Song: Burnaboy – Wonderful (Why does Wattpad straighten my curly apostrophes, but other people get to keep them?)

*Unedited* (I have readers from Germany and Indonesia, hi! P.S Kofi, Wolfgang and Nathan's surname 'Faye' is pronounced, FAH-YAY)

How couldn't they see that Kofi was so obviously Mr. Faye's real son? The resemblance was so striking! Mr. Faye looked like Kofi's twin, just older. He had those same green eyes, that same curly hair, that same light skin, heck, even the same build!

It was too much of a coincidence that he adopted a completely unrelated child that looked so much like him. The fact that they didn't realise that he was his son led me to believe that they were either blind, or unbelievably stupid.

It was a little bit difficult to see Kofi's face though as he was getting beaten up. Okay, beaten up was the wrong choice of words because he was dealing a good many blows to the goons too. In fact, he was winning, even though they'd landed some painful blows on him before he got the chance to put up a fight.

I was astonished when the men who were previously beating him like a puppy ended up in heaps on the ground behind him, either passed out or groaning in pain. He then faced his father looking like a proud warrior with honourable battle scars. I didn't fail to notice how beautifully fierce he looked in that moment.

His father mustn't have been too proud though, because he didn't stop looking at me. I kept my eyes on Kofi, still dazed by his beauty and a little embarrassingly proud of him, but when he looked at me, I suddenly became shy and looked away.

The two men released Nate and Wolfgang, and they immediately rushed to Kofi to make sure he was okay. Nathan tried to prod a cut above Kofi's eyebrow with his finger but Kofi slapped it away.

"Dad," Kofi spoke, staring intently at the man.

I was right. It was Mr. Faye, and he was obviously Kofi's biological father. Nothing, not even a DNA test could convince me otherwise. Kofi was a replica of him.

If Mr. Faye was Kofi's biological father though, why then did he hate him only? It didn't make sense. Why adopt two strangers then hate your own child to the point you abuse him to near insanity?

"I've already told you not to call me that," he replied, not taking his eyes off me.

I finally met Mr. Faye's gaze and those dark green eyes rattled my bones. I never realised before how warm Kofi's eyes were, until I looked into this man's and realised how cold his were. His eyes were like a cold green sea that housed the most poisonous aquatic creatures, while Kofi's were like seafoam. Cool seafoam that moisturized your skin and made them goals.

"She's the Elorm girl that killed Amegah?" He asked. He was looking at me, but he wasn't talking to me. A major sign of disrespect, indicating that he saw me as someone who was too inferior to speak with.

I cocked my head and smiled confidently, even though I was shaking on the inside. "Yes, I put an end to that man myself. Thank me, I did the world a favour."

"Elorm," Kofi growled.

"Shut up," Mr. Faye reprimanded him.

The older man began walking and all I could focus on was him. Like an iPhone camera setting, his presence completely blurred the world around him. "Who are you, and why did you think it was such a great idea to kill one of the most powerful men in the country?"

"I know you can easily find out who I am." I said, also wondering why I had a death wish. I was practically begging him to find my family.

"Yes, but I want to hear it from you, and so, I will hear it from you."

"You don't just look like your son, but you're so much like him." I said, matching his cold stare.

"Elorm!" Kofi bellowed.

"Stay quiet, Devan," the older man said, "I will not repeat myself."

"Oh really?" Kofi asked. "What will you do? I already beat up your goons. Or you want a repeat of the good old days? Let's see if you're the same strong young man and I'm the same little boy."

"You would fight your own father?" He asked, diverting his attention to Kofi.

"You just told me not to call you father," Kofi replied, his fists clenching at his sides.

Mr. Faye's poker face never once fell. He and Kofi shared even that similarity, except that he was much colder than Kofi. I observed that he was very cold and calculating. Also he was the type to play with people like a predator plays with his prey.

Yes, a predator. He could only be described as a predator.

"You have grown a lot. The distance has put more courage and strength in you." Mr. Faye started walking away from me to face his biological son.

"Yes, it did help. I will never let you treat me like a punching bag again."

Mr. Faye stayed quiet for a while, looking at his son. When they were done with their silent stare down, Mr. Faye pointed to the other two goons who were restraining Nathan and Wolfgang while Kofi was beating the others, "Get these two into the car. I would like to have a chat with them."

