NIYA'S POV:-
The clanking of spoons on the table echoed through the room, breaking the silence that had engulfed us. It was like a graveyard in there, except for the occasional sound of utensils hitting plates or someone sipping on their drink.
Suddenly, someone cleared their throat, and all eyes were on my sister, who spoke up in a low voice, "So, I'm heading back tomorrow. I have an urgent client to attend to, but I'll be back soon."
Is she seriously ditching me?
She looked at me with her baby blue eyes, and I could see the glimmer of hope in them as she added, "I mean, you can come with me if you want to."
I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, pretending not to care as I replied, "I have some work to take care of here."
"Ok," she said, her voice trailing off as she turned away.
I felt the eyes of my mom and her new family on me, stealing glances at me. And then there was the eight-year-old girl giving my husband a flirtatious look. I couldn't believe it! She was just a child!
Cedric looked embarrassed, and I noticed a hint of redness creeping up his ear.
And then my mom grunted, "Niya, you're married now. You must learn to eat fast, God! You'll spoil my name."
"Mom, let her eat," my sister Riya hissed.
"Don't you dare talk back to me, young woman! I'm still your mother," my mom snapped back, glaring at Riya. I didn't want to get involved in their fight, so I kept my head bowed, hoping to avoid any drama.
"Look at her, she's so rude," she said with a disgusted expression on her face. I couldn't help but let out a small smile, knowing all too well that this was a regular occurrence.
"Shameless! This is ridiculous," she hissed at me, demanding a response.
"Say something, I'm speaking to you." Her words were like daggers, and I could feel her anger and frustration building up.
"What do you want me to say, Ma?" I let out a heavy sigh, hoping to diffuse the situation, but deep down, I knew it was a lost cause.
"Just look at her, she has the audacity to question me. This is the reason I hate your gut," she bellowed, her voice echoing through the room.
"Mom! Enough, why are you picking a fight with her? She has done nothing but sit there quietly eating her food. Let her be." Riya couldn't take it anymore and shouted.
But my mother was relentless. "Oh! She turned you against me. She turned my own daughter against me," she scoffed, her words laced with bitterness and resentment. I could feel her words piercing through my heart, but I refused to let her see me break down, so I gave out a small smile.
"What are you smiling at? Am I telling you a joke or something?" She slammed her plate on the table and pushed her chair back, causing a loud thud. Her actions were filled with frustration, and I could see the anger in her eyes.
"It's nothing, Ma. I'm just tired now. Tired of all your tactics. I'm done explaining myself, I'm tired of proving myself," I said as I massaged my temple, feeling the weight of the situation. I could feel the stress and exhaustion building up inside me, and I knew that I couldn't take it anymore.
"Oh! Are you?" She sneered, her words dripping with sarcasm and malice.
"I bet you'll be tired of this husband of yours soon too." Her words were like a slap in the face, and I felt my anger boil over.
"What the hell is your problem, Ma? I've had enough of your taunting and hatred towards me!" My voice echoed through the room, filled with rage and frustration.
"What have I done to you? Why do you treat me this way? What could I have possibly done to receive so much agony from you?" I felt my voice crack, but I tried my best to remain composed. I could feel the pain and hurt building up inside me, and I knew that I needed to let it out.
"Your whole existence is my problem," she yelled, her words cutting through me like a knife. I could feel her frustration and anger building up, and I knew that I needed to be careful with my next words.
"Then why did you give birth to me? Why didn't you just kill me?" My voice shook with emotion, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
"Because I wanted you before you were born," she whispered, her eyes reflecting the pain she had caused.
"But when I looked into your brown eyes and when you started growing..." She paused and looked at me with anger, her words filled with bitterness and resentment.
"But why?" I whispered, desperate to understand her pain.
"Because you look like her," she hissed, her words landing like a punch in my gut. I could feel the weight of her words crushing me.
"Like who?" I asked, my voice trembling with curiosity and dread. My mother's words had left a pit in my stomach.
"My mother, your Nani," she replied with a scoff, her face twisted with bitterness.
I was hurt and confused. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Why does she hate me? Because I look like Nani? Why does she hate Nani?" My questions tumbled out in a rush, my heart racing with a mix of emotions.
