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The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 1 Job hunting
NoraThe metered taxi deposited me, Nora Reidy, at the corner of my intended destination. My neck worked overtime as l studied my environment. Downtown Bluewaters was cleaner, less crowded than my noisy, overcrowded stomping ground, the upper part of town.The upper part of town hosted a cauldron of races, blacks, whites, brown. Any colour you know, Bluewaters had it. Here the prominent race appeared to be white.The stationary and moving cars looked expensive. The few people l saw on the street wore costly clothes, shoes and accessories. I felt naked in my washed out jeans, scruffy sneakers and a sweater that had seen better days.I turned a corner and the Ratliff offices came into sight. I uncapped my bottle filled with iced water from home. l could not afford to pay for the taxi and buy bottled water at the same time. I gulped down the water and studied the building. All my hopes were pinned on this building. If l failed to get the job today, my world faced total collapse.You see,
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 65. Confession
NoraChapter 65. The meeting Nora“So, when do you want to meet Caesar? There's no pressure, ok baby?” Max questioned, as he trimmed his beard. His eyes found mine in the mirror. I was babysitting him as he made himself presentable. “ I think the sooner l do it, the better. How about tomorrow evening?.” Max lathered his face, “ it's fine. Who would you prefer to be there?” He poured water onto his face then wiped his face. “ I know who l don't want there, Angela. Everyone else is welcome.” Max dropped the towel in the washing basket. He took my hand and we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.Matilda's breakfast spread made my salivary glands ooze. We dug in with gusto, “ Max, don't expect much from this meeting. I'm agreeing because you convinced me it will save my life. I have zero feelings for that man. He doesn't evoke a father -daughter feeling inside me. He leaves me cold emotionally.” I poured out my feelings.The thought of an interaction between Caesar and I gave me gooseb
The Billionaire's Torment The meeting
Nora“So, when do you want to meet Caesar? There's no pressure, ok baby?” Max questioned, as he trimmed his beard. His eyes found mine in the mirror. I was babysitting him as he made himself presentable. “ I think the sooner l do it, the better. How about tomorrow evening?.” Max lathered his face, “ it's fine. Who would you prefer to be there?” He poured water onto his face then wiped his face. “ I know who l don't want there, Angela. Everyone else is welcome.” Max dropped the towel in the washing basket. He took my hand and we headed to the kitchen for breakfast.Matilda's breakfast spread made my salivary glands ooze. We dug in with gusto, “ Max, don't expect much from this meeting. I'm agreeing because you convinced me it will save my life. I have zero feelings for that man. He doesn't evoke a father -daughter feeling inside me. He leaves me cold emotionally.” I poured out my feelings.The thought of an interaction between Caesar and I gave me goosebumps, not in a good way. The ma
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 67. Catastrophe
NoraThe peace and serenity that reigned in my marriage soothed my rage and up and down moods. Sometimes I woke up jubilant, a spring in my steps. On others l spiralled into a black mood. On those days l became a menace to my family. Anyone who came into my sight became a victim. I sought solitude. Sounds irritated me, bright lights hurt my eyes and gave me pounding headaches. My mind refused to let go of one factor. How granny and l suffered for so many years while I had a rich father. Not only a rich father but one who knew l existed. I could try to forgive him if he was truly ignorant of my existence. He threw my mother to the wolves, without a penny and prospects. I hated Caesar Shaman with passion. I wished to see him wasted, six feet under. His 'I'm sorry' came too late. My thoughts went back to those times when granny sold nothing on bad days. I remembered her giving me the last meal and saying 'don't worry my child. I will rustle something up.' She would send me to bed early
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 68. To forgive/forget or not?
NoraI gave Roseline a ghost of a smile,“ even a pea brained woman like you can understand what l mean. I didn't choose your father. He chose me by impregnating my mother. So, stop your dramatics. We aren't here for you.” Roseline’s knees buckled, her hands searched for the bed behind her. She slid down using the bed as support. Her gaze moved from me to Max. She raised her voice at me,“ You can't be my sister. My dad is an upright man. He has standards. Your family is beneath him. He would never touch someone like your mother. You're claiming him because he is incapacitated. Well, you missed your target. No inheritance for you, sorry.” As i listened to the air headed girl, l was not sure whether to laugh or get angry. I approached her, loomed over her and looked down at her puffy face,” you're a fool. No wonder you're unable to keep a man. My husband is richer than your so-called father a hundredfold. Why would I fight you over a failing empire? Your dad is broke if you didn't know.
