Four days later. (4th July. Monday.)He looked around everywhere, a huge sigh coming out of him as he felt the air of the place he left. A place he missed. A place that contains what he treasures most.Getting to the lobby of the airport as he dragged his luggage, he spotted someone waiting for him, holding a piece of carbon paper with his name written on it.He smiled and sneaked up to her. "Hey." He whispered causing her to jump slightly.But then she gasped when she saw the face of who she's wanted to see for long. "Stefan!" She immediately pulled him into a hug and he responded. "I miss you so much."Stefan left the smile on his face since he missed her too, although there was a drastic change in her, but he recognized her as his little sister even though when he left, she was just ten.He pulled away and looked at her beautiful face. "You're really all grown up, Tessa."Tessa's smile widened at the comment. "Yeah.""Let's go home. We don't want to keep mom impatiently waiting for
Alexa couldn't believe her eyes seeing Stefan in front of her. It was beginning to feel like yesterday he just suddenly left. "Oh my God, Stef...how...where have you been? You just left." She asked.They were already on the couch and somehow Leo wasn't feeling comfortable."It's a family issue. I had to leave." Stefan explained.Alexa's mouth formed an O. "Oh wow." She breathed out still feeling like she was trapped in a dream. "It was...it was sad when we suddenly lost touch. You just left without many details. We went to your home, but your mom wasn't giving us an answer...although,..." She stopped remembering something.Stefan lowered his head knowing what she was going to say. "Yeah. That was why I left. My dad needed me, so we both left. I couldn't stay with her.""And now? You're back because...?""He's dead. He passed away last week."Alexa blinked and leaned against the couch very close to Leo who just let them catch up. She was taken aback a bit by it, her face enveloped in s
(5th. July. Tuesday.)Damien sighed walking toward his locker after a very long, excruciating class. "I can't believe how Miss Betty's class makes me feel."His friend, Toby chuckled. "You got me there. Her classes are so boring."Damien looked at him. "I could give anything just to get off that class.""Or maybe just write a note that says how boring she is and the fact that nothing is learned from her and put it in the complaint box." A guy, Romeo chimed in as he walked toward them, causing Damien.and his friend to look."Hmm," Damien said like he was giving it a thought.He got to his locker and opened it absentmindedly, then inserted his books inside it."What's that?" Toby asked, his eyes fixated on the floor.Damien's face was wrapped in confusion and looked at the ground where they were seriously staring at.Romeo picked it. and narrowed his eyes at the white nylon containing white substances. "This looks familiar."Damien tilted his head to the side in deep thought, his face b
Opening the door, the woman looked at both the two strange visitors, but there was not an ounce of surprise or shock written on her face. "How can I help you?"Philip and Rita glanced a second at each other. "We um,...""Is it about my son?" The woman suddenly asked."About your son? You know what happened to your son?" Rita asked curiously, her brows furrowed.The woman blinked suddenly feeling anxious. "No...nothing happened to my son, right? I was only asking because, for a long while, he hasn't been home, but we get lots of gifts coming from him. Expensive things. We don't know how he gets the money and we also can't reach him." The woman immediately explained herself.Rita sighed."You guys are cops, am I right?"Philip and Rita nodded. "Yeah.""So my son...""He's fine. He's just in jail." Philip answered her question.Her eyes widened. "Jail? What... Did he involve himself in dirty business? My son is not....""We don't know what he got himself involved in ma'am. Did you know E
Two days later. (8th. July. Friday.)"Two dead bodies were found, Leo. They were private investigators." Emily informed handing over the pictures.Leo blinked seeing it was really Scott and Mark. He's been waiting for the news report but hasn't seen any."Although, how did you know?" Emily asked in wonder since she was surprised at the fact that Leo called and asked if there were two dead bodies brought to their investigations.Leo looked at her hesitantly. "I...um..." He sighed knowing it was best for her to know. "They were my investigators. I paid them for a job."Emily's eyes widened. "What?!"Leo nodded. "I assigned them different tasks. Scott was investigating a kid named Joseph Rhodes, while Mark was investigating Carmen Beckett."Emily was confused, her face contorted. "Why? Who are they?""Joseph Rhodes is a kid that attends my kids' school. He's the one the kids are always having problems with."Emily's eyes darted from left to right as she tried to remember. "Oh." It clicke
(9th. July. Saturday.)What's happening? What the hell is happening? Those statements have been on Leo's head since yesterday. It bothered him deeply.Just thinking about it ruins his mood completely. And no matter how he tries to hide things, his feelings, he just can't. He's been out of it and Alexa definitely notices.He leaned against his office chair. There's got to be a clue somewhere. Something out of the box.He called Nick's line and after three rings. "Leonard.""Hey, Nick.""What's up? How's it been going?"Leonard shook his head. "No clue. Although, it was stated Harrison was expelled, but do you know why?""Um, not really, but I found out he was a victim of bullying."Leo's brows furrowed at the information. "Bullying?""Yep. Squirrel was his nickname in school. Your dad and Eric Denvers did try and help, but I don't know what happened. and how it got to him being expelled, but my guess is,...""He did something on his own." Leo completed."Yeah. Something bad. Probably w
