CORA’S POV

I ran as fast as my legs could take me. The tunnel was cold and dark but I didn't stop running. My legs kept on hitting the stones and shards of glass on the floor but I didn't stop. I kept on running, panting heavily looking behind me to make sure no one was following. The figure emerged from the shadow again and kept on pursuing me.

“Help me! I screamed but no response came. My voice echoed back to me in the dark tunnel. “Someone is trying to kill me, help me please! I kept on screaming regardless of how my throat ached. It didn't matter. I needed to run as fast as I could and look for a way out or else I'd be killed.

“Do you think you can run away from me forever Cora, " the figure shouted back and laughed wickedly. Just wait till I get my hands on you, you wretch. He said and increased his pace.

“Don't come near me, I don't know anything” I said and waved my hands into thin air trying to shut him away. My body couldn't stop shaking and I let out cold sweat. He was close to me and I couldn't run or hide anyone. My feet betrayed me and didn't run with me. I dragged my tired body along the walls of the tunnel trying to see if there could be a place to hide but it was too late. He was standing in front of me, clapping at how he won the hide-and-seek game we started.

“Told you Cora, I mustn't catch up to you. He grinned hard on his teeth and cracked his neck. “What do I do with you now? Should I give you a painless death? He happily said and touched my skin with the knife he held.

“Please, spare me, I know nothing I swear” I cried in pain and clenched my fists hard on my thighs.

“Oh my dear Cora, he stuttered and held my neck up. Where's the drive?

“I have no idea what you're talking about, don't kill me please”. I said.

He punched me hard in the stomach and I almost spat out my organs. “Why don't you drop the act Cora, the CCTV caught your face in it. You think I wouldn't know what you did. He spat on me in annoyance and hit his bare hands into the wall.

“Now, tell me where the damn drive is, he hissed”.

“I wouldn't be held captive if I knew where it was, would I? And seeing how you locked me up and chased after me, I'm glad you haven't found it. And I know you can't kill me. You need me to be alive to access the drive. I scorned him and let out a vague smile.

It was stupid of me to challenge him but I needed to lower his hold on my neck and make a run for it.

He slapped me hard and I threw out blood. “ You think I can't kill you? Do you think so? Even at this point, you're still arrogant. How dare you?

How dare you? He groaned out in frustration and kicked me continuously. His hands ran into his hair and he kicked the wall in irritation.

“Since you don't wanna talk, you should die then. He said and walked towards me with the knife in his hand. The knife was up in the sky ready to slit my throat and in that moment, death played a dirty game on me. My life flashed brightly in front of me and I remember how my life changed six months ago.

*Six months ago*

“Papa, what are you….I'm getting married? You gotta be kidding Papa”. I said and shoved back what my Dad said while I continued to admire my cortexed nails. I had just returned from my studies in Germany hoping I'd come and take over my Dad's business.

“Cora, he called me softly and grabbed my shoulder lightly. This marriage is to help our family. Things are dire at the moment and the only way to change the fate of our company is to get married to Keith Crawford”.

I sighed deeply and rolled my eyes before responding to him. He looked at me sincerely and I knew better than anyone he'd rather not have me entangled with the family's business. “ Papa, Keith Crawford isn't who I think he is, is he? I asked, facing him with eyes that demanded an answer.

“Sweetheart, my mother interrupted before my father could say anything. It's the same Keith who used to play in our compound when you were kids. He owns an empire now and he's one of the leading successful men in the business World.

“Are you…are you two in this together? I scoffed out a laugh in shock”. Mum, tell me you don't agree with Dad, how on earth am I supposed to be with a childhood friend I lost contact with?

“I'm sorry Cora, I tried to convince your father out of it but couldn't, my mother pleaded with me and she held my hands hoping I'd understand.

I threw her hands away and got up abruptly. Nothing makes sense, a wedding out of the blues? With Keith, my once childhood crush? No way is that impossible, I thought aggressively to myself and slammed my hands up in the air. I fumbled with my bag, picked up my phone, and made my way out of the house before I lost my temper.

“Where are you headed to Cora? My father had his hands stretched out to stop me before I made any more steps.

“Booking a new flight back to Germany since it seems my family is crazy. I answered him unapologetically in a harsh tone and kept on walking ahead.

“The company's core technology was invaded and stolen, Cora. We are in debt and in less than two months, our company is going to get auctioned off. We have nothing left, Cora” my mother said, weeping uncontrollably. Her hands were placed on her face and she gently sucked in her tears.

“Papa, what is mum talking about? I froze, shocked almost in disbelief. What the hell is going on here?