Chapter 117: Chapter 117

KRISTEN

"June has been kidnapped."

I stood still, frozen to the spot, scared and confused at the same time.

My heartbeat doubled. For a split second, I could almost picture Mark opening his mouth again to speak and telling me that June—God forbid, because I'd hang myself in the living room—was found dead somewhere.

"Don't worry, she is okay," he added. Seemed he noticed the dead look in my eyes.

I exhaled in relief, my breath coming out in gasps. Surprisingly, Mark was no longer frantic and running around in alarm. I didn't pay much attention to it.

"What the hell do you mean by that? Her safety isn't something to joke about! Where is June?" I asked, rushing to my table and grabbing my keys. Mark was still not moving.

"Kristen, listen to me. Listen carefully." He blocked the door. "I made all that drama to clear the way so I could see you on time."

Keys in hand, an erratically beating heart, and my mind flying in all directions, I stopped at the door and accessed Mark with squinted eyes.

"Mark, what is going on? Where is June?!"

"I know you want to rush out now. But listen first." He took in a long and relaxing breath. "I've been talking with Edith for some time now, and I don't know at what point the conversation became very intimate, but I began to see and hear some things that seemed very suspicious. I acted accordingly, tipping in some things to make her feel like we shared similar interests, and..."

I couldn't tell where the story was going, but since it had something to do with what was on the ground, I listened.

"Kristen, Edith has been responsible for all the things that's been happening. With my help, she is presently holding June hostage and I have a great plan."

*. *. *. *.*

The shock was an understatement.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Nothing prepared me for it.

Edith?!

Was this some sort of joke? Or... was I being pranked?

Maybe June had a surprise for me and wanted a little drama to go with it.

"Mark," I managed to say. "Are you sure of what you're saying?"

"A hundred per cent sure. And no, you are not being pranked. Edith is holding her hostage, and we have to do this ourselves. I need you to listen to me."

"Okay, what do we do?!" I cried out in alarm.

"Call the police and request for three men. They should disable their sirens. Get your car keys and come with me," he ordered, looking more serious than I've ever seen him be.

My keys were already in my grip. I rushed to the table again and picked up my phone, running behind Mark who had already exited the office.

I called the police immediately we were in the car and did as Mark said. We agreed to meet them at a popular street.

I was surprised to see them waiting for us there. I didn't know they would respond so fast. If something like this had happened some weeks ago, they would have pretended nothing happened, or even cut the call on me. Funny how things changed immediately after my announcement and proof that June wasn't related to me.

"They will follow us there without raising attention," Mark said when we were on the road. He pointed to a bend and indicated for me to go that way. From the rearview mirror, I could see them following closely behind. "When we get there, nobody will make a move to get either Edith or June until we've gathered enough evidence."

If not that I had known Mark before the incident, I would have mistaken him for a detective or some special CIA agent.

I drove with my heart in my mouth and a feeling of disbelief swarming my guts. Edith? No, it couldn't be.

Throughout the drive, I felt nauseous. It came from the feeling of dread that made me anxious. I swear, if anything happens to June, I will kill Edith myself!

Not even the police would be able to stop me.

It all made sense now... Her interest in my private life, her pretended support, her plan to send June out of the country... everything she did to tear me and June away from each other.

I didn't have to drive for too long. Mark was calm and very patient with giving me directions, and the men in the sedan behind us were also very patient and quiet.

"Here," Mark said, pointing to the opening of a thick vegetative expanse. It looked like a mini forest. "Stop here," he said when we got to the entrance. "We will go on foot from here."

The men stopped behind us, got out, and cocked their guns, each of them eager for the 'adventure'.

"Who is he?" one of the men asked, pointing to Mark with one hand while holding his gun with the other. If I had given the order, Mark would have been shot there on the spot.

"He is the one going to show us the way. Come on."

We walked carefully and weaved into the forest.

I didn't know I was breathing fast until Mark signalled me to be calm. Some minutes later, we arrived at a building.

The roof was incomplete and the blocks seemed like they would collapse any minute.

"Your phone," Mark whispered pointing to my pocket. "We will need to tape this."

"Wait for my signal before doing anything," I whispered to the men as I dug out my phone with shaky hands.

We approached the building on our toes, careful, to prevent giving out our presence.

One of the officers stopped at the front door—that seemed to have been eaten by termites—and got into a battle stance.

The second officer was at the side of the building before I had the time to tell the last one to stay with me and Mark.

We ended up crawling to the back and peeping through the window which had no cover.

"If you want that, you have to be perfect in bed!" It was unmistakably June's voice. A slap followed her words. I gasped and tried shooting up, but Mark held me down and indicated for me to be quiet. My breath grew heavy. How dare she lay her filthy hands on June?!

The conversation continued, with Mark recording everything, and the third officer patiently waiting beside us.

"...The old Mark wouldn't mislead you, but the current one has. And that's because you were too blind to see his love!" It was Edith, the snake, the fucking slut!

Mark was still taking a video of the entire episode with my phone. When I was raised to half my height, my heart broke.

June was tied to a chair.

Like a fucking animal!!!

I swear, Edith will pay for this!!

Mark drew his palm down his chest in a gesture for me to calm down.

I did calm down, but my ears were active in picking out everything.

"Mark loves me?" June asked softly. I could hear her angelic voice from where I was crouched. Oh, June, so naive...

Then, with pride and arrogance, Edith gave out her entire plan, leaving nothing, not even her role in June losing the baby.

Tears started to slowly fall down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and listened to everything. At some point, I stopped listening, blaming myself for everything.

When my mind would register June's voice again, it came with a gasp and muffled shout for help.

"It's time to go in!" Mark whisper-shouted. I passed the order to the officer beside me who said something into the radio attached to his shoulder.

I heard a loud bang on the front door, followed by a loud authoritative voice.

"Let her go!"

I rose to my feet and ran in, Mark and the officer behind me.

I just hope June is okay...