Chapter 1

Lailah POV

“ Yes Aunt Mavis, don’t worry I am on my way to a convenient store to buy something to eat and then I will go to the shop and go to sleep.” I told Aun Mavis who was at the after-party of Peral’s wedding right now to observe the decorations in case something was out of place.

Last week we got a reservation to decorate a wedding and it was one of Aunt Mavis’ customer's daughter. The order was big so we have been busy doing all the tasks of making bouquets and garlands and all the other things for the wedding decorations. Aunt Mavis was over the moon.

“Yes… I will directly go home after going to the convenience store” I assured her as I reached the CVS which was not very far from our two story building as I ended the call.

I wanted to attend the after party but I suddenly felt sick so I left right after the wedding. I stare at my call log on the phone, the third contact down shaded in red as the number 7 in the bracket was near it, showing how many times I have called him and he did not answer.

It's been four days and it’s making me worry remembering how he was in a hurry as he left the shop the last time we met . Where could he be?

“Marcus….”

I have things to say to him but he suddenly disappeared after making my heart restless and my mind messed up. I never thought we would ever be close looking back at our strange encounter.

From being an audience of his breakups, which always was at Aunt Mavis’ flower shop, to him being a regular coming to the shop, at first I didn't understand what he wanted. I did try asking him but he was being indifferent which was a bit irritating but I couldn't do anything since he is a "customer"

What surprised me was, after every three days he would come with different girls but they end up breaking up whenever they are in the shop. Makes me wonder if our shop was cursed or if it was their “us” problem.

Anyways, I did say something about his "unstable relationships" which made us become friends.

But I wasn't sure how my situation of seeing him as a friend changed to a guy whom I like.

Maybe it was during the days we went for the urgent deliveries in his expensive car? Or maybe it was when Aunt Mavis invited him for dinner and he complimented my cooking?

Or was it maybe from the day we spent time at the amusement park while trying every ride and haunted houses?

I wasn't sure… but it did happen.

Though I must say he is one of the handsome lads I know. His messy jet black hair was in a style that suits him well. The most attractive feature is his ocean blue eyes and dimple smile that always makes my heart dance merrily.

For a guy, he has decent looking lashes with thick brows and his sun-kissed skin is clean of any acne making me jealous .

Everytime we stood together he would always make fun of my 5 '2 height while hovering his 6' 4 height on me getting on my nerves. But even so, I like him.

I sighed as I picked out some drinks from the fridge and wondered where he disappeared?

After buying a couple of snacks and paying for it, I walked out of the CVS while also rummaging through the plastic bag searching for the banana milk .

The night was a bit chilly, I switched on my phone and it flashed me the time, 10:30. God- it's soo late!

I must fastend my walk because night could really be scary if you are walking down an empty silent road like I am.

But because my operated ankle is in no shape to do it, I have no choice but to walk carefully. What a hassle!.

Sipping on my banana milk I suddenly heard the sound of painful groaning. I could tell my body suddenly stopped habitually as it tensed.

Is it my imagination?

The night was silent so it made me hear some mufflings too. I am damn sure someone is there.

I know it can be dangerous and suicidal but before I can turn back my legs walked to where those sounds were coming from.

I peeked from the corner of the building as the noises were becoming clear and there were hitting and smackings too.

The scene unfolding before my eyes was gruesome and my body literally froze.

There was a black car and around 4-5 men in black under the streetlamp.The guy leaning against the car was wearing a coat making him look big as smoke was coming from him. Is he their boss?

One of the guys started to stomp his feet violently and the groaning sound was again heard. Are they bullying someone? Worst scenarios started to form in my head of who those guys could be.

Gangster?Loan sharks?

The air around them was so tense that I could feel it from far away. The man in the coat squatted down as the rest of the guys moved aside, making me see what was really going on. He took out the cigarette he was breathing and pressed it on the bruised person curled up on the ground as he screamed in agony.

I couldn’t hear what he whispered to the person but the next thing that happened had me traumatized to witness .The man stood as one of his guys took out something from his waist and pointed at the guy. Is-Is he holding a gun?

I could feel the strength in me dissolved away as it was replaced with fear and my leg suddenly became jelly. I can’t even remove my eyes as my heart suddenly drops at the intense sound of the gun and blood.

The plastic bag I was holding fell on the ground alerting them of my presence as I gasped with cold shiver when they all noticed me. The guy on the ground was dead and I couldn't do anything.

“WHO IS THERE!” I heard a rough voice called out as three of the men began to run my way. I must r-run away!

Before I could even take a step forward, my legs gave out and I fell on the ground bruising my elbows. Please please please I muttered internally as I forced myself to get up and began to run.

But it wasn't far enough I ran that they quickly caught me and dragged me to wherever they pleased.

“N-no no no please I d-didn’t see anything! Please, I am sorry-!” I begged with my vision welled up with tears as they fall but they were indifferent.

I trashed to be released from this guy’s steel like grip as I begged them to let me live, “ Please! I wo-wont say anyone please leave me!”

My throat was beginning to dry up and he pushed me, releasing from his grip only to make me fall on the ground as I winced feeling my pain traveling from my ankle and knees.

“We caught her boss” another voice spoke up and I didn't dare to look up who their boss was as my body was trembling in fear.

I should’ve stayed for the after-party. I shouldn’t have come to this alley and seen all these.

A painful grip surged on my head as I felt my hair clenched and my face was jerked up and I was met with a deadly gaze “ Who sent you?”

I instinctively closed my eyes feeling intimidated by the person’s gaze as my hand went up to his, that was clenching my hair in a tightful grip as I moaned in pain “ N-no one, pl-please I d-didn’t see anything.. P-please leave me”

The sniffling and sobs were uncontrollable because right now I feel like I am about to die. These guys are scary. I don’t want to die right now. I still haven’t confessed to Marcus, Aunt Mavis still hasn't seen our wedding.

I can’t die like this!

“Please l-let me go!” I tried to push his grip away but it only ended up making him pull out my hair painfully

“Take her away” he ordered, giving me shivers as I heard his cold voice and my eyes snapped open at his words as I felt my heart drop down for the second time today.