Chapter 5

Mirco froze when he heard her call his name.

Klynne’s eyes widened as the name slipped off her mouth. Alvien Mirco Cortel does not want to be called by his second name. She has read about it. News and Gossips online said he hated the name and she just called him that. He doesn't even know her! How dare she?!

Klynne wanted to smack her head but it would be too embarrassing for her. She looked at Mirco who’s now close-fisted.

He would not hurt a woman, right?

“I-I mean, Mr, C-cortel...”

The man in front of her faced her. Their eyes met. His jaw was clenched tight in madness, Klynne felt her knees buckled. She immediately looked away.

“What did you just call me?” he asked in a deep voice, making Klynne shiver.

“I’m sorry, it just slip--”

“Mr. Cortel?”

Klynne looked at him. She thought he was angry because she called him by his second name. But why is he asking if she addressed him professionally?

Not knowing what to do, Klynne chose to be silent. She was not usually like this. But the man in front of him has this domineering aura that made her shut up.

“Sir, the cab is here. Why do you need--”

They both look at Travis who just entered the floor. Travis came into halt and did not finish his sentence as he saw his boss, and Samatha. His glance lingered to her, absorbing her physical form as if remembering how she used to look compared now.

The tension in the air only became stronger, but Klynne felt uncomfortable under Travis’ gaze. She looked down, but felt someone walk closer to her. When she looked up, she saw Mr. Cortel’s broad back which was covered by his fitted suit.

“Travis,” he called. Klynne wasn’t sure but she knew heard a warning tone in his speech.

She didn’t know why Mr. Cortel did that. Is it because he noticed she’s uncomfortable earlier that is why he blocked Travis’ view of her? She didn’t know. But the small gesture touched her heart.

“Easy! I’m just shocked she’s still here!”

Klynne heard laughter in his voice. She peek from his behind and saw Travis’ hands in the air, as if surrendering to the police.

“Shut up.” Mirco moved away from here. “Let’s leave.”

“W-wait!” Klynne snapped out of her thoughts after hearing that. She’s been waiting for this moment. Now is not the time to be shy even though she’s been in embarrassing moments earlier.

“Mr. Cortel. I really need something from you.”

Mirco's face darkened when he faced her. “You cannot get anything from me, anymore. Do not come to my company ever again,” he said in gritted teeth.

Klynne felt her knees shaking. He doesn't understand why ever since they met at the amusement park, he’s been showcasing his anger towards her. It’s not like she did anything wrong from him.

Is it because of his daughter? Did he think she wanted to kidnap his daughter? She just wanted to help and what she got was rude treatment!

“I just need to get something I own that you have,” she calmly explained. He was angry, and she doesn't want to be in the same state as him. If they are both angry, their conversation will be useless. Another thing is, she’s tired.

She hasn't been sleeping. But for unknown reason, she fell asleep in the lobby of this company. Maybe because her system knew there were a lot of people here. Maybe that’s why her system felt secure in his building.

If only look could kill, maybe Kynne was already lying on the floor by the look Mirco was giving him.

“Try me. Let’s see in court then.” With that, he walked away.

Court?

Klynne was speechless. The music box is hers! She’ll win!

“I’m sorry, if I made you uncomfortable earlier. I just...” Travis said when they are alone.

Klynne looked at Travis who seemed to say something else but chose not to. “Anyway, it’s nice seeing you again, Samantha.” He gave her a warm smile as if they knew each other for a long time--when in reality, they’re not. Unlike earlier, she liked this version of this guy so she smiled.

Travis left after he showed her the cab he got when Mirco asked him to. Klynne wanted to protest. She wanted that thing really bad that she’s been wasting her time in his company’s lobby. And now that she managed to get a conversation with him, he wanted them to meet at the court! How cruel! He could have listened to him first!

Klynne was about to give the address of her house to the driver when she saw a car in front of them that came from the company’s parking lot.

Suddenly, a plan played in her mind.

“Can we follow that car, please?” she said pointing to the black luxurious car.

The driver nodded and Klynne leaned at the seat. she didn’t know if he’ll listen to her. But maybe, she could locate their house, and talk to Kendall instead. Maybe she could get the music box through the child. No court needed. And Mr. Cortel is overreacting. They don’t need to get there. They just need to talk without his angry feelings for her--which she still didn’t know the reason.

Another thing, lawsuits might not be free. They are just starting to be financially stable--well, her brother actually. She still doesn’t have anything. She doesn't want to burden her brother anymore.

After a few minutes of driving, she felt the car speed faster. She looked in front and the car they were following was also speeding up.

“They knew that we were following them,” the driver said, making her gulp. Should they stop?

The chase prolonged for a few more minutes, going places she didn’t know but she was sure it was for them to get lost.

But when they got to the crossing, their cab didn’t make it to the other side. The driver smacked the steering wheel, a smile was on his face.

“They lost us.” The middle aged man smiled at her. “That was fun, but you’ll pay me, right?”

Sighing, she nodded and smiled weakly. The driver did her a favor and she will surely give her a tip even though she might not have breakfast tomorrow. She’s disappointed that she didn’t get to know where he was living, but still thankful the driver cooperated and they are still safe.

“Thank you. Since we can’t find them anymore, I might go home now. Here’s my address,” she said her address afterwards.

Klynne leaned back and closed her eyes.

Should she wait at the company again tomorrow?

“Ah!” she yelped when the driver suddenly stepped on the brake.

“What happened?” she asked the driver worriedly.

“There’s a van that suddenly appear in front of us,” the driver said. She immediately looked in front of them and confirmed what the driver said. The door opened, revealing four men with their faces covered with black cloth. Her heart almost skipped a beat when a man pointed a gun at them. Her body started to shake uncontrollably.

“Miss, I don’t want to get involved.”

She didn’t respond as she was lost words. Who are they? What was happening?

One man approached the door but even before they locked it, the man managed to point a gun at them. Klynne was consumed by fear. Her body began shaking while her eyes were pooled with tears.

“Move out!”

It’s just a nightmare! a part of her mind shouted, but the darkness was eating her whole system. She wanted to believe that what was happening before her eyes was just the usual nightmare she has, but it is not. She confirmed it when a callous hand pulled her in the arm, and out of the cab. Klynne wanted to protest, but her body reacted on a total opposite. She placed her left hand on her right shoulder while her other hand was hugging her waist as if she’s protecting something.

A man beneath the mask smirked when they easily pulled the lady into their van without a protest. His smile even stretched to his face seeing how the woman shaked in fear while silently crying.

“She makes things a lot easier,” he said to his comraderades and they all laughed.

“How about the driver?”

“Boss only wants his wife, but that might talk.” He looked at one of his men and nodded to the direction of the driver kneeling not far from him.

“You know what to do,” he instructed before entering the van. Once inside, he faced the terrified woman and covered her nose with a handkerchief that drove her to sleep.

Klynne’s eyelead was falling, but her hands remained protecting herself. Her tears flow on her cheeks.

And even before she lost consciousness, she saw the image of the man she’s been chasing for days in her mind-- the face of Alvien Mirco Cortel.