I roused from a deep slumber to find myself in a bedroom. Everything was white including the sheets, walls, furniture and the least of things. I was lying on a bed that was very comfortable reminding me of the one at home. I sat up after rolling to my back then stared at the ceiling. It had taken me so much time before I knew what was happening. I was with Liza when I fainted but I had woken up to a find myself in a room where everything was white. Where is Liza?

My eyes travelled around the room, evaluating every single detail of it. I had fainted. It was either I wake up in a hospital or wake up with people around me. No part of my house has everything white. Is something happening or is Amir here? I got down from the bed then walked to the window just to realise there was no window. My bare feet was cladded in cosy white Fenty flip flop which was my size, perfectly my size. I still had my clothes on so there was no cause for alarm. My pulse pumped with the known fear. I felt it. Something was wrong somewhere. I rushed to the white door of the room but it was locked. Why?

I turned the knob then struggled to open it. The door had not moved an inch which made my inside twist with terror. I gave up, looked around with eyes that were coated with fear. There were two different doors. I proceeded to check them. The first door led to a large toilet and the second was a closet, not a small closet but a large closet that had everything I could wear in my style, size and the colours I preferred. There was a dressing table with every beauty product I use. That made me agitated. Okay, that’s very weird. I gasped out loud and long when an opinion drilled into me. Have I being kidnapped? By who? A stalker?

“Hey there” I heard a very unfamiliar voice which I turned around to. There was a lady in black trouser suit who was surely older than I was. Her painted lips were curled up into a friendly smile.

“Who are you?” I asked taking a cautious step back.

“You have nothing to worry about. I had just want to pick you up to meet someone”

“Where am I?”

“Some place I can’t tell you” she took a step inside. I stared at her. Despite the nice sweet look, there was something off about her that screams danger. “Get dressed. Put anything on after a bath. I shall wait for you” she said and stepped out.

Is she crazy? I should bath when I do not know what is happening. I marched out of the closet.

“Can you tell me what’s going on? Where am I? Why I…..” I paused then gave her a long look. “Did you kidnap me?” She laughed out at my question.

“Just do as you were told” her voice might be sugary but I got the indication in it. It was best I play along like I was not scared and good with everything happening. I did as I was told then followed her out. Whoever knew what I liked was considerate enough to get me scarfs.

I followed her down a large hallway which she took turns and I tried to know each and every one, knowing what I met on the way, the number of doors, people who looked scary that had stared at me like some alien and the number of steps we took. The place gave me a feeling that something was wrong about it. There was no need to be told that there was no window and the place seemed like somewhere where some operation was going on.

I was still not able to understand the whole thing when the lady had taken me pass an opened door where money in real cash was counted. The money was much for it to be kept in any bank. The next door to it was ajar but I was able to steal a glance at it before someone shut it. Inside, it seemed they were packing white stuff into transparent leather bags. At last, we got to a door. The lady pressed a button. It slid into two to reveal an elevator.

“Carina” a deep male voice called. There was a tall male with an intimidating look and body next to Carina.

“Randy” Carina called without a smile. Randy diverted his eyes to me then I saw that look. His eyebrows moved up while he whistled. I grimaced.

“Wow” he stepped forward. “Who is the beauty?” There was an accent I don’t know but I understood the look in his eyes. I had not seen it coming until it halted just an inch to my face. Carina caught his hand while she looked at him.

“She is not one of them Randy. She is special. Don’t touch her, not even a hair from her should be missing. That’s the boss’s order” Carina said. Boos order? So there is a boss?

“Too bad” he made a sound with his mouth. “Well, nice meeting you” he winked then hopped up the staircase.

Carina led me into the lift then pressed a button. The lift moved and I felt it was going down. When it got to its destination, it opened to reveal a lush living room.

“Sit here. The boss shall meet you soon” Carina said after we got to a lush living room.

“The boss?” I grimaced.

“Yes” she nodded her head making her lengthy caramel brown ponytail swish. I sat on the plush seat.

I sat for long, longer than I expected. When everything turned out to be boring, I had risen from my seat to explore the arts and masterpieces in the living room. I ran my hand over carvings and admired painting from great artists.

