Marcelo's voice was calm and collected as he spoke to Austin over the phone.Both Austin and Sebastian were seated on the dining, staring at the phone which was on the table."So, I was able to decrypt the IP address of that private number that sent the video to you," Marcelo began, "and I found something."Austin's voice was urgent, it followed immediately after,"What did you find out?"Marcelo hesitated for a moment before responding,"I was able to trace the IP address to a physical location. But, Lambert, I have to ask, what's really going on?" Sebastian was about to speak, but Austin signaled him not to."I took the liberty of finding out who that lady is, because of the familiarity of her name, and it came to my realization that she is Sebastian Bernadotte's fiancée. Are you really getting yourself involved with a man like Bernadotte?"Austin's voice was serious,"I know I owe you one for this, Marcelo. But let's just say it's a friend in trouble. Can you just tell me wher
Meanwhile, Isabel had almost dozed off, when she was awoken by the sound of running engine approaching the house from a distance.Her eyes opened and she listened keenly as the car drove closer to the house, lights from its headlights fairly illuminating the bedroom, through the window.Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the house, and its engine quieten down. For some reason, Isabel's heart was beating crazily.Not because she was scared, but because she didn't want to face them, knowing either of them would come to check up on her, to be certain that she haven't escaped. She didn't want to see their disgusting faces, Shakira's especially.A couple of hours ago, she was faced with the most shocking and unexpected revelation, aside being abducted.Sebastian wasn't the mastermind behind her kidnap, like she'd earlier suspected.It wasn't him. In fact, he might have no idea about it, except that Austin have informed him.Instead, it was Damien Giddorti and Sebastian's ex-fi
"Stay here and don't make any fucking sound!" Damien ordered Isabel in exasperation, bolting out of the bedroom as another gunshot fired in the air.He slammed the door shut, leaving Isabel confused, and shaking with terror.What could be happening out there?Were they under attack?Despite her trembling limbs and pounding heartbeat, she got up from the bed, to go see what was happening. Just as she apprroached the window, another shot was fired, louder than the previous ones.Isabel's body reverberated with trepidation, causing an immediate abortion of the idea in her head.She thought of hiding somewhere to save herself, but a crazy thought flashed her mind instantly.Escape, Isabel! You should be using this opportunity to escape from this hellhole.Her instinct screamed at her, while shots continue to fly outside, instilling fear into her.If you think anyone is coming to save you, then you are dreaming. You are responsible for the safety of your baby and yourself, and this is
Moses and Isabel have walked halfway through, when suddenly, a light flashed through the darkness, from a near distance.Moses was immediately on alert, raising his gun for action."Stay close, Ms. Hadid. We have an unwelcomed guest ahead of us." He told Isabel, slowing his step, so as not to alert whoever the other person was.With his one hand on the trigger, and the other holding Isabel's hand, they carefully approached the light.Suddenly, Moses stopped walking, which made Isabel stop too."Stay here and wait for me, Ms. Hadid."Without questioning, Isabel waited in the spot he asked her to, hiding behind two tall trees."Get down, and no matter what you hear, do not come out until I ask you to." He warned in a low whisper,"And once I tell you to run, you run as fast as your legs can take you." He dug his free hand into his pocket, pulling out a car key, which he handed to her."Head north, till you get to the main road. Take the Chevy and drive to wherever you can you'll be s
Isabel checked her watch impatiently, as she waited to be called into the ob-gyn's office.She had less than an hour left to report to work and had been seated there for the past thirty minutes, but it seemed like it had been an eternity already.Although she was hoping to get accepted for the position she was applying for, she still couldn't afford to get fired from her job at Blue Farm yet.It has been her only source of livelihood for the past three years, and she enjoyed working there too. The free meals the employees are entitled to have been her lifesaver.However, she knew that if by sheer luck, she got accepted for this new position, she would've to quit from Blue Farm.Compared to the free meals and hourly income, this new position came with a lot of incentives, which made it luscious.From the free healthcare to the best hospital in the city, to the free living expenses, from her feeding to her clothes and transportation. Then, there was her monthly allowance an
Out of over two hundred ladies who replied to the ad, Isabel was among the lucky fifty who were selected for the interview.She was thrilled about the news, and begged her manager for an off day, so she could attend the interview.After much begging, the man gave her the permit she needed, to not show up at work on that day.On that day, Isabel dressed her very best, wearing one of Jasmine's hand-me-down tops, and a wide-legged denim she'd purchased for herself about a year ago.Her attire didn't appear suitable for the interview, but the dress she could've worn was destroyed by Jasmine after she borrowed it weeks ago and did not return it until two days ago.The strain on the off-white dress, which she didn't know if it was from coffee or makeup, was impossible to wash off, despite all the cleaning agents she used on it.She had to dump it and wear something else, and although it didn't appear professional, she had no choice.Before Isabel left home that morning, she prepared breakf
