Redemption

PrologueAnna needed any form of distraction; she needed anything that will shield her from the angry-looking men that were running after her. Anna fully well understood why they were running after her, but then they should cut her some slack; whatever happened these past few days isn’t her fault, so they have no reason to chase her like she stole their Christmas presents.Speaking of Christmas, Anna cringed when she remembered her childhood, those pathetic days when she would sit under the Christmas tree, waiting and hoping that Santa will bring her presents. The most amusing thing that happened to Anna was that she did see Santa; just that it wasn’t the old man with a long white beard. The Santa that brought gifts to Anna happened to be her father Ford Smith, and she found him dead on their porch that night.Shaking her head to get rid of the unwanted thoughts, Anna looked back only to discover that the angry men were closing in on her and the only place to hide at the moment was th

AnnaOnce I discovered that Santa Claus had long since passed away, decades before my own arrival into this world, nothing seemed to catch me off guard anymore. Frankly, it both perplexes and irritates me when people anticipate my feigned shock and amazement, when in fact I had long predicted the outcome.Allow me to recount a comparable experience. On the eve of my birthday, my ex-boyfriend, now proudly labeled as such, posed the classic question: “What would you like for your birthday?” I requested a bracelet, and as anticipated, he handed me one the following day. However, he expected me to put on an act of surprise and astonishment, as if I were an impressionable child on Christmas morning. What absurdity! I had long known he would purchase a bracelet for me.As I bade farewell to my colleague at the coffee shop, I brushed aside a nagging thought that had been troubling me all day. The crisp air outside the cozy interior of the cafe hit me like a slap in the face, making me regret

AnnaAs I held the ID in my hand, I began to experience doubt about my decision to sell the jacket. I have never had a predisposition towards theft; the notion of taking things that don't belong to me has never once crossed my mind. The decision to sell the jacket was a product of sheer desperation. With a heavy heart, I looked at the ID card once more and let out a sigh. Dante Williams is a force to be reckoned with, and his reputation extends far beyond the confines of New York City.Returning the jacket was an imperative, and I must do so with all its contents intact. Men of a menacing nature were already scouring the streets of New York for me, and I had no intention of inviting Dante William's crew to join the hunt. Seated on the bed, I scowled at the old wall clock. Why had all the wrongdoing in New York singled me out as the target, as though I were cursed since childhood?As I lifted the ID card, I smiled at a thought that crossed my mind. Amidst all this chaos, one fact remai

AnnaAs I tried to lift my hand to touch my throbbing head, I was startled to find that my limbs wouldn't move. Panic set in as I struggled to open my eyes, but the pain only intensified. Just as I was about to lose all hope, cold water was poured over my head, bringing me back to reality. Blinking away the haze, I saw that I was bound hand and foot, with the two men from the previous night staring down at me."What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice quivering with fear. "If you're going to kill me, just get it over with. I'm not afraid to die."The man with a scar laughed harshly. "Oh, honey, you don't know what you're saying. Death would be the easy way out. You should be praying that our boss doesn't want you dead, because that would be a fate worse than anything you can imagine."I was speechless, unable to even respond with a curse. But just as I thought things couldn't get any worse, a new voice spoke up - one that was surprisingly young and handsome."Nobody's getting f

DanteAs I approached Anna's room, a disquieting sensation crept up my spine. My mind was already buzzing with unanswered questions that needed to be resolved. As I walked in, my eyes landed on Anna, her back propped against the bedpost, with her eyes tightly shut in unbearable agony. It was evident that the drugs were taking a toll on her, causing her immense discomfort. Despite being aware of how imprudent it was, I proceeded to ask, "How are you feeling, Anna?"She opened her eyes, and her gaze met mine before responding, "I'm fine, I suppose. Just a pulsating headache."As anticipated, the medication seemed to be doing more harm than good. "I'll have Martha bring you some painkillers," I stated. "You need to rest. The doctor has recommended plenty of rest and water for you. Moreover, tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I'll need to gather information from you about the men who abducted you."Anna nibbled on her fingernails before questioning me, "Why did you come for me?"As