Zara saw the assassin place a gun on Fred immediately they came out of the hideout and she became really scared for him. She didn't know what else to do so she ran out of the car and almost got to where Fred is. Clara made her way out as well seeing her son in a vulnerable state messed with her mind immediately."Zara!" Clara shouted after her but Bella didn't move an inch from where she's sitting. She needs to find an excuse as to why she's not there with them. Because when this whole thing is over, that's the question they will be asking her and she needs to find the perfect answer for it. Else she will be suspected and they might be nothing she will be able to do about it. Better safe than sorry, isn't that what they always say?"Don't you dare come any closer lady," the assassin screamed pointing the gun at Zara but she doesn't seems to care in the very least. The only thing she cares about right now is her husband being safe from this guy, and she will do anything to make sure of
"What are you doing? Why are you holding her hostage? We didn't have this agreement, let her go this minute. Have you lost your mind?" He was almost yelling at her but he doesn't want to scare Zara. "Bingo! I knew it, this is the most important person to you and I can see that. Now if you don't do as I say or what I want, I'm going to kill this beloved wife of yours and there's nothing you will be able to do about it. Think carefully about this Mr Fred, you have so much more to lose than me." He said and Fred shut his eyes in frustration. Now what is he going to do? He possibly cant let her be in the danger like this."You can't do this, you have to let her go. She has done nothing to you." He said and the guy burst into laughter. "I honestly can't believe that the almighty Mr Fred is like this because of his wife. I guess I have hit the jackpot with this one then, now hurry up and get me the helicopter that will be taking me straight to the place where I want. I will be taking this
"Zara! Zara!! Zara!!! No!!!" Fred screamed and immediately found his way to Zara who was laying on the floor in blood. He carried her into his arms and hugged her tight. Clara also ran there crying on her knees, she can't believe what just happened. "No please don't leave me, please don't leave me. Hey Zara, stay with me. Zara please!!" He screamed and cried and then turned to the guy."How dare you? How dare you bastard!!" Fred screamed, but to his surprise the guy was also on the floor in blood, the police officers were all on standby with their guns pointed at the assassin."What's happening, what's going on with him?" Fred asked the police officer who came forward to see if the assassin is still breathing."I'm sorry Mr Fred but we had to do that, if not he would have shot Mrs Zara. I'm afraid he's dead and there's nothing we can do now." He said and Fred was confused at first. When he finally processed what he said, he carried Zara and checked her body."You mean Zara was not th
Bella didn't know what to say especially as she wasn't expecting for her to ask her that question, she felt immediately nervous and stammered trying to come up with the best lie possible. "Uhmm I was just scared," Bella said and Clara frowned, what the hell is she saying? She's definitely lying to her, what does she mean by scared? Something is up with her, she can feel it."What are you even saying? Do you think I'm stupid or I don't have sense? You volunteered to come with us to the scene and now you said you were scared. Where were you? Where you in the car all through the time that we were there?" Clara asked and she nodded her head."Yes I was in the car, I thought I will be able to face the situation. The scene reminded me of when my mom was also kidnapped, and I still feel traumatised about the matter." Bella said and cried a little bit so she can believe her. But Clara is not the one to be fooled so easily. "If you think you can fool me easily, then you have me all wrong. I
"I have no idea what you are talking about Clara, I already explained what happned to you. I had a recollection of what happened to my mom, I witnessed it and that made me really scared. I should not have followed you there but I still took the risk to do that for you because I love Fred. He's my best friend and I could not stand the fact that he's in danger." Bella said putting on the pity face and attitude."I put my mental health issue aside and made my way there for my friend. But I could not go face the scene when I got there, I don't know why you are asking me all of this now." She added and Fred frowned at what she said."What are you saying Bella? When did your mother have such an experience and I didn't know about that." Fred said and Bella bit her lip down not wanting to say the wrong thing."Well you see just like I said to you now, it happened when I was still very little. I didn't see it as something important, and besides I never thought my best friend will be kidnapped
Bella turned and Clara was standing right there, she has no idea what to do now. That stupid doctor must have said something to her and now she knows she has the test results. She should have found a way to bribe the doctor, maybe then she would not have said anything to her. "Uhmm Clara I can explain what happened, I'm sure things didn't happen the way you think, I'm telling you. You really have to believe me, you can't believe that doctor over me. I didn't want to share the good news that way, please forgive me." She said and moved closer to her trying to control the situation. Clara however was confused because she has no idea what's she's even talking about now."What nonsense are you even all about now? I have no idea what you are even talking about, are you sure you are okay and there's nothing wrong with you. Perhaps you need the doctor to come have a look at you, are you sure you are okay up there?" Clara asked and Bella was shocked at what she just heard, she had thought she
