Chapter 44: Joined Forces

~Seth

It's been three days since Isla went missing, and I have a strong suspicion that Mr. Stan has something to do with this shit!

According to Jaffy and Miette, she went with that man because he said they had something to talk about, and they haven't been seen since.

It's also been three days since I've slept because I keep wondering where she is. The last time she’d been kidnapped, she had her cellphone with her, but this time is different. I tracked down her phone and found it in the middle of a dark forest.

I wanted to kill myself because of what had happened. None of this could have happened if I hadn't let her friends drag her after our class, if only I hadn't let my gaze leave her that day.

None of this BLOODY FUCKING HELL could happen! I swear I'm going to kill Jacob Stan if I see him. I'm going to fucking crush his bones into powder.

I'm currently sitting in the living room of our underground hideout. I was drinking canned beer alone, digging through my memories to see if Isla had mentioned any places, they could possibly take her, but what the heck! I'm at a loss for words!

I crumpled up my last can of beer and placed it on Raynel's FHM Collection stand.

I'M FUCKING USELESS!

"Whoa! Dude! What have you done with my girlfriends?!" Raynel slammed the front door open, immediately picking up a stack of magazines on the floor.

I stood up and kicked the cans that were blocking in my path. I was about to go outside when Axthon called out to me as he walked down the stairs.

“Seth, where are you going?”

"I'm going to find Tricia," I said, not knowing where to start looking for her. I sigh, wishing I could do something about it.

"You mean Isla?" My gaze shifted to Raynel, who was reorganizing his magazines.

How did he find out? .... I knit my brows as I stared at him, my face flushed with confusion. I don't remember telling him or Axhton about Violet and Tricia being one.

"You don't need to keep it from us, dude. We already know who she is." Axthon said as he approached me and patted my shoulder. Is he also know? However...

"How?" I asked.

"Ouch, Dude. That hurts! We're not that stupid, you know."

“Ashtray and I have known it for quite some time about Violet's true identity, but we're just waiting for you to tell us." Raynel told me. I let out a sigh. I felt a little bad for keeping this from them. They may believe I do not trust them.

"Since when?" I asked directly.

"The day Tricia was kidnapped in Hill University's parking lot, we followed you even though we knew you could handle it on your own, but curiosity got the best of us." Axhton responded casually.

"Yes, we witnessed everything that happened at the time. The way she fought her kidnappers and killed that chicka babe. You were so focused on how to save her that's why you haven't felt us. And, one more thing, when Axhton brought Violet in here, we heard everything you said above." Raynel seconded.

"You don't have to apologize, Seth. We understand." Axthon teased me.

"If that's what you want to hear from me, I'm not going to say sorry." I hissed, but deep down, I'm relieved that they aren't offended by what I did.

"I thought eavesdropping was only done by women..." I mumble. It’s not obvious that they're a gossiper, is it? Axhton just gave me a stern look.

"So, what are we going to do about 'Operation Saving Seth's Loving Fiancée?'" Raynel smiled right in front of me as he finished neatly and orderly arranging his magazines. Axthon smacked him in the head right away.

"Ash! What the-! Why are you torturing me like this?" Tss, Raynel sneered at Axhton. They haven't changed.

"There was a fly that just flew over your head, so I shooed it, which is why I accidentally hit your head with my hand." Axthon reasoned and then gave me a serious look.

"What's your next plan?" He shifted his gaze to me.

"I'm not sure, but I'll do anything to get her back." I replied truthfully.

"Shouldn't we wait a little longer – I mean, we shouldn't waste any more time." When I gave him a death stare, he immediately corrected what he had said.

If she can handle it herself, and if she didn't need help, I'm sure she got home unscathed not later than that day. I noticed Raynel nudging Axthon for support. In frustration, I look down, wiping my face with my hands. Shit! Think Seth! THINK!

Her voice echoed in my mind.

"I just remember them taking me into the laboratory, the last thing I remember before the darkness consumed me." That was she said to me.

Fuck! Why hadn't I thought of that? That's all!

"She once told me that she was taken to an abandoned laboratory ten years ago." I blurted out.

"What? Did she say anything about the location of the lab?" I turned to Axthon and informed them of everything I knew.

"No, she only told me about it the night she escaped. The area seems to be surrounded by woods." I began telling them about what Isla had told me ten years before. Perhaps these will assist us in locating her.

