Elizabeth
You know, when I first come across the abbreviation: TGIF, I was like: what are people now adding to their hashtags these days? All over the social media platforms, people now forge abbreviations for shorter terms of sentences.
I didn't know what TGIF meant until I came across one of Bianca's post. Where she, her three kids and husband went out for picnic. She had her third child whom is two years old in her arms and she leaning against her husband's chest with her other two kids smiling their two lost front teeth out. She did the selfie and posted it with the hashtag.
I commented, basically asking her the meaning of TGIF and she said it means: Thank God It's Friday.
Officially, that day was friday. Apparently the weekends.
So, in my own recence, I choose to name today: TGIM. Apparently, it's not the weekend, so it's Thank God it's Midnight.
When you start having kids of your own, you'll remember this abbreviation and you'll definitely thank me for it later.
Let me ask this: what would you do when you're on the mood— basically turned on and then, you can't do anything because your baby shares the same bed as you and your husband every night.
She is a heavy sleeper but sleeps late. I wonder what kind of baby Amelia is. She doesn't want to share a room with her siblings and if she really wants to, then it's with her big brother, Szymon.
Seb and I had to give it all up. It's been two months and we've been keeping our hands to ourselves when we're not smite with leprosy?
We had to do it in the bathroom when Amelia was fast asleep. Seb did a really good job covering my mouth so I don't scream out. And in addition that it's midnight.
Seb put on a grey bathrobe and went to the balcony to smoke. It's really been a long time and he thinks it's normal.
I put on a white bathrobe and went downstairs to the kitchen when I felt thirsty. A clean white towel wrapping my long straight dark hair.
I fill the empty glass with chilled water and drank everything in a single go.
I sighed, satisfied.
Finally, I feel good. Doesn't one drink water after meals? And me, I just had my midnight dessert moments ago. And here I am, diluting the session with a cold clean glass of water.
Feels good....
I was just about to put the empty glass on the counter when I felt something pressing against the side of my head.
I try to look, basically turning around but one strange voice followed by a weird cologne stayed behind me.
"Shhhh." The voice quietly said. And I find my knees wobbling against each other in utmost fear.
Who is he? How did he got in? What does he want? Is he doing to kill me? Oh, my kids are upstairs and my husband too. Has he lay hands on them?
So many deadly questions kept popping into my brain and I felt like dying at the moment.
I wanted to say something as my heart already sank to my stomach but my lips failed me as they wobble.
I tried harder, "W...wh...who...who are you?"
The voice came again, I felt his breath on my ear and the object pressing more on my head. "I said, shhhh. Keep quiet and lead the way."
Lead the way? "To where?" My soul is melting into air. Strange scenarios are scaring me to death. "Please….. don't harm me or my family. I beg of you—"
"I said lead the way, woman." His tone showed no patience or sympathy. And he was trying hard not to shout.
His breath smelled of cigarette and mint mixed together, giving out something crazy I can't really figure out.
I nodded and plan to lead him the way but along the line, something entered my mind and I saw myself, knocking my head on this anonymous guy's nose.
Where the hell did I learn combating from?
"ARRGGGHHH!"
I'm impressed and shocked myself to see the situation of the guy. He was wearing an all black outfit. Just sweatpants and hoodie and because of the moonlight illuminating to the kitchen from the window, I could barely tell his appearance.
I used the opportunity to disappear from the kitchen and up to the stairs. My heart beating rapidly in my mouth. All I could say or wish was that this be a dream never to come true.
I've never experienced such situation except watched in the movies. And today, a practical is about to carry place in my home.
No. I won't allow it. It has to be some wild prank someone is playing.
"Sebastian!? Sebastian!? Sebastian!?" I hasten on my feet as I search the place for my husband. My heart wished I could split myself in two so my second part could go protect the kids. Especially Amelia sleeping alone in the bedroom.
Seb was still at the balcony, smoking. Immediately he saw how scared I was, he quickly put out the ashes on the ashtray and come to me, brows furrowed.
"What is it?" He place a hand on the corner of my face and looked behind me. "Who is after you?"
I'm still trying to catch my breath, "Hon.....Honey, I just saw someone now in the kitchen, putting something like a gun on my head and asking me to lead the way."
Seb froze for a while, quite confused. I believe he still wonders, how this person entered his house even with all the tight security and technology around the vicinity.
