Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Vega POV.

"I'm just glad you look so happy Vega, I was so worried about you back then but I didn't want to say anything, I didn't want to risk hurting your feelings more than they already were." Mom said and I smiled.

"I know, and I'm fine now. We just got back together and I know it's going to work out this time".

"I'm sure it will. I'm just glad you both worked out your differences, and that he came back for you. My baby is one lucky girl, that guy is freaking gorgeous but I have to tell you that your father was way more handsome than him"

I laughed. "I'm not even going to fight you on that".

She burst into a laugh. "You better not, 'cause you'd be fighting a losing battle. I can be a very good lawyer when I have to be, especially for sacred causes".

She was freaking killing me. "I got it ma. I wouldn't dare go against you in court, cause you being a lawyer, the case is already a done deal." I said, choking back a laugh as she chuckled.

"I've got to go back to the party, I need to give a speech at the end of it all, but before that, how's the school like, are you enjoying yourself "

Mom groaned. "It is exhausting. If I knew it was going to be this hard, I wouldn't have applied. I've got assignments strewn all over my desk, and it's not because I'm slacking off.

I laughed because I could relate to that sort of pressure. "You'll get used to it soon ma, just hang in there. Plus you need it if you want to get a promotion at your work".

"I do, don't I? But do I really need to work when I have you tho"

I gasped dramatically. "Are you finally realizing what I've been trying to tell you all these years"?

"Nah, I have to do this for myself. I'm going to do this for myself and I'm going to come out on top".

"There's no doubt you will. I love you Mom".

"I love you too, I hope next time you call, it will be you and Zach, I also want you both to send me cute pictures but keep it PG-13".

I laughed because she never stopped saying that. "I'll be sure to remember not to send you explicit pictures, Mom".

"You better not," she said then sighed. "I'm proud of you child, keep shining".

I smiled, feeling great about myself. "You too, Mom."

"Ok, I've got to get back to the demonic assignments."

"Murder them", I advised and I could almost see her smirking.

"You bet I will," she said, then ended the call.

I smiled at my phone and then took a deep breath. I was so freaking happy that the world could be crashing and I wouldn't even care.

I turned away from the balcony and almost crashed into Ray. I stopped in time, my heart rate increasing from the momentum.

"Ray, hi, I didn't know Andrianna invited you," I said, but I was sure she didn't. Ray was just this way, he didn't know how to let go even tho he knew it would never work out between him and Andria.

"Are you and Zach back together".

"Excuse me, I don't think that's any of your business," I said, feeling offended even tho he was only asking a question.

He laughed, his expression suddenly hardening. "Andrianna must not have been telling you good things about me".

"It's not Andrianna Ray, it's just you. You should stop bothering her. Your ass should be grateful she even took care of you after you cheated on her."

He crossed his arm, nodding. "You look like you've been dying to say that to me".

"Yes I have. You keep hovering over Andrianna as if you're a fucking cloud, you stress her out and make her drink. Her parents already told you to forget about the marriage, so why are you still here".

He rubbed at his beard thoughtfully, almost as if considering whether to answer my question or not.

"I did come here to see her, but she's not the only reason. I came for Zach too" he said and my eyes widened.

"What do you have to do with Zach?" I asked as I took a step back from him, suddenly very alert and wary of him.

"I have nothing to do with him, but his father owes me and until he pays up, his beloved son will pay for it".

He was insane, was the thought that ran through my head as I stared at him. He definitely needed to be committed. I pressed my lips together, then smiled, as I tried to step around him, but he was nimble on his feet since he blocked my path with a single move before I could blink.

"It was nice talking to you, but we have to end it here, I have a speech to give." I also needed to go to Zach and warn him about a potential lunatic who was trying to get at him for no reason. Andrianna also needed to know that her ex was weird.

He snickered. "And what makes you think I'm going to let you go back to them after everything I told you?'' he said, pinning me with a sick smile.

I looked around me and noticed that there were a lot of people walking around and If I screamed, they would help me out.

"I don't think you will, I know you will because if you try anything funny, I won't hesitate to scream bloody murder and get you in trouble with the law. And I don't think that tattoo on your hand is going to favor you if I choose to do that, so step aside and I'll pretend this conversation never happened."

