Chapter 52

Ashley

The next day..

“Keeping me captive won't solve the fact that you'll be behind bars very soon” I spat boring my angry eyes into his. He should know by now what he's getting himself into. Everything is coming to an end. Neil reassuring words are sufficient for me. I know it won't be easy for him to destroy his own father. However, he need to avenge for his mother's death.

His shocking state was still visible in my head when he learned about his father as the cause of his mother's death. It reminded me of the day, he told me about her with so much calmness and happiness on his face. That shows how much he loves his mother. We both were tested into life experiences. We both had our own troubles. Yet, one way or the other, we'll be able to tackle it. Though it won't be as easy as we think.

The sound of his laughter snapped me out of my world of thinking. He was now in a standing position pacing around the room. “You should admit it by now. You're scared. You're afraid of your son exposing all your dirty secret. You might not know this, but Neil is different from you in every possible way”

“You should know by now what I'm capable of. So I advice you to keep your mouth shut before I do something you'll regret” And that shut my mouth. Because truth be told, the way he spoke isn't in a good way. I'm so fed up with all this. I want to go back home. I want to be together with my family again. I want to be in Neil’s arms again and tell him how much I love and missed him but I don't think the heartlesss man is ready to release me. I wonder what he's so anxious about for making him pace around the room.

My attention was diverted to the door that was pushed open. Came in the same guy who brings me food everyday. He looked too young to be in Raphael’s control. He whispered something to Raphael which made the anxiousness more visible on his face. I bet whatever was announced to him isn't pleasant. However, that isn't my concern.

Wait...

When the guy came in, he didn't lock the door. And now their attention was focused on whatever they are discussing about. Slowly and gently, I rose to a standing position holding my dress in one place. Just few steps for me to get out of there. I trekked in slow pace towards the door without them noticing me. A smile made it way out of my mouth when I turn the door knob and the door silently creaked open. But what? I was immediately met with two bulky men both holding guns.

“Well, I didn't know you have a small working brain” I instantly jump at the voice whispering in my ear. It was none other than Raphael. A smug smile was playing on his face. I bite my bottom lips in anger.

“Do you think I locked you up in this room without having any securities around? You would never be able to escape from here without me giving the orders. Everywhere is occupied with my men. You won't be able to lure anyone of them. So I suggest you give up already. I will let you go when I accomplished my mission” Bile rose in my throat at the thought of me spending more days in the suffocating place. All alone. I wonder what's taking Neil so long to find me.

“I will advice you to get back inside and wait for the day you will be realised or you may not” The annoying smile was still playing in his lips same as the other guy. I didn't answer him or spare him another glance. I made my way back inside, crouched down on the floor and hide my face between my legs. The next thing I heard was the closing of the door.

“Damn it!” I yelled out. Since he's so keen on keeping me captive for how long he intended to, so be it. I will also show him how stubborn I am. I will disturb him to the extent that he won't have a choice but to let me go. The mere thought of that brought a smile on my face.

~*~*~

I woke up to the sudden jerk on my dress. I stared at the guy in a confused state. The sleep was still in my eyes. “What are you doing? Get your hands off me” I deadpan smacking his hand off me. Yet, he held my wrist. As far as I know, he's one of his loyal men. He might be sent to do something bad to me. Is Raphael trying to punish me for what I did? The thought of him doing something to me sent shivers down my spine. I stared at him with a horrified expression when he leaned closer.

“What are you trying to do?” I ushered shifting back. He covered my mouth with his palms. “Urm....Urm....” Before I could attempt to do something, my eyes were covered and all I could was black. Pure black. I tried to free myself from his hold but couldn't as he lifted me up in his arms.

What is about to happen to me? Is he going to kill me? I wobble my legs clutching his neck. “Where the hell are you taking me?” I exclaimed and we got out of the door. Is this for real?

“Are you deaf? I said put me down this instant or you'll bear the consequences” I threatened. Deep down my heart was thumping loud that I'm afraid it will burst out any moment. But even in my last moment, I still kept a strong composure. With my resistance, he didn't attempt to put me down or even answer all my question. With many attempt, I gave up and only stayed still waiting for my destiny. If I'm bound to die like this then I will gladly accept.

I didn't know for how long Henry whom I come to know about his name during our conversation. I thought he'd be a bit remorseful after our session talk but I'm not mistaken. Raphael might save his life back then but it was only for his own benefit. He can't give you something without getting paid back in return.

“Take her to the car” Was what I heard from the familiar voice. Raphael. “Where are you taking me?” I asked even though I said I won't say anything more. No answer came in return. With the blinfold on my eyes, I wouldn't be able to know where we're heading to. Within two to three steps, Henry came to a pause which raised a curiosity in me.

“Why did you stop? Aren't you going to kill me? Then do so” I challenged. A hiss left my lips on the accord.

“I advice you to put the woman down if you want to leave out of here alive” A voice suddenly said.

Wait...

That voice seem oddly familiar. I know that voice from somewhere but I wasn't able to point it out.

“Who is that?” I ushered trying to pull myself out of Henry's hold yet he held me firmly. “As you can see I can turn you to the same thing as those people”

People? Which people? Am I really alive? Why is everything not making sense to me.

“If you want to save her life then put that gun down. This car brakes is already tempered with. Within a minutes, I can destroy her life. So I advice you to do as I say if you do want her to be safe” My heart immediately escalate at his revelation. Is he really going to kill me? I'm about to die?

A loud bang resonate to my eardrums. It was so loud that I almost thought it was aimed to my body. But surprisingly, I didn't feel any pain in my body. However, the sound kept coming through. “I’m warning you for the last time, put the lady down” the voice came again.

I didn't know how it all happened yet, I found myself getting energized and I kicked him on his groin. His hold on my body lightened which gave me the cue to detach my body from his hold. With my eyes still covered with blindfold, I made a run even though I have no idea where I was running off too. The only thing in my mind is to run for my life.

I didn't take more than three step when my body was being lifted off the ground again. “Let me go!” The  blinfold was taken off immediately. An unfamiliar surrounding came in view. “Who are you?” I ushered to the stranger.

“Don’t worry you're in safe hands” he ushered back. My eyes scanned the surrounding and I let out a astounded shout. The whole place look like a war took place. The bodies of Raphael’s men were all scatter on the ground and by the side was Henry clutching his leg.

“Neil” He settled me on my two feet. “Where is Neil?” I uttered trying to make my way inside. The stranger was quick in holding my arm. “It’s dangerous. Neil will take care of it. I've already alerted the police. They will be here soon. We should get out of here before he corner us with his men”

“You mean to tell me Neil is in there alone. With his father?” I asked boring my eyes into his. The silence I got from him tells me my predictions are right. “I have to be with him. He needs me by his side” I bombard trying to make my way inside. My eyes shifted to Henry almost pale on the ground.

“I know you're not a heartless person like Raphael, do me a favour and take me to them. I will make sure you leave here alive” I won't say I understood what I was blabbering. My heart is telling me something will go wrong inside.

“Since both of you are not going to do anything, I will go in myself” I barely took one step when everything went dark all of a sudden and I felt into a pit of darkness once again.