Melissa entered the bathroom to calm herself. She had this unsettling feeling about this Chloe person.
Her phone rang. "Melissa where are you? Get in my office immediately" Antonio said from the other end of the phone.
"I'm on my way" She said as she hung up.
She got to the door, she took a deep breath before entering.
"Melissa.... Pack your things" Antonio said. "W... What?" Melissa asked in confusion. "Oh no.. I meant... Pack your things you'll be joining us for dinner" Antonio said.
"What? Why would you ask her to join us for dinner? This is supposed to be our special night" Chloe said.
"I'm sorry sir but I don't think I'm suppose to interfere with your romantic affair nor do I have any intentions of intruding....."
"It's settled then you'll be ready by 7 pm" Antonio said. "She has other important things to do with her boyfriend" Chloe said.
"Last I checked she doesn't have a boyfriend" Antonio said. "How do you know that?" Chloe asked in anger
"I make it my business to know my employee's private life" Antonio said. "All your employees or just hers?" Chloe asked.
"All of them" Antonio replied. "Alright then what's the name of the guy that stands by the door? What's his background story?"
"I don't give a fuck about him...."
{Shit I walked right into that one} Antonio thought.
Melissa's phone rang. She thanked the stars that Dean called at such a moment. "Excuse me.. I have to take this" Melissa said.
She stepped out of the building. "What's up" Melissa said.
"I've got the information you wanted.... I don't think you're gonna like it" Dean said.
"Then that makes two of us" Melissa said.
"Chloe Banderas... She's nineteen years old. She's a famous ballerina who has won lots of awards and medals. She's betrothed to Antonio Castello" Dean said.
"Nineteen huh? So they got another child three years after they sold me?" Melissa asked.
"Not quite... My sources confirms that Mr and Mrs Banderas couldn't have a child after the tragedy so they adopted a baby girl three years later" Dean said.
"Serves them right" Melissa said. "Hold on if Chloe is in there... It would mean that your parents are in Mexico already" Dean said.
Melissa sighs. "I guess so"
"You need to get out of there immediately. If they find out you're alive then they might....."
"Dean chillax... They know I'm alive already" Melissa said.
"No... They only have their suspicions... Don't give them a reason to believe it's true" Dean said. "What do you suggest I do?" Melissa asked
"I think you need to get the hell out of there. Don't throw away everything we've worked so hard to protect.... You know what they'll do to you if they find you. You know what would happen... Have you forgotten what they made you do? Don't you remember the things you had to do..."
"Dean enough!!!" Melissa ruffles her hair. "I know... Jesus Christ, you don't have to remind me every fucking minute. I know the risks.... I know I've got a lot to lose but I cannot leave.... Not yet....."
"Because of your friends? You keep saving people but who'll save you? There's no need to play the hero. Leave now while you still have the chance. I can book a ticket for you to a far away country where no one know you exist" Dean said.
Melissa looks at the sky. "How long?..... How long would I keep running? I'm like a mouse.... Running around without a sense of direction. I can't leave because I've gotten a comfortable life right here with the people I love" Melissa said with a smile.
"You know you have panic attacks each time you remember that faithful day. What if you see them and you lose your composure?" Dean asked.
Melissa sighs. "Let's make a deal.... When that day comes... If things fall apart, you can book a ticket to any country of your choice and I would never look back" Melissa said.
Dean groans in frustration. "Fine... I'll ship you off to the sahara desert" Dean said.
"Alright" Melissa said with a laugh. "How're you coping? I mean now that you're a wanted fugitive in china. How does it feel to be famous all across the world?" Dean asked.
"Don't flatter me... It's a good thing the Castello's offered their protection" Melissa said.
"Shut your mouth.... You've got protection from the Castello's? Like one of the biggest family in the world... How the fuck did you manage to pull that off?" Dean asked.
"Let's say it's because Ariana is married to Roberto Gonzalez and Abuela is attached to Sofia... So in a way it's a win win" Melissa said.
"Dude.... You are literally unstoppable" Dean said. "Pretty much"
"Don't get cocky on me. They would turn on you in a heartbeat if they know the real truth" Dean said.
"Why are you such a buzz kill?" Melissa asked. "I've got to go.... Melissa please for the love of everything you hold dear, don't screw anything up" Dean said.
"Aye aye captain" Melissa said. She rubs her face in exhaustion as Dean hung up.
Antonio stood by the window watching Melissa the entire time. "Are you even listening to me?" Chloe asked.
"Why don't you return home... I'll come get you once I'm done over here" Antonio said. "But..."
"Now" Antonio said. Chloe storms out of the office.
"Sir, is everything alright? I just saw your fiancee leaving the company. She didn't seem happy" Melissa said.
"Where have you been?" Antonio asked. "I had a call" Melissa simply said. "The call was so important that you had to leave the building to answer it" Antonio said.
Melissa flinched. "Did he call you? Is he threatening you again?"
"Who?" Melissa asked. "You know who... Don't pretend" Antonio said. Melissa took few steps back.
"No... He wasn't the one. Actually it was Ariana, we had something to discuss. I didn't want..... It's quite private" Melissa said.
Antonio lets out a sigh of relief. "About the dinner... I don't want to be trapped with her on my own" Antonio said.
