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CLARISSA'S POINT OF VIEW
“Geez, Sophie! Where on earth are you rushing off to in such a hurry?” I called out, sprinting to catch up with her.
“I’m headed to the hospital,” she replied quickly, swinging her bag over her shoulder with a swift motion, barely breaking her stride.
“The hospital?! Is everything okay? Who’s there?” I asked, my confusion deepening as I struggled to keep pace with her. She halted abruptly, turning to face me with a serious expression.
“Listen, C,” she began, her tone grave.
“Royce just called me to let me know that his mom passed out last night and was taken to the hospital.” At that moment, a sharp gasp escaped my lips, a wave of concern sweeping over me.
“Oh no! that’s why he didn’t come to school today,” I exclaimed, my mind racing.
“And wait... I also saw Kareem dash out of class earlier. What if something’s really wrong?” I brought my hands up to my face in shock, while Sophie nodded, letting out a deep sigh that spoke volumes of her worry.
“Yeah, Clarissa, he didn’t sound good at all on the phone,” Sophie said, her voice tinged with emotion.
“Hearing his voice like that is just breaking my heart .” She paused for a moment, drawing in a shaky breath.
“Listen, you know what? I’m going with you,” I declared, feeling a surge of determination.
“I can’t just sit back and do nothing when you’ve just told me all of this. I’m really worried now!” As soon as those words left my mouth, I noticed her expression change; her face lit up at the prospect of not having to go to the hospital alone.
“Really? You’d do that?” she asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
“Okay, come on! Let’s go! I really want to get there as fast as we possibly can!” Without hesitation, I nodded and began to follow her, matching her pace as we hurried toward her car,
The ride was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the lively conversations that typically filled the car during our journeys. Under normal circumstances, Sophie and I would have filled the air with cheerful banter, sharing jokes and gossipy tales about our friends and acquaintances. However, today was far from normal.
An unsettling tension hung between us, manifesting in the form of Sophie’s frequent, anxious sighs that echoed in the stillness of the vehicle. Each exhale was laden with a mixture of concern and dread, while I found myself staring out the window, lost in my thoughts and watching the world blur by in a haze of colors and shapes.
As we finally pulled into the hospital parking lot, Sophie wasted no time; she was out of the car before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt. Her urgency was palpable as she dashed towards the hospital entrance, her shoes clicking against the pavement as I hurriedly followed in her wake, my heart racing to keep up with the energy she radiated.
Once inside, Sophie approached a small cluster of nurses who were chatting and going about their duties.
"Excuse me," she called out breathlessly, her voice a mix of urgency and desperation.
"I'm here to see Mrs. Wilson who was brought in last night." The gravity in her voice made it clear how important this visit was to us.
One of the nurses, apparently familiar with the situation, looked up with a compassionate smile.
"Oh yes, of course! Please follow me," she replied, and in an instant, our worried expressions softened into grateful smiles. We quickly fell into step behind her, Sophie’s worry momentarily eased by the nurse’s reassurance.
As we walked through the sterile corridors lined with various medical signs and the faint smell of antiseptic, we navigated our way through the bustling activity of staff and patients. After a short walk, the nurse paused in front of a door marked with "VIP,"
"This is it," she said, gesturing towards the door while her expression remained kind and professional.
"Thank you very much," we both said in unison, our gratitude genuine as we smiled at her. She nodded back, apparently pleased to have been able to assist us in our time of need.
"It’s my pleasure," she replied warmly before she turned to leave, allowing us a moment of pprivay.
Sophie knocked gently on the door before pushing it open without pausing for a response. The moment we stepped inside, our eyes fell upon an unexpectedly somber scene.
Royce and Kareem were present in the room, their expressions betraying the weight of the situation. Lying on the bed was Royce's mother, her frail form connected to an oxygen mask resting gently under her nose, a sight that brought a lump to my throat.
"Babe," Sophie called out, her voice filled with warmth as she approached Royce. She wrapped him in a tight embrace, her concern evident in the way she held onto him, almost as if she thought that her love would provide him some measure of comfort amid the chaos surrounding them.
