CHIARA
I let out a deep breath once he left the room and reached for the phone on the nightstand. I typed in the number and dialed.
Xander's voice attacked my ears, I had to pull the phone from my ear "Fuck, Xan, calm the heck down." He showered me with questions. "I'm fine, Xan, calm down and let me talk, or I'll just find someone else to help me," I said flatly.
"Yes, for God's sake. I cannot tell you who took me or where I am right now, but I'm fine. And I need your help urgently." I walked toward the washroom and placed the phone on speaker. Honestly, I didn't even know where I was. "What do you want?" he asked.
"I need to talk to Yusuf and Safiya, I can't trust Chong's crazy mind. Or just relay a message for me."
"It'll be hard to get to them since your stepfather tracks down everyone who knows you. All of your employees are being monitored like they committed a murder right now. Just tell me the message, and I'll find a way to relay it to them."
I rubbed my forehead. How many people have I gotten in trouble with by now? "Tell them to keep going and to use the emergency account if they need anything. I'll be back soon."
"Soon? Are you sure?"
"Can you please look into my Mama and Marco as well?"
He sighed, "I will, just promise me to look after yourself and never hesitate to look for me for anything."
"Promise." I ended the call and let my head hang low while I supported my weight on either side of the sink. I couldn't tell when I would get back, but I knew the day would come. It was a good decision to push my exhibition two months ahead. I know I was being selfish and that his feelings for me seemed to be honest, but I'll continue using Carmelo until I am good enough to head back for Marco, Mama, Terra, and Tela. I had no other choice. May God forgive me.
I washed my face before stepping out of the washroom.
I opened the door and went downstairs, navigating through the dining room. A waft of seafood hit my nose, and my feet followed the smell to the spacious room with a giant mahogany dining table covered in a white tablecloth, with respective chairs tucked under it.
"Why are you taking so long today, Marina?" Carmelo's voice came. "Because I want to cook the best food for Madam. Stop worrying. She'll love it," Marina replied. "She might be hungry by now, hurry up. You've been cooking forever," he urged. "That's it! Leave," Marina snapped. "What? What are you—"
"Leave my kitchen now and let me cook in peace."
"This is my kitchen, Marina."
"Not at the moment since I'm the one cooking. The food is almost done." Then I heard a door slam before his tall figure appeared with a deep frown.
A frown that softened the moment he noticed my presence. "Don't smile," I said before his lips could move. I couldn't handle any more displays of his white teeth. "Okay. But I'm glad you came to join me. Marina said the food would be done soon." He said, gesturing back at where he came from. "You mean she threw you out for being nosy," I said as we both walked back to the living room. "I wasn't being nosy." He said behind me.
I abruptly turned, making him take two steps back. I looked him up and down before continuing, "I was wondering, how did I get here?" I said, sensing Storm in the corner of my eye. "I kidnapped you." He replied. "Obviously, but all the way here? Without me waking up?" My eyes narrowed as I watched him rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I couldn't do it alone, so I asked Storm to get you. And…. she drugged you." He said. I couldn't tell how, but the distance between us vanished, and I raised my hand high, and it connected with his cheek next.
The loud slap echoed in the living room. The wind gushed before Storm was right before me with only one intention in her eyes. "Storm, stand down!" Carmelo barked, "He slapped you." Storm said grimly. "Stand. Down." Carmelo repeated sternly. I took a step forward. "I dare you to touch me," I smirked at her. A firm hand dragged me behind, and then his tall figure shielded me from Storm. Not that I needed shielding from her. We came from the same hell. "Leave." He uttered with so much authority in his tone. She huffed, her piercing eyes looking at me past Carmelo's shoulder. I raised an eyebrow, smirking further. A low growl left her mouth before she walked out of the house.
Carmelo turned to me. "I'm sorry about that." He uttered, his voice and face softer than a moment ago. As if I hadn't slapped him. Was this man sick in the head? "She does so much for a bodyguard, don't you think?" I asked, crossing my hands on my chest. "I know, she is just…she can be overprotective, but she is a very good person. I can assure you that." He said.
"Hmm. We'll see," I uttered. There was something going on between them. I was surer now than before. What the fuck is it? And why the hell was I angry?