, I'm late” she said while grabbing her bag in a hurry.

Soon….

She was at Silas' place.

She inputed his code and went inside his house.

There,as soon as she opened the door,she was blessed with a hot kissing scene of bet and Silas. They were so engrossed and Silas didn't even hear the beeping of his door.

Silas was obviously enjoying the kiss, as his hands found their way to Bet’s ass,he grabbed and deepened the kiss.

Caramel watched everything with wide opened mouth,wide eyes,pain and any other emotions were mixed together.

The last straw broke when Bet moaned and Silas groaned into the kiss.

A tear fell from caramel's eye and she left,not wanting to witness any of it again.

Their mood was ruined with the sudden ringing of Sila's phone. He broke the kiss and bet groaned,needing to feel his lips again.

Silas entered his bedroom to answer the call.

‘GOAL ACCOMPLISHED’

Bet thought,laughing wickedly.

Turns out that she was aware that caramel was here and caramel witnessed their intense make out session.

_____

[•GIOVANNI'S•BAR•]

Caramel came here directly from Silas house. She didn't understand why she felt so pained about the kiss.

Strange thing was that,she cried!

Silas was her friend,not boyfriend and she was one hundred percent sure she didn't like him romantically. So

why does it feel like he cheated on her.

Maybe because they were supposed to go out and he was making out with a girl. Yes! That has to be the reason.

She drowned a big cup of whiskey as she recalled the way Silas grabbed Bet's ass and his groan.

‘Fuck is wrong with you mel?, it's just a kiss. Nothing special is going on between them,if it is, you're his best friend. You should be happy for him,right?’

She continued drinking,hoping to get drunk and forget about everything but she didn't get drunk.

She got tired of drinking and placed her head on the table, feeling like an abandoned child.

____

[•LONDON•]

Lily sat with her nanny's daughter in her bedroom.

The girl(Nina)was her only friend here. She wasn't allowed to go out without guards or without her nanny,so she had no friends except Nina. They were both being homeschooled.

Nina admires Naomi so much and took her as a role model. She also loves Lily and who was always acting like an adult.

The both of them were engrossed with the movie they were watching,while waiting for perilla to join them.

[•KITCHEN•]

Perilla had been disturbed about the call she received for days but she had no one to tell about it. Just a day ago,she got a message from her crippled daughter's hospital that someone gave the poor girl a poisoned injection which almost cost her life.

At the moment,the girl was in coma. The mysterious person had been calling her frequently these days,telling her to decide quickly.

It had been a week since he told her to get rid of lily and she hasn't been able to.

Heaven knows she didn't want to,the little soul was too sweet,she dots on her and now what?

She stared at the bottle she was holding, contemplating in what to do. She received this poison from an unknown person,it was well packaged and carefully placed at the gate.

She was going to become a bad person just to save her child,gosh! This is cruel!

Without thinking twice,she poured the whole content inside a cup of orange juice.

*Bedroom…*

Perilla watched as lily emptied the cup with guilt. She was heartless to do this to the person who helped her.

It's not her fault,but it's also part of her fault.

The deed had been done,there was no turning back,she sent the mysterious person a video of the job well done.

According to the man,the poison won't manifest until after 3days when it has fully circulated around the body and by the,lily would be with her mom on Australia.

Then her kids would be safe.

____

[•Australia•Small Town•]

The faceless figure,got the video and he was satisfied.

‘Now let the show begin,I couldn't lay my hands on her, let's see what she'd do if she loses her only hope’

The air became more deadly.

