Ninety six
Kamille’s POV
I stirred awake feeling better than the day before, but something felt off. My eyes were heavy, probably because I had slept for so long. I forced them open and sat up in bed, taking in my surroundings.
Zeke’s penthouse.
Then, the memories of yesterday came flooding back. My kids were in danger, kidnapped, and I didn’t know where they were. How could I have slept so comfortably all through the night?
Tears welled up in my eyes again, but I blinked them away. I had to be strong enough for them. If I was going to find them, then I would need all the composure I could muster up.
I hurried into the bathroom, desperate to wash away the fear and guilt clinging to me. The hot water cascaded over me, but it did little to soothe my anxiety.
After drying off, I slipped into a light shirt and shorts that Zeke had provided. He was always making available things in time of need and I could not help but begin to feel comfortable with it.
I stepped out of the closet and back into the room. I picked up my phone and called Zeke, but his number was unreachable. Panic tightened around my heart. I needed to talk to him. I picked up my purse and stepped out of the room.
As I reached the living room, I noticed two people sleeping against each other amidst empty bottles of alcohol. I took a closer look and gasped-it was Belle and Zane.
My gasp must have been loud enough to wake Zane. He rubbed his eyes and looked at me. “Kamille, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Why are you crying?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice trembling. “I just need to speak to Zeke.” I didn’t even notice the silent tears that slipped down my cheeks. I sniffled.
Zane moved to stand up, but I stopped him. “Whatever you think you’re doing with my friend, know that she is engaged to be married.”
I did not understand what happened between them but it was obvious they didn’t do anything, but speaking about something else was great to get Zane off my neck.
Something flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it. “It’s not what it seems.”
I nodded, barely holding back my tears. He sighed and muttered, “It’s no use explaining, right?”
I nodded again.
“I’ll just take her inside to rest properly, then I will freshen up and join you, is that okay?” He asked. I nodded once more.
Zane looked at me for a moment before executing his plan. As he disappeared into the room, my phone beeped. I checked the message, and my heart broke into a million pieces.
Leave Luxstorg and never return.
Your kids will be with you at the airport.
Or you die and they will join you.
Killer K.
Attached to the message was a picture of my kids, lying on sickbeds with oxygen masks over their faces.
“No,” I muttered. I couldn’t breathe. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. The only thing on my mind was to get to Zeke. I stormed out of the house, hailing a cab.
As I was about to enter, I noticed Zeke’s security trying to approach me. Whether to aid me or stop me, I couldn’t tell. I jumped into the cab and shouted, “Drive!”
The driver started the car and asked, “Destination?”
“Just drive the fucking car first!” I screamed, cutting him off as tears flowed down my cheeks in heavy torrents.
He started the car and drove away, long before the security followed us. I didn’t want them to restrain me. I just wanted to see Zeke as soon as possible.
After a while on the road, the driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “You must be the dead Ms. Kamille Manor that came back to life.”
Through my tears, I replied bitterly, “So must I go back to the grave so the world would be happy?”
The cabman shook his head. “No. We’re rooting for you. The Manor company in the last four years has become a terror to the masses. We might not be able to offer much, but whatever help you need from us, we can offer.”
I looked at him, confused. “Who is ‘us’?”
He sighed. “I was a former account manager for the Manor company. But because I refused to be a route for the embezzlement of funds, I was framed and then sent to prison. I only just got out and became a cab driver since no one would want to hire an ex-convict. There are more people like me.”
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized. But at the moment, my babies were the most important. “My babies are in danger. I need to get to Ezekiel Reid, once everything is sorted out, I promise to look into this,”
“You have…”
The driver was shocked that I had kids and his words trailed off when he saw my tears still falling. He quietly drove me to the Reid mansion.
As we arrived at the Reid mansion, the cab was stopped by the security at the gate. “No cabs allowed here,” The man said.
I stepped out of the car. “I need to speak with Zeke please,” I said. The security immediately recognized me and let us pass, apologizing profusely.
I got back into the car and drove towards the main building. Once we reached the main building, I hurried out and banged on the door, ringing the bell repeatedly.
I waited, my heart pounding in my chest. When the door finally opened, I came face to face with my worst nightmare.
There stood Ellen, her eyes cold and calculating. “Kamille,” she said smoothly, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Long time no see.”
My blood ran cold. How was this possible? Ellen and Zeke were divorced, but looking at her all dressed up, it doesn’t look like she came Visiting. Was she in with Zeke all along?
No, Zeke would not betray me this way again.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
I didn’t want to believe it. It was all a misunderstanding. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice trembling with fear and anger.
She chuckled, a low, menacing sound. “Isn’t it obvious? I’ve always been one step ahead of you, so I’m just here where I rightly belong and I think you should go back to the grave where you crawled out from!”
I took a step back, my mind racing. This couldn’t be happening. Not now, not when my children were in danger. “Where are my kids, Ellen?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Your kids? Oh, Kamille, you mean those little miscreants? I don’t know anything about their whereabouts, but I hope they get what you deserve,”
I staggered back in shock at such hostility towards little children. Zeke had betrayed me all along and I like a fool danced to the tune of his music. “What do you want?”
I wanted out. I was tired.
Ellen’s smile widened. “Simple. I want you to disappear again. For good this time.”
I was about to say something when I noticed Zeke coming out from behind Ellen. Fury burned in my eyes and I walked up to him and for the second time in my life, I truly hated the fact that I fell in love with him.
“I hate you, Zeke,” With that, I turned on my heels and made for the cab.
“Kamille wait!” Zeke yelled.
My eyes were already a teary mess and I refused to let him see me that way, so I ignored him.
But when we got to the gate, strange-looking men had joined the security at the gate. There was no way in hell they would let us pass.
I didn’t think my life would end this way, but I guess it’s the sad truth I’ll have to bear.