Chapter 005

Chapter 005

Alice

I gently cradled Ava's tiny hand in one of mine, while holding Paul's frail one in the other. As I wiped my runny nose and swollen eyes with my free hand, I gazed at my two babies surrounded by beeping machines.

Paul had finally calmed down after waking up hours ago, frantically asking about Liam and why Ava was in the hospital bed. I had soothed him back to sleep, but my own worries lingered.

The doctor's words still repeated in my mind. He said Ava had been poisoned. I had almost collapsed upon hearing the news, if not for the comforting presence of the imposing blue-eyed man.

Thankfully, Ava was now recovering, and the poison hadn't caused lasting harm. I felt grateful.

Speaking about imposing man, my gaze drifted to the window, where the blue-eyed man stood, his domineering form silhouetted against the light. He was on his phone, barking orders with an air of authority.

Over the past two days, since Liam's kidnapping, he had been instrumental in the search efforts.

I was unaware of the extent of his power and influence until I overheard him speaking to the state commissioner of police, treating him like an errand boy. He ordered the commissioner to deploy his team to find Liam and the nurse who had vanished with him from the garden.

The city was turned upside down in the search for my son. Top hackers, computer experts, and security specialists were enlisted. No resource was spared.

I couldn't fathom why he was so invested in it. He hadn't left my side in two days, arriving immediately after hearing about the kidnapping.

My mind was consumed by worry. Has Liam eaten? Has he been bathed? How is my little boy faring? Who have I offended that would seek revenge through my children? Why not me?

Tears had streamed down my face relentlessly, until it seemed none were left.

Yesterday, I had rushed to the police station after Liam was taken, but the officers on duty dismissed me, advising me to wait 24 hours. However, upon the imposing man's arrival, their attitude shifted dramatically, and I knew he was more powerful than I'd thought.

"I don't care how you do it!" he barked into the phone, jerking me out of my thoughts. "I want that little boy found within the next hour, Jandro. You know what I'm capable of."

I had just learned that Jandro was the Commissioner of Police.

"You didn't have to do all this," I said softly as he cut the call, feeling a mix of gratitude and trepidation.

He turned to me, his eyes blazing. "So, you want me to sit back and do nothing while your child remains captive, Alice?" His voice was low and menacing.

I trembled, intimidated by his intensity.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way," I said, releasing Ava's and Paul's hands. "But I don't understand why you're doing this. I don't even know you or your name."

His gaze locked onto mine. "You should’ve said you wanted to know my name," he said. "My name is Bianchi Mario. That's all you need to know for now."

I turned to face him, and his rugged handsomeness left me breathless. Even with the rough stubble he'd grown over the past few days, his presence was captivating. His casual attire didn't diminish his imposing aura but instead, it seemed to amplify his intimidating power.

"Bianchi Mario," I repeated, shaking off my trance. The name seemed very familiar.

Where have I heard that name before?

"Tell me more about yourself," I demanded, turning back to check on Liam, who stirred before drifting off to sleep. "I can't have a stranger around my kids, buying them sweets and captivating them with some blue eyes. And, you'll still face my wrath once this ordeal is over."

My back was turned to him, but I suddenly felt goosebumps on my exposed neck. He was right behind me, his warm breath sending shivers down my body.

He gently brushed my hair aside and traced his fingers along my neck. I shivered, my legs rooted, leaning into his touch.

"I am—" he began, but the door burst open, shattering the moment.

I jerked away, moving toward the entrance, only to be met with the scorching glare of Bianchi's fiancée. The same woman who had harassed my worker.

She stood beside a little boy who bore an uncanny resemblance to Bianchi. He could have been his twin, if not for the age difference. This must be his son.

My heart sank. I had almost succumbed to the charms of another woman's fiancé, while my babies lay vulnerable in their hospital beds.

"Wow, I should have known," Bianchi's fiancée spat, her eyes shinning with anger. "Is this why you've been avoiding home, Bianchi? Ignoring my calls, even when I told you your son was ill?"

Her disdainful gaze swept over me, as if I were dirt.

"Sick?" she repeated, her voice dripping with venom. She strode inside, the little boy clinging to her hand.

Her gaze shifted to the hospital beds, where my children lay sleeping. Her expression twisted in scorn.

"Unbelievable! You're sacrificing your own son's well-being for this...this woman?" She sneered at me. "I'll report this to your grandmother!"

Bianchi remained silent, his intense stare never leaving mine.

"You should know by now that doesn't faze me, Elsa," Bianchi said, his tone firm. "And I have no son anywhere—"

"Dada, Mom said you didn't come see me when I was sick. Why?" The little boy's innocent voice cut through the tension.

Bianchi's clenched fists and glare at Elsa. He took a deep breath, kneeling to meet the boy, Javier's gaze.

"I did come, Javier, but you were sleeping. I didn't want to wake you," he explained gently.

I felt a pang of unease watching their exchange and I was unsure why it unsettled me so much.

Elsa's smirk targeted me, and my fists clenched in response.

"Please settle your family matters elsewhere," I said firmly, returning to sit beside Paul. "Don't wake my kids."

“You–” Bianchi began to speak, but a ringing phone interrupted him. My gaze snapped back to him as he answered.

"Liam has been found," he announced after cutting the call, his words music to my ears.

Before I knew it, I was by his side, grasping his clothes. "Where? Take me to my son now!"

