Carson's POVSunday evening after Kayla left my apartment to go back to the dorms, I met up with my friends and we decided to go to the gym to spend the remaining of the evening. This wasn't a random trip to the gym, ever since we came to New York, we would normally come here at least three times a month. We were here for half an hour, when I was surprised by Oliver Ross entering the gym. Was this guy stalking me now? Because all the time I've been here, I've never seen him here before. I sat up from the chest press machine I was on, when Oliver walked in our direction. The guys, who noticed Oliver too, got off the machines they were on and faced him when he reached us."Relax boys, no punches will be flung tonight." He replied holding his hands up. However, he was sporting a sinister grin on his face."What do you want, Oliver?" I demanded."I'm merely here to use the gym facilities just like you." He said casually, but I knew that was a lie. He then laughed at some sick joke in hea
Carson's POVI stepped into Larry's bar the next evening, once again in hunt of Oliver. Ever since he came to the gym last week and said all those things, I couldn't sleep. I kept waiting for something bad to happen because I knew that he was planning something.I didn't like the idea of him controlling my life, so I was going to put an end to this nonsense once and for all. I'm not going to let this twisted psycho hurt anyone.As expected, Oliver was here. He was sitting at a corner of the bar in a booth. He had two girls sitting on either side of him. Without missing a beat, I walked over to where he was and cross my arms, giving him a look that lets him know that we need to talk now.Oliver turned to each girl. "Excuse me, ladies. I need to talk to my pal here for a bit." Both girls smiled at him before getting up and leaving us alone. He then faced me and clasped his hands on the table in front of him. "Now, what do you want?""You know exactly what I want and I don't have the tim
Carson's POVSaying what I planned to do out loud to my friends, make the reality of my decision seems more real. I hated what I was about to do and I had to remind myself why I was doing it to stop myself from changing my mind."Are you sure about that, man?" Michael was the first one to speak up.I nodded my head. "It's the only way to ensure her safety.""Are you going to tell her? You know, about Oliver and what you think he's planning?" Jayden asked."Yes, of course. I'm not going to keep anything from her." I replied. "And besides, it will be easier to explain why we have to do this. It won't be for long anyways."When I thought about it, it really was a perfect plan. If Oliver thinks we are not together, he will leave her alone and he'll just have to deal with me. The part that I didn't like was that I was letting Oliver controls our lives and because of him, I won't get to be with Kayla. I had thought about just pretending that we aren't together, but he would know because he'
"Hey, I didn't think you'd be back so soon," Jasmine said as I walked through our dorm room. However, my mind was elsewhere and I didn't respond to her question. Noticing this, she looked at me and frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"I finally looked in her direction. "Jasmine, I screwed up," I answered without hesitation, my voice sounded strained.Jasmine closed the book that she was reading and sat back on her bed. "Kayla, what happened?" She questioned concerned, giving me her full attention.I walked over to her bed and sat down beside her. "It's over between Carson and I." I began before going into further details, telling her everything that happened at Carson's."Oh, Kayla, I'm so sorry," Jasmine said quietly when I was done."I honestly don't know why I said those things. He was just trying to protect me from Oliver. He was making sense, but I was being irrational, unreasonable and refused to listen." I rest my head in my hand and sighed deeply remembering the look on Carson's face
Carson's POVWhen Kayla left my apartment yesterday, it took a long while to realize what happened. Even now, I still can't believe it. When I had invited Kayla to come over, I never expected the situation to turn out the way it did. If I had known, I would have handled the situation so much better.In a way, I couldn't blame her. If she didn't want to be with me because she thought I was obsessed with Oliver or maybe she didn't want to be a target because of the danger that surrounds me; I get it. I wasn't upset with her. The only people I was angry with was myself and Oliver. Maybe she was right. Maybe I didn't think this through and thought hard enough for another plan.I take a deep sigh as I opened my car door and entered the driver's seat. I sat there for a while and take another calming breath. I guess this is how it should be. I love her so much and I would do anything to protect her. If us breaking up is the only way to accomplish that, then I have to live with it. Even thoug
Kayla's POVIt was Friday, the day Jasmine and I were supposed to meet Kevin and Lucas at our usual cafe after our class. However, I had informed them that I was going to Carson's apartment after class, so they were going without me. It was a norm for us to meet up and I didn't want them to cancel because I won't be there.When my last class ended, I noticed Jasmine outside my classroom waiting on me. We were planning on walking together as the cafe was in the same direction as the bus stop. I finished putting my books into my bag and left the classroom. Jasmine and I walked towards the college gates and turned right down the street.We kept up conversation as we walked the short distance to the bus stop and we were there in less than two minutes. When we reached the bus stop, Jasmine and I stopped. "Well, good luck at Carson's," Jasmine said as she began to walk away to continue her journey."Thank you," I said, nodding my head. However, I was hesitant because there were so many thou