Nathan and Wolfgang were ready to fight them off, but Kofi held out his hand. "Stop this pretence. I will go."

His brothers' expressions ranged from pissed to forlorn. They probably didn't like that he thought that them trying to help him was just a charade.

"How about you Elorm? Do you want to go?" Nathan asked me.

Mr. Faye made a disapproving sound. "What is this, son? You dare go against me?"

The look on Nathan's face made me aware that he was afraid of his adopted father. He must've been one of the types who loved someone, yet were unable to stand up to them when they do wrong. I disliked those kinds of people.

"I just want to make sure she wants to go," Nathan clarified.

Kofi scoffed and walked out on them, only to grab my elbow and tug me along.

"Let go of me!" I struggled against him, trying to free myself.

I needed to go back to Michael. I couldn't even imagine what it'd be like for him to wake up without anyone waiting for him. He'd feel truly alone.

"Stop this," he leaned over to whisper into my ear, "don't worry. I'll protect you."

I stopped after that, more out of shock than anything else. I lifted my head to look into those green eyes, but he only returned my stare for a couple of seconds, then started dragging me after a retreating Mr. Faye and his two goons.

"Kofi!" Wolfgang called, just as we were about to get into the lift with the three men.

Kofi stopped and turned around. "What is it?"

"Keep her safe," Wolfgang said.

I wanted to hit him over the head like he did to me, so that he'd see what it feels like to lose memories that are important, but he was too far away and I didn't see anything close enough.

Besides, I'd already hit him over the head once, and it resulted in him getting injured. It didn't mean that I'd forgiven him though.

More importantly, I hated how the Faye brothers thought it was their job to protect me, but right now, with two broken ribs and a broken leg, I didn't mind too much. I was very helpless. I wasn't comfortable with them babying me and me being vulnerable, but there was nothing I could do about it.

Kofi nodded slowly, almost like he didn't want his father to notice, then we both got into the lift with the three men.

We took a big black car with tinted windows. It was one of that type of car that was part of the president's envoy. During the ride, Kofi kept his hand in the crook of my elbow, and I would've snapped at him to let go of me, but I was afraid. He was the only familiar thing to me right now.

Plus, without him, I couldn't really walk. I could hop, of course, but that was tiring and it made my ribs hurt. I didn't need him to protect me if I was at full capacity. I was not a damsel in distress, but at the moment, me and all my pride had to admit that I was injured and helpless.

They'd even forgotten to take my crutches.

I started dozing off some minutes into the drive. I mistakenly rested my head against Kofi's shoulder, and I regretted it when he quickly shook me off, managing to rattle my brain in its cage.

I didn't try falling asleep after that.

Finally, we arrived at another mansion surrounded by other beautiful mansions. It was the most elite neighbourhood I'd ever been at. It was better than all the luxury I'd seen on television and in real life.

"Make yourself at home," Mr. Faye said to me, then to Kofi, he said, "you know where to go."

We were standing in the middle in the mansion's living room, and it was just as luxurious as I expected it to be.

"Why did you bring us here?" Kofi asked, letting go of my elbow.

I faltered a little bit, but I managed to stand on one leg soon enough.

"I don't have to explain myself to you." He snapped, staring at his son with so much hatred that I had to look away. It was the same kind of look Etornam gave me.

Etornam, the poor girl. We should've been more considerate with her. She really was a victim. The reason why she came to mind was because of that look. It was the kind of look you give someone when they've destroyed your life.

Of course, I hadn't done anything to Etornam, but she hated my whole family because of what my father did to her. I think what my father did was horrible, but that gave her no right to help Chief Amegah kidnap my brother. For that, I will forever hate her.

Now, Kofi could've done something to his father, but I felt like his father's hate for him had something to do with his mother. Maybe Kofi's birth caused his mother's death or something like that. It would make a lot of sense, especially if Kofi's father loved his mother a lot.

"Where is she supposed to go?" Kofi nodded at me.

Mr. Faye glanced at his watch, looking bored out of his mind. "Take her to your room of course. Aren't you a couple?"

"No, of course not!" Kofi exclaimed.

"Like I would want to be in a relationship with you," I retorted.

"I wouldn't be in a relationship with a blind, obsessive fool like this one." He spat.

