"Make it look pretty,

but train it to kill,"

Isabelle POV

"Why are you worried, honey?" I turned around to see Sister Ancy.

"Nothing, Sister, just thinking about how things will change once the wedding is done." I tried not to break down before Sister.

"Listen, my child, you are one of the sweetest children I ever knew. You always come here to help us with church matters, you look after the kids. You always help the needy. I'm sure God has stored something for you. He knows what is best for his kids. We never know... Anything might happen. Have faith."

"I wish, sister."

"Pray to him with your heart and soul." I gave her a smile. Sister Ancy left me alone with my thoughts. It's been a month since the marriage announcement.

My thoughts now shifted to Cyrus, that one strange person whom my father or anyone doesn't know. After that night, I went through the list of people who attended the party but there was no one named Cyrus.

I even asked my father if he knew anyone named Cyrus. He just said: "I don't know anyone named Cyrus, don't waste my time with your rubbish questions."

I even forgot my expensive heels in his car, which caused havoc in my home. Caroline shouted, saying how much the heels cost. She bought them for me, which means they are mine. I can do whatever I want with them, but no!!

She went all the way saying how irresponsible I'm, how stupid I'm to throw heels like that. I just gave them a blank face before turning away. You must be thinking about how they even allowed me to go to church.

Well, would you believe me if I said I jumped off the compound wall and took the taxi here?

A huge yes! I always do that whenever they are out of home. This time they went to Spain for a month or so. So, I'm free to roam anywhere without the guards knowing.

"Belle, he is not giving me my Barbie doll!" Ariel came to me with a red face.

I bent down to her height "Who is not giving your doll, darling?" I asked her, whipping her tears away with my thumb.

"Joe, he―he always does like that, he always takes my Barbie dolls saying they are a waste. He always pulls my hair making me cry, he always pushes the people away who come near me," she said, showing me the guy who is now standing near the door.

I smiled, knowing that the little boy liked her, he was scared that they might hurt her. I can not blame the boy, he was bullied by the teenagers who came to church. I handled the matter but Ariel doesn't have any idea about it. So, when someone comes over to talk with Ariel, Joe pushes them away.

I sat crisscrossed, taking her in my lap, "Baby, he likes you. That's why he pushes people away because he thinks they may harm you. You are his only friend, which is why he won't allow people to hurt you. If you are playing with your Barbie, then who is going to play with him?"

"Joe, come here," I said.'

He slowly walked to me, "We don't want our little Ariel to cry, right?" I asked him. He nodded his head. "It is not acceptable that you push her friends away."

"Okay."

"Next time, you don't push them away but stay with her and make friends, okay Joe?" He gave me a meek nod.

"Friends?'' I asked them. They both nodded their heads.

"Now come on and hug each other and say sorry."

Ariel pulled herself up from my lap before walking to Joe. They both shyly hugged, making me smile at their innocence. They are the only kids who stay in the church house with Mother Julie. Joe is nine years old and Ariel is seven years old. I have known them for a long time now.

"Sorry!" Joe said, kissing Ariel's cheek. Ariel's cheeks turned scarlet as she smiled at Joe.

"Who is up for the ice cream?" I asked them.

"Me!! Me!! Me!!"

"Put on your shoes." Joe and Ariel ran to get their shoes. I laugh as I help them with their shoes.

There is this ice cream van near the park which is a walkable distance from the church. Ariel is on my left side and Joe is on my right side holding my hand, talking about how the leaves are falling off.

I looked at them as I thought of how they would be feeling when they wouldn't be seeing me again after three months. I haven't told them that I'm going to marry someone. Once the wedding is done, I don't think I will be able to visit the church.

I pushed the thoughts away, not wanting to disturb my mood. When we reached the van, I read the menu for them and waited for them to choose.

"What do you guys want?" I asked them.

"I want chocolate," Ariel said.

"Can I have a strawberry one," Joe asked me like a sweet little guy.

"Okay." Joe and Ariel started talking about running around the park after finishing the ice cream.

