LOGINCHUCK I lit up my cigarette and puffed it long before blowing the smoke into the air. Michael was next to me. A stripper was straddling him, giving him one hell of a lap dance. I'd be into the fun too. If only I could bring myself to stop thinking about her. It feels like taboo to say her name alongside the treacherous and scandalous thoughts swirling in my head. So I can't even say her name. I don't even wanna picture her face. They all feel like sin. Taboo. But God, how did I get here? Genuinely, how the fuck did I get here?I never thought about her this way. Ever since she was little, all I ever did was love her like she was truly my niece. I adored her. I literally worshipped her. Platonically.It was all platonic, I swear to God. It really was platonic. Until it wasn't. I can't even tell when the shift happened. I just knew that I felt this steaming rage when she told me she had a boyfriend. I spent days trying to convince myself that I was that way because I cared about he
CRISTIAN I wasn't headed to the office. I didn't have the heart to work. I was going to unwind with the guys. Joe. Michael. We were seated in the VIP section of Michael's private nightclub. It stays open 24 hours. But it definitely gets crazier at night. A man like me shouldn't be seen in places like this, especially during the day. It could make the internet buzz. But I was risking it today. The drinks were on the table. There was weed. Cigarettes. Blunt. All kinds of Narcotics. This place was completely illegal. So you could see the most illegal substances here. I settled for just the drink. But I was tempted to indulge in narcotics. I needed them to ease my agony. To feel numb. But I was hesitating. Well, for one, they're quite addictive, and I was quite an addict years back. It took hundreds of therapy sessions to break free from it. It'd be insane going back down a hellhole I crept out of.And two, as much as the thoughts of Lacy hurt me, I still don't want to stop thinking
CRISTIAN I stared blankly at the chaos happening at my front porch. It was finally the day of Aaliyah's departure. Nanny Jocey and the maids had emptied a grocery store for her. Now they're struggling to fit everything they bought into the bags for Aaliyah to take with her. It's been going for an hour. I wasn't impatient. I wasn't even irritated. I wasn't excited. I wasn't even present. I mean, my body was literally leaning on the car, but my mind was gone. I haven't been able to breathe properly since yesterday, after I read that text from Lacy. It crushed my heart into unrecognisable bits. I feel this overwhelming need to cry until I'm empty of her. But the tears wouldn't come out. That's worse. And I've been thinking about it a lot. Because something about it just wasn't making sense to me. When I left her, we were cool. She'd even kissed me goodbye. Though she was sleepy-eyed. And then she'd texted me that morning to come get her. So why did her last text sound like she never
CRISTIAN “You're not gonna take the call?” Joe asked. I was still staring helplessly at my buzzing phone, without glancing at him.“Who is it?” He asked again, sitting up curiously. “Don't tell me it's your little bitch.”“Could you not call her that? Please?” I shot him a stern look. Because no matter how hard I try to ignore it, I still feel a churn in my chest when he addresses her like that.“Is she the one calling?” He asked, ignoring me. “No. It's Aaliyah.”“That's great. So why do you look so pale?”Well, because I don't understand what's going on right now. Lacy seems eager to see me. It's the first time she's ever demanded my attention in such an urgent manner. First were the calls, and now a text. For all the right reasons, I should go to her. My heart is yearning to go to her. But then again, I can't go because of Aaliyah. Because I already neglected my daughter in the last few days. I don't want to keep doing that. She's finally ready to speak to me. I shouldn't ruin th
CRISTIAN “CRISTIAN,” Gina's angry voice was back on my case. She noticed the buzzing phone in my hand. “Is it so important? It can't wait?” It can wait. I've spent the last few days with her. A few hours away from her wouldn't hurt. And she has everything she needs in that house. She'll be fine. With that conviction, I shoved the phone into my pocket and walked into the room. Everyone was present. And by everyone I meant my team, top shareholders, and execitives. Davidson assembled every crucial person. Good job. I sat down, and the room went quiet. Gina began the meeting, detailing every single thing that happened that night and in the last few days I've been MIA. Apparently they haven't really done much. My orders were needed. So they've been stagnant without it. “What's the authorities saying about Gerald's case?” I asked. “They think he had a cardiac arrest. Apparently the news of some waitress drugging him was just empty rumors. It's been clarified.”I let out a pent breat
CRISTIAN I was already hitting the road before the morning sun came up. My driveway came into sight, and I drove in. The familiar ambiance of my home was soothing. This will always be my home. No matter what happens. But the other house feels like home too when Lacy is in it. Really fucked up to know that I don't even trust myself enough anymore. With everything happening with Lacy, I don't know what my priorities are anymore and how far and how drastic I could go because of my untamed feelings for her. I went inside and met a busy Nanny Jocey. She gleamed at the sight of me. “Oh, My! Welcome home, Sir Cristian!” She was almost leaping for joy. “Good to see you too, Nanny.” I smiled, glancing at the staircase. “And Lacy?”“Still sleeping, Sir. She was really sad last night. And every night you weren't home.”I swallowed a lump. “And Chuck? Did he drop by last night?”“Yes, Sir. But he left almost immediately. I think they argued.”“Argued?” I scoffed in disbelief. Chuck and Aal
CRISTIAN “There's your bitch.” Chuck whistled in a direction. We all looked and yeah, Aaliyah just came down the stairs with Lacy. They whispered something to each other and giggled. Lacy headed to the main kitchen while Aaliyah headed to the coffee counter. It's actually at the other end of the
LACY “Oh, my baby. You look so big now!” The older lady hugging Aaliyah wouldn't stop gushing. We just arrived at her Father's house and my God, I was still in shock. This place was like a villa or something. A lot of gigantic buildings and servants. The trees gave off country vibes, but the foun
CRISTIAN The knock on the door snapped me out of my funk. I glanced back as the door opened. It was my secretary. “Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but Mr. Joe just arrived.”“Send him in.”She bowed and left. Seconds later, Joe, my best friend stepped inside.“Hey man,” I greeted with all my gloomines
Lacy“Why don't you come with me? It'll be fun.” Aaliyah said from the bathroom where she was brushing her teeth and getting ready for her little vacation. I shrugged with a smile, helping her fold her clothes into her suitcase. She's going home for the holidays. She didn't get to go last year bec







