Beginning with Forever

by Lan LLP

  “Yes, I promise, but this is only temporary. I don’t want Luke to follow me forever.” I return his stare with as much strength as I could muster, but he doesn’t find me the slightest bit intimidating.

  ____________________

  Carson throws his leather bag into the back of the speed boat and then helps me step in. We arrive on shore in fifteen minutes and find Luke punctually waiting for us by the SUV.

  “Good morning, Mr. Bradley. Miss Ly. Where shall we head to first?” Luke asks and waits for his instruction.

  “Morning, Luke, I have to be on the jet by 9:00.”

  “No problem, sir. We’ll head there first, then,” Luke suggests.

  “I’ve arranged for you to have underground access to the school. Following my drop off, I’ll need you to visually escort Miss Ly to her dorm. She’ll be working at the health clinic this evening, so I want you to follow closely behind her vehicle,” Carson dictates my schedule to Luke like a control freak. “I expect you to know her whereabouts at all times.” Argh, he’s borderline intruding on my privacy.

  “You have my word, sir. I’ll be accessible around the clock,” Luke pledges.

  “Thank you, Luke.” We climb into the back of the SUV after he barks his commands to my bodyguard. Carson’s fickle mood is rubbing off on me. I’m cross because I can’t understand why all these restrictions are necessary. I wish he would just explain the circumstance to me because I hate being told what to do without a reason. “Don’t be upset with me, baby. I promise this will all pass soon,” he tries to smooth out my frustrations.

  I want to stay mad at him, but I shouldn’t, knowing that it’ll make his trip back to Boston more unbearable. “I’m not…anymore,” I grit my response with a pursed smile.

  “That’s my good, little Angel.” He tips my chin up for our lips to meet. I hold nothing back. My dignity is out there for Luke to witness, but I don’t care. I kiss him fervently, subduing his tongue with mine. His expression tells me he enjoys my boldness. I feel his heart beating excitedly against his chest. If his fitted suit didn’t confine him so perfectly, I’d undress his sinful body and seduce him to the end. I breathe out a disappointed sigh. This man relentlessly draws out my untamed side whenever he’s with me.

  Gently, he grasps my wrists and unwillingly splits us down the center. “We better stop, or I’ll have to force you to come with me. I’m not above kidnapping and making you my love slave.” He stares at me sternly, holding back a grin.

  “This dark side of you is intriguing,” I goad to see how far I can push him.

  “Don’t tease me if you’re not prepared for the consequences,” he playfully warns me.

  “Ooh, I’m scared. I better heed your warning,” I reply while holding back my giggles. He shakes his head at my attempt to draw out his gorgeous, dimpled smile.

  My tiny invisible bump is now the center of his attention. He lowers his head down and presses his lips against it. “Daddy will be gone for a few days. Please keep your rebellious mommy in line for me.” I feel his smile against my belly. My heart is completely comforted with the amount of love and devotion Carson has already developed for our unborn baby. We’re the only two fortunate people in his life to be recipients of his rare doting side. “I’m hoping to be back with you by the end of this week. Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble until then.”

  “I’ll do my best.” I wink at him with a mischievous smile.

  ____________________

  Luke drops me off and stalks from a distant corner underneath a fruitful avocado tree while I enter my building. I hate that eerie feeling of having someone always watching over my shoulder. This man has the personality of a stern librarian merged with G.I. Joe brute force. I attempted to strike a casual conversation with him as we drove back to my school. He ended all his answers with ‘Yes or no ma’am.’ I know as much about him as I did yesterday, meaning nothing new at all. Oh well, I’ll try again tomorrow. Since Carson has condemned me to his prison term for the next few weeks, I’ll have to make the most of it. It could be a fun challenge for me to see if I can crack this man’s indestructible wall.

  I enter my room to find Amelia studying on her bed. I’ve been dying to ask her for details since yesterday’s incidence. She jumps off her bed and excitedly hugs me, bouncing up and down. “Lil, I can’t believe I finally did it. I told Richard everything—how I’ve been crushing on him since freshman year, and that I was too afraid to tell him,” she blurts out three sentences in a single breath and then takes another one to share the rest of her excitement. “Your clinic hitched us together! Thanks, Lil!” She squeezes me again with gratitude.

