My Wifi was off! For a whole of 10 days! TEN DAYS! And I have no idea how I survived those horrible days.

I have also added the list of the characters in the first chapter.

And in case any of you have forgotten what happened, here's a short summary.

Joanna Williams is ordered to tutor the bad boy Bryan Cooper (Ace) by Mrs. Finn, the cranky principal. Bryan isn't happy with this since he is famous for hating the female race. But during these study sessions, they discover a few things about each other and get close. On a fine evening she meets Sean O'Connell and develops a minute crush on him.

Bryan later discovers her bucket list and despite Joanna's protests he promises they would complete the whole list. During the school fest, she meets Sean again and soon comes to know that Bryan hates him and the feelings are returned by Sean. Joanna is more than shocked to discover that they are step-brothers.

After a few days when Bryan and Joanna go out to eat (not a date) and he confesses about why he hates the female race so much. Later, Bryan gets a phone call and orders Joanna to stay with him for a week due to reasons unknown. In that one week, a lot of secrets are spread out in the open. Joanna had a twin, Kian, who died in an accident and Bryan had an ex, Anastasia, who was with him in a drug dealing gang. When Joanna comes to know Bryan had re-joined the drug dealing gang and that he might still be in love with Anastasia, she bids him a tearful farewell.

During day three of 'being-away-from-Ace', Joanna realizes she loves him and she can't do anything about it. The same day news comes that the gang members have been arrested except for a few of them.

When they go to a club a few days later, Joanna is almost raped and Sean saves her. When she wakes up the next morning she is greeted with a worried Bryan and after some ignoring Joanna falls for his charms and during skinny dipping at midnight, Bryan asks her out and she agrees. And then blah blah.

After around two months Joanna meets Anastasia at a mall and instantly develops a deeper hatred for her. When Joanna asks about her to Bryan, he assures her that he no longer loves her and says a few cheesy lines they finally do 'it' (sex), more than once. After three hours they are attacked by the missing gang members and shockingly one of them is Alan, Joanna's best friend.

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Well then.

Chapter 29.

Your password is so predictable.

~~

I was still looking at my once best friend, Alan McCarthy, in utter bewilderment and distress when Ace stepped towards him, punching him square on the face.

I didn't do anything to protest. I couldn't. I was frozen in complete shock.

"You are a pathetic excuse for a friend." He snarled.

Alan stumbled back from the punch but held himself together. The blank vile expression on Alan's face didn't change. He spat on the ground and looked at Ace with so much hatred that it even shook me to the cores.

"You are a pathetic excuse for a gang member." Alan sneered. I blinked my eyes hoping that the Alan I knew would come back.

Where was the friend who held me when I fell in my freshman gym sessions? Where was the friend who made me smile when I was feeling low? Where was the friend whom my mother adored and let him have the cookies even though he dropped crumbs all over the floor? Where was the friend who acted as Janice's fake boyfriend when she needed to make her ex jealous? Where was the friend who made all of us laugh by his crazy jokes and flirty ways? Where was the friend who was my best friend?

I had no fucking clue where he was.

And the person standing in front of me right now was nowhere near the person I once knew. The Alan I knew was funny, sarcastic, a big flirt, kind and my best friend but this Alan was vicious, harsh, wicked and held no ounce of humanity. Did I even know the real Alan?

"I trusted you." I whispered unwillingly, my eyes glistening from the tears of betrayal. But Alan seemed unaffected with my despair, he kept looking at me with those same loathsome eyes like I never meant anything to him.

It's the people you trust who have the direct key to hurt you.

When a person enters a heart, he can not only blossom it but can also break it into pieces.

Riyaz gave a malicious smile as he clapped gleefully. "Aww. A friendship broken, a heart scattered, a tear escaped and I don't give a fuck. Let's get this show on the floor guys." he clicked his fingers.

And before I knew what was happening, I found myself in the familiar arms of Alan, only this time I instead of liking the feeling I felt utterly disgusted. I kicked and slapped my arms around. "Alan you betraying bulldog, let me go!" I demanded angrily but his hold only tightened. I saw Blacky and Riyaz punch Bryan who was trying his best to fight the two hefty guys.

"Bryan!" I shouted when I saw Scar-face neared Bryan from the back. But it was already too late, Scar-face slammed the back of his gun on Bryan's head. I watched in horror as Bryan's eyes rolled backwards and he landed flat on the floor.

Riyaz kicked on Bryan's stomach one last time to make sure he was unconscious and grinned in victory when Bryan didn't make any move to wake up and punch him back.