Emily looked around the familiar place and sighed loudly, looking back at Alexa whose gaze was on her. "Why am I here, Alexa? What do we have to talk about?""About you," Alexa said as a matter of fact."Wh...""Did you notice that not long after James left, you became distant? You keep things to yourself and believe me it's not safe. What are we friends for when you can't even rely on me?"Emily lowered her head, playing with her hands placed on the table. "I don't really wanna talk about this, Alexa. Please.""No." Alexa asserted. "You're talking about this whether you like it or not. You've kept things to yourself for too long."Emily kept quiet, feeling something like a whirlwind of sad emotions overwhelming her.Alexa sighed. "Our friendship has been on a hiatus for so long, Em. Don't you think so?"Emily's mind was fogged by the pain and anger she felt toward someone she opened her heart to. He didn't just cause her pain, but he gave her a lifetime of worries and anxiousness. He
(11th. July. Monday.)"So tell me, kids, what is your dad planning against me? I haven't been summoned yet."Damon sighed. "I think soon you're gonna be summoned even if my dad doesn't do anything about you."The principal knew he was right and that's one reason she hasn't done anything about the framing case because if the proprietor was to know, she's done for.The first drug case, she was warned to take care of it and make sure it doesn't affect the school's reputation, but now, the proprietor is definitely gonna get involved and declare her incapable of taking care of the school."When are you gonna bring Romeo out for what he did? It's high time questions are being asked on who sent him to frame me." Damien asked not understanding why the principal is taking time.By now, investigations should have started cause it's a big deal."What are you gonna do if I say nothing is gonna be done about it, kids?"Damon frowned wondering how stupid his principal is. If she wasn't an elder, he
The greatest shock Alexa received in all her life was when Leo knelt down on the ground with a ring in hand and ask the question she has never heard anyone ask her. "Will you marry me?"She was overwhelmed by that question. It was totally unexpected. Out of nowhere. It officially became one of the happiest days of her life.Her smile was broad and uncontrollable, and after saying yes, immediately after he stood up, she engulfed him in a hug.Their kids and friends just stood there happy since it was all planned by all of them.The wedding was not that grand, but it was perfect. The happy smiles on their face made things different from when they had their first.This time, there was love in their eyes. They were happy as they looked at each other.Back then, it was just pain, confusion, and different negative thoughts in their heads when they were about to join them together. There was just no smile on their faces no matter how much they wanted to force it.It's funny how different thi
Throughout, the kids were restless since they have no idea what was going on. They haven't seen their mom and their dad since he saved them from the wicked men."I'm pretty sure everything is going to be fine," Joseph spoke out, shaking his head at their brooding expressions as he came out of the kitchen."Don't talk to us, Joseph." Damien shunned him in a bad mood.Joseph took a seat on the couch by their left. "I understand you guys detest me, but I'm sure you've understood why. I'm not a bad person, you know."Damien scoffed. "Whatever.""He's right." James chimed in, coming out of his room. He closed his door shut and walked closer to the kids. "He's also a victim." He made known, sitting down on the couch opposite Joseph.The kids kept quiet wanting him to talk further."He's a kid without parents. Homeless. He saw an opportunity and grabbed it. He's sorry for everything he did just because he was looking out for himself. He's also helped to save a lot of kids like Kara. The cops
Leo's eyes widened in shock and horror as he held his wife firmly from falling to the floor. "Oh, my God."Alexa was choking as she was finding it hard to breathe, blood spilling from her mouth and the part she got shot which was her back.Leo knelt on the ground with her in his arms still in shock at what happened. He couldn't believe it. His... His wife got shot. "Alexa." It came out with a shaky breath.Her breathing was heavy, she was finding it hard to even say anything to him."We need an ambulance." Leo's voice came out shaky once again, but the war was still going on."This shouldn't have happened." The boss's voice was filled with regret."I'm sorry, boss. She came in the way." Mason apologized.Leo sighted Harrison and his goon hiding and immediately knew they were the ones who shot his wife. He knew they were hiding, but he thought it was just to save themselves from being shot.Fury tore through him. He didn't wanna kill anyone, but he was not ready for that man to go scot