My mother's reply was cold and cutting. "You're just like her, you talk like her, behave like her. Your sweet and caring from outside but there is darkness inside you," she said, her eyes closing as if to block out the painful memories.
"You were born with darkness Niya, just like my mother," she added, her eyes locking onto mine.
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. My world was spinning out of control, and I couldn't make sense of anything.
"I don't understand anything," I slumped back in my chair, feeling utterly defeated.
"I'm done talking now," my mother said, her tone final and uncompromising.
I couldn't bear the silence that followed, and I erupted in anger. "No!! You need to answer me. Explain to me everything, I deserve to know," I yelled at her, my frustration and hurt spilling over.
But my protest was cut short when my mother slammed her fisted hand on the table. Kat, Luc, Riya, and I flinched at the sudden loud noise, and my mother gave us a menacing look. She turned and walked away with Daniel trailing behind to console her.
I was left alone with my thoughts and emotions, feeling abandoned and hurt by my own mother's rejection. "Niya," Blake said softly, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Blake," I said, trying to mask the turmoil inside me with a weak smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
Cedric, who was sitting across from me, seemed to have enjoyed the entire show. "This was a great dinner," he remarked, causing my anger to boil.
"I bet you enjoyed the show," I hissed and narrowed my eyes, filled with fury.
"Oh yeah, I did," Cedric laughed, his amusement at my pain palpable.
"You sick ass fucker," I yelled, grabbing whatever I could find on the table and throwing it at him. I wanted to hurt someone, anyone.
He dodged most of the items, but one knife grazed his cheek, drawing a small amount of blood.
Shit!! I'm screwed.
As soon as Cedric's finger touched the cut on his cheek, my eyes widened in fear. I could feel the panic settling within me as his amused expression transformed into a dangerous one.
"F*ck!" he hissed, and I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest. Without wasting any time, I ran out of the dining room, screaming at the top of my lungs. I took the stairs two at a time, skipping some steps in the process. In my haste to get away from him.
Reaching my room, I tried to shut the door, but Cedric's large hand stopped it from closing. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor, and Cedric's imposing figure was hovering over me. He closed the door with his foot and locked it. He strolled in my direction as I kept moving backward, still sitting, I realized I was backed up against the wall.
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you," I said, my voice trembling with fear. "But you're not bleeding anymore, and there's no cut on your face," I tried to reason with him, but my nervous laugh came out more like a whimper.
"I healed," he corrected me in a growling voice. "And next time you pull any of that stunt, I won't spare you, Niya," he warned, his face twisted with anger.
"But you'll pay for this, and I hope you remember what I told you about the punishment you'll receive when you misbehave," he said, giving me a tight-lipped smile before turning around and walking towards the bathroom.
His footsteps echoing in the room. I sat there frozen, not moving an inch, as a single tear rolled down my cheek. But I wasn't crying because of Cedric; I was crying because of my mother and what she had said earlier.
I trembled as Cedric's footsteps faded away, my heart racing a mile a minute. The room felt suffocating, and I couldn't help but feel like everything was closing in on me.
__________
******
"Breakfast?" Blake asked with a wide yawn as he lazily sprawled on the bed like a starfish. His disheveled hair and half-opened eyes made him look cute and cuddly.
"We'll eat outside," I replied nonchalantly, still lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, Blake's words jolted me out of my reverie.
"Your mother's reason to hate you is ridiculous," he said, his voice filled with sympathy and a hint of frustration. I clenched my fists in anger, unable to contain the boiling emotions inside me.
"I know, Nani was not bad. I don't know what problem mom had or has with her," I said, throwing my clothes carelessly on the bed. The sight of my clothes hitting Blake's face was so hilarious that I burst out laughing.
"Ouch! Look where you're throwing your things at," he groaned, rubbing his nose. I couldn't stop laughing, feeling a sudden surge of happiness.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" he said, pouting like a child. I nodded my head, grinning widely.
"Did what on purpose?" Cedric's voice boomed as he came out of the bathroom, his wet body glistening under the light. My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to keep a straight face.
