Marry me

Marry me
FELICIA’S POINT OF VIEW

As I stood in front of the mirror, fastening my earrings, I couldn't help but notice the concern etched on Higgins's face.

"You look really nervous and anxious, my love," he remarked, his voice laced with affection. I let out a loud sigh, a sound that seemed to capture all the swirling emotions inside me. 

"I'm absolutely right to feel this way, honey. Can you believe it’s been nearly thirteen years since I last laid my eyes on him? It’s hard not to feel this overwhelming sense of nervousness," I replied, exhaling with a huff that reflected my inner turmoil.

"It's unbelievable, really. I never imagined I would find myself in this situation, facing that bastard again after all this time. And yet, here we are, on the brink of seeing him," I added, taking a moment to collect my thoughts as I prepared for the encounter.

"Yeah, I feel the same way. It's so strange to think about how Novan managed to catch him. I’ve been eagerly waiting for the moment when he reveals the importance of what he discovered," I said, grabbing my lipstick and carefully applying it to my lips, each stroke a reminder of the significance of this day.

"Speaking of Donovan, it’s surprising how well he seems to be holding up. He doesn't appear to be the same person who was struggling with a mental breakdown. In fact, he looks so composed and okay that I can't help but feel a wave of gratitude towards Doctor Kim," Highins remarked thoughtfully, and I nodded in agreement.

"I always knew she would bring good news, and I'm genuinely pleased that she didn't let us down. Plus, I'm thrilled to see her dating Novan. To be honest, I can't wait for them to tie the knot; they seem perfect for each other," I said, a smile breaking through my earlier anxiety, as Highins chuckled softly, sharing in my anticipation for what the future holds.

“Take it easy, sweetheart,” Higgins reassured, his tone light and playful.

“Looking at how clingy and obsessed Donovan has been lately, I can guarantee that things will definitely lead in that direction.” I nodded in agreement, feeling the warmth of his words settle in.

“I honestly couldn’t be happier,” I replied, a chuckle escaping my lips.

“There's nothing quite like seeing him smile these days. I mean, he even joins us at the dining table now! What a wonderful change that is.” The thought of Donovan’s newfound enthusiasm made my heart swell with joy.

“It truly is a remarkable change,” Higgins agreed, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. 

“I'm so relieved, my love. It feels like I can finally hang up my boots and pass the company over to him. This is something I've been looking forward to for such a long time. Just imagine! We can escape to our private island, just the two of us. We will...... ” 

Before he could finish his thought, a loud knock on the door interrupted our conversation.

“Who is it?” Higgins called out, his voice carrying a hint of frustration as he stood up and made his way towards the door. 

“Hold on a moment, I’m coming!”

“Oh, Scott! It’s you!” I heard Higgins exclaim as he opened the door. 

“Yes, sir. Good morning!” Scott greeted. 

“The boss asked me to let you know that he's downstairs waiting for both of you.”

“Please let him know we’ll be down shortly,” Higgins replied before locking the door after Scott had left. 

“Was that Scott?” I inquired, my curiosity evident in my voice. He responded with a nod, confirming my suspicion.

“Yes, darling. He mentioned that Donovan wants us down here immediately,” he replied, and as that sank in, I nodded in acknowledgment and stood up. I made my way over to the table where my handbag rested, picking it up carefully. Meanwhile, Higgins was busy collecting his eyeglasses and wristwatch from the surface before we both began to exit the room together.

We made our way downstairs, stepping out of the house to find the car already parked, with Donovan standing patiently outside. The moment he spotted us, a broad smile broke across his face.

“I was starting to think you two might have changed your minds,” he remarked cheerfully, causing both Higgins and me to share a light chuckle in response.

“Apologies for that, son. We just got caught up in our little chat,” I mumbled, giving him an apologetic smile in return.

“Hop in, folks! I’ll be the one driving you there,” Donovan offered enthusiastically. At that moment, Higgins and I exchanged a quick glance, sensing the unspoken question hanging between us.

“Wait, are you guys implying that I can’t drive or something?” he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. We instantly shook our heads, eager to put his worries to rest.

