Chapter 29

©S A F I E

CHAPTER 29

ELLE

I glance down at my shirt. I can feel blood dripping down on the back of my head as I examine the large bruise covering my left leg. The pain in my shoulder stings and I cringe at the sight of blood that is caked up in my arms down to my hand. Groaning, I push myself up and walk, only to be pulled by the chains. I shivered at the cold contact it brought to my ankle, crouching down, I shake the chain and pulled, hopeless. I realize that I've been bound for quite some time now considering the marks the chains had made. My ankles yell in protest as I yank at the chains once again, the voice startling me "You know what? That's useless."

I look down the hall, trying to locate the owner of the voice, only to see Victoria there, rocking my child. I wanted nothing but to yank her long hair and take my child from her filthy hands. I worriedly look at my baby, why is he not responding? I pulled at the chains again and hissed in pain as I collapse on the floor, glaring at her as she cackled.

"What did you do to Jacob?" Victoria smirked, she happened Jacob's cheek and kissed him making me struggle with the chains, trying to get to him. She laid him down on a carrier and walk slowly, sinking to the floor to pull my chin up, "I didn't anything to your son. Know that your attempts are futile. Like you, useless."

I cannot help myself as I spit at her face, earning a slap thereafter, "You really need to learn your manners. I guess growing up without parents do that to you, you're nothing but a useless barbaric person that knows nothing and cares about nothing but herself!" She cackled and straighten up, wiping her face with her hand and spitting on the floor next to me. I flinch as she faked an attack with her feet, making me crawl back, seeking the comfort of the wall. I covered my face and sobbed in my arms.

"That's not true," I cringe at the feeling of my own voice scratching my throat that it's almost impossible for me to speak. I swallowed, painfully trying to answer her as I shake my head, "I am not selfish. I have a family, a husband and a son I cared for. And they love me, unlike you."

"Ha! Stupid bitch..."She gave me another slap before kicking me with her feet. I cough up blood, my vision blurry due to the previous attack in my skull. I touch my forehead, my hands trembling as I see the blood. Victoria tilted her head and laughed before she crouched over me, sneering, "No. Gabriel loved me before you. I am his first love and even when he married you, it is I whom he desires!"

"No. You are lying. Gabriel ended it all before we married and even if you tried to pursue him, he refused you! Gabriel loves me," I whispered, not trusting my voice. Victoria looked at me with mockery, angst on her tone as she said, "No. You are too damn conceited to recognize that he is only trapped by his father's demands. Look at what happened to you because of your greed. Gabriel wanted nothing to do with you. He only wanted your son and that is why he went back to you."

I bit my lip. My eyes, unfocused. My chest felt like it was being squeezed, and I push myself off the floor glaring at her, "No, that's not true. Gabriel loves me." My voice resonated in the hollow room and I shivered, I look down with shame, not having the confidence to my words anymore as I lay down on the floor.

How long have we been here? It felt longer than a day.

"No, he loves your baby. It is the baby who matters to him more than you are. He now has an heir and he protects it with al his life. Maybe I should give Jacob back and who knows? I can be your replacement and we will live happily ever after!" Victoria let out a giggle that makes my blood turn cold. Her words felt like a knife twisting in my chest and I couldn't find the strength to scream at her as I watch her, making her way out.

"Night-Night, useless gal.." Victoria carried Jacob out as she turns off the light, shutting the door behind her. I could only sob on my arm, wincing as the pain in my shoulder intensifies and my heart calls for her.

"No..Jacob!"

*

GABRIEL

"What do you mean she has them?” I snap at Ryan and Joe as I stand by the balcony, running my hands through my hair. The wind rustled the leaves of the nearby willow, and the moon cast an everlasting glow by the city below. I gritted my teeth, cursing into the night with words not fit for younger ears to hear. "F*ck! How could let this happen?!" I throw the papers in front of them, my jaw hurting because of the many times I have clenched them. I wanted to punch them but I controlled myself, urging myself to ease down on a chair and relax.

"I thought we had a plan. How can you be so careless to such things like this, Joe? I have my trust in you..." I snatch the envelope from him and throw it down on the table watching as the pictures scatter down on it. Ryan cringes while Joe has his eyes lowered, a passive expression plastered on his face. I wanted to shake them, throw a punch on their face and make them feel what I am feeling right now. Joe chance a glance at me and I stare him down, annoyed.

