© S A F I E CHAPTER 21 ELLE *dream* I felt so cold. I look around, not understanding why I feel so wet and cold, as though I am drenched with water. I blink my eyes and my vision adjusted, showing me the view of the vast ocean. The sight of it suddenly made me scared and I cowered. In that instant, a man appeared in front of me and my heartbeat doubled. Who is this man? I stared at the man as he struggled with the ropes; His coat was drenched, face ashen as he frowns holding my hand now, which surprises me, "Go to your Mama, Ella!" "But Papa-" "Now, go!" He pushes me, making me stumble off the deck and down to where my mother sat on the bed, comforting my brother. I couldn't fight the curiosity I am feeling as I stared at the woman and her child, cowering from under the broken sails of the ship, the wind blowing wildly, "Mama! What's happening?" Thunder rumbled in the distance and I crouch down, hugging my knees so that I am protected. "Mama, what is happening? Why so lo

© S A F I E CHAPTER 23 GABE "I need you to settle my appointments for tomorrow with the Bueno's," I glance at Joe as he sat across me, his form stiff. "And I need you to make sure about the information about Cherry and Victoria. Had there been any occurrences that might lead us to them or it completely ceased?" I shoot questions at him, not wanting to waste any moment as I start to phase. "It has been half a year or so since we heard about Cherry Woods. She completely disappeared in the face of the earth." He cleared out his throat and nodded like he needs to do that to convince himself that it has almost been seven months. He gripped the back of the chair and focused his gaze at me, "It seems like Cherry is Victoria. They have the same features and we can't find any trace of Cherry Woods as though she was a made-up person. I am pretty sure that Victoria did that to make you believe. She stopped attending to her shrinks a couple of months ago, Mr. Atkinson, remember?"I nodded a

©S A F I E CHAPTER 25 GABE "Everything's being monitored, sir. We expect that within 24 hours, the plan will work. Victoria should just take the bait and we got her," I squinted my eyes at Ryan as I listen to his report, raising an eyebrow at his words, "Are you certain?" "Yes, sir. Considering the possibilities, Victoria shall need assistance to carry on with her plan and with this system, we can easily track her down as soon as she uses her card.""Feasible, I guess. You may now retire the rest of the night, Ryan." I hear him shuffle through the door and wait for his footsteps to fade out of the room and back to the hall. I put the files down and take the picture Joe has brought for me from his last visit to Elle's place.I stared, scrutinizing the picture. My chin, my eyes, my hair, my nose...everything. No one will doubt it that he's really my son. My boy has grown so much in just two months since I saw him. I never got the chance to hold him or speak to him since we had

©S A F I E CHAPTER 27 ELLE I breathe in and out, my knees trembling from under me. I loosen my grip at the lamp but quickly tighten my hands around it as I realise that it will fall on the floor which will wake my son. I want to turn around to check Neola and Jacob but I cannot remove my eyes from Gabriel.He adjusted the cloak he is wearing, unbuttoning his shirt. His eyes are trained on me and they held me in place. My eyes lower down to his neck, sweat glistening on the base where his shoulders appear. I suck in a deep breath as I see the spatter of hair peeking out from where he had left the buttons on. I return my gaze at Gabriel to see him a very cold smile plastered on his face. He blinks before he started walking closer, his stance in a defensive one. I felt like I am suffocating as he draws in, his hand covering mind as he takes the lamp off my hand and carefully lay it on the bed, all the while looking at me.I couldn't think straight as I watch Gabriel take my other h

©S A F I E CHAPTER 29 ELLE I glance down at my shirt. I can feel blood dripping down on the back of my head as I examine the large bruise covering my left leg. The pain in my shoulder stings and I cringe at the sight of blood that is caked up in my arms down to my hand. Groaning, I push myself up and walk, only to be pulled by the chains. I shivered at the cold contact it brought to my ankle, crouching down, I shake the chain and pulled, hopeless. I realize that I've been bound for quite some time now considering the marks the chains had made. My ankles yell in protest as I yank at the chains once again, the voice startling me "You know what? That's useless." I look down the hall, trying to locate the owner of the voice, only to see Victoria there, rocking my child. I wanted nothing but to yank her long hair and take my child from her filthy hands. I worriedly look at my baby, why is he not responding? I pulled at the chains again and hissed in pain as I collapse on the floor,