Alex's POV.
I woke up to my phone ringing. I looked at the caller ID to realize that it was my mum.
“Hey, mum. Good morning.” I said as I picked up the call.
“Is Andrea with you?”
Uhh... Good morning to you too…
“Why would Andrea be with me? Isn't she in school?”
“Oh Alex, I can't find my baby.” My mum was crying at this point. “What do you mean you can't find Andrea?”
“A friend of hers from college just dropped by to figure out why she's not been coming to classes. Turns out nobody has seen or heard from her in two days.”
I jumped out of bed immediately when I heard this.
Sophia had been missing for that same amount of time.
There was no doubt in my mind anymore that it was connected. Connected to one person.
“Where's Dad?”
“He's already involved with the authorities.”
“I'm coming over.”
I changed into a Jean and a T-shirt and dashed out of the house.
***
Sophia's POV.
“Wh–what?”
“I give you my word and I promise to release you. You'll be set free by morning, right after you call Sophia O'Brien. I'll keep you all under watch until I finish off with him, then life can go on as normal again for you.” His voice was dead serious, but dark and devious. His lips curved into a smile.
“Bow you head to me as a sign of agreement to seal the deal.” “What?” That seemed to be the only word I could mutter.
“It's better to give up on one than lose all three, right? There must be some kind of sacrifice, am I right?”
I panted loudly.
“Just bow your head and save yourself and these two women. Come on, sweetheart, you're a wise woman.” He smiled.
I looked up directly at Harvey and grinned at him. “Sorry, Harvey.” I shivered, a grin wide on my face.
“My employer does not tolerate his employees bowing their heads to anyone. And unfortunately for you, I have not resigned yet.”
I was so glad to watch the expression on his face just then.
His eyes widened and his lips parted, his eyes burned with rage.
“What a stubborn pig-headed bitch! Emily didn't tell me you were this headstrong! You've got enough on my nerves that I don't feel like hesitating for even a second to kill you. Damn it!”
What in the actual fuck did he just say? Emily was part of this?!
That evil bitch! I was too stunned to speak as he reached for his gun.
“You're the worst stepping stone I've ever used, Sophia O'Brien. I have no fucking use for you anymore.”
His eyes glinted with pure resolution. I watched him slowly pull his gun out and aim it directly at me.
“Say your goodbyes to this world, Ms secretary.”
I'd always been a good fellow. I was not exactly an over-religious person but I could tell I was someone who distinguished right from wrong and good from bad.
For twenty-four years of my life, I've always avoided getting into trouble. I disliked violence.
I was always known to be the studio's friendly fellow with a cheerful smile plastered to her face. But now, here I am with a gun pointed right at my head.
Harvey stood a foot or so before me, his gun aimed right at me.
I looked at him with puffy uncertain eyes. His eyes held no mercy. His finger slowly slid to the trigger and he caressed it teasingly.
I shut my eyes, taking in my last breath.
“Remember, you chose this, you worthless woman.” I cried silently but didn't look at him.
“Any final words?”
I kept mute, my eyes still shut.
“Think of some epic final wish, dear Sophia.” Harvey snorted.
I'm sorry, Mum. Alex, please forgive me.
I suddenly heard panicked footsteps approaching the room.
I didn't even care to look. I knew it was one of his numerous minions. I kept my eyes shut and waited for the burning feeling of the shot to grind through my skin.
“Very well then, farewell—” “Boss! We have a problem, sir.”
My curiosity was piqued as I flicked my eyes open and turned my head in the direction of the voice. A bulky man emerged from the door, breathing heavily.
Harvey shot him a look from the corner of his eyes. “What,” he stated coldly. “Problem?”
The man breathed heavily for a second as if he'd just escaped the fires of hell and swallowed. “We're under fire!” He panicked. Harvey's eyes widened.
“What the fuck do you mean we're under fire?” He questioned, his tone murderous.
“It's a huge number of men, almost like soldiers sir!
They're invading the whole building! I thought I must tell you so that we could call for backup—” And the dude's voice disappeared as the bullet grinned through his heart.
I screamed with my hands over my mouth as he swayed backward.
Harvey just shot him as he started walking towards the door himself.
“Everybody's so useless.” He muttered, cursing under his breath.
I quickly turned to Andrea and I noticed that she was almost losing consciousness. She was heaving and moaning and the slash on her upper arm was still bleeding.
I ran towards her and I heard footsteps approaching again. I almost swallowed my tongue in fear. God, please! Don't let them kill us. Two silhouettes emerged from the dark.
I shuddered and gasped. I swear I could feel my heart about to burst. My eyes remained wide as tears slowly escaped them. I just couldn't believe it.
We were already used to the dark but it took them quite a while to figure out where we each were. Andrea's moan got their attention.
He let out a shaky breath as he eyed her with wide eyes and then moved towards her like a tiger charging at its prey.
“ANDREA!”
Even though his concern was not immediately directed at me, his smooth voice soothed me. He ran towards her and pulled her towards his chest.
“You're going to be alright, darling. I'm gonna get you out of here.”
“Call an ambulance.” I croaked out. My voice sounded unrecognizable even to my ears.
My eyes snapped to Stephanie and I noticed that she was looking up at the other man with so much admiration as he held onto her.
There was something hidden in her eyes as she eyed him.
A burning feeling. But didn't she dislike him?
I was so washed with relief and tired that I swayed to the ground.
“Sophia!!!” and I felt a pair of strong arms encircling around me. And I faded into nothingness.