"Bryan! Fuck! Get up!" I screamed in anguish, throwing my hands around, trying to get away from Alan's grip. I glared at Riyaz. "You all are so going to die. If Bryan won't kill you, I surely will." I punched Alan's shoulders. "And you Alan, let me fucking go or I'll ship you off to Antarctica. Bryan, you jerk get up. You promised not leave my hand. Get your ass up and kick these assholes out of here!"

"Chloroform her." Riyaz ordered and immediately I felt a handkerchief stick up my nose. I shook my head violently, urging myself to not breath.

But Alan knew my weak spots, his fingers ran around the sides of my waist, tickling me. My mouth instantly opened and the colourless, sweet-smelling chemical entered my body, making me feel dizzy almost immediately.

"Bryan!" My lips muttered before my eyes closed and blackness lured me into its lair.

.

*

.

I opened my eyes feeling light-headed and disoriented. I blinked a few eyes, forcing my eyes to adjust themselves to the dim lights. Where am I? I twisted my hands but they refused to move. I gasped when I realized they were tied together behind the wooden chair I was sitting on. Even my ankles were tied to the front legs of the chair.

I was confused for a good two minutes, wondering how did I reach from having awesome sex to getting tied in an old chair. Soon the memories flooded my mind.

I gritted my teeth in enrage as the images started coming back to me. Riyaz coming in the house, Scar-face and Blacky acting like jerks, Alan betraying me, Bryan getting hit and me fainting. I cleared my gruff throat.

Oh, I was going to kill Alan. I was going to chop him into pieces and then burn him.

"Hello! Anybody there?"

"Yeah making a sandwich would you like one?"

I scowled at the unfamiliar voice and dumb sarcasm. "Yeah sure, extra cheese."

Soon the source of the voice came in sight. I squinted my eyes to get a better look. He looked young, maybe a few years older but definitely young. He had dirty blond hair and pretty hazel eyes. A gun rested on his hand as he smirked at me. He looked way too good to be in a gang but then Bryan was in this gang too so it was okay. Guess hot guys love joining gangs and then repenting.

Bad boys and their gangster love.

"And you are?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

The corner of his lips twisted upwards. He pointed at himself. "This masterpiece is known as Ian."

I stared at him flatly. How was he a drug dealing gang member? "Yeah Ian, now how about freeing me and showing me the way out of this hideous place?"

He let out a small melodic chuckle. "And get myself shot? No thanks." He turned his back to me and started to walk away.

"Hey Ian! Wait." I shouted. "I-uh need water."

"Sure." He disappeared and came back with a bottle of water handing it to me.

I looked at him and gave a blank stare. "My hands are tied, dimwit."

He smiled sheepishly, coming closer to me. He opened the cap and tilted the bottle near to my lips.

"You can just untie my hands, I can drink myself." I tried again.

He winked at me. "And miss a chance to get this close to a pretty girl? No thanks."

Involuntarily color rose to my cheeks. I parted my lips and felt the tasteless and much needed liquid fill my mouth. After a few sips I turned my face to indicate it was enough. He closed the bottle and kept it besides my chair.

"So where am I?" I asked conversationally.

"In front of me." Ian replied cheekily.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's your age?"

"Twenty-two but my heart is still ten."

"I can see that."

A silence settled around us and Ian sat in front of me, his legs stretched out in front. I cleared my throat. "So where are we?" I repeated.

"Australia."

I gasped in panic. What? That's like overseas. Was I really unconscious for almost three days?

Ian chuckled at my terror-stricken place. "Relax, you were just out cold for a few hours and we are just outside the city."

"Oh." I sighed in relief. "So why am I here?"

Ian shrugged. "How am I supposed to know that? I am not the one who got you here."

"Well you can keep your ears open." I snapped.

He rolled his eyes. "You are kidnapped not here for a party, don't act too smart or I'll just chloroform you again."

I blew a breath of exasperated breath. "Who owns this place?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Some rich Indian, he's never here so we use this as our hideout."

"And when can I leave this place?"

"As soon as you are of no use." He leaned back, looking at the ceiling.

"That's so mean." I complained. "Can't you just let me go now?" I put my puppy dog face, pouting for extra effect.

Ian turned his gaze on me, his eyes scanning my face before he sighed. "I have had girlfriends you know? So that expression doesn't work on me anymore. I am too used to it by now."

I opened and shut my mouth in shock. Ian chuckled at my face. "What? I can't have girlfriends? This gorgeous body is hard to resist." He pointed at his flat chest.

I rolled my eyes. "I am sure your girlfriend appreciates her boyfriend's work as a gang member."

