Chapter 2 THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Annabel froze. Her breath seized, her eyes widened in disbelief. All she could feel was the soft lips pressed against hers. His hands held her, drawing her in, closing the distance between them until finally, she was completely lost in his embrace.

She knew she shouldn't be feeling this but she couldn't help it. Her heart thundered in her chest, confused, betraying her and loving the moment.

A loud bang shattered the moment.

Annabel flinched as Nathan slammed his hands against the table, rising abruptly, his expression darkening as his gaze locked on them both.

"You....you," he stammered, desperately trying to find the right words.

Annabel stood motionless, unable to control the fast pace of her heart. Her lips parted slightly, still warm, still remembering.

"What is this?" Nathan smirked, ran a hand through his hair. "Did you call me here just to embarrass me?"

"I... I." Her voice faltered. Just then, she felt the stranger hands on her again, gentle, steady, slowly turning her to him, forcing her into eye contact.

Annabel stared at him once again, caught in his mesmerizing blue eyes.

A stranger had kissed her without her permission.

she knew she had to be angry- she should scold him or slap him even- but her body remained unyielding. Completely stuck. She hated how much she felt at that moment.

Just then, memory stirred in her head. Her eyes widened with sudden realization.

Who the hell is Carie?

"You are alive" he stared at her with affection, caressed her cheeks gently, a soft smile curved in his lips, his gaze fixed on her as though she were a miracle.

At this moment, her thoughts ran wild, she didn't know what was happening but one thing was sure, Nathan had to go.

Enraged, Nathan suddenly lunged forward, his fist racing through the air aimed straight for the stranger's face- but the stranger caught it, just in time. Effortlessly.

His fingers clenching Nathan fist tightly, slowly breaking his bones.

Nathan gasped, crying out in pain but the stranger remained unbothered, his gaze focused on Annabel's.

He looked at her like she was the most important person in his life.

Annabel's heart pounded. The way he looked at her ....his eyes... action.... They were speaking languages she could never understand. Still was certain she had never seen him before.

"Stop it Nathan!" She snapped, causing the stranger to release his grip on him.

" I came here to tell you-I want nothing to do with you." Her voice cracked as she spoke, fully aware of the repercussion of her action.

"I love someone else and my sister was wrong about you. Stop pestering me." she clenched her fist, constantly avoiding eye contact with the stranger even as she felt his gaze burn through her.

She nervously walked away, leaving both men stunned.

"Carie" The stranger called out, suddenly going after her. Just then Nathan lunged forward, blocking his path. "Who are you? And what's your relationship with Annabel?" He demanded, his face twisted with rage and disbelief.

"Annabel?" He frowned. "That's Carie and she's my wife" his voice was firm and unwavering. His eyes narrowed, shoving Nathan aside, stormed out of the door.

The road outside was bare and quiet. Annabel had completely disappeared.

He ran through the streets, searching every corner. His breath was heavy and ragged.

"Carie!" He shouted, raking his hands through his hair as he dropped to his knees in exhaustion.

"Where are you Carie?" he whispered, his voice breaking as though trying to fight back tears. "Why did you leave me again?"

A sleek black Bentley pulled beside him as two tall men, dressed in fitted black suits with dark sunglasses stepped out.

"Boss, we have to go," one said firmly as he assisted him into the car.

He moved lazily into the car.

He paused, scanning the street one last time before finally entering the car.

The car rode through the iron gate, moving softly on the polished stone driveway. Ahead, stood a mansion-vast and luxurious- like a private palace.

He stepped out of the car, walking absent minded. His footsteps echoed through the hall with fine atheistic, gilded mirrors and priceless paintings.

A middle-aged woman approached him. She looked at him with concern. Gently wrapping her arms around his.

"Son" she whispered, forcing herself to smile. "You left without telling anyone. We were worried".

He paused.

Immediately, her heart sank in fear. Wondering if she had said the wrong thing.

"Uhm.... I meant... " she stammered, "we are family so of course we worry about you" she trembled.

His head turned slowly towards her. His eyes turned into something darker.

But then his face dropped.

"Mom," he said softly.

Her tension seized immediately, she looked up and met his gaze. She hasn't seen him so drained in years. His eyes were filled with pain.

"I saw her today mom" he whispered almost to himself, "Carie is alive- she's alive."

His mother's heart breaks as she watches him break. Tears dropped from her eyes as she gently cupped his face.

"Reynold honey, your wife is already dead" her voice broke. She felt his pain.

He stiffened.

His expression shifted into something darker. "No" he said coldly, "Find her".

Her heart pounded as she noticed his sudden change in mood.

Reynold stared into space with a sudden fire in his eyes. "Do whatever it takes, bring Carrie back to me."