"Nothing that matters to you," I said, snatching my clothes from Blake's hand and walking towards the bathroom. As I passed Cedric, I could feel his strong grip on my upper arm, making my heart race faster.
"Control that mouth of yours, don't let me do it for you," he growled, his voice sending shivers down my spine. I hissed in anger, trying to free myself from his grasp.
"Let me go," I said, staring at him with defiance. He let go of me, walking towards the wardrobe like nothing had happened. I gritted my teeth, feeling a mix of anger and attraction towards him.
"Stupid man," I muttered under my breath, closing the door of the bathroom behind me. I sat on the floor, taking deep breaths to calm myself down. The thought of Cedric's wet body and his strong grip on my arm made my heart race faster.
After a few minutes, I stood up, feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. I got dressed quickly and peeked inside the room, finding it empty. I exhaled deeply, feeling relieved, and walked towards the bedroom door.
"Let's go and find them now," I said, smiling at Blake who had fallen asleep again, his snores filling the room.
****
Blake and I stepped into a small restaurant, the savory aroma of bacon and freshly baked pastries filling our nostrils. "What would you like to have, lady and gentlemen?" the waitress asked politely, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"I would like an apple pie, coffee, and blueberry pancakes," Blake ordered, his eyes twinkling with excitement. The old woman scribbled his order down on a small notepad, nodding her head with a grin.
"A sandwich would be fine and a cup of ginger tea," I smiled politely, watching as she jotted down my order with ease.
As the waitress left to place our order, Blake leaned in closer to me, his voice hushed with concern. "Do you have any clue? Where can we find them?" he whispered, his brow furrowing with worry.
"No, but we will find them. They're closed-off people, like to stay away from public," I reassured him, placing my hand on his to offer him comfort.
"I know you don't want to stay here long. And I'm sorry you need to go through this because of me," sadness and guilt etched deep lines on his face, his eyes downcast.
"You don't need to be sorry, Blake. I want to do this for you, I don't know, but I just want to do this," I squeezed his hand tightly, offering him a small smile of encouragement.
"Ahh! What a lovely couple," the old woman returned with our breakfast, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Ohh no!! We are not a couple," Blake blushed, causing me to chuckle softly.
"Opss!! My bad, here's your order, love," she placed the order on the table, her voice filled with mirth.
"That was fast," Blake commented, his eyes twinkling with delight as he eyed the spread of food before us.
"We have everything prepared," she shrugged, before turning to leave us alone with our breakfast.
"This pie is freaking amazing," Blake moaned as he placed a spoonful of pie in his mouth, closing his eyes in sheer ecstasy.
"Blake," I warned him with a playful glare, shaking my head.
"Fine, I won't make noise," he whined playfully, causing me to laugh.
We paid for the breakfast and made our way towards the car. "So what next?" Blake asked, his voice eager as he adjusted the rearview mirror.
"Let's hit the road and search for a secluded area," I suggested, my mind already racing with different possibilities.
"So, what's going on between you and Cedric?" Blake beamed, his eyes dancing with mischief as he tried to tease me.
"Oh, come on!" I groaned, feeling my cheeks flush with heat. "I tell you everything, and I didn't miss both of your swollen lips," he grinned, making me blush even harder at the memory.
Ignoring his teasing, I focused on the scenery outside, watching as the lush trees passed by in a blur. Despite the beauty of our surroundings, my mind couldn't help but wander to Cedric and that kiss, the warmth of his lips still lingering on mine.
Bloody traitor!!
"It was a mistake," I whispered, the words hanging heavy in the air. Blake let out a sharp exhale and cursed under his breath about his friend.
I tried to brush it off, "Let it be, Blake. I don't care," I shrugged, but I could feel his sharp gaze drilling a hole into the side of my face.
I turned to face him, locking eyes with his. He dared me to tell him I didn't care and that it didn't hurt me. Our staring contest ended when my phone started ringing.
I picked up the unknown number, "Hello?"
"Is this Niya?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes, how may I help you?" I replied, but my heart sank when I heard an ambulance siren in the background.
"A woman has been shot near the airport and I found this number in her diary," the man said. My grip tightened on the phone.