"Hey," Royce muttered back, a weary smile stretching across his lips, though it did little to hide how exhausted he truly was. The dark circles under his eyes told a distressing story of a sleepless night. He looked like a ghost of his former self, as if years of worry and stress had etched themselves into his features.
"I'm so sorry about your mom, Royce... I really hope she’ll be okay," I managed to say, my voice trembling with empathy as I spoke. He simply nodded, his expression a mix of gratitude and unresolved pain.
"Thank you, Clarissa," he mumbled, attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Turning my attention to Kareem, who was standing quietly off to the side, I offered a shy wave.
"Hey, Kareem," I greeted him, my cheeks flushing as I was acutely aware of my secret crush on him that only Sophie knew about. The fluttering in my stomach threatened to betray my otherwise calm demeanor.
"Hi Clarissa... Thanks for coming," he responded, his tone warm yet a little subdued, acknowledging my presence with a nod. I returned his greeting with a shy smile, biting my lip nervously as I tried to suppress my feelings. It was a bittersweet moment; my heart raced at the sight of him, but the gravity of the situation cast a shadow over my excitement.
"What did the doctor say is wrong with her?" Sophie asked, her voice softening as she turned her gaze back to Royce. He exhaled audibly, the sound heavy with the weight of the news he was about to share. The air in the room felt tense, saturated with worry as we braced ourselves for what he might say, knowing that whatever it was, it was bound to be difficult to hear.
“He had so many things to say, Babe. He mentioned that her blood pressure is quite elevated, but the most distressing news is that her heart… it’s failing.” His voice trembled, and I could hear the raw emotion threatening to spill over into tears. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and it was impossible not to notice the pain laced within every syllable he spoke.
“Oh no,” we both gasped in unison, shock and fear sweeping over us like a cold wave.
“I really don’t know what’s happening. Kim told me she would arrive any minute, but as of now… there’s been no sign of her. I’ve tried calling her, but her phone just keeps ringing without any response,” he continued, letting out a long, resigned sigh that seemed to echo the anxiety that saturated the room.
“Maybe she’s at my brother’s room, giving him his drugs..... That's if she’s still at home. I’ll just give him a quick call,” Sophie interjected, her expression shifting to one of determination as she fished her phone out of her pocket.
She swiftly typed in her brother’s number and pressed call but there was no answer, and disappointment washed over her.
"He's not answering his phone, maybe doctor Kim Is attending to him right now...... Let's wait a bit"She said and we nodded.
With a heavy sigh escaping my lips, I settled into a chair that was positioned conveniently close to Kareem.
“You don’t need to worry; she’ll be here soon, babe,” she spoke gently, her voice a soothing balm to the tension that hung in the air. Royce nodded in response, but his gaze drifted back toward his mother, who was clearly the focal point of his concern.
“Have you eaten at all?” Sophie inquired with a hint of insistence in her tone, her brow furrowing slightly at his negative shake of the head.
“I’ve been trying to make him eat, but he’s refused to touch a single bite,” Kareem chimed in, the worry lacing his voice becoming more palpable.
“Is that true, babe?” Sophie pressed, a note of urgency creeping into her words.
“Come on, you’ve got to eat something. Just look at how pale you’ve become.” She reached out and gently lifted his chin, trying to meet his eyes with her own filled with concern.
“I’m not hungry, Sophie,” he muttered softly, his frustration evident as he delicately pushed her hand away, a gesture of both defiance and exhaustion.
“Think about how your mom will feel when she finds out that you’re neglecting yourself like this... I bet she’s already feeling terrible knowing you’re starving while waiting for her.” Sophie’s words hung in the air as he sighed deeply, his eyes shifting briefly to his mother, whose still form lay in the hospital bed, the heart monitor's rhythmic beeping punctuating the silence.
"She's absolutely right, bro" Kareem chimed in, concern etched across his features.
"You already look so sick, and if you skip meals, you're only going to feel worse." His voice was firm but friendly, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Sophie leaned in closer, her eyes widening with heartfelt urgency.
