Chapter 5 Knight In Shining Amor

Fiona stayed frozen as her gaze fell on the disgusting, old man from the night before, and immediately his presence cast a shadow over the room. A dark, disturbing shadow.

Fiona's breath caught in her throat with her heart pounding erratically as she stared at the stout, horrid man. She felt as though the air around her had thickened, making each breath more difficult than the last. Immediately, she sprung to her feet.

Her eyes darted back to Lorenzo, who was now standing behind the desk, beaming with smiles that seemed victorious but bore into Fiona's heart. Again, she had trusted him, but he betrayed her.

"Lorenzo, "She whispered in panic, with her voice trembling.

"Lorenzo... Please, don't do this. Not again. "She begged as tears built a thick wall in her eyes and Lorenzo stared at her with his expression a mixture of annoyance and detachment.

"No, you should not do this again. I don't know why you keep begging when you know my decision is final. Do you think you have the power to make me change my mind? This is going to happen, whether you like it or not. Now, get to your room and pack your things. And don't even try to run away. I have every exit heavily guarded. I'm prepared for you this time, little sis."He replied and Fiona shook her head as her panic escalated into frantic cries.

"No, Lorenzo, please! Don't do this! Don't send me with him! I can't... "She began but before she could continue, the man took a step forward, standing right beside her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and stared at Lorenzo.

"I don't trust her. She doesn't need to pack anything. "He said, and his voice and touch made Fiona shiver. NOT IN THE GOOD WAY.

"She can come with me just the way she is. "He added and tears streamed down Fiona's face as the man began to draw circles on her side with his fingers. The very sight of him deepened her sense of dread and clouded her mind with fear and disgust.

In a sudden surge of adrenaline, she stomped on the man's foot with all her might, her heel digging into his shoe, and hopefully breaking a toe or two. The old man let out a shout in pain, and that was enough of a distraction for Fiona to make her escape.

With her heart racing, she bolted through the house, her heels knocking against the polished floor as she dashed up the stairs, and to her room. Her brother's angry shouts echoed behind her, but she dared not look back. The only thing that mattered was reaching the sanctuary of her room and finding a way out. Any way out.

Slamming the door of her room behind her, Fiona locked it with trembling hands and leaned against it, trying to steady her racing pulse. She could hear the commotion downstairs, Lorenzo's voice rising in frustration, and the muffled sounds of footsteps growing closer. Panic began to swallow her, her breaths coming in shallow, rapid puffs, and her vision crossing as her room began to dance around her. She was having a panic attack, but she needed to think. To come up with a plan.

She paced back and forth, her mind spinning with possible escape routes, but everyone she knew was probably mounted by a guard. Finally, her desperation gave way to action. Fiona hurriedly took off her heels, rushed to a window in her room, and opened it wide.

The scent of the night air wafted in, mingling with the scent of her sweat and fear. She glanced down at the tree branch that extended from the window, and her legs wobbled but she knew she had to do this. It was her only way. She struggled to climb onto it, and the branch swayed under her weight. Causing her to freeze. For a moment, she was sure it would give way, but it didn't. With a final push, she managed to hoist herself up, wincing as the sharp edges of the tree bark dug into her palms.

Just as she settled onto the branch, she heard a loud crash from inside her room and when she turned she saw her brother's guards breaking through the door. Her heart leaped into her throat. She saw them, and they had seen her. On the tree. There was no longer time for her to climb down. She'd be stuck if the wheels of her brain didn't start to turn faster.

Without thinking, she jumped from the tree, her feet landing awkwardly on the ground. A jolt of pain shot through her ankle, and she stumbled, but adrenaline kept her moving. Her bare feet pounded against the grass as she ran towards the side of the compound. The fence loomed ahead, and with a burst of determination, she scaled it and dropped down on the other side, her sprained ankle sending sharp pangs with every step, but she didn't stop. She dared not.

