SHAWNA“Do you think he's still coming?" We've been waiting here for quite a while and it just seems the private investigator we're meant to meet here isn't coming again.“Let's just wait for five more minutes, after that, we're gone," Liam said. He said this five minutes ago too, but this time around we're leaving if the man doesn't show up.I sipped the drink before me, it's almost finished now since that's what I've been drinking since we got here.I kept quiet and kept looking around the lonely cafe, it's one of the most low-key ones right now. It only gets filled up when it's weekend, morning, or evening. But it's at its best at this time of the day.“He's here." Liam's voice brought me out of my thoughts, I looked in the direction he was looking to see a man dressed in a blue polo shirt and black trousers coming towards our table.He got to us and sat down on the third chair beside us.“I'm very sorry for coming late, something held me down outside, it would have been violent if
SHAWNA“Please come over to my-" Her panicked voice went off just as it came, it's almost like the phone was snatched from her or something. I tried to call the number back immediately but it was switched off.There's something wrong with this, something is fishy. She sounded like she wanted to tell me something before the call ended.“What's wrong? Who was that? Are you okay?" Liam asked me after I dropped the phone. I looked at him with a frown etched into my face."I don't know, a woman called just now saying she's the lawyer's wife. She was panicky and all and she said she needed my help with something before the call ended abruptly.” I told him."The lawyer who just died?” He asked and I nodded."This is serious, and the call ended abruptly? That sounds suspicious.” He frowned."Exactly, it sounded like the phone was yanked away from her before the call disconnected. Now she's unreachable.” I felt restless. Anything could be going on with her right now, or is this some kind of p
EUGENE“What do you want to eat today?” My mom asked me, she had just walked out of the kitchen with an apron around her."I honestly don't know, I think I'm fine with anything.”I shrugged then went back to my phone.I was chatting with someone very important, his text came in earlier, saying that he had something to say to me. Even though the number is unsaved, I know who he is.My mom said something again but I wasn't even listening, my whole mind was on the phone I was pressing. After waiting for his follow-up text and I didn't get any, I dialed him directly.The phone rang and he picked up immediately, “Why aren't you replying to my texts?" I asked him."I was kind of busy. And I wasn't so sure about what I saw, I wanted to confirm.” He said."You should have just texted me that instead of raising my hopes.” I hissed.“I'm sorry ma." “Do whatever the fuck you have to do, that's what I'm paying you for after all. And don't keep me waiting." I ended the call with him.I huffed in f
DAMIEN“What you're telling me now is that you still haven't found out who the woman in question is?" I asked my doctor.“It's proving harder than I thought it was, whoever it was did a hard job of keeping themself hidden. It's not meant to be this hard actually." He answered.What I don't understand is why anyone would want to use my sperm to formulate a fetus. I have an intuition on who it could be but I don't just want to conclude yet.“What are you going to do then? I need to know who's doing this.” I was trying so hard to keep myself at the moment, I badly wanted to lash out at him to just do his job.But I know how hard it can be to uncover things like these too.“Just try harder, you know how important this is, just do your thing,” I told him.He tensed up a bit, "Yes, I'll try more. And once I get any information, just anything, I'll let you know immediately.” He said.“Yes, and-" I was interrupted by the ringing of my phone, I looked down to see that it was Eugene calling me.
DAMIENAfter getting off the phone with my investigator, I entered my car and drove off without having anywhere in particular in my mind.I didn't have anything to do again for today, why don't I just go over to a bar to cool off? That's the only relaxing way I could think of after the stress of the week.I steered my car towards the direction of a bar around here, it's not the one I go to normally. But I guess I'll just try this one out today.I got there in no time, it's not so far from Eugene's office. On getting in, I was wowed by the interior, no one would have thought it would be this good.These organizations need to start working on their exterior looks too, doing it for just the interior wouldn't do anything to attract customers.I walked further into the bar and picked a seat on the far right side of the bar. I sat down with my legs crossed and face relaxed, patiently waiting for a waiter or something.Looking up, I saw a slouched-over figure directly before me. I had no ide
EUGENEI stormed away from him with anger thrumming through me, he had some nerves to ask me that question. I get it that he saved me from being embarrassed.But even at that, that question just did something to me, it annoys the fuck out of me. I don't know if it's because it's true, or I'm just mad at myself for going to him for help in the first place.If my stupid assistant had just said why my attention was needed in the office, I'd have escaped all these. I'd just have to come up with a reasonable excuse, I wouldn't have shown up at all.I'll visit my assistant's case later, I need to take care of Shawna now. Maybe I'll just transfer all the aggression to her. I dialed my investigator's number, he'll have to ask me one or two for me.He picked up almost immediately, “Help me find Shawna's current location, I need to pay her a visit.” I said."On it ma'am, I'll text you the address once I get it.” Then he hung up. This is one of the things I kind of hate about him, no one hangs u
