Julia POV
Ciara ignored him all along and didn't even spare him a glance. He tried holding her hand but she jerked away, and he just let her be while he forced himself to eat his food.
When we were done eating, Mia cleared the dishes and took them to the kitchen.
The Michaels were good people. They treated us, the workers as their family members, even to the extent of making us dine with them.
I lingered in the sitting room because I wanted Cadde and Sophia to leave first. Alas, they were leaving. Sophia hugged me and whispered into my ears;
" I saw what transpired between you and Shawn, but I pretended as though I didn't notice. He might've hurt you, but please forgive him, okay? Just do it for my sake."
"I've heard. I will do just that." I said just to please her.
"Shawn is a good person, he's gentle, kind, and loving, and he's always fun to be with, but something remarkable happened a few years ago. It turned him into what he is today. I can't tell what happened. Once he gets angry, which is very rare, someone is bound to be hurt. I'm so sorry that 'the had to be you. He ought to go see a therapist, but he insists that nothing is wrong with him. He's your boyfriend so you can talk to him. You're really lucky to have him as a boyfriend. Don't break his heart like the b***h, his ex-girlfriend
"Point of correction, he's not my boyfriend, but my boss," I said and she looked surprised.
She was about to say something when her husband, Cadde called that it was time to leave and they all left.
"Mom, "Ciara called "I'm feeling sleepy." So I took her to the room and she lay on the bed. I switched off the lights and sang her a lullaby.
When I was sure she was sleeping, I lay down to sleep, but it evaded me. I then decided to stroll around the compound, but I changed my mind, instead, I went to the sitting room. When I saw that no one was there, I then went out to the balcony.
I placed my hands on the bars, relinquishing what happened throughout the day.
The breeze was chilling and my hair danced in the wind. I had loosed it from its bun earlier on and I had also changed into my nightie.
I felt a presence, so I looked and saw Shawn beside me, he wasn't that close but was few feet away from me.
Seemed like he had been here earlier on, then how come I didn't see him?
He was just staring into space so I just ignored him.
"I'm sorry," he said whispering. "I'm sorry for accusing you wrongly, for blackmailing you emotionally, and for..." He paused. "For manhandling you." "I know it was my fault for jumping to conclusions, but someone told me. I didn't want to believe, but I saw you eavesdropping on me."
"Who called you?" I asked but he remained quiet for a long time.
"One of his men." He said finally.
How did one of Anas' men have his number?
"I have no right to bear grudges against you." I said picking my words slowly, "because you are my boss, so I've forgiven you."
I said and turned to leave, but he ran towards me and held me back.
"It is not from your heart, is it?" He asked but I remained mute.
"If you say so," I said and yanked my hand off his.
"At least, help me talk to Ciara. Tell her I'm sorry." He said, but I ignored him and headed for my room
***************
I held my cheeks as I had just been slapped.
"Where is the flash drive given to you by your father?" Anas Gomez thundered.
"I- I d-don't know. It wasn't given to me." I lied.
He pointed at a guy, "deal with her." He ordered and walked away. The guy tried to push me down, but I struggled. Other older guys hit me hard and I fell, the guy climbed me and started tearing my clothes.
I couldn't see him because he wore a mask, they all wore a mask. He raped me continuously. Other guys also raped me, one after the other and I was screaming, cursing. I felt myself slip away.
**************
Tears ran down my cheeks and I woke up to realize it was only a dream. Why am I being transported back to the past?
It happened regularly when I escaped from their hostage. About two years later, it stopped, now it has resumed again. I thought I had moved on, but I hadn't. I'll make sure Anas and his men pay for robbing me off my virginity.
I couldn't go back to sleep because I was scared that I might have another nightmare, so I decided to stroll around the compound and while away time. I glanced at the clock and discovered that the time was 12:30 am.
"Not quite late for a stroll," I said to myself. What do I even have to fear? There was a security man outside and there were also CCTV cameras.
I put on a jacket in anticipation of the cold. I walked down the stairs, to the sitting room. I tried opening the door, but it was locked. "Sh**" I cursed.