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 69. Tears
NoraCathy bent down to search for something on the floor. I followed her movement. Two crutches laid by her feet. I then remembered Max shot her kneecaps. This woman put me through a lot. Our friendship was clearly a hoax. True friends do not kill each other over a man. I wondered where the man she almost killed me over was faring in the mountains. He must detest us, especially Max.My honest opinion was Max went to the extreme. He could have reprimanded him and ended it there. On the other hand, my husband never did anything in half measures. As all these thoughts went through my mind, Cathy got to her feet. She hobbled towards me. God! Her gait was terrible. She hobbled sideways like a crab. My pity level was at zero as i watched her struggling. Good, she was going out of my house. I stepped aside to let her pass.Instead of beating it she stopped in front of me. Her eyes shimmered with tears and some emotion l could not fathom. Was it pain, regret it or both? I could not tell. “ N
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 70. Rattle his cage
Max“I'm fetching Martha from Robert's place. Are you coming with me?.” I questioned as l applied aftershave to my cheeks. I studied my wife’s face in the mirror while l waited for the answer. I could almost tell what her response would be.She shook her head,”no. I have things to do.”She and my sister did not see eye to eye. I smiled indulgently at her,” things like what? It's your day off.” She settled more comfortably in bed, gave me an irritated look,” woman stuff. You don't want to know about it, do you?.” I finished what l was doing and faced her,”no thanks. It sounds dangerous. I will try to get back tonight, if not l will let you know.” Nora’s brows furrowed,” don't you dare sleep over there. Everybody knows Robert is a casanova. I don't want him matching you up with some woman.”I reached the bed in three strides, flung the bedclothes aside and hauled her off the bed. I bear hugged her, put my chin on her fragrant hair,” fortunately for you, your husband isn't a casanova.
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 71. In the mountains
MaxThe following weekend on a Saturday, l woke up early. Nora performed an emergency surgery last night. She laid on the bed dead to the world. Good, l did not have to explain my movements to her. I stressed all week, wondering how l would explain my absence on a weekend. I knew how her brain worked.She had the same mentality with Shad. I would be forbidden to confront Selborne. That's why l chose to sneak out of the house. I rolled out of bed, careful not to wake her up.I tiptoed to the bathroom, took a quick shower and donned a complete black outfit. Black jeans, t-shirt, black hoodie and black sneakers. In the bedroom l peered at my wife, still asleep, perfect. I opted not to kiss her, she might wake up.I ran out of the house, went to the back of the house to the hanger. Shad and Robert waited by the hanger’s big doors. “ Morning boys. You're true scout boys, you respect time.” Their burning eyes tracked me to the door,” you dog. You're not the only one who is married, you know
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Chapter 78. Tormented
NoraAll my life and as a medical doctor and surgeon, l never witnessed anything like it. The days following Max’s accident were hell for me and him. He had horrendous nightmares. On the third week l was woken by beeping noises. I glanced fearfully at Max’s bed.He was sat on the bed, his arms reaching for an invisible enemy or whatever was in his mind. His eyes were clenched shut. I could not see his expression because of the bandages, but the way his shoulder muscles spasmed, l could tell.I quickly got out of bed, spoke to him in a low tone,” relax darling. It's a bad dream, relax.” I pushed his broad shoulders down. The next minute, a huge hand closed on my throat and started squeezing. Hard. Oh my God, not again. Images of the burly man at the farmhouse resurfaced. This time it was my husband who was straggling the daylights out of me. I beat at his hand frantically. The pressure increased. Air whooshed out of my lungs. Black spots danced in my eyes. A door opened somewhere, foo
Chapter 77. Is Maxwell Ratliff dead?
NoraThe weeks after the kidnapping incident crippled my soul. I functioned on a base level. Breathing, bathing, eating, nothing more nothing less. A particular scene gnawed at my mind. The near molestation. In the car to our destination, the men were so sure of themselves they did not blindfold me. They talked amongst themselves. Ignored us. My neck hurt from graning, l memorised the landmarks for later. The car stopped in front of a dilapidated farmhouse. The men shepherded us inside. I took note of my surroundings. This must have been a storage room. It was one big room, with numerous windows. I observed a new mattress on the floor, a covered plate beside it, plus bottles of water. My kidnapper pointed to the mattress,”make yourself comfortable Mrs Ratliff. No bullshit from you. You behave, you and I will get along fine. Misbehave, l will not be happy. When i'm angry l do nasty stuff. Are we on the same page?.” He pushed me, l fell on my knees. The mattress cushioned the impact
Chapter 76. The explosion
MaxI reached the chopper in record time, my dad right at my heels. We started the machines and flew at top speed to the farm house. I put down the chopper in the middle of the road leading to the house. The tall weeds on both sides of the road swayed and bowed under the chopper’s draft. My men trotted over as soon as they spotted the chopper, with Nora and Kidlan in their arms.My dad landed a further distance from me. I watched the men carefully like a hawk,”careful!. Don't bump them into anything.” l barked at them.“Always sir.”l happened to glance out of the window and saw my men bringing the two bastards to my other chopper. They seemed more dead than alive, good.I lost it,”stop right there! What do you think you are doing? Don't disrespect me. There will be consequences. These scumbags harmed my family and you want me to take them along? In my property? Put them back where you found them.”My dad's face surfaced in front of me,”son, calm down. They have to live before they ar
