Chapter 40

“I bet you have no value, Jacob.” Elena snarled, her irritating gaze hovering over Jacob's pale face.

It's been two days since Jacob called his family as ordered by Elena and they haven't done anything about the ransom.

Did they ditch him? Or were they still searching for who to borrow the money from? Different thoughts and questions navigated through Jacob's messed up mind and he sighed.

He glanced up at Elena, his hatred brewing freshly for her. He had no idea Elena could be such a wreck, a total badass bitch.

Holding him captive for two days because of a damn promise? To the extent of not giving him any meal, and treating him like a freak. Actually funny! It has to be.

“Enough of your nonsense, Elena. Just let me go,” he finally begged, his pale lips trembling.

Elena scoffed, a smirk dancing across her lips, “Let you go?” She chuckled.

“When I've not gotten my money?” She hissed with an eye roll, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket.

She picked one stick and lit it, then brought it close to Jacob's lips, “Smoke,” She ordered, her voice cold and detached.

Jacob's heart squeezed, “Smoke? When have you seen me smoking?” he retorted stubbornly and a heavy smack met with his cheeks.

Elena slapped him.

“I told you to stop pissing me off, Jacob.” she snapped, voice firm and condescending.

“It’s one thing that I'm holding you captive and another thing that you are worth no penny. Feels like I'm wasting my time with a loser. If you keep provoking me, I might just decide to end your pathetic life,” she seethed, her voice dripping with malice.

Jacob's stomach twisted into knots and his heart raced in his chest as he shot up his head, meeting Elena's cold gaze.

A cold shiver ran down his spine and he gulped emptiness, looking away from her.

Dying in Elena's hands is what he considers awful, terrible.

If he should die at this age, it won't probably be in this wretch's hands.

His spirit won't sit at rest. It'll be a disgrace to his personality.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Jacob's lips when an idea flashed his mind, he managed to push himself forward, “I can give you the money, but please…..” his voice dropped to a whisper.

“Let me go,”

Elena's lips moved and a muffed laughter erupted from her throat, her eyes flashing with mockery.

“Is this some shitty prank? Let you go?” she asked, an amused grin appearing on her lips.

“Not a prank, Elena.” Jacob's expression thickened.

“I was on my way to meet Sheila before your love—” he pressed his lips together, “Before you abducted me,” he snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.

Elena's brows clipped and she leaned in, puffing out smokes from her mouth, the smokes circling Jacob's face like a malevolent aura but he dared not look away or cough.

This was his time to play his card well and escape from this shitty abyss—from Elena's claws.

“And what's your deal with Sheila?” Elena's lips twitched and Jacob smirked.

That's it!! He has her interest, he's not missing the opportunity.

“Sheila served me divorce papers like you already know, requesting that I sign the papers which I adamantly refused to sign..” his gaze darkened and Elena's lids moved in curiosity.

“Currently, I'm blackmailing her with the divorce papers because technically, legally.. I'm still married to her. I haven't signed the divorce papers and she knows the wreck I'll create for her if I put everything online,” he muttered, his voice a mix of malice and hatred.

“We agreed to meet up in a secluded location and….” he paused to glance at Elena.

The atmosphere shifted and tension crawled in. Jacob's heart pulsated in his chest, his breath rapid, his finger's trembling slightly.

And as for Elena, her eyes were blank and her expression was unreadable. Jacob couldn't tell if she was interested, piqued or was just waiting for him to round up his bluffing.

He released a heavy, dragged breath. “She was coming with cash to pay me off, then in exchange, I'll sign the divorce papers and disappear from her life,” he completed, breathing heavily.

A silence.

The room grew thick with tension, Elena's eyes flashed with something Jacob couldn't place hand on.

Jacob's palms became sweaty and his throat throbbed as he swallowed hard, his heart plummeting in his chest, determined to destroy the chambers.

Slowly, Elena trashed the cigar in the ash house tray, then stood, her back on Jacob.

