Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Hands shaking, Lea manages to open the backyard door. But as she bit her trembling lips, she can’t hold her tears any longer. The pain of losing them rushes again into her mind. It’s been so long since she felt like this. She thought that everything is all right by now but it seems to not be the case.

‘I thought… I am all good now. I thought that the moment is see them again I will not be hurt like this… but I am wrong. Everything was still fresh. Everything was still… the same. Just like this house… its still the same the last time I saw it before. That cup of a mug that grandma uses that morning… it is still here…. the chair she used to sit at every hour… it is still here…’

Holding her lips, she sobs. Feeling the pain that keeps on entering her mind.

‘Everything was here but them…’

And for so long, the tears she holds keep flowing down her cheeks. As if it is finally loose.

.

.

.

“So… you are Lea’s… grand parents…”

He mumbled and bend his knees to sit.

“It is nice to finally meet you two. I never thought you are… like this”

Slightly shaking his head, it did not cross his mind that Lea’s gran parents are already dead. He thought that… they are just inside the house. But to think that the two passed away already, Aiden can’t help but felt silent.

“My grandparents are also where you are, so do my mother. If you ever saw her, please tell her I miss her so much..."

Back to where Aiden was, Lea is now holding a candle that was half used.

“Granma, granpa, sorry this is the only thing I find inside”

Her eyes are red, Aiden can see it. She did not show up for some time. She lit it up and Aiden stands up to give Lea time with them. He knows that she has many things to tell them.

“Lea, I’ll be in the car”

Nodding her head she did not look at Aiden. But little did she knows, Aiden can’t remove his gaze on her.

‘Will she be all right?’

Receiving another message from Elton he open it and immediately received a phone call.

[Aiden? You hear me?]

“Why? What’s the matter?”

[You need to get out of there right now!]

Sound of vehicles rushing his direction can be heard. It was loud enough to catch his attention and loud enough to not make him hear what Elton said.

“Sorry, some noise came, what is it again?”

[Oh shit, damn it!]

Only his curse can be heard. And before Aiden knows it, he saw the group of men that they have a mask covering their faces.

“Aiden, is everything alright? What’s with the nois-“

Lea did not had the chance to finish her words. Numbers of guns can be seen pointing at her and so do Aiden.

Still holding his phone, Elton’s voice can be heard.

[Hey! What is happening?? Aiden!]

Clicking something on his phone, the men saw him and immediately force it out of his hand.

[Process complete]

That is the only thing he can saw before he smashes it on the ground so that no matter what Aiden did, he will have no chance to call any back up.

“Aiden…”

Afraid by what she saw, Lea’s hand felt numb. She feel the same fright she felt when she was sold. By just seeing those men makes her shiver. With guns being part of the event, she was obedient in being silent.

“Who are you? What do you want from us?”

Aiden speaks as he took steps to reach Lea. He saw how afraid she was.

“You are in no place to ask things”

Rushing to Aiden, Lea was cornered by two huge guy wearing black shirts.

“Where do you think you are going? Miss?”

And all she can ever see was Aiden falling on the ground before she had her eyes shut close. Seeing nothing else but black.

…

“Is the boss here already?”

“You came earlier than expected, he is waiting for you inside”

The man wearing a gray suit then smiled and point the room hiding behind the thick curtain.

“Carl, you are here”

“Long time no see. I heard you have a good news for me?”

Bowing his head, a small smile can be seen on his face,

“I told you before that I will be back to pay you back in your kindness…”

A grin then escapes on the man’s lips. Picking up the glass of wine right beside him, the dim light from the room started to turn brighter as the lights are now moving to his direction.

“Aiden Lazarus, the man you despise so much. I brought him here… with a special bonus, he is together with his wife”

“I told you that you don’t need to do that, but I would like to give you a gift for the present you gave me. I will very much appreciate it if no one ever sees you take them here. if so, it would be you bringing me a problem and not a gift at all”

“Rest assured that I did my job very well. All lips present are tight sealed. No one will dare betray me, Master Paul”

Slightly laughing, the man sipping the wine reveals his long hair as it was in a low side pony. Wearing a glass his eyes is still visible as it wasn’t tinted.

“Is that so? Then great job Carl. I didn’t know that someone I saved before would be the same person to give me what I wished to have”

Offering him a toast as he drinks his wine, Carl simply bow his head in respect.

“Anything for you, Master Paul”

.

.

.

It was cold and dark. That is the only thing that Aiden knows the moment he opens his eyes.

‘Where am I?’

Remembering what happened, he tried to move and find any source of light. But to no avail, his hands are tied for good. He can’t even stand up with the rope holding his feet from doing so.

‘What the hell…’

Cursing, he has no idea where he is, the only hope he had for him to be saved was the video uploaded automatically to Elton. That is his only hope.

Lea’s image suddenly flashes into his mind. Lea was with him and he was aware of that.

‘If I am like this then… Lea is probably tied too!’

“Lea??!”

Shouting, luckily his mouth has no tape or clothes placed to not let him make any sound.

“Lea?! Are you here?? Can you hear me?”

Not hearing any sound, he thought that he was there alone. But soon he heard a humming sound.

“Lea? Are you here?”

And again, that faint hum was heard. It made him believe it was her.

“I don’t know how long we will stay here but rest assured help will come any time soon”

Saying those words, even him have no idea if any help would come. But one thing for sure, Elton will do his best to find him. After all, Elton is someone he can trust.

The sound of the door opening was then heard. That caught Aiden’s attention.

“Look who we have here”

Someone then speaks as it joins the sound of his shoes tapping the ground.

‘That voice… why does it sound so familiar? Where did I hear it again?’