Chapter 75. Black thoughts
MaxI zoomed in on aisle three because l saw someone who resembled Nora. Yes, there she was. The camera showed my son playing around in the trolley. He held a bag of cookies in his small chubby hands. A slender man, seemingly in his thirties, walked in a leisurely manner towards the trolley. He side eyed my wife, whose concentration was on the fridge. The man’s hand shot out, a black cloth visible in his hand. He snaked his arm around my kid’s shoulder and covered his face for a moment.Blood rushed to my face, which heated at once.I patted my cheeks with shaky hands to bring the temperature down. Black thoughts swilled in my head. The urge to hurt Selborne fatally surfaced in my heart. My heart rate accelerated. My chest tightened, it felt like it was about to explode. My gaze roamed around the room. Everyone in the room was going through it. The manager's face was pale, she crammed her fist in her mouth, l think to prevent her from screaming. The security guard had a hand on the
Chapter 74. Camera room
Max On our way back from the mountains, l had to remind myself from time to time l was flying the chopper. I lost concentration so many times. My gut told me Selborne was up to something. His insolent demeanor forewarned me to gear up and be prepared. The how, when and where remained a mystery but a problem was coming my wife's way. I could feel it. As the chopper crested the mountain range my anger and fear intensified. My anger stemmed from Selborne's assumption that he could hurt my wife and go scott free. He was about to see the other side of me if he dared to try. When it concerned my loved ones humanity left me. I turn into an unrecognisable beast. The fear stemmed from the unknown time frame, will he do it tomorrow, next week or next month? The feeling left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. We arrived in Bluewaters at five o'clock in the afternoon. Shad hurried home, Robert to The Falcon. He planned to leave the following day, we had a meeting later today. I heard noises in
Chapter 73. Snatched
NoraCaesar recovered quickly for an old man. Three weeks after his accident he was discharged from the hospital. I visited him before then. He brightened when he spotted me at the door. “Come in my child”. He beckoned. ‘my child?’ lt sounded weird but fulfilling at the same time. All my life l was surrounded by women. My mum was a deadbeat mum, but l knew she was out there somewhere. No wonder children with two parents seemed superior to us who come from single homes. The feeling of your father acknowledging your existence is unparalleled. I quickened my steps. Upon reaching the bed l got confused. Do l hug him or just say hello? Deep down l needed the hug more than him. To experience the love of a father.He solved my dilemma, his arms extended towards me. I fell into them and hung on tight. His ‘ouch’ reminded me he was still recovering. I eased out of his arms and smiled down at him,”sorry. I got carried away. I'm just happy you're ok.” He grinned back. Oh my god. His smile mir
Chapter 72. Chicago
Selborne The cold wind made me hurry to my house. Out of the corner of my eye, l saw one of Shad Rolan's hotel cars. I never went to the hotel, Shad was Max’s friend. I valued my money, l refused to give even one cent to Shad. I ignored the car and proceeded to my house. It was a beautiful house with furniture but i hated it. Or rather l hated the place.I opened the kitchen door, fired the microwave and warmed last night's food, spaghetti and meatballs. I headed to the living room, switched the heater on. Summers here did not make much difference. They were slightly warmer than winters. You still had to wear your jacket in summer. Maxwell Ratliff did me dirty. I tried so many times to seek transfer, it fell on deaf ears. It hurt. Everytime l felt down, my mind gravitated towards Max. I wanted to gut him, bring him to his knees. His affluence made it impossible to take him on financially. I had to find other ways. The heater turned red, l extended my hands to warm them. Someone knoc
Chapter 71. In the mountains
MaxThe following weekend on a Saturday, l woke up early. Nora performed an emergency surgery last night. She laid on the bed dead to the world. Good, l did not have to explain my movements to her. I stressed all week, wondering how l would explain my absence on a weekend. I knew how her brain worked.She had the same mentality with Shad. I would be forbidden to confront Selborne. That's why l chose to sneak out of the house. I rolled out of bed, careful not to wake her up.I tiptoed to the bathroom, took a quick shower and donned a complete black outfit. Black jeans, t-shirt, black hoodie and black sneakers. In the bedroom l peered at my wife, still asleep, perfect. I opted not to kiss her, she might wake up.I ran out of the house, went to the back of the house to the hanger. Shad and Robert waited by the hanger’s big doors. “ Morning boys. You're true scout boys, you respect time.” Their burning eyes tracked me to the door,” you dog. You're not the only one who is married, you know
Chapter 70. Rattle his cage
Max“I'm fetching Martha from Robert's place. Are you coming with me?.” I questioned as l applied aftershave to my cheeks. I studied my wife’s face in the mirror while l waited for the answer. I could almost tell what her response would be.She shook her head,”no. I have things to do.”She and my sister did not see eye to eye. I smiled indulgently at her,” things like what? It's your day off.” She settled more comfortably in bed, gave me an irritated look,” woman stuff. You don't want to know about it, do you?.” I finished what l was doing and faced her,”no thanks. It sounds dangerous. I will try to get back tonight, if not l will let you know.” Nora’s brows furrowed,” don't you dare sleep over there. Everybody knows Robert is a casanova. I don't want him matching you up with some woman.”I reached the bed in three strides, flung the bedclothes aside and hauled her off the bed. I bear hugged her, put my chin on her fragrant hair,” fortunately for you, your husband isn't a casanova.