Bianchi's fiancée stood stiffly, her silent outrage palpable, but I didn't care.

"He's at the police station," Bianchi explained. "But I need to arrange for my guards to secure the entrance before we leave."

" Hurry up! I just want my Liam," I urged.

The little boy asked Elsa, "Who's Liam?" but she snapped at him, silencing him.

*****

I cradled Liam's fragile body, tears brimming in my eyes as he whimpered softly. I hugged him tighter, reassuring myself he was safe and sound.

We were still at the police station, where Bianchi was speaking with the head officer. His fiancée had departed abruptly after we left the hospital, hastening away as if her very pants were on fire. She’d looked very scared.

Liam had remained silent for two hours, his only sounds whimpering and crying, which sent my anxiety soaring. But I comforted him, holding him close.

His wrists were also swollen and red.

Bianchi had arranged for an officer to bring warm water, napkins, and medication minutes earlier, and I had tended to his wounds.

"Ava, Mom...where's Ava?" Liam's weak voice broke the silence, his reddened face searching for reassurance.

"Your sister is fine, baby," I soothed, wiping away his tears. "She's at the hospital, recovering."

Liam fell silent, his eyes welling up with tears. Then, in a trembling voice, he spoke.

"Someone called them, Mom...to kill little Liam. They forced Ava and me to take chocolate, even when we refused. The nurse gave it to us... Sister nurse..."

"Shh, baby, don't say another word. You're safe now, and Ava is too," I soothed, holding him close as he shook uncontrollably.

But before I could continue, Liam suddenly squirmed out of my arms and rushed to Bianchi, who had just emerged from the police chief's office. I gasped in surprise.

Liam had wanted to run to Bianchi earlier, but I hadn't allowed it, unsure if I could trust him. What if he was involved in the kidnapping?

"Mr. Blue Eyes!" Liam exclaimed, grasping Bianchi's suit. "Thank you for taking care of my mom and siblings while I was away. I knew I could count on you."

Bianchi swept Liam into his arms, holding him tightly. Liam's transformation from fearful to confident and happy was astonishing.

"It's nothing, Liam. I love doing it, and I'm glad you're here and okay." Bianchi said.

Still reeling, I composed myself and approached the officer who had followed Bianchi out of the room. He appeared to be in his forties, with a kind face.

"Hi, officer," I greeted.

"Hey, ma'am," he replied with a warm smile.

I gestured for us to step aside, away from prying ears.

"So, tell me," I began, folding my arms across my chest, "where exactly did you find my son? As his mother, I deserve to know."

The officer cleared his throat, suddenly wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. "Hmmm... Well, ma'am, I've been ordered not to disclose any information."

I stepped closer, but he retreated, as if I were fire.

"By who?" I demanded, keeping my voice low but urgent. "Am I not the child's mother? Is this another cover-up?"

The officer hesitated. "I-I can't tell—"

"Now!" I pressed.

He trembled slightly. "By Mr. Mario, ma'am."

My gaze snapped back to Bianchi, sitting on a couch with Liam, a tablet between them. He smirked at me, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I flipped him a discreet bird, watching his expression darken from afar. My heart skipped a beat.

I refocused on the officer. "He's controlling my family affairs now?"

The officer shrugged.

"I need to know everything, or I'll make sure Mario takes action," I warned, trying to keep my emotions in check. Threatening him felt wrong, but I had to uncover the truth.

"Ma'am, we found him in an underground basement," he began, his voice hesitant. "He was surrounded by his kidnappers, strapped to a small chair."

My heart sank. Good Lord! My poor baby!

That explained the swelling on his wrists. The thought of what he endured was unbearable.

"Where are the kidnappers now?" I demanded, my voice firm. "How many were involved? Have they confessed who hired them?"

"There were four initially, but we neutralized two during their escape attempt," he explained. "The remaining two are being interrogated, but they haven't cracked yet. Rest assured, we'll uncover the truth."

"Can I see them?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not, ma'am," he replied, glancing nervously at Bianchi. "I've already compromised the protocol. Further indiscretions would incur severe consequences."

His sweat-drenched face revealed his terror. I wondered what made him terrified.

"I understand. Ensure they're pushed to the brink until they confess," I instructed. "And I'll make sure Mario doesn't know I questioned you.” I added.

He muttered under his breath, "As if we didn't already know."

"I'll see to it, ma'am," he affirmed.

"Thanks," I said, returning to Bianchi.

Liam was now sleeping peacefully in his arms, but I avoided eye contact with him still feeling uneasy.

"I'll take Liam now," I said, extending my arms. I reached for Liam but Bianchi's grip tightened on him, and Liam also clung tightly to him. I tried twice more but my attempts only made Liam grasp tighter.

"Fine," I huffed, my cheek burning in embarrassment.

Bianchi stood up, his imposing figure towering over me with Liam secured in his arms.

"You're angering me, Bianchi. And you'll get it from me once Liam's asleep at the hospital," I snapped, hands folded across my chest, anger simmering over his instructions to the officer and Liam's clinginess to him.

"Your punishment awaits you too, disobedient single mother," Bianchi growled huskily. "You'll learn not to defy me, especially not with a gesture like that. I'll not take light to being flipped by a tiny woman like yourself."

His piercing gaze swept over me, and I gasped, my face burning further.

What punishment was he speaking about?

With Liam still in his arms, Bianchi strode out of the station. I followed closely behind him with a glare and clenched fist.