He shrugged. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

"You know it's because of people like you that all guys are considered douches and pricks."

He winked at me. "She's the same too, not in a gang but we just flirt and have sex. It's a mutual understanding you know."

"I don't and nor do I care. I already hate you."

"There's thin line between love and hate." Ian smirked, his eyes shining in humour.

I paused for a second. "I don't hate you." Ignoring his triumphant grin I continued. "But if you were on fire and I had a bucket of water, I'd drink it."

A moment of silence before Ian laughed out heartily. His clear white teeth shined in the dim lights. "I like you."

I bit my lip, fighting the smile. In some weird twisted sort of way I felt safe with this stranger. Like we'd known each other and could joke around. I gazed at his face for a second charmed by those high cheekbones. Then I realized my train of thoughts and shook my head, looking away. "The feeling is definitely not mutual."

He didn't say anything just kept smiling as he stared at the ceiling. I wondered if he was waiting for someone to suddenly drop from the skies.

Probably Mufasa. Yeah he could come and kill Ian and free me!

I snorted at my joke, making Ian turn to me with curious eyes. I shook my head.

"Her name's Andrea." His sudden words startled me.

"Your girlfriend?"

"My ex."

My lips formed an 'o'. Why was he telling me all this?

"I actually loved her you know. She was this sweet, kind girl who couldn't even hurt a fly. When I first saw her she was dressed in a simple plain pink top and blue jeans that clung to his cute ass. It wasn't love at first sight but I felt an attraction for sure." He paused. "This was three years back."

I gulped. My eyes searching his sullen face. He suddenly seemed a human, deprived of happiness and love. My heart felt a pang of sympathy for him. I still didn't know why he was telling me all this. Me, a complete stranger. But then it made sense.

Sometimes a stranger can understand you better than a friend ever can!

"I stalked her, like literally." He let out a strangled chuckle. "She worked in this coffee shop in the evenings and I would go there every day and drink coffee. I hated coffee, I still do but I still drank it. And then one day she finally came and talked to me. 'You hate coffee, don't you?', maybe it was the was the way my nose scrunched up in disgust every time I took a sip or the half-filled cups I threw in the trash that gave me away, I don't know but I nodded in reply. She smiled, her left dimple full on display. I swear my heart skipped a beat. 'There's a pizza shop nearby, my shift gets over in 10.' Her invitation lay naked on my table and I'd be a fool to not grab it."

He paused. I saw his forefinger moving on the floor, I followed the action. 'A' he kept drawing. A slight smile formed on my face, he was still so smitten.

"We had pizza and after two days we went on our first date. My life was a mess that time, she was like the sun that suddenly came into my dark sky, shining and blinding everything else into insignificance. I suddenly started seeing light and a path that led me to my dreams. Until then I didn't know what being perfect meant but after her I knew the definition of perfect. She was perfect. I felt whole. You know that feeling of being complete and knowing you can get past any hurdle?" I smiled, oh I know that very well.

Bryan! My heart screamed, suddenly needing his secure arms around me. I missed him!

"But then all good things come to an end. After dating for almost one year and seven months she suddenly started making excuses and avoided meeting me, staying with me, even our dates were cancelled because she had something important to do." He scoffed in disgust. "My suspicion grew and one day I followed her after her shift. My fears came true when I saw her hugging a guy and then kissing him. I stood frozen and could only watch as she entered a building with him. The sun in my sky suddenly disappeared and my sky was dark again. I was so lost, alone standing in the middle of an unknown road." He blinked but I saw a traitor tear escape. My heart shattered.

There's nothing more emotional or disheartening than seeing a man cry for a woman.

"After a few days I finally got the guts to face her and break it off. Her only response was a gulp and a soft okay. My already broken heart broke even more that day. I felt numb." He swallowed hard. "She changed me. There's a woman behind every man who stands and rises above all but there's also a woman behind every man who falls and lands in a pit of darkness. You are really unfortunate if it's the same one."

I gave a sad smile. "It's usually the good ones that turn out to be the bad ones."

"Yeah and the worst part is that it's completely unexpected, probably that's why it hurts so much. I waited, I waited for her to come back. Somewhere I thought she would come and explain and we could be together again." His voice rattled at the end. He scoffed. "Can you believe I was so stupid that if she came and apologized, I was ready to take her back? Pathetic."

"You know you have lost something, when you let it go and it doesn't come back." I said softly.