"Isn't it about time you told her parents what she told you? Maybe they can help us. They're the ones who found her on that desolate road, aren't they?" Axthon brought this up. He is right, but what if they are upset with me? What if they didn't want to see me because I let my fiancée out of my sight? That I was being careless.

What happens if... Seth! Enough with the what-ifs!

You want her back, don't you? Then go for it! That won't hurt your ego! That is one of your responsibilities as her fiancée. You made a deal with her, so stick to it.

"All right, I'm off to see her parents." I stated and made a beeline for my car, not looking back to see if they had followed me or not.

"Seth, we're coming with you." Raynel shouted, I just look at them over my shoulder and give them a slight nod as approval. I thrust myself in then hit the road.

When I arrived at their house, there were many guards roaming around, some of whom were mafia members.

I immediately exited my car and entered, but I was stopped by someone holding a long gun. I was about to go inside when he tapped me on the shoulder.

"No one is permitted to enter, Sir. The boss's order." He comes to stop me. I drew his gun and slammed it in his face without saying anything.

The others were alerted by what I did, and the next thing I know, they're running towards me.

"Seth!" exclaimed Seth. Axhton called out from behind me, they had just arrived.

"What's the matter, why didn’t they you let him in?" Raynel asks me soon as they were at my size.

They've encircled us now. They were about to attack us when the white double door opened, revealing Isla's father, whose voice blasted throughout the area, causing his men to come to a stop.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS HAPPENING HERE?"

"Boss,-." The man who had earlier blocked me complained was cut off by Tito,

"Seth? What are you doing here?" He asked blankly as he approached us. He’s gaze landed on Raynel and Axhton.

"Emperial? Mondego? What are you doing here?"

"My daughter hasn't been found yet, if that's why you're here." He spat venomously, but he was only looking for me. He turned away from us and began walking towards their house.

"Let them go." He told his men. I'm sure he's still angry with me because of my carelessness, and I can't blame him. He once asked me to look after their daughter, and I promised them that I would do everything in my power to keep her safe, but I let them down.

"Mr. Willsmith, we're here to help you in finding Isla." He came to a halt in the middle, but he didn't look at us, so I'll continue what I was saying.

"I'm know that it's my fault that she's gone missing. If I hadn't taken my gaze away from her, none of this would have happened. I'm sorry for disappointing you. I failed to keep my promise. But please allow me to help. I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means risking my life, to get her back. I promise that I will not fail again this time." I sincerely stated that Raynel and Axhton were taken aback by my actions.

They'd never seen me apologizing and pleading with others before. This isn't about me, but I'll do anything for Isla. I'm not sure what she did to me or why I'm reacting this way when it comes to her.

Is it possible that I'm falling for her? No, that isn't your main concern right now. You need to find her before you can figure out what you truly feel for her.

"It isn't your fault, son." Tito's Harry's voice yanks me out of my reverie. I look at his back, perplexed, I thought he was blaming me.

"You've done everything you could to keep my daughter safe, even though we all know she's capable of looking after herself. I appreciate your presence by her side. If anyone can be held accountable, it's me." I was frozen in place, my mind processing everything he said.

"If I hadn't kept so many secrets from her, she wouldn't have gone looking for answers on her own. If only I had told her the truth... Well, we won't be able to find her if we keep reminiscing about our mistakes. Would you mind if you could add to our plan?" He asked us to follow him and motioned for us to do so. Raynel and Axhton rushed over to him, leaving me behind.

"Hon, what happened over there—Oh, Seth, you're here! And I had no idea we were having an unexpected guess..." Tita Trixie exclaimed as she saw us enter their home, before her gaze was drawn to Raynel and Axhton.

"Hello, Mrs. Willsmith. My name is Axthon, and the man next to me is Raynel. nice to meet you." Axhton extended a formal greeting.

"We're, uh, Isla's friends." Raynel continued, Tita looked over Tito, who gave her a weak nod, and she smiled weakly before facing them again.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. It's also a pleasure to meet you. I'm relieved that my baby has finally made friends. She's a bit of a loner, uhm... By the way, you can call me Tita Trixie." She politely responded by shaking their hands and smiling broadly, though her eyes conveyed her true emotion. Regret.

She motioned us over to their receiving area, where I found three other guesses sitting on the long white couch. I recognized them. I'd met them once before when Dad introduced me to his mafia allies. If I'm not mistaken, they are one of Asia's most feared mafias.