FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES

There was something about her that drew him in like a magnet. She was all he could think about. As the rain poured down outside, he tried to shake the thoughts from his head, but they kept coming back. Her drenched body, her wet hair, her smile. He felt the heat rising in his body, and he knew he had to get away from her.

He tried to play it cool when she took off her wet shirt. But seeing her like that made him feel things he had never felt before. His mind started racing, and he felt his body temperature rising. He had to get out of there. He knew he had to leave the room before he did something he would regret.

He excused himself from her room, saying he needed to freshen up. As soon as he closed the door, he leaned against it, trying to catch his breath. He didn't know what to do. He had never felt this way before. All he knew was that he had to figure out what was going on, and fast.

What is happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? He said in his thoughts.

"Althea," he whispered to himself, his mind racing. He could still see her face, as if she was right in front of him. He tried to focus on something else but her image was burned into his mind. He felt his body temperature rise and his heart beating faster.

As he walked back to his room, he tried to focus on anything else but her. But it was impossible to get her out of his head. The more he tried to ignore his feelings, the stronger they became. He couldn't understand why he was feeling this way.

He turned on the shower, hoping the water would cool him down. But as he stood under the spray, he couldn't shake the image of her from his mind. He felt his heart racing, and he was filled with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. He got out and got dressed, heading for the window for some breeze to help him calm down.

He told himself that they were just friends, and that's all they could ever be. But he couldn't deny the fact that he wanted more. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and it was driving him crazy. He tried to control his thoughts, but they kept coming back to her.

"Just friends," he repeated to himself, hoping that it would help him calm down. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he didn't want to be just friends. He wanted something more.

He turned away from the window, trying to clear his head. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face. He couldn't get her out of his mind. He felt like he was losing control, and he didn't know what to do.The image of her was burned into his brain, and he couldn't shake it. He felt a surge of desire, and he knew he had to do something about it. He had to get out of the room, away from the window, away from the temptation. He couldn't take it anymore. He was aching for her.

But before he could move, he heard a knock at the door. His heart pounded as he tried to calm himself. He took a deep breath and opened the door. There she stood, her eyes filled with concern.

"Adam?" It was Althea. "Are you okay?"

He didn't know what to say. Should he tell her the truth? Or should he try to play it cool? He didn't know what to do.

He opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. He stood there, frozen, unable to speak.

She reached out and put her hand on his arm. "Talk to me," she said gently. "What's going on?"

He took another deep breath, and the words began to flow. "I am not okay," he began. "I don't know what's happening to me. I can't control my thoughts. Every time I close my eyes, I see you. I can't get you out of my head. I feel like I'm losing control."

He paused, his heart racing. "I know we're just friends, but I can't help the way I feel. I need to tell you the truth, even if it ruins everything."

He looked into her eyes, afraid of what he would see there. But instead of anger or disgust, he saw compassion and understanding.

"I want to be more than friends," he said, his voice shaking. "I want to be with you, not just as friends, but as something more. I know this is sudden, and I don't expect you to feel the same way. But I had to tell you. I'm sorry if this changes things between us, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. I want you so badly, Althea."

She stood there, silent, her eyes searching his.

"Althea, please say something," Adam pleaded. "Your silence is killing me!"

She took a deep breath, not out of nervousness, but because she wanted to savor this moment. She had been waiting for this for so long, for Adam to finally admit that he wanted more than friendship. She had been holding herself back, but now she knew that he felt the same way, and it was a feeling she could hardly describe. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew what she had to say next, and she was nervous, but she was also excited. She took a deep breath and prepared to tell him how she really felt.

She took a step closer to Adam while his body flowed with nervousness and anticipation for what she was about to say.

Finally, she spoke.

"Adam, I feel the same way," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I don't want to be just friends either. I want more than that. I want us to be together."

Adam's eyes lit up with happiness and relief. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You really mean that?" he asked, a little breathless.

She nodded, smiling at him. "I really mean it," she said. "I want to be with you, more than anything. I want you so badly too!"

And in that moment, they both knew that everything was about to change.

ALTHEA'S POV

The air in the living room was thick with tension, and I could feel it as I sat there with my mother. Bella, my younger sister, seemed to sense it too. It had been a week since the incident, and its aftermath hung heavy in the air. The mood in our family was grim and anxious, and I didn't know what to say to lighten the tension. My whole family was in a state of panic.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, the front door opened and someone walked in. I looked up, my heart racing as I recognized Mr. Carter, our family friend.

