Chapter 5

3 weeks later

I can't believe they haven't found me yet.

Me and Sam really hit it off, we tried being friends, that lasted all of 1 day. He is better than Christiano, kinder, gentler. He let me move into his apartment outside of the city and I actually felt safe here. I knew the were looking for me, I knew Christiano was going mad. But I had to keep hiding, I hoped they would eventually give up... eventually realise I hadn't gone to the police and just wanted to forget everything that happened. 

I got a job as a barista in the local coffee shop, and for once in my life things were starting to look up. 

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I heard the chimes jingle above the door from the stock room. I placed the magazine I was reading on the table before walking through to the front of the shop. A short stocky man stood on the other side of the counter, clutching onto a smart phone. 

"what can I get you?" 

"Espresso please." he barely looked up but kept typing away on his phone. I felt like I had see him before somewhere. As I turned to the coffee machine I heard the sound of a camera shutter behind me, my heart began pounding loudly in my chest. I placed the lid firmly on the cup before turning back to him... but he was gone.

I know who he was. I remember seeing him around the club... he was one of Christiano's men... and if my calculations are right... the devil would be here in about 5 minutes. 

I threw my apron on the floor, my shaking hands making it hard to untie the knot. I jumped over the counter before sprinting out of the shop into the busy streets of New York.

I finally got back to the apartment, my whole body psychically shaking as adrenaline pumped through me. 

"Vanessa is that you?" I heard Sam yelling from his office, before he appeared in the doorway "you alright? you look like you've seen a ghost" 

"I don't want to talk about it Sam." I threw my bag on the sofa before speed walking to the bathroom and firmly locking the door.

"open up V" Sam knocked on the door lightly

"Sam seriously, I just need 5 minutes and I'll be fine" I didn't want to bite his head off but I needed time to consider my options. I waited until I heard the shuffling of his feet on the carpet before I let out and massive sigh. 

My head shot up when a loud banging resonated through the apartment. "sh!t" I whispered. I stood silently in the bathroom hoping they would eventually go away.

"who the fúck are you?" I heard Sam yelling as what sounded like a stampeed of bulls filled the living room.

"where is she?" I knew that voice all to well. 

"who?" Sam replied

"don't play stupid! you know who I'm fůcking talking about." Christiano.

I couldn't let Sam get hurt... he didn't deserve to deal with my mistakes...

I tentatively opened the door, trying not to make too much sound. as I turned the corner into the living room everyone's eyes turned to me.

"found you" Christiano whispered, his signature smirk creeping on his face.