Chapter 38

"What are we going to do about the situation?"

"I will give him what he wants. Problem solved."

"No… It is not a problem solved. He will ask for something else if you give in to this ridiculous blackmail. Everybody knows blackmailers do not quit and will keep coming back for more."

"Then, it is a good thing I am the richest man in the world, Debs."

"I do not think you worked hard for whatever you have just to lose them to your jealous brother because of me."

"I give him what he wants, and he signs an agreement to stop the blackmail. End of story. I am not leaving you because of cheap blackmail. Stop trying to convince me otherwise because it won't work."

"Of all the guys in this world and God hands me the cliché billionaire stubborn he-goat with a villain for a brother. How swell."

"Too bad you are stuck with me. We are joined at the hip from now onward until the day we die."

"Uh! What a tragic love story."

"I beg to differ. I think we will be the most epic love story ever told. No fairytale can beat ours, my lady."

"Keep dreaming, pretty boy."

"Go to sleep, Debs. We will handle this in the morning."

He got up to leave, but I am not a heartless bitch, so I held his hand to stop him. Immediately feeling subtle sparks flow through me.

This is not the time Debby.

"Stay, Sam. I cannot let you drive home by yourself at this odd hour. It is not a big bed, but I know we can manage. Besides you don't have a problem falling asleep around me."

He smiled and nodded in agreement. He took off his clothes and I gave him the shirt he left with me the first time we met. We went to sleep holding each other like we'll fall apart if either of us lets go.

Giving in to threats is never the solution because they will keep coming back and demand more each time. I know that. But how do I make him see different when I can't provide a better solution?

Christopher was right.

My milkshake did bring the most wonderful boy to the yard. And I am about to cost him a lot more than he can afford to lose.

I awoke to Samuel's scent sifting through my nostrils, and I threw my arms around him. It felt so good to wake up in his arms. I could not refuse the urge to squeeze tighter, and so I did. But the only problem was, Samuel was deflating.

Wake up, Debby. You are squeezing the life out of a pillow.

I opened my eyes, and my side was empty.

Where is he?

My eyes searched the room like a security guard's torchlight, but he was nowhere, and neither was his clothes.

I guess he got up early and went to work. I keep forgetting he is not as jobless as I am. But why didn't Princess wake me to feed her this morning as per her routine? Maybe she has outgrown it. Wait. it is Princess Sam we are talking about. She cannot outgrow food; food is her special calling in life.

My head snapped to my baby's crib as alarm bells went off in my head, and my heart stopped at the sight of her empty crib.

"Where the fuck is my baby?"

Maybe they woke up before me and are playing outside. That must be it.

I dialled his number, but the phone rang under my pillow.

Why is his phone here? Good lord, what has happened to them? Were they kidnapped while I was sleeping? I know I am a deep sleeper, but I doubt I would sleep through a kidnapping.

I jumped out of bed and searched the whole compound, but they were nowhere in sight.

I ran out of the gate, and there was no soul in sight. Not one security detail. Not one drone.

"Fuck! What is happening?"

Is this one of my nightmares, or has Samuel stolen my baby?

No, no, no. This cannot be real. But I need to call the police in case it is.

Blood rushed to my head as I ran back in after tripping and falling on the porch step and jamming my foot in the door frame.

Where is Sam, and where did he take my baby to?

"Where is my motherfucking phone!!! I just used it!!!"

Oh, someone up there is messing with me. Where is my child? Oh, no… what have I done? How did I let a stranger into the extent that he stole my child?

"Fuck!"

I am a failure as a mother. I never deserved my Princess.

"Where is this damn phone?"