Chapter 4 Three

Arabella's eyes shifted to the wall clock for the umpteenth time.

It was midnight.

She rubbed her tired eyes and sighed. It was midnight, and the reason for her coming awake at such an odd hour, she didn't know.

But she was sure something was about to happen. She couldn't ignore the strange feeling building up in her.

It wasn't the first time she'd had such a feeling. The same thing happened when her father was killed.

Perhaps, if she had been older, she'd have advised her father, and they'd have indeed run away.

But she doubted it was possible back then because she was never allowed to make any decision; she was too young to do so.

"Alessandro," She mumbled.

She shivered as the hair at the back of her neck prickled at the mention of his name.

She didn't know how she knew, but she believed the strange feelings had everything to do with him.

"What if he found me again?" She whimpered.

Arabella wrapped her arms around her body and rocked her body back and forth while thinking of the possibility.

She hadn't seen him since that night and didn't hear any words from him.

Heck, she was living her life, even though slightly lonely. It was better than being terrified of him.

She stood up from her bed, moved to the window, and drew back the curtains.

She gasped and shut it almost immediately. Then, retake a peek.

"Shit, they found me!" Arabella gritted her teeth and clenched her hands as she saw the familiar black van parked far from her flat.

She had noticed the van following her for some while after working hours.

She hadn't overthought about it until now.

"I'm so daft!" She groaned, facepalming.

She believed if she had known the van was for the enemy and after her, she'd have acted faster.

The front of the house was surrounded, and she saw more cars and bikes pouring in. She wondered who else was in the building they were coming after.

The only alternative was to leave through the back door.

Arabella ran a hand through her and did it in a messy ponytail. She wore a clean top and denim shorts to move faster.

Moreover, she was glad it was darker. She could fit in the shadow and move without attracting attention to herself.

Dashing into the bathroom, she washed her face and stepped out almost immediately. She grabbed a small duffel bag and tossed a few clothes and other necessary things she believed she needed.

Arabella took a last glance at the flat before creeping out.

However, it seemed her luck had run out.

As soon as she came out of her flat through the back door, she swirled as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Arabella shrieked at the sight of the man dressed in an all-black outfit.

Her eyes strayed to his large palms as he yanked off the gloves he had donned.

She licked her bottom lip as her eyes shifted back to his face.

Alessandro De Fúcking Luca!

The image of him she often formed in her head didn't do him justice.

The last time she had seen him was when she was fourteen, six years ago, he had been a beautiful man.

A freaking tall man that looked as though he had stepped out of a magazine cover.

She had thought Blaze was the most handsome man she had seen.

The man before her was effortlessly handsome.

Despite the grimace on his face, it didn't make him less alluring.

Arabella's hand itched to caress his tousled hair in disarray on his head, but she clenched her fists.

Warmth enveloped her at his closeness, and her core dampened and clenched as she imagined what he could do to her simmering body...

"No..." She mumbled with a shake of her head. "He is the enemy. I shouldn't have such nasty thoughts about him."

"Hello, Princess," Sandro smirked, and he saw her flinch. "It's okay if you have nasty thoughts about me; everyone does."

Arabella's eyes bored into his piercing green eyes. It was then she realized she needed to scream as he cornered her.

"Sweet dreams." He mumbled and pursed his lips, making a kissy sound.

Swiftly, Alessandro darted to her side as she attempted to sidestep him, and he gripped her neck.

Arabella opened her mouth to scream, but the words died in her throat as she felt a piercing pain in her neck.

She grasped Alessandro's hand as it tightened on hers and blinked as her vision blurred.

"W-what did you do to me?!" She slurred.

Her head pounded, and she grimaced as it felt heavy. She couldn't see what was in front of her anymore. He must have injected her with something, but she saw nothing with him.

"Don't fight it." Sandro rasped, "Have a wonderful dream."

Arabella grunted as he jammed whatever he did to her the first time in her neck once more.

"Shit!" She exclaimed before giving in to the blackness.

**********

Arabella grimaced as soon as she woke up. Her head still pounded, and her mouth tasted sour like she had feasted on lemons the night before.

She rubbed at her eyes as soon as they opened and regretted it immediately because they ached.

Forcing herself to sit on the bed, Arabella grimaced and rubbed her neck as she felt a twinge.

Then, the back of her palm came to touch her temple. It was warm to her touch, and she winced.

She sensed a fever brewing. But she couldn't remember the last time she got sick. She wondered if it was due to how she had overworked herself for the past month in the plaza.

It wasn't because she needed money; she had enough to feed herself for a lifetime. It was because she wanted to know how it feels while working for money.

The curtain in the room rustled, getting her attention. She was aware she wasn't in her room. There was no way the room she stayed in was as large and extravagant as this. Even the decor in the room screams wealth, making her wonder if she was abducted.

Her head reeled as she recalled what had happened the day before.

Men in black, Vans, motorbikes...

"Jesus, Alessandro!" Arabella exclaimed, sitting up from the bed.