"Save your tantrums for another time. I came to find you sharing the same room at the penthouse. This place is no different. Don't you dare go into another room, if you know what's good for you. Now leave my sight."

Kofi engaged his father in a stare down before he started walking away. I hopped after him, cursing that dead man for rendering me so vulnerable. Unlike the mansion in the woods, this mansion's staircase wasn't in the hall, so we were out of his sight before I started wondering how I was going to overcome the obstacle that was stairs.

After remembering what Kofi did, I really didn't want to ask for his help and he didn't seem inclined to give it to me. He was out of sight soon enough and I began to hop up the stairs.

I didn't make it far.

I sat down, about halfway up the stairs, feeling the urge to cry. I felt weak and helpless, plus the pain hopping brought to my ribs wasn't worth it. Why couldn't they have houses with single floors like normal human beings?

I hated feeling like this.

I hated that dead man even more, but I loved his son who was fighting for his life so dearly at this moment.

What was I thinking trying to stay here? I needed to get back to Michael. He would wake up and think I didn't care enough to stay, and I also wanted to be the first thing he saw when he woke up. I didn't understand how I was foolish enough to go with these strange people so calmly when he was there battling for his life.

I began to descend again and by the time I was down, my ribs were on fire.

I doubled over, tears spilling down my cheeks faster than I could recite the alphabet. What was I thinking? I couldn't try to escape like this! They would just become more vigilant and when I have a true chance, I wouldn't be able to execute my plans.

How could I be so stupid?

So, what, do I go back upstairs? I sat for a few minutes, hoping that Kofi would experience that rare burst of kindness and help me up the stairs, but whenever I looked up, he wasn't there. I didn't want to rely on him, but I was really helpless at this point.

It took me almost twenty minutes to climb the stairs, and when I was at the top, I sat back on the floor, catching my breath and crying like the weak female dog I was. I sat there for thirty minutes, and Kofi never came. He didn't even come to check what had happened to me.

I hated him, but the pain was just too much. I got up again though and hopped down the corridor. All I saw was doors and I had no idea which one Kofi went in. Unwilling to hurt myself any further, I opened one random door and stumbled inside, plopping down on the bed.

It hurts me to admit that I spent almost an hour crying due to the pain. My eyes were tired and closing of their own accord, but everything hurt too much for me to even think about falling asleep.

I started counting sheep, and it helped a little. The pain dulled, and just as I felt my conscious self slipping away, I heard a sound. Someone had opened the door to my room, but I was in too much pain to turn around and look.

I held my breath, shutting my eyes tightly in anticipation. The person's footsteps stopped, and so did my heart.

"Who would've thought?" The voice sounded like it was in awe.

It sounded familiar. It sounded like a voice I didn't like. It sounded like a voice that I hated. "Who's there?"

"You don't remember me, doll?"

Justus.

"Look at you. You're so helpless right now. I could easily have my way with you." He sounded sly; his voice coming closer.

I was filled with dread. I couldn't even think, I was just scared. Cold ice fear was pumping through my veins. How stupid, to escape one monster just to be faced with another one.

"But I won't. Because that's not my style."

I frowned, trying not to tremble at the sound of his voice. "You tried to rape me," I reminded him. I took in a deep breath to calm myself and kept counting my sheep. I turned around slowly and painfully.

I hated the sight of those bright hazel eyes. I hated the sight of him. He made me remember, how his drug in my body completely ruined all my chances of fighting Wolfgang off.

"Of course not," he snapped, "I don't do that. When I sleep with a woman, I want her to reciprocate. I want her to scream my name and moan and enjoy everything I'm doing to her. I don't rape."

"Really? So you drugged me why then? For fun? Because you liked the thought of me being drugged? I haven't forgotten how you tried to lure me back to your house too."

"I just wanted you with me. I can't possibly explain what I hoped to achieve though." He began advancing, while I backed away, using my arms to push me back. "I'm drawn to you like a moth is drawn to a flame, Elorm Nutsugah. I want you so badly that it's physically painful."

"Get away from me," I threw a pillow at him just as he knelt on my bed.

"You should've just come with me, to my house. I definitely wouldn't have raped you and you wouldn't have gotten kidnapped."

"What are you trying to gain by lying? Nothing you're saying makes sense. You drugged me and tried to take me to your house... but you don't know why? What... are you this stupid?"

