★JANIE★

As we ate, Alan's wife didn't stop stealing glances at me.

I knew there were a lot of questions scratching the back of her throat, aching to spill out.

Sooner or later, she would be forced to...

“Where are your parents, Janie?"

There it was. The major question she intended to ask all along.

Predicting her right like some sort of coupon game, I smiled inwardly to myself and then bit on my lower lip.

There was no way I'd tell them about what my father did to me. That was personal and it had to remain that way until I was ready to leave. At this point, I needed fewer pity parties in my life.

The past should forever be buried in the past!

“They are both dead," I announced and their expression laced with sympathy and regret.

I didn't like the look they were giving me, but I maintained my poise. If I wanted to stay at their house, perhaps, their pity would help in letting me stay a little while longer.

“Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry." Alan chimed.

“This is so heartbreaking." His wife followed.

“How did they die?" Noel threw in and his parents cautioned him immediately.

“Noel. Be reasonable! You can't make her recollect a painful past."

I pretended to sniffle back sobs. “No, it's fine. My mother died of cancer and my father by a hit-and-run driver. Since then, I have been struggling with my life alone. I managed to graduate high school and got admitted into college. That's all I can remember."

“Really?" Alan's wife arched a brow in shock. “How come? Are you in college now?"

Pressing my lips together into a grim line, I shook my head. “No."

“Does this man chasing you have anything to do with it?" She persisted.

“Yes."

“If you don't mind, Janie. Can you tell us what led to the situation of your kidnap?"

I took in a deep breath.

Again, memories of what was meant to be the happiest day of my life, but turned sour in a matter of time, surged to the forefront of my brain. I was elated all through the road trip to Luciano's mansion, hoping my life was going to change for the better until my hopes got dashed.

A lone tear slipped down my cheeks as I shoved down those memories.

Since I'm out of there, surviving should be my next priority not sulking on my dreadful past.

After clearing my throat, I eventually brought myself to answer Alan's wife's question. “Mrs?"

“Isobel." She added at once.

“All I can remember is that— I decided to go hiking after receiving my admission letter, at least to celebrate and be happy. But then, I slipped, hit my head and fell. When I woke up, I found myself in the gang's house, and by the time I realized it, months had passed. So everything still seems like a blur." I lied while hoping they'd buy my story deep down.

Mrs. Isobel studied me for a brief couple of seconds before adding. “You've been through a lot. However, I'm still surprised you stayed months there when I thought they were just chasing you down for today before my husband found you."

My breath hitched.

Perhaps, I shouldn't have mentioned the duration. Only the lies without a sprinkle of truth.

Just as I was about to quench Mrs. Isobel's curious mind, Alan interrupted. “You are so inquisitive, Isobel. Just let the young girl rest. She is staying for a while, so there will be enough time to find out what went down."

Sitting there quietly, I was extremely happy when Isobel succumbed and stopped bothering me with tons of questions.

Thus, we ate in silence and when we were done, I volunteered to clean up the dishes, but Isobel bluntly refused.

“You are injured and you need a lot of rest. Leave it, my son will do it." She countered.

But I wasn't ready to mellow. If I was going to stay a while at their house, I needed to do things to make them comfortable with me. Starting with the dishes.

“This is the only way to thank you for letting me stay, Mrs. Isobel. Please let me." And without wasting time, I packed up the dishes to the kitchen and then, proceeded to wash them.

On the other hand, Alan and his wife retired to their room.

Washing the dishes brought back a lot of memories. How my mother and I would stay at the sink, cleaning dishes and making jokes alongside.

I felt a rush of tears brimming my lashes and I closed my eyes, struggling not to cry.

“There is a lot more to you, isn't there?" I heard a voice and I almost jumped in my spot.

Whirling around to see Noel leaning against the door frame with his eyes narrowed at my face, made me feel uncomfortable.

I swallowed hard then asked. “Do you need anything?"

If Noel heard me, he refused to respond. Instead, he strutted towards me in an intimidating manner, but I stood my ground.

When it comes to being intimidated, I've seen worse.

And Noel was just the tip of that iceberg compared to Luciano and his men.

Before I realized what was going on, Noel was already in front of me, his huge frame towered above mine as there was only an inch between us.

He tilted my chin with the tip of my finger, prompting me to look into his ocean-blue eyes and I did. “There is something about you I can't pinpoint. Are you sure all you've been saying is the truth and nothing but the truth?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Nonetheless, I braced myself up and nodded. “Of course. Why will I lie about this? After all your family helped me."

Suddenly, he grabbed me and I collided against his chest as he pulled me into a deep warm embrace.

“No young girl your age deserves to go through your ordeal, Janie."

My stomach melted at his kind gesture. But then, I wanted to pull away. However, his masculine lavender scent and his warmth, made me stay that way.

“I am here for now, Janie. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything." He cooed and again, my stomach was coated with a beautiful warm feeling.

Noel seemed like a genuine person....there was no doubt about that.

And I had to instantly convince myself that I lied to his family to protect them. They can't know Luciano and his gangs exist because it would make their heart unsettled and they'd feel uncomfortable having me here.

As we pulled apart, Noel managed a small smile at me. Which I returned.

Thereafter, he helped with cleaning the kitchen before requesting to take me out to the grocery store.

“Just tell me everything you need, and I'll get them for you." He said as we entered his Dad's truck and then drove out of the yard.

On our way to the grocery store, we engaged in little discussions.

“What was the college you gained admission to, Janie?" He asked.

“NYU."

“Oh my goodness!" He gasped. “That is such a good school. Discipline?"

“Nursing."

“Awwww. It's a shame you didn't get in. By the way, I'm in UC Berkeley, majoring in business."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at Noel's revelation.

Maybe. Just maybe if the money Luciano gave my father wasn't for exchange. I'd have rounded up with the first semester.

My heart clenched painfully and I pressed my fingers on my thigh just so I wouldn't dwell on the misery.

But then, Noel's voice split through my thoughts. “What if I put this across to my parents, so you can reapply to UC Berkeley?"

My heart raced.

“You would do that for me?" I asked, surprised.

“You have a dream at your disposal. The least I can do is help that dream become a reality." He answered, making my heart melt all over again.

Although I just knew and met Noel, I was starting to get comfortable with him. Every part of me felt he was a reliable person and my lips broke into a wide grin as I muttered.

“Thank you."

Noel's other hand left the wheel to take mine. He briefly gave me a warm smile and I returned it.

“You deserve to be happy, Janie."

My eyes became moist with tears. These surreal feelings welling up inside my guts brought up a sweet pleasure that strengthened my resolve.

However, something vibrated inside my pants and I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. I didn't realize I slipped my phone into my pocket earlier after dressing up.

A message popped up on the screen and when I tapped on it, blood drained from my face and I became extremely pale while reading it;

*You can run from me, La Mia damigella.... but you can't hide.*

Only one person could send me such a message. And that was my greatest nightmare, the sight I've come to dread the most in this world.

Luciano.