"I'm nobody. I'm just trying to keep you company." Leah replied meekly."Get out. I don't need company and certainly not from you.""Okay cutie. I certain we are gonna meet again though." Leah giggled and left.Nelson scoffed. "It's a pity. You do not know who you are dealing with." He said under his breath.****Hours later**It was near evening. Everywhere was getting dark. Tristan sat in front of the large screen, staring blankly at it. Ever since he has seen Gianna and Layla talking, he was drawn to them somehow. He wanted to know why Gianna would turn herself to a man. He really wanted to know.About 8 pm, Leah came into the room."Did you have to start with so much arrogance?" Tristan asked, not turning to look at her. He heard everything Leah and Nelson had said because Leah had a listening device in her clothe."I wanted to get his attention. That was why I did that." Leah replied with a eye roll as she stood behind him."Did your old fashioned method work?""It's not old fa
"No. No. It's just a coincidence." Tristan said out loud but even as he said that, he still couldn't stop thinking of the possibilities."Boss? Is everything okay?" Matteo asked, looking up at the screen. "What happened to her?" He added when he saw Layla crying while Gianna comforted her.Tristan was silent. He shook his head and stop up. "Turn everything off." He ordered and left the room.Matteo shrugged and did as he was told. **"Tristan! I didn't hear from you yesterday!" Samantha said happily as she conversed with Tristan on the phone. It was morning and she was brushing her teeth in the bathroom."Was busy. How are you my lady?""I'm fine Tristan. Did you checked the NTA news? God.....we are trending." Samantha said with deep breaths."I see." Tristan mumbled."Since it's a Saturday. Can you come over? Let's spend time together. Please..... don't say no. I have something to tell you too."Tristan was silent for a while. "Sure." He finally answered.Samantha gasped. "Really?
Tristan stood, face to face with Nelson."What are you doing here?" Nelson asked again.Tristan figured out that he didn't see him planting the device. He stared cooly at him then nodded towards the picture on the wall. "That's a beautiful portrait. I think you should continue smiling." Nelson walked past him, looked around as if looking for something. "Why did you come into my room? What do you want?""Oh pardon. Your room? Well...I was stretching my leg... waiting for my lady to come out..." "What are you to my sister? Are you guys really partners? You don't seem that way to me. I'm warning you. Don't think of doing anything to my sister. I love her, she's like everything I have." "Hmm. Sounds sweet." Tristan replied, nodding his head.The door opened, revealing Samantha. "Tristan? What's going on?" She asked, coming into the room."Nothing serious, my lady. Your brother and I are just having a friendly chat." Tristan replied with a smile."Oh.", Samantha smiled and looked at Nel
Samantha got to the guest house and met her mom speaking to someone over the phone. She decided to wait outside the door."Yeah. She's still as stubborn as always. Yeah. Come on Quentin, you know I love my daughter so much. I wish she can just come with me so we can live as o e family. Drake and Debby are also excited about seeing her. I will try convincing her again. Yeah."Samantha stood outside the door, listening to her mom. She rolled her eyes and walked in. She stood in front, folded her arms and shook her head. "Huh.... Quentin....let me call you back." Agnes said and cut the line. She put the phone down beside her, glanced up at her daughter. "Sammy....""Who were you talking to about me?" "That was your step father. He wants me to come back with you because I was always worried about you."Samantha rolled her eyes again. "Mom....I can't leave dad behind and I can't leave my current contract behind too. They mean a whole lot to me. Why can't you just understand?" "And what
Tristan sat on the rocking chair on the veranda, a glass of wine in his hand.He couldn't keep the smile off his face as he remembered how he had threatened Gianna. He sipped his drink, smiled again.He remembered seeing the red garden and how the guards stood firmly outside. There was no doubt that something was off and he, Tristan Bruno would be finding out very soon.Leah came out into the veranda, stood by the railing in front of Tristan and leaned over it. "You are smiling. It must be something great.""Fascinating is the word." Tristan mumbled."Hmm. I see. I'm having another unusual date with our target. What will you do after I get his attention? What are you gonna do after I have him right here in my palms?" Leah asked, stretching forward her hand.Tristan looked at her and gave a cut nod. "Make an incredible progreey first, turn I'd tell you." Leah smiled. "I'm making progress already. Why aren't you believing me?" Mattie came out then and bowed. "Boss. There's a message f
"Yes. Kidney." Layla said again, looked around.Gianna gasped, tore her eyes from Layla. Now that explains the blood she saw that very day when she tripped with the food flask."I can't believe this." Gianna mumbled, shaking her head slowly."I was shocked too. It was like a dream. I was so scared. Scared to my bone marrows.""Who's Jasper Milton?" Gianna whispered. She was unspeakably frightened, heavenly scared. She glanced from side to side, scared that someone would jump on her from the dark."He's Harley Finley's long time friend and partner.""My God. Does this mean.....they are into killing people? But....how do they do it? I've never seen it happen....never seen anyone brought in. How....?""The red garden." Layla interrupted softly. Gianna stopped, looked at Layla with her her eyes widened. "The red garden? It has something to do with it, right? There's something about it right?""The red garden is not ordinary. It's full of....poison.""Ahh!!" Gianna shouted unconsciously