"I know and that's the worst part of life. I changed after that, I started taking girls lightly got into drugs and wrong company. The reason why I am here." He waved his hands around the room

I smiled at him reassuringly. "When someone breaks you, you need to pick up the pieces, stick them together and make a solid comeback that would shock everyone. When people know you are weak, you become an easy target for everything."

In that moment I understood how Bryan and Ian both got caught in this mess. They were both at their lowest and the gang members took advantage of it. Every human just wishes for someone to need them.

We all need a shoulder to lean on even if we will never admit it.

"It's difficult when the pieces are scattered so far that it's hard to even see them and the most important piece is still owned by someone." Ian said softly, still staring at the ceiling. In that moment I actually wished for Mufasa to appear and give him his ultimate advice. Even Rafiki would do.

"You need closure." I concluded. "Did you ever ask her about the guy?"

Ian scowled and turned to me. "What was there to ask? I saw them with my own eyes. She was clearly cheating on me."

"I think that somewhere deep inside you still want her to come back to you and tell that what you saw wasn't true, that she still loves you. Even now your heart holds onto that sight glimmer of hope. And it will until you hear what she has to say, until you hear her side of story." I glanced at his distraught face.

"For things to reveal themselves, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them" I smiled at him in encouragement.

We humans refuse to believe wrong things about the people we love and yet jumped to conclusions without batting an eyelid. Humans are weird species alright.

Ian let out a short breath. "I don't know. I am kind of dating someone now."

I rolled my eyes at his stupidity. "But you love Andrea." I pointed out.

He frowned. "No, I don't love her." He shook his head. "I don't love her. I have forgotten her."

I gave him a ghost smile.

It was in the way he said the word her that told me otherwise.

"Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never met."

He didn't say anything just continued to look upwards.

I wanted to pat his arm and hug him but the ropes bounded to me held me securely to the chair. "Think about it. Maybe the sun is still there and you just need to move the clouds to see it again."

He turned to me and shrugged. "Maybe."

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of nights only if one remembers to turn on the lights.

A comfortable silence lapsed, our slow breathing was the only sound for quite some time until I cleared my throat.

"Do you know Alan?"

Ian nodded immediately. "Nice guy, I wonder how he got messed with this."

I wonder that too.

"Can you like let me go?" I asked, making puppy dog faces.

Ian grinned. "I agree that I blurted out my whole love life to you but I still value my life, especially if I have to clear that cloud."

I slumped down on the chair. "My butt pains." I whined, twisting and turning to find a comfortable position.

Ian contemplated for a while and then rose on his feet. "I have always had a soft spot for blue eyes."

I resisted the urge to squeal in delight. Instead I gave him a bright smile. "Thank you so much." Gratitude dripping from my tone.

He just winked and started working on the ropes. I felt the ropes loosen and my heart soared. Yes! Long live Ian!

Within minutes my hands were free and I was rubbing them delicately. My fingers touching the red lines on the wrists. I felt slight sting every time I touched them. Oh Riyaz, you are so dead.

"They'll be sore for some time." Ian informed, noticing the redness and proceeded to free my legs.

I twisted my ankles slowly when they were free. There were red lines around them too but the pain was a little less. I got up on wobbly legs, trying to stand after sitting for God knows how much time. It took me a few minutes to stand properly, all the while Ian staring at me with a slight smile. He clapped his hands in amusement when I took the first step without falling on my face.

I scowled at him. "Try sitting on a chair for hours with your hands and legs tied."

He winked at me. "I prefer the bed, chair gives less scope."

I rolled my eyes at me but my lips twisted upwards. I went to him and flung my arms around his neck.

"Thanks Ian, it really means a lot." I whispered with appreciation.

After a few seconds his arms came around my waist. "Thanks Joanna, for listening. I already see dim lights in my dark sky."

I smiled. "One day your sky will be so bright that you'll be blinded by its generosity."

Ian patted my head lovingly. "You are one different girl."

I grinned. "I already know that."

Our happy moment was short lived when we heard footsteps nearing the door.

"Oh shit!" Ian whisper-shouted, searching around for some place to hide. Of course there wasn't. The only furniture was the chair I was just tied too.

"What do we do?" I asked, fear gripping me tightly. "I am just untied, I don't want to be tied again."

"Being tied can never get boring."

I slapped Ian. "This is not the time for sexual jokes." I hissed when the footsteps stooped right outside the door. The gap under the door displaying two shadows.

"Oh divine souls that float everywhere, if you can hear me please get us out of here. I promise to go to church and light candles and even sit for an hour. Just get me out if here. I will -"

"Shut up!" Ian hissed, stopping my whispering prayer.