It must be one of his enemies who had succeeded in breaking into his home.
Seb protectively pulled me behind him and I gratefully hide behind my beloved husband. Panting like hell is about to explode.
"Seb…..the kids…" I managed to say. I couldn't help it. If this person could break in, that means my kids and I are also on the same page as my husband's life too.
"They'll be fine." He whispered without looking back at me. His gaze fixated at the entrance. "My instincts tells me this person only wants me. Not you. Not them."
"But why?" The question suddenly blunt out.
I'm shaking like a leaf behind Seb but he doesn't say anything or reply to my question. This day feels somehow like a déjà vu. Just like the day Seb and I were ambushed in Russia six years ago.
He pulled out a Walther PPK out of his bathrobe's pocket and directed it to the entrance where I had ran in from earlier.
Not even up to two seconds, the idiot ran in to us. Him also pointing a gun to our part. I only saw the guy's appearance when he took off the hoodie cover on his head and smiled devilishly.
"Lorenzo?" Seb said. His jaw clenched hard.
I just remembered something: this guy was actually the same guy that ambushed us at the valley few years back. The same day I took Seb out with me to the amusement park. That was the same day I first met Mikolaj when he rescued us from the scene. But now he's not here and where is Bruce?
The guy's smile broadened, "You can run but can never hide, Dragon. I've waited long enough to end you and your ministry but you just keep appearing and disappearing so many times."
Seb let out a bad chuckle. A dangerous one that sends one a clear warning. "Lorenzo, Lorenzo, Lorenzo. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. You amuse me a lot. Is this all you've got? From all your experience, skills and training? Break into people's houses like a thief of the night and scare the hell out of their wives? I thought you're more than that, mate. If you're really man enough, don't depend on the gun. Put is aside and challenge me. I'm less busy tonight."
They guy still maintained a straight target at us, but I think he's aiming for Seb's forehead. "Dragon, do you really think I'm scared of you? Do you want to die? Do you even realise you're playing with fire? Or have you really forgotten who I am? I am the mastermind of this game. The heir leader of the Sparrow cult."
"I don't give a fuck about you, mate." Seb growled and I tightened my grasp on his back. "I own this game and I won. I'm giving you the opportunity to walk out of my house freely without looking back. This is me trying to be nice. I don't want my wife seeing human meats scattered everywhere."
The Lorenzo guy laughed wickedly. "Human meats indeed. We'll see who becomes the meat later." He diverted the gun to my hideout. "Maybe your little fairytale dreamer or should I say: Blood And Roses? Nope. Blood meets roses."
I tucked my head into Seb's solid back, my legs shaking.
"Lorenzo, leave my premises now. This is your final warning or else, I'll do something your cult might regret." Sebastian warned.
"Fuck off, Dragon. I'm ending this tonight and that includes you!"
I know how much Seb is trying to control his temper because of me. If I wasn't here right now, he'd have ended this guy's life already but he respects me and prefer to bade things off easily. When I know he is not an easy person. He is as hard as a solid core.
The next thing I heard was the sound of the gun shuffled and the trigger set, but I don't know who's gun it is.
Then….
I heard the words that almost drained my life, "Say hello to Lucifer in hell, Dragon. Goodbye."
"No!" I shouted when he attempts to pull the trigger.
BANG!
With my eyes tightly shut and my hands over my ears, I asked myself if this was the end of my marital life or me becoming a young widow so soon.
But my heart told me to unlock my eyelids when I heard a loud THUD on the ground followed by a weak sound.
The guy dropped on his knees, blood oozing out of his mouth and nostrils like a running tap.
I gasped in shock to see such a scaring scene in front of me.
I looked at Seb if he was the one that just shot the guy down but no, he wasn't. His gun was facing the ground and even him looked surprised as well.
We anticipated the saviour who just rescued us but couldn't find anyone until we saw the small figure, standing behind the falling body.
I gasped even louder when I recognized the figure.
Szymon was holding a revolver, pointy directed to Lorenzo's former standing novation. The gun's mouth puffed out thick smokes. And Szymon doesn't look sorry for what he just did. In fact, I can't read his emotionless face. Just like his father's.
"Michal!?" I called out his middle name as I rushed towards him. He quickly let go of the gun when I pulled him into my arms. "Where did you get the gun from?"