After looking around for the key, I finally found it. I unlocked the door and stepped outside, closing the door gently behind me.
I went to the swimming pool which was in the compound and sat down then I put my legs in the water. A gentle breeze blew and I loved the feel of it.
After what seemed like an hour, I stood up to leave.
I heard footsteps, as though someone was tiptoeing, I looked in the direction but found no one.
"Maybe it was my imaginations," I said shrugging it off. The lights were on, so if someone was there, I would know.
I heard it again behind me, but this time I saw a shadow. I hid behind a tree, my heart pounding furiously.
Who was trailing me? Was it one of Anas' men? Did Anas send someone to kidnap me? It can't be possible, because Anas wouldn't know I live here. But he called Mr. Shawn and... "No". I said to myself. I shouldn't be worrying about nothing, should I? Who knows if it was Erastus or the security man, or Mr. Shawn himself?
I saw the person retreat and a sigh escaped my lips. I decided to wait a little while before I came out of my hiding place.
After about five minutes, I came out not before searching my surrounding. I felt a hand cover my mouth and the man held me tightly to himself. I struggled and his hand released my mouth. I screamed as loud as I could, then he placed his hand back on my mouth. I felt a metal-like object on my head. Then the person said coldly, "if you move, I'll shoot."
Shawn POV
I cried myself to sleep. Julia had not forgiven me, but why? It seemed like we've met before, but I can't tell. Maybe that was the reason I was attracted to her.
I felt so guilty. Why did I jump to conclusions? I kept thinking until I slept off.
I had barely slept when I heard someone scream. I could hear it because I was a light sleeper.
Was it my imaginations? I got down from the bed and took my gun which was in a drawer. I checked the whole rooms to see who was missing.
I hesitated a little when I got to Julia's room. After summoning up courage, I opened the door slowly and discovered that she wasn't in her room. It was only Ciara that was sound asleep.
I ran down the stairs to the sitting room and discovered that the door was opened. I remembered locking it before going to bed.
I searched around the compound but I didn't see her. I just hope she's okay
Then I went towards the gate and discovered that it was opened. I stepped outside the gate and saw them. He was handcuffing her, while she sobbed.
"Sh**" I cursed. He was with a gun.
I bent down, tiptoeing towards them so they wouldn't see me. My leg hit an object on the floor, drawing their attention. He looked at me, pointing the gun at Julia's temple.
"Drop the gun, or I'll shoot." He said coldly.
"Who sent you?" I asked ignoring him, my gun still pointed at him while I walked slowly towards them. "I'm an officer of the law, if you don't drop that gun this very minute, I'm gonna knock your head off or you'll be sent to jail," I said still walking slowly towards them.
I knew he couldn't kill Julia because Anas wanted something from her if at all it was he who sent the man. What I said was to make him scared. Who would want to be in jail for a long time?
But, he did something that left me speechless. He pointed the gun at himself.
"You'll never know who sent me. Let me warn you, Shawn, you had better take Julia to the airport by 9 pm this night, else we'll kill her, not only her but you and your family members too. Steve, Sophia who is pregnant, Cadde her husband. Don't think Julia can run away, she can't. We monitor her every move." He said grinning.
How did he know all my family members? He even knew their names. I ran towards him, wanting to seize the gun from him, but he was quicker. He shot himself and Julia shrieked. Blood splashed everywhere.
Julia stared at me, horror-stricken. She sat slowly on the floor leaning on the car that was brought to transport her. I walked slowly towards her and squatted down.
"I'm sorry." I apologized, "I would've been swifter." I said sitting beside her on the ground and she laid her head on my shoulder.
I had the urge to wrap my arm around her shoulder, but I cautioned myself 'cause I didn't know how she'll react. We were quiet for a while before I spoke up, "did he manhandle you?" I asked.
She raised her head to look at me, "he didn't." She said whispering.
"But you were crying. You'll have to tell me what that bastard did to you."
