Chapter 8 Kidnapped

• Nathalia’s POV
• I laid two baskets of white roses in front of adjacent tombstones before slowly sitting down on the grass. I gently traced the engraved names there and smiled sadly.
• “It’s my birthday today. Your daughter has grown up now.” I tried to make my voice sound cheerful, but it still cracked.
• I closed my eyes tightly, and a tear rolled down from my right eye. However, I quickly wiped it away and sighed before opening my eyes again. This is supposed to be a happy day.
• “I wish you were still here. Maybe we’d be celebrating happily today.” I bit my lower lip.
• “Ever since I was young, you already had so many plans for me. From my high school graduation, my debut, my college graduation, and until the time you would entrust the company’s management to me. Because I am your only heir. Even in whom I would marry...”
• My face slightly contorted as I remembered that.
• “I wish it hadn’t been part of your plans.”
• I let out a heavy sigh. If only I could do something to change the past. But I know that no matter how many times I wish for it, I can’t bring back what happened before. I can’t bring back the lives lost, the lives ruined, the stolen prosperity, the decisions made, or the people I trusted who shouldn’t have been.
• In an instant, everything was taken away from me on that fateful night.
• Even if I try to forget the past, painful memories still come back on their own with every passing day. From the moment I open my eyes in the morning until I close them at night, Even in my dreams, I can’t find peace.
• Why is life so unfair? Why do the most painful experiences linger in my memories?
• It’s been seven years, and yet, it feels like it just happened yesterday. The pain I feel hasn’t even lessened. In fact, my heart aches even more.
• So, whenever my birthday or any special occasion comes, I can’t help but come here. Somehow, being here makes me feel like I’m still with them. That I’m still complete.
• My parents were my comfort zone. But when they died, I learned to step out of that comfort zone and stand on my own. I learned how to be brave and tough. I realized that I alone could help myself at the end of the day. That I should not depend on anyone.
• Because you will never know who to trust anymore. Just like what happened before.
• “I miss you so much,” I whispered softly into the wind.
• Then the tears that I’d been trying to hold back finally fell. In just a few minutes, the whole place was filled with my loud sobs. I covered my face with both hands and let my emotions overwhelm me once again.
• Even if it’s just for now. Even if it’s only during these moments.
• Sometimes, it’s tiring to pretend to be strong and show everyone that you are. Even though deep inside you desperately want to break down.
• I was startled when the wind suddenly blew strongly, and it felt like arms were embracing me tightly.
• That made me calm and feel protected. I’m sure that it was them. Maybe it’s their way of saying that they’re okay.
• That I should be okay, too.
• I smiled and wiped the dried tears from my cheeks. I told them about the events in my life in the past few days, just like I usually do whenever I’m here. I also mentioned what I found out about Stephen Anderson.
• It’s just too heavy to carry a secret and not be able to tell anyone because of fear. So somehow, when I could share it with them, I felt a bit lighter.
• Even though I know they won’t answer anymore. Even though I know I won’t truly feel their tight embrace or hear their sweet words.
• I stayed there for another hour before deciding to leave. The celebration prepared by my parents for me is tonight, so I thought of going to the mall first.
• As I walked towards my parked car, I took my cellphone from my clutch bag. Maybe I’ll invite my friends to hang out for a while. It’s just sad to go out alone. And we can all go home together after.
• I don’t know why, but I suddenly miss them.
• Among all the people who tried to get close to me, I only let them in. Maybe because our fates are so similar, we easily understood each other and got along. Besides, only with them did I find some peace of mind.
• It’s because I once had my trust shattered by someone. And it can never be whole again.
• I clenched my fist gradually. I will make sure that my parents get the justice they deserve.
• In just a little while. I know I'll see him soon.
• I let out a deep sigh as I stopped right in front of my car and leaned my back against the hood. I was about to call Mads when suddenly, a black van stopped right in front of me.
• My heart started beating faster as I saw the familiar men in black emerge from inside the van. I was about to run towards the driver’s seat of my car when the two of them instantly blocked my way.
• I became alert as I noticed that they were surrounding me.
• Damn! What is this? Kidnapping?
• I tightly held onto my clutch bag and felt the Swiss knife inside. If they try to come closer, I won’t hesitate to slit their throats!
• I cringed at that thought. I never saw this coming. I’ll use this small yet dangerous weapon to kill people!
• But this is the sole purpose of that thing. For protection.
• Even though I know I’m at a disadvantage, aside from their numbers, I also noticed they each have a gun holstered at their waist.
• Now I regret refusing Damon’s offer to get a licensed firearm. Though I know how to use one. Thanks to them again.
• I faced them with my head held high, trying to steady my voice. I shouldn’t show any sign of weakness toward them.
• “What do you want from me? Money? Tell me. I’m easy to talk to. We don’t need to end up like this.” I tried to convince them while my eyes were scanning for an escape route or anything I could use against them.
• The tallest man among them shook his head.
• “Are you kidding? Money? Our boss has plenty of that! He can easily buy you!”