The night was alive with the sounds of her passing cars and the night's dew. Fiona ran until her lungs felt as though they were on fire and her legs threatened to give out. Her bare feet patered against the wet concrete ground as she ran and all she could hear were her huff and puffs. When she finally came to a halt, she was breathless and trembling. Her mind raced as she suddenly remembered the card Dwayne had given her. With shaking hands, she reached into her bra and retrieved the small, cream-colored card. The contact details on it were her last hope.

A man was walking past, and Fiona, driven by desperation, approached him.

"Excuse me," she panted,

"I need to borrow your phone. Please, it's an emergency. "She added and the man, seeing her distress, handed over his phone with a concerned look.

Fiona dialed the number written on the card with her fingers fumbling with the buttons. After a few agonizing rings, a familiar voice answered.

"Dwayne, " Fiona said, her voice breaking.

"It's Fiona. I'm in trouble. They're after me, and there's this old man. The... The one from last night. They... "She began but stopped as she was out of breath.

"Fiona, where are you?" Dwayne's voice was calm, but there was an underlying urgency.

"I'm... I,m... "She began but stopped when she realized that she didn't know where she was.

She turned to the man whose phone she was using and then asked.

"Sir... What road are we on? "She questioned, and the man answered.

"Rodulf crescent. Opposite the Chinese restaurant. Road 4. "He replied and Fiona repeated the same words to Dwayne.

"Stay hidden. I'll be there soon. Don't let anyone see you. "Dwayne ordered, and Fiona nodded even though Dwayne couldn't see her. She immediately ended the call and thanked the stranger who helped her before quickly handing his phone back to him.

She then looked about for the perfect hiding spot, and she found it. She slipped into a narrow space between two buildings and tried to stay as hidden as possible. Her heart was still racing, and she held her breath as she saw one of her brother's cars drive by. The men inside were scanning the area, their eyes searching for her. She pressed herself further into the shadows, her pulse pounding in her ears and tears building afresh in her eyes. Every second she waited for Dwayne was beginning to feel like an eternity. He was her only hope at this point. Her lifeline.

The car eventually drove away, and Fiona let out a sigh of relief. Minutes felt like hours until she finally saw Dwayne's car approaching. Relief washed over her. She waved till he saw her and when she tried to run over to him, her relief was instantly replaced with a wave of excruciating pain. She stumbled and fell as her sprained ankle protested with sharp, stabbing pain. It had gone well over its limit and couldn't go on any longer.

Dwayne skidded to a stop, his eyes widening with concern as he saw her on the ground. He rushed out of the car and ran towards her.

"Fiona! What happened? "He questioned and tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him.

"I... I think I broke my ankle. Please, help me. "She cried and Dwayne's face fell. Without hesitation, Dwayne scooped her up, cradling her carefully in his arms.

"I've got you, " he said softly. His voice filled with reassurance.

"Let's get you to the car. "He added, and Fiona nodded as she secured her arms around the neck of her knight in shiny armor.

He carried her to the vehicle, and once she was seated inside, he quickly fastened the seatbelt around her.

"I'm taking you to the hospital first to get that ankle checked out, and then we'll go to my place. Is that okay? "He explained and questioned, and Fiona nodded.

"Okay. Just hang in there." He replied and Fiona nodded, her vision blurring with tears of relief.

As Dwayne slid into the driver's seat and started the car, the world outside became a blur of lights and shadows. The night air rushed through the open windows, mingling with the scent of the leather seats and the faint trace of Dwayne's cologne.

Fiona clutched her injured ankle, her thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, gratitude, and exhaustion. But through it all, one thing remained clear. She was no longer alone in her flight. Dwayne was here, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she no longer felt alone. She felt safe.

Fiona stared at Dwayne who had his brown eyes fixed on the road as the city lights streaked past in a dazzling display. Fiona then allowed herself to relax as the car moved steadily away from the danger she had narrowly escaped.

She was grateful for Dwayne. He made her feel safe and no longer alone. She wondered how she could repay this kind man. And at this point, She was sure she could do anything to show her gratitude for what he's done for her.