Chapter 22 When I saw Jason, I threw myself at his approaching figure. I really missed him, especially since Mom wasn’t here and I miss her so much. He was basically the second member of my genuine family; I have only these two. He hugged me tightly, and I noticed that there was a tremor in his hands. I hugged him back as tight, now worried I asked him. “Are you ok Jason?” He kissed my head and held me at arm’s length. “I’m alright I was just worried about you. I thought something bad had happened to you.” He glared at Lola, who just shrugged. Leo put his hand on his shoulder and turned him around. “C’mon, let’s splash your face with some water to freshen up, then come and spend some time with your friends.” My friend nodded and smiled at me faintly before leaving. I stood wondering about him. This isn’t just some worry about me. He looked unsettled. “Don’t worry, come here and choose some colors with me,” Lola said, sitting on the floor with Tyler and Jacob, while she spread so

Chapter 24 I woke with a start. Someone was pounding on the door like there was a fire somewhere close. Gabriel grumbled all the way to answer it. He rarely sleeps and when that happens, he likes to wake by himself, not like this. He would be in a foul mood all day. I snickered; a pouting Gabriel is something worth all of this headache I’m getting right now. I yawned and stretched my body, loving the way the breeze caressed my naked flesh. We have been used to going to bed like this, after some rough, playful nights and it has become our routine so far. These few days have been my best since mom has left. It has been a full month now and we talk mostly every night, but she has been busy with her course and the work she could do alongside, but I’m happy for her. Last night, she looked happy and radiant, even though I could clearly see how tired she was. Finally, she was able to do something for herself and I’m not an obstacle which I was through my existence in her life. I have be

Chapter 26 I sat in the corner, my eyes seeing nothing. Sometimes I feel numb, other times I feel angry. But most of the time, I’m just paralyzed. I think I shed all of my tears by now. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I can’t shed a single one. I hugged myself, trembling. The dark room wasn’t cold. Nevertheless, my body started to shake. I screamed when the pounding behind my eyelids intensified. “You left me, mom. You promised that you would be beside me when I graduate. You said you would help me choose my wedding dress. You said you would name my first baby.” I wailed. This is too much. Why did she have to leave? And like this! Someone knocked on the door, but as usual, I refused to acknowledge them. I have been here for almost two weeks now, or I think it has been more. I have lost count after the first ten days have passed. I stink, I’m hungry and I don’t feel well. But my mind chose to ignore all of that and had only one thought. “Why am I still alive? I should be the

Chapter 28 I yawned and then opened my eyes. The room was still dark but I knew that we were already morning. Last night has been emotional on so many levels. It didn’t just heal me and make me snap out of that trance; I think it made my bond with Gabriel stronger. I know no one would understand this and would think me sick, but him promising me that I will get the revenge I seek was like a balm to my aching heart. Would I regret that decision? Yeah, maybe one day but now I want this to happen. No, I need it to come true. At least my mom would rest in peace knowing that this asshole was dead, too. I closed my eyes again trying to go back to sleep but couldn’t, so I went to the bathroom to take a shower. Gabriel has left me one of his t-shirts, clean boxers, and a towel. My heart clenched at his thoughtful gesture. He knows that I like wearing his clothes. Gabriel had been so kind and patient with me. That moment when I put the knife against his throat I thought about doing it.

Chapter 30 “We found him. A tip said that he was in Queens. And he was close to Ariel’s house.” Leo shouted from outside my bathroom frantically, and I burst out to meet him. “Where is she now?” Leo handed me a towel and rummaged through my closet to get me something to wear. “She is at her house with Lola and the boys. Jason, Jacob, and Tyler. I tried to call them and no one answered me.” I cursed under my breath as I was putting the shirt on, then ran downstairs while wearing my pants in the process. The house was in an uproar. Everyone was shouting and screaming, it was hectic. Someone bumped into me while holding his bleeding abdomen. He looked up at me and shouted. “We are under attack, sir. They are everywhere in the mansion. Without warning, we were swarmed up.” Leo gave me a concerned look and ran to the front door. He called out to someone outside, and then he disappeared. I ran upstairs, ignoring my men’s shouts and cries. I needed to call Ariel and make sure that