Chapter 3 - I want you back

Now knowing her name, the search is easier. They know who they are looking for. Their contacts have been checking hotels, restaurants, clubs, and even airports. But Maria is too fast. Whenever they get a hint of her whereabouts, she leaves before they get there. It is almost as if someone is tipping her off.

Romeo gets more and more frustrated as the days go by. He can't believe how one girl can turn his life upside down. He doesn't even know who he is anymore. The only thing he talks or thinks about is Maria.

His 'fans' think that he is pretending so they don't tease him with that incident but anytime they get close, he shoves them away.

Finally, he receives a tip-off from one of his contacts as to the hotel Maria is lodging. This time, he didn't want any mistakes. He decides to go without any bodyguard to not create suspicion. He is given the room number but before he gets there, she is gone.

"Tell me, where is she?" He yells at the hotel manager. They fear him because he patronizes them a lot.

"She left about ten minutes ago." The manager responds in a shaky and fearful voice.

"When will she come back?" He asks coldly.

"She didn't look like she was going to come back. She carried all her bags and checked out." He responded. You can see for yourself on our CCTV cameras. He tried to be helpful.

"No need for that. It will just waste my time but why did you not stop her? he yells" again.

"I am sorry but we can't do that Sir. It will be an infringement on her right, which is against our policies but-" he pauses as if having a second thought.

"But what?" Romeo asks with a glint of hope.

"I heard her talking on the phone and telling someone to drop her at the airport". He says with a smile.

Before he finishes speaking, Romeo runs into the elevator, calling Pluto and Acid to meet him at the Airport. He can not help but notice the men in black who are standing in front of the hotel when he steps out of the elevator.

He instantly feels suspicious and decides to stalk around a bit. He did not regret his decision when he hears one of them mention Maria.

Looking at them, Romeo can tell without any investigation that, they have been paid to look for her but by who? This is the missing piece of the puzzle.

Can this be the reason why Maria keeps running? She is hiding from someone and he is bound to find out but first, he has to find her. Entering his Lamborghini, he steps on the accelerator as the car moves out of the driveway. He droves with a speed he has never used before. It's as if his life depends on it.

Luckily, Acid's contacts have located her at the airport and they are keeping eyes on her. Romeo arrives panting but as he gets there, he sees Maria being dragged away with a gun behind her. He can't help but notice the plea in her eyes when she sees him. It's as if she is begging him to help her.

The airport is crowded and he does not want to attract any unnecessary attention so he follows them slowly. He watches as they take her out of the airport and into a black GMT. He enters his car and follows them and calls Acid, instructing him to track the car as he gives him the car number.

They track the car to a hotel where the men in black are waiting. So this is it. Romeo thought. This is the reason why she keeps running. He parks his car a few meters away and walks to them, making sure to keep hidden from their view. Getting close, He sees a limousine parked in front of them and a young man steps out. He looks familiar to Romeo so he tries to recollect how knows him.

Yes. It's no other than James Pores. Who wouldn't know James Pores? He is one of the youngest billionaires. At 25, he inherited a hundred billion dollars when his parents died. Some sources say he killed them but no one has any proof whatsoever. However, no one knows anything about his private life. It was a great surprise for Romeo to see him with Maria.

Curiosity takes the better part of him and he moves closer and begins to hear their conversation.

"So how long will keep hiding Maria? James asks sarcastically.

"As long as you keep sending these thugs after me", she responded boldly.

"Well, I am your husband and I need you in our house". He said straightening his tie proudly.

"Ex. You forgot to add. Ex-husband, she repeated." With eyes filled with pain.

"Do you have to keep rubbing it in?" He asked with a sigh.

"Well, why don't you just go back to your hot, sexy, and faithful wife?" After all, she is the reason why we are in this situation. She said with bitterness.

"I told you I was getting a divorce. We haven't been together since, he said, "walking towards her as he tries to hold her hand but she shoves him away making him angry.

"Now you listen and listen good, whether you like it or not, I want you back and don't try to keep running because I will always find you and I might just drag you back home if that's what it takes.", he ended with a serious face.

"That will never happen. Over my dead body will I return to that hell of a marriage. I endured all your anger, abuse, and arrogant utterances but that wasn't enough for you. You accused me without investigation and sent me away despite my cries of innocence. Now you have the guts to show yourself here and tell me to return to -". James rudely interrupts her again.

"But I paid you, he says arrogantly. I gave you 50% of all I had. Trust me, I treated you better than you deserved". He says annoyingly.

His words hurt Maria to the core. She was married to him at eighteen by her father because he didn't want her to be alone. He wanted someone to protect her and James was the perfect person. He had all the money and power. So she accepted to marry him since she wasn't in love with anyone at the moment. She was told her mother died a few hours after giving birth to her. But her nanny who raised her had taught her a lot.

Even before she got married, she told Maria that it's not always love at first sight. That people grow to love each other. She taught her to be a submissive wife, which is why she never fought back. She wanted to be a good wife.

She didn't know that she will end up being beaten every day for his pleasure. He was a maniac. But she endured. Throughout their five years of marriage, she endured his torture. As a result, she had four miscarriages. Two months after she got married, her father died so she had no one to confide in.

Three years ago, she decided to confide in her only childhood friend, Olivia. She ended up being manipulated into Olivia's scheme. She set her up and made James believe Maria was having an affair. Olivia wanted James to leave Maria penniless but unfortunately, Maria got half of James' wealth to her dismay.

What Maria didn't know was that Olivia envied her for marrying a billionaire. So set her up with Liam, James' best friend, little did she know that Liam will confess everything. Now James feels like a fool and wants his wife back.

What hurt Maria most was, before the divorce procedures were over, invitation cards to their wedding was already out. She never wanted a divorce. She could have continually endured everything without complaint.

"That is what I am to you right? A toy you can play with and throw away when you want? No way. You made your decision and now, I get to make mine so stay away and remember to stop sending these animals." She yells, trying hard to hold her tears from falling". Before she takes a step, James holds her by the arm.

"You will not leave me again Maria." James said."

"No, you left me and it stays that way." She replies amidst tears, pulling her arms from his grip.

Unfortunately, she is surrounded by James' bodyguards by James signal.

Romeo has been watching everything from a distance. He wants to interfere but common sense tells him to wait for his team because James' men were ten including James and they were all armed.

Fortunately, his team arrives so he beckons them to follow his lead.

"You either follow me peacefully or I will drag you with force". It's your choice. James says skeptically.

"I will never follow you." Maria responds stubbornly and tries to force her way through the bodyguards only to be pulled back violently by James.

"You heard the lady. Stay away". Romeo roars behind James.