In pain, I withdrew my hand as my chest ached.
"You... you made me think it was a mistake all these years? You made me think that my mother was taken from me without cause?"
He couldn't look up at me, so he glanced down.
"Elah, I believed it was best."
I was torn apart inside by anger and confusion as well as the misery I was experiencing.
"So, Dad, what do we do now? How do we handle Ethan and all of this?"
His shoulders sagged as he moaned. "I'm not sure, Elah. But we must stop this cycle of retaliation. We cannot allow more lives to be lost as a result of this."
Ethan had to meet me at home before he returned, so I left.
"What are you doing here, Elah?" I was sitting on Ethan's bed when a voice from behind me drew my attention away from my thoughts.
Thomas was staring at me with worried eyes as I turned around. Thomas, who at one point seemed to be a buddy, suddenly held the key to something more significant and risky.
He is an aura of peace in my life, always ready to provide a hand or a smile of comfort. Because he is Ethan's closest friend, he has access to the luxurious home, which is full of mysteries and shadows.
He never allowed such connections, however, to affect our relationship. He would give me a call to see how I was doing, providing his sympathetic ear and a loving heart.
Thomas was the one who was able to see beyond my difficulties, and in his presence, I was able to find comfort and sight of the goodness that persisted despite the difficulties of my circumstance.
My voice trembled as I said, "I... I found something." "Something that connects Mr. Jakes and my father."
Thomas' eyes widened, and I could see a glimmer of concern in them.
"Elah, you must exercise caution. You are playing with fire."
But when I faced my father and revealed the truth about the conflict that had caused my mother's murder, the fire became more intense and consumed me completely. I couldn't let the past happen again. not with my family.
It was that night when Ethan's plan to kill my father was put into action. But Thomas, who had always been in the background, moved into the limelight.
With his assistance, we were able to hide my father, and at that point, Thomas admitted his affection for me. A confession that made my heart flutter was one I hadn't anticipated.
But just when I believed I had a chance to win, Ethan discovered my suspicious actions.
I lay on the bed while I awaited word from his bodyguards, whom he had sent to look for my father.
His eyes were filled with fury and despair as he cornered me. The next thing I experienced was Ethan slapping me.
He gave me another loud smack before I could respond. My lips began to bleed as a result.
He screamed, forcefully clutching my arm, "You thought you could outwit me, Elah. Do you think you could rescue your brother and father? I am in complete control."
The sorrow of the decision I had to make and my love for my family caused my heart to speed. Then a glimmer of hope started to burn within me. A strategy or risky maneuver that just could tilt the scales.
I was able to break free of his hold and made a secret call to my father. But he arrived with anger written all over his face before I could tell him about Ethan's intentions.
As I dialed the number, I blinked at my phone while shaking my fingers. I had come to this point out of a pure desire to speak to my father.
However, the phone was jerked out of my hand before I could dial his number. I gasped as I glanced up to find Ethan's icy eyes glaring down at me.
"What on earth do you think you're doing?" He spits while holding my wrist in a vice-like grasp.
I finally choked out, "Nothing," my voice trembling with a mix of dread and rage.
Ethan snorted as his face became stern. "Are you trying to call Daddy to come save you?"
His bodyguard approached, his presence threatening. Ethan gave him the command, "Trace the number," in a firm voice.
My phone was given over to the bodyguard, who started doing his technical magic while I watched helplessly in disgust. My pulse was racing, and a heaviness of impending dread descended over me.
With a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips, Ethan mockingly said, "Let's see who you're trying to contact."
The bodyguard moved his fingers over the screen before looking up with a gleam in his eyes.
"Got it."
Everything appeared to happen out of the blue and in a blur. I was restrained, had a cloth put on my face, and had my arms tied behind my back. After the world began to spin, I was engulfed in darkness.
As soon as I heard gunshots echoing in the background, I awoke from my unconsciousness. I quickly cut my knot with the knife I found in the trunk.
"I've finally got you; I promised I'd get back at you for what you did to my father." Indignantly, Ethan's voice resonated.
Now aiming his weapon toward my father.
"I would never act in such a way, Ethan. Your Dad was..." All I heard was a shot and my Dad fell to the ground.
When a man in disguise suddenly appeared from the bush, I was going to scream and get out of the car.
With floods of tears streaming down my cheeks, I covered my lips. The last thing I could have felt at that time was helplessness.
I had to make a difficult decision when my father was in critical condition.
I said to myself, my voice wavering in shock, "No... no, it can't be,"
My vision became clouded as tears began to pour down from my eyes as the reality of the situation hit me hard. My father, my rock in this life, was gone.
I rocked back and forth while holding my knees close to my chest and wiping the tears from my face. My father's face suddenly appeared before my eyes, and I felt a burning ache inside of me alongside his smile, laughing, and unwavering love.
