His head ached, and he felt like thirty children were jumping on it like they did a trampoline. Ruffling himself up from the bed, he groaned loudly as he grabbed the corners of his head in an attempt to prevent it from splitting into two. He hardly drinks as he knew the effect would be too much for him to bear but for the past month, he had been leaving on alcohol as if it was food and needed for survival. Lucas dragged himself out of the bed and into the bathroom, where he splashed water in his face. As he raised his head, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror, his lips curling up in a a half smile. “Who would believe that it was him, the almighty billionaire and CEO of the Reid group of companies, in the mirror looking so unkempt and disheveled? He wondered as he stared at the pale-looking man, whose hair had grown some extra inches from their normal length, and beards reeked of alcohol. But he had no doubt that was him as her been in that exact state seven years ago.
“I never thought I would see you again,” his voice had a hoarseness laced to it. He’d seen the shocked look on her face as soon as her eyes fell on him. Could it be that she….felt pity for him? Phoebe stared at him in disbelief unable to believe what she saw. What happened to him? She wondered as her gaze trailed off to his back to find Adam standing with an unreadable expression. Her mind flashed back to how she'd allowed the bulky man to chase her. She was sure he must've cursed her with everything he held sacred that day. As her gaze fell back on Lucas, he moved uncomfortably from one foot to the other, before bowing his head. “Uhmm, how have you been doing?” She didn’t know when the question forced its way out of her mouth. But it was already too late to take them back so she waited for a reply. Lucas features clouded with surprise on seeing the worried expression on her face as she asked him how he was faring. He saw the sincerity in her eyes and It stung his heart to know t
They ate together and without any conversation, lest for the quick ones their eyes made as they came in contact. Phoebe’s presence seemed to have lightened his mood as he gave light chuckles whenever their eyes met. Just like a love-smitten puppy. The same way he had been when Ella was still his. His expression must've faltered because next thing, Phoebe’s soft palm caressed his arm that rested on the table. His eyes darted to where she had touched before he brought them back to face her, and she smiled reassuringly. “Everything would be fine.” He believed her. He didn't know why but he did. Maybe it was how soothing her voice sounded to him. Or the way her thin hand held onto his hairy ones and sent comforting sensations through his being. After they had finished with their meal, Adam came to clear the table, shooting a grateful smile Phoebe’s way that she couldn't help but return. She wondered where all the maids and his bodyguards had gone to, and why it was Adam clearin
“Order up,” she yelled as she passed a tray of sandwiches to Angela who walked across the room and placed it on the table. A customer shouted from the corner of the room for his cup of coffee to be brought, threatening to burn the whole place down if his demands weren't met the in next second. “One hour left and you’d be done” her subconscious reminded, beads of perspiration sprouting from her forehead as she put the last of the beacon on the grill. The restaurant cook had signed out early as she had a stomach ache and Phoebe had volunteered to fill in for her. It’s been two days since she visited Lucas at his home. After he'd blurted out to her that she should stay at his place, the air between them became tense as she quickly rose to her feet in an attempt to leave him. He'd held her back and pleaded with her for her to stay, explaining that he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for all he did to her. He’d finally let her off the hook after she'd promised to think about it an
“If you think that's the right decision to make, I wouldn't stop you.” “But make sure to call every single day and let me know if he lays a finger on you. Remember, you are welcome here anytime, don't hesitate to come back whenever you feel like. In as much as I wish you would stay with me for longer, I won’t hold you back on your decision,” Mrs. Gladys said as soon as they ended the hugged. She flashed her a motherly smile, the corners of her eyes wrinkled as a lone tear tore out from her eyes. Phoebe hadn't thought about that part. She hadn't thought about how her leaving would affect the woman who had grown used to having her around. Sandy also seemed to understand what was going on, as she meowed non-stop. She wanted to help Lucas get back to his feet but ended up leaving another one lonely, a woman who was just coming out of her grieving state. As much as she felt like canceling all of her plans and staying back with the woman, she didn't think it to be the right thing to do
After just one week of staying with Lucas, Phoebe's understanding of him finally changed. It was as if she was living with a different man from the one she’d known. She’d had the wrong impression of him. With time, she concluded that he wasn’t that monster she had created of him in her head and that beneath his hard exterior was a soft heart, a kind man that anyone would want to get to know more. Yes, over the week, Lucas seemed to be slowly getting over his ex. His hair was now its normal length and that ugly beard was finally out of his face, revealing a well-defined jawline. He'd quit drinking and would spend hours in his home office, running the affairs of his companies he had abandoned since. He did everything in his power to make sure that she was comfortable, and never complained about her cravings or frequent throw-ups, even when the child belonged to his enemy. He was bent on making her see how sorry he was for his actions. That day, Lucas had decided to make her lunch
