Chapter one
1741 Words
The bell above the coffee shop door jingled for the third time in under a minute, and Stephanie Jacob already knew her peace was about to end.
“Hey, sweetheart,” one of them said, leaning far too comfortably against the counter. “Smile a little.” the other guy said, playing with the tissues.
She didn’t. “What may I get you?” she asked, putting up a fake smile. “Are you on the menu? Baby girl?” he said, taking out of the plastic cups on the counter.
“I repeat.. What can I get you?” she said, grabbing the cups from his hand.
“I need a latte, not an attitude,” another added, laughing like he’d said something clever.
Stephanie exhaled slowly and set the cup down. “You asked for a latte. You got a latte. Please take it and move.”
That only made them bolder. The first guy reached out, fingers brushing her wrist. “Relax. We’re just being friendly.”
She reacted without thinking. Her hand going across his face, the sound echoed through the shop. The guy froze, shock splashed across his face. “Did you just…”
Before he could finish, the second one grabbed her hand, grip tight. “Feisty,” he said, smiling. “I like that.”
Stephanie’s heart slammed, but her voice stayed steady. “Let go. Now.” He didn’t. That’s when the air in the room shifted.
“Step away from her.” The voice was calm and controlled.
The men turned, Stephanie followed their gaze…and saw him. He was tall, composed and gentleman-like…Two men flanked him, not moving, not speaking, just… there.
“I said,” the man repeated, “step away.”
The grip on her wrist loosened instantly.
“Hey, we were just,” one of them started. “Now,” he said. Cutting him off.
They didn’t argue. The men backed away, muttering under their breath, and bolted out of the shop like they suddenly remembered an urgent appointment elsewhere.
Silence fell.
Stephanie swallowed and flexed her fingers, then looked at the stranger. “Um… thank you.”
He met her eyes and smiled…warm, easy, like he hadn’t just emptied the room with his voice.
“You’re welcome,” he said, and just like that, he turned and walked out. There was no name, no explanation and nothing.
The rest of her day passed like a dream. The customers were polite. Tips were good. Her hands stopped shaking. By closing time, she’d almost convinced herself the whole thing hadn’t rattled her at all. She locked the front door, flipped the sign to ‘Closed’, and reached for her bag… When something rough was yanked over her head.
She gasped, hands flying up as darkness swallowed her.
“Hey!” she yelled, tried taking off the bag, but it was of no use. Strong arms grabbed her.
The bell above the door jingled again. The ground shifted beneath her…or at least that’s what it felt like. Stephanie stumbled forward and then backward, realizing she’d been pushed into a vehicle. The door slammed shut.
Her breath came fast, shallow and then the bag was yanked off her head. Immediately, light flooded her vision.
“I am so sorry,” a man said immediately. “I said blindfold her…not put a bag over her head!”He turned sharply. “Are you trying to kill her before we even start?”
“Sorry, sir—” his men said together, while they stood outside. “Get it right,” he snapped.
Stephanie sucked in air, her chest burning as she tried to steady herself. Her eyes locked onto him, confusion written all over her face.
Then it clicked.
“You,” she said softly. “You’re the guy who helped me with those… those perverts earlier.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “Leeches,” he corrected gently.
He extended his hand. “selvester Armilton.”She didn’t take it. Instead, she looked around..leather seats, tinted windows, men in front who very clearly were not Uber drivers.
“What am I doing here?” she asked, her voice rising. “Why am I here?” She lunged for the door, fingers scrabbling for the handle.
“Stephanie, calm down,” he said softly.
She froze. Slowly, she turned to face him, pressing closer to the door as if she could melt through it. Her hand tightened around the handle.
“How do you know my name?” she whispered. He studied her for a moment, unbothered. “I know more than that,” he said evenly. “But that’s not why you’re here.” Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
“Then why?” she demanded.
His gaze didn’t waver. “I need a night from you.” he spat out. Silence crashed between them, it was heavy. Her eyes widened. “What?...Are you out of your mind?” Stephanie burst out. “Oh my gosh, you’re just like them. You’re another pervert.”
