Sophia's POV.
I knocked on the door and entered, so scared that he'd see right through me. He stood up and came over to me immediately when he saw me.
“I see you're here, love.” He lifted my chin gently with his index finger and kissed me.
I didn't want him to stop, afraid that this was going to be our last kiss. Sadly he stopped and looked into my eyes.
“Have you been crying?” He asked, frowning.
I looked down quickly and forced out a nervous chuckle. “Oh, it's nothing. Something just got in my eye.” I said.
It was clear that he didn't believe me but he also didn't push it. Thankfully.
“I thought you might want to sign these as soon as possible,” I said, handing over the documents to him.
He took them from my hands and threw them carelessly on the table. He pulled me again into his arms and nuzzled my neck.
“I've missed you.” He groaned.
“You just saw me this morning and we were together last night.” I quipped.
Talking about that almost brought fresh tears to my eyes but I blinked them back because if I started crying in his arms, I just might not be able to stop and I'd eventually have to tell him about Stephanie. I can't do this! He looked up at me.
“I just never want to be apart from you.” He whispered.
Because I felt the tears coming dangerously close to cascading down, I cupped his face with both of my palms and kissed him. When I pulled back, we were both breathless.
“I need to get back to work,” I said, but I rested my head on his chest and my legs didn't seem to want to move.
“Alright then.” He said as he placed a kiss on the top of my head. “I have a meeting in five minutes anyway.”
I looked up and kissed him just as he walked over to his chair and sat down. But I still stood in my spot, unwilling to move. He looked up at me again.
“You want something more, babe?” He winked at me.
I sighed, shaking my head while letting out a nervous chuckle. I sighed again.
“I should've listened to you,” I murmured.
I didn't know I had spoken those words out loud until he replied. “Pardon?” He sounded a bit confused. Of course, he was!
The words escaped my lips without thought.
It was as if even my thoughts wanted to reach out to him to help me. But no.
Stephanie's life is at stake here. He met my eyes and they watered. I inhaled.
God! Just let me answer him right.
“Oh, No. Don't worry about it.” I muttered, chuckling. “Well! I should get going now.” I tried to sound cheerful as I headed towards the door.
No! Tell him, Sophia! Turn and tell him!! My inner voice screamed desperately. I kept on walking, tears threatening to fall.
Turn around and tell him! Tell him everything!!
I ignored the voice and kept on walking.
Tell him. Tell him a psycho has kidnapped your best friend! Tell him the psycho will have you in his grip in just a few hours!
Tears came down my face, but I didn't turn.
Tell him you need help! Tell him you don't want to go. Damn! Tell him you want him to protect you!!
CRAP! SOPHIA TURN AROUND AND TELL HIM!
I wiped my eyes and murmured, “Goodbye my love.” But I didn't turn as I exited his office.
****
It was now ten minutes before four as I left the company. I called Colin and chatted a bit with him before I ended the call with tears streaming down my face.
I also called my mum and even spoke with Mia. I told them how much I missed them and blew them goodbye, kisses. It was now three and fifty-five minutes. Five minutes left. I headed to the meeting place.
I knew I might not make it through this. I knew so well. What Harvey had in mind was extremely obscure.
He didn't ask for money in return for my best friend or anything at all. Just me.
He said I will be here at four. That's all. And here I am. I have no idea what's going to happen.
I came here because Stephanie was in this mess. After all, I wasn't open enough with her. As I stood at the assigned spot, I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
I noticed the sky was becoming cloudy like it was about to rain again. I took another very deep breath.
This is a bad omen.
****
I was startled by the cackling sound of Autumn leaves on the ground.
I had just been gazing at the sky for the last few minutes and I did not notice a few men step before me until now.
My eyes snapped at them in fear and I quickly backed away. Crap.
“Sophia O'brien.”
They all had dark black sunglasses, and I felt the rain begin to pour down slightly, wetting my hair.
I shivered as one of them approached me.
“Wh—where's Harvey? I–I want to see Stephanie!” I shivered and my throat went dry.
The man held my wrist and I quickly tried to shake it.
“Okay! I'll go to where I'm supposed to, just don't touch me—” My tears started falling as I felt him press a wet towel over my mouth and nose to silence me.
I heard the rest of the chuckle mercilessly as I slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
******
I felt my body being tossed to the hard ground carelessly like people would toss old rags and useless clothes. I hit the ground with a thud and I groaned in pain as I slowly tried to force my eyes open.
“Ughh,” I whined and my eyes slowly opened. It was dark. I almost couldn't see.
The disgusting smell almost made me puke and it was cold. Yes. So cold that my whole body was shivering insanely.
I forced myself up in a sitting position, and for the first time, took my surroundings in. Dark.
Too dark.
The abandoned room I was in was so dark I almost couldn't make out its features.
The ground was pure cement. The walls didn't even have paint.
It was quite a cold place. The sound of howling wind made me quite sure that there were no windows. I could hear the loud, uneven breathing of someone somewhere on the far side of the room.
It resembled the sound of someone breathing into a tube like those in hospitals. I focused on that person, focused so hard, and finally made out the features of Good God in heaven!!!