“Marcus!” gasped Cara breathlessly as her eyes widened with renewed hope realizing that he was here for her. She touched the door to push it open when Frederick’s voice resonated in the corridor. She panicked and closed the door shut immediately.
“What the f*ck are you doing here? Who’s inside the room?” growled an angry Frederick as he stormed towards her. Cara froze with fright and shook her head vehemently.
“N-no one. I just saw a mouse,” she stammered with a pale face. She just prayed that Frederick wouldn’t open the door and see Marcus. Then there would be no saving anyone. Frederick would surely kill everyone she held dear, including Marcus.
“Don’t bloody fool me, Cara. I’m sure there’s someone,” he gritted out as he stopped inches away from her while she cowered with fright.
“There isn’t, Frederick. Please believe me. I’ll never do anything you don’t like. I know the consequences,” she whispered, trembling with fright. Frederick’s hand shot out and grasped her neck making her panic more.
“Don’t even think of escaping,” he said, tightening his hold on her neck, making her sputter. Suddenly sounds of footsteps appeared from the other end of the corridor and Frederick immediately loosened his grip over her. His whole body language changed to that of an ardent lover and he dipped his head and caught her lips in a clammy and filthy kiss. A throat cleared beside them when Peter appeared with his assistant. Frederick released her and walked away with them leaving Cara breathless and nauseated. She dashed to the washroom to puke while Marcus stood stunned inside the dilapidated and deserted studio. His whole body trembled with a mad fury and at that moment he could have killed Frederick with his bare hands. He realized that Cara was in grave danger and wasn’t able to escape from the clutches of the demon. If only he knew about it before. All he wanted was to pick her up and walk out but considering her fame, it wouldn’t be an easy task.
After five minutes Cara walked over to the studio to finish her recording. Even after throwing up and rinsing her mouth, she felt disgusted by Frederick’s touch. She wondered if Marcus saw it all and realized to some extent what was going on. Would he rescue her from this hell hole? She entered the isolation booth and geared up to start the recording.
Marcus emerged from his hiding place, determined to stalk Cara till he found the perfect opportunity to rescue her. He just couldn’t see her suffer this way. How could the repulsive man kiss her? She was his! Marcus’s blood boiled more and he wondered if he had taken advantage of Cara as well. The thought made him crazy and he stormed out purposefully. However, the sound of Cara’s mesmerizing voice made him stop dead in his tracks.
Starlight, star bright, will you be my guiding light?
Will you give me hope tonight?
Lead me to the one I love,
Or to the heavens up above,
‘Coz I’d rather die than give up,
I’ll always bounce back to the top.
Even if I’m so tired and blue,
Even if my life has lost all its hue,
I’ll be living out my dreams with you.
I’m not gonna give up,
I’ll always be shining non-stop,
I can hear you call out to me,
I know you’re there to catch me,
But I won’t fall,
I’ll work my way above all.
Even if I’m so tired and so blue,
Even if my life has lost all its hue,
I’ll be living out my dreams with you.
I know I can be my own light,
I know and believe with all my might,
Starlight, star bright, let me make a wish tonight.
Oh, oh-oh, let me make a wish tonight.
Oh, oh-oh, Starlight, star-bright,
Can you grant my wish tonight?
The heart-rending lyrics made his heart constrict with pain realizing what she was going through. But he was overwhelmed to know that despite the hardships in her life, she was determined to stand up and fight. He realized that there must be something extremely serious that was stopping her from escaping from Frederick’s clutches but what?
Cara finished the recording finally and walked out with a scowling Frederick following her hot on her heels. She had discreetly checked around her but hadn’t found Marcus anywhere. How could he suddenly appear as well as disappear? Was she that unwell that she was imagining his presence? It was actually impossible that he would be here in West End! Frederick shoved her roughly inside the limousine, bringing her out of her reverie.
“Solitaire,” he ordered his chauffeur gruffly, making Cara’s mind numb with fear. She knew why they were on their way to Solitaire. He would be drugging her again.
“I’m tired. Can we go some other time?” she asked with a sigh.
“No, tonight. We’re getting married in a month. You need to get used to me,” he hissed. Cara knew that there was no point arguing with him. He wouldn’t listen. “What type of song was that? You should be singing happy love songs with our wedding coming up. Do you want the public to start speculating about our relationship?” he growled at her.
“Peter wanted me to sing that. It’s not in my hands. That’s the title song for an upcoming movie, Never Say No,” informed Cara.
“How is it that I’m not aware of this?” asked Frederick in an agitated state.
“I just signed it today. Peter might have forgotten to update you,” she shrugged. She knew that Peter hated Frederick’s interference in her career but couldn’t protest knowing how dangerous he was.
“So you’ve started signing contracts without my permission, is it?” he gritted out, catching hold of her wrist and twisting it behind her roughly. Cara closed her eyes as pain shot up her body but not a sound erupted from her mouth. She knew if she cried out, he would punish her more. He released her and shoved her away from him. “You disgust me,” he hissed.
“Then leave me. Why do you want to marry me? I swear I’ll never tell a soul about your business,” she whispered. Frederick laughed menacingly, his voice was devoid of any mirth.
“Why can’t I believe a word of yours?” he hissed, his beady eyes glittering devilishly.
“I swear to God, Frederick. I’m giving you my word,” she pleaded but he laughed sarcastically.
“I’ll leave you the day you die, not before that,” he hissed. Cara sighed as tears pricked her eyes. She was losing hope, staying with him every single day with no chance of an escape. She leaned against the window and closed her eyes, swallowing the pain and hopelessness but for how long? Thankfully, Frederick was too busy with his mobile phone to give her much attention.
The car stopped at Solitaire and Frederick pulled her inside while their bodyguards tried to shield her from the paparazzi and reporters. However, as she walked, she glanced at the crowd to wave. Another car came to a halt as they rushed in and she just caught a glimpse of Marcus emerging from it. Before she could take a second look, Frederick had already pulled her towards his exclusive lounge. She wondered if it really was Marcus. Surely she wouldn’t be hallucinating for the second time consecutively!
Cara struggled against Frederick’s hold not wanting to have him inject the drug again inside her system. Tears pooled in her eyes knowing that because of the drug in her system, she hadn’t been able to breastfeed Marianne even once. She was four months old already but she never knew what a mother’s love was. The tears fell, cascading down her cheeks at the thought of her baby. She was such a horrible mother. Marianne didn’t deserve this life!
“Sit here. I’ll make the arrangements. No need to shed tears. I’m sure it will be enjoyable,” said Frederick, walking out of the lounge. Cara didn’t sit. She had to escape. Emerging from the lounge, she saw that the guards weren’t around. Could she make a dash towards the police station? Her shoulders sagged knowing that she needed a disguise to escape. If only she could disguise herself and run to the police. She could seek police protection for herself and her family but would the police believe her without any proof? She needed proof first but what sort of proof? Maybe if she could take pictures of drug dealings, the police would be convinced. She knew where Frederick made his deals, in a small office in the basement.
She was about to go to the basement to look for proof when a hand clamped around her mouth and pulled her inside a room. Panic rose inside her at being caught and she thrashed against her captor to free herself. The door clicked shut and she was slowly whirled around to face her captor. Cara was ready to knee him when she froze seeing Marcus standing right in front of her.
“Marcus?” she whispered with disbelief.
“Mia Cara,” he said, his eyes roaming desperately all across her face, as tears pooled in his eyes.