"Is she--" I choked on my words, my voice cracking. My hand trembled and the phone fell from my grip, but luckily, Blake caught it.
"Hello?" he answered, his expression shifting from confusion to concern as he listened to the man on the other end.
"Is the woman okay?" Blake asked, swallowing hard as a lump formed in his throat.
"She will not make it," the man replied. Blake's face fell and he struggled to keep his composure as he whispered, "Okay, we'll be there."
"Blake," I called out to him, and he shook his head, his eyes betraying the pain he was trying to hide.
"No! No! No!" I screamed, frantically trying to open the door. "Niya, no wait!" Blake stopped me, and I realized that I was trying to open the door of a moving car.
"Stop the car, Blake!" I yelled, my stomach twisting with nausea. He slammed on the brakes, and I got out with Blake close behind me. I was about to collapse when he grabbed me and held me up, giving my body the support it needed.
"It was too late to save her," Blake whispered, his voice breaking. "He said she was shot right in the head."
I sobbed, "We need to go to the hospital, Blake, to make sure it's her." He rubbed his hand along my spine, giving me a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.
As Blake carried me to the car, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest. The fear and panic were overwhelming, Blake gently placed me on the seat, I watched him make his way to the driver's side.
The sound of tires screeching and a loud thud immediately caught my attention, and when I looked out the window, I was hit with a horrifying sight - a truck had collided with Blake's side of the car.
My heart raced as I let out a blood-curdling scream, the bile rising in my throat as I feared the worst.
I bolted out of the car, my legs moving without a second thought. When I reached Blake, I found him struggling on the ground, his body writhing in pain. I knelt beside him, cradling his head in my lap, and screamed for help as the people around us gathered.
"Why aren't you healing?" I asked frantically, my jeans soaked in his blood and changing colors before my eyes.
"I don't know...I don't feel good," he choked out, his skin turning pale and his nails purple.
My heart clenched at the sight, and I frantically pointed to his nails. "Wolfsbane," he choked, and my eyes widened in fear.
"No! No! Don't close your eyes, Blake, keep them open. Someone call the ambulance, please!" I cried out in desperation.
As the sound of the ambulance siren grew closer, I saw people getting out with a stretcher. I held Blake's face in my hands, my heart breaking at the sight of him slipping away.
"Hold on, Blake, please," I whispered, my tears falling onto his face as he opened his eyes.
"Be strong...take care of yourself, Niya," he whispered. "I love you...take care of Cedric too. And I'll trouble him as a ghost if he hurts you." He swallowed with a faint smile, and I let out a choked laugh.
But as quickly as the laughter came, it was gone when I saw the light leave his eyes.
"Blake!!!!" I screamed and sobbed, my entire world crashing down around me.
I held his lifeless body close to me, refusing to let him go. This couldn't be happening, not to Riya and Blake, they can't leave me alone.
"Why?" I cried out, looking up at the sky, holding onto Blake's body as if I could bring him back to life.
He's gone, She's gone...
***THIRD PERSON'S POV***
The eerie silence that filled the room was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. As it approached me, I swiveled my chair to face the person, eager to hear the progress of the mission.
His face lit up as soon as he saw me, and he greeted me with a warm smile. "Ma'am," he began, his voice filled with confidence and satisfaction.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, and raised an eyebrow. "Give me some good news, Sahil," I said, my voice low and steady.
His grin widened, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. "It's done," he said, triumphantly. "The man and the woman are taken care of, as per your instruction." With that, he placed his tablet on the desk in front of me.
I looked at the images displayed on the tablet, one of a man choking on his own blood and the other of a woman with a bullet hole in her head. A small smirk played on my lips as I savored the satisfaction of a job well done.
"Good," I said, my smile growing wider.
Everything is going according to the plan!!
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Author's Note:-
Dear readers,
I just wanted to let you know that this chapter has been edited since its original posting.
I hope the changes have improved your reading experience and made the story more enjoyable.
As always, thank you for your support and for taking the time to read my work
If any mistakes please let me know
And please do vote
Thank you❣️
❣️🕊️PEACE🕊️❣️