The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activities that Sebastian could barely remember as he clung to Jessica’s body. She couldn’t be dead…no, she couldn’t. He had just been talking to her only a few minutes ago. How on earth could she be dead? He could hear noise around him as people rushed over to where he was still crouching beside an unmoving Jessica, but he could not make out what they were saying, and neither did he bother himself about it. What he did bother about doing was praying to a God he hadn’t prayed to in forever, to spare Jessica’s life.
He was vaguely aware of the floodlights of the hotel coming on suddenly, blinding him with the intensity of their brightness. Where were the lights when he had needed them? All of a sudden, someone shoved him off Jessica’s body as people gathered around and before he knew it, someone had picked her up and they were taking her away. Frank picked Sebastian off the ground and said,“Boss, get yourself together. They are taking hThere was a minute’s silence and Sebastian felt Carol stiffen in his arms. He waited without saying anything until a sigh escaped her lips and she relaxed in his arms again. “Jessica?” Carol asked, her heart beating fast as she wondered what the implications of this meant. She knew that Jessica was his ex-fiancée and was the reason why he had gotten married to Carol in the first place because his uncle had made his marriage to Carol the condition on which he would assist in finding Jessica. “Yes, Jessica. My ex-fiancée.” “I know who Jessica is. Well, I’m happy for you.” She said, not meaning a word of it. It wasn’t as though she wished the woman bad, but then, Sebastian loved this woman… loved her so much that he was willing to saddle himself to a stranger whom he did not know from Adam just to make s
As Sebastian had predicted, the next few days were quite hectic for them. Even though they flew first class, it could not be compared to the luxury of traveling in a private jet, but Carol did not mind that. What she did mind was the sudden change that came over Sebastian the next morning, after he went over to the hospital to see Jessica and see if there were any improvements in her condition. He came back to the hotel with his lips set in a straight line and his brows furrowed. By this time, Carol had finished packing all their belongings and was patiently waiting in the hotel lobby for him to come back. He had given her stern instructions not to move an inch out of the hotel until he got back, and then they would leave immediately.While Carol was waiting, a subdued looking Melissa had come over, seemingly from nowhere, glanced at the luggage that was gathered beside Carol, and adopted a sorrowful looking expression.“So you’re leaving and you couldn’t even tell me?” She as
It was only when they got home that he relaxed a bit. As soon as the plane touched down, he brought out his phone and put a call to Frank, who informed him that Jessica had been admitted to the best hospital in Sacramento and was doing better than before, although she was still in a coma. Carol watched Sebastian’s face brighten visibly at this news but did not say anything, not that there was anything she could have said. She was feeling quite unwell, and all she wanted to do was go lay down until she got herself back. Maybe she had picked a bug from the exotic location that they just came back from or something. Whatever it was, she was feeling faint and she had a raging headache, so she excused herself and went straight to her room to lay down immediately they got into the house. She must have slept for only about 10 minutes when there was a knock at her door and Sebastian poked his head around it.“Hey, Carol. Are you alright? You’re very tired, huh? I can relate.” He asked wh
“Hello, Mr. James. How are you doing? It’s been a while. How is aunty?” “Ah, thank God, Carol dear. I’m doing as well as can be. I was beginning to worry that something evil had befallen you and my boy. My wife and I have been calling you and him for some time now, but haven’t got any response yet. I hope you both are doing okay.” “Oh, I’m sorry about that, Mr. James. The thing is that I’ve been ill for the past three days and I’m just getting myself back, so I turned off my phones and wasn’t taking any calls. I think that is why you were not able to reach me.” “I’m sorry about that, my dear. I hope you’re better now.” “Yes, I am.” “And your husband? He has not been taking my calls, which is very unlike him. We had a little altercation before I left, but I thought that we had resolved it. I don’t know why he is not taking my calls all of a sudden. Is he well?” “He’s fine. He’s just been so preoccupied, what with trying to take care of me as I was sick, and shuttling between here
Sebastian came back home not long after his uncle left. He was surprised to see Carol sitting in the living room and putting finishing touches to the drawing that she had been making. He sat down beside her and proceeded to look her all over as though by just doing that, he would be able to tell whether she was exerting herself or not.“You’re drawing? Are you not supposed to be resting?” He asked finally after he was satisfied with what he saw.“I’m back to myself, Sebastian. I can assure you that I feel very fine now. Thanks for your concern though.”“I’m glad to hear that. Wow! This is really good. You’re so talented. You should make a living off your drawings.”“Um, thanks,” Carol said, suddenly feeling shy. It was not as though she was insecure about her work, but she was glad that Sebastian liked it.“It’s for you.” She informed him.“Really?”“Sure…if you want it that is.”“What are you talking about? Of course, I want it. Thank you.”“You’ve done m
The next few minutes were a blur to Carol. She was vaguely aware of hearing a loud keening sound, and it was only when Sebastian took the phone from her hands to speak with her father that she realized that the sound was coming from her mouth. Victoria was dead? It sounded so surreal and unbelievable that her sister, who was so full of life and zest, was dead, and worse still, she had been murdered. Sebastian finished talking on the phone and gathered her into his arms, where she sobbed her heart out until she was spent. “It’s all my fault. I should have called her more often.” She muttered at last, unable to even summon the strength to speak properly. “No, my dear. It’s not your fault at all. Remember that Victoria always seemed to be pissed at you and rarely ever took your calls.” “I know that, but I should have tried harder. Oh, God! Poor
“So what do you propose that we do now?” Charlotte asked her remaining bodyguard, who was sitting in front of her and glaring at her with barely concealed hatred, but there was nothing he could do to her and he knew it as well as she did. “I don’t have a clue, ma’am.” “Well, you should. After all what exactly am I paying you for if you can’t even give me solid advice?” “You’re paying me to guard you, not provide advice, ma’am. But then, of recent, you’ve not even been paying me for the service of guarding you, so I don’t know why you’re bugging me for more.” He replied, his voice tight. Charlotte eyed him slowly. This guy was becoming a big nuisance and she was at the end of her patience with him. Ever since that fateful day when his partner had been killed while shooting at that bitch Jessica and Sebastian, he had developed this streak of rebelliousness. Charlotte would have preferred it a lot if he was the one who had been killed in place of the other man, but one could not alway
The next day, Carol woke up feeling slightly better but looking like a hot mess. Her eyes were swollen with shed and unshed tears, and her appetite was non-existent. To her utter surprise, Sebastian was still at home, even though it was almost eight when she woke up.“I wanted to make sure that you were fine before leaving.” He informed her when she asked him why he was still around, watching her force down the breakfast that he had brought for her despite her steadfast proclamations that she was not hungry. Carol tried to take one more bit of the food, but it just wouldn’t go down.“I can’t eat anymore, Sebastian.” She informed him, her eyes pleading with him to let her be.“You know that you’re just recuperating from an illness. You should eat so that you can get your strength back. It’s okay, though. I did not know that you would even be able to eat this much. What do you want to do today?” He asked, taking away the tray of food and keeping it aside.“I don’t even kno