A ring from my phone stopped me from answering Atty. Evarez’ question. How could I tell him that I knew it from Eric? I didn’t want him to know that I had been abducted. And as lots of revelations unfolded, I had suspected that the mastermind behind it was Ian, himself. Though that abduction was somewhat a child’s play, I knew it just served as a warning that something huge was cooking for me should I refuse to submit to his demand.I picked up my phone from the table in front of me. Upon seeing Eric’s number flashing on the screen, I gestured at Atty. Evarez to excuse me. I went out of the function room then held the phone in my ear.“Eric, what is it this time?”

What could I expect? I was just a rookie against these experienced magnates. No matter how I explained it to all of them, no one would agree that Mr. Ian had ill intentions against the company.“When can I meet this, Mr. Ian?” I asked in a frustrated tone. It had already been an hour since the meeting started, but he still did not arrive.“He is currently trouble-shooting in one of our companies. Ever since Mr. Grey’s resignation spread around, we are already facing lots of problems.”Just as I got this answer, Atty. Evarez phone buzzed out and rotated on top of the glass table. He tilted his face and glanced at me before he stood up to answer the call. Not even a minute passed when he came back with an announcement.“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Ian sends us his apology. He could not make it today."No one seemed to appear frustrated more than I was. They were just chatting casually and even throwing jokes as

Several hours passed by, and nothing happened. I tried to take my thoughts off from my stressors and allowed myself to get dragged off to sleep. Ever since I arrived in this place, there seemed to no cease from things that deprived me of rest and sleep. And my body was then claiming for the rejuvenation it needed. In the afternoon, the obstetrician-gynecologist finally arrived.“Dr. Grey,” she greeted, and I saw Jera’s eyes flickering in surprise. “How are you now?”I propped up on my bed, and she did not go ahead until I had leaned my back on the bed board.“Hello, doc. I’m into several hours of sleep, I guess.”She smiled while fixing her gaze at me. I saw glints of concern in that look, and I began to get nervous.“I know you’re eager to know about the status of your baby. While stress is not good for our overall health, no study links it to any termination of pregnancy. And bleeding in

“Dr. Red, I just received a report that Prospero City is now on complete lockdown,” the pilot told me after I climbed into the plane after our last stopover for refueling and engine checks.“Is it because of the spread of the Bronc X virus?” I asked, stiffening in my seat; my eyes unblinking.“Your city is the only place negative of Bronc X infection,” the pilot replied while his hands were fumbling over some keys on the cockpit. “But it is heavily guarded since Mr. Sean Grey’s business establishments are there. No one is allowed an entry or exit for the moment.”My thoughts then went on Sean and I was wondering if this pilot beside me was the one who transported Sean to wherever he may be at this moment.“Is Sean in Prospero now?” I tried to sound dry, presuming that everybody already knew our status. And surely, this pilot who brought every dignitary to each of their destinations had also

I got up from my bed and walked towards the window. Parting the curtains to the side, the blinding light of the sun piercing through the window panes made me close my eyes for a moment. I closed my eyes tightly then opened them slowly until I got adjusted to the glare. The moment I gazed into the distance, all I could see was the rich and sprawling greeneries below the wide canopy of the sky, animated by its sailing, fluffy clouds. From where I stood, it looked like I was on top of a hill overlooking the rolling stretch of farms and plain below.I then looked around the room. My huge bed sat atop a carpeted floor under a chic ceiling design illuminated by white, LED lightings underneath a rectangular frame. Aside from a set of couches, a coffee table, and built-in lockers, only a set of television, a phone, and a refrigerator graced the room. But what caught my interest in being here was the glass walls that allowed me to see the spectacular views of the rows of trees, t