LOGINJairo stepped out first and opened the car door for Kara. He didn’t look at her nor say a word. He only waited, making sure her feet touched the pavement safely before straightening up. That small distance between them hurt more than any raised voice ever could.She swallowed hard, fighting the sting behind her eyes. She already felt fragile and his silence made the guilt sit heavier in her chest.Her gaze lifted to the house in front of them.A wide balcony stretched across the front, flowers spilling over railings and pots, colors soft and alive. It reminded her of Charlotte's and Desmond's house in the countryside.They walked into the compound but before they could reach the porch, the door suddenly opened and a young man stepped on him. Who Kara immediately guessed must be Edward.He had been restless all day, his nerves stretching thin. When Jairo told him about his sister and his plan of bringing her to reunite with her family, it had lodged in his chest like a fragile promise
“You have to help me, Leo. I can’t make it there… please,” Kara whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She needed Leo to understand she might not be available tomorrow.“I really wish there was another way but there isn’t. Think for yourself. It’s only the second meeting and you want it done virtually? That’s not possible. You need to find a way to get down here. It’s tomorrow and you can’t miss it. I’m sorry, really wish I could do more.” he replied through the phone, his voice calm and sincere.Kara bit her lip with frustration and worry knotting in her chest. “All right. Thanks. I will find a way to sort myself,” she muttered.“Good night,” he said and the call ended. She pressed her palm to her face, her mind racing. She thought of a plan to carry out if she wants to leave the house alone..The next morning, after Jairo left to sort out how to get Luci back, she put her plan into action. She tricked the guards, claiming she had Jairo’s consent to leave alone without them. They
Eva stood in the bathroom, staring at the phone in her hands like it might explode. Her fingers hovered over the screen, unsure of what to press. She could still remember the frown on the Don's face and her anxiety grew.She tapped randomly until the screen suddenly changed.Emergency call only.Her breath caught.Emergency?The word rang in her head, pulling at something buried deep inside her. Help. Escape. Safety. But fear rushed in just as fast. What if someone heard her? What if she pressed the wrong thing?Before she could decide, a knock sounded on her door. She was startled, quickly shoving the phone out of sight before hurrying out of the bathroom.The door opened almost immediately and her shoulders sagged slightly when she saw a guard standing there with her medication.“Where’s Kai?” she asked, surprised.“Busy,” the guard replied curtly, holding out the drugs.“Busy with what?” she pressed, lifting her gaze to his face.Their eyes met and his expression hardened.“I’m alr
The door flew open without warning, making Luci jump back with a sharp gasp. Her heart slammed hard against her chest as she stared at the guard standing there. His face was tight with irritation, his jaw set like he had no patience left to give.They stood there in silence for a moment, just staring at each other.“What do you wanna eat?” he finally asked, his tone flat.She exhaled slowly. At least he wasn’t here to threaten her.“I’m a vegan. I can cook it myself.” she said plainly.“That’s not happening, princess. Tell me what you want. Someone will make it for you.” he replied without blinking.She folded her arms and lifted her chin, staring him down even though her pulse was racing. “If you were listening, I said I can cook whatever I want myself. This is my grandpa’s villa, so technically, I have the right to do whatever I want.” her lips curved slightly. “Unless you’re scared a college freshman might outsmart you.”Her heart was pounding but she didn’t let it show. Her uncle
Luci woke up to the harsh brightness flooding the room. The side of her neck throbbed as she shifted, a sharp ache forcing a low groan out of her throat. Her vision blurred while she slowly pushed herself upright on the soft bed beneath her.She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting as she took in the space around her. The room was too large, everything in it looked expensive, cold and untouched, like no one truly lived there. Her gaze drifted to a wide glass window across the room. It was dull from her side, telling her immediately that it was tinted from the outside.She swallowed hard.It looks like a villa. Surely a villa.Her feet touched the cold floor and she hissed softly, steadying herself as another wave of pain shot through her neck. She checked the room quickly, panic creeping in when she realized her bag was gone. She moved to the window and peered down, her stomach sinking when she realized she was on the top floor. There was no balcony. No escape.The bathroom was ju
Edward woke up to noise, voices overlapped with panic and fear. His vision was blurry as his eyes fluttered open, the first thing he saw being students running out of the venue in every direction. The place looked nothing like it had minutes earlier.His head throbbed painfully when he tried to sit up. A sharp ache ran through his skull and he hissed, pressing his palm to the side of his head. Then memory came rushing back all at once.His breath hitched as he remembered Luci. He forced himself upright immediately and reached for his phone. The screen was cracked but it still lit up. Relief washed through him when he saw it was working and quickly dialed the number Luci had called for him.Before the call could connect, Miguel rushed toward him with panic written all over his face.“What happened? Why did they take Luci?” he demanded.Edward opened his mouth to explain but the call suddenly connected.“H-Hello…” he croaked, his voice rough and strained.On the other end of the line, J







