~Christian~I didn't take my time to think things through. I charged at him and punched him in the nose multiple times before I got held back by his men. Annoyance flicked his eyes when he wiped an amount of blood from his nose.. 'Still quick to anger, I see' he commented while he collected the wipe being given to him to clean up the blood smears.'What are you doing? Where did you keep them?!' I growled, fighting relentlessly at the men who kept me restricted.'It's a surprise you were able to find me so quick. How did you know we were here? Huh..?'He crossed his right leg on the other, his fingers tapping the arm of the wooden chair he settled on, carefully. He simply stared at me.. neither did he acknowledge my words or proceed to give me an answer to my asked question.The more I stared, the more irritated I became. I really wanted to knock that sly look off his face, beat him to a pulp for attacking them in my absence and more for taking her from me those days I had nothing. It
~Christian~Watching her stand up for herself filled me with a sense of pride and I couldn't escape a little grin. This was Lauren. One I had always known. Smart enough to turn situations around for her favour. I still held my gun up just in case on if his guards decide to act stupidly. As if on cue, the blaring sounds of police sirens reached us...'You can't do this to me, Lauren. You can't get me into trouble because I tried to save you.' he repeated, his eyes wide with fear.'This...' I paused, taking few, graceful strides to where Lauren had him pinned. '..is game over, Gabe.'I collected the gun from Lauren,. encouraged her to leave now that it was safe. While she left, the officers surfaced, Donna also trailed behind. For facts unknown to me, she wouldn't stop poking her eyes at me. They took him out and the rest of his accomplices. It was remaining just us.'If you want to get yourself killed asap, then do that when I quit my job' she screeched, irritation crossing her feature
TWO MONTHS LATER..~Christian~The Casino hotel was the one thing my father managed to build after exactly four years and it's possibly going to be the last since he'll be finally retiring in few days. The scenario that happened in his office few Months back when he tried to share his will remains unsorted. I'm not sure what is on his mind or what his wife, Linda has fed him with also. Audrey, however has kept his distance and hasn't tried any attack after what happened with Gabe but I know for sure that he was planning something bigger and I'm always ready. The party hosted by my father this day intends to officially launch the opening of the Casino Hotel. It was one for elites. He invited not all but most of his friends. Retired Armies, Renowned business men, politicians e.t.c.I secured myself a seat on a table that wasn't too out in the open. The last thing I wanted right now was unwelcomed attention. The guests rolled in. Some came as a duo, some as a trio and some individually.
~Christian~I tailed her till she got home safe before ordering my driver to take me back to the office. If only she knew the woman she was messing with. Linda is no lovely, smokey friend. Certainly, she's got something up her sleeve. I'm not sure what yet, not until I found out.'Is this the new normal, sir?' my driver called out from where he controlled the wheels.My forehead wrinkled. 'New normal for what?''Miss Lauren Palmer. Tailing her till she's home'Unfortunately, he wasn't looking at me enough to notice the unpleasant expression I displayed. This was the first time in two months I was doing this. And I was doing this to be sure she got home safe after coming to a realization she was playing with a serpent's tongue.. If I ain't sure of her safety, I wouldn't be settled. After all, everything still comes down to me. I chose to ignore him. Good for him, he grabbed onto the hint and did no questioning any longer.. After a long drive, the vehicle came to a halt in the company'
~Christian~Just as I was about to board my waiting vehicle, Audrey Hepburn crossed my path, a coy smile on his face. 'Well, well. Congratulations brother. I couldn't let you leave without telling you one.' His tone was mocking rather than congratulatory. I snickered disapprovingly without saying a word. He sized me up. 'So, what am I supposed to address you as now? HEIR. Christian Forbes?' he added spitefully, emphasizing on the word 'Heir' aggressively. 'Now that you have most of our father's share and the legal head of Forbes Consortium, the respect should be accorded to you, right?''If you've got nothing to say, step aside. I have somewhere to be' I grimaced, sickened with his childish display 'How did the News about my unborn child go with you?'Somehow, I knew the conversation was going to lead here. For Crissakes I've no strength to deal with this or him.I ignored and walked past him. Our shoulders hit each other as I did so.'It's so sad she wouldn't be working for you an
~Lauren~It was my first time visiting the 'Forbes exclusive mansion', as they call it. It was similar to the ones displayed and seen on magazines, news papers, TVs e t c. Everything about it screamed luxury. The air itself had a floral scent. Several guards were by the gate, few within in the mansion, standing in positions as if waiting for an opportunity to charge at unwanted visitors. I was thoroughly examined before allowed to go further into the compound. Interlocks were arranged neatly on the ground, a water fountain was located in the center of the compound. A guard led me to the main entrance of the mansion, handing me over to a short, stout maid by the door.'Miss Lauren Palmer, I presume' she uttered the instant she saw me. I nodded, concurring to her conclusion. She smiled, revealing her lost, two front teeth. 'Well, Mrs. Forbes is in her study, waiting for your presence.' she mentioned. 'I'll lead you there but please give me a moment''Sure ma'am'. I nodded politely, wat
~Lauren~The maid arrived in less than ten minutes, placing the steaming coffee right in front of us.'Thank you..' I mouthed then position my palm on either side of the mug, allowing the steam to warm them.I recalled the picture from the front room again. It was her. There was no doubt about that. 'Is there anything you want to tell me?' Mrs. Forbes silently questioned,. slurping her coffee.It was as if she was reading through my mind. I had tons of questions to ask her. What was the picture of the woman doing in here? How come she's related to this family?.Does she stay here? Had she been this close all along? A surge of anger burst through me and the memory from years ago started to play out in front of me... 'Lauren?'I waved my thoughts off, concentrating on the present. I couldn't act weird and start throwing my questions now. I might either be thrown out of here, prohibited from coming in or earn myself a strained relationship with this woman in front of me. I couldn't affo
~Christian~The next moment she laid in my arms, feet curled up on my thighs as she sobbed quietly into my chest. I almost forgot. One thing she has proven to be scared of was the sound of thunder or lightening. Last time I asked, she associated the cause of the phobia to her childhood days. She was traumatized. She is still traumatized. Whatever annoyance I had left towards her, earlier, dissipated as I tried to soothe her in every way possible. Her shoulders slumped and I felt her stiffened body relax a bit..'Do you feel better?' She nodded against my chest, refusing to look up at me. The heavy rain already subsided and it was back to drizzling now. The sky was getting clear again. My body was aware of everything. Her soft breath on my skin, the tiny movements of her chest as they heaved up and down, the way her slender fingers gripped the nape of my shirt tightly like I'd disappear if she lets go. I wrapped my arms around her. Held her close to myself, breathed in the fresh scent