"Please, babe, I can just run to the restaurant and grab something for you to eat. All I need from you is your promise that you’ll actually eat it. I’m really worried about you!" she implored, her voice softening into a plea that was impossible to ignore. He let out a heavy sigh but finally nodded, a glimmer of concession in his expression.
"I'll eat," he muttered almost reluctantly, but there was a hint of acceptance in his tone. Seeing his response, Sophie’s face transformed with a bright, hopeful smile that lit up the room and stirred something warm inside him.
"Great! I’ll go fetch it, then. Clarissa, would you please come with me?" Sophie asked with a bounce in her step, her enthusiasm infectious. I nodded in agreement and stood up, ready to support my friend in any way I could. Together, we made our way out of the room, the scent of promise lingering in the air as we ventured onward.
#Evening#
DONOVAN'S POINT OF VIEW
A wave of frustration washed over me as I swiftly dialed her number once more. The call rang through, but as expected, it went straight to voicemail. I grimaced, biting my lip in annoyance. What on earth is happening? A thousand thoughts raced through my mind.
Casting a frustrated glance towards Scott, I couldn’t help but voice my irritation.
"Why did you let her go, Scott? You should have insisted she wait here until I returned!" I said, my frown deepening with each word. His response was immediate; he lowered his head, clearly aware that I was not in the mood for excuses.
"I'm truly sorry, Boss,” he replied, a hint of remorse in his voice.
"But she was really in a hurry. That’s why I instructed her to go with Oscar." His gaze fell to the floor as he spoke, clearly worried about my reaction. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, exasperated by his defensive tone.
“Call him right now! Amica Mea’s number isn’t connecting, and He's should at least go through since he's not back yet,” I urged, my frustration boiling over. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and attempted to dial Oscar’s number, but the call didn’t go through—his phone was still switched off.
“It’s switched off, Boss,” he reported, and I couldn’t help but let out a hearty, almost derisive laugh in response to the grim situation.
"I thought she must have had an emergency in the hospital, that's why I wasn't worried at first when she left ,but you heard Sophie....... She didn't arrive at the hospital at all, something is definitely wrong"I said angrily.
“Damn it!” I shouted, the frustration spilling over as I unleashed a furious kick against the door with my leg, not caring about the immediate pain that shot through me. In moments like this, all I could focus on was my escalating rage.
“He's got her... He has her!” I repeated, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. I burst into a fit of laughter, a hollow sound that echoed around me, but inside, a tempest of fury was gathering strength, ready to explode.
How dare he challenge me like this? I could practically feel the heat of my anger radiating off me as I squeezed my phone tightly in my grip, practically wanting to crush it in my hand. Just then, my phone began to ring, jolting me from my spiraling thoughts. The caller ID displayed an unknown number.
Cautiously, I answered, and the moment I did, I was greeted by an uproarious laughter that seemed to mock my predicament. It took me a moment to catch my breath; it was clear that he had succeeded in his twisted plan.
“Hello, brother,” he spoke playfully, still chuckling as if we were sharing an inside joke. I remained silent, choosing to listen to his smug tone rather than indulge him with a response.
“I told you I’d get her... I always keep my promises, brother,” he continued, his voice dripping with arrogance. I couldn’t stifle the scoff that escaped my lips, the sound laced with disbelief and anger. Just when I thought things couldn’t possibly get any more unpredictable, he proved me wrong, and I could feel the storm of chaos gathering within me, ready to unleash.
"Your precious doctor is currently in my custody, so I suggest you cease your futile attempts to locate her," he taunted, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"You see, you’re never going to see her again. I have every intention of keeping this beautiful woman by my side for all eternity." His words dripped with malice as he erupted into a fit of mocking laughter, the sound echoing through the phone like a sinister soundtrack to my growing dread.
"I can only imagine how much you long to hear her voice one last time," he continued, a gleeful drawl lacing his tone.
"So, as the exceptionally benevolent brother that I like to think I am, I’m going to give you that chance." He paused dramatically, making sure to savor the moment, feeding off the tension he had created.
"Now, sweetheart," he crooned.