"Don't worry sir.... We're trapped in this together" Melissa said with a smile. "Yeah" He said.
Later that evening, Melissa wore casual clothes. She entered the front seat of the car while Antonio and Chloe sat at the back.
"Melissa didn't I tell you it's a party? Why're you dressed in a t-shirt and a jean?" Antonio asked.
"Oh... Miss Chloe informed me, it was a casual party" Melissa said.
"This won't do.... Sebastian take us to the nearest mall, we need to get something decent for Melissa" Antonio said. "Sir there's no need for that"
"You're my assistant so you must dress like one" Antonio said.
Sebastian stopped by a mall. "Sebastian take Chloe to the party and come pick us up immediately"
"Sure thing boss" Sebastian said. "But.... But" Chloe couldn't believe her ears.
"How many times must I correct you about this buts?" Antonio asked. Melissa got out of the car.
"Melissa follow me" Antonio said. They both entered the mall and began shopping immediately.
"Sir there's really no need for this" Melissa said. "Nonsense... You need to look great for this event. You can't go looking like a beggar.. what would people say?" Antonio asked.
"But....." Melissa was cut off. "Melissa you ought to know by now that I hate the word BUT.... It's annoying. Now you're overthinking this... Go in there and tryout some dresses" Antonio said.
Melissa was given a lot of dresses to try on. She entered a dresser and tried out a bunch of clothes but Antonio wasn't satisfied with either of them.
Antonio sat on a chair as he looks at his watch. Melissa steps out from the dresser, Antonio felt his throat dry up.
Melissa wore a purple off-shoulder floor length, sleek sheath dress. Antonio couldn't blink, I mean how could he when the dress brought out Melissa's curve that he didn't know she had.
"Is it that bad? I'll go change then" Melissa said. "NO"
He clears his throat. "I mean it's not bad... We don't have much time for another outfit change. Let's go Sebastian is outside" Antonio said.
"Sir... I'm still wearing my sneakers" Melissa said awkwardly. He sigh, he picks a silver shoe and purse. "While we're at it, you need to get your hair done" Antonio said.
"But Sebastian....."
"What did I just say about buts? He'll wait till we're done" Antonio said.
Melissa stepped out of the mall looking like a different person. They entered the car as Sebastian drove to the destination.
Antonio ticks his tongue in disgust. "Look Melissa if you get uncomfortable let me know. I'll drop you home immediately" Antonio said.
"No problem sir" Melissa said.
Melissa stepped out of the car together with Antonio by her side.
Chloe clung to Antonio the entire night. Melissa felt out of place. There are lots of wealthy people pretending to like each other.
Melissa held a champagne in her hands but hasn't taken a sip.
A waiter walked passed her and handed her an envelope. "Someone asked me to give this to you" He said before leaving.
Melissa opens the paper. {Hello little bunny did you miss me?}
Melissa looks around but she couldn't find him. Another envelope arrived again. {Don't think you can run from me. I own you}
Melissa drops the glass on a table.
It's been fifteen minutes and Melissa has gotten over nine envelopes. The last one just arrived. {How are you feeling bunny? Do you feel dizzy? Well I spiked your wine so it would be easy to take you back home}
"The fuck? Where could he be?" Melissa asked in fear. Someone held her shoulder, she flinched. "Woah relax it's me" Antonio said.
Melissa exhales sharply. "What's wrong? What's the matter?" Antonio asked as he looks into her eyes.
He sees the letters in her hand. He reads everything. "That motherfucker... Where could he be?" Antonio asked.
Melissa trembled in fear. "Shit... Let's get you home" Antonio said. "What about Chloe?" Melissa asked.
"Melissa you are more important right now. Let's get you home.... Judging from the letters he must have drugged you. How many glasses did you take?"
"Just one since we arrived" Melissa said. Antonio led Melissa outside to the car but she couldn't walk, the world spun around. Antonio had to carry her to the car.
"Sebastian take us home" Antonio said. "Sure thing boss" Sebastian said. "And get me the security footage of everyone who entered the party and the lists of invitees" Antonio said.
"Sure boss" Sebastian replied.
Sebastian checked his side mirror. "Boss we're been followed"
Antonio looks behind. "Those dumb motherfuckers... Lose them" Antonio said. Melissa held Antonio's collar. "Don't let him take me away... I can't go back there" Melissa said in a panic.
"Calm down, Sebastian would lose them" Antonio said. "He'll tie me up again... He'll burn me with metal like before" Melissa said.
"Shit.... Sebastian!!!!"
Sebastian tried to avoid them but he couldn't shake them off.
They were shot from behind. Melissa screams in fear, she placed her hands over her ears. "Pass me a gun" Antonio said.
Sebastian pressed a button and a secret compartment opened from the passengers seat.
He pulled out an machine gun and shot the car from behind. The driver lost control of the steering wheel and drove into another car.
Antonio puts the gun away and hugged Melissa tightly. "It's alright.... He won't take you away from me, I promise. You're safe now" Antonio said.
Antonio noticed she wasn't trembling any longer. He looks at her to realize she fell asleep. He laughs softly. "You actually fell asleep after shaking like a leaf"