Just then, a double decked bus came, speeding to our direction, but that didn't stop them. I left the girls and ran towards them. Unluckily, I was late. Arnold was smart enough to know when the vehicle will meet them. Peggy, not knowing his plan, was pushed to the moving vehicle, causing a big crash and a gasping crowd. **************** Gregory - a high school student... A stubborn and high tempered personality, travelled to England for schooling where he faced challenges involving death, resulting to a horrific experience that affected him and people close to him.
Years back...
"..it's 9:03am, kelvin will be waiting for us" said dad with a worried expression as we crossed the heavily guarded entrance into the airport in our car, of course, after being searched. He hated being late, and I knew he was still mad at me for not keeping to time.
I sat still at the back of the vehicle, looking through the window. I didn't have much time to bade Guy, my smarty dog, talkmoreof my three sisters. They were all asleep when we drove off.
Mummy, as a surgeon, made a quick breakfast for me. She couldn't escort to the port, cause she really had to be at work. And dad..I kinda love him less, cause he's so mean n strict; always having things his own way..maybe cause he's a barrister. This Friday wasn't pleasant to me.
I was still lost in thought when he opened the door for me to hop out. Carring my luggages, he went straight towards the counter but Kelvin, dad's most trusted friend, saw us first.
"Yo G, my US little friend" he called out as few people around turned to see who he was referring to.
Feeling embarrassed, I swallowed and replyed wryly.
"Good mornin' sir"
"Man, I'm sorry we're late, I'd a flat tyre, weird isn't it? I had to change the deflected, oh my bad". I looked at dad unbelievably. He really had to sort his priorities. I looked at kelvin, his playful smirk was still there. God, he seriously got him bad. Then and there, I'd suggest kelvin was such an idiot.
Staying with him at England might be fun, imagining myself making it out everyday and coming in at my own will, with some sort of silly reasons. I smiled unawares, deeply in thought when suddenly overheard Kelvin's hilarious comment about my new school that I least expected.
" Oh man, this year's academic seems tough, kiddies with brains, you know, left for him to be brighter", he said grinning and putting tobacco in-between his big lips. Dad took a quick glance at me and back to Kelvin's.
" I wish I could be there for him" he said I'm a rather worried expression. I rolled my eyes towards my luggage.
".... Wish I could be there... For him" his voice echoed, in my head. Maybe he tryna play care, cause it doesn't just suit him. He's harsh as I always picture him and it's a caricature of him being caring. I wonder how mum even met him at the first place. No, I don't hate my dad but he's the worst dad a teenager can have. Our little fights often was misunderstanding. Sometimes, I usually tried to explain but he just gives me an explanation about what things are wrong and what things are right. I know that dad knew I was bright but damn stubborn. I'm aren't bragging but I make crazy acts when angry.
There was one last days of school when report poured in from school to my dad's desk. Luckily, mum was there to get it first.
"Greg, just so you know, you are about leaving that school. But do you really think bringing it down will help. You've hit people, done graffiti, made rumours, locked teachers in washrooms and even spill paint from the roof of principal's. Just only you!!! You might not know this but you are damaging the pristine of this family", she screamed.
" Family? " I said, now angry. I turned and made for my room, leaving her and guy, my pluffy dog in our parlour. I cried my eyes out till she came consoling. I was at fault, yes, but I don't like being scolded at. It's not just my thing.
" Son", Dad called out as kelvin made for my luggages.
"I will miss you so much, I'm sure your mum will too. Kelvin will make sure you are alright, he's good, trust me. But you have to make a promise to me that... You will control your emotions over there", he said staring dead into my eyes. His eyebrows creased this time, waiting for a positive answer from me. I bowed my head and sniffed. Biting my lower lips, I raised my head and nodded.
" Okay, son, best for me to be off", he said looking at his wrist watch. He turned and made for his car.
" Seriously, not even a hug", I thought. Normally, I would be happy but this time, I just felt a hole in my heart.
* * * * *
"So......this is your home", I asked as we opened the little wooden entrance.
"Our home ", he announced as he kept looking at his left direction, probably to check out his neighbor, and perhaps do the silly introduction thing. We got tothe entrance and he searched his pocket for his keys. I suddenly knew he was not himself. His hands shook terribly as he try inserting his key in the keyhole. Suddenly, his breath became louder and louder as though gasping for air. He held his chest and his mouth hung open. He dropped on the ground with a loud thud, his face twisted with pains. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was asthmatic, like real aged in that.
"Gr... Inha..",he tried telling me with difficulty.
" Where is it, your inhaler, where is your inhaler", I asked shaking him gently. He tried raising his hand towards his car. I was sweating a little and my heart pounded rapidly.
Racing to his car, I opened, dived inside,searched his dashboard, under his seat, backseat..... Shit, it was nowhere.
"OMG, where's this little Satan...", I asked under my breath. As though it heard me, it fell at the extreme end of the dashboard, but it didn't fall alone, few wrapped white substance, although not properly wrapped were with it. I took the inhaler, the wrapped substance can wait.
I ran back to kelvin, giving him his life-depending instrument. He weakily took it from me. I felt dizzy almost immediately. I'm sure he was in some sort of mess like drugs, gambling and maybe fights. I'm sure also he was at the brim of his death so many times. It gave me goose pimples that instant.
Just then, kelvin got up staggering, not minding looking at me, he knew he owe me explanation. He picked the keys and unlocked his door. It made a loud sound as he pushed it open.
"Welcome to our humble ho.." kelvin stopped halfway seeing his broken louvers.
"Goddamn devils...rascals", he muttered. He clenched his fist furiously, staring everywhere. From the chair to the torn books near the dining table....then the spilled milk which spread over the place without direction. Obviously, the whole house care for some cleanup. Just then, a little puffy cat mew behind me.
"Cecil, I heard you, what have you done....only two days of my leave", he asked, his face red in anger. The timid cat ran, hiding at the back of a sofa, staring at kelvin then me. Clearly, she was aware of what she did. I sighed deeply, I don't like cats much. They seems creepy to me.
"Yo G, if you let me, I can show you your room, I'd hope you love it", I followed him. After passing series of shut doors, we arrived to an open airy room, containing a bed, a desk, wardrobe, a television and few items I really don't fancy much.
"Make yourself comfortable", he lastly managed to say, shutting the door behind me.
" Wait, kelvin...", But he's gone. Just as the whole house, the room was messy. Tired, I sat on the soft bed, brought out my cellphone and texted dad that I'm home.
Then laid down and maybe, slept....
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.