Suddenly, I heard a knock on my cabin door, and within seconds it was flung open.
I saw Augustin and three of his most trusted men standing with blank faces staring right in my eyes.
"Jacob, we have a big problem." Augustin's eyes were dripping blood.
The moment he let out those words, going by the expressions on his face, my heart went to think of mom and Emma. Augustin would never dare to crash in my office like this, not until it was something beyond his control.
"What happened? Is it Mom? Where is Emma?" I replied spontaneously. I did not doubt that he bought terrible news. I frantically reached my phone and dialled Emma's number.
"Voicemail. Crap."
I then saw her message. She was going out to meet Erica for lunch. My heart started racing. I didn't know what to think.
"What the fuck happened Augustin?" I next dialled my mother's number and thankfully found it ringing.
"Jacob. They were taken."
"What? What do you mean? Who?"
"Emma and Erica... both of them. They were kidnapped from City Center's parking lot."
I got up from my seat, banging my desk in frustration. I felt stumped, like someone punched me hard, and knocked me out of my senses. I was unable to think straight. An awful feeling was building inside me.
"What? Where the fuck was their security? Where was Brett?"
"He got shot, by the time he alarmed everyone, it was too late."
"What about Erica's bodyguards?"
"It was a blood bath Jacob. We have a lot of casualties."
I was speechless. Sweat trickled down my forehead. I never felt such hate and angst burn my inside.
This couldn't be happening, just when I thought I had everything in control, he stroked hard. I would go to the ends of the world to bring Emma back safely.
My biggest nightmare was becoming true. I failed her. I was unable to keep my promise of always protecting her. She was out there in danger, and here I was getting the after news sitting high up in my elite office. She needed me, and I was utterly impervious of the scheming that transpired right beneath my nose. David Windson, you will regret ever laying a finger on her. I will make sure of that.
"Augustin, track her down. Gather your people and inform the cops. Now."
***
Emma
I flickered open my eyes and felt a stabbing pain in my head. My feet and hands felt numb as they were tied with thick ropes to an old wooden chair. As I looked around, I saw Erica tied to a similar chair right across me.
I tried moving, but I felt extremely weak.
The room was very dark, and a damp smell filled my nostrils. I tried calling out to Erica without alarming anyone else.
"Erica? Are you ok?" I whispered.
"Erica!"
Her head suddenly moved, and I felt a sense of relief. She opened her eyes and looked straight in mine.
"Erica? Are you alright? How's your head wound?" I whispered again.
"I am ok darling." She huffed.
"The countdown has begun." Erica was wearing a petrifying expression on her face.
"What? What do you mean?" I stuttered meekly. I could not feel my limbs anymore. My body was drained of all its strength.
Suddenly Erica started laughing hysterically, and in a swift motion, she got up from her chair and kicked it hard, making it almost fly in the air. She wasn't tied like me, and as she stood, I could now see a bandage on her forehead too.
"You are so naive, Emma. I wanted to kill you on the spot, but what fun would that be? Right?"
"But... but... you were hurt. You saved me back there, and I saw you get hit. There.... there... was so much blood."
Erica looked dangerous.
"Oh! That was for show. There is CCTV in that parking lot. I am sure Jake will watch it. You see, there is no gain without some pain."
I was speechless. My throat went dry, and every strand of hair on my body stood up. This girl went to the extent of getting herself hit so that Jake could see her as a victim. She was a total psychopath.
A deadly silence followed the revelation. She was staring at me with hatred in her eyes. I could hear her rough breathing. I closed my eyes for a minute to finally accept that I got trapped by her. She played me and very well may kill me, any minute now.
"But... your bodyguards... They got killed...I saw it with my own eyes". I was in denial that I could be fooled like this.
"They were just collateral damage, don't stress about it." Getting people killed sounded routine for her.
"What are you even saying Erica? Quit this game and untie me, now!" My demand was welcomed by her hysterical laugh. She looked like a maniac.
"Are you freaking crazy? Why the fuck are you doing this? What is wrong with you?" I summoned all my courage and spat in anger. I couldn't take it anymore. Even if it was doom day for me, I wouldn't give up without a fight.
This girl needed serious help.
"Somebody is getting all heated up. I will watch my tone and volume if I were you." She got closer. Her face was now just inches away. Her eyes were blood red.
"Fuck off, you psycho! I was a fool to trust you, even when I had my doubts. I should have never trusted you. Do you even know what your problem is?"
"You are my problem. You are nothing but trash. How did you even think that you could take Jake away from me? He is mine. He belongs to me."
There she said it. All the nice gestures and courtesy was