We took our ice cream and sat on the wooden bench. Joe told me about running around the park. "You two can run around if you finish your ice cream before it melts down."

"Okay." Once we finished our ice creams. I took them to the park which was one minute's walk from the truck. Joe and Ariel started running away.

"Joe and Ariel be careful!" They giggled before running faster.

"Yes!"

"Okay!" I laughed, pulling my phone out. I recorded them as Joe decided to chase Ariel instead of running ahead.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the truck tree. I hummed a song and looked around. I took a second glance to my left as I caught someone. I narrowed my eyes to get a better sight of them. It was Cyrus. He was walking towards me. There was a known glee as he checked me out. I stood straight and breathed out heavily.

"What―What are you doing here?" He stood silent for a beat. "Come with me."

"What?!"

"You heard me."

"Come with you where?" I looked at Joe and Ariel who were playing around the water fountain. Cyrus pushed his hands into his pant pockets. "Come with me."

"I think you have lost your mind. I'm not coming anywhere." Without hearing any word, I rushed towards Joe and Ariel.

"Joe and Ariel, we need to go back," I said, taking their hands in mine. "But why?" Joe pouted his lips.

"I'm sorry, honey. We will come back tomorrow. If not me, Sister Ancy will take you to the park."

"Hmm, okay." I glanced at Cyrus, who was now watching Joe and Ariel.

*

"Sister, I will be back tomorrow to play with them."

"Be careful on your way back home." I gave her a smile before I started walking down the way to my house. The night was dark, thankfully the alleys were empty.

When I almost reached my house, I saw a person leaning against a car, making me feel nervous. As I continued walking, the person's face came into view. I stopped walking when I knew who it was.

"What are you doing here?" He pulled his cigarette off his lips and exhaled the smoke, looking at the other side.

"I came here to take you with me."

"What makes you think that I will come with you?" I massaged my forehead.

He threw the cigarette away. "You want to do something crazy in your life before you tie the knot." He stood straight in his whole glory of height. "I'm here to take you away from―" He looked at the mansion before looking back at me. "Everything for a period of time."

"No." He might be a serial killer or he could do anything. "I will give you ten minutes to think about it."

I chuckled. "No, I'm not coming with you. To wherever you meant taking me. You might be a kidnapper who is luring me to go with you."

"Even if I kidnap you or kill you, do you think your Father gives a damn about it?" He looks straight into my eye. "If there was a motto, I would've picked the other one for it. I know your Father would lose his shit if she was taken away."

His words hit me in the stomach like a raw punch. I clenched my jaw as a pain shot through my throat. It felt like a burning fire. His words made sense. We stared at each other before I uttered, "Why?"

He hummed. "I got no answer. Might tell you when I have the answer."

He wandered towards his car. He opened the car door. "Get in or go away. We don't have much time, Belle."

I felt a weird sense of calmness as I thought of things I might be able to experience. There was fear but more than that, there was excitement. Gulping down the lump, I walked towards the car and got inside. "Thank you." He gave a curt nod before closing the door and wandering over to his side.

Soon the car's engine roared to its life and we speeded off to god knows where. I looked out of the window to see young people and couples walking on the roads.

"If you are hungry you can have this." He placed something on my lap. I looked at the pizza box and my mood instantly lifted. I'm hungry and. Hey, who doesn't like pizza?

"Thank you!"

"Here, have some," I said, shoving a slice in his face. He leaned slightly away and gave me a weird look before looking at the pizza slice. "Hmm― No."

"It's really good, now take a bite." I shoved it. I'm not going to eat alone and feel bad after finishing it off.

He took a bite, I waited for his reaction. He gave a nod but finished off the slice. "Do you need more?"

"No."

"Okay."

I looked out of the window to see we were on the national highway, the sky was dark and the roads were so calm and empty, giving me my own time to think about what was going to happen in my life.

I know for sure many things are going to change from the moment that I'm with Cyrus, who is a complete stranger, except the time when he actually helped me out at our very first encounter. Deep down I know he is dangerous and I'm in a deep trench. I just hope coming with him is not a bad choice.