He started crawling forward and since I couldn't get away fast enough, soon, his face was just inches above mine while he rested his weight on his elbows beside my head. "Yes. Maybe I expected you to wake up in my house, and when you realised that I didn't touch you, I would've won your trust. We would've worked on that and..."

"What do you want from me? This is mind-boggling, I don't understand anything."

"I want you," his finger traced my arm, "for one night of course, and I always get what I want."

"What are you doing here, and how did you get here?" I pushed him with as much force as I could muster but he didn't budge. I was still so weak after hopping up the stairs. My ribs were burning.

"Why were you crying?" He touched my cheek affectionately, but I could only recoil at his touch.

"I asked you something first."

"This is my uncle's house, what do you mean what am I doing here?" He laughed.

"Uncle? Mr. Faye is your uncle? That would mean that you're related to the Fayes." I observed, frowning.

"Not uncle uncle. Not biological, I mean. Our fathers are close friends."

I frowned and thought of something. "How did you know that Wolfgang kidnapped me, and that that happened on the day of our outing?"

"Our date, and I know a lot of things. I'm just as involved in this syndicate as Wolfgang is. When I met you on the farm that day, it was no coincidence. The chief hadn't asked Wolfgang to kidnap you yet, but Prince Michael told my father a lot about you. He–"

"Wait," I said. My brain was scrambling to understand everything I was hearing, "Michael knows Mr. Banks? But he didn't know you. He met you for the first time when you crashed our date."

He smirked, falling to my side. I felt better and more comfortable now that he wasn't hovering over me, but him laying close enough that I could feel his breath on the side of my face wasn't much better.

"Michael knows my father, but he doesn't know me. We didn't meet, but every time my father went to your village, he met with Michael and they became close."

I hated that Michael was friends with that rapist. I hated that Michael was so connected with these evil people and we didn't realise that sooner.

"My father told us about you, of course, and when I got to the village, I went to look for you immediately. I was not disappointed," he chuckled.

"You were rude and disgusting."

"Liar. You were attracted to me even then."

"I wasn't. You're delusional."

He rolled his eyes and took a strand of my hair in his fingers. It'd grown this past month. I hated that my hair grew so fast. "Then I heard that the chief asked Wolfgang to kidnap you. There wasn't a specific date for that to happen, all I knew was that it was supposed to be before January thirty."

January thirty was the day we were supposed to get married.

"I wanted to have my way with you before that happened. Of course, I could've just rented you as a prostitute, but I feared someone would've gotten the job done before I could have. I wanted to be your first."

"Too late then," I scoffed, deciding that I would be better off with him thinking I was no longer a virgin.

"Sadly. You know, if you'd just come with me, you could've procrastinated your kidnapping. But that idiot had to come and ruin everything and you were taken away that very night."

"I thank Michael for ruining everything because you would've raped me. I don't believe a word you're saying. Your intentions were clear."

"How did you find out about the drug anyway? It's supposed to disappear from your body quickly."

"My hair. They found it in my hair." Doctor Obeng told Kofi later that the drug could only be found in the hair after some time had passed. It was also why they didn't find any GHB in the chief's body. He was bald.

They could've taken bodily hairs though, but they probably didn't think it was necessary to do anymore digging when it was obvious that he died from a heart attack.

"Trust me, I wouldn't have raped you. I don't do that." He said, turning my head so that I was looking at him.

He was so close that he could've just leaned forward and kissed me. He was probably thinking about doing that, since his eyes were so focused on my lips.

I grimaced and turned back to the ceiling. No one but Michael could kiss me. I wouldn't allow it.

"Aye, you drive me mad!" He cried, turning on his back.

I ignored him and rolled my eyes.

"I just need you to believe that I wouldn't have raped you. I'm really not like that. I don't understand how people find rape pleasing when all the girl does is cry and fight you. I mean, why would you want that when she can be moaning your name instead?"

"I ask myself that every day. Why did you drug me then? You must think I'm so stupid." I turned to look at him, but his gaze dropped to my lips.

"If I wanted to rape you, don't you think I would've done so already? Look at you, you can barely even move. You wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight. Trust me when I say that I have no interest in forcing myself on you."

I scoffed.

He let out a sigh and looked at the ceiling. "We will do it. But it will be consensual on both sides."