“How much was she willing to pay you off with?” her cold voice sliced through Jacob's thoughts and he jerked, his head currently blank.

Sheila didn't agree to pay him off and how much was he going to tell this wanker Sheila had agreed to pay?

'Think!! Think, Jacob!’ his mind yelled loudly at him, sweat covering him.

“She agreed to pay $100,000,” he shouted, his heart heaving.

“$100,000? That small?” Elena scoffed in displease and Jacob's teeth clenched.

That small? What does she herself have to offer except scamming and leeching off on people's wealth?

He forced a smile on his lips, wishing that there's a way he could murder Elena.

“You’re acting like you don't know who I am, Elena.” he scoffed, his tone laced with disappointment.

“Who told you I was going to back off if she signed the money to me? I'm not worth that penny, I was going to continue blackmailing her, but you made me lose that money, Elena.” his voice rose to a scream and Elena turned swiftly to him, eyes blazing with rage.

“Told you not to piss me off, killing you is still not hard, Jacob.” She warned savagely.

She pushed her hands forward, resting it on his shoulder, her grip firm.

“Don’t think you can outsmart me, Jacob…” Her hot breath fanned his face, his eyes menacingly dark, sending shivers down Jacob's spine.

That.. that bi—

“You have only two days to transfer my money to me. If you try to double-cross me, Jacob…. ” her voice clipped as she leaned in, stopping beside his ears.

“I’ll find you, I'll kill you before going after your mother and sister,” She deadpanned.

Jacob's fingers dug into his flesh as he tried to maintain his composure, his heart throbbing with anger, his eyes shimmering with hatred.

Elena has just challenged him and until he gets out of here, he is going to stay calm. But one thing he promised himself there was that Elena won't go unscathed, he'll definitely strike back and make her pay for keeping him hostage for days.

Elena moved back from him, then retrieved a knife. Jacob's eyes shut wide in shock as she raised the knife forward, his lips shaking.

In a split, the ropes bounding his hands dropped to the floor, setting his hands free.

He gasped in shock, an exhale of relief spilling from his throat.

“Don’t think I won't find your location if you try to backstab me,” Elena muttered as she cut the ropes tied around his legs.

The moment she was done, Jacob sprang up, forcing another sly smile to appear on his lips, “Expect your money in two days, Elena.” He mused, his voice taunting and laced with sarcasm.

Elena huffed, then sauntered out of the room as she laid Jacob out.

Once outside, a wave of relief washed over Jacob as he glanced around, his fist balled.

Elena had just struck something in him and she should wait for his comeback, it'll be brutal and…. She might not survive his wrath.

With that thought and hatred surging his mind, Jacob left the place.

__________________

Jacob pushed the door open and his brows furrowed at the awkward silence in the house.

It was awfully strange that the house was this calm, especially not when his dramatic sister Chloe is around.

She would probably be throwing tantrums about how he had put them in a further mess.

The house wasn't supposed to be this calm.

It was awkward. Frightening. Alarming and strange. His pulse tensed and his eyes flickered with fear.

He bolted to the kitchen, his heart thumping in his chest. He staggered back and his lips parted up in shock.

His hands moved, covering his nose as the sting of rotten veggies and edibles floated in the air.

Chloe or his mom was probably cooking when disaster or whatever it was, struck.

They must have been abducted! No!!

He shook his head frantically, unable to accept the thoughts filling his head.

His mother, his sister… they're probably safe. They can't get consumed by more troubles, they can't.

He was losing his sanity as he staggered back, he had to search for them, anywhere, just anywhere.

He made to leave the kitchen when he heard the entrance door beep, then it burst open.

His eyes shone in fear as he rushed to hide, his palms covering his mouth as he trapped the scream threatening to tear from his throat.

He just escaped Elena's wrath and he's in for another trouble—so fast.

As the footsteps got closer, Jacob's heart rate quickened, slamming hard against his ribcage.

His breath got caught up in his throat as his eyes stung with painful tears.