Gianna was sure Nicholas gave her a sad look before leaving the room.Anyways, she waved if off and went to her bed, took hold of her phone and dialled the line Tristan gave her. "It's me.""I know. What have you got?" Tristan asked. He knew what she was gonna say but still wanted her to report."I have something to say about the red garden. This is not about just reporting to you. Something is going on in the mansion. A lot is happening." Gianna whispered into the phone, glancing about. She was super scared. She didn't think she would be able to sleep in the night.Tristan cleared his throat. "I will set up a meeting place. Keep your phone on.""Hello..." The phone clicked in her ear and Gianna stopped it back on her bed and sighed. "Oh God. Please help me overcome this. I hope I leave here alive. Should I call Mom? Oh no.....she will be so scared." She mumbled to herself.**Nelson looked at the six boys in front of him, obviously mad, furious. They were standing in the living room
Leah was waiting in thr car for Nelson. She jumped on him when he joined her, kissing his neck, undressing him immediately. Since it was dark, she didn't have any problem about being shameless."Hey....easy. Easy." Nelson whispered against her lips, grabbing her arms."Just....touch me." Leah panted."Let's get out of here." Nelson said, started the car engine and drove out of the compound.**Tristan sat behind the wheel as he drove fast on the road. It was almost 10 pm in the night. He was driving to Samantha's house. He needed to get Gianna and Layla out of the house, before Nelson could get back and kill them. He needed to keep them alive. They were his only way of getting all the information he needed. Especially Layla. He'd heard everything he told the boys before he went out with Leah.Tristan took his phone, dialled Leah's line. "Still with him?""Yeah. I added something to his drink. He's not going home anytime soon." Leah's voice sounded very slow and low. "Sorry for soun
It was a little bit dark in the room when Tristan walked in. Gianna was awake, she was sitting up quietly."Hey." Tristan whispered as he walked towards the bed. He sat at the edge and took Gianna's hand in his. "How are you now?"Gianna smiled and shrugged. "I've never been any better. Thank you."Tristan stared down at her stomach, smiled and looked back into her face. "My baby is still down there?"Gianna chuckled. "Yeah. She or he is still there, waiting for the day of arrival into the world. How did you get here? Why did you change your mind?"Tristan shrugged. "I don't know, perhaps... because I couldn't continue living without you, because I wanted to see Layla and to forgive her so I could get the burden off my chest.""You did the right thing, Tristan. The right thing..." Gianna's voice trailed off when she remembered all that Nelson had said."What's it? Are you okay?" Tristan questioned when he noticed the sudden change in her mood. Gianna turned and looked at him. "While
That same night, Tristan left the house quietly. He was glad that both his mother and Tracy were already fast asleep and that made it possible and easy for him to leave.He dialled the line which Nicholas had called him with as he walked briskly to his car. Just when he got in, Nicholas picked the call."I'm on my way right now, send the address to this number." Tristan said, starting the car engine."I already sent it. The police are just arriving! I will hang up now because I have to escape. He's going to kill me.""Wait... what is...?" Tristan stopped when the line clicked off. He threw the phone on the seat beside him and drove out of the compound, speeding away madly in the dark.**Nelson bursted into the room, rushing towards Gianna who looked very alarmed. The sounds of siren was all over the place which indicated that the police were around. Nelson grabbed Gianna, loosening the ropes bounding her. He jerked her up to her feet and started dragging her out of room.Struggling
Nicholas sat in the dark, thinking deeply on what to do. He needed to save Gianna at all cost, he needed to redeem his mistakes and real fast.He was still finding it hard to believe he helped abduct Gianna who was pregnant."I'm never going to forgive myself if anything happens to her, I need to talk to Tristan right away. No matter the consequences, I need to do this." Nicholas thought.He stood up and walked slowly towards the main entrance. He stood in front of the door, eavesdropping. He could hear Nelson, talking to Gianna. He backed the door, steadying his breath. He would have to wait for another opportunity to be alone with Gianna again, and that would enable him get Tristan's contact.Quietly, he left the main entrance back to the veranda.**"You're not going to achieve anything with what you are doing, give up already because you are about to hit rock bottom." Gianna said softly to Nelson who was seated in front of her.Nelson stared down at the cigarette between his fin
