Joshua's POV

Flashback

When my father found me crying, leaning against the tree in the evening, he told me that Mommy wasn't angry at me because they knew I didn't rip the dress intentionally. He told me that they were worried about me because they couldn't find me; then he asked me not to run away again, wanting me to promise.

When I went back to my room that day, I found my Manchester United shirt signed by all members of the team tore.

"My shirt!" I exclaimed in frustration, grabbing my ripped shirt. Then I noticed a cherry charm bracelet on the carpet. "Celly!" I gritted my teeth and looked at my shirt again, desperate.

"Joshua, are you okay?" my father asked as he walked into my room followed by my mother, both looking worried.

"My shirt..." I said with teary eyes, showing them my shirt and the bracelet. "It is Celly. She ripped my shirt. I hate her," I added, crying as I threw myself into my father's arms. He hugged my back, caressing my back.

______

Despite the fact a week later my father gifted me another Manchester United shirt and ball signed by the team members, I was still angry at Celeste and we became an enemies till she moved abroad.
Suddenly, Celeste's phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. She pulled her phone out of her bag and opened the message. The color drained from her face as she read the message.

Was it the same person?

Does she get anonymous messages too?

"Is everything okay? Who is it?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"Yes, yes... Um... an acquaintance," she mumbled nervously.

I frowned as I understood she was lying and tried to snatch her phone out of her hand.

"Hey! What are you doing?" she asked angrily as I took her phone. "Give me back," she demanded angrily.

I gritted my teeth in irritation as I read the message. That bastard threatened her as well. There were his other messages too. 

"Since when do you receive these messages?" I asked her, irritated while keeping reading the messages.

"It is none of your business. Give my phone to me," she snapped angrily.

I gave her a death glare and instructed Mark to pull over. As he parked the car, I motioned him to get out of the car, leaving me alone with Hazel.

I heaved a loud sigh and gave her back her phone after finishing reading the messages.

"I receive these kinds of messages too.  He knows we are married and who knows what else he knows about us?!" I informed her.

"What?" she exclaimed in panic, and gulped, averting her gaze. She nibbled her lower lip and ran her hand through her hair, lost in her thoughts.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "I will tell Mark to put someone to care of your safety."

"No, I don't need a bodyguard," she protested.

"I don't remember asking your opinion. We don't know what he is capable of.  You are in danger because of me. So your safety is my responsibility," I stated in an authoritative tone.

"It isn't your responsibility. I can protect myself. Probably it is some idiot or groupie. If we don't give attention to them, they will leave us alone," Celeste said firmly.

"Don't be naive, Celeste," I commented mockingly and shook my head in disbelief. "It isn't up to discussion! You will have a bodyguard," I declared, determined and motioned Mark to come back without waiting for Hazel to say anything.

"Joshua!" Celeste exclaimed between gritted teeth.

I ignored Celeste and instructed Mark to put someone to protect Celeste. Despite the fact Mark looked confused by my order, he nodded and started the engine.

"No, Joshua! I don't want a bodyguard," Celeste protested, annoyed.

"Celeste!" I gave her a warning look. "You will have a bodyguard till I find that bastard. It doesn't matter whether you like it or not!" I stated in determination.

She heaved an exasperated sigh, shooting daggers at me while clenching her fist angrily.

Celeste's POV

I heaved a loud sigh, bored as I stopped pacing in my living room. I would gladly go shopping or hang out with Hazel outside but I didn't want to leave home because of the bodyguard on my tail. It felt like I was an A-list celebrity.

"If I can't leave, then I will invite Hazel here," I mumbled to myself as I grabbed my phone and called my friend.

Once I greeted Hazel, I invited her to my apartment.

"I am sorry, Celly, but I can't visit you today. We can't reach Joshua. It has been a few hours. I am so worried. He has never done such kind of things. Probably something happened to him," Hazel said, full of concern in his voice.

"What?" I mumbled as my heart started pounding like crazy. Could the blackmailer do something bad to Joshua or kidnap him? Joshua made me promise to keep it a secret. He didn't want to worry his family. "Um... Don't worry, Haze. Probably, his phone died or he went somewhere where his phone has no service," I tried to calm her.

"I hope. Maybe he is with Rebecca." She heaved a loud sigh.

"Um... Maybe," I mumbled without knowing why I felt upset.

"I hope... Celly, Mom is calling me. I'll call you later," Hazel said in a hurry.

"Okay, um... If you reach Joshua, inform me. I am worried too," I mumbled uneasily and bit my lower lip.

"I will. Bye."

As soon as I hung up the phone, I called Joshua, but his phone was turned off. I ruffled my hair nervously and called him again in vain.

Damn it!

I chewed on my lower lip, staring at my phone, thinking.

Should I call Mark?

But if Hazel is right and Joshua is with Rebecca, it would burst Joshua's ego.

But if... If he is in danger...

I heaved a loud sigh and called Mark. Fortunately, I had his phone number in my contacts.

A few rings later, Mark picked up the phone. After quickly greeting him, I asked Joshua's whereabouts.

"Mr. Sullivan? Isn't he with you? But he told me he was going to see you. After I dropped him off your apartment, he told me not to wait for him because he was staying the night at your place," he asked, puzzled.

"What?! No, he didn't come here," I said, furrowing my eyebrows, and ruffled my hair. "His family couldn't reach him too. It had been a few hours. I called him too, but his phone was turned off," I informed him worriedly, staring pacing.

"Yes, Mr. Sullivan called me and asked about Joshua, but I couldn't tell him he was with you. I guessed you two prefer keeping your relationship a secret. So I lied that he was resting in his penthouse."

I gulped nervously as soon as he mentioned that Joshua and I had a relationship. If only he knew... Yes, Joshua and I keep a secret from his family, but it was more correctly our marriage, not a casual relationship.

"I didn't get worried because I was sure that he was with you. Damn it! He lied to me to stay alone," Mark commented, annoyance evident in his voice. "I will find him. I can guess where he could be. Don't worry, Ms. Marshall. I will keep you posted."

"No, I am coming with you. Maybe, that blackmailer did something bad to him. He has never done such kind of things. At least, he would pick up the calls," I said, concerned.

"No, Miss. It could be... dangerous," Mark refused politely.

"No, I can't wait without doing anything while I know Joshua could be in danger," I stated, determined.

He heaved a sigh. "Fine, I will pick you up, but please wait for me."

"Alright."

After thirty minutes, Mark arrived and we went to look for Joshua. We went to the nightclub where Joshua often went, but he wasn't there. Then we went to the boxing club; Mark told me that when Joshua didn't feel good or angry, he went to do boxing.

As we about to arrive at the destination, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of mu bag quickly, hoping it was Joshua.

I frowned, looking at the screen. There were three messages from an anonymous number. I sighed, disappointed, and opened the messages.

"Oh my goodness!" I gasped in shock, covering my mouth with my hand while looking at Joshua's photo. He was lying on the ground unconscious, his face covered in blood.

'Come and take your husband.'

They sent me the location as well.

"What happened?" Mark asked worriedly.

"Joshua..." I mumbled, tears shimmering in my eyes and showed him the photo while my hands were shaking. I pulled the phone back quickly without letting him to see the other message and told him where Joshua was, looking at the location. Mark quickly made a U-turn and accelerated, tightening his grip around the wheel, his knuckles white. He looked worried too.