"And, you." I point, staring at the younger man who is the same age as me as he fumbles on the button of his shirt, gulping. I almost felt pity towards Ryan but I need to make him see what the impact of his work has done and how it only made our situation worse. "You told me that Victoria's being taken care of by some shrink in Paris? How come she's here? Tell me now." Ryan glances down at the picture he has provided a week ago, his eyes darting from them and to his uncle, his eyes confused before he finally looks at me.

"I'm so sorry but I didn't know it was really her, sir. I've provided you with facts and her face, I am pretty sure that I have seen her. she was there walking in front of me. I've become familiar with her face so I could not be mistaken." He shakes his head and wipes the sweat from his brow, a bit worried about the pictures. The tension in the room rises as Ryan huff and scan the pictures, "But here, oh god! This, I've seen her. She is the girl from the hospital. I was right, Cherry and Victoria are one. in those five months though she has changed her hair colour back to brunette," He gritted his teeth, looking up at me with desperate eyes, "She looks so different from how she appears to that picture you showed--and Uncle Joe-"

"What?" Joe protested rather suddenly as he stared at his nephew, not prepared of the sudden involvement. I raised an eyebrow at Joe and he shakes his head at Ryan, glaring at him, "I appointed you there because I know you can handle it. I have seen that you are doing your job well, providing all the information you should have so that you won't miss. I even sent you thousands of pictures and recordings of her voice with-"

"Just let him finish, Joe." I interrupted, making Joe blush. The old man grumbled as he settled, leaning his back on his seat before turning unto his side, preferring to face the wall instead of his nephew.

I am quite entertained by their argument but I don't need them turning their backs on each other now that we are facing a crisis. I turn at Ryan, his face now lowered in guilt, his neck red of the embarrassment. He wrinkled the ends of his sleeves as he muttered.

"I have assumed that what we see as the Victoria now wasn't the same on the picture because there is no way that both of them resembles each other," Ryan answers in a timid voice as he continues, fumbling with the picture now as he tilted his head. "She dyed her hair again, and she's paler and older than what is on the picture. She also got bright blue eyes instead of grey and there is no way that the Victoria we are chasing down has that nose, I mean she has a hooked nose!"

I checked the pictures and shake my head. What he said was true about the eyes and the nose but I couldn't let his mistakes pass, he has to own it considering that he pretty messed up.

I sigh, "So you assumed? What is this, a guessing game? I just can't believe you two."

"Sir, it was just recently that I found her trailing behind your wife and we have successfully tracked her down before she even gets the chance to harm them. Recently though, Victoria has done so well to cover her tracks and identification. The plan last night did not work out because she saw the transition between Ms. West and your wife by going over at Ms. West apartment before she goes to your penthouse. Victoria might have seen and managed to trail behind us when Mrs. West checked in at the hotel. It was my fault because I suggested that we do not need a back-up. I have been so focused on catching Victoria at the penthouse that I overlook the idea of sending some men to watch out for your wife,” Ryan bowed his head. I sigh, turning my back on them as I tugged at my hair.

I can feel the exhaustion clawing at my very being, urging me to go to sleep and forget about the responsibilities, to escape the problem but I won't give in. I can't give in. I felt a vein pulsing from my forehead as I massage it, my anxiety climbing up.

"I am so sorry for what we've done, sir. I know that my apology is not worthy of anything that concerns you but I want to tell you that I regret it. I have been wrong and I will try to rectify the situation by catching Victoria," Ryan said, his eyes trained on mine as I turn to face him. He nodded his head and I only blink back, not knowing what swear words better fit him. "Even if it's the last thing I do," His vow catch me off guard. I catch his gaze and he offered me an apologetic smile. I huffed.

"We are really sorry about our mistake, Gabriel. I know that you cannot accept the apology right now but it is the next best thing we can do at the moment. Currently, we are working hard on finding the, and I am hoping that we have the chance to save Elle and your son..." Joe stated.

"Yeah, right. Save them. If they are still alive." I stand, resisting the temptation to lash at them. I balled my fist and turn, deciding that a shot of whiskey is all I need to calm me down and make me get a grip myself. I poured myself a glass before thinking otherwise, bringing the whole bottle with me and settling myself back on the couch facing both of my guards. I push the bottle at Joe and he quickly emptied his glass of water, replacing it with whiskey. I look at Ryan to see him watching us, his fingers moving to the bridge of his nose and adjusting it. I push the bottle at him and with a sigh, he poured himself a glass.