  “Amelia, I’m so excited for you. He’s an awesome guy.” I couldn’t be happier for them. They deserve each other.

  “I know, and he’s a great kisser too,” she chuckles. “We’re taking it slowly. Actually, he wants to take it slowly,” she begrudgingly pouts.

  “Trust me Ame, it’s much better that way. You don’t need to be knocked up like me, too.” I pat my belly.

  “Let Auntie Amelia feel you, baby.” She palms her hands on my invisible bump. “Auntie Ame can’t wait to hold you,” she says to my belly in a baby voice. “What is this on your finger, sweetie?” Ame grabs my left hand and glues her eyes on my large pink diamond ring.

  “Oh, this thing, it’s an engagement ring from Carson,” I tell her nonchalantly while wiggling my fingers back and forth.

  “Holy shit, congratulations, Lil! When were you planning on telling me?” She narrows her beautiful greenish-brown eyes at me with her hands resting on her hips.

  “Right after you’re finished gushing over Richard,” I grin at her.

  “Have you guys set a date yet? Will it be before the baby is born?” she begins to interrogate me.

  “We haven’t even thought that far, but it won’t be before Peanut is born. I promise you’ll be one of the first people to get all the details, but for now, we better head to class. I can’t afford to skip another one or the Dean will have my head.” I crinkle my forehead and run my index finger across my neck in a cutting motion.

  I ask Amelia and Richard to meet me in front of the mermaid fountain after our Ethics class while I run to get the SUV. Tonight will be a long night at the health clinic, but I don’t mind it like the graveyard rotations at the hospital. With the success of our clinic, the Dean has kindly allowed us to substitute our hospital duties with clinic patient appointments. This is the ultimate reason for our generous number of resident volunteers.

  I haven’t mentioned Luke to them yet because I don’t want them involved with a problem I know nothing about. I’ll just wait and see if they’ll notice his presence and when or if they do, I’ll explain him to them then. I pull up to a curb and wave for Amelia and Richard to get into the SUV. “You two love birds can sit in the backseat and smooch all you want. I’ll be your chauffer for tonight, so buckle in.” They climb in the back and sit close like Carson and I would if were back there. Richard’s arm wraps around Ame as she drops her head on his shoulder. I’m glad there’s no awkwardness between the three of us. Since my pregnancy news, Richard has truly been a supportive and understanding friend to me. I believe wholeheartedly that he wants me to be happy even if it’s not with him. This is why I’ve been pushing those burning questions about Sasha aside. I don’t want anything to ruin what we have.

  As soon as I pull the SUV onto the main highway, I see Luke following closely behind us in an old blue Honda Accord. He cleverly chose an older vehicle that blends in perfectly with the locals. Cautiously accelerating, my foot gently taps the pedal to create a subtle gap between us. These curvy roads intimidate the heck out of me. I’m a nervous, nail-biting wreck behind the wheel. My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat every time I steer around a curvy cliff. My Cupid-stricken passengers are oblivious to their surroundings. They’re obsessed with each other, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  I seize this opportunity to sneak a peek at Luke, who’s
still driving steadily behind us. My eyes leave the road ahead of me for a blinking second to check the rear mirror. When I look back, I see a lipstick red, sports car appear out of nowhere, intentionally driving towards me, and flashing its bright lights directly into my eyes. What the hell is going on? I can’t identify the driver at all because the windows are ominously tinted. I immediately slam on my brakes and steer the SUV off the road and down a sloping cliff. My entire life flashes before my eyes, and everything seems to be going in slow motion.

  “Holy shit! We’re going to die!” I scream and cry frenziedly. The same loud hysterical commotion echoes forward from Amelia and Richard. My heart is pounding violently against my chest. I have a death grip on the steering wheel. Thank the Lord for watching over us because the SUV slides down a steep cliff instead of flipping us to our deaths. It collides sideways into several small tree saplings. Amelia’s head smacks against the glass window on her side, making a bloodcurdling, cracking sound that resonates repeatedly in my mind.

  “Fuck, Ame’s head is bleeding!” Richard shouts.