DAMIENThe moment the car's tire started moving, I ran behind them with my full strength. I tried to catch up with them but they drove off in different directions.I don't know who is behind the steering wheel, the faces are so unfamiliar. They were employed by Eugene but at the expense of what?Shawna’s shout for help kept ringing in my head, it had long been submerged by the car going farther.I stood in the middle of the road with clenched fists and frustration thrumming through me. What is Eugene up to this time around? Fuck, I Shouldn't have been so careful.I thought she needed help, fuck! She tricked me again.To think that I thought she changed for good, is she planning on kidnapping Shawna now or what?Then she's so dumb, I just realize how dumb and stupid she is. Why would anyone even think that way? I saw her and I know what she did!I'll think about that later, what's more important now is saving Shawna. She's still very drunk and at this point, I don't trust Eugene as one
EUGENE“Where the fuck are these boys?" I asked angrily, pacing around. They were meant to be here since we agreed that we'd meet here actually.They were even meant to follow my car when we drove out of that bar but they decided to go the other way. There's even no way Damien would have caught up with them.They were both just pussies, now I'm here waiting for them. The most infuriating part is that they're not picking up their calls.“They’re never without their phones, something must have happened to them.” The lady with them who got into my car said, worry grappling her entire form.I don't even care if they're personally alright, all I want from them is Shawna. I can't make more plans now without them, and the more we waste time, the closer we are to being caught by Damien.They took his car after all and he can track it in minutes. My investigator sent two more boys to come meet me here so the work will be faster.“Just pick up the damn phone!” I yelled, resisting the urge to th
PHOEBEMy whole body was sore. My dress was torn, my wrists burned from the ropes, and my eyes stung from crying. I was huddled in a corner of that cold, dark room, shivering as the last of the men ran out like rats. One second, they were setting up cameras, saying the most disgusting things, and the next, they were gone. Just like that.It made no sense. None of it did. Why would they leave me? What scared them off?I was too weak to stand, too confused to think straight. My head was pounding, and I could still feel whatever they had drugged me with swirling through my system. My heart was racing so fast I could barely catch my breath. My legs were pulled to my chest, arms wrapped tightly around them, as if I could make myself disappear if I just curled up small enough.And then I heard footsteps.Fast. Heavy. Coming closer.My eyes shot to the door.I froze.My heart shot to my throat.Were they back?Did they forget something?Were they going to finish what they started?I couldn’t
RAMONI stood in that hotel lobby staring at the manager as if he'd just announced a death. Maybe he had. Because knowing Phoebe had been taken right from under my nose felt exactly like that, like something had died inside me."She was in your care!" I shouted. "She was supposed to wait for me here!""Mr. Ramon," the manager said nervously, "we thought it was authorized…""By whom? My uncle?" I spat. "You took her because my uncle said so? Did she look like she wanted to leave? Did you even ask her that?"No answer. Just that sick, silent guilt on their faces.I didn't waste another second. I turned on my heel, stormed out of the hotel, jumped into my car, and sped straight to Richard's estate. My hands gripped the wheel so hard they ached. My mind was a storm, rage, fear, regret. I kept seeing her face in my head, her smile, the way she had trusted me. And now...She was gone.When I got to the mansion, the guards at the gate crossed their arms."Sir, Mr. Richard said not to let you
RAMONI was dead tired by the time we finished the meeting at the company. My shirt clung to my back, and my head was pounding from all the numbers and back-to-back discussions. All I wanted was to check my phone and unwind, maybe see if Phoebe had texted.I reached into my pocket. Empty.My heart skipped.I checked the table, the chair, and even under the folder I’d used. Nothing.“Where the hell is my phone?” I muttered.My uncle, sitting across from me, raised an eyebrow. “Lose something?”“My phone. I had it before we came here.”He shrugged. “Maybe you dropped it at the house.”I didn’t like how quick he was to answer.Still, I forced a calm nod and stood up. “I’ll go check.”The ride back to his place felt like it took forever. My mind was racing. Phoebe. Had she called? Texted? What if something was wrong? My gut wouldn’t calm down.When I got to the house, I tore through every room I had been in earlier. The living room. The guest room. Even the damn kitchen. Nothing.My uncle
PHOEBEThe hotel was breathtaking, with marble floors, chandeliers sparkling like stars, a scent of roses, and money hanging in the air. My heels clicked softly as I followed the receptionist, who wore a perfectly polite smile. My coat was still wrapped tightly around me, hiding the dress Winnie helped me pick out. My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves.“He’ll be with you shortly,” the receptionist said sweetly, opening a suite door for me. “Please, get comfortable. There are refreshments inside. Make yourself at home.”I gave a shy nod. “Thank you.”The door shut behind me.The suite was luxurious, with soft couches, a large table with drinks and fruit, and dim romantic lighting. I let out a small breath. “Wow…”I walked slowly to the table, brushing my fingers along the glass rim of a wine glass. Red wine. A chill ran up my spine, and I shook it off. Maybe he asked them to pour it before he arrived. Maybe this was his way of setting the mood.I pulled out my phone.