“Hello there Noorie” Another deep male voice with British accent called. I turned away from the painting I was admiring. It was nothing new but something I had seen in museums.

Men matched in with guns except two of them. One was older, bald with a smile on his face while he looked at me. On his right was a guy dressed in suit like the older one. The resemblance was there. He should be his son. His brown hair was groomed to perfection with defined face scuffed with stubbles. His deep arctic blue eyes look intently at me. I saw amusement in them. I knew I should cringe when men with guns walk in like that but I felt nothing but amusement. The older man radiated power and his son radiated class and money.

The older man sat on an armchair while he looked at me. I watched back as his smile grew wider. The men surrounded the room and the one I considered to be his son stood on his right.

“Who are you?” I asked raising my head high.

“Sit down” he pointed his hand on the seat opposite him. I sat with a cautious look. Guns were something I loved but that day, I despised them when they adorned hands of men who looked dangerous. “You have questions on your mind Noorie. Ask them”

“Did you kidnap me? If so why? Who are you? Why am I here? How did you know me? Why are you bald?” I rushed out my questions. The last one had made me earn murmur from the men around. I just could not hold back that question. Why is he bald? Very stupid of me.

“I am Santino De Angelis” he replied.

I knew what I should feel, fear and sudden terror but I felt none. Instead, what eroded through me was calmness. I sat back in the armchair. So this was the idiot responsible for mine and Amir’s miserable lives. His son still had his eyes on me which I least cared about. I exhaled then crossed my legs.

“So it’s you?” I said. “The one responsible for mine and my husband’s miserable life. The one who had nearly killed me” I gritted out. My angry eyes met his smiling ones. His eyes were the same with his son’s eyes. “You are my husband’s worse nightmare” my voice grew louder as anger began to rise in me. “I wish you had hair then I would be pulling every strand out” He laughed out with so much humour. What was funny? Do I look like a clown?

“You are one fierce lady Noorie. Where had Amir gotten you from?” he wiped tears from his eyes.

“Do you think this is funny?” I rose to my feet. “You kidnapped me!”

“Thank God you figured that out”

“And where is my friend Liza?”

“Where is she?” he looked around. “Son” he called then guy on his right. So I was right. He was his son. “Where is she?”

“Somewhere up” his son’s husky voice echoed through the room.

“Don’t you dare hurt her” I took a step forward to him just to have guns pointed at me. What? I froze. He raised a hand then the men pulled back.

“Remember what I said to you all. Don’t touch her, not even a hair from her should be missing” his eyes grew cold while he talked to the men. “I promised Amir that I won’t be touching anything on her. I like her though” his eyes grew warm. He had not looked at me with lust but with something else I could not figure out.

“What do you want from us?”

“Amir knows what I want. Of course he loves you. He should be here any minute to give what’s mine to me and I know he won’t be making any rash decision if he wants you alive”

“Of course he wouldn’t” I said with affirmation. Even though we are not in good terms.

“Tell me something Noorie” His son spoke taking a step away from his father’s side. “Have I met you before?”

“Of course no!” I barked. He smiled this time showing his perfect white teeth. He walked to me, his shoes clicking the floor. I sagged back but still tried to look confident. He looked at me intently as if trying to read something on my face before raising his hand to touch my face but his father’s words stop him.

“She is another man’s wife Carlo. Don’t touch her” his voice was authoritative. I shifted my eyes to Carlo’s hand that barely touched my cheek then back to his face.

“She is the one papa” he said with sureness. “It was her in Lagos, Nigeria about four to five years ago if I remember how long” Lines creased on my forehead at his words. “You called yourself sugar” his eyes never left mine as if he wanted me to see something in them. “You were one hell of a dancer. A night stand in Raddison Blu. You were a virgin. At least you gave me the privilege to have a virgin for once”

I was sure my face lost its colour and turned oddly pale. It could just not be true. Santino’s son, Carlo De Angelis was the man I had a nightstand with. He was the one responsible for that pregnancy I aborted. My body trembled but I knew better than to show it.