He looked from me to his father who was still in deep shock, then back at me. "From Dad's weapon rack." He smiled but nothing is amusing at the moment.
I touch his face, not caring if he really killed someone or not. Besides, it was worth it. "Are you okay? Where are your siblings?"
"Sleeping." He wiped the tears off my eyes and kissed my forehead. "Stop crying, mommy. It makes me sad."
Seb walked up to us and picked the gun, "How did you learn to aim, Szymon?"
Szymon seems happy about the question but Seb is quite annoyed. "Tymon and I used to play water guns a lot after school and yesterday, I saw you doing gun games with Uncle Antoni in the shooting range."
"Really?" I look from my son to my husband. "What are you teaching my son, Sebastian? Don't raise him up like you, please."
"Didn't you just heard what he said? Was there a line my lectures was mentioned by any means?" He whined.
"Daddy, look!" Szymon pointed behind Sebastian. And when we followed his direction, we discovered a dying Lorenzo picking up a gun to aim at Sebastian.
Before he could say: "You son of a—"
BANG!
Sebastian had sent him straight to hell already without thinking twice if Szymon and I were watching.
He pulled the trigger a few more times at Lorenzo's scattered head, pumping bullets inside and I covered Szymon's eyes. He's just four and not supposed to see this.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish." Seb finally puts his gun away.
"Boss," Bruce rushed in, breathing heavily. Followed by few more men. Their eyes went down to the dead man in the pool of blood.
"How did he get in?" Seb first asked. Bruce specifically.
"Boss," Bruce is trying to catch his breath and I wonder if he had been running a thousand mile. "I think he followed you since you returned this evening."
"What!?" Seb and I asked together.
"How is that even possible? My husband arrived six hours ago. That's 6pm and now, it's past 12am." I hold onto my son tightly and he lays his head on my chest.
"Mrs. Jakub," Bruce sighed, "Lorenzo hid himself inside boss' car unknowing to him. Boss drove home with him at the back hood of the car and Lorenzo had been hiding in the garage all evening. He came prepared. I don't think boss remembered locking his doors before entering the office."
I look to Seb and he gave me the I-don't really-remember-about-the-lock look.
I took a deep breath and kissed my son's head, "God, that was so horrendous." I sighed.
"Clean up this mess and ensure the environment are well secured next time." Seb said.
"Yes, boss." Bruce and his men nodded firmly before getting to move out the dead body.
Seb guided Szymon and I out of the balcony into the rooms where the other kids were. After making sure they were okay, we put Szymon to sleep to and went to join Amelia in our bedroom.
Even when I'm in bed, it's still difficult to get a nap, especially with what just happened few minutes ago. But when I felt Seb's arm crossing over Amelia's side to mine, I felt a little bit secured and not alone.
To the fact, I didn't know when I fell asleep.
*******
Bruce didn't know when we drove out of the compound because we left unnoticed. Seb was running late, so was I. And we needed to drop the kids off at school. And today, Amelia was starting school too.
I decide Seb gives me a lift to work because I was too tired to drive, especially not after the bloody scene of last night.
A lot of requirements was needed for Amelia since it was her first day at school. Unlike my triplets when they first starts school, they cried like mommy and daddy were embarking on death sentence. But Amelia? She remained. She maintained her composure and even felt okay about me leaving her off for a few hours.
She used to be clingy towards me and her father and that was my greatest fear of letting her start school early.
My kids attend a very expensive private school in town. The kind of private school that only the rich and wealthy people admit their kids.
Once we dropped the kids off at school, Seb stomped on the gas pedal and zoomed the car off. Thank god I had buckled myself in, I'd be flying off the window by now.
"Honey, you're flying now not driving. Take it easy." I told him.
His gaze is more focused on the road and all I could see was blurring things passing us. "It's Monday, the very first day of the week. And I have lots of things to do at the office. So many meetings are waiting for me now."
I held onto the headrest for support, "Me too. I'm not free as well but you're running too fast. Besides, you're the boss. You don't have to rush over anything when you have people doing them for you."
His phone buzzed in the coffee holder. He didn't ask me to answer but I managed to pick up the call and place it on his ear.
He didn't flicker his gaze anyway as they pinned on the highway.
He changed gears professionally as he speaks Italian to the other person. He signaled for me to end the call when he finished and I did.
