CHAPTER-5: The law is me

“What? You’re at the airport?” Nikita’s voice exploded through the phone, with disbelief.

“But what about your job, Kiara? What about your life here?”

Kiara closed her eyes. For a moment, she simply sat there, leaning against the cold airport chair, her fingers wrapped tightly around her phone.

APEX was her dream job.

She left her country, her family, everything behind to chase her dream.

And now, one man has turned it into a nightmare.

And now Kiara had no option but to flee the country, from the people who cheated her, from the governor who wanted to imprison her.

“I have to leave, Nikita. Nothing is more important than my life. Roger betrayed me. Blamed me for everything. The company turned its back on me. And that Governor, he is way more twisted than I thought.” Kiara sighed.

The second she reached her home after that meeting with Declan Sullivan, she booked her ticket for the next morning.

Nikita sighed. “I am sorry, I couldn't help you, Kiara. That leech Roger ruined your career because he wanted his girlfriend in your position but the company selected you.” Nikita said.

Kiara sighed. She wished they had chosen his girlfriend, it would have saved her from this ugly mess.

“Its good decision, though. Maybe you were not meant to work among these selfish people. But…” Nikita hesitated. “I hope you reach your country safely.”

Kiara frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I don’t think Mr. Sullivan is going to take this easily. I know you apologised to him but considering everything people say about him… I don’t think he’s the kind of man who lets someone walk away after crossing him.”

Kiara’s jaw clenched. She clutched the phone in her hand tightly. She couldn't tell Nikita the truth about what Declan had offered.

A slavery contract.

The words still made her blood boil.

Who does he think I am? Some possession he can keep because he has power?

“Don’t worry about me,” Kiara finally said, looking at the time. “My flight leaves in two hours. I’ll be gone before he even knows where I am.”

“And thanks for taking care of me. I appreciate it.” Kiara muttered.

“Oh, girl. I’ll miss you.” Nikita sighed.

.

.

A few minutes later, Kiara headed toward immigration.

As she was going through the security,

A female security officer stepped directly into her path. “Ms Kiara Seth?”

Kiara stopped. “Yes?” She didn't like the grim expressions of the lady.

“You need to come with us, ma’am.”

Kiara’s brows knitted together. “What happened?”

“There is something in your handbag that requires further inspection.”

“What?” Kiara instinctively pulled her handbag closer. “I don't understand. You can inspect it here.”

“Ma’am, please cooperate.” Before Kiara could protest further, two officers surrounded her, politely but firmly guiding her away from the immigration line.

Kiara looked around. A few travelers stared at her with judgmental eyes.

She was taken into the secondary inspection room. The moment the door behind her, the atmosphere changed.

“Take a seat.”

Kiara looked toward the woman. Then around the room. Her breath caught looking at the men in the room, standing tall and intimidating.

They were at least ten. Dressed in dark uniforms and suits. None of them looked like ordinary airport security.

Kiara swallowed in uneasiness. “What is this? Why have I been brought here?” She remained standing.

Kiara tried to act brave but the fear was evident on her face. Unknown fear!

The woman smiled and pushed her gently onto the chair. “You broke the law, Madam.”

Kiara fell with soft thud and blinked. “What do you mean? I didn't break any law. I have nothing illegal in my bag. Search it if you want. You cannot simply drag me into a private room and accuse me of something without evidence. Release me.” she demanded.

A man in a black uniform stepped forward. His expression was cold.

“You're right. You don't have anything illegal but you went against the law itself. So we cannot release you until the case is solved.”

Kiara panicked and stood abruptly.

“Sir, this is absurd. I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I am a journalist with APEX Media. I have a clean record. You are talking about laws. What kind of law did I break? Tell me. Which law?”

“The law…” A smooth, husky voice echoed in the room.

Kiara froze. Her blood turned to ice as she snapped her head toward the voice. The officers stepped aside and Kiara’s eyes widened. A line opened between the men.

And he appeared.

Her nightmare.

Declan Sullivan.

He walked toward her in his authoritative and cold demeanor. His steps were slow and deliberate as though the entire room belonged to him. Because it did.

“…is me, Ms Seth.”

Nearly twenty men stood behind him, spreading throughout the room until the air itself seemed to shrink.

Declan stopped directly in front of her. Cladded in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, he wore a sly smirk.

His gaze locked onto hers.

“You broke the law, you broke the governor’s rule by going against him, Ms Seth.”

Kiara stared at him in disbelief.

“Did you really think you could simply board a plane and disappear?”

Her lips parted. Before she could answer, Declan continued. “Look what you made me do. I had to come personally to take you.”

Kiara finally snapped out of her shock. “You….You can't do this to me. What do you want from me?” Her voice echoed across the room.

Declan's eyes remained fixed on hers.

“You already know.”

Kiara's anger flared. “You think because you're powerful, you can bully anyone you want?” She stepped forward. “You're a Governor, not a king!”

Her gaze swept toward the men surrounding them.

“Are all of you just going to stand there? How can you let him do this to an innocent woman? This is the man you're all so proud of? He's not an authority, He's a gangster. A mafia man.” she screamed.

For the first time, Victor, who stood several steps behind Declan, looked stunned. His eyes widened briefly.

Damn. This woman really has a death wish. She got the guts to insult the Governor!’

Even the men standing there were shocked but no one showed in their faces. And it angered Kiara further.

“And now he wants to punish me because I interviewed him. He wants me to become his….personal pet.” Her cheeks burned with humiliation.

A few eyes flickered toward Declan.

Victor immediately stepped forward. “What are you saying, Ms. Seth? Mr. Sullivan offered you employment as his personal assistant.” He gave her a polite smile.

“It is an extraordinary opportunity. APEX sent you to us for compensation for the inconvenience and damage caused by the interview.” Victor stated, professionally, perfectly manipulating the scenario.

Kiara glared at Victor. Oh he wants to save his governor's reputation.

She turned toward the woman who had brought her there and grabbed her hands. “Ma'am, please help me. I’m a journalist and I work for APEX. This man has been harassing me for two days just because I interviewed him.”

Tears gathered in Kiara's eyes. “You've all seen that interview. Tell me, did I insult him? Did I hurt him? I was doing my job. I even apologized to him.”

She looked desperately into the woman's eyes. “Please. I need protection.”

The woman stared at her, then slowly removed Kiara's hands from hers and stepped back.

“We cannot help you, Ma’am. There is no way out.”