(November 3rd. Wednesday)Leo stopped his car and came out of it arriving at the place Harrison Lewis said they should meet. It was like an isolated express where people and cars don't really pass through.His eyes were fixated on the old man and the other guy standing next to him and behind them was their car.It was obvious the old man was Harrison Lewis and it made him realize he actually never met him til now."It's an honor to meet you, Leonard Hodge. I'm honest." Harrison said with a smile.Leo looked around the old man since there was just one thing on his mind and that was saving his precious kids."Where are my kids?" Leo asked really wanting to see them.Harrison nodded. "Yeah." He looked at Mason. "Bring them out."Mason nodded walked to the car and opened it. He urged the kids to come out which they immediately did since they saw their father.Leo's eyes softened as he saw his kids. He was in relief seeing as they were looking fine.As Aria was about to run to her dad, Mas
The boss looked around the whole room, nodding his head and showing how pleased he was with it. "I didn't know you bought a house here, Mason."Mason nodded. "Yes, boss. It was actually for a reason, though."The boss looked at him. "I'm thankful you came back, but I've been having this burning question. How did you know?"Mason sighed. "It's Carmen, boss.""Carmen? Don't understand.""You said I should trail her on which I did. I was shocked when I heard her speaking to Leo via voicemail about what she's done for him. She was...she was the traitor, boss."The boss blinked and stumbled back a little due to missing his steps. "No. No way."Mason nodded. "It shocked and angered me. It was through her I know of the raid."The boss let out a shaky breath, finding it unbelievable. "Can't believe this. Where's she now?"Mason looked away. "I had no choice.""No choice on what?" The boss asked inquisitively."My...my anger got the best of me, boss. I shot her on the spot." Mason dropped hopi
Leonard's heart felt like it was put on a stake as he kept pacing on the porch of his house, looking worried and extremely restless.It's been hours since the mission to get his kids safe and sound, but he hasn't gotten anything. All he could get was a stupid voicemail from Carmen making him wonder how much senseless she can be.His phone began ringing making him stop in his tracks. He looked to see it was Emily and for some reason, he just felt there was bad news coming and he could only hope he was wrong."Emily..." He said after taking a calm breath. He heard her clear her throat making him sigh. "Don't tell me it's bad news.""I'm sorry, Leo. We had it all covered thinking everyone was where they were meant to be, but we were taken by surprise. Harrison Lewis and one other together with your kids escaped."Leo rubbed his head in frustration, feeling so annoyed and knowing the choice he was now left with. "We failed then. We lost our only chance.""Leo, there could be another way."
(NOVEMBER 2ND. WEDNESDAY.)"So tell me, Mason. Are you on her tail?" The boss asked over the phone.Mason nodded. "Yes, boss, but why? Why am I following her?"The boss shook his head. "Don't know. I just have a gut that she's up to something.""Something like what?"The boss sighed. "That girl has been calm lately. She doesn't come to me anymore...it's like she's creating an arm's length between us. She doesn't even talk about the anger she has toward the Hodges like she does then, so I'm having a wild feeling that something is not right with her.""And what do you think you'll get, boss?" Mason asked as he tailed Carmen carefully."Don't know. I feel she's sleeping with another man. She probably met someone to abandon me for and I won't condone that, because when I saved her, there was a pact between us."She's meant to be his if she wanted the whole world which is something he could provide for her."And what if she's betraying you, boss? What should I do?" Mason felt like asking.
"Ring. Ring. Ring."Leo's phone began ringing cutting short a long conversation as he attempted to calm Alexa down, telling her everything was gonna be fine since she couldn't stop complaining and then sobbing and then crying, showing how sad she was that their kids weren't with them.He's also sad, but all he's gotta do without choice is try calming Alexa down.He sighed, picked up his phone from where he kept it and looked at the familiar number. It was Damon's. He blinked at it, definitely knowing it wasn't his son, but his enemy.A call he's been impatiently waiting for.He answered the call. "Harrison Lewis." It sounded more like an inquiry.Alexa gently sat up, her gaze fixated on Leo, looking curious.He heard the man chuckle. "Of course, you guys cracked that. Damn it's been so long since I've heard my name.""I know everything, Mr. Lewis. Yes, I cracked a lot, but what is it you really want? How stupidly far can you go, since after all, you started stupid?"Alexa let out a wo
Carmen shook her head with a smile at the little kids in front of her. The boys just sat on the one bed inside the cage, quiet and sad, while the girl just lay down."So these are Leonard Hodge's little devils. I've heard so much."The boys looked up at her, recognizing her. She's Kara's mother. But they just looked away. No matter how strong they act, in the end, the reality of them being kidnapped, and taken from their parents were getting to them."Oh, look how sad you are." Carmen pouted at their facial expressions. "You are supposed to be tough, right?"Aria started sobbing obviously tired of what was happening. Missing her mom and dad. She doesn't know how long she can bear it.The heat due to lack of AC and the fear of eating their food that might be contaminated. Everything was so disgusting to her and it tired her. It felt like she was in jail. Now she knows why people don't like jail.Damon sighed as Aria's crying wasn't helping matters. He had to confess, that urge to also