. "Say hi to your ex-patient." The ensuing silence hung heavy in the air, amplifying the dread that wrapped around my heart like a vice.
"Come on, sweetheart, just say hi," he coaxed, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Don’t you want to give him the pleasure of hearing your voice?" The way he chuckled made it clear he found great amusement in our suffering.
"You really don’t want me to resort to more... extreme measures, do you?" he threatened, and still, she remained silent. The tension was unbearable, my heart racing as I braced myself for the worst.
"I said, say hi!" he bellowed, a sudden burst of frustration punctuating his words. In that instant, I heard an unmistakable sound—a sharp smack—and it made my blood run cold. Almost immediately after, I was met with the painful sound of her tiny whimpers, each one twisting the knife of despair deeper into my chest.
"Nov... Novan," I suddenly heard her voice break through, muffled and shaky, laced with tears. My heart leapt into my throat, and rage boiled inside me like molten lava ready to erupt.
"You bastard! How dare you!" I roared, my voice shaking with fury and pain.
"I swear I will find you, Giovan, and when I do... I swear I’ll end this once and for all.” My threat hung in the air, but the sound of his uproarious laughter filled the void, mocking my helplessness and igniting a fierce determination within me. It was clear that he reveled in the chaos he had created.
"Find me?, How Novan?.... Let me give you a hint,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery.
“As we speak, I'm currently soaring through the skies, traveling out of the country. Just so you know, she is mine and mine alone, so you’d better come to terms with that reality. I promise I'll send you pictures of our children—trust me, I'm talking about every single moment." As he spoke, a wild, unhinged laugh erupted from him, echoing through the phone line before he abruptly terminated the call.
I stood there, staring at the screen of my phone for a few seconds, absolutely stunned. Then, without warning, laughter bubbled up inside me, spilling out in a fit of uncontrollable hilarity, which caught Scott completely off guard. He turned to me, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion, as if he couldn't quite comprehend the source of my amusement.
“Get the boys ready, Scott... We’re going hunting,” I announced with a mischievous smirk playing on my lips, a plan forming in my mind.
“Okay, boss,” he replied with a cheeky bow, a glint of excitement in his eyes that mirrored my own.
“Yeah, it’s time for me to put an end to this once and for all,” I stated firmly, and Scott nodded in understanding, a silent agreement passing between us that today’s adventure would mark a turning point.
KIMBERLY'S POINT OF VIEW
"No... Novan," I whispered, my voice barely above a tremor as I pressed my fingers against my cheek, still stinging from the force of Giovan’s slap. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I dared to look at him, feeling a swell of anguish rise within me as he continued to chatter away on his phone, completely oblivious to my turmoil.
Biting my lip, I couldn’t help but notice how much he resembled his brother Donovan—his striking eyes, the height that seemed to tower over me, the athletic build that spoke of years spent honing his physique. The one notable distinction between the two brothers was the length of their hair; Giovan’s was cropped short, practical, while Donovan's hair longer.
"You are absolutely going to adore it here, Sweetheart," he declared confidently, a hint of pride in his voice.
"I’m going to make sure that you do because we’re getting married, and you’re going to live with me here forever." His assertion followed an abrupt end to our phone call, and the moment the words left his mouth, I couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter, a reaction tinged with disbelief.
"Are you serious? You really are a psycho," I retorted, my laughter quickly fading into a more serious tone.
"You’re truly sick in the head, and trust me when I say that your days are numbered. Novan is going to track you down, and this time, he will definitively put an end to your madness.” My voice was unwavering, punctuated by a defiant sniff, as I stood my ground against his outrageous notions. In response, he let out a loud chuckle, his amusement palpable through the phone.
"Wow, I absolutely love your boldness," he replied, a hint of admiration weaving through his words.
"You’re just my type of woman. But, just so you know, there’s no chance that Donovan will ever find you. In fact, I’m taking you out of the country first thing tomorrow morning," he added confidently, as though this move would somehow seal our fate together. I couldn’t help but huff in disbelief.