Zara was really surprised hearing him talk way he just did. She was not expecting him to be this vulnerable with her, she looked up at him and their eyes locked with each other. They sat there staring into each other's eyes for a while without a blink. Zara wanted to turn her face away from him but he was fast enough to grab her face and kissed her immediately. The kiss was gentle at first but it became passionate with both of them giving in to their emotions and kissing each other with reckless abandon. Zara pulled Fred closer as she placed her hand around his neck and continued to kiss him. Fred gently patted her lips and placed a kiss on her lips as he continued to kiss her, he pulled away and stood up leaving zara hanging."Why did you stop?" Zara asked him frowning as she placed her hand over her chest in anger. Did he suddenly regret kissing her, maybe he reconsidered what he said and felt he should not have said something like that. She was so angry that she wanted to stand up
Bella who heard what the investigator said was really shocked and didn't know what to say or do now. She thought that fool already killed him, how come he's still alive. He thinks he's a cat with nine lives right? She's going to have find a way to finish him off totally and this time he sure won't be able to survive it."What are you saying? You mean he was not shot?" She asked all of a sudden and everyone turned to face her after hearing her question. She didn't want to ask the question as well but she's too curious and can't keep to her self on the matter."No ma'am, he was shot but luckily he was able to survive the gunshot. We are making sure that he's safe and protected and no harm will come to him. But right now, he's unconscious and still under care and observation from the doctors."What do you mean by luckily, there's nothing lucky about what happened. He tried to hurt Fred, he's supposed to be dead already. I'm sure he's working with the other guy that kidnapped Fred, he's a
Fred was laughing when his phone rang, but the moment he answered, his face turned serious."Fred, this is Detective James. I've got some news. We have Hailey, her mother, and Bella. They're all in custody."Fred's eyes grew wide with shock. "What? How in the world did you guys find them?"The detective chuckled. "Let's just say we had some good leads. They're in the process of being booked now."A wave of relief washed over Fred. "Thank God. Thank you, Detective.""We're not done yet, Fred. We still need to question them and get to the bottom of this. But for now, you can rest easy knowing they're off the streets."Fred nodded, even though the detective couldn't see him. "I appreciate it. Please keep me updated."As he hung up, Fred turned to Zara and Clara. "It's all over. Hailey, her mother, and Bella are behind bars."Tears brimmed over in Zara's eyes. "Oh, thank God. Our kids are safe."Clara smiled, her face carved with relief. "This is the best news we could have asked for."Fr
The booms of the police sirens in the warehouse were getting closer now. Clara was holding her daughter-in-law Zara's hand very tightly to soothe her."Help is here, Zara, just hang in there." These words repeated for a while produced from the lips of Clara, firm but quaking with emotion.Zara's eyes fluttered closed, her face going white and sweaty. Clara missed one heartbeat, not even daring to go to the worst place in her mind.But then Zara's eyes flickered open again, and she fixed them onto Clara. "Clara. Lo siento. I didn't mean to put you in danger."Clara was crying now, blubbering, the tears cascading down her face. "Don't say that, Zara. You're going to be fine. You're going to pull through."The medics burst past Clara, utterly focused on Zara. Clara stood, staring, while they dropped down to her level and pinned the wound on Zara's neck, then pulled her up onto the gurney.She gripped Zara's hand tightly in her own, behind her back in the ambulance, praying that with ever
"I have to go in there, Clara, for I have to find out what's happening to my girl. The silence—it just kills me."Clara's face set in a stubborn cast. "No, Zara, I cannot let you in there on your own; it's dangerous."Zara was indecisive. Her mind knew Clara was right, yet on the other hand, she simply could not do this. "Clara, please, I gotta do this. I'll be okay."Clara just shook her head. "But I'm not going to let you go in there alone. What if Bella is dangerous? What if she unmans you?"Zara let out a melodramatic sigh at that one, knowing against all her credibilities that Clara wouldn't."Okay. But you have got to promise me one thing. You have to stay way back and let me handle it. I don't want you under attack because of me."Clara's expression had softened, but her voice did not relent. "I'll stay behind, but just because you promise me one thing- you're going to be careful, and if things get out of hand, you get out of there, period."Zara nodded. Clara, she knew was o