  “Oh god, no!” I scream and cry even harder. I feel my seatbelt tighten painfully around my abdomen, but I ignore it. I’m more worried about Ame’s head than anything. The front airbag deploys, ricocheting my head off of it. I’m scared to death. I don’t want to die. Faint clouds of white powder fill the air as the bag slowly deflates. This is can only be a bad omen. “Richard, are you hurt?” I try my best to be brave while asking him of his condition.

  “I’m okay,” Richard replies with a trembling voice as he hugs Ame against his chest.

  Our troubles have only just begun. The distressed tree saplings snap in half, releasing the SUV to skid down further. We wail out in horror, thinking all hope is gone. “Oh my god, this is it!” I cry and see quick glimpses of all the people I love waving good-bye to me—my mother, Carson, Emi and Belle. I don’t know how, but all of a sudden we miraculously stop moving again. Praise to God! The SUV’s momentum is temporarily halted by a web of thick vines.

  “Lil, we have to get out now!” Richard yells. “Can you unbuckle yourself and climb out? I’ll carry Amelia. I think our luck is running out. The next stop is to the ground below where death is waiting for us.” He unfastens both their belts and waits for my response.

  “I think you’re right, Richard. Let’s go!” I sob. I open the door with my quivering hands and the gruesome, powdery cloud escapes with us. Though my body is both rigid and shaking, my adrenaline keeps me moving forward to stay alive. I have no time for panic or fear. I step out and slip on the surrounding pebbles below my feet. I fall flat on my butt, and it stops me from sliding down any further. Attempting to contain my fear, I watch stones and twigs roll down several hundred feet instead of me.

  “Shit! Are you okay, Lil?” Richard panics.

  “Yes, I’m alright. How’s Ame? Can you handle her by yourself?” I reply with my shaky voice while ignoring the scrapes on my elbows that are starting to bite at my nerves. There’s no time for pain, Lil!

  “I’ve got her. You just worry about getting as far away from the SUV as possible.” After he jumps out, I watch him courageously pull Ame’s body free as he plants his feet firmly on the slanted ground. Silently, I say a prayer for them, hoping they won’t slip down together. As soon as they’re both freed from the truck, he drags her body towards me. Ame is in and out of consciousness. Richard and I help Amelia crawl safely away from the sloping vehicle. Less than minutes later, the vines give out and the SUV flips several hundred feet below us, crashing violently into the ground. A huge, thunderous explosion follows, echoing up, filling our ears with more fear. We sat there staring tearfully at the horrific flames as it reflects off of our dark pupils, knowing that we could’ve been in the center of that. From where we’re sitting, it’s like a preview of hell, and we just barely escaped the depths of it. The heat simmering upward makes it all more real.

  We have to get out of here. The sun is crimson like the blood on Ame’s head as it sets and soon there’ll only be absolute darkness to blind us. Sitting here like live bait will not be a good option for us. I can’t imagine how many prowling, hungry predators are ready to pounce on our fresh bloody meat. Richard is applying pressure to Amelia’s head with his right hand to stop her bleeding. Our attentions are immediately focused on rustling sounds coming through the nearby bushes, more fear heads our way. It startles the remaining life out of us. Someone or something is advancing in our direction. Richard reaches for a rock to use as a weapon.

  “Miss Ly, are you okay?” Luke calls out, and I’ve never been happier to hear or see him.

  “Who the hell is he?” Richard angrily shouts while pointing his finger at Luke.

  “He’s my bodyguard,” I guiltily reply while avoiding his furious, blue eyes.

  “Does this have anything to do with him?” Richard looks at me with distrust, demanding an answer and then heatedly pitches the rock down the cliff.

  “No, of course not! I don’t know, Richard. Carson made me agree to have Luke follow me around while he’s away in Boston. That’s all I know.” I begin to cry again, feeling responsible for what just happened.

  “Is everyone stable? Are you all able to walk?” Luke assesses the situation like a soldier.

  “Help Lily up first, and then I’ll need a hand with Amelia,” Richard volunteers bravely.

  “I’m fine, Richard. Let’s all climb up together. It’s dark out here, and I don’t want us to lose each other.”