“You remember don’t you? You did not have this thing on then” he pointed at the scarf on my head. “You were smoking hot in that little black halter neck dress” he smirked.

Then it came back. The memory of that night. His blue eyes became familiar which brought back the memory. I reminisced every detail of it that could have make me breakdown and had made me sick deep into my stomach. From the way I had gotten drunk, danced, forced myself on him then ended in the hotel room to every single thing that happened between us. My chest compressed.

“That’s my twin” I replied with a confidence I refused to break. I could not just let him know it was me.

“Your twin?” he mused. His lips twitch with his eyebrows together.

“Yes, my twin and if you want to ask where she is, she is dead” I spat out feeling irritated at myself. Of all men in the entire world, it was Santino’s son. My stomach twirled and nausea rolled up my throat.

“I had one of the best nights of my life then. She was good though, too good for a virgin”

I shut my eyes at the dirty unspeakable things I had done with him. When my eyes met his, I saw the twinkle in his eyes at the recall of that night. Amir might have not taken that phase of my life to heart but it would be so heart shattering to know that the son of his enemy had slept with his wife.

“Enough figlio” Santino spoke. “Let’s give Amir a call”

My heart tumbled in my chest. It was as though another secret would be let out even though I knew I was not going to say a word about Carlo being the man from that night to him. Hearing his voice would make me feel like I had let him down which I felt already. My hand flew over my chest while I exhaled heavily.
To each ring, I felt the tremendous fear that swallowed my entire being. His voice would come up anytime soon and I knew what I would feel at that. This thing had nothing to do with feelings or love but it had something to do with what I just heard few minutes ago.

“Hello” his feeble voice came through the phone. My heartbeat halted in my chest.

“How long will it take you to get it to me Amir?” Santino spoke.
“I am on my way. Just keep her safe and don’t touch a thing on her Santino” I heard the tension and fright in his shaking voice. Was that for me?

“I keep my promises Amir. I don’t break them” There was more to Santino’s words. “Follow my directions and don’t just act rash. If you are worried about her, you could speak to her” there was a long pause from Amir’s side.

“Of course, give her the phone” his voice grew weak. I imagined the lines of tension on his face. The worry in his deep gentle eyes and the way he would keep swallowing.

“Carina” Santino called handing over the phone. Carina collected the phone then kept it close to my mouth because it was on loud speaker. I glared at her then at the phone.

“Hayati” he called the unexpected. So we are back to Hayati and not Noor or Noorie.

“I am here” I said nonchalantly. A long pause from his side was what I received.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes” I realised I was still angry at him due to my replies that came out forced and short. This is not the time for couple’s fight Noor, I said to myself.

“Just stay. I would be there. Don’t think about escaping or getting so stubborn” he paused. “Just be good please” he begged with a very low voice that was shaky. I said nothing because his words got into me. I might be irrational but the feeling of knowing he cares for me despite everything made my heart swell with emotions.

“Take the phone away” I said to Carina. Carina did as she was told then handed over the phone to its owner.

“You heard her. She is perfectly alright. Just get here in time” he ended the call. Santino gave me a knowing look with a faint smile. “Couple’s fight I sensed” he raised an eyebrow.

“Stay out of it!” I snapped which he chuckled to.

“We wait and see what happens. I really can’t believe I am getting what I had lost for five years” He grinned.

Amir arrived about thirty minutes later. He had entered with two men that aimed rifles at his back. I sat in silence and my eyes fixed on the television. Santino had risen with a smile of victory. He tapped the end of his cigar on the ash tray then gulped down the glass of whatever he was drinking.

“Amir Hussein Mashood” Santino called out in a very loud voice that came out with laughter. “Nice meeting you again” he let out his hand for a handshake. Amir looked at me. My eyes met his then he exhaled while I looked away with a scorn. “It’s been a long time man”

“Here is what you have always wanted” Amir slammed the pen into Santino’s waiting hand. “Let her go” his eyebrows came together with eyes that became deeper. His lips were pressed into a firm line as he gazed at Santino who smiled.

“Did you open it?” Santino passed the pen over to his son.