We came to a tight traffic jam and Seb cursed out loud, "Fucking mother of the devil! What the hell is this?" He punched the steering wheel. "No, I can't wait. Not me. Not Sebastian."
Within a twinkle of an eye, he maneuvered the car quickly and diverted to a lonely highway where you barely see cars passing by us.
I don't know this route and I don't think I've ever passed here before.
Seb drifted and I felt my head spinning.
"God, Lolek, can you at least slow down a bit? Or you are basically some kinda weird street racer I don't know." I had to call his middle name so he knows I'm serious.
For goodness sake, he's driving like a madman.
It's my first time calling his middle name as he spare me a brief side look and back at the express. "I think you should call me that often. Only in bed. I want to hear how it sounds like when you moan and scream it all out in pleasure."
I gave him a light punch on his shoulder and he faked a painful wince.
"Ouch." The sound of roaring engines made him look to his side mirror. Three SUVs are behind us. "How the hell did Bruce tracked me down this lane so easily? I left the house and didn't call him on purpose." He smirked and increased the speed.
All of a sudden, a car bypassed us and put us to halt. Including the SUVs.
Because of the speed at which Seb took, he was a little more distanced from the vehicles in front of us.
"Who's this moron getting on my way?" Seb turned off the ignition.
He was ready to go out of his car until I held his wrist. "Honey, please, it's too early to pick up a fight."
This scene reminds me of a few years when I got ambushed by Sharon and her friends.
He raised his brows, his eyes shifting from my hand on his wrist to my eyes. "I said I'm running late and this someone suddenly pull up in front of me on purpose. What is he looking for if not Sebastian's trouble? Besides, is he the owner of this route am taking that he should stop me from passing through?"
Sebastian is not ready to listen to me at all. I can see how grudged he is in spirit and how fuming his eyes are. But I'll still try my best to subside him.
He twisted his wrist off my grasp and reached for the door.
"Seb…" he has to calm down.
Wait.
I think I should rephrase my words.
A guy strolled out of his red Audi R8. Blonde, brown eyes, tall, wellbuit and solidly masculine just like Sebastian and every other firm man.
He stood confidently, leaning against the front hood of his car, smirking wickedly. The SUVs that we thought was Bruce and the others, parked around him. Making a boundary Sebastian can't pass through.
The doors opened and some group of men in tailored uniforms flaunt out. Each also looking confident as the first guy.
The tailored uniforms are far differ from the ones Seb and his friends do wear. Only the guy by the Audi R8 wears something casual and out of uniform line.
I gulped and looked to Seb's side. His eyes was narrowed at the view in front of him. Whereas his jaw clenching hard.
The sound of roaring engines made us look behind us. Only to find out it was five more convoys parked behind us.
Bruce and some others walked out of the convoys in an intimidating aura.
Seb let out a frustrated sigh and rests his head on the headrest. "Why did Bruce come? I can handle these petty shit myself."
"Who are these people, Seb? And why are they getting on our way? Do you by any means know them?" I asked hopefully that I get a good response. "Look, I'm sick and tired of tension all the time. Look at it, I'm running late and some bunch of nobody just appeared from only God knows where. Why our car? Doesn't that shows you have connection with them?"
Seb turned his head towards me and stare at me for what seems like ages before saying the opposite: "You nag too much. Too noisy sometimes. Stay in the car. I need to solve something."
The next thing I'm seeing, Seb is going out, leaving me dumbfounded in my seat. "Seb?" I called but he's not answering.
Apparently, the first guy feels satisfied finally seeing Seb come out. I sat quietly in the car, observing and listening to everything happening outside the tinted glass.
Bruce and his other men were going to retaliate but Sebastian stopped them with a brief signal.
"Get the wheelbarrows you call vehicles outta my way, Filip." I heard Seb's dangerous voice.
I can't really decipher the first guy's expression right now because Seb's back is obstructing my view but I sense danger all the way.
A bad laugh followed and I knew war was fast approaching us. "Long time no see, Cap. Marriage really looks good on you. See the difference. Playboy turns responsible. Nice. So what do I call it? Love or lust? I think I'll take the latter one because love doesn't seem like what a thug would do."
"What did you want?" I saw Seb clenching his fists to the sides.
There was quite a little silence before I heard the guy's voice again, "Revenge. I'm going to take back everything you took from my linage, Cap. Including power."
