CHAPTER 32...
«•♡•»
Mabel was headed out of Raphael's apartment. She had her hair down and she slowly took out a nose mask from her purse then wore it.
She sighed tiredly wiping off her tears which wouldn't stop dropping from her eyes.
She sniffed and looked around her.
Suddenly a hanky with a drop of chloroform on it was placed on her nose from behind.
Mabel widened her eyes in shock. She grabbed the hands covering her nose and mouth but the hands were firmly holding on to her waiting for her to lose consciousness.
Mabel struggled for a bit and gave up as she inhaled so much of the chloroform and she lost consciousness.
The strange man dragged her to a car and threw her inside carelessly, shutting the door afterwards.
Just then Raphael ran out of the building, looking around the vicinity in search of Mabel.
"Bels... We can talk about this!"
"Bels... Bels!!" He called out running down the alleyway, he knew she would not have gone far so she doesn't get pictured.
"Bels!!"
"Mabel!" He kept on calling as his eyes surveil the surroundings as he ran.
~ MABEL'S FAMILY RESIDENCE ~
Charlotte arrived at the residence, she wore a very confident and firm smile as she walked into the sitting room.
Charlotte noticed something when she locked eyes with Kent the moment he opened the door. His gaze wasn't that of someone who's in love. His vibe was completely different.
"Charlotte, you came way later than you said you would... I bet mum dozed off while even waiting for you" Kent uttered so unbothered as he yawned switching on the lights.
At the sound of the switch, Mrs Park came out of their bedroom stretching her arms tiredly.
"Oh, it's Charlotte... Dear you made it!" She muttered in a welcoming tone.
Charlotte bowed slightly with a smile on.
"Aunt, you look way better than before. What have you been eating?" She asked casually.
Mrs Park chuckled waving her hands playfully in the air.
"You and your butter lips... I've missed you dear. It's been a while!" Mrs Park stated calmly as she walked up to Charlotte patting her back.
Charlotte nodded so innocently surveiling the surroundings with her eyes in search of Mabel. Mabel usually leaves her lights on when she's around but her bulbs are all turned off.
Mrs Park traced her gaze and sighed frustratedly.
"Mabel isn't home. I'm guessing both of you haven't been on talking terms either!"
Charlotte gave Mrs Park a curious stare.
"Either? Aunt, what do you mean?"
Mrs Park held her arm and walked her to the dining table in silence.
"I bet you haven't eaten yet. I'll warm up something for you!" She cut in and quickly took out some stored food from the freezer then placed it in the microwave.
"Charlotte, how about you catch up with my mum? I have to go back to bed, I've got a hearing in the morning!" Kent threw in casually then left for his room.
Charlotte fidgeted, getting impatient to hear about Mabel's mischievous deeds.
The microwave bell danged and Mrs Park took out the food.
In a few minutes, dished so much food on the table already.
She sat down staring at Charlotte hoping to watch her eat everything without leaving any crumbs.
Charlotte smiled forcefully picking up her chopsticks.
"Aunt, it's late already but you prepared so much" she whined a bit.
Mrs Park smiled staring at her as if she was staring at Mabel.
"You lost so much weight!" She uttered in a low tone and Charlotte laughed awkwardly.
After a few minutes of eating silently. Charlotte couldn't wait anymore so she broke the silence.
"Aunt, what happened with Mabel? You've not been in touch with her?"
The smile on Mrs park's lips faded away as she wore a tough expression.
"It's insane how she chose to be with that man! Anyways, let's not talk about Mabel and ruin our perfect evening... How's life abroad? You distanced yourself from everyone the moment you left the country..."
"Adjusting to the lifestyle and climate outside wasn't easy but I managed to.." Charlotte responded politely.
She glanced at Mrs Park and her gaze turned cold.
What's the point of being here if I can't even hear what I've been dying to hear for a year now...
"Charlotte, you said Raphael left you cos of your father's scandal... What was your relationship like?" Mrs Park questioned doubtfully.
Charlotte could sense the suspicion in her tone.
"Aunt, why are you suddenly asking about that? You're not possibly doubting me right? Would I ever lie to you?" She asked faking an innocent tone.
