3

Henessey’s POV

My eyes fluttered open, but the darkness was suffocating and absolute. I tried to lift my hand to remove the blindfold hindering my vision, but it felt heavy and unresponsive.A dull ache throbbed in my temple, like a gentle drumbeat. I winced, trying to recall how I got here or where I was.

Fragments of memories flashed through my mind—the restaurant, Kellen , the black SUV! My heart raced as I struggled to piece everything together. I was tied up and couldn’t move. 

The truck's darkness enveloped me, the smell of dampness and exhaust fumes suffocating. The rough carpet chafed my skin as I struggled against the ropes but it was no use.

Panic surged through me as I realized I didn't know where the kidnappers were taking us. We were still moving, and I was in a tight spot with another warm body that I could only assume was Kellen ’s. His calm breathing was unnerving in the tense silence.

He was knocked out before me, but I woke up first? I wondered, alarmed as I remembered the blood after he was hit with the gun butt. Fear gripped me; he was probably still suffering from a concussion.

I decided to stop moving for fear of getting noticed by the kidnappers. The drive was long and uncomfortable since we were tied with our hands behind our backs. Every bump in the road sent jolts of pain through my body.

Finally, the car came to a halt. I remained still as the car doors opened and closed. The car was soundproofed, so I didn’t hear them go around to open the trunk.

They lifted me like I was nothing and threw me over their shoulder. I didn’t struggle or act as if I was awake; it was the best I could do in our situation. My heart pounded in my chest, each thud a reminder of my helplessness.

In the car, I had contemplated shouting for help at every stop we made, but fear and anxiety kept me silent. After realizing the car was soundproofed, I was relieved I hadn’t tried.

The one carrying me suddenly stopped, and then I heard him.

"Why are there two of them? You were only supposed to take the only  billionaire. Why the hell did you take a woman as well?" he asked, sounding angry.

"Because the boss said so," the henchman answered.

"The fuck do you mean by that? Your orders were the billionaire, not his woman, for Christ's sake!"

A voice from behind chimed in, another familiar voice. "The girl saw my face. We couldn’t leave her. Besides, her family is probably loaded, so it’s a win-win."

That was a lie, I never saw a face, it was intentional.

"Win-win? Did you say win-win? The fuck is wrong with you? It’s already hard enough that we took the country’s golden prince; now we have to deal with her too?"

The brothers continued their fighting while the henchman took me away. How did I know they were brothers you may wonder?

This is because I grew up with those boys. Even at the brink of death, I would still recognize them. The first speaker was Ryan and the second was Ethan. Just like my sister and me, they were twins.

They were my childhood friends, especially Ryan. We were once neighbors before my father’s business skyrocketed. Even after we left, I managed to keep in contact with Ryan until I moved to the States.

I knew their father was a shady figure because my parents never wanted us to associate with them. That was why Ethan hated them; he kept his distance most of the time, calling us privileged.

I never thought I would meet my childhood best friend again, much less in a situation like this.

Tears filled my eyes, soaking the blindfold. My heart ached for the twins. I never thought they would follow in their father’s line of work since Ryan had his own aspirations. I could believe Ethan because he had always been hotheaded, but not Ryan.

What could have happened to make him fall into a life of crime?

As I struggled with my thoughts, someone entered the room where we were kept. Even as he approached, I could feel the familiarity.

He squatted to my level, then his hand caressed my cheek. He knew who I was. He was among the only few people on earth who could tell the difference between my sister and I.

"I’m sorry," he mumbled.

"Are you?" I asked, my voice trembling with anger and sadness.

He instantly flinched, shocked that I was awake. He cleared his throat and tried to make his voice deeper. "You were not supposed to be kidnapped, lady."

"Really, Ryan? Do you  think I can’t recognize you?" I asked, my voice choked with emotion. "Why, Ryan? You promised—"

"You will never understand,Hennessy, I didn't choose this," he snapped , rising. "I won’t ask you to keep it a secret when you are released. I deserve whatever is coming."

His voice cracked as he continued, the words barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Hen, I never meant for this to happen.''

 The silence that followed was oppressive and heavy with regret. My heart sank. Then the door creaked.

"You coward, don’t you walk out on me!" I yelled, my voice cracking as I struggled against the ropes but he was gone. 

 I sobbed, crying until I could cry no more. Did he really think he was the only one life wasn’t fair to?

I was torn out of my family's lives for good, and even when I told them about my return, they forgot. To them, I would be left to die in the hands of the kidnappers.

Life isn’t fair to anyone, but it doesn’t mean they should fall into a life of crime. I sniffed deeply, then noticed movement by my side, but that was it. The sleeping beauty hadn’t woken up.

Annoyed that he was still sleeping at a time like this, I kicked him away from me. Brutal but well-deserved. I wouldn’t have been here if he didn’t insist on us meeting.

 As I layed there, I lost track of time. Days blended together, the darkness and my fear heightened. Then suddenly, I heard the sounds of sirens and footsteps. the blindfold was ripped off, and I winched at the bright light. The police had found us. Ransom was, however, paid only for Kellen .

Questions were being asked, my father was here, but the world blurred as Kellen  approached me.

I gasped, shocked that he was awake. He had been asleep for days but suddenly woke up after our rescue.

My parents gave way for him to sit near me in the ambulance. They kept asking questions, but both of us couldn’t hear them. Something about the small grin on his face made my hair stand in uneasiness. 

Kellen  leaned in and whispered,"You'll marry me, Helena or I'll expose your secret connection to the criminal , Ryan. Your reputation will be ruined and your family will disown you."