I was consumed with thoughts of my father's passing when I abruptly heard Ethan's Father.As soon as I caught sight of Mr. Jakes, Ethan's father, my heart raced. It was clear how shocked and surprised Ethan was as his eyes widened."What are you doing here?" Ethan's voice trembled, a mixture of uncertainty and perplexity.Mr. Jakes looked his kid in the eye, his face cold. "I came to complete what I began,"Ethan spoke with a mix of doubt and urgency in his words. "You killed Elah's father, did you?"With a menacing glimmer in his eyes, Mr. Jakes grinned. "The father of your beloved Elah was at a loose end. Just like your own father, he knew too much."I was stuck in place as I crouched down in the vehicle, the revelation coming over me like a tsunami. My father was shot by his father, not Ethan.While speaking, Ethan's voice quivered and was tinged with rage and uncertainty."Why did you kill him, though?"Mr. Jakes raised the pistol and stared emotionlessly into Ethan's eyes. He w
A few years backI walked into the Academic advisor's office and clenched my fingers together as I walked slowly towards his desk. A feeling of fear and worry wrapped around my face as I tried to compose myself. Seated with both legs on the table, a large newspaper covering his face was the dramatic Academic advisor. As much as I tried to avoid meeting him in a private place, I just couldn't ignore his meeting this time around.Stood in front of him as I came to a stop."You asked to see me, sir,"Quickly flapped the papers he was holding, and gave an outrageous look. Bent his face slightly trying to get a clearer look without his glasses. "Miss Anderson." He sounded as official and polite as he could ever be. "Have a seat." He said stretching his hand to the seat in front of me. Dropping the papers he held and leaning forward on his chair.He snorted, "Is there anything you'd like to talk to me about?" I was confused, "I don't understand."He stared at me abruptly. "Your grades ar
"Dad!" I stood trying to compose myself. "How long have you been standing here?"He looked pale and full of sorrow. With each passing day gradually drew life and hope away from him. Looking at how he gets to fight each day, struggling to stay alive for me and my brother, gives me determination to keep pushing. "I was contacted by your advisor." He said trying to maintain steady eye contact as if there was something he was looking forward to hearing from me. My heart froze. "Why would he…" immediately I noticed the change in his countenance, I knew I had failed him. I knelt immediately. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was only worried about David. But I'm promising to…." He suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders, inflicting shock on me."What are you talking about Elah?" Immediately, I stood up, looking like I had seen a ghost. "You said my academic advisor contacted you?""Yes. He did." He said and sat down on the floor of the basketball court. "And what did he say?" "Is there somethin
"Oh, Mitchell!" Quickly dropped my hand, trying to act normal."You were going to hit me right?" "Not at all.""I was only joking." She said and a little smile played around her cheek."Everyone's gone, why are you still in class?" "Nothing. I just want to do something reading before I leave." "Elah, I know it's them." She pointed to the guys outside and I sighed. "Come, I'll drop you off." I looked at her with surprise, I couldn't have asked for more. I hurriedly threw my books into my small bag and followed her. "My driver is outside the class, I'll have him come into the school so he can walk us to the car. At least, that way they wouldn't dare to come close to you."I shook my head in appreciation as we walked majestically to where her car was parked. The boys gave me an angry look but all that mattered to me was the freedom I got. We got to her car and I hopped in. Words couldn't describe how comfortable and expensive the car was. Mitchell is from a wealthy family, she is th
"Is everything okay?" I asked with anxiety in my voice.She sighed but didn't say a word. I pushed the door open and stepped out. As much as I wanted to know what the issue was, I didn't want to miss my appointment at the bar. I walked into the Celab bar, which operated as a restaurant during the day but at night, runs a bar session. "Good day ma'am," I said to the lady at the bar counter. She looked at me and then continued arranging the bottles and cleaning the cups. "I'm sorry but, I have an appointment with your manager." She turned and faced me, looking as if I said something out of point."Can't you see I'm busy, go ask another person.""But you work here and you can as well tell me where to find him.""Is anything wrong with your ears? I said, go ask another person. Leave!""Okay, okay, sorry." Just when I was about to approach another bartender, she called out to me and said,"That's him over there." She pointed in a direction. "Thank you.""Good day sir, I'm Elah Anderson
Suddenly, David began to throw up blood from his mouth.I ran to him, I could feel the weakness in his eyes, tears running down my cheeks as I saw him struggle for his life. A cry for help which I couldn't give. My hands were covered in blood, I didn't know what to do at that time."Doctor!" I screamed at the top of my voice. "Doctor, somebody help!" Immediately a nurse ran into the ward and ran out. Then a doctor rushed in with her and he was wheeled away. Seated in the corner of the room, my knees tight to my chest, and tears were far from my eyes. I knew the doctors would ask for more money but we've got nothing, not even a single dime.About a few minutes later, a nurse walked up to me,"Excuse me, Miss, the doctor wants to see you." I sluggishly pushed myself up, in the hollow of my pain and sympathy for Dave, I struggled to find my way to the doctor's office, finding comfort in the pool of my pains."You may have your seat." He saidI sat down, tightly clenched my bloody hands
I sat in my room, thinking on how I would get the money needed for David's treatment. The weight of responsibility and the heaviness of debt, I felt like fainting. "Should I talk to Mitchell about it?" I thought but I didn't want to lose being friends with her. "What if she feels I only want her because of her Money? No, I won't." But then, remembering David's condition pushed me into making the decision to talk to Mitchell."I will talk to her about it. I will do whatever it is she wants if she demands it." I made up my mind and I didn't consider any other option as Mitchell was like my only hope at that time. I sat up late, waiting for my Dad as it kept raining cats and dogs. I was really worried because he had no friends, or relatives he could go to that night. With his present state, I had no choice but to go into the rain to look for him. I picked up the little umbrella we had, David's fifth year birthday present from my Dad and dashed into the heavy rain.I had only walked
The whole bar was turned into a beautiful, and perfectly decorated place, one would barely believe it was a bar. "For sure Ethan Stone should be a very wealthy man." I whispered before I was dragged into the kitchen by Sarah."What are you doing?""What do you mean?" I was perplexed"You should have your best dress on because the party will be starting soon.""Have you forgotten we're staff here?""Yeah, but we can party while we attend to the guests too.""No, no. I don't want to get into trouble." I shook my head and was about to leave when Sarah pulled me back."It's for your own good. If you really want to save your brother, you should get dressed." Her expression was bleak. "What does she mean?" I was thrown into confusion but still could not figure out what she meant.Missing out on any opportunity was the last thing I wanted at that time. If Sarah was asking that I put on something nice, then I should. I got out of the bar, it was almost dark. Guests were trooping in. I need