She's My Sleeping Pill

As for Luiz, the youngest of the family who received so much love from his mother, brother and sister as he grew up; he treasures his family the most. He was broken when his father was sent to jail but he was too young to understand what really happened. When his mother died, he was devastated. If not because of the people who supported them and helped them overcome the pain, it would probably take him a long time to heal.

So, when he learned the fact that the plane his sister has boarded was hijacked, it felt like the world has stopped turning for him. He felt cold and his head was buzzing. At first, he didn’t understand what his brother was saying. He couldn’t hear a single thing which was why he suggested for them to leave the house and go to the airport. It took him a really long time to be oriented once again of what was happening.

He acted calm in front of them, not wanting to add himself to their worries.

Now that Cayenne has returned home, his emotions overflowed and he threw himself in the warm embrace of his sister. Both of them were shaken from the event and seeing her sobbing brother, Cayenne couldn’t stop herself and cried as well.

“I was so scared.” Cayenne mumbled while hugging Luiz. “I thought I wouldn’t see you again. I thought I would really die.”

“Don’t leave me again, Yen. I want to go wherever you go.” Luiz murmured amidst the seemingly endless tears. “I don’t want you to go without me. You can’t leave me.”

.....

Kyle turned around and sniffed. He was also crying silently while watching his siblings. They’ve been together for so many years. They fought together against poverty. They were hand in hand when it came to taking care of their deceased mother. They stayed strong for each other. So, when Tristan told them the news, he didn’t know what to do. He tried his best to look calm because Luiz has already broken. One of them has to stay rational to think things clearly. If both of them panic, it will be chaotic.

Not just the siblings but everyone was crying. The Sugo family, Magnus and Ferdinand, even the helpers and the guards – they were all crying from the fear of losing Cayenne and Stefan. These two people have become their lighthouse. They guided them and helped them when they were walking on the wrong path. They pulled them from the abyss and helped them establish a name that they’d be proud of. If they lose them, where will they go?

Instead of happily greeting the new year, the atmosphere inside their house was solemn. No one had the appetite to eat or light the fireworks. They were all sitting in silence.

Cayenne was sitting on the couch with Luiz sleeping next to her. His head was on her lap which made Stefan feel jealous. It was his spot because his brother-in-law seized it. Since he was deeply frightened because of what happened, he chose to forgive him and relent this place for now. Tomorrow, he will surely have a good talk with him.

“So, you promised to give up the project?” Magnus questioned his son when they finally heard the whole story and the solution that Stefan presented for everyone to come home safe. “It’s a very promising project and you will surely rise in the ranks if you successfully make it.”

“I know. I will think of another way to deal with this matter. Everyone will surely pay attention to this matter since I have used it as a bargaining chip.” Stefan answered without a change in expression. “Anyway, it will be new year in few minutes, are we just really going to sit here? I mean, I know that the event was nerve-wracking but we still should wish a happy New Year and pray that we will be blessed for the upcoming 365 days.”

Magnus can see that Stefan wanted to distract them from thinking too much so, he decided to follow along his plan and responded, “That’s right. The matter has been solved and we can no longer do anything about it except for the promise you made. Let’s hope that we can come up with a solution tomorrow. For now, we all have to eat. We waited for you guys to arrive and then you brought us this scary news. Our energy has been drained.”

Still feeling stressed out, Cayenne requested for a fruit shake instead. Slowly, the tense and gloomy atmosphere was dispersed and Cayenne watched everyone ate happily.

“Sis Yen.” Dominic called out as he walked towards her. He was thinking of a way to help her forget the frightening event few hours ago and the only thing that came to mind was Jessie, his father’s lover. Dominic knew that Jessie was once Cayenne’s colleague so, he took this opportunity to learn more about her and to distract Cayenne from the pessimistic thoughts. “Sis Yen, can I ask you about Jessie?”

“What about her? Did your father introduce her to you already?”

Dominic on the couch next to her while shaking his head. “I saw them one time. They were shopping some clothes and when I approached them, she fled. I mean, she excused herself that she has something to do. It’s obvious that she was afraid of me.”

Cayenne put her fruit shake on the coffee table while thinking of the right words for a response. From what she knew, aside from Dominic, everyone has given their blessings to the couple. Jessie was probably pressured since Dominic was already matured. She was probably overthinking things already.

“Jessie is really nice. She’s warm-hearted and she’s family oriented as well. I heard that grandpa and grandma like her so much. Stefan also approved of her. I have nothing bad to say either. So, what is it that you want to know? Or, what is really your opinion of her?”

“I am not sure. I have never talked to her for more than a minute. She never visited our home as well. But, I can tell that she cares for my father.”

“So, you approve of her?”

“I have to observe her more. At least for now, she has gained points from me already. Also, sis Yen, I hope you won’t tell my father about this because I do not want him to worry, my mother, she has been looking for us. She learned of my whereabouts and has been visiting me at my work. I don’t know if she knows where I study but I’m pretty sure she knows where we live because I noticed her following me a week ago. I just didn’t tell my grandparents because of their health issues and I didn’t want to ruin my father’s happiness as well. Is there any way that you can block her from entering the subdivision?”

“I have never tried that when we live there but you can ask Stefan. I think we can request that from the security.”

“What if my cousin would tell my father? It will only cause them to worry even more?”

“Don’t worry. Trust me in this.” Cayenne looked for her phone to send Stefan a message only to realize that her phone had been stomped to pieces and was nowhere to be found. “Can I trouble you to call for Stefan? I don’t have my phone now.”

“Okay. I’ll call him.” Dominic stood up in a hurry and went to the kitchen to get Stefan. He was piling the peeled shrimps on his plate with another pile of scallops on another plate. “Big bro, Yenyen asked me to come and get you. She has something to say.”

“Alright.” Stefan removed the hand cellophane he used and picked up the plates with the shrimps and scallops. “Can you help me bring the fruits?”

“Sure.”

As soon as they left, Stanley and Magnus sighed at the same time. “I really hope it won’t cause trauma to her.” Magnus stated which caused Kyle to stop eating. “I know that she’s a strong woman but experiencing something like that – it’s still better to look for a psychiatrist to help her before it gets worse.”

“I’m sure that Stefan has thought of that already.” Jonas stated which gained agreement from everyone.

That wife-slave? Of course, he knew what to do. There’s no way that he’d allow his wife to keep this traumatic event for the rest of their life.

***

“Are you kidding me?!” Jillyanna exclaimed when she received a message from an unknown number. If it was a threatening message, she would have asked Shein to trace it but when she read the content, her only thought was to call Cayenne.

“Mommy, what happened?” Jade asked while watching her mom call someone anxiously. “Is someone bothering you again?”

“No, sweetheart. I just needed to confirm something.” Jillyanna stated but when she couldn’t reach Cayenne, she decided to call Stefan who was also unreachable. “Why can’t I contact them? Are they still having their honeymoon?” she loudly asked while dialing their numbers. After few minutes, she decided to call Luiz to check with them instead and thankfully, he answered. “Luiz, if you get hold of your sister, please tell her that I have something to important to tell her. Tell her to call me back.”

“This is Yen. My phone is broken. What is it that you want to tell me?”

“Yenyen, Napoleone escaped and he is targeting you!”