• A man suddenly emerged from the open van door. He was wearing shades and a blue polo shirt paired with jeans. He casually played with a knife in his hand as if its sharpness didn’t faze him.
• I narrowed my eyes. He looked familiar.
• “In that case, what do you want from me? Who are you?” I tried to recall where I had seen him before.
• He slowly took off the shades, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
• “Believe me, you wouldn’t want to know who we are.” He glanced at the others around him. “Take her. The boss is waiting for her already.”
• I was startled by what I heard. Boss? Who’s the boss? Don’t tell me...
• Then realization hit me hard, as if a light bulb suddenly lit up in my head.
• I finally remembered him. He’s the man who handed the flash drive to Stephen in the abandoned building that day!
• Events unfolded quickly. Four men held me tightly as they dragged me into the van.
• But I won‘t give in just like that. I won’t let them take me away without a fight.
• I swiftly pulled my arm free from their grip, elbowing and punching one of them hard, causing him to groan. I then kicked another one in the leg, making him kneel in pain.
• I quickly grabbed the Swiss knife from my bag and swung it at another approaching man. He was surprised when blood suddenly flowed from his left cheek. That made me smirk. He should be thankful it wasn’t a deeper cut.
• I was about to give a flying kick to the other one when I felt cold, sharp metal against my neck.
• “I didn’t want things to reach this point, but you gave me no choice.”
• Time seemed to slow down as I felt the sharp tip of the blade on my neck. One wrong move, and I’m dead.
• “I’m telling you, Nathalia. Stop this bullshit! You’re putting your life in danger! You don’t even have a single idea how dangerous that man is!”
• Liam’s words echoed in my mind from the last time we talked.
• He’s right, and it’s too late for me to realize that.
• After witnessing what happened in the basement, I should never have followed Stephen that day!
• My skin crawled, and my legs slightly weakened. Unconsciously, I let go of the Swiss knife I was holding. But before I could speak, I found myself being grabbed by some other guy and roughly pushed inside the van.
• But before I completely got inside, I noticed another man wearing shades and a hat inside a car parked not far away. He was looking in my direction.
• Surely, that’s Stephen. He’s probably enjoying watching how miserable I am right now!
• “Ouch! That hurts! Can’t you at least be a little bit careful?” I glared at the guy in front of me when my head was hit.
• He ignored me, and once everyone was inside the van, the driver quickly sped away.
• A little while later, I was surprised when one of his men handed something to me.
• My eyes widened. It’s my phone! I didn’t even realize I dropped it earlier! It has the freaking evidence, and it was the only thing I had against Stephen!
• “W-What are you—”
• “There. Deleted.”
• He held my phone up, showing me how the incriminating video I had against them disappeared in a flash.
• I was confused. First, how did they find me? Second, how the hell did they know about the evidence on my phone?
• “My boss has his ways. He has eyes and ears everywhere. That’s why.” He shrugged. “You’re quite daring too.”
• It’s like he reads my mind. Still, I can’t help but think. I’m certain that no one saw me during those times. I was careful not to be caught!
• Besides, if someone did spot me, why didn’t they immediately report it to their boss? Because if Stephen had known I was there and watching, I might have ended up dead just like that guy.
• Moreover, if, from the basement to following them to the abandoned building, Stephen knew someone was watching them, why didn’t he take any action?
• Now that I think about it, he sure has a lot of men. There's a good chance that while I was trailing them, someone was already keeping an eye on me at that time.
• Perhaps he just allowed me to escape, waiting for the right opportunity to strike unexpectedly. He let me believe that he knew nothing about me.
• I wanted to smack myself for thinking that.
• Stupid, Nath!
• I pleaded with my eyes as I looked at the man I assumed was Stephen’s right-hand man.
• “Fine! I admit. I followed your boss and took the video. But now that you have deleted it, can you free me already? That’s all you want from me, right? The evidence that will bring Stephen down? Now that it’s gone, can you please let me go? I promise not to tell anyone.”
• He looked at me, and the way a smile stretched across his lips sent shivers down my spine.
• “Do you really think you can go away just like that? The mere fact that you already know something makes it more impossible for you to be free. Besides...” He leaned closer to me.
• “I’m not naive enough to believe that you won’t speak up or that you don’t have another copy of the video. So, spare me.”
• I met his taunting gaze head-on. “Then just kill me so I can finally rest in peace.”
• He chuckled. It was then that I suddenly woke up to the words that came out of my mouth. I didn’t even know where I found the courage to say that.
• “Nah. There’s no thrill in that. Besides, if I were you, I wouldn’t try to fight back and just cooperate. Especially now that my men are scattered around your house. I heard your loved ones are busy preparing for your birthday today. Too bad the debutant won’t make it. So, one wrong move from you, and boom!” He clapped his hands.
• “Perhaps my men might accidentally pull the trigger and hit your parents.”
• That made me fall silent. I felt a sudden warmth in the corners of my eyes. I weakly leaned against the seat and started to cry.
• I can’t bear to lose my family. Not again, please.
• Lord, please guide and protect us. I’m begging you.