Layla.A new semester had begun and here I was, trying to catch up with all of the ridiculous amounts of school work I have piled up. The last few weeks hasn't been easy but we've tried to push through it and are making amendments wherever necessary. It's tough work but we're getting by due to how supportive everyone is in general. I had finished for the day and was reedy to go back home and by home, I meant Dante's apartment.He'd found something else to do during that short period and though the pay was significantly smaller, Dante didn't seem to mind. According to him, it was much better than moping around and I couldn't agree more. Felix has also been helping out as well, sometimes with new job offers and I, mostly rely on my parents though I started an online boutique that seemed to be fetching me some significant amount of money too. All in all, everyone has tried to be supportive and we'd begun to yield results as the atmosphere in the apartment wasn't so depressing anymore.I
Dante."Felix, do you have any idea where Layla is?" I asked Felix the second he walked into the apartment. He paused in his tracks, staring at me quizzically. Glancing around the apartment, he turned back to me."Uh... No. Shouldn't she be back here by now?" He asked and I shook my head, bringing out my phone to try her number again."No... Which was is why I'm asking you. Maybe you know where she went. She hasn't come home yet." I told him while I watched my phone ring. It didn't take long for it to cut off, meaning she couldn't be reached. I was starting to really worry now."That's off. She left school a long time ago and told me she was coming back here. Why hasn't she arrived?" He also began to call her and I waited impatiently, thinking about all the possibilities. Layla wasn't one to to just wander off like that and if she was ever going anywhere, she always made to sure to inform us. What's happening now?"I also can't get to her. It keeps saying this line is unreachable." Fe
Layla.After hours of struggling to get free, I finally gave up and slumped on the chair, completely exhausted. So many times, I fought the urge to sob and cry as I was plagued with the fear and worry of Dante and Felix looking for me. Would they ever find me? I didn't even know where I was. I closed my eyes against the tears that was brimming in them, willing myself to he hopeful.My stomach soon grumbled, reminding me of the hunger I had forgotten due to nerves. Kidnapped or not, my body still made it demands. My mouth was parched too and I felt incredibly thirsty. I looked at the locked door, wondering if they would remember the woman they forgot here and maybe come with food.As if they heard my earnest pleas, I heard the sound of door unlocking and it soon swung open, a cart wheel of food being brought in by a masked person. The air was soon filled with the smell of delicious meals and my stomach grumbled louder than before, mortifying me. I watched in shame as the person placed
Dante.It's safe to say it. I'm full on loosing my mind. I have tried to call that damned number millions of times with little zero success. I have no idea where to get that kind of money from and I still don't know how Layla is. How many things can go wrong in one day? I'm about to find out."We have to do something. All this pacing around and staring into space isn't going to help. But what do we do? The amount they're asking for is fucking outrageous!" Felix muttered, spelling out what I already knew. I gnawed at my lower lip, so close to breaking the skin there and causing blood to spill out.I had to call again, I just needed to speak to whoever that person. This can't work. How will I cope? What am I supposed to do!? I brought up my phone and tried the number for the umpteenth time tonight. The phone rang but it soon cut off. No reach. This is what has been happening for the past hour now.I was seriously contemplating smashing my phone into the wall or something when it buzzed
Layla.After my conversation with Emilio, I was released from the chair and taken out of the room to another new place. Two burly men stood beside me while I walked and I nervously looked around, trying to see if this place was something I could escape from but everywhere I turned, they were guards and security cameras. I let out a sigh of resignation and tried not to resist. Emilio did indeed say it would be bad for me.The new room I was taken had a bed and table in it but it's was still rather empty. Once they walked me into it, the men turned around and the next thing I heard was the locking of doors. I flinched, startled before rubbing my wrists and letting out a despondent sigh. I can't believe they locked me in again. It's not like as if I can escape even if I tried. Sauntering towards the bed, I sat on it and looked around. Surprisingly, the bed was soft and it didn't take long for an exhausted yawn to break out of my mouth.Blinking my eyes tiredly, I laid on the bed, slippin
Dante."Here, I have your money." I said into the phone while I sat my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel tight and my heart racing in my chest."Really? That was quick. I'm impressed." Came thr digitally altered voice. I took in several calming breaths, needing myself to think straight."Of course. I had to be quick. Now would you please give me the address so I can come see you and give this to you?" I asked, my voice sounding way calmer than I felt."Better still... Let's find a place to meet. Don't you worry, I'll send you the address. I'll be waiting for you there." He responded before hanging up the call. I turned on the ignition of my car, glancing back at the huge bags of money on the seat and felt my stomach twist itself into knots. I had to fight tooth and nail to get so this better be wotht it or hell is going to break loose.After moments of inpatiently waiting for a response, my phone finally dinged and I immediately fetched it to see thr address of where we're sup
Dante."No. Am I supposed to remember you?" I asked, eyeing him skeptically, tension returning back to my frame. He let out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle and walked towards me, but he didn't stop there. He slowly started to circle me around while I felt myself grow even tenser."No... You're not supposed to. But it would have been better if you did. It would have saved us all the running around we had to go through." I hearr him say and I turned around to look at him. Sure, there was an uncanny familiarity with him, but I didn't think there was any reason to recognize him. He returned back to him, hands behind his back and his gaze so intense, I had trouble meeting it. Still, I held my ground, my hostility radiating off me in waves. "It's been such a long time too." He added. "But I kind of wish you did." Quite suddenly, he reached out his hands and touched my face, tilting it to thr side as he peered st s corner. I felt him release a breath and his grip on my fac
Dante.I drove all the way home part angry and fearful. For one reason, I thought he would chase after me but another part was scared he wouldn't return Layla back just like he promised. For that reason, I sped all the way home, desperately hoping he didn't go back on his word. I was fucked if he did that.I arrived back at my apartment and to my utmost relief, layla was there waiting for me. She immediately clung to me and I hugged her tight, lifting her up her knees and twirling her around. Her shrieks of joy filled my ears and I couldn't be more ecstatic."You're back!! For a moment there I was so scared they would do something to harm you! I really wouldn't stop fighting those men that dragged me away from you." She said as I put her down and held her face. Her eyes was shining with tears but she looked so ecstatic to see me. All my heartache immediately disappeared and I immediately grinned at her."I was worried about you too. I'm so glad you're safe." I told her and she let out