Mrs Park blinked nervously.
"Sorry about that but I just want to know so please be honest with me. What happened between you two?"
Charlotte smirked. "It's obvious you're suspicious of me... Aunt, I really don't have time for this. I have to go!"
Charlotte got out of her chair picking up her purse.
Mrs Park furrowed her brows confused.
Why's she suddenly leaving when she just arrived? Why's she refusing to give me an answer?
"Charlotte, is everything okay?" Mrs Park asked holding her hand.
Charlotte shoved her hands off.
"Aunt, I just got back today. I'm exhausted, I really don't have time to talk about Raphael... He f*cked with my life and chose Mabel at the end. What good will Mabel do for him? I'm way richer, prettier, smarter and more influential than her so tell me, aunt, why did he pick her over me? She's a slut and a b*tch!" She uttered losing her cool.
Mrs Park relaxed her brows in shock hearing Charlotte's tone and words. Charlotte noticed her change of expression and she scoffed then walked out.
Charlotte got out of the building and looked behind her.
"What a total waste of time!!" She hissed and got into her car.
★★★
Mabel opened her eyes slightly, her sight was a bit blurry and unfocused but slowly she got back her sight and she widened her eyes in shock recalling her last moment before passing out.
She looked around her, the room was empty and void, she was the only one in it, she struggled to move but then she noticed she was tied down to a chair.
"Help!!"
"Help!! Anyone there?" Mabel screamed at the top of her terrified voice.
She kept shut when she heard footsteps approaching the room.
A giant figure appeared before the door and the shadow sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes widened in fear, as she stared at the figure cold sweats rolling down to her chin.
"Who..."
"Who are...you? And what do you want from me?" She stuttered in a shaky voice.
The figure walked closer to her and the light reflected on him.
"Mr Bu!!" She stated in shock.
Mr Bu bent over to her and held her chin with a very cold look in his eyes. He was looking way more vicious than before, he had various new scars on his face.
"What ... Do you want from me?" Mabel stuttered shutting her eyes.
Mr Bu scoffed and she opened her eyes fearfully.
"I just need an honest answer from you and I'll set you free or you'll end up like Rein... Although she didn't struggle much... You escaped death once but I don't think you'll be escaping this time, I've held you captive..." He threatened taking out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket.
His placed the cigarette on his lips and sparked the lighter on it.
He took a long draw and puffed it on her face.
Mabel coughed looking away.
"Why did you do that to Rein and why are you doing this to me?" She questioned in tears already still coughing.
Mr Bu bent over to her, grasping her shoulders tight.
"You've been friends with Charlotte for long and I believe you know her in and out so tell me... Where does she keep her secret safe?" Mr Bu asked with all seriousness.
Mabel looked at him with fear written all over her face. She wasn't even thinking at this moment.
Mr Bu noticed she wasn't even listening and he leaned closer.
"This is the last time I'll repeat myself... Where's Charlotte's secret safe?"
Mabel blinked nervously and swallowed hard.
"How on earth am I supposed to know that? Charlotte and I might've been friends but we never talk about things like that"
Mr Bu laughed and took out a dagger from his back. He removed the cover.
"Do you know the sight I love the most?... Seeing someone die slowly in pain... Do you wish to lose your baby before you start talking?" He threatened.
Mabel's eyes widened in shock. Fear gripped her even more after hearing this.
"You must be surprised on how I know... Well, a week or so, I had you followed and one of my men saw you sneaking into a gynecologist office... Why?" He asked with a malicious smile while pointing the knife at her belly.
Mabel swallowed hard looking away with shaky breath.
"I don't know what you're talking about... I'm not pregnant!" She stated defiantly.
"How about I give you a small cut at your lower abdomen?" He uttered slowly as he moved his dagger lower and got it closer to her.
Mabel shut her eyes, her heart pounding like it never has. She suddenly felt a sharp pain on her belly and she widened her eyes in shock.
"Please don't do it! I'll tell you..." She gasped in tears.
Mr Bu smiled and moved back. Mabel had direct eye contact with him and her heart skipped a beat when she suddenly got back her vision and she saw a grim vision of Mr Bu.