“I tried to. It is heavily encrypted. Let us go”

“She is all yours”. He stepped aside “Noorie you can go”

I frowned. That was easy and weird. Something does not feel right. A gangster like Santino will never make anything easy like it just happened.

“Just like that” I voiced. He laughed.

“Do you need anything else Noorie?” I shook my head negatively then stood up.

“Well, thank you” I said before walking to Amir.

A sudden pull made me screech. My back slammed hard into something soft yet strong. Terror sizzled through my body like cold watery metal at the unexpected tug until it rested on my chest. Something cold set down against the pulse pounding fast in my neck. A gun clicked. I lifted my eyelids I had shut mindlessly to see a pistol pointed at the back of Amir’s head by Santino.
A hand held me tight into the firm chest which belonged to a man. His musky scent wafted into my nostrils. My breathing had stopped while my wide eyes shifted to the side. I had a knife pressed to the soft skin of my neck by Carlo. Ya Allah! I thought I would faint because every part of me began to melt. Amir who still had his back against me was at a standstill.

“Not so fast Amir” Santino stated. Sweat drenched my skin. What’s happening? Everything had gone still with a very awful silence. “Just turn around with your hands behind your head” Santino’s cheerful voice had turned icy with a hard warning. It was as if he was telling Amir not to do anything that might lead to loss of a life.

“Wha….wha….what did he do?” I questioned with a voice that quivered.

“Ask your husband beauty” Santino laughed out. His laughter was callous. Gone was the hearty one I heard. “I told you not to act stupid or do anything stupid” Amir’s eyebrows came together in confusion.

“I don’t know what you are talking about” Amir replied.

I knew he would feel dread clog his throat because he had swallowed. Santino lowered the gun. I had nearly released an air of relieve at that gesture when another man pointed his rifle which was no doubt an AK-47 at my husband. I shut my eyes then opened it again. Please, don’t pull that trigger at him dude, I begged inwardly like a silent prayer.

“You really don’t know?” Carlo spoke behind me, his words dripped with venom. His lips had barely touched my ear. Ya Allah, the knife held to my neck felt like it would cut me soon. My eyes met Amir’s eyes as though pleading him to tell them what he had done.

“The police are here” Santino replied.

“What?” Amir grimaced. “That’s impossible” his voice was firm. Santino gapped at him for a while before moving his eyes, sharp like an eagle’s around the quiet room.

“Shit!” he cursed.

There was a rush. Carlo had pushed me forward to Amir. Words flew in Italian from Santino’s lips. Amir caught me before I could feel the floor. That little contact of his hand firm against my arm and waist sent the familiar shivers from those spots to my spine through my veins until they ended at the tip of my toes. It was the first physical contact we were having in a month and nearly two weeks. His hold was firm yet tender allowing me to pine for that simple touch of his.

“Thanks” I muttered rising up and got out of his hold.
Santino threw an order at Carina who pulled out her gun and pointed it at Amir and me. We recoiled. The man who had his gun to Amir had not retreated even though others had.
“Move” Carina commanded us.

With guns pointed behind us, we were led out of the room back to the elevator that brought me until we got to the room I had woken up in. They locked us in it and left an awful silence behind. The door was not the type anyone would break in fact all the doors were not like that because they needed code to be activated. We paced the room to different direction. I to the bed and Amir kept pacing to and fro.

“He told you not to act rash Amir. Calling the police was dumb” I exhaled with words I knew might hurt him as I slumped into bed.

Amir lifted his eyes to look at me. I saw the gloominess in them and surprise at my words. He halted then walked to me while I shrink back which might have made him stop. He frowned with his lips twitched making me stare at the red sensual pair for a very brief moment before meeting his eyes. I wondered how it would feel like to have them on mine once again. Now is not the time for such things Noorie, I told myself.

“I did not call them” He husked out in a tired tone. I noticed his suit had changed by mere looking at his trousers including the shirt he had on. “I really did not” there was truthfulness in his voice.

