Chapter 2: You're returning home.

I woke up in my bedroom.

The only evidence of the chaos that ensued last night was my broken glasses on the night stand.

Although I could manage without my glasses, without them my vision was slightly blurry. Especially in the daytime.

Anxiety kicked in the moment the cold rim of the pink glasses touched my face. I hopped out of bed and bolted to the living room.

The front door was locked from the inside.

“How the hell…?” I wasn't deceived by the illusion that I was safe because I hadn't locked this door myself. 

I knew what happened last night wasn't a dream.

Maybe the part where I imagined the man who saved me was Marco Vitale was.

I was almost kidnapped and ambushed on an abandoned road on my way back from the music concert last night.

It was as real as it gets.

Dred pooled in my stomach at the thought of someone being inside the apartment.

Eyeing the staircase suspiciously, I grabbed the kitchen phone, immediately dialing Dad's home office.

The line connected after several rings.

“Who is this?” Cora's bored tone resonated.

My breath caught. I hadn’t heard or seen Cora in over five years.

“Where is Dad?” I rasped.

“Oh,” Cora drawled. “It's you. What's it been, ten years?”

“Just five.” I replied dryly.

“Unfortunately.” She retorted.

“Look Cora, it's an emergency. I really need to speak with Dad.”

Engaging Cora in banters never benefited me in the past. It certainly wouldn't do me any good now.

“Dad's not in the country,” Cora said. “You would know that if you weren't busy showing skin on live screens.”

“I don't have time to argue sis, I need to know what's going on.” My voice trembled slightly. “Why was I suddenly attacked last night? No one knows my identity.”

There was a slight pause from the other side where i wondered if Cora actually cared that I was attacked. 

Then Cora's voice returned. 

“First, don't ever call me sis again. Second, Dad has been into some territorial shit negotiations, nothing too dangerous or above the usual. If your identity was exposed then it's probably due to your ass shaking on stage last—”

“Cora! I'm not going to argue with you.” I cut her off. “I need to inform Dad about this immediately and you're going to help me out.”

“Why would I do that?” She didn't hide her amusement.

“Because we both want the same thing.” I said. “That I never return to that house.”

***

After ending the call with Cora, I left my apartment.

When I mentioned the possibility of returning home if my identity was revealed, I'd knocked some sense into her.

She promised to contact Dad right away while I fled to my bestie's house.

I'd just showered in Flora's bathroom when Dad's men came knocking. 

Flora was shocked. Frozen in place by the three magnificent black SUV'S parked in her driveway.

Flora is the last and only daughter of a billionaire family in Singapore. 

She's accustomed to unlimited luxury but she wasn't used to seeing me around anything above the average.

“Did you really become a big shot after last night's show?” Flora nearly drolled on the window glass.

“Can I borrow your extra phone Flora?” I asked while gathering my little belongings. “I lost mine in the car crash yesterday.”

Flora's mouth was still agape, staring at my escort through the window.

“You have a lot of explaining to do Gabi,” She said. “First the car crash nonsense you're spewing. Now these exotic cars driven by exceptionally hot men all for you!”

The smoke burning through her flamed cheeks was almost visible.

Only Flora would see scars and tattoos and call it hot.

I didn't romanticise men like that because I knew the evil they were capable of.

It'll be Halloween in heaven the day I fawned over a made man.

“I promise.” I kissed her cheek. “Now can I have your phone.”

“Sure,” she pulled it out of her back jean pocket. “Here.” Then she jutted her chin towards said ‘hot men’. “Have his number on it when you return it.”

“I'll be back tomorrow night for rehearsals. I'll explain about the hot guys then.” I kissed her second cheek and ran out to meet Dad's men.

I walked up to Dante, Dad's right hand man.

He held a door opened for me.

“Hello.” I greeted in a hurry. “Let's go.”

Flora's stare was burning a hole into my back. Or more accurately, into Dante's jacket—which probably contained a reasonable amount of loaded guns.

We needed to get out of here before Flora's attention became a problem. 

“Should we be worried about her?” Dante opened the car door.

“Absolutely not!” I exclaimed.

But from Dante's expression, I was certain he wouldn't just take my word for it. 

He'd run a background test on her.

They wouldn't do anything to her anyway, her families are big shots.

I rolled my eyes and got into the car.

Dante was forced to tear his eyes off Flora's round face and shut my door.

He rounded the car and got into the driver's seat. 

The car rolled unto the main road.

I unlocked Flora's phone and logged into I*******m with trembling fingers.

“The usual place right?” I asked while scrolling through edited clips of me performing on stage last night.

I needed something to get my mind off last night.

Social media was my safe zone.

“No.” He replied after a beat.

“Why not?” 

Dad and I usually met once a year in a secluded penthouse away from the city.

We'd stay for three days and catch up about life. 

It was our bonding routine. 

Between Dad's job and my rising fame in the entertainment industry, it was the only place we could meet without prying eyes. 

I expected today would be the same. I hadn’t seen dad since our last meet up last year.

More importantly, our secret meet ups was still a secret from his wife. Dad would never meet anywhere else and risk being caught in a room with me.

But Dante said no.

I liked a reel of myself and the other dancers doing a tictok trend before going on stage.

“Why not, Dante?” I repeated using my serious voice.

After a long bated silence, we locked eyes in the rear mirror and I caught something shift in his eyes.

“Because… You're returning home.”