"There's still hope that we can find them sooner," That made my ears perked up as I stared back at Ryan, watching him as he down the whole glass and look at us, his eyes a bit unfocused and a blush creeping up to his cheek. "We can still find her. I haven't mentioned it before because I am trying to remember bt now I am sure," He raised his eyes to look at me and Joe. "I can track Victoria down using her Audi. Luckily, she didn't consider changing the car she will use for when she is here. We can now track the car, find her location, crash her party and tada! Your wife and son are back..." He gave me a childish grin before hiding himself behind another glass of whisky. Joe chances him a nudge before he shakes his head.

"Go easy with them drinks, lad, never good to crash a party already drunk," Joe muttered, his accent now coming off after about a glass of whiskey.

I must have rolled my eyes at them if we're not in this grave situation yet, we are stuck here, waiting for Victoria's next move so we can track down. I'll gladly ask myself again later why I have hired Ryan who is a childish yet brilliant man. Bloody Brilliant man.

"Okay then, tell me where the lead points, you are the captain for an hour," I stated, with a controlled smirk I can muster. I am hoping that somewhat, Ryan is correct and I can save my wife and son, fast, before all of this sacrifice end up in vain.

I sigh again and watching both of them work as I put the bottle of whiskey down on the carpet, not wanting them drunk during the rescue operation. We cannot afford to fail on this.

The time slowly passes. My anxiety is eating me inside and out. I poured myself another glass of whiskey and sigh. There are so many holes in our previous plan. Why didn’t I analyze it? I'm usually not the one who barges in without reassurances. I should’ve thought more of it before I proceed. I am so desperate but these actions only lead to more problem.

I dismiss both of them after we have concluded that tracking the car is our best option. My mind is buzzing with the pressure of wanting them back and thinking about ways on how I can save Elle and my son. Joe insisted on staying for we haven't arranged the men for the backup but I shove him off with my hand, cradling my head. I just can't focus with all these things running inside my head, especially now that Victoria is involved as she is orbiting around the centre of my universe.

I just want to wake up from this nightmare! I can't bear this roller coaster of emotions anymore.

*

"Where is the lead pointing to?" I rub the sleep off my eyes as I lean on the steering wheel, trying to stop myself from falling asleep.

'We lost it again, sir. The car is fast and there is too much traffic on our current location.'

"I did not send you there just to spy, whine and let her escape for the second time again, Ryan! I need you to-" I stare back at the red car as it passes by, the very familiar Audi r8, the one I gave Victoria before our supposed engagement.

'Sir?'

I follow the car, parking just a block away from her. I quickly got out and lean down beside the trash bin, watching Victoria as she opens the door and drags a limp body down the car, dumping it down by the porch steps. She looks around and takes the carrier from the backseat, putting it down on the sidewalk."

'Sir?!'

"Y-yeah?"

'We saw the car pass by your location. I'm pretty sure that you've seen her,'

"Yes... I am watching her right now."

'Are you alright, sir?' I readjust the earpiece on my ear and stare back on my phone, "Of course. Just a bit flustered but alright. Follow me back here in five."

I ended the call and wait, glancing down at my watch as I let the scene roll in front of me. Victoria started dragging the limp body up the stairs and then she returns for the carrier, slamming the door shut behind her.

I felt some presence and I turn around to see the Taylors' walking towards me, "Ryan, Joe," I acknowledge them as they walk nearer. Ryan produced something from the bag he was carrying, giving me a gun and a vest before saying, "Sir, put it on."

"I won't need this," I push it back unto his hands but Joe pushes it back, his face stern. "Sir, you need this. It's for security measures. We need to protect you."

"I can take care of myself. We're here for my wife and child, not me." I stand from my crouched form, walking a few steps before Joe put the vest on me. I glared at him but Joe glared back. “Please, for your wife and child. We can't afford for you to die on them yet,” I rolled my eyes and nod at him, putting my hand on his shoulder and squeezing it.

I am glad because Joe is with me. He is like a father figure to me. Without him, I would surely not survive these past few months. He acts like a beacon of light and clears my head when I am confused- sort of like my personal hero. “Come, we need to save my family." I push the door, quietly taking a step inside before glancing back, nodding at Joe and Ryan.

We slowly walk towards the living room. I was surprised to see the place clean, no sign of anyone being here. We headed for the kitchen, which was spotless, the cupboards empty. I was about to proceed for the back door when the floor creaks which made me stand still, my heartbeat quickening.

"Hold," I point my gun down on the floor which Ryan had previously stepped on and crouch down. I lay my hand on the board and look at Joe. He nods his head and cracks open the floorboard only to hear a bullet go off.

"Sir, your wife!"

"Or my son...."

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