Two weeks after the last screening test, Isabel received a mail from the agency.She was at work when she heard her phone buzzed. She pulled out out of her pocket and swiped down the notification bar.There was an email from St. Patrick's Hospital. She needed no soothsayer to tell her it was from the agency, yet she did not open the mail.Her heart pounding, as uncertainty ate her from within.What if she didn't get the job? Does that mean that she will have to go beg Mr. Bernadotte to give her more time to save up his money?Will he agree?What if he doesn't and decide to make thing difficult for her?She wouldn't be surprised if he decide to make things worst for her. She could've agreed to go the easy way, but her pride could not allow her subject her body to such immorality.Now, it doesn't look like she has any choice.Isabel did not bother about thinking what if she got the job. She knew within herself that she'd only made it through the entire process by sheer luck. No
Everything happened so quickly for Isabel, that she lost track of her own life. Immediately after she signed the contract with the agency, she was moved to a new apartment, Unlike how she had expected the apartment to be a penthouse in the city, it was a multimillionaire mansion with an ocean view and it was unlike anything Isabel had ever seen.Whoever this anonymous employer of hers was, she needed no soothsayer to tell her he must be drowning in wealth. Everything she needed, from food and clothes to other necessities, was in abundance. She didn't have to do anything for herself, because two maids were designated to her care. There was a chef, a few cleaners, and bodyguards. The security was very tight, which means there was no unsolicited going out and coming in.The house manager, Madam Magdalene, an older woman in her late forties was there if she needed anything.Isabel was awestruck, yet cautious, because everything seemed too good to be true for her.There were certa
Moses and Isabel have walked halfway through, when suddenly, a light flashed through the darkness, from a near distance.Moses was immediately on alert, raising his gun for action."Stay close, Ms. Hadid. We have an unwelcomed guest ahead of us." He told Isabel, slowing his step, so as not to alert whoever the other person was.With his one hand on the trigger, and the other holding Isabel's hand, they carefully approached the light.Suddenly, Moses stopped walking, which made Isabel stop too."Stay here and wait for me, Ms. Hadid."Without questioning, Isabel waited in the spot he asked her to, hiding behind two tall trees."Get down, and no matter what you hear, do not come out until I ask you to." He warned in a low whisper,"And once I tell you to run, you run as fast as your legs can take you." He dug his free hand into his pocket, pulling out a car key, which he handed to her."Head north, till you get to the main road. Take the Chevy and drive to wherever you can you'll be s
"Stay here and don't make any fucking sound!" Damien ordered Isabel in exasperation, bolting out of the bedroom as another gunshot fired in the air.He slammed the door shut, leaving Isabel confused, and shaking with terror.What could be happening out there?Were they under attack?Despite her trembling limbs and pounding heartbeat, she got up from the bed, to go see what was happening. Just as she apprroached the window, another shot was fired, louder than the previous ones.Isabel's body reverberated with trepidation, causing an immediate abortion of the idea in her head.She thought of hiding somewhere to save herself, but a crazy thought flashed her mind instantly.Escape, Isabel! You should be using this opportunity to escape from this hellhole.Her instinct screamed at her, while shots continue to fly outside, instilling fear into her.If you think anyone is coming to save you, then you are dreaming. You are responsible for the safety of your baby and yourself, and this is
Meanwhile, Isabel had almost dozed off, when she was awoken by the sound of running engine approaching the house from a distance.Her eyes opened and she listened keenly as the car drove closer to the house, lights from its headlights fairly illuminating the bedroom, through the window.Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the house, and its engine quieten down. For some reason, Isabel's heart was beating crazily.Not because she was scared, but because she didn't want to face them, knowing either of them would come to check up on her, to be certain that she haven't escaped. She didn't want to see their disgusting faces, Shakira's especially.A couple of hours ago, she was faced with the most shocking and unexpected revelation, aside being abducted.Sebastian wasn't the mastermind behind her kidnap, like she'd earlier suspected.It wasn't him. In fact, he might have no idea about it, except that Austin have informed him.Instead, it was Damien Giddorti and Sebastian's ex-fi
