Chapter 68

LEILANI

The next morning, after our morning prayers, was a windwhirl of activities.

I woke up early and made breakfast for my husband before going into the shower. When I came out, he was already up, eating breakfast.

"Good morning, honey." I said when I came out in a towel.

His eyes slid all over me, before he arched his brow. Someone sure is grumpy this morning.

"That's not a greeting." He grumbled and continued eating.

I rolled my eyes skywards and my cheeks warmed. I walked closer to him, slid an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Good morning, honey."

He left the food and wrapped an arm around me. "Good morning, honey." Turning, he fused our lips together, and the kiss went on for long seconds before he pulled away.

He tugged on my towel and I gasped, holding the knot tight in protest.

"I want it gone." He groaned, kissing my neck. I've never met a more s€xual being than Zavier. But then again, I don't know any man.

Is that the way they all are?

"If it's gone, you'll be late for work. You only have roughly an hour in your hand." I reminded him softly.

He grumbled something gruffly before he let go of the piece of clothing, looking as grumpy as ever as he stabbed into his beef like the poor beef is the cause of all the problem in the world.

I walked then to the bedroom and dressed in a casual dress, pulling my hair up in a knot. "I'll wait for Morris here at home today, I'll go in later in the day."

"Alright." Can the gruff reply.

I picked up a vacuum cleaner and started vacuuming. I've known Zavier long enough to know that he's not really a morning person some mornings. He wakes up grumpy, like today.

From the bedroom, I vacuumed to the living room before I heard the door bell ring. Zavier already went into the bathroom to take a shower.

I walked to the door and checked through the peephole. It's Valeria and Romeria. I quickly opened the door.

We exchanged greetings, while Romeria ran into the house. She asked about the twins and I rubbed my swollen belly, telling her that they're fine.

"Ria didn't go to school?" I asked Valeria.

"She came down with a fever, so I'll take Romeo today. I'll get a nanny to watch her today."

"She's sick?" My eyes followed the little girl before I stared back at Valerie, "Has she taken drugs?"

"Yes, of course."

"That's good. There's no need for a nanny, she'll stay with me. I'll take care of her."

"But you have to go to work." Valeria reminded her hesitantly.

"I won't be going in until later today. There's a friend of my husband and I that's coming today, so I wanna be here when he arrives because he doesn't really know anyone around here, and he might feel bad going over and not seeing anyone."

"I totally understand. Alright, thank you so much. I'll feel better knowing she's with someone close than a total stranger. Thank you so much, Lani."

I waved her off, "It's no problem. I know you'll do the same for us."

"In a heart beat. And the twins are already on their way." She grinned at me.

We made some other small talks and she gave me Ria's backpack and her drugs before finally, she walked out of the house. I closed to the door and went in search of Romeria.

I found her in bedroom giggling at whatever Zavier was saying to her. Seeing her laughing and comfortable in my grumpy husband's company, I smiled and walked away.

After vacumming and doing the dishes, Zavier was almost ready to leave. He's out in the sitting room, already in his uniform and I walked to him and took the open button from him.

"You have a good day today." I whispered as I pushed the first button through its buttonhole.

His eyes searched mine, then, he nodded once. "I will. You too, I hope you have the very best of day. I'll call you once I get to the office. You look tired too, get some sleep while you can."

"I'll do that." I patted his chest, "All done."

He wrapped his arms around me. "Take care of yourself."

I returned the gesture, "You too."

Together we stared at the Romeria at the bed. The four-year-old has already fallen asleep lying down there. I smiled at Zavier, "I'll call you when Morris gets here."

He nodded again before he strapped two guns to his waist and heading out.

🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

I was working in the kitchen when Ria woke. She wanted to join me but I refused adamantly because she's sick.

But as I worked, she just wouldn't stay quiet. When I scolded her gently, tears brimmed in her eyes.

"Alright, let's work together." I sighed at last in defeat, wiping her tears with the tip of my dress.

She grinned then. We started working together as usual. I cleaned, she washed meat.

"Turn on the dish water, honey." I said as loaded the trash can.

"Okay." Her tiny voice came from the kitchen, followed by the sound of the water running.

I made lunch while she helped me. It always feels good whenever she's around. Ria might be little but she's very helpful.

She and Romeo makes me look all the more forward to having my own babies. I smiled at the thought.

I finished the work around the house before I acknowledged that I'm truly tired, I'm almost falling asleep on my feet.

In our bedroom, I took out some drugs from her backpack her mother parked, and helped her to drink them.

"I'm sleepy, Aunt Lani." She whispered.

"Me too." I smiled at her and patted the bed. She laid down on it and closed her eyes.

I locked the doors in the house, before I went to our bedroom and laid down beside an already sleeping Romeria.

Almost immediately, I slept off.

I must have slept for long because when I woke up, I couldn't find little Romeria.

"Ria?" I called sleepily, glancing around the empty bedroom.

I got up and crawled down from the bed, and went in search of her. "Romeria?"

The sitting room was empty and the doors were still locked. I walked down the stairs and opened my mouth to call her name again, when I heard a whimper.

For some reason, I snapped my mouth shut and checked the bedrooms downstairs. The third bedroom and the second bedroom.

I walked towards the first bedroom and my mouth opened in sheer horror.

A hooded man held little Romeria tightly, his hand on her mouth, the other hand struggling to remove her leggings.

I slapped my hands on my mouth to keep from screaming out loud. A lot of thoughts came through my mind, and I was seized with terror so great I was frozen to the spot.

The bad man...! Romeria...!

My first impulse was to rush to the man and fight him off Ria, but I crossed a protective arm around my swollen belly. I can't, I can't!

The lots of thoughts on my head only centered on one thought. I have to call Zavier! I have to get away from here and get my phone upstairs and call Zavier!

I took two steps backwards and took off in a run as fast as I can with my pregnancy. Tears filled my eyes, panic in my blood.

Please, be alright, Romeria! Please, hang in there!

I was winded before I reached our bedroom. I didn't stop to catch my breath because every time I wasted, Ria's life is in danger.

I took my phone and speed dailed Zavier. He answered on the first ring.

"Honey? I called before. Figured you'll be asleep and---"

"H-He's here. He's h-here!" I could barely get my voice to work, fear for Romeria almost choking me.

A pause. Then, "Who's there? Calm down, Lani and talk to me." His voice had turned serious.

"He's with Romeria. Zavier, you have t-to hurry! The bad man is in our home and he's---"

"I'm on my way. Jesus, Lani try to stay calm. Don't do anything! Don't do anything! Find somewhere and hide, I'm coming, dammit!" The phone went dead.

I dropped it, my hand shaking badly. I tried to stay calm but I can't. I tried to breath deeply but I couldn't achieve that.

Ria is in trouble. Ria is in danger.

Tears fell from my eyes and I know I can't hide. I can't just stay here because everywhere time I waste here is severe for Romeria.

I ran straight to my kitchen and took out my huge meat tenderizer hammer. The hammer is very big and heavy, I've not used it since I got it.

Using two hands, I carried the hammer and made my way downstairs. When I heard another muffled whimper from little Ria, my heart beat faster and I ran faster.

I came up behind him and he had little Ria naked, and his erection poised to penetrate her.

Ria's teary eyes found me, and it was filled with fear. It spurred me on.

I came up behind him, the same moment he turned his head and saw me.

With all my strength, I hit the hammer on his head.