United States.
Meadow view.
Meadow view stood quietly at the edge of noke village, far from the noise of the nearest town.It is a quiet isolated house, hidden among endless fields and dense trees.
Mr. and Mrs.Dylan lived there alone.
They built this house with the money they earned for selling children.
For years, Mr Dylan impregnated his wife only to sell the newborns for large sums.
But his wife had complications for fibroid which took away the chance of given birth again—just when they were so desperate for more money —Dylan turned to darker means.
With no other choice,he kidnapped a child and sold them off. When the police got involved in the case of the missing child,he panicked and fled.
They escaped to the united states, living in a rented apartment until meadow view was completely built with the money they got for the kidnapped child.
Dylan sat amongst his friends by the garden side drinking and smoking.
His wife was in the kitchen baking.
Laughter filled the air while they enjoyed their moment.
"You sure know how to party Dylan." John,his friend blurted out, before drinking from his glass of wine.
Dylan laughed."That's because I'm the boss of parties."
They all guffawed in laughter.
"Luisa." Dylan called.
"Yes honey." Luisa answered loudly.
"What's taking you so much time? Isn't the cupcakes ready?"
"Almost ready. Please exercise some patience."
Dylan sighed." Fine...be quick about it. We can't call this enjoyment if we don't munch on something."
"Yes you're right man."
Dylan smiled and made an attempt to pour more wine in his glass,but his phone rang, disrupting his attempt.
He dropped the glass and picked up his phone. His brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at the caller id which states unknown.
He faced his friends and smiled."Give me a minute,I'll be back shortly."
They smiled and nodded as he left.
Dylan ran quickly into his apartment and he almost bumped into his wife who was carrying a tray of cupcakes and cookies and a bottle of yoghurt.
Louisa shrieked." What is it Dylan? You looked like you just saw a ghost."
"An unknown caller called me."
"So?"
"Don't you get it... No unknown number has ever called my phone. Unless..."His eyes grew wide with fear.
"Unless what." Fear gripped her heart as she stared at her husband.
" Someone knows about the kidnapp."
The tray fell to the ground and she gulped down nothing in fear.
Dylan rushed towards her and grabbed her by her shoulder." Get a hold of yourself Louisa." He stared into her eyes." No one knew about our deeds except you. It's probably an unknown number calling..."
The phone rang again.
He stared at his wife wide-eyed,then his gaze moved slowly to his phone and he gulped down nothing as he stared at the number calling him.
"It's the same number right?" She stuttered.
He nodded, released her and answered the call, putting it on a loud speaker.
"Hello."
"You think running away was the best option for you Dylan."
The phone almost fell from his hand." Who are you?"
"There's no time to know who's speaking Dylan. If you don't want me calling this number then you have to send me a sum of twenty five dollars."
Luisa gasped.
"Twen... twenty five?" He stuttered in fear.
"Yes Dylan. I'll send you the address to where you're gonna drop the money."
"And what make you think I'll send such amount of money to you?"
"Then you leave me no choice,but to let the world know what you did in America. Kidnapping a child and sold the child for money."
Dylan breath came out in a raspy gasp.
The unknown caller continued. His tone plain and devoid." You must also know the man you sold the child to was found and placed to life imprisonment... You can be too,but don't worry I won't let them know where you're hiding unless you bring the money I ask. Remember... I have my eyes on you so don't do anything stupid."
The call ended.
Dylan gulped down nothing again,he moved slowly towards the sofa and sat heavily on it.
Resting his head on the pillow,he sighed in frustration.
" We're doomed uh?" Luisa stared at him,her eyes teary and scared.
Dylan sat up, staring at his wife." No we aren't. He said he needs money. When I get him the money we're free."
"What if he's lying? Infact...we don't have that much money. Where are you going to get twenty five dollars Dylan?"
"There's... there's a way. We could kidnap..."
"No..." Her lips curled in a shaky smile." We can't...you can't kidnap a child again... especially in this country that our identity is still in good name."
"So what do you want me to do Luisa!" He spoke out in a raised voice,then he closed his eyes and sighed,looked at her,his tone calmer."Do you think going to jail is the best option?"
"No."
"Then my idea is the only option unless you have any idea."
Dylan stood and walked over to Luisa, grabbed her cheeks in his palms softly.
" Do you think it's karma paying us a visit?"
"I don't know Luisa. Don't worry... I'll make sure I don't get caught."
"But how do you intend to sell the child you kidnap? Didn't the man say he was arrested."
" The wrong man was arrested."
"Uh?"
"Did you think Lucien could easily get himself arrested. He has men who are willing to die for him."
"Uh? I don't understand."
" You don't need to. It's a blood oat."
"Please be careful. I won't forgive myself if you get caught."
"Don't worry I won't... I'll make sure once the deed is done all my prints are cleared." He faked a smile.