“It’s not about your driving skills, son; we just can’t afford to head out without any proper security. It’s too risky,” Higgins explained, his voice firm but reassuring. I nodded vigorously, wanting to confirm our agreement and understanding.

“I never meant to suggest that we’d be going alone,” he responded, his tone shifting to convey a sense of clarity. 

“I simply meant that you all should hop in; I’ll be the one driving you there. Scott will be behind the wheel, and a few other guys will be tailing us as well.” As he spoke, he pointed toward the garage, where a few of the guys were already gathered around the cars, a look of excitement on their faces. In an instant, smiles spread across Higgins’ and my faces, reflecting our newfound enthusiasm.

“That’s a much better plan!” both Higgins and I exclaimed simultaneously, the relief palpable in our voices. Novan then opened the door, ushering us inside, before sliding into the driver’s seat himself.

“Please make sure to fasten your seat belts,” he instructed, and we quickly complied, securing ourselves in preparation. With that, he started the engine and smoothly pulled out of the driveway, ready to embark on our adventure.

The drive turned out to be quite a delightful experience, marked by smooth roads and an undeniable sense of camaraderie. Donovan often engaged in conversation, effortlessly steering us from one topic to another, which made the journey even more enjoyable. 

Eventually, we reached a large, dark green gate that stood before us like a sentinel. Donovan honked the horn, and almost instantly, one of his associates appeared to open the gate for us. As he drove through and parked the car, we wasted no time in getting out and stretching our legs.

“Is this the place?” I inquired while surveying the surroundings, and he affirmed my question with a nod. The mansion loomed ahead, its stature impressive yet not quite as grand as the one back at our home.

“Follow me,” Donovan instructed, leading the way toward the entrance of the house, and we immediately fell in step behind him. 

Upon reaching the entrance, we realized there was no elevator available, which meant we had to ascend the staircase. As we climbed higher, I could feel the fatigue setting in, but just when I was about to voice my weariness, he made a sharp turn and guided us toward a door at the end of the corridor.

Donovan produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the door without hesitation. Stepping inside, we were met with an unexpected and somewhat startling sight—someone was chained to the bed. 

The moment our presence registered, he straightened up, eyeing us with a mix of curiosity and hope.

“Mom??” he whispered, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. His gaze darted toward his father, but just as quickly, he broke eye contact, as if torn between longing and confusion.

He bore such a striking resemblance to my beloved Novan that it took me a moment to realize the only noticeable difference between them was his haircut—quite short, unlike Donovan, who takes immense pride in his long,Honestly, if I hadn’t known better, I could have easily mistaken him for Novan himself.

“Giovan,” I gently called out while making my way toward him, taking slow, deliberate steps, as if savoring each moment of this reunion. 

“My son,” I whispered softly, as I reached out and cupped his cheek with my hand, lost in the depth of his eyes. 

I couldn't help but express how astonished I was at how much he had grown. 

“You’ve become so big,” I managed to say, overwhelmed by emotion and suddenly aware of the warm tear that slipped down my face without my notice.

“It’s been such a long time,” I murmured, almost as if speaking more to myself than to him, while the truth of my words sank in. He simply kept staring back at me with those familiar eyes, and I felt a wave of mixed emotions surge through me.

“Why is he chained to the bed, Novan?” I suddenly had to ask, perplexed and concerned, turning my gaze towards Donovan who stood nearby.

“That’s precisely why we’re here, Mom. You'll understand everything soon,” Donovan explained, his tone serious but also laced with concern. I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the situation, and then I chose a chair close to Higgins, who had already seated himself, seemingly deep in thought.

“Please, Novan, I need you to tell me what’s happening,” I pleaded, my heart racing with uncertainty. Donovan, sensing the urgency in my voice, stood up and moved to position himself closer to us, ready to reveal the truth that lay ahead.

"From the very beginning, Giovan has been the source of my troubles, and you really won’t believe the extent to which he’s responsible for my declining mental health," he said with a furious glare directed at both Giovan and Higgins, his voice laced with frustration. I couldn’t help but wear a puzzled expression, completely caught off guard by his unexpected outburst.

"I’m struggling to grasp what you're saying, son. Can you please elaborate a bit more?” I replied, my impatience slightly surfacing as I leaned in, eager for clarity.

