The ill-fated conspiracy had strained the relationship between Mr. Jonathan and Andrew to its most taut. Mr. Jonathan’s household lost their appetites and peaceful slumbers, plotting revenge in their every waking moment.
As the sun graced the earth, this day marked Bryan’s birthday. Mary wished to bestow upon him an enchanting surprise, which led her to the bustling aisles of a supermarket since the crack of dawn. She knew the dearest thing to Bryan’s heart was a warm, home-cooked meal. Growing up devoid of family, an undercurrent of loneliness often washed over him, casting shadows on his spirit.
Mary fondly remembered the inaugural evening she cooked for him, where he was deeply moved. That night, for the first time, tears were shed by a man in her presence. The mere thought of his delight and contentment upon dining on a meal she meticulously crafted filled her heart with inexpressible joy.
Mary meandered through the supermarket with her cart in tow, selecting many of his favorite delicacies. Knowing his impeccable attention to detail, she diligently scrutinized the expiry dates and origins, ensuring she didn’t fall for subpar products. Her inadvertence once had him suffering a two-day stomach ordeal, confined to the indoors.
Yet, a smile crossed her lips; no matter the circumstance, he never bore any grudge. Bryan, ever the gentle soul, feared she’d blame herself, so he endeavored to console her. She had never met a man who cherished and tended to her with such devotion.
Being fond of pig’s ear salad, she went to the meat section to procure the freshest piece. After hours of meticulous shopping, she finally had everything she needed and proceeded to checkout.
She bought many items and struggled slightly to ferry them to her car. With everything packed into the trunk, she noticed an unsettling stillness. Even the usual security guard seemed absent. Scanning her surroundings and finding nothing amiss, she reached to open her car door. But in a chilling turn of events, as the door a jarred, an unknown assailant seized her from behind, muffling her screams with a chemically-soaked cloth. After an emotional struggle, she finally succumbed to the embrace of unconsciousness.
…
She awoke in a dimly lit room, her voice echoing with terror, “Is anyone there? Please, help me!”
Her pleas grew louder, catching the attention of those outside the door. They strolled in, their eyes mocking her distress.
“Who are you calling for, little girl?” one sneered. “No one knows you’re here, so save your breath.”
With that, he callously tossed her a loaf of bread. “You must be starving. Eat up and stay quiet. If it weren’t for the boss’s orders to keep you alive, we wouldn’t be this charitable.”
His words caused Mary to drift between consciousness and a dreamy daze, awakening to the realization that she had been taken hostage. Her life hung in the balance, determined by a captor whose identity eluded her. Desperately, she attempted to rise, confronting her captors.
“Who is responsible for this? Tell me who it is! I have a lot of money; what do you want in exchange?”
They gazed back at her with cold, unsympathetic eyes. One amongst them boomed.
“Your riches cannot resolve this situation. You’ve angered our young mistress, and the price to pay is steep. Begging now will be futile.”
Mary pondered internally, “Which ‘young mistress’? Who are they referring to?” Then, it hit her, recalling what Andrew had once shared: Agnes was now the crime lord’s daughter. Indeed, only she harbored such a deep-seated vendetta against Mary.
Mary leaned against the wall, succumbing to despair. Little did she expect that their shared fate was yet to conclude. After all her pain, Agnes still couldn’t let go. From the very beginning, Agnes had repeatedly caused her sorrow.
The confines of this room dredged up haunting memories of being kidnapped by Andrew and confined in an abandoned building. If it weren’t for Bryan, she would’ve suffered immensely. Visions of Bryan flooded her mind. She wished he were here to protect and care for her. The more she thought, the deeper she sank into desolation.
When Bryan failed to contact Mary multiple times, he sensed something was amiss and sought Andrew. Stepping into the room, he was met with the sight of Andrew smashing items in a fit of rage.
“Damn it!”
A phone was ruthlessly hurled, landing in front of Bryan. Andrew, red-faced and livid, cursed out loud.
“That damn old man! Capable of such dirty tricks, he should face me head-on if he dares!”
Bryan began piecing the situation together. With a steady demeanor, he approached Andrew, fixing his gaze intently before demanding, “Has something happened to her? What are you hiding from me?”
Overwhelmed by Bryan’s intensity, Andrew’s voice became gravely subdued.
In the dimly lit room, the tension was palpable. “It’s nothing monumental; Mr. Jonathan is using Mary as a pawn to force us into submission,” Andrew remarked nonchalantly.
Bryan’s eyes darkened with fury, “What do you mean ‘nothing monumental’? Mary has been abducted, and we’re uncertain of her fate! How can you be so cold-hearted? If anything untoward happens to her, you won’t hear the end of it from me!”
Challenged by Bryan’s fierce outburst, Andrew retorted defiantly, his voice rising. “You talk as if I am the one who kidnapped her! If you’re so competent, why didn’t you protect her? What good will it do shouting at me now? That older adult hasn’t made his demands yet, which suggests she’s still unharmed. But if you lose your cool, who knows how this might escalate?”
With enthusiasm burning in his eyes, Bryan said, “I can’t just sit here idly; I must go after that old devil.”
“Stay! Don’t be reckless!”
Suddenly, Andrew’s phone pierced through the heavy atmosphere with its ringtone. They both glanced at its cracked screen.
“Hello?”
From the other end, an aged man’s voice, tinged with chilling mirth, echoed, “You answered so quickly. Has it only been a few hours since she disappeared, and you’re already worried? I am quite eager to see how this drama unfolds.”
Andrew did his best to sound indifferent and replied, “You’re mistaken. I have no reason to be concerned about her. My feelings for her are more of resentment than anything. You’ve kidnapped the wrong person.”
The man’s laughter, even more resonant now, showed he didn’t buy Andrew’s words for a moment. “No! If she weren’t significant to you, why did you risk your life to protect her last time?”
Bryan felt a sinking realization. Mary and Andrew had faced peril abroad, yet she had never mentioned it to him. What else was she keeping from him?
Mr. Jonathan continued his psychological assault, “If I’m not mistaken, your comrade is there with you. Do you want to know whom she’d choose between the two of you?”
The question struck a nerve. Andrew involuntarily looked at Bryan. This old schemer’s words reflected the question that had haunted them for so long.
“I have a job that requires a delivery. Among the two of you, I only need one. Do it, and she goes free. You remember our last dealings, don’t you? If you dare betray me, the consequences will be on you.”
The older man ended the call with that, but his sinister laughter echoed hauntingly in their ears.
Both Andrew and Bryan were acutely aware of the gravity of their situation. To fulfill the older adult’s request would be to embark on a dangerous, illegal venture that might imprison them for life. But Mary’s life would hang in the balance if they refused.
Would there be a way to tread a path that ensures everyone’s safety?