Chapter 4 : Trap in a stranger’s house

"Let’s see how things go tomorrow. I’m pretty sure you’ll land a good-paying job with all those qualifications..." Naomi said as they strolled down the narrow road.

Kristen walked quietly beside her, lost in her thoughts, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"Come on, cheer up. You’ve only been here two days, and I just know tomorrow will turn out great," Naomi added, nudging Kristen lightly with her elbow.

Kristen nodded and smiled softly.

"I’m happy to have you back," Naomi said, wrapping her arms around Kristen from behind in a warm hug as they continued walking.

Kristen giggled softly. "I’m happy to be here too," she replied, letting herself lean into the comfort of Naomi’s embrace.

As they continued down the road, Kristen's eyes caught sight of a white house at the end of the street. She paused mid-step, a puzzled look crossing her face. "Wait... there wasn’t any house here three years ago," she murmured, tilting her head to the side.

Naomi chuckled softly beside her. "Oh, you still remember this place?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "Yeah, they sold the land about two years ago, and someone built that house."

"Oh, I see," Kristen nodded softly.

Naomi smirked and glanced over at the house before turning back to Kristen. "You know, I’ve only seen the guy who lives there once. But let me tell you, he looked like he walked straight out of a magazine. An angel, honestly...so handsome, fit, and... well, let’s just say, tall and everything that makes a girl's heart race."

"Sounds like someone you'll want to keep an eye out for," Kristen teased, and they both shared a laugh.

….…………………….

Japan Tokyo

"That was an impressive presentation, Mr. Anderson," the Chairman said with a satisfied smile as he reached out to shake his hand. The Japanese business leaders around them nodded in agreement, whispering among themselves.

"Thank you, sir," Anderson replied, offering a slight bow as he accepted the handshake.

"You came here with a bold vision, and I believe it's exactly what our companies need for the future. Your ideas on integrating our technologies with your global network are promising," the Chairman continued.

Anderson nodded thoughtfully. "I’m confident that a partnership between us will not only strengthen our market presence but will create new avenues for innovation in the industry. Japan is the perfect gateway for expanding this vision, and I believe that together, we can redefine what’s possible."

"You certainly know how to make a compelling case, Mr. Anderson. I see a promising future ahead for our collaboration. Let’s proceed with the next steps and finalize the details," the Chairman said with a smile as they continued to chat and work through the specifics.

One Hour Later

"Sir, I have everything you asked me to bring from the hotel," Mr. Green said as he met Anderson on his way out.

"Alright. And what time are we scheduled to arrive?" Anderson asked, barely breaking stride.

"Exactly 1 AM New York time," Mr. Green replied, following closely behind.

….…………………………………

New York City

Couple of hours later

"Hey, Mama, you’re still awake..." Kristen murmured as she spotted her orange cat approaching through the shadows of the garden. She had been trying to clear her mind, letting the cool night air settle her restless thoughts, but the sight of her pet brought a small smile to her lips.

The cat rubbed its warm body against her legs, purring softly. Kristen crouched down and scooped it up into her arms.

"Oh, I know," she whispered, her breath clouding in the chilly air. "It’s so cold out here... almost 12:30 a.m. You shouldn’t be wandering around in this weather." Her voice took on a soothing tone as she gently petted the cat.

"The skies are still beautiful, just like how we used to stare at them..." she said, closing her eyes. Memories washed over her as she whispered to the night, glancing down at her cat in her arms.

Suddenly, she felt her cat wriggle free, dropping down to the ground. Without warning, he began padding away into the darkness, his orange fur blending with the shadows.

"Hey, where are you going, Malo?" she called softly, a hint of laughter in her voice. She followed him deeper into the shadows, her bare feet brushing against the cool, dew-damp grass.

"Come on, don’t run off now," she begged.

"Looks like someone doesn’t listen again," Kristen murmured as she dragged herself to follow her cat.

After nearly twenty minutes of trailing her wandering pet, she found herself standing in front of a large white house, looming against the dark night.

"Hey, that’s enough... you can’t go there," she called out, her voice barely above a whisper but laced with urgency. Malo paid her no mind as he slipped through a gap in the rusted iron fence, his orange fur disappearing into the shadows on the other side.

Kristen sighed heavily, the chill in the air biting into her skin as she hesitated before the barrier.

….……..

The roar of the jet engines echoed through the night as the private plane landed, its landing lights piercing through the darkness.

He stepped onto the tarmac as wind swirled around him and the engines gradually powered down, his coat billowing behind him.

Two guards flanked him, moving with military precision and wearing expressions as stern as the night sky above. Anderson's gaze was steady ahead, his jaw clenched as he walked, with Mr. Green rushing back, clutching a slim briefcase in his hand as he struggled slightly against the wind.

….……..

"Come on now," Kristen whispered softly as she walked down the never-ending corridor.

 "I’m not trying to get myself arrested. Show yourself, and let’s get out of here," she muttered nervously, her eyes darting toward the closed heavy doors lining the hall.

Suddenly, she froze as something caught her eye.....a soft golden glow spilling out from the archway. Squinting through the darkness, she moved closer to the source of light until she came face-to-face with a vast gallery

"Whoa," she sighed heavily as she reached out to touch it.

Then, a sound cut through the silence...a slow creak as a door somewhere down the corridor swung open. Kristen’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening with fear as her body went rigid. Slowly, she turned towards the noise, straining her eyes to see through the shadows

And then she heard it... footsteps. Slow, steady, and getting closer.

"OMG Malo, we are going to die HERE," she whispered, trembling under her breath.

 She pressed herself back against the cold stone wall of the gallery, her mind racing with fear as the footsteps drew nearer.