Marcy smiled back at her as Phoebe stared at her like she'd seen a ghost. “Long time, no see. Where have you been?” she asked. “I heard Lucas sacked all of his workers so what are you doing here?” Marcy furrowed her brows as realization finally hit her. “The other staff have been fired?” “I had taken leave the day after you had gone out with the young master. My mother was ill,” she said before Phoebe noticed how the corners of her lips had pulled down. “What is wrong? I hope she's fine now.” “Well, the doctors said she's got cancer. My worry now would be how to get money for her treatment, this job is my only means of livelihood and I wouldn't want to be fired.” “You won’t be fired okay, I will make sure of that. Come on, sit with me,” Phoebe consoled as she suddenly felt like she had gone back in time. She understood exactly what Marcy was going through at the moment. “Don't worry your mother would be fine okay? Does anyone stay with her at the moment?” “Yes, my youn
Lucas paced up and down his room, his palms caressing his temples with him deep in thought. As if he was been controlled by some unseen force, he ended his movement abruptly, his head perking up as he stared towards the nightstand. Exhaling, he began to walk towards his nightstand where he picked up his phone that was lying there. Scrolling through the lists of contacts saved to his phone, he paused as his thump danced above a name. Convincing himself that he was making the right choices and that his actions wouldn’t be misinterpreted, he dialed the number. His heart thumped against his chest the more the phone rang, and he felt the strong urge to end the call. Just as he was about to do that, the call connected, her voice sailing through the speakers. “Took you long enough, handsome,” A frown marred his face on hearing the cheerfulness in her voice. What gave her the audacity to be happy? What right does she have to happiness, after what she’d done to him? Swallowing hard,
They engaged in random conversations as they waited for their meal to be served. “So?” Lucas asked as he rubbed on her hand. “Aside from reading novels, what is something else you are passionate about?” The waiter returned at that moment with their first meal, and Phoebe paused as she watched him place the tray in front of them. The aroma from the tray trailed her nostrils as she inhaled, her eyes closed and a smile printed on her face. “Enjoy your meal, Sir and Madam. Ferran would be here any moment from now,” The waiter explained before left. Phoebe looked up at Lucas, her eyes glinting as she rubbed her palms together. “This is a dream come through,” she giggled like a little girl before swiftly flinging a hand to her mouth. Staring at the lady seated at the next table, her lips curled up in a smile. “I like to sing too, though I am not that amazing singer.”She replied absentmindedly as she opened the tray, and gasped soundlessly. Lucas’ stomach twirled with delig
With that, he curved his arm into a hook and when Phoebe held him, he led her into the restaurant. As soon as they reached the door, it was swung open by a Mexican woman dressed in a suit. Her features contorted in a smile as she welcomed them in, asked for their card, and then guided them to the table that had been reserved for them. Phoebe, as much as she tried to be as sophisticated as the other guests she saw there who picked at their meals and engaged in low whisper conversations, couldn't help but gaze at the interior decorations of the building in awe and admiration. The entire place was filled with dimmed light bulbs that hung down from the high white ceilings. There was a sculpted bull head at a corner which demarcated the dining area from a bar. The entire room screamed of wealth and luxury and the people there, celebrities and wealthy businessmen and women, some of whom she was able to recognize. It would feel like she was self-hating if she were to say she was the on
“Oh please,” Phoebe rolled her eyes at him shyly as he kissed her palm, sending delicious sensations through her body. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he gave her one last look, enjoying the way her face looked while she blushed. She was a very beautiful woman. He thought as he finally let go of her hand and his eyes landed on his mother’s necklace on her neck. “Hmm. Look who’s finally gotten Ms. Cory’s approval,” he teased, beaming with smiles. For his mother to give her that necklace meant she'd accepted Phoebe as her daughter-in-law. The jewelry laid beautifully on Phoebe’s blossom and added finishing touches to her gorgeous dress, accentuating her stunning overall look. The woman was beautiful. Lucas thought again as Phoebe adjusted the collars of his shirt. “Mm?” he asked, as he pulled himself out of his fantasy world. Phoebe tilted her head to the side as she gave him one of her familiar questioning stares. He shrugged his shoulders in denial, earning light chuckles
