Chapter 2

8 years ago (When Brielle was 18 years old)

Brielle

I hate my birthday presents, was all I could think about as my parents sang a ‘Happy Birthday’ rendition in an offkey tone in front of the fireplace, wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.

It was against the rules to unwrap your birthday present before everyone else but I had been hoping they got the new gadget that was trending around my peers.

Sadly, all I got was this fancy cashmere sweater, a $100 gift card and a hand-knitted shawl that smelled of lavender.

Being born in a holiday period wasn't so exciting as everyone tends to gloss over your birthday in favour of the festivities but not my parents.

If anything, they went out of their way to make it extra special and every birthday a memorable one.

“And we love you, Brieeellllleeee…” My mom stretched out the last part of the song, smiling widely at me. “Happy birthday to you…”

“Quick! Blow out your cake and make a wish!” My dad prompted, pushing the cake closer to my face.

In hindsight, I should have wished for time with them but I was a moody, hormonal teenager so I did what any teenager would wish for.

Going to college and having the time of her life!

There was a lot of cheering after I blew out the candle and then my Mom ushered us into the dining area so we could eat. It wasn't anything special, just my favourite meal since when I was five years old.

Blueberry pancakes, crepes and apple pie with lots of powered sugar.

Unfortunately, I had eaten same meal so many times that the fond memories I had associated with it was gone in a puff of smoke, replaced by pure disdain.

However, we had barely sat down to eat when we hes do the doorbell rings out.

Everyone exchanged surprised glances as we rarely had visitors.

“Who is it, dear?” Mom looked to Dad who had a worried look on his face.

“I don't know but I'll check.” He pushed back from the table and came around to kiss my forehead. “Enjoy your meal.”

And he disappeared down the hallway to the front door for the next five minutes.

We heard voices but nothing else and after a few more minutes, Mom excused herself with a strained smile and followed suit.

I didn't really care but when I heard a muted scream, I bolted out of my chair.

“Mom? Dad?” I called out, my fingers wrapped tightly around my phone.

It was eerily silent, the kind of quiet that sends a chill down your spine.

Before I know it, the front door burst inwards and three heavily guarded men walked in like they owned the place, my father shaking and cowering behind them.

He also had a small cut on his lip. Fear spiked up and I ran towards him. “Oh, my gosh! Dad, are you okay?”

I had barely wrapped my arms around him when a deep, bass voice came from behind me. “Tie them up and push them to the living room.”

The man himself showed up, dressed in all black, sunglass perched on his nostrils and a wide brimmed black hat on his head.

“Wait…what is…Dad, what's going on?” Fear bled into my tone as those heavily muscled grabbed Dad and me.

“It's going to be fine, honey. Just do as they say…” Dad tells me, acting calm like it was normal for random men to badge into our house and manhandle us.

“Where's…where's Mom?” I cried out as a man hauled me up and practically carried me to the living area.

My question was answered as I spotted her cowering behind a couch, blood running down her nose.

“Oh, my gosh, Mom!” I screamed and began to fight to get free.

“Hey! Shut her up!” The man with the deep voice who turns out to be the leader barked out over his shoulder as he crouched down to face my father.

“Now…as we were saying…” He lowered his voice down to a whisper. “Do you know why I am here?”

I tuned out of their conversation as the body guard dumped me behind Mom, wrapping my hands up with duct tape.

I got my build from my father but Mom… she has a petite body and in this moment, she looked like a little kid.

“Mom, are you okay?” My voice shook as I reach out to touch her hand but remembered that they had tied up mine behind my back.

She didn't respond, instead she just shuffles closer and presses her forehead to mine, muttering under her breath.

I can't quite hear her so I just nodded, my eyes straying towards where my father and the leader stood.

“I'm going to ask you this for the last time, did you order the attack on my family?” He growled, jerking dad's chin up with force.

“Please… please Mr Hayes… Marcello, please…” Dad sobbed, years rolling down his cheek like a baby. “I don't… I don't know anything.”

I don't know how but the man's face hardened even more, his green eyes empty and soulless.

“Oh, you think this is a joke huh?” He grabbed my father's hand and squeezed hard.

Then suddenly, he pulled away and stalked towards us.

“If you're not going to tell me, then maybe I need to do more.” Without hesitating, he jerked my Mom up and pushed her in front of him.

“Mom!” I screamed, thrashing around. “Please don't hurt her.”

“Wait, Mr Hayes! Please, my wife has nothing to do with this!” Dad's eyes went round and he tried to move but another bodyguard kept him immobile. “She's innocent!”

“Why don't I be the judge of that?” Mr Hayes mused, reaching up to remove his glasses.

My mouth fell open as I took in his features, a bit stunned.

This man was very handsome, the kind of beauty that is displayed on a model magazine.

For one, his jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, framed with high cheekbones. His lips were full and pouty, accompanied with soft delicate skin while dark locs tumbled down to his forehead.

It was the perfect mix of gorgeous and manly.

His beauty confused me because I wondered… how one could look like an angel yet have a heart of stone?

“Mrs Arwen, I'm going to tell you things about your darling husband that you don't know about. For now, he's degenerate gambler that drained your fortune as well as your savings, all to satisfy his addiction.”

“He reached out to my father for help and like a good businessman, he obliged but now, your husband is refusing to pay back.” Mr Hayes explained, saying things that had me looking to my Dad in disbelief. “As if that's not bad enough, he connived with someone to have my parents killed and they would have gotten away with it if I didn't figure out what they did. There… you're all caught up…”

At this point, my Mom was shaking so badly. I didn't know if it was from fear or anxiety but she just froze up.

Mr Hayes looks to my father. “Tell me what I need to know.”

“Listen, I told you that-”

A deafening boom rocked my ears and it wasn't after a few seconds that I heard screaming and I saw blood pooling under Mom's leg that I realised what had happened.

Holy shit, he just shot Mom!!

Back in physical training at school, I learnt that most people have different reactions to violence or trauma.

That night, I learnt that mine was shock.

Dad was wailing and when he didn't give me Hayes a reasonable response, he shoots Dad too.

Right in the face.

I watched the light leave my father's eyes, his face perpetually frozen in fear.

At this time, Mom was screaming so loudly that I feared a neighbour would show up but no one did.

I didn't know that I was crying until Mr Hayes cane over to me. “I know he was your father but don't cry for him. He was a cold, heartless murderer that didn't think twice before hurting my parents. He doesn't deserve your tears.”

I was still in shock but in that moment, I had never hated anyone as deeply as I hated him. “Why… why are you doing this?”

He holds my gaze and for a moment, I thought I saw regret flash past his eyes but it was gone immediately. “Because I want revenge…”

And with that, he straightened, giving his men some sort of signal and they began to file out the door.

Until the last man.

Hayes jerked his head towards me and instructed, “Bring her to the car.”

Wait, what?

It was at this point that it sank in that I was in danger. I bolted to my feet, racing over to Mom as if she could protect me. “Mom, do something, they're trying to…”

I barely finished the sentence when I was jerked off my feet, strong bulky hands holding me captive.

“No, please! Please!” I yelled, kicking my feet in the air. “Mom, do something! Don't let him take me! Mom!! Mooooommmmm!!”

Mom just looked at me with this dejected and helpless look in her eyes but despite the screams, she didn't move a muscle.

She just looked as a murderer carted me off to God knows where.

And for the first time in a long time, I knew that I was utterly alone…and no one was coming to save me.

Well…happy birthday to me, I guess.