"He did nothing. He just handcuffed me, that's all."
"Then why did he say that if you're not taken to the airport by 9 pm tonight, you're gonna die, why?"
"How do you expect me to know?" She asked. "They're prolly gonna kidnap me or something."
"They?" I asked puzzled
"Didn't I tell you that my uncle and his cohorts are after me? She asked and it was then that I remembered her saying that when I manhandled her.
But how come? She just resumed work today and they already know her residence and tried kidnapping her
"I remember him talking about their monitoring your every move. What does he mean by that?" I asked but she shook her head.
"I don't know. I honestly don't." She said and I sighed.
"It's like a tracker was implanted in your body. What do you think?" I asked and she looked at me, trying to digest what I had just said. Her eyes then went wide as though she remembered something. She opened her mouth to say something, but shut it back immediately we heard footsteps.
I motioned to her to stand up and she did. We bent down and moved back towards the gate so that I could see the intruder.
I saw him, he didn't even put on a mask. He saw us and looked shocked.
Maybe he was the one to drive the car that was brought to kidnap Julia.
I pointed the gun at him and he moved his hands slowly to his pocket. Julia had her hands wrapped around my waist.
"Don't move!" I commanded, "If you do, I'll shoot."
He ignored me. He prolly wanted to take a gun from his pocket. I pulled the trigger and the bullet hit him on the shoulder and he fell. Julia let go of me while I charged towards the fallen man and I held his arms.
I laid him face downwards on the floor while I motioned for Julia to come. She ran towards me and I undid the cuffs and used it on the man, handcuffing his hands to his back.
"Do you have your phone with you?" I asked and she shook her head.
"Can you go in and bring my phone?" I asked and she shook her head again. "Don't worry then," I said as I searched the man's pocket and found a gun in one and a phone in another.
He was losing consciousness and I didn't want him to die so that he will be investigated upon. I pulled off my shirt and wrapped it around his arms, close to his neck. I took his phone and used the man's index finger to unlock the phone, then I called 911.
A few minutes later, the cops came and took him away. Jack came along with them.
"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded.
*****************
I and Julia entered the compound, then I locked the gate.
The cops had long gone after searching the whole building. We entered the sitting room and Julia slumped on the couch.
"Aren't you going inside? To your room?" I asked and she looked up to face me and I could see that her eyes were misty.
"I'm sorry for how I behaved earlier. I shouldn't have eavesdropped on you" She apologized. Why was she even apologizing? I ought to be the one apologizing and not the other way round.
I sat on the couch and drew closer to her.
"You ought not to be the one apologizing, instead I'm the one. I'm sorry for what I did yesternight. Please forgive me." I said and she nodded.
I tucked her hair behind her ear and used my thumb to wipe her tears. I hugged her and she reciprocated the hug. She disengage from the hug immediately.
"I want you to take care of Ciara in case I die." She said and I raised an eyebrow.
"You're not going to die, not at such a young age," I said reassuring her. "You will live. I'll do everything in my power to ensure that those bastards are brought to book."
"Are you a cop?" She asked and I bit my lip.
"Kinda," I replied and she nodded. I'm glad she didn't ask me why I quitted singing and decided to be a cop.
"Aren't you gonna go in and sleep?" I asked and she nodded and looked elsewhere.
"Have you ever been kidnapped?" I asked and she turned to look at me.
"Yeah."
"Were you operated upon?"
"Yeah. While I was held, hostage."
"I now understand. You were operated upon and a tracker was implanted in your system. I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow so that the tracker will be removed. We must do it ASAP."
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
"It's not fine by me. You're here in my apartment and if anything happens to you, I'll be held hostage."
"You can't force me, can you?" She asked and I stared at her.
"Are you scared?" I asked and she looked away. I took her hand and held it
. "You're not going to die. My doctor is an expert when it comes to these kinds of stuff."
"You won't understand." She said.
"Then make me understand." came my reply and she sighed.
