Chapter 4: A Ray of Light

Ashley saw their duties was about to change, and the guards went to freshen up. She took the chance and sneaked out of the major premises. She hailed the cab and hurried to the address. 

She checked her phone for the third time before concluding that she was in the right place; at least according to what the address said. This message gave her a tiny hope of seeing her sister again. She was desperate, and every passing second felt like a burden over her soul, imagining the condition her sister could be in. 

The place was abandoned and by night she was sure the place will be filled with bandits. She furrowed her brows as she looked at the old buildings, some already collapsed while some were about to. 

“Of course, the place will be shady.” She said out loud, trying to keep herself steady over the uneven ground filled with boulders. 

“Were you expecting a reservation at a five-star hotel?” She groaned as she turned to leave. How could she be so stupid to come here? What if it was a trap to kidnap her as well? She thought. It could be a trap, and she walked into it perfectly. 

A shiver ran down her as she thought of the possibility, but what terrified her the most was the hold she suddenly lost her balance experiencing the presence of someone behind her. She screamed as she panicked.  

“Somebody help me!” the person who held her did not let go nor prevent her from screaming. Curious, she turned to see her hand grabbed. She came in contact with a pair of amber-brown eyes. 

“Help!” she screamed again. The fear of getting kidnapped like her sister made her lose her senses. 

“Please be quiet!” He finally spoke in his suppressed anger tone. 

“No, never! You want to kidnap me as you did with my sister right?!” she said as she turned to the stranger whom Amelia danced with the night before, then kidnapped her. She tried struggling away from his grip but he held her firmly, but not too hard to hurt her. 

“And who told you I kidnapped her?” He asked, arching her eyebrows in surprise. 

It then occurred to her he wasn’t actually found guilty of kidnapping her sister, but what was he doing here? 

“Yes, you probably aren’t the one who kidnapped Amelia, but what are you doing here?” Ashley asked. 

“Well, I know who’s done it and I need your help to save her.” Her mouth touched the ground, hearing the ease in her speech. She tried to compose herself, watching what she hoped was coming true. 

“I don’t understand. How do you know? Explain!” Ashley demanded, getting suspicious of him. 

“Okay, but follow me first.” He then tried directing somewhere, but Ashley resisted. 

“No way I’m following you anywhere. Amelia only danced with you and now she’s missing.” Ashley fired.

“Okay, calm down. Look, something happened between your father and my best friend. Let’s not get into the details, but he wants revenge, so he kidnapped your sister at the party. I can help you get inside his house as a maid. You’ll be getting information for me.” 

“Why, when all I want is to free my sister?” She found his request to be a maid in his house outrageous. 

“Because it’s not that simple!” He shouted, pulling his hair as he was losing control, which shocked Ashley. 

He scratched the back of his neck shyly when he saw her backing away at his reaction. 

“I’m sorry Ashley. Look, I’m Damon and who kidnapped your sister is my best friend, Adonis. He’s into illegal businesses which involve a lot of shady and criminal things.

He was a good man when he joined. Only wanted money to escape poverty but now, he’s very dangerous.

I have tried talking to him, but he doesn’t listen anymore. My friend is gone and buried inside a beast who knows nothing but how to terrify the person standing in front of him, but I need my friend back. The only way is to get him caught and make him lose everything.”

Damon explained holding seriousness and maintaining eye contact with her perplexed Ashley, who was struggling to contemplate how it revolved around her and the escape of her sister. 

“Even if we decide to only rescue her, it would be impossible with the tight security and if we made it, he’ll come back for her and that time it will involve blood.” He concluded. 

Finding no other way to rescue her sister from him, she decided one thing, and that was to help bring Adonis down and agreed to cooperate with him. 

It was time to resume classes at NYC College in a week, but Ashley had other plans. After she was dropped by her parents on the school campus and left, she went straight to Damon’s car. 

It was parked where they had arranged and she got in. 

“Are you ready?” Damon asked, getting anxious as he was plotting against his best friend. 

“Of course. I can’t even imagine what torture my sister must go through right now.” Ashley answered. 

“Mom and Dad won’t allow this and she needs help. I can sacrifice myself.” She wore a deep frown. The anger inside Ashely’s heart was burning and that can’t be hidden. 

“Okay then, just follow my instructions and report to me everything he does.” Damon continued.

“but if you feel you’re in danger,” he leaned forward from the front seat and placed her hands on his, “please leave immediately.” 

He looked at her seriously. His forehead was wrinkled as he stared seriously at her.

“And one more vital piece of information.” 

“What is it?” She inquired. 

“He’s a heartthrob. Promise you will never get attracted to him.” 

“Okay.” She half smiled and controlled her eyes not to roll at his confidence. 

“And another thing.” 

“What?” 

“You don’t know me.” 

“Got it.” And she nodded in agreement.