Kayla's POVThey were driving for a long time and more than an hour had passed when they finally stopped. I looked through the window to see a big, old building. It was noticeably painted grey even though it was stripping all over. The front door that was painted red was also peeling off. Some of the windows were broken and by its general look, it didn't look like a building that was being used.I didn't have time to wonder why they were stopping here because both guys pulled their doors and came out. The one in the passenger seat opened the back seat where I was and gestured to me. "Get out."I stepped from the car and instantly, he grabbed my hand roughly. He then forced me to move and we walked towards the door. The other guy opened the door and we entered. The inside of the building was just as old and run-down as the outside but it wasn't dusty as expected. Leading me through the room we were currently in, they went through a few more hallways and doors before we reached a room w
Carson's POVFor the entire night, I didn't sleep. After Jasmine left to try and get in touch with her classmates to find out if they knew where Kayla was, I left my apartment and went to Micheal's. I told him what I thought had happened to Kayla and with Jayden and Jordan joining us, we drove around for about an hour to see if she was on the streets. Eli had suggested he'll help in the search so we all took different areas to drive through.We didn't have any luck.It didn't help that we didn't have special places to check because Kayla didn't have a regular place that she would visit. So we were just checking streets and neighbourhoods. But she wasn't anywhere to be found.This allowed for my suspicion to grow even more; she was definitely taken.Jasmine had called me earlier to let me know that none of her friends had seen her since she left school and they had no idea of her whereabouts. She also let me know that she had notified the police. They were doing everything they could,
Five Years Later"Congratulations, dear!" Aunt Eloise expressed as she hugged me tightly. "I'm so proud of you.""Thanks, Aunt Eloise," I responded. After she pulled away from the hug, my cousins, Stephanie and Harry hugged me and expressed congratulations as well.It was a hot day in May and the campus at Colombia University was buzzing with graduates, participants and family members. As my cousins and I talked, I looked around me at the crowd of people chatting and laughing. As I scanned the crowd, I spotted Carson and his parents talking. A little away from them were Carson's friends who came to support me. We had become very close friends as well.My attention then came to the snack table where my friends were. Eli, Tracy and Lucas' girlfriend, Rebecca were there as well. They were all with me earlier and we took a lot of pictures, but they left after to find the snack table.My graduation ceremony was a long but great one and I was glad that I had family and friends to come to see
Kayla's POVAfter leaving the police station where we gave our statements, Carson, his friends and I journeyed back home. Carson drove me to his apartment when we were back in our home town.When we got inside, Carson turned to me. "Are you hungry?" He asked.I shook my head. "No," I answered. Food was the last thing on my mind. I was still shaken up from the day's events and all I wanted to do was sleep and forget about it. At the same time, I couldn't help but think about Lilly's involvement. I really couldn't believe she would do that to me. I thought she was my friend."Is everything okay?" I heard Carson ask bringing me from my thoughts. He must have noticed the expression on my face.I walked over to the couch and sat down. "I'm just thinking about what Lilly did. I never expected it. Where was she by the way? Will the police catch her?" I asked. The police had caught everyone involved in the kidnapping except for Lilly. She was an accessory and there was no way she was going to
Kayla's POVI didn't sleep for most of the night. I couldn't. Every noise I heard outside of the door kept me alert. Aside from being fearful of what might happen, I cried, prayed and hoped that Oliver wasn't going to actually do what he said. I really hope that he only said that to scare me.But deep down I knew he meant it.The cold murderous look in his eyes when he said it told me that he was serious and there is nothing that I can do or say will change that.After my thoughts calmed down, at some point around three o'clock, I drifted off the sleep.I woke up the next morning to the sound of the room door banging against the wall. I looked up to see the guy who Oliver had called Ethan walking inside the room with a rope in his hands. I sat up quickly, my eyes flickering across the room trying to find a place to run, but of course, there wasn't.He reached over to me in quick strides and pulled me up. He dragged me to the chair in the room and plopped me down to sit. He then tied u
