“What the hell are you talking about, Tara?” Chris snarls, anger simmering in his eyes. He pushes her off of him and steps back to put distance between them. Tara stumbles onto the desk, hurt written over her face. “You said you have something concerning Anthony that you want to talk with me about. But instead, you are putting on this little show and saying nonsense. What is wrong with you?” Chris waves his hands in frustration. “I…I just want to be with you. I love you.” Tara mutters, tears starting welling up in her eyes. “Don’t you get it that nothing is going to happen between us? I love Mia. As I said to you before, you will always be my friend. But don’t make me end our friendship because I won’t hesitate if you make another advance.” Chris threatens. “But that is not what you said to me when you had that mental breakdown. You said I was the only one who truly understood you. You said you love me.” Tara cries out in desperation. Heaving a sigh, Chris runs his hand down his
“The tracker has been installed in your watch. They will search your body and probably will make you take it off. But it’s worth a try.” Agent Thomson who is in plainclothes says calmly, handing Chris his watch. Chris nods absentmindedly. All he could think about right now is Mia. He squeezes his eyes shut and doesn’t dare to think about what she is suffering now. It is all his fault. He only brings her pain and misfortune. First her sister, now her. He is going to let that son of bitch really pay. “The call clearly requires you to go alone. We’ll tail you but keep a safe distance so that Anthony won’t cash in his promise.” Thomson continues. “I get it. I only want her safe and sound even if it's at the price of my life.” Chris says solemnly, thinking of Anthony’s threat. “Come alone. I know you have called the police. But if I see any sign of police showing up when you come, I’ll shred her into pieces, believe me or not.” Anthony warned when he called this morning at 6 am. Chr
The long hallway is dim and quiet without a single soul in sight. Mia walks in the hallway cautiously, wary of any movement. After a few minutes, she finally reaches the elevator hall. Pressing the down button, she waits for the lift to arrive on her floor. She steps into the elevator when the door opens, without giving much thought to the man standing in it with his back on her. At the exact moment, the elevator door closes, fear grips her heart, and the hair on the back of her neck stands up. She pushes the open button furiously but it doesn’t work. “Got you!” A familiar and sinister voice sounds behind her. A cold ugly hand comes from behind and drags her to the corner.Mia tries to scream, but no sound comes out as if she is mute. Tears begin to roll down her cheeks. She feels so helpless. The man is too strong to fight off. “This time you are not gonna get away. I’m gonna make you pay!” the man whispers gruffly, his one hand starting to tear her clothes from her. No, no, n
Six Months Later Chris takes a seat in the corner of the visiting room of Hudson Correctional Facility, waiting for his father to be brought up to him. His father has been sentenced to 10 years for bribing a federal judge in addition to some other economic crimes. The empire he built from scratch with his mother almost toppled overnight with his conviction together with Anthony’s. Not wanting his mother’s work to go to waste, he helped Anderson get through the most difficult time. Now Anderson is leading the company with Chris as the biggest shareholder. Anthony got what he deserves the most. Life imprisonment in a maximum-security prison for kidnapping, multiple rapes, and murder of a victim’s brother. The last count of conviction surprised almost everyone and helped put Anthony in prison for good. He is going to rot in prison and Chris doesn’t plan for him to enjoy the prison too much. He has made sure that Anthony would be “well taken care of” in that Wisconsin facility. After
Mia could barely see what is ahead of her. The heavy rain is blurring her sight. She could see nothing except for the dark and damp trees nearby and the winding road which is getting muddier and more and more slippery. She should have checked the weather before she enters this valley. And she should have fully charged her cellphone.Should have. Now she is cold, drenched, and hopelessly lost. The wooden signpost with a lovely owl on top is nowhere to be seen. She hasn’t met a single soul during her random walk. The day is getting darker every minute with the heavy rain and black clouds. She dares not go back because she wouldn’t know which way is the correct one to the entrance of the valley. She has taken so many detours and she already lost track of them.She vaguely remembers the last signpost indicates that there is a log cabin for hikers along the road she is currently taking. She needs to find it real fast. She is shuddering from the loss of temperature.How foolish and reckless
When their eyes meet, Christian is stunned by the sheer beauty of this woman who introduced herself as Mia. Now with the mud all gone (despite the mud on her sweatshirt and jeans), she looks irresistibly lovely. She has dark almond eyes and a perfect heart-shaped face. A freckle stands out on her straight-edged nose, making her look lively. Her full lips look soft and are now slightly parted. Christian couldn’t take his eyes off her face.Now he feels he was a jerk by being rude and annoyed at her in the beginning. The truth is he couldn’t help his attitude no matter whether she is pretty or not when he was interrupted in his mourning. He thought he would have all the solitude and quietude for himself on this day. The day that meant everything to him and forever changed who he is.Christian has come to this valley in this German town by himself on this day every year since he was able to travel alone. This misty and less traveled place is his sanctuary. In this place, all the sealed m
“Mia, wake up, wake up,” Mia feels someone shaking her and struggles to open her eyes.It is not Chris, but a man in his mid-forties in a North Face jacket. Mia quickly scans the cabin. She is lying on the bench covered by Chris’s jacket. Her sweatshirt is folded and placed under her head. The fireplace fire has been extinguished. Where is Chris?Mia quickly sits up, and asks the man, “who are you?”“I’m Kristoff Schiller. I’m in charge of the safety of visitors in Dorothea Valley.” The man speaks with a thick German accent.“Oh, how do you know my name?” Mia is in alert mode.“Christian called me and said you need help to get out of the valley. He told me where you were.”“Do you know where is Chris?”“He must have left early. He said he has an early flight to catch.” So he left. Mia feels she loses something, something she couldn’t put a name on.“Do you know each other? ” Mia couldn’t help asking. She notices the familiarity in Kristoff’s tone when he talks about Chris.“Come on, I
“Do I have your loyalty? Unconditional loyalty?” Mr. Powell says behind the mahogany table in his magnificent office. Mia couldn’t read his expression. His impassive complexion reminds her of somebody.”Yes,” Mia knows there is no other answer, although she is still in disbelief and shock after she got the call from Mr. Garcia about this job offer this morning. Mr. Garcia never contacted her before. Since they knew each other, it has always been she that makes the phone call.“You only report to me. No one, not even my wife, can order you to do things. You will keep all the things you learn to yourself. There will be serious consequences if don’t follow the rules. Understand?”“I understand.” What has she gotten herself and Calvin into? And most importantly, what will she learn? Mia couldn’t guess.“You can leave now,” Mr. Powell gestures to the door.Mia follows Mr. Garcia out. He stood beside Mr. Powell during the conversation. Mia knows Mr. Powell trusts him because every time she