Then her gaze moved to the ground where she fell the snacks she took efforts in baking and her heart sank.
Dylan gaze followed her's and he touched her hands softly." Don't worry I'll order."
"What of your friends? I've ruined your party."she frowned.
"Nah. You didn't... They'll understand okay."
"Alright. You clean this up while I hurry up to my friends."
She nodded, faking a smile which disappeared as soon as it came.
....
Stone Vale Mansion.
Today was a weekend,no lectures,no lessons and Dark has been In his room, locked up, lying on his bed. He wasn't asleep,he was letting inner peace flow through him,no thoughts or memories of his past and he was succeeding in doing so as he breath in the soft air through his lungs slowly and out.
Then his phone rang, disrupting his moment.
He still lay with his eyes closed, ignoring the caller,but the person wouldn't stop calling and he couldn't control the peace so it left him completely.
Gritting his teeth in rage ,he jerked up and grabbed the phone.
Realizing the caller was his father increased more rage.
He answered the call."No one's around to see how much you hate me so quit calling me!" He snapped.
"Dark?"Kiara called confused at his tone.
Dark suddenly cooled down after realizing it wasn't his father voice he heard.
"Dark are you okay? Did anyone upset you?"
Joy filled his gaze as he heard her voice and his anger quenched immediately."Kiara..."
Kiara could sense the happiness in his tone and she smiled."I've missed you Dark. I couldn't call cause I have no phone."
"Kiara how are you doing ? Did my father hurt you?" He spoke out, filled with so much concern.
"Well... He hasn't killed me yet... I don't have much time to talk with you Dark before Xavier sees me."
"What do you mean? He doesn't allow anyone call me too?"
"No Dark... I'm..." Kiara turned back to see if Xavier was coming."I'm using Xavier phone to call you and if he catches me he might not waste his time in killing me."
"I don't want him to harm you Kiara...you have to end the call now."
"Not after I've told you why I called."
"Did something happen?"
"My mum successfully got words out of Xavier mouth. Reasons why he is behaving so ruthless and heartless."
" What is it?" Dark asked with full attention.
"His story isn't the main reason here Dark...The main reason are the words Xavier told my mum. He told her ..." She stopped talking as the door to the room opened and Xavier walked in. She quickly hid the phone behind her,her hands shaking in fear.
"Hello? Kiara?" Dark called,but no answer.
Xavier noticed her behavior and walked towards her,moving closer,he studied her and he realized she was hiding something.
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from where she stood,his gaze met his phone on the table he pulled her away from,but the phone screen was off and placed in a different position on the table.
He turned his gaze back to Kiara who didn't stop shivering." Why are you sweating when the AC on."
"No... nothing." She stammered.
Xavier already knew she did something. Without saying anything,he picked his phone, switched it on. Then his lips curled into a cold smile.*"So she called Dark with my phone . This explains her behavior."* He clicked on the number and put it on loud speaker.
Dark had switched off his phone when he couldn't hear Kiara voice again. Then he knew she was caught. So switching his phone off was the best option.
Xavier sighed when he realized the phone was switched off,he placed his phone back on the table and walked towards Kiara, placed his hands on her cheeks harshly,he smiled coldly."Once I find out that you are working with Dark, looking for ways you won't find so I would be brought down... I'll make sure your legs are cut off just like your mother." He pushed her to the ground and walked away towards the bathroom to have his bath.
Kiara sat on the ground, letting her tears pour freely down her eyes,but she still had a little hint of joy in her eyes. Because she had successfully gotten Dark number written in a paper and placed in her pocket just Incase she was caught.
*" I just have to wait for the day he goes to visit his company."* She forced out a wicked smile as she still sat on the ground.
....
AshVale Mansion.
Maxwell sat relaxed on his couch, holding a glass of wine on his right hand as he watched his maid, Anna, dancing nude just as she was taught to act before Maxwell.
whenever he's bored,he calls any of his maids to dance for him.
Colin stood close to Maxwell also watching with zeal. He wasn't at Ariana home because Maxwell told him not to, saying there was no need since Ariana doesn't know the mission they undergone last three weeks.
The sound of the door opening and closing drew their attention,they both turned.
A slow smile spread across Maxwell lips as he saw Drake walking in towards them, dressed all in blue. He bowed his head before Maxwell."It's a pleasure to be at your service once again master Maxwell."
Colin stared at him, filled with hatred and jealousy.
"I thought you'll never return." Narrowing his gaze back to Anna,he dismissed her.
"I can never leave the master who I swore my allegiance to. Especially after what you've done for me in the past... I'll forever serve you master Maxwell." He lowered his head again." I bring news master Maxwell." He smiled darkly.
A knowing smile curled up Maxwell lips as he already knows where this conversation is heading." Speak."
"I've found out your parents hiding spot."