PHOEBEI slammed the front door a little harder than I meant to when I got home.Winnie looked up from the couch, raising an eyebrow. "Whoa. Somebody’s in a mood. What's wrong, sunshine?"I dropped my bag by the door and flopped onto the armchair with a loud sigh. "It’s Ramon," I said, pouting like a child.Winnie immediately perked up. "Ramon? Spill. What happened?!"I buried my face in my hands for a second before looking up at her. "We kissed. Like... really kissed. It was amazing. He kissed me like he needed me to breathe or something."Winnie squealed, hugging a throw pillow. "Oh my God! Finally!""Yeah, it was incredible," I mumbled, my cheeks heating up. "But right after that, he got a call. Emergency at home. He had to leave. Just like that."Winnie’s face softened. "Oh, babe...""I know he had no choice," I said quickly, fiddling with a loose thread on the armrest. "But... it sucks. I’m losing my mind over him, Winnie. I’m slowly going crazy. I want him so bad it hurts."Winn
PHOEBERamon’s eyes burned into me like I was the only thing he could see. I felt my cheeks heat up under his stare, and I shifted awkwardly on my feet.“Phoebe,” he said, his voice low and rough, “I want all of you…every part of you. I’m not afraid of being with you. I’m just... trying to restrain myself.”My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out at first. Then I swallowed hard and said, "I want all of you, too, Ramon. I’m not scared."Something snapped between us.Ramon closed the space in a single, hungry heartbeat, grabbing me again and crashing his mouth onto mine. This kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t sweet. It was rough, fierce, almost desperate, like he had been starving, and I was the only thing that could satisfy him.His lips crushed against mine, demanding and urgent. I could feel the heat pouring off his body as he kissed me like he needed me more than air. His hand slid up, fingers threading into the hair at the nape of my neck, then wrapping
RAMONI tossed and turned all night. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t sleep. My mind kept racing, full of everything Uncle Richard had said... and Phoebe. Always Phoebe.I was falling for her. Hard. It scared the hell out of me, but it also felt so right. I didn’t just like her, I needed her. Every smile, every look, every word she said stuck in my head like glue.When morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, showered, and dressed like a man on a mission. I didn’t even think twice. I was going to see her. I had to.No more running. No more hiding.When I got to the worksite, she was there already, sorting through some papers, looking so focused and beautiful that it made my heart twist. She looked up and blinked like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing."Ramon?" she said, her voice small but full of surprise. "I thought... I thought you weren’t going to be available anymore."I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward and stupid all at once. "Yeah, about that. I’m
WINNIEWinnie stared at me like I had just grown two heads. "What do you mean you don't know if Ramon likes you enough to be intimate?" she asked, her eyes wide.I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling small and stupid. "I don’t know, Win. Maybe... maybe he’s just not that into me. Maybe he sees me like a kid or something."Winnie shook her head fast. "No way. Anyone with eyes can see Ramon is crazy about you, Phoebe. Seriously. He looks at you like you hung the moon!"I smiled a little, but it didn’t reach my heart. "Then why is he so hesitant? Why does he always back away when things get... close?"Winnie opened her mouth to say something, then paused. Her face changed slowly, like she was putting puzzle pieces together."Wait a second..." she said carefully. "Have you guys ever... you know... done it?"I looked down at my lap, my face burning. "No," I whispered.Winnie’s mouth fell open. "Wait. You mean... never?"I nodded, feeling like I was about to sink into the floor."And he kn
RAMONI stood in the garden, massaging my temples and trying to figure out what just happened. I hated seeing Phoebe hurt. I hated that I was the reason for that look in her eyes, the one that made my chest ache. I wanted to run after her, fix it, explain everything better.I had just taken a step toward the house when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Billy and Jasper coming out. Great. Just what I needed right now.They stood there awkwardly for a second before Billy cleared his throat."Hey, man," he said, not meeting my eyes. "We, uh... we just wanted to say sorry."I blinked, surprised. "Sorry?"Jasper shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah. For looking down on you. We didn't know... well, we didn't know you were who you are."I sighed, not really wanting to have this conversation. "It's fine," I muttered, even though it really wasn't."But," Billy added quickly, "we still think you're hiding something. And honestly... we don’t think you're worthy of our sister."Tha