I frowned at him in anger. "I was asking for help."

"Yeah well divine souls won't pick up and make you disappear."

"I would have called but my cell phone is in the farm house."

Suddenly Ian's mouth formed an 'O ' in realization and I fisted my hands from punching him. "You have your phone with you now." I stated furiously.

He grinned sheepishly, his hand entering the pocket. The jingling of keys from outside snapped my eyes to the door.

"We were locked in?" I asked incredulously.

Ian shrugged. "I guess so."

I almost slapped him. "Stall them, I'll call Bryan." I grabbed his phone and ran to the darkest corner with the chair.

Ian gave me a short nod and walked towards the door. I immediately opened the phone. Screen lock, bloody asshole. Just as I was about to ask him what the password was the door opened. I shrunk deeper in the corner.

"Just let me get my hands on you Ian. I make you a sun in your own sky." I swore under my breath, staring at the alphabets. I typed Ian, too short of course. I typed Andrea, wrong. Damn. Ianandrea, wrong. One last try. Andreaian. Bingo!

I fist pumped mentally and opened the phone icon. And he said he was over her, I scoffed.

I vaguely heard Ian talk about some upcoming football game and an unfamiliar voice respond. My fingers froze when I heard the second voice.

Alan. You traitor.

I shrugged off the sad thoughts and pressed on the call button. Come on Bryan, pick up.

"Hello?"

I almost sighed in relief. It feet so good to hear his voice, although it sounded strained and frustrated. Aww. He must be worried about me.

"Hey Bryan." I greeted back.

There was a slight pause and I hoped the signal didn't go dead.

"Joanna! Is that you?" Bryan breathed in disbelief and suddenly there was shouting and scrambling from the other end.

"Is that Joanna?" I heard Dylan.

"That bitch. Give the phone to me." Janice's unmistakable order came.

"Bryan listen." I whispered, my tone taking a turn of urgency.

I heard a door shut and then silence on the phone. "Yes? Where are you? Are you okay? Oh God! I am so sorry. Morgan came so suddenly, I was too shocked -" Morgan? He must be that Scar -face.

"Bryan, I am okay." I stopped his tensed rant. "And I am in some house owned by some rich Indian who is never here. It is outside the city. Hurry, bye. Miss you. Don't call." And I cut the call.

I heard three pairs of footsteps nearing and Ian laugh nervously. "Of course she's safe. Why wouldn't she be?"

There was silence and then the unfamiliar voice screamed. "Why is the chair empty?"

"I -uh. She -" Ian shuttered.

"Where is she Ian?" The Mr. Unfamiliar asked in a deadly serious tone.

"She's behind the chair." Alan said, coming near and grabbing my hand as he pulled me up.

I instantly snatched my away back. "Don't you fucking touch me, you traitor. Do you even know what loyal means?"

If I was a dragon I'd be breathing fire now, I was that pissed.

"You two know each other?" Ian asked, surprised.

I couldn't answer because Mr. Unfamiliar beat it to me. "Why is she out of the chair?"

Ian chuckled nervously. "You see I -uh slept. Yeah I suddenly dozed off. So I don't know."

"I'll make sure you keep sleeping forever." Mr. Unfamiliar snarled. "Bring her." He ordered Alan.

Alan raised his hand to take my arm but I growled at him. "If you lay even one of your fucking betraying finger on me I swear I'll bite it off your body."

Alan blank face didn't flinch but I noticed a blink of hurt. Well that's what you get for being disloyal to your friends.

"Keep her ahead of you. Make sure she doesn't run away." Mr. Unfamiliar ordered Alan, clearly shaken by my threat. "And Ian if you want to live I suggest you do whatever I say from now or your body pieces will be all over the world."

I saw a drop of sweat form on Ian's forehead. Oh the poor guy, going through all this for me.

"Let's get on with the show." I whooped in fake enthusiasm, saving Ian from another her death threat. Ian gave a small thankful smile and I just winked I return.

"Follow me." Mr. Unfamiliar ordered.

I obliged and walked behind him, Ian besides me and Alan behind us. I slipped the phone to Ian. "Your password is so predictable."

Ian grinned, "You wouldn't have known if I hadn't told the story."

I grinned back. He took his phone and shoved it inside the pocket. I felt Alan's eyes on us but he said nothing. I suddenly felt like he knew I had called Bryan, I turned to face him and his face was still blank and his eyes looking straight past us but I saw his lips twitch trying to form a reluctant smile. I turned ahead.

Suddenly I didn't know who the person behind me was Alan, the gangster or Alan, the best friend.

~~~

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