He looked down at his tattoo as if he was unaware of it before, then he laughed, pushing his suit aside until I saw the gun wedged in the holster he wore. I paled in shock, my body freezing up as he pulled it out and pointed it at me. "Don't make me turn your party Into a blood fest, dollface. I won't hesitate in killing everyone here if you don't come with me".

I clenched my trembling fist, then raised my chin. "Where are we going?" I asked, my voice shaking.

He was about to reply when his phone rang and it was all the chance I needed because his gaze slipped away from me and I bolted.

I could hear him cursing as he chased after me, but in some seconds I was already back with the crowd and when I looked, he wasn't behind me.

Noah, Markus, and Jake seemed to be waiting for me because they rushed toward me, and I knew something was wrong before they opened their mouths to say anything.

"Where's Zach?". "Where's Andrianna,"  Noah and Jake both asked at the same time, their voice bouncing off the other.

I stared at both of them, my heart rate increasing as panic flooded through my skin. "What do you mean by that, I should be asking you both where they are"

"Well, they rushed to go find you after we found out from Arielle that Ray was out looking for blood".

"Why will they do that, they knew I was out taking a call," I asked, feeling sick. Everything was going downhill really fast. I needed some answers and I needed them fast.

"Well, Arielle was spouting some nonsense about Ray being involved with Zach's Father in some illegal business, that he wanted some documents from him, and that he was planning on hurting Zach or Noah to get it, and then they suddenly called your name and ran out. We didn't go after them because we didn't know what was up"

My mind conjured up different horrible scenarios and I felt like throwing up. "Well I just saw Ray and he threatened me to follow him, with a gun, but I ran, and he said the exact same thing you both just said".

They both stared at me in disbelief, then comprehension dawned and their face paled matching mine.

"Let's alert the security first so that they'll look for them both in this place" Noah suggested, his voice unsteady as he glanced around.

"Yes, let's do that" Markus said, his voice more steady than the rest of us. "We should also inform your father of this.. if Ray really got to Zach and Andrianna because of some documents which your father has, then those documents will guarantee their release right".

"You're right, I'll go tell him about this," he said on autopilot, then walked off in a daze.

"I'll take care of updating the security of the new development while you can bring the party to a close. The security will be stationed at the door to take note of everyone going out, and if they see Ray, they'll grab him" Jake said and Markus nodded, agreeing with the plan. He rushed toward the head of security.

"I'll bring this party to an end then," I said, trying to appear strong even when I was breaking apart inside.

Markus placed a hand on my shoulder, his gaze assuring. "Zach will be fine, they probably just got stuck in an elevator or something ok".

"Yeah, I get it," I said, then rushed up the stage, took a deep breath, forced a smile on my lips that wouldn't stop shaking, then took the mic and addressed the crowd.

Once I was done with my speech, I brought the party to a close and waited anxiously for everyone to move towards the door where the security stood, their eyes alert for any signs of Ray. Jake told me that the CCTV caught nothing, but it caught Andrianna and Zach moving outside the hall, and that Zach had been talking to someone on the phone, which was why I knew Zach and Andrianna were definitely not stuck in an elevator. I didn't know how but Ray had gotten to them, which meant he had an accomplice. Dante was making calls, while his wife stared at the thinning crowd.

Arielle walked up to me at the same time Noah, Markus, and Jake did.

"You look so agitated, poor you but I think I know something that will cheer you up. I know where Zach and Andrianna are" she said with a goofy smile. She was definitely on something, but her words made us alert.

"Where is he?" I asked, the air getting past my lungs not quite meeting my oxygen demand.

"Wherever jenny is, and I finally have a location," she said waving her phone back and forth.

Markus snapped it out of her hand. "it's not far from here".

"I'll call the cops".Jake said, bringing out his phone.

"I'll go tell my parents".

"We need to leave now, Markus, I can't wait here while Zach and Andrianna are just a few miles from us".

Markus took my hand and nodded once as Jake finished his call.

"The cops will be there probably in thirty minutes, and we can't wait that long, so are we going on a fucking rescue mission or what," Jake asked.

"We're fucking going on one," I said. Ray was going to regret messing with me, my love, and my friends.