HOURS LATER...
★★★
~ MABEL'S APARTMENT ~
It was morning already.
Mabel came out of the elevator, her eyes were different. It was obvious she went through hell in the past few hours.
She staggered holding the wall for support as she walked to her apartment.
She saw Raphael resting his head on his knees outside her door.
"Raphael..." She called out almost in a whisper staring at him, tears were begining to crowd her eyes already.
Raphael looked up at the sound of her voice and he stood up swiftly, running to her.
"Bels... What happened to you? Why weren't you taking your calls? And what was that about last night?" He fired straight up.
Mabel's gaze fell down remorsefully and the tears crowded in her eyes rolled down uncontrollably.
"I'm so sorry..." She cried still looking down.
Raphael noticed how she looked and he held her shoulders gently.
"Bels, what happened to you last night? Why do you look like this?" He questioned curiously and Mabel hugged him tightly as she cried even loudly.
He patted her back without asking anymore questions. He comforted her with his silence.
"Raph, we almost lost our baby last night! Mr Bu abducted me!" She blurted in tears.
Raphael broke the hug staring at her. He blinked in shock.
"What!!" He gasped.
Mabel sniffed in her tears.
"Let's talk about it inside..." She uttered and punched in her door password.
Raphael grabbed the doorknob, opening the door for her.
They both looked forward and their eyes widened in shock, seeing Mrs Park standing in front of them.
"Mum..." Mabel gasped.
"Mabel, you're pregnant?" She questioned in shock.
***
Mabel was done narrating her last night's event to both Raphael and her mother. They had a frown on their faces.
Mrs Park turned to Raphael.
"None of this would've happened if you didn't drag my daughter into this!" She fired angrily.
Raphael leaned out of the couch.
"Mother, I'm sorry I'm meeting you for the first time today. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused your family. It was never my intention to have made things escalate... One thing's for sure, I love your daughter and I wish to spend the rest of my life with her... Bels, told me everything Charlotte said to you... I visited your home on several occasions to explain things to you and clear the air but I ended up getting stopped from doing so..."
Raphael glanced at Mabel and held her hand.
"I've only known two women in my entire life... That's Rein and Mabel! I've never loved any woman the way I love Mabel, she means the world to me. Charlotte, was only a client to me. We've never had a thing. I saw her as a little sister of mine!" Raphael defended calmly.
Mrs Park looked at her daughter's nervous smile as she stole glances of Raphael.
She took in a few deep breaths and grabbed Raphael's hand.
"That's all I need to hear... Charlotte proved to me herself that I was wrong for believing her. I should've sided with Mabel from the very first day...I give you both my blessings!" She stated with a smile.
"So when do I meet with your parents? We can't hold back the wedding anymore before her baby bump becomes visible..." Mrs Park added with a smile.
Raphael chuckled staring at Mabel.
"You can meet with them even now... I just need to sort out a little misunderstanding, this troublesome love of mine caused"
Mabel chuckled looking away as she felt a bit embarrassed.
"How about tomorrow? Mabel's known for causing troubles. She should sort it out today so she doesn't get me involved!" Mrs Park cut in and they all laughed.
Mabel leaned closer to Raphael.
"Raph, can we drop by at the Bu's resident?" She whispered and Raphael looked at her curiously.
~ THE BU'S RESIDENCE ~
Charlotte drove down to her father's house angrily, the moment she went to their old house and found out her secret room where she kept all the money she embezzled from her dad were all gone.
She matched into the building angrily and a maid tried stopping her from going in.
Charlotte slapped her hard across the face with her hand which had multiple rings with dangerous sharp designs.
The maid's face began to bleed. Charlotte pushed her away angrily and walked into the sitting room, only to find her father seated at a sofa, sipping on his glass of wine.
"Your useless mother had the guts to betray me and you had the nerve to take after her... Do you wish to die?" He questioned coldly.
Charlotte scoffed.
"Save that bullshit speech to whoever wishes to hear them. I came for my money and I'm not leaving with them"
Mr Bu stood up from his seat, walked to her and halted.
"Don't push me Charlotte... You're my only child, don't make me do to you what I did to your mother..." He threatened.