As he took a deep breath, it became clear that the situation was more complicated than I had initially thought. He explained that Giovan had been orchestrating a sinister plot against him , sending various individuals to deliver some sort of drugs, and shockingly, even involving  his personal doctors in this deceitful scheme. 

A nagging suspicion had lingered in my mind for a while, but I hadn’t pursued it vigorously; I was simply overwhelmed and fatigued. Fortunately, it was Amica Mea who ultimately validated my fears. She had given some of the drugs to a friend of hers, who confirmed that they were indeed the very substances that had been driving me to madness. Thankfully, she had ceased providing them to me, which is why I feel somewhat better now," he concluded, leaving both Higgins and me in stunned silence, our eyes wide with disbelief.

"What?? What did you just say, son??" Higgins exclaimed, rising abruptly from his chair, clearly shaken by the revelation.

"You heard me correctly, Dad," he said, his voice tremulous with emotion. 

"Giovan is the one to blame for all of my mental health struggles. His twisted plan was to drive me completely insane, to the point where I’d be wandering the streets like a deranged animal. But it didn’t end there. He took it a step further by kidnapping Amica Mea, planning to whisk her away to another country. And when he realized I had managed to uncover his whereabouts, his intentions turned deadly; he actually wanted to kill her. Fortunately, Scott was quick on his feet and managed to intervene just in time by shooting him." As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice Giovan's leg, which was heavily bandaged, a somber reminder of the chaos.

"Giovan... did all of that?" I questioned, my voice shaking as I gestured toward him in disbelief. He simply continued to stare at me, his expression unreadable.

"I really thought you might have turned your life around, but no, Son, you've only gotten worse," he continued, his voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and anger.

"Why in the world are you so intent on ending Donovan’s life? What in the name of everything good could possibly drive you to want your own brother dead? What kind of twin brother are you?" 

At that moment, the floodgates opened, and I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I collapsed into sobs, my heart breaking with the weight of it all. Why did it have to come to this?

"You never cease to disappoint me, Giovan," Highins thundered, his voice ringing with fury as he fixed a penetrating glare on his son. 

"I must ask, why can't you just leave Donovan alone? What drives you to the point of making him mentally unstable? It’s fortunate that I’ve severed ties with you; after all, you’re merely a product of the same day that my son, Donovan, was born. You can never be part of my bloodline." The anger in Highins's voice was palpable, each word an echo of his frustration.

I stood nearby, my own thoughts swirling in confusion and regret. 

"I once believed we’d come to rue the day we disowned you, Giovan. But truthfully, standing here now, I think we made the best decision imaginable,” I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur. Giovan, however, brushed off my words with a cynical chuckle that held no warmth whatsoever.

"Like I give a damn about anything you have to say," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. 

"Tell your precious son to just go ahead and kill me already." His aggressive tone caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless as he continued to provoke.

"Honestly, if I had a gun in my hands... I’d gladly shoot him over and over again," he spat, his anger boiling over as if he were consumed by a lasting rage. At that moment, Higgins sprang into action, rushing toward Giovan and delivering a swift punch right to his face.

“How dare you speak  like that?” Higgins shouted, his breath heavy with exertion and indignation. Giovan, unfazed by the sudden act of violence, erupted into laughter, his amusement cutting through the tension in the room.

“Again,” he said, locking eyes with Higgins, a smirk plastered across his face. My breath caught in my throat, shock washing over me as I processed the scene unfolding before me. It was as if the animosity between them had reached a boiling point, and I was left standing helplessly in the middle of it all.

"Honey," I exclaimed, gripping his hand tightly and pulling him toward a nearby seat. The urgency in my tone was palpable as I wanted to emphasize how important it was for him to sit down. 

"Please, just let him be," I urged, glancing over at Giovan. 

"It's clear that something isn't quite right with him; there's definitely something going on in his head," I continued, my voice lowering as I glanced back at him. It was disheartening to witness the way he simply laughed, a sound that felt more like a mockery than a genuine response. 

“Why didn’t you just take care of him, Novan?” Higgins remarked, fixing his gaze on Donovan with a serious expression that didn’t quite mask his frustration. 

