All Chapters of INSIDE OUT: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

THIRTY Melinda watched Reynolds wine in her glass swirl around the ice cubes in it. It was a pretty sight, the slosh of red against white ice. So was her life, which was beginning to take semblance of a normal one. Her love life was perfect, her music career was taking shape, she had friends who were like family, she had Collins, she had Reynolds in her hand. Over the weeks, Reynolds had proven to be an essential part of her existence. The wine producing company and its owner had stolen her heart for good. The flutter of the butterflies in her stomach flutter every time she so much as thought of him gradually became a norm. Ajax was the perfect gentleman. He brought her breakfast in bed every day and took her out on dates. The dates were romantic. They were ones she never imagined she would have had in all of the gory pre-Reynolds days. The past few days had been series of surprise gifts, flowers, evening walks, snow fights and a trip to Boch centre, Wang theatre. The warmth spre

Thirty-Two When Melinda saw the familiar West wood signboard, she stepped on the gas. Ajax and his 'wine' family be damned if she didn't handle the Santoz Martinez saga on her own. Quite alright, divine helper Santoz and his shenanigans were not priority. Driving in the cold night air on the Westwood route also, wasn't on the list of priorities for the last day of the year. But Santoz was a nuisance and she needed to stop him from making more moves on her. She had seen the signs from the start. Had she chosen to ignore them? No. Instead, she had chosen to avoid him. Her avoidance and delay stategy apparently was not working. The opportunity of singing again had been too good to miss out even if a man who unabashedly lusted after women to an alarming extent was hot on her heels. But here she was, swerving dangerously at every turn that led to his house because she wanted to let him know she didn't give a flying fuck about what he offered and how he chose his returned favours. Here s

Thirty-Four May basked in her new found freedom as she stuffed her mouth with pizza. Her stomach growled, and she giggled. "Looks like my baby has an appetite tonight." "I guess you can say that. Guess who else has an appetite?" Eric murmured playfully wiggling his brows and, inching closer to her on the couch. "Keep off. Until you've found a permanent housing, and provided security, I'm not tangling. You are considered a danger to me and the baby." She said with her stuffed mouth as she stood up. " I'm exhausted for no reason." She threw herself on the bed. "Understandably so. I'm so sorry for putting you in this situation." Eric sent her a sympathizing look. "I will make it up to you." "Don't you dare get sweet on me. If you make me fall for you more, I don't think I can handle it. It's not your fault we're holed up in this hotel while Payne's men prowl the city on the lookout for us." Suddenly, there was a bang on the door. May froze. Eric stood abruptly, instantly reaching f

Thirty-SixPayne drummed his fingers on the foot stool beside him as he watched the burning logs crackle in the fireplace. He smiled to himself, picturing the many ways Melinda would react when she saw her pathetic friend, Samantha. He had gone over the top by cracking something on her body. He couldn't remember where that was exactly. Her ribs? Her fingers? He had been so blinded by white hot rage when she called him a sick pathetic monster who didn't have the courage to live a normal life, then she had gone ahead to mention how the slimy Ajax Reynolds Smith would break every single bone on his body if Melinda didn't get to do it first.Payne sniggered, absently rubbing the five o clock shadow on his jaw as he felt another bubble of temper rise in his gut. He didn't believe Melinda would have the strength to challenge him when she saw how broken he had rendered Sam. She would weep, and then ask him what he wanted. That was the perfect scenario. That would be his new year present. The

Thirty-eight"He has to be followed. Where is he taking her to? She's already dying." Lois snapped at Ajax.Ajax wiped his face as he felt cobwebs mat his nose. "Guin. We need to get her out of here, now. Melinda is in danger, Sam is..""Dying or already dead, and we're wasting time." Lois didn't wait for his approval before dashing on her heels. "Guin, it was nice to finally meet you." Lois hollered as she raced out of the basement.Ajax chuckled. He looked at Guin and his face turned serious. Things were starting to not go as planned. He had so much to say."Guin...we.." "Don't have much time. Hector will be back here. I'm sure of it. But for what it's worth, I'm glad I got to see you again before I gave up." She toyed with the pen in her hand. Briefly, she had contemplated suicide when she heard the distant New year fire works."I'm here, Guin and I swear, nothing will separate us again. Why did you stop me from going after Hector?" Ajax asked, as he opened the cage."I was afrai