Charlotte clenched her fist angrily as his words stabbed her heart a dozen times.
She swiftly took out her gun and placed it on her father's head.
Mr Bu laughed viciously.
"You learnt how to use a gun!"
"If you utter another word concerning my mother... I'll blow off your brains..." She uttered in tears.
Mr Bu scoffed staring straight into her eyes.
"Do it!!!"
Charlotte flinched and tightened her jaw then she pulled the trigger.
Just then Mr Bu took out his dragger and stabbed her in the belly.
"This is why I said you're weak!" He stated coldly.
Charlotte dropped her gun as cold sweats popped out on her forehead, her gaze slowly went down and she saw blood suddenly she felt a very sharp and unbearable pain.
"Charlotte!!!" Mabel screamed at the door covering her mouth.
Just then Raphael and so many police men rushed into the sitting room pointing their guns at Mr Bu.
"You're under arrest Mr Bu for the murder of Rein Hong and for attempting to kill Charlotte Bu so drop your weapon!" The police ordered.
Mr Bu glared at Mabel with so much hate in his eyes and he dropped his weapon reluctantly.
Charlotte fell on the floor holding her belly.
An hour ago, Mabel and Raphael drove down to the police station and dropped a statement against Mr Bu concerning Rein's case and Charlotte. Mabel saw it in her vision already, she saw Mr Bu stabbing Charlotte so they brought the police with them.
★★★
•••𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥•••
"Mabel, hurry up... We're going to be late!!!" Nina half yelled from downstairs at her apartment.
"Coming..." Mabel replied and ran down the stairs carefully holding her white dress.
Nina folded her arms on her chest staring at Mabel tiredly.
"What in the world is going on here?" Violet gasped staring at Mabel as she rushed into the sitting room from outside.
Mabel looked at them with a silly smile.
"Do I look that beautiful?" She asked with a silly smile.
"Huh! You obviously want to steal the attention of the bride's guests... One would think you're the bride, how many times do you wish to be the bride... Mabel, what are you plotting?" Violet asked narrowing her eyes.
Mabel laughed rubbing her belly.
"My baby was craving a white dress, it wasn't me.." she pouted.
The girls rolled their eyes tiredly, it was obvious that wasn't her first time doing such.
"Nina, your groom's waiting. Let's go and you better don't lose to Mabel!" Violet uttered tightening her fist and Nina nodded.
Mabel laughed and ran behind them.
"Girls, wait up for me!"
***
Getting to the car, Mabel saw Charlotte standing right next to the car with her luggage.
"Nina, congratulations!" She uttered politely with a smile.
"Thank you!"
"Charlotte, you're leaving?" Mabel asked staring at the luggage.
She nodded slowly.
"I'm all healed from the injury. All thanks to you, Mabel. I'm so sorry for everything I did to you! My dad was given a life sentence, he would never bother us again. I wish to go start afresh abroad and have a family of my own one day. I'm wishing you girls all the happiness in your homes... Sorry Mabel that I couldn't attend your wedding months ago, I couldn't face you and thank you also for being my friend.." Charlotte uttered sadly as tears escaped her eyes.
Mabel kept shut for a few minutes and smiled.
"I forgive you, Charlotte!"
★
HOURS LATER...
The wedding was over... Josh and Nina left for the airport already.
Simone and Violet drove down to the beach as well as Raphael and Mabel.
Mabel rested her head on Raphael's shoulder as they both watched Simone and Violet play in the water like little kids.
Raphael brought out his camera and took a shot of them.
"Bels, are you happy?" Raphael asked calmly.
Mabel nodded staring at him and he smiled.
"I promised to always make you smile, I'm glad I'm keeping up to my words"
"Of course, you always keep to your word and that's how you made me yours..." She paused and held his face cutely.
"My clairvoyant!!" Raphael winked and kissed her softly.
Simone saw them kissing and he ran down to Violet's beach basket, he took out his camera and snapped them.
"Never stop smiling, Raph!"
Violet hugged him from behind.
"Never stop smiling either... I love you, Sim!" She uttered softly.
Simone blushed cutely. "I love you more, V!"
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫...