Dedicated to Geegervy xx

"Uncle Xavier! Can you push me please?" Mariana sweetly asked, hopping onto a red swing.

"Sure honey," Xavier smiled and began to push his little niece. She squealed and kicked out her skinny legs.

"Higher! Higher!"

"Okay darling but not too high," Xavier continued to push her as high as it safe for her. The giggled of joy coming out of his niece warmed his heart.

Suddenly, they heard the siren of the ice cream truck.

"Ooh, ice cream! Can we get some? Please, uncle?" Mariana looked up with the most innocent, baby brown eyes that sparkled in the sun.

"Okay since you've been such a good girl today, I think you deserve it."

"Yay!" Mariana jumped down and held onto her uncle's hand. He smiled down at her as they started strolling over to get ice cream.

*****

Mariana awakened from her dream and let out a gloomy sigh. She still couldn't understand why her uncle did all those horrible things when he used to be so kind and gentle.

Even though she didn't want to, she felt she had to move on, but it would be difficult, considering all that had just happened in a short span of time.

She sighed again and then swung her legs out of bed. She suddenly remembered the object that Micah gave her last night, so she proceeded to the makeup table where she placed it before going to bed.

When she picked up the golden necklace, she twirled it around her fingers, carefully examining it. It had a ruby, emerald, and sapphire gems attached and in the middle was a little heart-shaped locket. Curiosity ran through Mariana's head as she slowly opened it up to get a big surprise.

Inside was a little picture of her and her family. It included her mother, father, sister, and brother. Mariana recognized the scenery at the back from when they went hiking a couple of years ago.

A solemn tear rolled down her soft cheek. She couldn't believe she had her mother's most treasured necklace in her hand. How did Micah manage to get it?

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

"Come in!"

Coming through the door was her savior, Micah. She smiled at him as she settled the necklace down and walked towards him.

"Hey, did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Very, what about you?"

"Same, I was coming to ask if you wanted to have breakfast now?"

"Ooh okay!"

"Come, my mother is making it downstairs," He pulled out his arm for her, and she linked it with her own.

When they stepped out of the guest room, they walked down the pearly white staircase that curved right down to the bottom.

"How was your night?" Micah asked as they passed the golden framed pictures that hang on the wall.

"It was very good, thank you for letting me stay here."

"It's no problem, your welcome to stay here as long as you need to."

"Thank you so much," Mariana gave Micah a tight hug as they reached the bottom step.

They sauntered into the kitchen where Micah's whole family was seated. There was his mother, father, two younger sisters and his older brother.

"Morning everyone, I would like you all to meet Mariana," Micah brought Mariana forward as she had a tint of blush with a shy smile.

"Oh, welcome honey, Micah told me all about you and I just want to say, you are very welcome here," His mother said, approaching Mariana. She was tall and slender, with smooth dark skin, fluttery eyelashes and a wide smile.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Aww sweetie, you can call me Crystal."

"Thank you... Crystal."

Crystal smiled and brought out several plates onto the kitchen counter.

"Hey, I'm Makayla, one of Micah's sisters," She came up and greeted her.

"Hi Makayla, I love your name by the way."

"Aww, thanks! I love yours too!"

She smiled at her cheerfulness. She thought that they would make good friends one day.

Mariana then got introduced to the rest of the family. She learned that Makayla was sixteen and Micah's other sister was named Mylah who was thirteen. His older brother was called Mason who was twenty-four and Micah himself was twenty-two.

For breakfast, they had fried eggs with sausages and pancakes.

Mariana really enjoyed her food and thanked Crystal for her warm hospitality. She was eternally grateful as this family were the only nice people she's met since being kidnapped.

Micah was currently telling them about the whole incident with Xavier.

"So, Mariana, my brother saved you from your crazy uncle?" Makayla asked.

"Yep, even though he's not my uncle anymore but yeah."

"Poor thing, I can't imagine what you must be going through," Crystal said.

"Thank you."

"No problem honey, just make sure you're comfortable in my home."

"Thank you so much."

Crystal gave her a motherly smile before continuing with her food.

"Hey Mariana, do you want to go hang out in the garden?" Makayla asked.

"Sure!"

When everyone finished their scrumptious breakfast, Makayla and Mariana went into the garden.

It was a hot sunny day. The sun was gleaming high in the aqua skies. Its rays were sparkling like stars through the holes between leaves. There was a scarcity of clouds, but a very cool breeze was blowing by.

The two girls sat down on the blue and white striped beach chairs. There was a bottle of champagne on a table between them and a big blue umbrella providing them shade.

"It's really hot today," Makayla said.

"Yeah, it really is."

"So, is your uncle really the head of the Mafia?" Makayla turned to face her.

"Yeah, unfortunately," Mariana said as she let out a sigh. "My mom, and he used to work together, but then she wanted out because of how he treated some people."

"Oh, did you get involved?"

"Nope, and after my mom disowned him, I didn't see much of him during my teen years until my dad had to pay him for protection of his business because he was really ill, and he experienced a lot of burglaries, so my mom's brother was his last hope."

"So... was he able to pay it back?"

"No, and I think Xavier secretly knew that."

"Oh, did you think he planned out all this? For your father not to pay his debt on time since he was really sick?"

"Yeah, I think he did."

"Wow, he sounds really evil."

"Yeah, he is," Mariana clenched her fists as her eyes had a burning stare towards the ground. Her hands were trembling as she felt a hot flame burn inside her chest.

"Hey girls!"

Her thoughts were interrupted as she looked up and saw Micah. He was now dressed in a red checkered shirt and shorts.

"Hey, Micah!" They answered.

"How are you feeling Mariana?"

"I'm good thanks!"

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

"I'm happy too!"

"I was just wondering if you would like to get some fresh air and go to a park or something?"

"Okay sure!"

"I can lend you some of my clothes if you want," Makayla suggested.

"Okay!"

They got off the chairs and went to her bedroom to get her a new change of clothes.

"Micah was smart to give you my old pajamas, we are practically the same height!" Makayla said, opening her walk-in closet.

Mariana was astonished by the largeness of it. There were short dresses, long dresses, shirts, and jeans. There were some shoes and heels that differed in sizes. She saw seven different colored jewelry boxes that contained rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

"Wow," was all that came out of her mouth.

"Yeah, I know, it's pretty big," Makayla said and gently shut Mariana's jaw which hanged open.

"May I ask a question?"

"Shoot."

"How rich are you guys?" Mariana asked as she wandered around the closet, staring in awe at everything.

"Well, they are both millionaires. My dad owns the biggest energy corporation, and my mom has her own fashion line since she's a designer."

"Wow, your mom is a fashion designer?"

"Yep!"

"Wow, that's so cool!"

"Thanks, here put this on," Makayla took some clothes off their hangers and placed them on the little table that was in the middle of the closet.

There was a peach cold-shoulder top, jean shorts, and nude sandals with a crisscross crystal strap.

"Aww, thanks, Makayla!"

"No problem."

Mariana smiled with gratitude at her as she picked up the clothes and went back to her bedroom to change.

When Mariana was done, she admired her new self in front of the lengthy mirror. She felt much cleaner and fresher than last night.

She finished off her look by putting on her heart-shaped locket. It rested against her bare chest as she took a moment to cradle it between her fingers.

"That's a really pretty necklace, where did you get it from?" Makayla asked.

"It used to be my mother's..." Mariana said with a sad smile.

"Aww, it's really beautiful."

"Thanks."

She left it alone and they went back downstairs.

Micah was standing in the hallway with a black hoodie and dark blue jeans. He was tapping something on his phone. He looked up and smiled when he saw Mariana.

"Ready to go?" He asked.

"Ready!"

"Okay, let's get going," He linked arms with her and waved goodbye to his parents.

The pair strolled out of the house and Micah walked towards a white Porsche this time.

"How comes we're not going in the Ferrari?"

"It's just if anyone from the warehouse recognizes it so I thought it would be better to go in this instead."

"Oh okay."

Micah unlocked it and opened the door for Mariana. She slid in and Micah got into the driver's seat.

"Does this car belong to you by the way?"

"Actually, it was a gift from my parents but the Ferrari I brought myself."

"Oh wow, that's so nice."

"Yeah, I know," Micah glanced over at her with a smile and then started driving.

When they stopped at a traffic light, Micah looked over at Mariana who was staring out the window. Her head was rested against her knuckles as her beautiful brown curls cascaded down her back.

A smile tugged at her lips before she frowned and looked down at her fingertips. She sniffed a little before a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Hey, are you alright?" Micah asked, rubbing her back.

"Mhm," She mumbled, but he could tell something was troubling her.

Before he had a chance to say something, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. He pulled the car over to the side and got it out.

"Hello, Mom?"

Micah, there are agents outside the gate, I don't think you should bring Mariana back here.

"What?! Oh no... is Xavier also there?"

I can't see him but I'm sure he is one of the cars. They can't get inside though.

"Okay thanks, mom, I'll just drop Mariana over at Kevin's and I'll then I'll call you back soon."

Okay, be careful honey, and take care of Mariana.

"I will, don't worry I won't let anything happen to her."

Okay, I'll see you later, bye honey I love you.

"I love you too mom and please be careful, I'll call you later to see if you guys are okay."

Once he ended the call, he started driving down the opposite direction of where he was going.

"Micah, where are we going?" Mariana inquired.

"To a friend's..."