As Mr. Carter approached us, I noticed the anger in his eyes and the tightness of his jaw. I wondered what had happened to put him in such a bad mood.

We all stood up in respect as Mr. Carter entered the room, and my mom greeted him with a warm smile.

"Good day, Mr Carter." My mother greeted, her voice sounding more cheerful than I knew she felt. She was trying to keep the peace, I could tell. I bowed my head in respect, not sure what to say or do.

I could feel Mr. Carter's gaze on each and everyone of us, even with my head bowed. The silence in the room was stifling, and the tension was domineering. Finally, Mr. Carter took a deep breath, and I knew he was about to speak.

"Bella, could you please give us a moment?" he asked politely, though his voice was strained.

Bella smiled politely and nodded, then walked to the door. As she left the room, the door closed behind her with a soft click, and we were left alone with Mr. Carter.

With Bella gone, us adults finally had the time to discuss. It was clear that something was very wrong, and the air seemed to be charged with a sense of foreboding.

"Mr. Carter, please have a seat," I said, trying to break the silence with a show of hospitality.

"Do not bother. I prefer to stand." he replied, his voice cold and his eyes fixed on my mother.

As Mr. Carter spoke, I could see my mother's body tense up. She stood there, frozen in place, as he held her gaze. It was as if she was afraid to move, or even to breathe. I could feel the tension in the room rising, and I could see the fear in my mother's eyes. I had never seen her look so afraid, and it was starting to make me feel afraid too.

My mind was racing, trying to make sense of what was happening.

My mother shifted uncomfortably under Mr. Carter's gaze, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. I had never seen Mr. Carter act like this before. He looked at my mother, his eyes brimming with the intention to strangle her.

My mother's eyes flicked toward me, and I met her gaze. We both seemed to be thinking the same thing: this was not the Mr. Carter that we knew. His words and actions were strange and unsettling. The friendly man we had come to know was gone, and in his place was someone we didn't recognize.

The tension in the room was getting thicker, and the silence heavier. Neither of us knew what to say or do next.

"Mr. Carter, what's going on?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly.

"What brings you over? Is there something you need to tell us, Mr. Carter?" my mother asked, her voice shaking slightly. "Have you heard any news about my husband? Do you know where he is?"

Her questions hung in the air, and I held my breath, waiting for Mr. Carter's response. My interest perked up to the roof. A million thoughts raced through my mind, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. What did he know? And what did it mean for my family?

"I have not found any information about Daniel," Mr. Carter said flatly, referring to my father by his name, as if he was completely disinterested in the matter. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his black suit trousers, and he stared at us impassively.

The lack of emotion in his response sent a chill down my spine. Something was definitely not right here. The hope in my heart died down and I felt a sense of dread wash over me.

My mother's shoulders sagged with a sigh, and she sank back into her chair, the hope draining from her face. "It's been a week, and we still haven't heard anything. I'm so afraid. What if he's... gone?" she said, her voice breaking.

I rushed to my mother's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't say that, mother. Father will come home, safe and sound. I'm sure of it." I said, my voice full of conviction.

Mr. Carter stood there, a strange look on his face, watching our exchange with an inscrutable expression. I couldn't shake the feeling that he knew something we didn't, and I was desperate to know what it was.

"Mr. Carter, please," I said, turning to face him. "If you know anything, please tell us. This uncertainty is killing us."

He turned his gaze to me, and for a moment I thought I saw a flicker of something like regret in his eyes. But then it was gone, and his expression was hard and unreadable once again.

"But why haven't the kidnappers said anything?! Why haven't they called us yet?!" my mother cried, the tears spilling over onto her cheeks. "It's been a week. What are they waiting for? Why aren't they demanding money? What do they want from us? Who would do this to us?!" She was clearly at her wit's end, her despair noticeable.

I tried to reassure her. "Mother, it's going to be okay. We have Mr. Carter on our side. He's our friend, and he'll help us through this. As long as we have him, everything is going to be alright. Right, Mr Carter?" My mother and I turned to Mr. Carter, our eyes pleading with him to give us some information, some clue as to what was going on, waiting heavily for his reply. But he just stood there, impassive, as if he hadn't heard a word we'd said.

