CHAPTER 21 Valerie tossed and turned in bed as she felt the rays of sunlight hit her face. She stirred up from her sleep and saw that she was alone on the bed. She cleaned the corners of her eyes with the back of her arm, as she removed herself from the bed cover, and stepped to check the window whether he was outside the cabin. She let out an annoyed huff as she grabbed the bedcover and wrapped it around her chest before turning the doorknob and leaving the room.She took a few steps away from the cabin and towards the ocean, where she could hear the waves hitting the rocky shore."Alan!" She called, but there was no answer"Alan!" "Al- ahh," she screamed as she felt a hand on her waist. She turned around to see Alan naked. His whole body was wet and as the sun shone on his body, his body glistened and images of last night clouded her memory."Stop, don't do that ever! You literally scared me," she whined, pouting.Alan cupped her face and kissed her cute little nose."I didn't me

CHAPTER 23FLASHBACK CONTD…"I want to join you to take revenge on the Carsons," Asha said.The cloaked woman stared at her for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. Asha didn't waver as she had already prepared a thousand reasons why she should be in on their plan. "Oh really? You want to take revenge on people that haven't done anything to you, now I want you to give me reasons why I should trust you," Asha cleared her throat and pressed her lips together, "because we are cousins," she said, and the woman laughed, unconsciously slapping her hands on her lap."This must be a joke. Yes, I know that we are cousins, you don't need to remind me a million and one times of how much of a burden you were, and now you want me to trust you because we are cousins?" She mocked"Yes," Asha replied."So, what's your catch? What do you hope to gain after that?" She asked, folding her arms on her chest."I want to be welcomed back into the family. That's all I ask," The woman searched Asha

CHAPTER 25Panic rose in Valerie's heart after Fareeda hung up. She jumped from the bed and started searching the place for her clothes, Alan wore an alarmed look on his face as he reached out to Valerie to stop her from panicking."Alex is back! We have to go okay? We'll just tell him that we went somewhere… In the meantime, Fareeda will cover up for us," She said, pulling up her pants."Calm down, Alex wouldn't do anything to you," he said, cupping her face in his hands."I'm not scared about what he'd do to me. I fear for what he'd do to you," she replied, a look of horror appearing on her face.~~~~~~~~~~CARSON ESTATEValerie raced upstairs as soon as she and Alan arrived at the estate. She burst her room door open, coming face to face with an angry and fierce Alex, pacing around the room with his hands on his chin. He rushed to Valerie, slamming her back against the door, his smelly hot breath fanning her face as he pressed her neck against the door.It wasn't even the fact that

CHAPTER 27Valerie's eyes fluttered open, she recognized the room she was in as Alan's room and could perceive Alan's musky signature scent. The room was dark and silent, and outside she could hear the whirling of the wind, the rustling of leaves, and the way the trees danced in sync with the wind, followed by the sound of thunder. It could only mean that it was about to rain.Valerie's mind drifted off to Kevin. The poor boy was still unwell in the CCU and the doctors say that his condition is getting even more critical. She would have loved to call the nurse if only she could find her phone. She clicked her teeth with resentment when she remembered that her phone was in the room that she and Alex shared. She looked to her side and saw Alan sleeping peacefully, his chest heaving up and down in sync, bringing a small smile to her lips. She got out of bed and took slow steps to Alan's bedside table where he kept his phone and turned it on."6:12 am," she mumbled softly before deciding

CHAPTER 29The luxurious ballroom was decorated in shades of black, with glimmering lights and overlaid with black furniture. The guests were asked to dress in black and come along with a gold or silver mask as it would be a masked birthday party.Some of the guests stood or sat down sipping champagne and mingling in small groups. In the center of the ballroom stood a large, black cake, adorned with gold and silver accents, and written on the cake with amazing calligraphy is- Val's 23rd. The DJ who stood in the corner of the large ballroom spinning dark, club-like music immediately got bored because no one was listening to the music as everyone that was invited to the party was wealthy and stuck up. Some people were happy to be there while some wanted to leave as soon as the birthday girl came downstairs to blow her candles, cut her cake, and make a group toast. Some people were there to cause mischief while Valerie was just happy to be celebrating her birthday with Alan by her sid