"In your dreams."

"I always get what I want."

"Not this time."

He chuckled. "How many times have I heard that one?" I was about to reply, but he quickly stopped me. "That's enough. Go to sleep, you're obviously in so much pain. I'll be on the sofa."

"No, leave the room. Don't sleep here."

"It's my uncle's house. Shut up." He laughed.

I couldn't really do anything when he went and lay down on the sofa facing the foot of my bed. "Before you go to bed, I want to inform you that my father might come, and he's not very happy with both you and Kofi. He said something about him being treated like dirt."

How many more? Just when I thought I was rid of the chief, the other two decided to bombard my life. I sighed, closing my eyes and going back to the memories of myself as a child. When I didn't have to worry about being slut shamed or raped.

"And don't worry, I'll go back to my own room sometime during the night. I'm not that creepy."

I didn't like the thought of him sharing my room, but he said he would leave during the night. Plus, if he wanted to rape me, he would've done so already. It didn't make it any better that he was invading my space, but at least I knew I'd be safe.

Luck was not pleased with me that fateful evening, because just before I was about to fall asleep, the door to my room burst open.

I jumped — shaken with fright — countering all my efforts to forget about the burning pain in my ribs. Justus had been dozing off, but he too was frightened awake.

It was none other than Kofi Faye, of course. During the moments when I sought his help, he was nowhere to be found. Now that I was finally getting some rest, he decided to bombard my peace of mind.

He stopped short upon seeing Justus, and he kept staring at him like he was a strange being. "What are you doing over here?"

Justus sat up and rubbed his face sleepily, readjusting his gaze to the intimidating man towering over him. "You look so much like your father. Wow. If he wasn't so old, I would've thought you two were twins."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Why are you here?" I cut in, making a staunch effort not to shiver or shake from all the pain.

"You heard what the man said. You're supposed to stay in my room," Kofi told me, though he didn't take his eyes of Justus for one moment.

"Really? Wow, so you heard that? The way you walked out—"

"Not tonight, Elorm. Just stop. I've had a rough day." He turned to me just to shoot me an exasperated look.

I was ready to shout at him. How dare he tell me he has had a rough day? He probably didn't know what it was like to live with broken ribs and so much constant pain... oh, no. He did. He obviously did. He must've gone through worse.

Besides, sleeping with Kofi was much safer than sleeping with Justus. Kofi had no sexual appetite whatsoever, so I was completely safe with him.

I wasn't going to be stupid enough to hop again and break the rest of my ribs. "Pick me up," I demanded.

He frowned, that pad of flesh between his brows creasing angrily. "Why can't you just walk?"

At that, Justus cut in, looking at Kofi curiously. "Are you dumb?"

"Thank you, Justus," I said proudly, smirking.

Kofi looked between us, then settled his judgmental green eyes on me. "I never thought you could stoop so low to make friends with someone who tried to rape you."

"I did not," Justus spat, his temper rising suddenly.

"Look, I don't have time for this. Will you take me or not?" I questioned. I was not ready to explain myself to Kofi. He didn't deserve any explanations. Besides, I wasn't friends with Justus. I didn't trust him, but he was obviously more sensible than Kofi.

"Let me," Justus interrupted, "since he's so unenthusiastic."

"Don't you dare get within five feet of her," Kofi spat, his voice growing so dark and possessive that I was shocked.

"She's my—"

"She's your nothing," Kofi spat. "Leave her alone if you know what's good for you. I won't warn you again."

His whole body was taut with self-control as he gently picked me up, making sure to avoid putting pressure on my ribs.

"What is she to you anyway?" Justus queried, his bright eyes burning with disgust at the sight of me in Kofi's arms.

If he really wanted a one-night stand like he says, he shouldn't be getting jealous when he sees me with other men. If he really wanted something more from me, then he was the stupidest person to walk the earth.

I gave him a chance once. I regretted it.

"She's someone I will protect from you," he said, taking me out of that room not a second after.

I could only stare at his hard jawline from the angle I lay, wondering why he was so confusing.

* * *

How do you guys feel about this? Do you think Justus is telling the truth and he wouldn't have done something to Elorm? Do you still see Michael as a hero for annoying Elorm so that she would go back to the mansion?

Do you think I should cut the chapter lengths too?

Don't forget to vote! 🌟