Chapter 7

Kia I stared at the ceiling for hours, trying to think about how to work out my plan. Several days passed, but I was still glued to this house. I was supposed to be with Vivian. I must do something bold to work out my plan. If I couldn't meet him, then how would I be able to trap him? This plan was ridiculous. How could I make him fall in love even if I couldn't breathe in a single room with him?

Someone knocked on the door before entering the room. "Yes, come in."

Leo was a good man. He differed from my judgement; he was a respectful and disciplined boy. He was barely twenty years old, and it involved him with such a big mafia. Honestly, I felt pity for him.

He came inside and placed a brown bag on the couch. "Hey, good morning." He smiled, and two cute dimples appeared on each side of his cheeks.

I nodded at him. "Good morning." I glanced at the bag. "What's in the bag?"

His eyes were fixed on his threaded fingers. I bought this dress for you since you don't have a dress and you have been wearing my clothes." He met my gaze. "I don't know if you would like it or not, but I have tried my best to choose a dress for you."

I smiled at his innocence. How generous he was.

I snatched the bag off the table. "Thank you, Leo. I would like to try it. And don't think about my likes or dislikes. At least you are trying to comfort me. That's all I want." I have never spoken so sweetly to anyone except to see what I have done. I had to do this for the sake of my revenge.

Again he smiled. His smile did not annoy me, but I was jealous of his happiness. "Leo, have you asked your boss?"

"Yeah, I have tried to talk to him, but he was busy, so I could not ask him. He said he would call me later. First, he ordered me to find out about your place and send you back. I tried to tell him about you, but he didn't listen. He doesn't like any people around his place. I told you this place is the safest place for innocents, but the most dangerous place for offenders. And my boss always sees people as criminals, so it is difficult to convince him."

"So you are trying to say that I am an offender?!" I glared at him.

"No, I'm just telling you it is very difficult to convince him you are innocent." I stared into his eyes, seeing his sincerity.

I sighed soundly. For a few seconds, I thought he doubted me. I couldn't say that he was believing me. I had to do something big so that he could believe that I was an innocent girl. "Leo, can you take me somewhere because I am bored sitting here? It is tiring for me. I just want some natural breath. Guarin's men kept me locked for a week and again I'm feeling the same thing which I have been suffering in the past."

"Kia, without the boss's permission, I can't take you anywhere. It is risky, you know."

I placed my hand on his. "Come on, you can. You can't be a coward. You are much stronger than your will."

He glanced at me, delighted by my statement. "You see me as stronger?"

I gave him a big fake smile. "Yes."

"Thank you, but..." he broke off eye contact. "I can't go against my boss. He has my loyalty."

I didn't want to do this, but I rolled my eyes after listening to him. He was so innocent; he didn't even know about his boss. I wanted to scream at him that Vivian was the fucking murderer of my father and brother. He didn't even give me a chance to see my dad one last time. Since my father's death, I didn't understand sadness; I didn't understand love, and I didn't understand happiness. I had been suffering; I was tortured and those people who didn't have any rights over me humiliated me. This all happened because of Vivian Miller.

Vivian fucked with my family, and it was my turn.

"Kia, are you listening to me?" Leo shook my shoulder and interrupted my thoughts.

"Y. Yes," I said, "Actually, I was thinking about my parents."

"Oh, are you missing your parents?"

I nodded. "So much," I whispered, "Especially my dad." I couldn't forget his love. He was the only person who loved me so much, even more than my mother. And it bleeds my heart. I was not there for him at his last breath.

"I can understand you." I could see the sorrow in his expression. "No one can understand you better than me because I have lost my parents, too. When I was fourteen and forced into the criminal world."

"Did Vivian force you into this world?" Anger crept into my voice.

He shook his head. "No, he was the one who saved me from that world."

"But you are still working for him, and he is also a criminal if you ask me."

He smiled weakly. "You are taking him wrong. When I was ten, I developed my interest in computers and I earned various skills related to software and viruses. When I turned fourteen, I received offers to study in college. And that's how I earned it. But all my dreams were shattered when a man entered my life. He forced me to work for him and helped him to hack government intelligence, which was illegal and risky. I declined his offer and reported him. The next day, he killed my parents and made me work for him." His eyes became moist. "I spent one year with him, but all my hard times ended when Mr. Miller killed him and saved every person who was forced labor there, including women." He let out a long sigh. "I'm indebted to him my entire life and he never forced me to work for him, but it was my choice. Honestly, I feel glad to work for him. He is an incredible man, Kia. I know he will help you out."

"Why did Mr. Miller kill that man?" Ouch! My mouth hurt when I called him Mr. Miller.

He scratched his neck, thinking of my answer. "Actually, I don't know why he killed him."

"Oh."

He pulled out his phone. "Ok, if you want to go outside, I will ask my boss first."

"Sure."

He stood up and walked out of the room. Now I wanted to make another plan on how to make him believe I was a victim. I wanted to call Luc first, then proceed to my next step.

**********

I sat in the car. "Where would you like to go?" Leo asked me while fastening his seat belt.

"I'm a newcomer in this city. I had never been to New York before, so wherever you want to take me, I'm ready," I said and looked out of the window, watching the beautiful city.