"I owe you nothing, Filip. "
"Ha! Bullshit, Captain. Lies. You killed my father and I'm going to do a little repercussion about that." The guy spat.
From where I'm sitting, I can sense Sebastian's anger emitting. "I believe your fucking father is having a good time in hell by now because that's what he deserved. Not after everything he plan to do."
"Is this your way of escaping my wrath, Cap—" The guy raised his hand, stopping his men from aiming the guns at Seb when they shuffled the panel.
"Oh just fucking shut up! Your father got what he deserved. He burned down one of my refineries. Killed over thirty thousands of my employees. He threatened to fuck my mother and my sister and spat to my face that I can do no shit about it. But I fucking did. I fed him the best cake!" Seb snapped.
"Sebastian!" The guy is fuming as hell.
But Sebastian doesn't care a dime about how he feels. "Fourteen years ago, you killed my best friend's girlfriend. Remember Frank's girlfriend, Betty? You killed her and he's coming for you too."
"Look, Dragon, don't push me!" The guy warned. "It wasn't your girlfriend I killed or was it? Besides, why would he bring his woman into a clash fight? My men mistakenly shot her and she died. How's it my fault, loser?"
I don't know what I was thinking before taking the risk to go out.
I'm running late and Seb is not doing anything about it. My models will be coming in this morning and I'm not in the office yet.
"Seb..... do something. I don't have much time, I'm running late." I caught a glimpse of the guy's daggering eyes pointed at me.
I quickly removed my eyes from him and to my husband.
"Get back to the car, Elizabeth." Seb is trying to control his temper.
"But—"
"I said get back to the fucking car, now!" His tone flared up and I saw myself dashing back to the car with great audacity of fear.
Right as I pull the passenger door open, I heard a bad mockery: "Nice. I can see you have a lovely family now. Who would thought a thug like you would finally fall in love one day and settle down with a beautiful whore."
Beautiful what? Did he just addressed me as a whore?
Just when I gather the urge to rebuke him, Seb interfered. "Watch your words, Filip. Your tongue might send you to your grave in two seconds. And speaking of whores: your mom is one."
The guy smirked. "Hmm. I understand if you're doing your job as a responsible husband but it won't last anyway—"
"Don't you dare come close to my family, Filip. I'll kill you. Leave my family out of this." Sebastian warned and I noticed his muscles and veins flexed.
The guy straightened up, hands in his pockets. "You know what, Cap? Long story cut short. I like to make this battle a little bit interesting. Or lemme say, turn it into a casino."
"Are you daring me?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
"I'm betting my net worth on this shit, Cap. Consider every soul living under your name dead in the next seventy-two hours."
Oh my world.
I gulped.
My hands trembled on the doorknob. My heart sank into my stomach.
Next seventy-two hours?
Sebastian took one step closer to the guy, his eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"
"Hehehe. I don't threaten, Cap." The guy imitates Seb's intimidation. "I mean my words. In the next seventy-two hours, I'm wiping everyone and anyone in your damn family. Including your little whore. And the dolphins you call kids."
My fists clenched by my sides. How dare he referred my kids to aquatic animals? And me as a whore?
Sebastian burst into a sarcastic laugh. He brushed his nose and shook his head. Causing the guy's anger to infuriate more.
"Filip, Filip, Filip." Seb pats the guy's shoulder like a pal. "Filip, I'll make you a promise. I'm giving you twenty-four hours to say your last prayers."
"Ha! Empty threats coming from a loser." The guy jerked Seb's hand off his shoulder. "Get lost. You can do no shit. Highest, we'll end up killing ourselves because you can't beat me, Dragon."
Seb glance at his Rolex watch, "In the next twenty-four hours, you'll be joining your father in hell." He looked at the guy, "I mean my words, Filip. Your corpse will be six feet below the earth by tomorrow night."
"Do you think you can beat me?" He poke Seb's chest.
Seb's eyes went to the spot the guy was poking and dust his finger off his chest. "We'll see about that."
When I saw Seb coming towards the car and Bruce and the others going into their SUVs, I quickly opened the door and dashed in before he sees me outside. He had told me to get into the car since and I was too stubborn to obey.
The bad guy signaled his men to make a part and I saw cars pulling aside. Seb ignited the engine and the rest of his convoys speed off with him.