I quickly interjected, 

“Honey, please don’t say that,” my eyes pleadingly searching Giovan’s face. No matter the circumstances, he would always remain my son, and that fact alone complicated everything. 

“I couldn’t do it, Dad. I just couldn’t bring myself to kill my only brother,” Novan confessed, lowering his gaze to the floor as he spoke. 

“I mean, the weight of that kind of decision would haunt me for the rest of my life.” His voice was filled with a sense of deep conflict and sorrow, and it was clear that the thought weighed heavily on him. 

Higgins let out a huff of frustration, his brow furrowing as he continued,

“So, what exactly is your plan, son? You can’t let him just walk free; it’s clear he’s not going to leave you and your fiancée alone. On the flip side, keeping him locked away forever isn’t a viable option either—what happens if he manages to escape one day?” The concern in his voice was palpable, and it illuminated the dilemma they were facing.

Novan took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before responding. 

“I’ll figure something out, Dad. For now, he’s going to stay locked in here,” he finally said, his determination evident but tinged with uncertainty. 

At that moment, Giovan burst into laughter, the sound ringing out like a cruel taunt. 

“You really think you can keep me here forever?” he scoffed, his laughter echoing through the room again, as if the very idea was the most absurd thing he had ever heard.

"I never claimed that I'd keep you here indefinitely, brother. Soon enough, you'll understand," Donovan remarked with a dry chuckle that echoed off the walls. 

"It’s clear you’ve been scheming to take his life, yet here he is not wanting to kll you , if only you could behave more like your brother," I murmured, a deep sadness filling my voice as I spoke.

"Let’s move on now," Novan interjected.

"I merely wanted you two to witness this encounter and to fill you in on what Giovan has been up to." We exchanged glances and nodded, accepting his directive.

"I appreciate it, son, for sparing his life," i said with a slow nod, beginning to make his way toward the door. As he opened it, I stole one last look at Giovan, letting the gravity of the moment sink in before I stepped outside. 

\# EVENING #

\### KIMBERLY'S POINT OF VIEW ###

As I stood in front of the mirror, carefully applying my makeup, I could feel Royce's gaze on me. His patience was evidently wearing thin when he finally spoke up, breaking the silence that enveloped us. 

“Are you going to take long?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of impatience and curiosity.

I paused for a brief moment, glancing at him through the reflection of the mirror.

“Um, yeah, I'm afraid I did mention it earlier, but just to clarify… I won’t be coming home tonight. I’ll be back by tomorrow morning,” I replied, my tone firm yet tinged with a hint of apology. He nodded slightly in response, not seeming overly surprised by my announcement.

With a resigned sigh, he muttered, 

“I’ll just call Kareem to come spend the night with me,” before turning on his heel and walking out of the room. As the door clicked shut behind him, I couldn't help but let out a loud sigh, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on my chest.

It’s now been two weeks since we laid Mom to rest, and honestly, it still feels surreal, almost like a bad dream I desperately want to wake up from. There are moments when I can almost feel her presence nearby, and in those fleeting instances, a part of me wishes I could hold on to her again. Yet more often than not, I find myself wishing it was all just a nightmare that would eventually fade away. 

Royce has been unsettled since the funeral, too frightened to be alone in the mansion where so many memories linger. That’s why I made the decision to move back home—to help him cope, I told myself. While I was helping him, in truth, I was also seeking shelter from my own haunting thoughts.

On another note, Dad has been trying to plead for forgiveness since the day we lost her. However, I can’t bring myself to forgive him; I end up pushing him away each time he attempts to reach out. I even instructed the workers to keep him from entering our home again. I find a strange sense of relief in ensuring that he stays out of our lives for good, allowing me to focus on healing—though it surely comes with its own set of complicated feelings. A frown creased my forehead as I reflected on these tumultuous emotions swirling within me.

This evening, I'm getting ready for a date with Donovan , and I just can't contain my excitement—I’ve really missed him so much! The thought of finally being able to see him again fills me with joy, and I can hardly wait to wrap my arms around him if he arrives as planned. 