I knew I had to do something to divert my mind from the attraction I had towards him. The vulnerability in his eyes was fluxing the coldness in my chest. I yanked drawers of the nightstand open. The last drawer had a sketch book and coloured pencils which made me marvel why they were there. I sat back in the bed and allowed my next thoughts consume me. I was kidnapped to wake up in a room where I found out that the closet and bathroom were filled with what I use and wear. Santino knew every single thing about me. I wanted to distract myself from something that pulled me like a magnet just to find a sketch book and coloured pencils in a drawer. It was like Santino had prepared for the day I would get kidnapped and decided to get me things I used. That seeped a question into my heart. Where is Liza?

“When he called to inform me he had you, I felt every ounce of strength drift from me” Amir’s voice echoed inaudibly through the room. It halted the coloured pencil that moved against the white surface of the sketch book I had in hand. “I had slumped back into the seat and notions rushed in. I knew one day he was going to take you” his words came out slow. His eyes rested on me. Although I had not raised my head to look at him, I felt his eyes on me “I had not expected it so soon. The anxiety, fear and what he might had done to you sent my nerves to the edge making me tremble but seeing you after a journey that felt so long made me relieved. I am glad Noor, glad you are alright” I heard the smile in his voice. “Glad I had the chance to meet you the way I left you”

I knew I dare not look at him so that he won’t break the string I had to my anger at him. His eyes would have given out a lot. My eyes burned. Why did I want to cry? Was it the concern I had heard in his voice that made me know in spite of the whole shebang that might be going on between him and I, he still cared. I continued my work.

I was singing a song off key when the door to where we were imprisoned opened. Amir who had slouched against a wall looked up while I who sat down on the floor stopped singing. Carina entered with her sassy attitude and steps that were confident and full of vigour. Two tall strangers moved behind her, guns decked their hands. She looked at the corner of the room where a CCTV camera was then back at me.

“We shall leave now” she bent down next to me then brought her lips close to my ear. It had taken me so much not to squirm back. “To save yourself, you have to forget your fear” she muttered while she did her hand as if she was doing something. “You have to fight to get out of here. Santino is tensed. The police are here. Sooner, there would be an uproar” Sweat broke free from my pores. “I have seen you to be a fierce woman Noorie. You have to fight your way out” she threw me a smile. “It’s been fifteen months since I work here. Being an undercover agent is not easy you know” My eyes grew wide. What? She pulled me up roughly with her scorn. “You know a man’s weakest point” she whispered as she threw me towards one of the guys.

He gripped my body hard while the other walked to Amir. This was insane. Carina was here to help Amir and me. I am been man handled by some idiotic bastard. Struggling won’t help. It was best I take him by surprise. When we stepped into the corridor, there was really an uproar in Santino’s world. We were rushed through the hallway way past people who began to get their gun ready for a war they were not sure they would win. My hands were held tight by the man who pushed me down the corridor as we collided with people who did not care about us.

We had turned left when I took him by surprise. The kick went straight in between his leg. I was surprised I still had that reflex since it had been months since I ended my defense class. He released me like I burned him. I slammed my elbow hard into his face with every ounce of power I had. The other guy was too late to fight back instead he fell on the floor in a pool of his own blood from Carina’s gun. Carina had not hesitated to pull the trigger at the man who held me. Amir was not fazed by the whole event so I knew he had something to do with everything. He had not called the police because an agent was present in the mob. I stared at the men dead on the floor then back at Carina and Amir. Carina gave me a smile, this time it was genuine.

“There is no need for formalities Noor. Take that way with Amir” She aimed her chin at the opposite direction “Here” she strapped something around my wrist with a heavy pant. “It will lead you out. There is a door that will lead you out. The Police will wait for you. The door needs a code” she scribbled down the code in my palm with a pen as quick as she could “Be careful” she turned on her heels and left us to survive by ourselves.

Amir shuffled around during which I kept an eye on him. He took rifles from the dead men and their pistols. Okay, what is he going to do? Fight like a hero? That would be foolish of him. This people are trained and he knows nothing about the way they fight and use guns. Really Noor? Remember your honeymoon, the way he fought? He was good, too good to not have been an expert in fighting and using guns. He taught you how to use the gun. Yes he did. I was having an inner battle with my idiotic self.

“There is no need to waste time Angel” Amir gripped my wrist tugging me down the hallway.