To our utmost surprise, Mr. Carter burst into a chuckle. The chuckle grew louder and louder, turning into full-blown laughter. His laughter was wild and uncontrolled, and he clapped his hands as he laughed. The laughter caught us off guard, and we stood there in shock as Mr. Carter's laughter grew louder and more unhinged. His hands were clapping wildly, and he seemed to be losing control. Was he having a breakdown? We were at a loss for what to do.

My mother and I stared at him in disbelief, worried that he had lost his mind. The thought occurred to us that we might be on our own now. Mr. Carter has always been our rock, our confidant. But now he seemed to be falling apart before our very own eyes.

"I'm sorry," Mr. Carter said, finally regaining control of himself. He wiped the tears from his eyes and tried to compose himself. "I know this is serious, but the way you phrased it just struck me as funny. You had me there with your words."

"What is funny with what I said?" I asked with confusion plastered on my face, standing upright to face him.

"I didn't mean to imply that it was funny. I just wasn't expecting that question." Mr Carter stated coldly.

"You mentioned 'help,' which implies that I would be able...that I have to assist you and your family. You also said that I am friends with your family, which is...." Mr. Carter's tone was calm and measured, but there was an undercurrent of tension in his words.

It seemed like he was choosing his words carefully, trying to avoid saying something. I got the sense that he was treading lightly, not wanting to reveal it to me and my mother.

"But are you not friends with our family? Are you not going to help us out?" I asked further with confusion clearly written over my face and that of my mother's. This conversation was taking a new turn.

"Oh yes, of course!" Mr. Carter's tone was sarcastic, almost mocking. "I'm your family friend, and I'll be happy to help you with whatever you need. I do care about your family, totally!"

The implication was clear. The sarcasm in his voice made it obvious that he didn't take our request seriously. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Nonetheless, I still had to show my gratitude. "Thank you very much." I appreciated his words even though my eyebrows were up in confusion.

"You're welcome," he said, and I could tell he was trying to be gracious. But his next words left me puzzled and uncertain. "In fact, as an act of kindness and help, I have a proposal for you and your family," he said, his tone serious and mysterious, his hands out of his pockets.

I wasn't sure what to make of his words. A proposal? What could he possibly have in mind? I felt a mix of curiosity and trepidation as I waited for him to continue. It took him a moment before he finally spoke out.

"You're wondering what it is, aren't you?" Mr. Carter said with a knowing smile.

The look in his eyes was contagious, and I felt a surge of optimism. "What is it?" I asked, eager to know more. "Does it perhaps include helping us find my father? I would instantly accept it if it did." I said curiously with a smile spreading across my face.

"Well, it may be able to help you find your father and get him released." Mr Carter disclosed to us.

"Get him released?" I asked, my brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that? Do you know where my father is?" I turned to my mother, hoping she might have some insight.

"Yes, please tell us," my mother added, her voice tinged with hope and anxiety.

Mr. Carter's expression remained unreadable. "Would you be open to hearing my proposal first?" he asked, his tone as neutral as ever.

"What is it, Mr Carter?" I asked politely. I needed to get this over with so that he could tell us more about my father.

"I want you to get married to my son!" Mr. Carter said, his voice suddenly serious.

"What?!" I exclaimed, the shock making my heart race. "I'm sorry, but... what?"

"You heard me right." Mr Carter said impassively.

"What?! Are you serious?" I asked, my voice catching in my throat. "Are you pulling my leg?"

"I'm only kidding," Mr. Carter said, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry, it was just a little joke."

My mother let out a nervous laugh, but I could tell she was still unsettled by the whole exchange. I tried to shake off the feeling of unease, but it lingered in the air like a bad smell.

"Don't worry, sweetie," my mother said, her voice soothing. "Mr. Carter is always playing pranks. He's just trying to lighten the mood after everything that's happened."

She gave me a reassuring smile, but I could tell she was still shaken by the whole ordeal. We stood there in silence for a moment, taking in the weight of the situation.

"Just kidding!" Mr. Carter said, his voice playful.

We both laughed, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over me. It was like an ominous cloud, hovering above our heads, waiting to burst.

My mother's laughter died down, and she turned to Mr. Carter, a serious expression on her face. "You're not serious, are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Carter's smile faded, and he fixed his gaze coldly on my mother. "Right. Now here is my real proposal. I want you to get married to my son if you ever want your father to be released!" Mr Carter said coldly, pointing at me while staring into my eyes.