In the past few days, Royce has proven to be so much more than just a friend; he has truly stepped up to be my rock during this time. He always seems to know when I need him, and his constant efforts to ensure my happiness have really made a difference in my life. Our relationship has blossomed beautifully, and I can't help but reflect on how remarkable it is. I’ve realized I was unknowingly missing out on so much joy before. Considering what I've gone through, I can't help but chuckle at how fortunate I am that the person I was with cheated on me; it’s funny how things work out sometimes. 

As I was lost in these cheerful thoughts, a sudden sound pulled me back to the moment—the door swung open, and in walked Royce. 

"My brother-in-law has arrived and he's waiting for you downstairs," he announced before stepping out of the room. The mention of Donovan brought a smile to my face. Yes, Royce affectionately refers to Donovan as my brother-in-law, and it’s heartwarming to see the bond they share. 

Donovan has been incredibly supportive lately, ensuring that Royce is doing well, and honestly, it seems like Royce is starting to indulge Donovan a bit with gifts. Just last Wednesday, on Royce's birthday, Donovan surprised him with a stunning Rolls Royce. 
  He joked that the car was a fitting gift because it shared his namesake, making the gesture even more special. It's moments like these that remind me of the wonderful connections we create in life and how lucky I am to have such caring people around me.

I'm happy that Royce is moving on and doesn't cry frequently again, And that's why I'm relieved. I mean we miss mom but we have to move on, it's not like she'll come back if we continue crying.I stared at myself in the mirror and smiled widely before picking up my red purse from the table. Donovan had bought me a long red dress with a slit at the side and oh you should see the white shoes. 

I quickly rushed out of the room walking out of the room and as I opened the door to outside, I saw him leaning on the car looking so graceful and handsome. 

Immediately he heard my heels clicking on the floor he looked up and immediately let out a very beautiful smile. 

"Hey"I muttered shyly as I walked closer to him and he blinked twice like someone coming out of an oblivion.

"You just took my breath away"He muttered instead and pulled me closer into his broad chest.

"You look so beautiful Amica Mea...... So beautiful that I want to have you right here"He said and I blushed and bit my lips. 

"You look handsome too, Donovan,so handsome"I said too and we chuckled together. 

He broke the hug and opened the car door for me and I entered and muttered a thank you, fastening my seat belt. He got in too and immediately drove off. 

"Where are we going to Donovan, You still haven't told me"I said and he just smiled and kissed the back of my hand. 

"It's a surprise baby, I promise you that you're going to love it"He said and I nodded slowly. I love surprises. 

He drove for what seem like forever and finally stopped in front of a Skye scraper building, It was so tall and shone beautifully. 

"He stopped the car and got down and he immediately opened the door for me holding my hand.

"Wow.....it's so beautiful baby"I muttered as we walked into the building.

"Yes it is my love"He said and we took the elevator going up to the 11th floor.

The elevator stopped and we came out and believe me I couldn't stop wowing.

He finally walked to a door and opened it and the moment I walked in I felt like crying immediately because of how beautiful the room was. There was a table and two chairs facing each other. With two glasses and a bottle of champagne on the table. 

"Wow"I muttered And he pulled out a chair for me to sit before sitting down.

"Do you like the place??"He asked. 

"Are you kidding me?, I don't like it I love it"I said and he smiled widely immediately. 

"I'm glad you love it"He said with a smile and began opening the bottle of champagne pouring it into the glass cups. 

"Thank you" I muttered and took a sip.

"The food will soon be here but before then I need to say this"He said and paused staring keenly at me. 

"You look really good, Amica Mea.....i mean you've always looked so good"He said and I smiled widely. 

"Thank you"i muttered blushing really hard. 

"Thank you for everything you've been doing for my brother and I, Baby..... I'm grateful"I said and he smiled. 

"You don't have to thank me, Amica Mea..... It's not like I did something much"He said and I gasped immediately. 

"Did you just say that?, You've done more than enough, Baby..... I'm grateful"I said and he nodded and there was silence for a while before he spoke up. 

"If you want to show me how grateful you are, then do something for me"He said and stood up making me confused. 

"Urmm what do you want me to do and why are you standing??"I asked and just then he brought out a box from him back pocket and knelt down immediately taking me by surprise. 

"What......"

"Marry me, Kimberly Wilson"He said cutting me off and I gasped immediately, gobsmacked.