After fifteen minutes of driving, finally, we arrived at the restaurant, and he parked his car in the parking lot.

The couples jammed the restaurant, enjoying their time out. I always wanted a personal space. I didn't like people around me. "Can we go to the corner table because I don't like being surrounded by people?" I said and guided him to the corner.

Leo welcomed me by pulling out a chair for me. "Thank you," I said and sat down. He sat behind me and glanced through the menu. "What are you getting?"

My mouth was watering because it had been more than half a month since I hadn't taken proper food. "Chicken burger, cheese pizza, potato chips, and pineapple pastry." I thought for a while. "And spaghetti, too." I licked my lips and gave him a small smile.

Leo glanced around before looking at me. "Is anyone else planning to join us?" He chuckled. "Because I don't think you can handle this all alone."

I tucked my hair behind my ear. "It has been so many days since I tasted all this food."

He chuckled and winked at me. "Ok."

The server came by and took our order, then left again. After a few minutes, the server came with our order. Even the table did not have enough space to keep all the food I ordered. I began with a burger and Leo began with spaghetti.

"Do you have something to talk about because I'm bored?" I asked.

"What should we talk about?"

I wanted to find out more about Vivian and it would be possible through Leo. "Tell me about yourself, your friends, and your job."

He scratched the back of his neck, thinking of the right answer because he wasn't as dumb as I thought. I had tried a lot to open up his mouth, but he wasn't ready to say a single word about his boss and his workplace. "You know about me, but I don't know about you."

Quite smart.

I cleared my throat. "I lived with my mom in Chicago, but I had to move to Washington for further studies and see where I am."

I glanced at the watch; it was already half-past eight, and I needed to work on my second plan. There is a coffee mug on the table. I must spill it on Leo. I jerked away from my hand, and the coffee continued. "Shit!" I immediately stood up and pretended like it was an accident. "I... I am sorry Leo."

"It's ok, Kia." He smiled. "I will be back," he said and walked to the bathroom.

The server approached the table to clean the mess. "Excuse me, can I get your phone? I just forgot to bring my phone?" I asked the server.

"Sure," he said and pulled out his phone.

"Thank you," I said and immediately called Lucian.

In two rings, he received the call. "Yes," he said through the phone.

"Luc, don't talk, just listen to me because I do not have enough time. I'm here at Robert's. You are about to come here and kidnap me." I took a long sigh before continuing my plan. "I'm living with one of Vivian's men and I wanted to persuade him it is real, so you need to work on it."

"Kia, what are you talking about? I understand nothing. Tell me properly."

I snorted. "Luc, you idiot. Do you think it is such a simple task to make them believe that I'm innocent? I haven't even met Vivian yet, and it has been two weeks, two weeks? I wanted to make my plan work out as soon as possible, so I have made another plan. If you try to harm me, Leonardo will think that my life is really in danger. I told him a long and fake story about me and Guarin. You just need to make it more real. I hope you will be on time. Is that clear to you? Ok bye." I disconnected the call without hearing a single word.

I gave my phone to the server and sat back in my chair eating my food.

**********

"Did you enjoy dinner?" Leo asked.

I nodded at him with a soft smile. "Most delicious dinner I've ever received."

His cheeks were filled with red blotches.

I frowned. "Why are you thanking me? It was you who was spending lots of money on my food. I should thank you, Leo, and you are so kind."

He smiled shyly. "It's nothing to me. I live alone and I have no relatives and family, so I have no idea where to spend my money. Because of you, I've got an excuse to spend my money."

I heard a boot. It means someone was following us. "Kia, let's go," Leo said worriedly, and pulled out his car key.

"Leo, someone is following us."

"Ignore it and get in the car quickly."

Damn, no.

I opened the door, but before I could get into the car, someone bumped something into my head.

"Kia." I heard Leo's scream but couldn't see his face because my head was covered with a piece of cloth. "Let her go." He screamed. "I said let her go..." suddenly his voice died away.

"Leo..., Leo..." I screamed.

"Kia, it's me, Luc." Finally, he uncovered my face, and then I saw the bloodstains throughout the car.

Fuck no.

"Lucian, what have you done?" I growled.

"Kia, relax."

Ignoring him, I ran towards Leo and held his hand, checking his pulse rate. "Leo...."

"Kia, he will be alright."

"Shut up! Luc, I have never asked you to harm Leonardo. Then why the fuck did you hit him?"

"He had a gun. The man had tried to knock me, but before he could do anything, I knocked on him. I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose."

I watched Leonardo; he remained unconscious. He had already lost lots of blood. If I delayed a few minutes longer, it would be dangerous for his life. "What do I do, Luc? It reversed our plan. You should have hit me instead of him, and I can't leave him to die. I want to save him."

The minutes passed, but we weren't sure what to do. Lucian didn't say a single word because he was regretting what he had done. "Luc, pass me your gun."

He stared at me with wide eyes. "Why?" His voice was barely audible.

"I said, pass me your gun."

He immediately handed me his gun.

"I'm planning to shoot myself. I know you won't be able to hit me so wasting no more time I have to hit myself."

"No, Kia, you are risking your life," he pleaded with me, but I did not hear his request. I had to do this.

I shot my left arm.

**********