The room went quiet, and I could feel the tension rising. The laughter from moments ago was a distant memory, replaced by a palpable sense of unease. My mother's eyes were wide, and her breathing was shallow. Mr. Carter's expression was unreadable, and I wasn't sure what to make of his words.

I could feel it as my smile slowly came down. The joke was no longer funny.

"I want you to get married to my son if you ever want your father to be released!" Mr. Carter uttered the very words that would end up turning my life around.

"Again with this joke?" I asked in confusion.

"You really think I'm joking?" Mr. Carter asked, an amused look on his face.

"It's got to be a joke, right?" I said, my voice shaking with uncertainty, still not quite able to process what he was saying.

Mr. Carter's expression didn't change. "It's no joke," he said matter-of-factly. "I'm completely serious."

I was stunned. This couldn't be happening. But Mr. Carter's tone and demeanor left no room for doubt. I felt my stomach drop. This was no joke. My mother and I were caught in the middle of something we didn't understand and we had no idea what to do next.

"What do you want from us?" my mother asked, her voice breaking. "Why are you doing this?"

"I want something that is very important to me," Mr. Carter said. "I can't tell you what it is, but I can assure you that it's worth your while."

"What could possibly be worth all of this?" I asked, my mind racing.

Mr. Carter just smiled, his eyes glinting with a strange light. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, as he turned around to leave.

"Just wait a minute," my mother said, standing up abruptly. "I don't understand what you're saying. Are you saying that my husband is being held captive, and that you want Althea to marry your son in order to get him released?" Her voice was shaking with anger and confusion.

Mr. Carter turned to face her. "That's exactly what I'm saying," he said calmly. "It's a simple transaction. I have something you want, and you have something I want."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice almost like a whisper.

"I'm afraid that's all I can tell you," Mr. Carter said, his tone resigned. "As for Bella, I can't imagine what it will be like for her to see her father with such visible scars. It's a terrible situation. It certainly will be hard to convince her that Daniel actually went to Germany." With that, he turned to leave and began to walk away.

My mother ran after him, her face a mask of anger and disbelief. "How could you do this to us? How could you kidnap your friend and leave his family in the dark?" She demanded. I followed close behind, my mind reeling from everything that had happened.

"Why would you betray your friendship like this?" my mother asked, her voice trembling. "You've known Daniel for years, and you've always been such a good friend to him. Why would you do something so awful?"

Mr. Carter stopped in his tracks, and turned to face us, his eyes flashing with anger. "Daniel was never my friend and he never will be!!! You know exactly why! So, stop with this whole dumb charade and victim card story plot because It's not working on me!"

My mother was silent, her face pale with shock. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Mr Carter got to the entrance and proceeded to walk away from us, heading for his car. My mother and I stayed behind.

Mr. Carter got into his car and drove off, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. My mother wiped her eyes and turned to me, her face full of sorrow. I could see the pain in her eyes, and I knew she was struggling to make sense of what had just happened. She headed back to the living room.

I stood there, frozen in place. Should I try to comfort her? I wasn't sure what to do. Part of me wanted to chase after Mr. Carter and demand answers, but I knew it would be futile. The other part of me just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. I felt like I was in a bad dream and couldn't wake up.

Thank God Bella was not here to see all of this. I said in my mind as I headed for the living room.

"I have to marry Adam?" I blurted out as soon as I entered the living room. The words tumbled out of my mouth, unable to be contained.

"That's what it seems like," my mother said, her voice distant and detached. She was sitting on the sofa, her eyes closed, rubbing her temples as if she had a headache.

"But... that's impossible!" I sputtered, my hands flailing in frustration. "No one has heard from him in ten years! He's a complete stranger to me! Why on earth would I want to marry him?"

"I don't have all the answers," my mother said, sounding exhausted. "I wish I did, but I don't. I'm just as confused as you are."

"Besides, his parents have been in touch with him regularly." My mother said, finally opening her eyes.

"They're his parents, so of course they've been in touch with him," I pointed out the obvious. "But I don't know anything else about him. Don't you think I should know more about the man that I am expected to marry?" I asked, my voice rising in frustration.

"I agree," my mother said, her expression growing pensive.

"Mom, what do you know about Adam?" I asked.

"I know that he's wealthy and successful," my mother said, her voice soft. "He left home at the age of eighteen to go build his own empire, a legacy that would be great."

