Last Hope

Chapter 1

Helena POV

2 YEARS AGO

I cried out bitterly on the ground that I have been sitting for hours. With no one to console me.

It's not like what I'm doing is a do or die affair, I have all the right to leave but then. Why won't my heart let me move away and forget this beast of a man?

I have known Richy for years, I didn't love because of his wealth. I loved him because he attracted me with all his manly attributes. He reciprocate my feelings with affections too. He gave me no reason to be sad nor leave him.

And at that time, I can swear with my life that my boyfriend is a trustworthy man, honest and faithful.

He can't kill a fly neither can he do things that all these rich ass do in the city.

I gave him my all and have relaxation that in this horrible vast world, I have found my home.

But who would have thought that Richy was only showing me his welcome note? Who would have thought that the whole handsome, sweet and loving Richy will turn a beast overnight?

No one.

Absolutely no one.

Last year, his parents urged us to get married since we have been dating for over five years. We are graduates and are doing well financially, so they saw no reason why lovers like us won't get married.

His parents didn't neglect nor see me as a pain in the ass because I was independent and have my own income.

At that time, my net worth was speaking glory.

I was warned. Yes. I was heavily warned by my parents not to rush into marriage since I was "just" twenty and they didn't find him accommodating.

But what can I do?

Back then, I was so enveloped with this thing called love that other people's decision didn't matter to me.

My parents agreed and we started preparation for the wedding.

I was super happy that everything were beginning to fall into places.

And also my best friend, Stephanie was there to support and encourage me.

Just two days before we would both say "I do", that was when his attitude, all his characters begin to display.

I was shocked to the marrow.

The first was our neighbor, I was in the kitchen preparing supper since I came for the weekend. And then I heard a loud bang coming from the door.

I left what I was slicing to check on the door.

"Hello." I waved, staring at his neighbor before me.

I have been seeing her around but we have not really spoken to each other aside from waves.

"You are Mr. Richester's woman, right?" she said looking at me up and down. I nodded still wondering why she's asking.

Or do I look like his sister?

"I shouldn't be doing this but warn him. Warn your man never to ask my daughter out! He even said to r**e her the next time he sees her." she scoffed, with annoying expression on her face.

I swear I also couldn't believe this news but I tried my best not to act surprised. It will only sell me out and cause embarrassment.

"Like, Sara is just fifteen. Why is he bothering her?" she cried out looking worried.

Everyone for some reason is afraid of Richy. None of them dare speak to him and he rarely have friends among the neighborhood. That is why I also don't communicate with any of them.

"I'm really sorry, Madam. I promise to call him to order when he returns." I said with a polite voice even when I was raging in anger.

Out of all the styles I have been giving him, the affection I have showering on him. He dare seek for another woman outside, not even someone matured but a child?

I attempt to close the door and return back to what I was doing when she stopped me.

I almost sighed in annoyance as she was becoming bothersome. Is she here to ruin my day?

"Also tell him not to smoke at the backyard. The police officers have been here asking about him. He should be careful." she informed me and this time, I couldn't hold myself. I gasped in shock.

"Smoke?" I shook my head with confidence.

You know that moment when you have known someone very well and can vouch for the person with your life. That's the feeling I was having then.

"Oh! You don't know that your man smoke?" she shook her head looking disappointed as she left to her room.

It took some time before I slammed the door in anger.

It seem I don't know my partner. There are so many things I don't know about this man.

I just loved him foolishly without doing some background checks to know who he really is.

I really didn't want to believe that woman. I wanted to give him a benefit of doubt and take it as jealousy from the other side.

I also concluded that it was time for him to move back to his mansion. He promised to do that last year and now, another year is rolling by. He needs to move out. At least there is privacy in his mansion.

I advanced back to the kitchen when the second one came. The second call that shattered every hope, trust and love that I have for him. Richester Lemon.

The landline was ringing loudly. Time and time again, I wondered who it was as it was too hard to ignore.

I took the phone and place it on my ear, attempting to speak but then the caller's voice came up - sounding so impatient.

"Master Rich, there is trouble. Please don't go to the club or the warehouse today. The police spotted our drug warehouse and it will be bad if we are found..." my jaw dropped as the phone slowly roll down from my hand.

Immediately, tears stream down my face uncontrollably. I also didn't try to rein them in.

Just let me be. I want to cry.

Are my ears lying to me?

I have heard two bad things about him in just one day.

Things that he hide from me all these years.

Not letting me to visit him nor going out with him.

He is so good at being secretive.

Just at this point, this marriage time - that's when everything started playing out.

If I didn't come here to prepare meal while he's off for meeting. If I didn't take the call or answer the door, what would have become of me?

But, as every lover will do or anyone that wants a relationship to work - will do.

I decided to put this at the back of my mind and wait until he returns.

At least he will explain to me and also tell me the things he has been hiding from me.

After all, we will be getting married in two days time. He needs to open up.

××××

××××

××××

"Sweetie! Baby?" I heard his loud hoarse voice coming from the living room and I rushed out, from the bedroom.

After making supper, I became somnolent and thought of resting my head.

"Babe." I squeezed out a smile staring at his bloody red eyes. That has been the color of his eyes recently and I didn't bother to ask him. And now I think of it, it is the result of smoking. Smoking of hard drugs.

He stare at me looking happy, his hands were tucked in his black trouser pocket. Looking stunning on the blazer jacket he has on.

Maybe this is the reason I'm in love with him. His style, height and beauty.

"Is something the problem? You don't look good." He walked closer to me, wrapping his stout arms around my waist.

Then I inhaled the awful smell of cocaine and menthol.

"Rich... Did... Did you smoke?" I have never asked him this but I had the urge to. And I did it with no fear. He smirked.

"If I did, why do you care?" his tone changed as he pushed me aside, I staggered backward staring at him in astonishment.

This is not the Richester I know.

"You should at least explain, you know." I made a comeback but he narrowed his eyes down to me. His eyes were raging in anger, a kind that I have never seen before.

Skeptically, I stepped backward out of fear because I don't know what he might do.

"Explain what? Do you deserve any explanation?" He gritted his teeth, looking provoked. He rubbed his head in a kind of way that it scattered his hair.

"Look here Helena, I'm f*****g tired of all this sort of pretense. This is who I'm." He said having no atom of regret or guilt.

"Rich..." I begin in disbelieve but he shunned me even before I could start.

"Don't call me that, you b***h! I'm so fed up of acting like a good boyfriend or husband to be. Girl, I don't love you." He yelled at my face, in contempt.

I shook my head in disbelieve as fresh hot tears stream down from my face. Our gaze locked and I stared at him, the man that I have loved. Telling everything, the bitter truth straight to my face that with no conscience.

I was perplexed, staring at him. My mouth has already lost it's control, as it trembled constantly.

"Now what else do you want to know about me? That I'm the Top Mafia boss in the city? Or that I'm the city playboy or that I have flocks of women who I have - no not me, which my parents has promised marriage?" He said with furrowed eyebrows, pronouncing all these like they mean nothing to him.

I gasped in shock.

His parents are also part of this game? What have I gotten myself into?

But, this is not how it was.

At the first page of our story, everything seemed bright and... and...

I have sold myself out, believing all his lies. All their lies. So, all these years with him are nothing but joke to him?

Richester Lemon.