  I’m amazed that we’re able to climb up the steep, rugged terrain with Ame half-passed out. Thank god for Luke’s intimidating muscles and brute strength. He carries Ame’s weak body with ease while Richard helps me. My abdomen is tender from the constricting seatbelt. I try my best to hold back new fretful tears, secretly praying that Amelia and my baby will both be okay. Was this all my fault? Is Richard right? Does this have something to do with Carson’s problem?

  We finally make it to the top of the cliff and onto a gravel paved road. Luke leads us to his car where he and Richard carefully lay Amelia’s body into the backseat. Richard slides in and props Ame’s head on top of his lap. I sit in the front with Luke who appears abnormally unnerved by the accident. I look down at my hands and see that they’re still trembling. Luke pulls his phone out, and I know exactly who’ll be on the other end with specific instructions.

  Carson Bradley

  I hate these damn flights. Three months will not come soon enough. Owen greets me at the tarmac with a worried expression. “Good afternoon, Mr. Bradley. I have my team waiting at BPC for us.” This isn’t a good indication for me. I can confidently assume that my two researchers are still missing.

  “Do you have any leads yet? Do we know who’s behind this?” I impatiently ask.

  “Mr. Carter is working on linking the tracking tattoos on the missing researchers from his computer. He thinks he’ll be able to find their location soon. But as of now, the signals aren’t strong enough for us to be completely sure.”

  “This is semi-good news.” I feel somewhat hopeful.

  As much as I’d love to call Lily to hear her sweet, reassuring voice, I have to deny myself of such an indulgence. There’s major damage control for me to contain at BPC. We head directly to the conference room at Steward Laboratory. I look around and think, Am I in the correct room? Owen has converted the entire premises into a crime and investigation lab. There are men and women monitoring laptops, speaking on their phones and going through surveillance videos. I spot Hayden in the far corner of the room, zoned out on his laptop. His fingers are striking the keyboard fiercely. He doesn’t even notice me standing beside him until I lightly tap his shoulder. “Good afternoon Mr. Carter,” I attempt to interrupt his complete concentration. He filters the familiar sound of my voice and peeks up at me.

  “Mr. Bradley, I should hopefully have an answer for you soon,” Hayden assures me. “The homing signals are weak, but I think I can maneuver around them unless they find the implant
s and destroy them first. Your researchers are probably hidden underground or in a reinforced panic room of some sort,” Hayden shares his speculation with me.

  “I appreciate all your help, Hayden. I can’t believe someone has the audacity to kidnap my researchers. These bastards didn’t do their homework. They don’t know who they’re fucking with. I didn’t get to the top by being nice all the time. Pharmacy is a cutthroat business,” I divulge to Hayden and regret that it might be more than I should share with him. “There are a lot of assholes out there doing it for the wrong reasons,” I conclude.

  “I’m really concerned with what’ll happen if the incomplete drug formula falls into the wrong hands. Thousands or millions of people could get hurt or even die over one person’s greed.” He shakes his head disapprovingly.

  “I know exactly what you mean. That is why I’ve lost years of my youth and life,” I agree with him.

  “Who’ll save the world when you become a father and husband?” he smirks.

  “I have a perfect successor in mind.” I signal my head and eyes subtly toward Owen’s direction. Hayden nods his head approvingly.

  Owen, Hayden and I eat a late lunch slash early dinner as we continue to sort through likely suspects. All of our researchers, minus me, were recently offered irresistible job opportunities at Montgomery Ortho-Med. They all declined of course. My employees are well paid and taken care of. There’s no incentive for anyone to leave. Hmm, this seems highly suspicious to me. If an orthopedic company is capable of offering a bone regeneration product that’s non-invasive and cost-effective, how many clients would they have knocking at their door—billions.

  Glancing down at my watch, I’m shocked to see that it’s already 7:30 p.m. I excuse myself from the group and rush back to my office. Evelyn hands me a printout of messages left by clients from highest priority on the top of the list to lowest on the bottom. I glance through it quickly as I walk into my office. Jean-Pierre called around 10:00 a.m. this morning. I was on my jet at that time, so I didn’t receive his call on my cell. Pulling my phone out, I see a voicemail from him.