Samantha got home very late in the night and as she expected, Quentin and Agnes werr already waiting for her in the living room.They looked alarmed as she walked into the house. "Where have you been?" Agnes asked, standing up from the couch.Samantha looked at Quentin, she couldn't bring herself to tell him that his daughter was missing but she had to tell him somehow."I'm coming from Gianna's house...""Is something wrong?" Quentin asked when Samantha's voice trailed off.Samantha nodded, closing her eyes. "Gianna is missing, someone abducted her." Samantha said, wiping tears off her face. Quentin frowned, trying to understand what the girl was saying. "What do you mean by she's been abducted? By who?""My brother." Samantha replied with more tears.Agnes gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "Nelson?" Samantha nodded.Samantha nodded."Why? Why would he do that?" Agnes asked again."He's using her as a bait to get someone." Samantha replied. She looked at Quentin and all she
"He's calling again." Nelson laughed when Gianna's phone began to ring again in his hand. He answered the call and put the phone on loud speaker. "You never give up, don't you? Why don't you give up and just go to bed?""What do you want?" Tristan cold voice came from the other side of the line. "Tell me what he sh*t you want!" "I don't think you have what I want, b*stard. Do you have my father there with you? I will like to exchange him for your Gianna. She looks so pretty, you know. What shall I do with her?" Nelson asked in a menacing tone. "Why would I have you father? What the hell do you want?" Tristan asked again."Are you asking me that? You brought down my family you jerk! My father is suffering away in the prison and you dare ask me that? You want Gianna back, huh? Come find her.""Where are you?" Tristan asked in a stiff voice. He stood beside the road, glaring angrily. "Put Gianna on the line, I want to make sure she's fine." *Nelson stared down at Gianna and smiled ev
"Goddamit!" Tristan cursed, almost smashing the phone on the ground.Samantha was trembling. She just spoke to her brother and he sounded like a different person entirely."He's got Gianna! What are we gonna do!" Samantha panicked.Tristan stood akimbo, boiling and fuming with anger. "He doesn't know who he's dealing with. He's making a bug mistake with me." Tristan voice was extremely cold and deep.Samantha trembled more. She fear she might lose her brother and she couldn't stop thinking about Gianna. Why would Nelson ever think of abducting her? Why her? Sammy thought deeply."I should call Tracy and Layla, and let them know what's happening." Samantha said with trembling voice.Tristan didn't reply, he was too devasted to say anything. He sat down on the nearest sofa, contemplating on what to do."Don't call them yet." Tristan said just when Samantha was going to dial Tracy's line. "What? They have to know what's happening. At least, her mother." Samantha chipped in."I need to t
Gianna was coming back into the house after seeing Samantha off when her phone began to ring. She was a little bit surprised to see it was Nicholas."Hi. You finally called? How have you been!" Gianna asked excitedly."I've been... good...yeah... fine." Nicholas stammered badly from the other line."Are you sure you are okay? You sound tensed. Where are you now?""Huh?" Nicholas asked and Gianna had to repeat the question. "I'm still here in Philadelphia. Stranded." He replied."Oh no. That's very awful. What are you gonna do now? I can't seem to be of help right now." Gianna sighed. She got home and walked into the house, sat down on a chair."It's fine, Gianna. I just wanted you to know I'm okay. I will get a job soon enough and start all over again.""And your dad? How's he?" "He returned to the country side where my mother is. I think that's what's best for him at this month." Nicholas mumbled q reply."What happened to Nelson and his father though?" Gianna asked.The other side
Tristan made up his mind to go after his mother and sort things out.He went into his room and started getting ready for the small journey.There was a knock on the door and Matteo came in. "Boss...are you going somewhere?""Yeah. I'm taking your advice, I hope I'm not too late." Tristan said as he stuffed his clothes into a bag.Matteo smiled and sgihed his head. "You are not late, boss. Go on and do the right thing." He replied."I will be back tomorrow or the day after, then we can head back to Italy." Tristan said and Matteo nodded."Okay boss. Tahe your time... there's no hurry." Matteo replied and left the room.Tristan took his phone and dialled Samantha's line, she picked uo after the fourth ring."Tristan? I thought you would never call." Samantha's voice could be heard from the other line.Tristan sat down on the bed and ran a hand over his hair nervously. "I'm sorry, Samantha but things have not been easy. I need your help, I need to see Gianna.""Gianna? You miss her, don
The next morning, Gianna woke up feeling really sick. She sat up in bed, rushed to the bathroom and threw up."Oh no. I thought I got over this." She mumbled as she returned to her bed.Her mother must have heard her because she came running into the room."Gianna." She called, coming into the room. "Are you okay?" She asked as she sat beside her on the bed.Gianna shook her head, putting her head on the woman's shoulder. "No...I think I'm a little bit under the weather.""We have to go thr hospital then. Come on." Tracy urged, standing up."No. That's not necessary. I will get over it with some pills."Tracy sighed and stared down at her daughter. " Have you called the Tristan guy? What did he say?""He didn't the call, I guess he's busy." Gianna mumbled, laying back down comfortably.The door opened and Layla came in too. "Is she alright?" "Yeah...just a slight fever I guess." Tracy replied with a shrug."Then we should go to the hospital. It's dangerous to ignore it.""No, Layla.