"That's it! I know that. We know that. Everyone knows that about him!" I said, my voice rising in pitch "But that doesn't tell us anything about him as a person. What's he like? What are his values? What does he care about? Does he have any hobbies or interests? Does he have a sense of humor? Is he kind or cruel? Does he have a dark side?"

"So, what's wrong with him having money and a successful business?" My mother said, still calm.

"It's not about the money or the business, it's about the person behind it all. I need to know more about him as a person to make an informed decision." I voiced out carefully.

My mother nodded, seeing the logic in my argument. "You're right," she said. "But you don't have a choice, dear. You don't need to get to know him because you aren't making a decision! You are simply carrying out an order!"

"Then this is a problem, mother, because I can't get married to someone I don't know a thing about! That's not how marriage works, mother for God's sake!" I yelled out loud in frustration.

"Althea Ruiz, you must marry Adam!" my mother declared in a tone that brooked no argument.

I responded with equal conviction, "No, I won't. I refuse to marry someone I don't know. And I won't allow my father's safety to be used as a bargaining chip!"

My mother's eyes widened, but she refused to back down. "You don't understand. There's no other way! This is the only way to save your father!"

"How can you be so sure that Mr Carter is not just making an empty threat? We don't even know if he truly has father captive. I have a hard time believing that someone like him would actually do something like that. Are you sure he's not just trying to scare us?" I voiced out.

My mother's face was grim. "He's a very powerful man," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He has the resources to make it happen. And I'm not willing to take any chances with your father's life!"

"Where is the proof that he can follow through with his threat?" I asked, my voice trembling. "How do we even know that he can be trusted? How are you so sure?"

"Because...be–because he said so a while ago." My mother stuttered.

"No! I know there's more to this," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "There has to be some hidden agenda that you're not telling me about. Why is he so determined to have me marry his son?"

My mother's expression was unreadable, but I could tell she was struggling to hold back her own emotions. "I'm not hiding anything from you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to bring your father home, and Mr. Carter is offering us a way to make that happen. I know it's not ideal, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him back. I can't keep on lying to Bella."

"You are hiding something!" I insisted.

"I'm not hiding anything!" my mother insisted, her voice shaking with emotion. "I have no idea why Mr. Carter said those things about your father. He must be confused or mistaken. I can't explain his behavior."

"But it doesn't make sense!" I cried out, feeling more and more frustrated. "How can he just decide that they were never friends? They've known each other for years! Something doesn't add up here."

My mother's eyes met mine, and I could see the fear and uncertainty in them. "I know this is all very confusing," she said, taking a deep breath. "But I promise you, I'm not hiding anything. I don't know what's going on with Mr. Carter. I'm just as lost as you are."

Her words were like a splash of cold water to my face. It was clear that she wasn't going to give me any answers, no matter how much I pressed her. I felt like I was getting nowhere. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

"If you don't tell me the truth then I swear to God, mother, I will never get married to Adam and you will never see your husband. I will tell Bella the truth, that you were the reason why father got kidnapped!" I threatened my mother.

"Althea..." She called at me slowly with fear and a sad look in her eyes.

"Tell me, what is going on?!" I threatened harshly without any remorse towards her.

"Althea...." She called again, her voice breaking away.

"Bella!" I called out, my voice growing louder as I began to walk towards the door.

"Wait, Althea!" my mother said, reaching out a hand to stop me. "Please, don't do this!"

"Bella!" I said, increasing my voice so that it was serious and my mother would give in "I have something to tell you!" while taking a few more steps to the entrance.

My mother looked at me, her eyes full of worry and sadness "Althea, please don't do this. I beg of you!" she pleaded, her voice barely audible.

"Why can't you just tell me the truth?" I asked in frustration before continuing "Bella, come here!" I yelled even louder, my mother pleas falling on deaf ears.

"Althea..." She sobbed.

"Bella! Where are you?!" I called, growing more and more frantic as I began to head towards the door when my mother's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Please, calm down, I will tell you the truth," my mother sobbed, her voice firm but gentle. "How could you threaten me with your own sister?!" she asked in disbelief.

"My own sister? She is not the one about to get married, I am. So tell me the truth." I pointed out.

"You have to promise me you won't tell Bella," my mother said, her voice shaking.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear what she had to say, but I had to know. "Okay, I promise," I said, my voice low and uncertain.

My mother took a deep breath, and then said, "Your father..."