“So we are back to Angel?” I grinded out unable to hold the remark.

“Not now Noor” He watched the device on my wrist then took a turn to the left. I saw the determination to get us out, the tension that marred his face and felt the anxiety that rippled within his body. We had dashed into the passageway but Amir pulled me back and slammed me against the wall. I heard it. The sound of a gun going off and bullet hitting the wall.

“Here” he shoved a pistol into my hand. “Down” he commanded as he went down. What is he doing? He was careful like a predator watching its prey. He went out a bit and his gun was in action. Two shot and he was back. Shots flew back at our direction.

“How good are you at using guns and fighting?”

“Better than you can imagine” He shoot again then fell back against the wall like a defense from the bullets that flew to our direction.

“I should not be talking to you”

“I know. You have the right to be angry at me”

“Oh really?” I huffed wrapping my hand around my chest.

He repeated what he had done before this time longer, shooting nonstop as he took protection from the wall. To say I was not scared for him would be a lie. I exhaled when he leaned back unharmed. I never knew I was shaking until I began to calm down. His eyes rested on my petrified face. They were callous but became subtle. I held his gaze. My chest rose and fell. How frightened was I? My heartbeat lessened to be normal. He ran his tongue over his bottom lips with a refusal to drop his gaze.

“Do I have something on my face?” I questioned, my voice was rough but gentle.

“Let’s leave” He pulled me up.

I thought it was going to be easy but I was wrong. It became harder. The men were hell bent on killing us, very loyal of them. At one point, I knew I could not be idle. The little I know can still help us. When Amir fought with a guy, I had slammed the edge of a rifle on another guy’s head. I realised there was something in me, the resolve to live. I had held myself back to rush to Amir who had a bruise on his face and a bleeding elbow. It was a sign that I cannot stay angry at him for long which I do not want. He needs to realise his mistake and childishness.

I had hope when we were two passageways away from the door that would lead us out just to have someone pull me, trap me in a very tight hold then point a gun at my head. Amir had frozen. I saw the terror that glazed over his face. The familiar scent went into my nostrils and my brain allowed me to know who it belonged to.

“Let her go Carlo” Amir said, his hands slumped to his side. A lady, obviously a tomboy and two men appeared from nowhere with guns. Do these people live with guns? I could have considered them the good guys until two guns were pointed at my husband’s head. How long will this day be? It was worse to not know whether it was morning, afternoon or evening. There were no windows.

“I knew you were crazy Carlo” I snorted. I sensed Carlo’s smile.

“Isn’t she a beauty Amir?” Carlo moved back, the gun still held to my head. I caught sight of Amir’s nostrils flaring with the known anger. He might charge at him soon. Abegi, make una just make me go first before una fight. “She is fierce, something that intrudes me. Does it do the same to you?” Carlo’s voice was changing from the loud one to something low and huskier.

“Carlo” Amir growled.

“Behave man, I have the gun to her head” he pressed the muzzle to my temple where a line of perspiration went down.

“Just pull the trigger if you want to” I snapped.

“Not very soon love” Carlo pressed his lips against my ear. My throat clogged. So he was still going to pull the trigger at me.

“You are a bastard Carlo” I growled as I recoiled from his touch. God that crawled my skin. Carlo laughed.

“We shall see to that. Amir” he stayed still. “She is just like her. The lady from that night” I sucked in my breath. I have no twin and my husband knows. If Carlo should let out a word then nothing would be a secret. I stomped my foot on Carlo’s foot cladded in an expensive shoe. I made sure the force was painful and something he would feel for a long period of time. That had not made him release me. He just topple back with a tighter hold around me. “You bitch!” he gritted out. His hands became loose around my body but he braced my hair through my scarf with his hand. He snarled while inflicting pain with his hard eyes glimmering with bliss. I cried out a bit as I tried refraining his torture. “I won’t spare you” he had raised his hand to do whatever I don’t know but Amir’s voice halted him.

“What do you want Carlo?” Amir said while the fire in my eyes intensified as I glared at the man that became unmerciful.

“Just do as I say”

“What do you want me to do?”

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