Phoebe’s features curled up in a smile as she read the text message aloud for the umpteenth time. “Get ready, princess. I have a surprise for you,” she read, trying to mimic Lucas’ baritone voice. Tearing open the package he’d sent her, her gaze fell on a blue sundress that was adorned with sparkly stones. She picked it up and tilted her head to the side, wanting to get a better view of it. The gown had a slit that went up to the middle thigh and had only one hand. Also in the shopping bag was a black six-inch heels and also a black purse to go with it. Without bothering to take her shower first, she hurriedly put the dress on, the little stones glistening as she moped at herself in the mirror. Her smile widened as she glanced at the sophisticated and elegant-looking woman in the mirror. In the last five years, she has changed a lot. Lucas made sure she looked like the women she saw in the social class, as he ravished her with expensive gifts all the time. And her body had al
“That's nonsense. My grandson deserves to be spoiled silly. He would get everything he wants and a lot of it,” Mrs. Cory interjected as her gaze fell on the toddler who’d suddenly lost appetite for his food as he played with his new toy. “Lucas’s heir deserves the whole world.” she stated. Phoebe gulped involuntarily as she widened her smile, Lucas’s grip on her loosened a bit. Planting a kiss on Ivan’s forehead, Mrs. Cory pulled a chair and sat down. Marcy proceeded to dish her a plate of the meal. “How are you doing, my dear.” She addressed Phoebe, her eyes giving her a thorough scan. Lucas was done with his meal so he stood up and announced his exit. After he'd exchanged more playful jokes with his mother, he walked over to Ivan who’d refused to eat to take him to school. “I want to play some more,” Ivan sulked as tears welled his eyes. He suddenly didn't want to go to school anymore. “Don’t cry. What did I tell you the last time?” “Big boys don’t cry,” Ivan comp
Looking at her toddler now, a smile curled her lips as she recalled all that had happened. He was a great child. When everyone thought she was going to lose the child, when the doctor advised her to get rid of the child or risk dying herself as her sac had been torn by the knife, she refused, finally seeing the reasons why her mother had also refused. A mother couldn’t just let go of her child and even though it was a stupid thing to do, considering what was at stake, she had bluntly refused. Her little bundle of joy fought right from her womb, he fought to live and in the end, he won. They both did. It turned out that after Phoebe left the house to meet with Ella, Marcy immediately called Annie and Lucas against Phoebe’s wish, explaining everything that happened to them. Lucas had been so furious that he went in the company of Annie to the police station where he had half a dozen men assigned to him by the chief of police to accompany him to the said place. She'd been unconscious f
Phoebe walked into the little lighted room alone, her heart thumping erratically in her chest. The more step she took forward was the more she felt like she was delving deeper into a lion’s den. A part of her kept screaming that she turned back or better still, called Lucas and let him know where she was but the image her mind conjured up was too disturbing to be ignored, making her push the thoughts aside while hastening her movement. It was an image of Gladys lying in the pool of her blood, Ella above her with the psychotic smile glued to her face as she licked the bloody knife. Her grip on the kitchen knife tightened as she glanced around the warehouse which smelled of dust, expecting Ella to spring out any minute. She could feel her gaze on her, shooting arrows at her and wishing her to be dead but the light didn't allow her to see anything as the whole place was dark, least for a little light that stole its way in through a window. “Look who we have here,” Ella’s voice echoed
“I warned you to steer clear of him but you went ahead to open your legs like the slut that you are,” Ella hissed as she glared at her through the phone, the hatred and spite very obvious in her stares. “Ella, I am the one you want. Let the woman be, she has nothing to do with this.” Phoebe pleaded calmly, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing the way her heart jumped in fright as she watched Ella play with the knife around Gladys’ neck. Even though Ella's face was expressionless and did nothing to scare her no matter how hard she tried to broaden her grin, Phoebe knew that she was capable of anything and wouldn't think twice to slit Gladys’ throat. She needed to tread carefully. “Lucas said you guys were done, he said you were in his past and…” “Shut up!” Ella yelled at the top of her voice, interrupting Phoebe who shook unconsciously. Ella’s once expressionless face changed into that of one who was ready to kill at the slightest opportunity. “Lucas is mine. H
****Five years later**** “Ivan?” Phoebe called out as she walked into the room. It was seven o'clock in the morning, the sun was up and waited eagerly to begin a new day. As she caught sight of the little human who mumbled inaudible words in his sleep, a smile curled up her lips. Walking over to him, she turned off the lamp which still dimmed in a soft glow. Ivan was scared of the dark so they always left the lamp on for him at night. She tapped on him lightly, watching as his mouth formed a little pout and he squeezed his face in his sleep. Her smile widened, Phoebe sat at the edge of the bed and stared down at her son, who was the spitting image of his father, Trevor. Same hair, same intense gaze, you could as well say that Trevor had vomited him. The only feature he’d taken after her was her eye color, every other part of him screamed Trevor, making it hard for her to forget about him. Whenever she looked at her son, her mind diverted to Trevor, as she wondered what he was up