Kayla's POVA day has passed since I was taken captive. I still don't know what's going on and apart from a guy coming inside the room to give me sandwiches to eat yesterday and today, I haven't seen anyone come to the room to do anything to me.I honestly didn't know how I felt about that. One part of me was grateful that no one came to the room and another part of me was on edge, nervously waiting for something bad to happen. After all, these people were bad. They all had guns and looked very dangerous.It was late in the evening when I heard the creaking of the door as it opened. I looked up expecting Oliver or any of the other men but was surprised instead. Entering through the doorway of the room was the last person I expected to see. In fact, I had to blink twice to make sure I wasn't just imagining her."What are you doing here, Lilly?" I asked, shocked and confused at the same time."Hello, Kayla." She said quietly, ignoring my question. She took a few steps closer until she w
Carson's POVFor the entire night, I didn't sleep. After Jasmine left to try and get in touch with her classmates to find out if they knew where Kayla was, I left my apartment and went to Micheal's. I told him what I thought had happened to Kayla and with Jayden and Jordan joining us, we drove around for about an hour to see if she was on the streets. Eli had suggested he'll help in the search so we all took different areas to drive through.We didn't have any luck.It didn't help that we didn't have special places to check because Kayla didn't have a regular place that she would visit. So we were just checking streets and neighbourhoods. But she wasn't anywhere to be found.This allowed for my suspicion to grow even more; she was definitely taken.Jasmine had called me earlier to let me know that none of her friends had seen her since she left school and they had no idea of her whereabouts. She also let me know that she had notified the police. They were doing everything they could,
Kayla's POVThey were driving for a long time and more than an hour had passed when they finally stopped. I looked through the window to see a big, old building. It was noticeably painted grey even though it was stripping all over. The front door that was painted red was also peeling off. Some of the windows were broken and by its general look, it didn't look like a building that was being used.I didn't have time to wonder why they were stopping here because both guys pulled their doors and came out. The one in the passenger seat opened the back seat where I was and gestured to me. "Get out."I stepped from the car and instantly, he grabbed my hand roughly. He then forced me to move and we walked towards the door. The other guy opened the door and we entered. The inside of the building was just as old and run-down as the outside but it wasn't dusty as expected. Leading me through the room we were currently in, they went through a few more hallways and doors before we reached a room w
Kayla's POVIt was Friday, the day Jasmine and I were supposed to meet Kevin and Lucas at our usual cafe after our class. However, I had informed them that I was going to Carson's apartment after class, so they were going without me. It was a norm for us to meet up and I didn't want them to cancel because I won't be there.When my last class ended, I noticed Jasmine outside my classroom waiting on me. We were planning on walking together as the cafe was in the same direction as the bus stop. I finished putting my books into my bag and left the classroom. Jasmine and I walked towards the college gates and turned right down the street.We kept up conversation as we walked the short distance to the bus stop and we were there in less than two minutes. When we reached the bus stop, Jasmine and I stopped. "Well, good luck at Carson's," Jasmine said as she began to walk away to continue her journey."Thank you," I said, nodding my head. However, I was hesitant because there were so many thou
Carson's POVWhen Kayla left my apartment yesterday, it took a long while to realize what happened. Even now, I still can't believe it. When I had invited Kayla to come over, I never expected the situation to turn out the way it did. If I had known, I would have handled the situation so much better.In a way, I couldn't blame her. If she didn't want to be with me because she thought I was obsessed with Oliver or maybe she didn't want to be a target because of the danger that surrounds me; I get it. I wasn't upset with her. The only people I was angry with was myself and Oliver. Maybe she was right. Maybe I didn't think this through and thought hard enough for another plan.I take a deep sigh as I opened my car door and entered the driver's seat. I sat there for a while and take another calming breath. I guess this is how it should be. I love her so much and I would do anything to protect her. If us breaking up is the only way to accomplish that, then I have to live with it. Even thoug
"Hey, I didn't think you'd be back so soon," Jasmine said as I walked through our dorm room. However, my mind was elsewhere and I didn't respond to her question. Noticing this, she looked at me and frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"I finally looked in her direction. "Jasmine, I screwed up," I answered without hesitation, my voice sounded strained.Jasmine closed the book that she was reading and sat back on her bed. "Kayla, what happened?" She questioned concerned, giving me her full attention.I walked over to her bed and sat down beside her. "It's over between Carson and I." I began before going into further details, telling her everything that happened at Carson's."Oh, Kayla, I'm so sorry," Jasmine said quietly when I was done."I honestly don't know why I said those things. He was just trying to protect me from Oliver. He was making sense, but I was being irrational, unreasonable and refused to listen." I rest my head in my hand and sighed deeply remembering the look on Carson's face