____

*M•O•N•D•A•Y*

~~~

[N•M•C LIBRARY]

Everything about caramel changed after that night. She was always moody and whenever Silas was around her,she faked her smiles. Silas lied to cover up for why he didn't keep to his promise.

Right now,she was with her usual Stony face when Bet came to her.

“Hey caramel,have you seen Silas around?” She asked sweetly.

Caramel didn't respond rather he continued arranging the pile of novels scattered in front of her.

“Hey…I'm talking to someone” She said again.

Still no answer,this continued for five minutes. Until Bet couldn't take it anymore. She raised her hand and was about bringing down on caramel's cheek when…,

“If I were you I wouldn't do that” caramel said coldly. She was keeping her anger in check and if this stupid ugly imported baboon keeps disturbing her,she was gon’ ruin her ugly face for her sweet Silas.

Bet dropped her hand and coughed embarrassingly.

“Then you shouldn’t have ignored me when I asked you a question, that's rude” She said,feeling ridiculed.

“Rude…?” Caramel laughed.

“Even unimportant potatoes have the guts to teach etiquette…argh this is tragic” she mocked.

Bet's face turned red with embarrassment and she didn't even know what to say.

She turned to leave.

“You know …,” caramel started as she played with a book.

“You shouldn't try to intimidate me just because you kissed Silas. Truth is,I honestly don't care. We're friends and I'm happy he's finally willing to be in a relationship. But fuck! You should stop acting like you won an award,you both could go to hell for all i care. He could even screw you RN and I wouldn't be affected. So grow up and stop being a POTATO!” Caramel slammed to her face.

Bet turned to her and smiled before leaving.

Unknown to both of them,Silas heard everything they said.

___

[•A•BEACH•]

Naomi stood beside Gerard,gazing at the beautiful beach water. It was so soothing to see people around the sea,smiling and having fun. It eased her a bit from her worries.

For the past one week now, she hadn't been herself. She's been feeling paranoid for no reason exactly. It's as if something would happen to her.

She hasn't heard from lewiston since the time she stabbed him and that's a case on its own. Ruth had been too silent, considering the kind of person she was.

Also…,her daughter would soon come back,she doesn't know why she's so worried. Something had happened but she doesn't even know who it happened to.

Everything seemed to be moving to fast.

Gerard's warm hand on hers snapped her out of her reverie.

“You look drained baby. What's bothering you?” Gerard asked genuinely,worry sitting on his face.

“I'll be fine Gerard”

“I asked you what's bothering you?” He pestered.

She can't possibly tell Gerard she has a child, it's a secret she doesn't want everyone to be aware of.

He knew almost everything about her but the child part was unknown. He was willing to marry her to keep her safe but she's not even…

“Earth to Cindy” Gerard cut through her train of thought again.

“Need to get something from the car, I'll be back” She rushed off without waiting to get a reply from him.

[•ROADSIDE•]

Naomi crossed to the side their car was parked,but before she could open the car,it opened and a hand dragged her in.

She found herself in strong hands,the scent too familiar.

Lewiston held naomi's waist protectively with a hand,he looked mad.

“What now?” Naomi managed to say after swallowing on nothing.

“You're getting married to Gerard Robero?” He asked.

Something was wrong with lewiston,he didn't sound like the arrogant Lewiston she knew.

“Yeah…you got a problem with that?”

“Yes,a huge one. You shouldn't marry Gerard to make me jealous NAMI” he drawled.

Is Lewiston mad? Marry to make him jealous? Over her coffin.

“You're sick!” She spat.

“I admit I'm sick,but it's only coz of you NAMI”

Another rubbish.

Naomi struggled to free herself from his hold,but he suddenly slammed her back on the steering and gazed deeply and affectionately into her eyes

“Let go of me!” She hated the guts of this stupid man.

“I dare you to say that again, NAMI” He said a tricky smile playing on his lip.

“Stop calling me that godforsaken name and let go of me Lewiston” She called his name,for the first time in how many weeks.

She regretted saying that,coz she didn't expect what he did next.

It all happened in a flash,one moment she was glaring at lewiston angrily,then the next,her face had two emotions at once. Shock and Pain.

Pain because Lewiston's table knife was stuck deeply in the same area she had stabbed him before ,blood filled her clothes.

Shock because the motherfucker placed his fucking lips on hers,knocking out the air in her lungs.

“Mine!” Lewiston declared.and deepened the kiss brutally.

★★★