"I was operated upon when I was held hostage. I almost died. It was an agonizing experience, but the people who kidnapped me did everything in their power so that I won't die. To cut the long story short, when I was in labor, the doctor said that I had to undergo a cesarean operation. I almost died because; firstly I was still young, and secondly because I was... Well, I almost died. The doctor warned me that I shouldn't be operated on my stomach again, else it will result in something else. So I don't think I'm ready for that now, whereas, it was implanted in my stomach." She said.
"But all that happened a long time ago, didn't it? It would've healed back by now."
"We don't heal from wounds, you know." She said and I immediately understood what she meant. She wasn't only talking about physical wounds, but psychological and emotional wounds and I agreed with her.
I don't think I would ever heal from past experiences, and if my dad were to come back seeking my forgiveness, would I ever forgive him?
"You've got to give it a try, okay? If the doctor says it's not safe, good and fine." I said and she nodded.
"if you say so." Came her reply.
I stood up and held out my hand to her which she took and stood up. We headed upstairs to her room and I stopped in front of the door.
"Thanks for everything." She said and turned to leave. I couldn't restrict the urge to kiss her even if it was at least a peck.
"Julia," I called, tensed and she turned back, looking at me, curious. I went closer to her and wanted to peck her, but she stopped me with her hand.
"No." She said, entered her room, and banged the door. Disappointed, I went to my room.
I don't know why I feel this way, but I feel like I have known her forever.
Julia POV
What did he think he was doing when he tried to kiss me? I leaned against the door trying to catch my breath.
He helped you, so you should've let him... I cant'. I said to myself.
I lay on the bed and thought to myself; I can't believe I hugged him, this time, I'll be more careful in my dealings with him because I still don't trust men. Wait a minute, he's a cop? But I thought he was a musician. Why was he a cop? I asked myself severally.
"Just let him be," I said to myself
*******************
The alarm bell woke me up. I had barely slept for one hour and I was still feeling sleepy, but I had to get up.
I went to Steve's room to prepare him for school. When I was done, I prepared Ciara for school.
Just then, Shawn walked in looking as handsome as ever.
My heart skipped a beat or two. He was already dressed probably for work, while I hadn't even taken my bath and my hair was unmade. I can't imagine how I'll be looking now.
"Good morning Mr. Shawn" I greeted.
"Morning" he replied as his eyes moved from my head to my feet.
"You're not yet ready?" He asked.
Oh my goodness, I forgot. "I was busy preparing Steve and Ciara for school," I replied. He walked towards the bed and sat on it.
"Help me talk to Ciara, she doesn't want to speak to me." He said looking at me with pleading eyes.
"Ciara" I called "forgive your uncle Shawn.
"But he made you cry mommy and you're saying I should forgive him."
"Come on Ciara. It isn't good to hold grudges against someone no matter what the person does to you. You should forgive him... For my sake."
She looked at Shawn and ran to hug him. "I've forgiven you uncle, Shawn."
"She's getting late and hasn't eaten. I'll take her to the dining room."
"Don't worry, I'll do that myself. You just get prepared."
"If you say so," I replied.
"Mommy, I'll tell you something when I get back from school, bye." She said and waved at me and I waved back.
I had taken my bath, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair. I didn't know what to ut on. After a while, I decided to put on a top and jean trousers.
It had been a long time since I put on trousers because I had a big butt and guys were always complimenting on it. I don't even know what pushed me to wear one now.
I glanced at myself in the mirror and rushed downstairs.
He was talking to someone on the phone, probably the doctor.
When he saw me, he couldn't take his eyes off me and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
I shouldn't have put it on in the first place. He quickly cut the call after saying something to the person. He came towards me.
"Wow! You look exquisite."
"Thanks." I managed to say as I was uncomfortable.
"You didn't button up your trousers," he said as he squatted in front of me and helped me button it.
It was difficult because it was tight, but he finally did.
All those while, I held my because the feeling of his hands on my skin made me quiver. When he was done, he stood up.
"You're curvaceous." He said whispering in my ear. "Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" He asked as he held my face with his hands then he bent down to kiss me.