Marcelo's voice was calm and collected as he spoke to Austin over the phone.Both Austin and Sebastian were seated on the dining, staring at the phone which was on the table."So, I was able to decrypt the IP address of that private number that sent the video to you," Marcelo began, "and I found something."Austin's voice was urgent, it followed immediately after,"What did you find out?"Marcelo hesitated for a moment before responding,"I was able to trace the IP address to a physical location. But, Lambert, I have to ask, what's really going on?" Sebastian was about to speak, but Austin signaled him not to."I took the liberty of finding out who that lady is, because of the familiarity of her name, and it came to my realization that she is Sebastian Bernadotte's fiancée. Are you really getting yourself involved with a man like Bernadotte?"Austin's voice was serious,"I know I owe you one for this, Marcelo. But let's just say it's a friend in trouble. Can you just tell me wher
Sebastian didn't confront Austin about the video he saw in his phone. Even after they arrived at Colby and Austin handed Isabel's home key to him, he still didn't bring up the matter.Marcelo called about ten minutes after they arrived at Colby, with no news of Isabel's whereabouts."Did you search properly?" Are you sure you did not make any mistake, or input the wrong data?" Austin asked the man, his voice cracking with tension,"Just recheck it...maybe you made a mistake---""I didn't, Lambert. Somehow, she is off the grid. That might not necessarily mean they've taken her somewhere far away." Marcelo explained to Austin,"Now, since you found her cellphone in Tacoma, they must be within a five mile radius from the location you found the phone. I could help you run checks on possible hostage points, like abandoned houses, and warehourses that can be used." He continued,"Now, if also you've clue on anyone you suspect is responsible for her disappearance, I could help you run a c
Several hours later, Sebastian was on the flight to Seattle with three of his bodyguards, Moses, Jarvis and Pendel.Zachary and Fowler stayed back in New York to be with the boys."I need you here, to watch over my sons and ensure that no harm befalls them." He told the man,"Whatever happens to me over there, ensure that my sons and Isabel are protected no matter what. You are the only person I trust to protect my family like they're yours. I need you to not fail me, Zachary.""I won't fail you, sir. I promise to protect the boys with my life, if need be. But I know you'll return home safely with Ms. Hadid, and put a final end to those who've done this."The five hours it took them to get to Sea-Tac, was the longest five hours of Sebastian's life.He kept thinking about Isabel and wondered how she was faring.Was she scared, or was she being as obstinate as usually, giving those bastards tough time?Knowing her, he was certain of the latter.Was she blaming him too, or was she beat
Despite their differences, Sebastian and Austin agreed that they have to team up to find Isabel.It was the only sane thing to do, especially since they'd no clue who was behind her abduction."What do you mean that the location was a dead-end?!" Sebastian questioned Austin, his voice raised with agitation.Ever since he heard the news, he'd been agitated and worked up, lashing out his frustration on everyone around him. He didn't bother going yo Plantation City to meet his sons, because he didn't want then to find out about what has happened to their mother.The boys, Reynolds especially would never forgive him if they hear that their mother has gone missing."Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Mr. Bernadotte, because if you hadn't been careless, this wouldn't be happening." Austin fired back at him with disdain"This is all your fault. If you hadn't bogarted her life with your presence, this wouldn't he happening, you piece of shit." He spat,"And if anything happens to Isabel,
Isabel's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a blurry, unfamiliar plain-white ceiling. She winced, her head throbbing with a dull ache. As she tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the pillow.She took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the fog from her mind as her eyes wandered frantically around her unfamiliar surrounding.Where was she, and how did she get here?Who brought her there, and how long had she been out for?These were the answers her mind was craving for, but her memories seemed to be shrouded in a thick haze, making it hard to recall anything concrete about how she got there.She concentrated, despite her headache and foggy memory, trying to piece together her last memories, hoping to remember something tangible.Then, it began to happen, slowly at first.She remembered being in a cab, heading for the airport, where she should've caught her flight to Kansas. Austin should've driven her to the airport, after the movers left, but
Sebastian's eyes widened in confusion as he held his phone, staring at the screen. He just received a chilling call from Austin, his voice low and menacing, warning him that if anything happened to Isabel, he would hunt him and make him pay.His mind reeled as he tried to process the threat and make sense of what he was saying.What did Austin mean? Why would he think he would do anything to jeopardize Isabel's safety or cause harm to her?And then like a punch to the gut, it hit him: something must have happened to Isabel!A cold dread crept up Sebastian's spine as he thought about the possibilities. What happened to her, and who could have hurt her?And why would Austin think he was involved? Sebastian's hands shook as he tried to dial Isabel's number, but his fingers felt numb and unresponsive.He dialed her number after he recovered from his numbness, but then it dawned on him that she had blacklisted his number, and that was why he'd stolen Austin's number from Reynolds tablet