She laughed once, sharp and disbelieving. “News flash, sir. I’m married. Happily, for that matter. So please…find someone else and let me out.”
She shoved her left hand in his face, the ring catching the light. “See that?” Selvester didn’t even flinch.
“Calm down,” he said smoothly. “You’re a beautiful woman, yes. But the night isn’t for me.” he said, as though that was meant to sound better.. But only made it worse.
“It’s for someone else,” he added, smiling like that somehow fixed everything.
She stared at him. “You’re insane. Completely out of your mind. I told you…I’m married. If you’re looking for a p********e, go to a club or something. Let me out!” she yelled, pounding the door.
“Married?” he scoffed. That single word dragged her attention back to him. He loosened his suit jacket slowly, unbuttoning it like he had all the time in the world. “You mean tied to a hospital bed,” he said calmly. “I won’t call that a relationship, talkless of a marriage.” Her blood ran cold.
“All I need from you is one night,” he continued. “And I’ll give you all the money you need for your husband’s surgery…. That’s if he really needs it”
He leaned back. “Anyway, everyone wins.”
Disgust twisted her face.Before he could finish his thought, her palm connected with his cheek.
The sound echoed inside the car. “You have no heart,” she said, shaking. “How dare you dig into my life? How dare you use my innocent husband’s condition to trap me into your filthy terms?”
Her eyes burned as she glared at him. “What kind of person does that?”
“One who has your best interest at heart,” he said softly.
“Please,” Stephanie whispered, panic slipping into her voice. “Just let me go.”
“One who has your best interest at heart,” he said softly.
“Please,” Stephanie whispered, panic slipping into her voice. “Just let me go.”
He exhaled slowly, then stretched out his hand. One of the men immediately passed him a file.
Christopher took it and held it out to her. “Why do you all always have to make me the bearer of bad news?” he breathed out.
“What is this?” she asked, her hands trembling as she accepted it.
“Take a look for yourself.” She hesitated, then opened it.
“You said innocent husband,” he continued calmly. “Did he tell you he’s been sleeping with your cousin for two years now?” he spat out, watching her every movement.
Her breath hitched.
“I think that’s about as old as this so-called marriage of yours,” he added. “She still visits him at the hospital. Usually when you’re not around.”
The photos stared back at her.
Her heart slammed violently against her chest as tears gathered in her eyes.
“This… this can’t be true,” she whispered.
She shook her head violently. “You’re lying. This is fake. He would never do this to me!”
She looked up, fury and denial colliding.
“Lady,” Christopher said evenly, “you can call me many things…but never a liar.”
He leaned forward slightly. “And if you still doubt what’s right in front of you, check the hospital CCTV. Or better yet, go there tomorrow at ten a.m.” he said firmly, adjusting his suit jacket.
Her chest tightened.
“That’s when you’re usually at the coffee shop,” he went on. “Perfect timing for those two lovebirds to meet.”
The file slipped in her grip. She sat there, frozen, staring at the pictures again.
This couldn’t be happening. “This can’t be happening,” she whispered, her voice barely holding together.
“I know this is a lot for you to handle,” he said quietly. “But think about it. You can either continue being a naïve wife, getting fooled by those two for the rest of your life… or you can go ahead with what I want.”
She didn’t respond. She just stared at him, her mind blank, her chest tight.
“You get your revenge,” he added softly. “And you get your money.” Still nothing. No words.
“Well,” he sighed, glancing away, “it’s getting late. I’ll drop you off.” He signaled his men. The engine started, smooth and silent.
Stephanie didn’t even notice when the car started and when it slowed down … or when it stopped. They were already in front of her house.
She’d been lost in her thoughts the entire drive.
“We’re here,” he said gently. “Think about my offer.” He handed her a card.
She took it slowly, her fingers numb, then stepped out of the car. The cold night air hit her, but she barely felt it. The car pulled away, disappearing into the darkness.
Stephanie stood there like a statue, her heart and mind were at war If this was true…
then everything she believed in was already
gone…and if it wasn’t?...She didn’t know which possibility terrified her more.
- Writer