Reaching the bottom step and hearing the 'click' of the sound of the hardwood floor beneath her boots, she entered the living room, where Clara was already seated sipping at a cup of coffee."Hey girl, you look fabulous," she told Zara, placing her cup on the table.Another added booster of her confidence made her smile. "Thanks, Clara, I am feeling rather good today."Clara nodded solemnly. "Yes, we need to find a way to talk about Bella. I was just trying to clear my thoughts and jot down in writing some thoughts on how we would start in dealing with the whole issue."Zara nodded as she got seated on a small stone beside Clara. "I am all ears. Let's hear it all."There she was, deep in conversation, when through the door in came Fred-torn, untidy in his appearance. "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I was thinking of something since you're going out, would you like me to make some lunch for when you get back?"So, forthwith, a smile flitted from Zara, quite touched at Fred's caring
"Me neither. It's like she just snapped or something."Clara held her eyes, concern etched on her face. "Do you think Fred's plan for helping her is a good idea?"Zara hesitated, having known otherwise what to respond to. A part of her wanted to believe that Bella could be salvaged, that she wasn't beyond redemption. Another part of her was just plain terrified, scared of what Bella might do next."I don't know, Clara," Zara said finally. "I want to believe that Bella can change, that she's not beyond help. But at the same time, I'm scared. I don't know what she's capable of."Clara nodded with understanding. "I think so too. But do we not have to try, Zara? For Fred's sake, if nothing else."Zara nodded, her emotions oozing with an air of resolution. "You are right. We have to try."Just then, Fred came downstairs. His eyes were tired, but there was a determined look in them. "Guys, I've been thinking. I know how we can reach Bella."Zara and Clara gave each other a hopeful look. "Wh
As Fred was lost in the thought that it might be possible for Bella to change, Zara grew tense in his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly and gently full of concern.Fred was unsure of what to say to Zara about his plan; he just felt undecided. But something in her soft voice just made everything all right. "I have been thinking," he began, his voice barely above the whisper. "I probably could help Bella. I probably could get her the help she needs."Zara's face contorted in incredulity. "Fred, we have talked about this. Bella's beyond help. Toxic, she will bring you down with her."Fred nodded, realizing Zara's concern was founded. But he couldn't help that feeling inside him, telling him he needed at least to try. "I know, but what if I can reach her? What if I could help change her?"Zara heaved a deep sigh and searched his face for an answer. "You really would risk everything, wouldn't you, for her?"Fred nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. "I have to t
Fred trudged up the walkway, his feet heavy with the weight of his conversation with the detective. He had been hoping to find some way to help Bella, but now he wasn't so sure. As he reached the front door, it swung open and Zara stood before him, a look of concern etched on her face."Hey," she said standing aside to let him in. "How did it go?"Fred sighed, rubbing his temples. He didn't know how to summarize the complicated emotions swirling inside him.A seemingly sympathetic frown was creasing Zara's face. "That bad, huh?"Fred nodded, and he felt an immense weight being lifted, just being near Zara made things better.Zara softly closed the door as he entered inside, then leaned back against it, crossing her arms. "So, did you get to speak to her?" she asked softly.Fred's eyes dropped, his mind flashing back to the conversation with Bella. He hadn't expected her to be so. unrepentant. So uncaring."Yeah," he said at last, voice barely above a whisper. "She was vile like always
Fred asked the detective, "Is there a way to protect her? I don't want anything to happen to her."Detective Mathew's eyes became wide with shock. "Protect her? Mr. Fred, she's the one who has been causing harm to others. Why would you want to protect her?"Fred's expression turned grave. "She's like a sister to me," he said. "I am responsible for her, and I don't want anything to happen to her."The surprise on the detective's face slowly gave way to comprehension. "I see," he said. "Well, Mr. Fred, I can offer her protection while she's in custody, but once she's released. I'm not sure what we can do."Fred nodded, his eyes full of concern. "I understand. Just do what you can, please."The detective nodded. He looked so contemplative. "I'll see what we can do, Mr. Fred. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to do this? She's caused a lot of harm to people you care about."Fred's jaw clamped down tightly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Positive," he said. "She's like a sis
Fred's eyes never left Bella's face and a mixture of shock and sadness was written all over his face. "Everyone, please leave us alone for a minute," he said in a whispered tone.The detective had looked indecisive but nodded, gesturing to his officers to leave the room. "We'll be right outside, Mr. Fred," he said.As the door shut behind them, Fred turned back to Bella. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling. "How can you say that?"Bella laughed coldly and mirthlessly. "You don't get it, do you?" she spat. "You never have. You've always been so blind, so oblivious to everything around you."He took a step closer, his hands extending toward her. "Bella, please. just tell me what's wrong. What have I done to hurt you so?"Bella's eyes suddenly flashed with anger, and she rose to her feet, her body etched with tension. "You want to know what you have done?" she repeated. "You want to know the worst thing you've ever done to me?"Fred nodded, his heart beating in his chest in