"You honestly believe I'm going to fall in love with you, huh? Let’s get real here. You’re forcibly dragging me away against my will, Giovan! Do you genuinely think I could ever develop any feelings for you under these circumstances?" I said, incredulity threading through my voice.
"You are nothing but a bitter person, and to be completely frank, I believe you really could benefit from some professional help, get a therapist . It’s high time for a change in your life." As I finished my statement, I noticed his expression shift, his frown deepening, a clear sign that my words had struck a nerve.
“You really think so?” he asked, a playful glint in his eye.
“Well, I guess it’s a fortunate thing for me that I have a psychiatrist right here by my side. You know, I wouldn’t mind taking on the role of your patient too, sweetheart,” he added, his lips curling into a teasing grin that set my teeth on edge. I couldn’t help but hiss at him in frustration.
With a mockingly dramatic sigh, he continued,
“I’ll catch you later, sweetheart. Make sure you take a nice, long shower and get some much-needed rest. I’ll swing by to check on you later tonight. And don’t you dare forget—we’ve got an important flight to put into action bright and early tomorrow morning.” He leaned in, attempting to plant a quick kiss on my cheek, but I turned my face away, unwilling to let him get that close.
“Bye for now, sweetheart,” he chuckled, the sound of his laughter lingering in the air as he left the room, the gentle click of the door as he locked it behind him echoing ominously in my ears.
As I sat there, panic began to creep in. My mom was in the hospital, and I could only imagine how frantic Royce would be when he found out what was happening. The thought of him worrying made my heart ache, and I couldn’t shake off the fear that this would only add to mom's stress.
She was already sick, and I dreaded the idea that whatever was going on could make her condition worse. Why did this have to happen today of all days? I thought to myself, gripping my hair in frustration as a wave of anxiety washed over me.
I scanned the room, searching for any possible escape route, but my hopes quickly diminished. The solitary window sat high up on the wall, far too small for me to squeeze through. At least, I noted with some small comfort, I wasn’t handcuffed; the freedom of my limbs was a small mercy in an otherwise frustrating situation.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I felt the walls closing in around me. I had to think, to focus. What could I do to get out of this predicament? I couldn’t afford to just sit here and wait for help. I needed a plan, and I had to devise it quickly.
How could Oscar possibly do something like that? The thought raced through my mind as I shook my head in disbelief, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Then a chilling realization hit me—he had mentioned that they were holding his mother captive. Shouldn’t he have confided in Donovan about this alarming development? Surely, I reasoned, Donovan must have taken some sort of action in response.
After all, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and it seemed incomprehensible for anyone to simply turn a blind eye to such a dire circumstance.
I pushed myself off the bed, determination flooding my senses as I marched toward the door. My heart raced with anticipation, but as I reached for the handle, a wave of disappointment washed over me; the door was firmly locked, just as I had feared. He had truly gone to the lengths of securing me in this room, effectively imprisoning me.
With a frustrated sigh, I turned back and flopped down onto the bed, the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily on my chest. I let out a loud huff, hoping against hope for some kind of miraculous rescue; the thought of being trapped , with this psychopath in a foreign country, was chilling. My mind spiraled at the unimaginable scenarios that could unfold—I couldn’t bear the thought of being at the mercy of someone so dangerously unstable.
As I sat there, my thoughts racing, I suddenly became aware of something unusual against my skin: a cold sensation at my waist. Curiosity piqued, I instinctively reached down, lifting my shirt slightly to investigate. To my astonishment, I discovered a delicate waist chain encircling my midsection, glimmering in the dim light like a beacon of intrigue. It was true gold; the way it sparkled left no doubt in my mind about its value.
How did it end up here? I pondered, tracing my fingers along the intricate designs of the chain, marveling at its craftsmanship. Was this some sort of gift or a cruel joke left by Donovan? Or could it have been the work of his twin brother? The possibility sent a shiver down my spine. Whoever was responsible, I couldn't help but feel that they had a hand in weaving my fate into this twisted web of chaos. I continued to touch the gold around my waist, its coldness contrasting sharply with the warmth of anxiety bubbling within me as I contemplated what would happen next in this precarious situation.