My Best Friend : He's the one I have

Prologue

* No man is an island. you need people in your life. *

....

In an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city of Austria, a seventeen years old girl was tied hands upwards to a pole in a room, filled with empty cartons of goods.

The girl strived to escape the grips of the tight ropes around her hands, but failed. Nevertheless, she kept on struggling till she had barely any strength left in her, exhausted she fell asleep.

A crick at the door, brought her out of her sleepy state and she froze in fear as three big and burly looking men walked into the room, and slowly began to advance towards her.

They stared at her with a desire she recognized as lust. " She's indeed a beauty. " One of them said, turning to the others. " I bet she's still pure. "

" Definitely. " Another answered with a grin. " Is this why you asked to make a u-turn earlier? " He turned to the older one, who had an obvious scar on the left side of his face.

" Yup. Beauties like her can't be allowed to wander about alone on a lonely street, it is dangerous, you know. " The girl didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his words. Who were the danger if not men like them?

" You are so right, Bro. " The copper red haired man grinned, pleasure written all over his face.

They advanced towards her, before suddenly taking a pause. " Who's going first? "

" I will. " The scar faced man announced, waving them off.

" Oh... " The disappointment on the copper red haired man's face couldn't be hidden. But he obeyed, regardless. Knowing the rules. " If you need anything, Boss. We are a door away. " The third one with an " I love you. " tattoo on his wrirst announced, putting his hand over the red head's shoulder and leading him out.

The girl tightened her fists which were above her head, as the scar faced man advanced towards her with lust filled eyes.

She froze in shock when he touched her face. " You are beautiful and looking so innocent. " he said, caressing her face.

Subconsciously, the girl turned her face away from him in disgust. Her action aggravated the man and his gaze changed from lust to anger.

He grabbed her chin aggressively with so much force that her milky white skin turned red. " Listen here, little bitch. If you refuse to cooperate with me. I'll make sure you never get up. " The girl had no doubt he would if he had a chance. The thought made her shiver in fear.

It was at that point, the girl finally realized the trouble she'd brought upon herself by working idly on six lane's street at 6 in the evening. She should have been more careful, knowing just how unsafe the area was. But who could blame her? She'd been overwhelmed with dozens of emotions lately and needed fresh air.

She never would have thought that her quest for fresh air would lead her to a den of wolves. It's too late for regret now, isn't it?

" Please let me go. " Her pleas fell on deaf ears as his gaze hardened at her words. " Who says I'll let you go, if you plead? " He stared at her amusedly. " Does a sheep escape after entering the den of wolves? "

" I... " Her words were cut shut when her top was suddenly ripped up from her chest, she shivered feeling naked as he drank in the sight of her.

" What beautiful skin you've got. " He reached out to touch her bare stomach which wasn't hidden by the tube she wore. " Don't. " her words came out in a crying tone as she tried wingling herself from his hold.

" Please let me go. " She fought so hard to keep her tears from falling.

" Not another word. " He placed his middle finger on her lips, silencing her.

Frightened by his glare, the girl could only keep her shut as he ordered.

At the moment, she felt helpless and miserable for the first time in a while. Though her life hadn't been all roses and sunshine, she still felt thankful that she had a place to stay and a roof over her head.

As a billionaire's only daughter, she deserved more than that, but all her entitlement were absconded from her when she lost her parents at a tender age of 7. She'd expected her uncle and Aunt to cater for her with the proceeds they gained from her parent's business. How wrong she was!

She ended up in a substandard orphanage where she was treated like an outcast. This continued for years until a change happened.

The educational insurance her Dad had prepared for her and the waitress job, she acquired at age sixteen had been keeping her going.

She'd always pretended it didn't hurt until she saw her Dad's younger brother on TV earlier, being awarded as the owner of the most successful business in the country.

The pain she felt was so raw that she couldn't contain it.

She'd taken a stroll to clear her mind, but who knew.

A tug at her Jean trousers brought her back to reality. Realizing the seriousness of the situation she was in. She sought for a way out and kicked him with all of her strength. " You bitch. " The man was enraged and grabbed two legs with such force that she cried out. " No. "

He tried kissing her, but she ended up sitting him on his cheeks so harshly that he bled. Seeing the blood cascading down his cheeks, the man got so engraged that he slapped her across the face. The force he applied was so great, that the girl saw Stars in front of her.

Making use of the opportunity that she was distracted, he loosened the ropes around her hands and pole. He was about tying her hands when she freed her hands from his grip and stood up. He reached out to grab her when all of a sudden, a knife appeared on her hands.

He wondered where it came from until he realized how stupid he was. " How could he have left a knife on his side pocket knowing the evitable? " he didn't think to remove it as he somehow thought the girl would be a docile type. Who knew?

" Don't come close. " He froze in spot, seeing the deadly gaze in her eyes. " You really think you can escape from my hands, you bitch. " He mocked advancing towards her. " Don't. " Her voice shook, as her confidence failed watching him.

Before she could comprehend what was happening, the knife flew from her hands and she found herself under him. " You think you could escape. " He laughed maniacally. " No one escapes from my hands, no one! "

She watched him throw the knife across the room as he laid his weight on her, making her deflate. " Please let me go. " Her words came out in a whisper as fear invaded her.

" You really think I'll let you go after what you did, Babe? " His breath fawning on her face made her uncomfortable.

Despite hearing the threat in his voice, she struggled to get free but failed as she was no match for him.

She heard the sound of him undoing his belts and she closed her eyes, almost resigning to her faith when she remembered something. " God help me. " as soon as she said that, she recalled something from the self defense videos she'd love binge watching with her best friend.

With all the strength she had left, she pulled up her legs and before the man could comprehend what was going on, He screamed out in pain, holding unto his testicles.

He subsconsciously rolled away from her as the pain gripped him, the girl took this chance and stood up and ran across the room. It was only then she realized how large the room was.

She'd just found the door when she was pinned down again. " No." she screamed out loud as the zip of her jeans was pulled down.

She'd heard about the trauma leaves on his victims. " Will I have to face the same thing? " she wondered, trembling in fear.

At that point, she felt dying was so much better than having to go through this.

She was still struggling to get off him when she spotted the knife, she picked it up when he wasn't looking and stabbed him on his shoulders.

" You bitch! " The man cried out in pain, reaching out for her.

She stood up from beneath him and pulled up her zip.

She held the door handle and was about to open it when the door opened with a bang.

She'd thought her worst fear had come true, only to find a familiar figure at the door. " Jose? " Without doubting a second, she ran into his arms.

The scar faced man recovered and was about grabbing her, when a bullet went into his right leg, paralyzing him.

He'd just raised up his head to realize that the room was surrounded by police officers.

" You are under arrest. " He was still trying to contain his shock, when he was handcuffed and taken away.

The question on his mind was answered, when he met his fellows in the police van also handcuffed as him.

What happened? How come they were arrested? They'd hidden well enough. How?

The girl too found it difficult to comprehend what was going on. How did he find her?

How?

How did he know she was missing, especially now that they weren't close anymore?

If only, she'd known that he'd placed a tracker in the best friend's locket, he'd gifted her two years ago.

The guy crosssed the room and picked up something from the ground, it was only when he handed it to her did she realize it was the best friend's locket she'd always wore.

Silently, He covered her up with his jacket. Lifting her up in his arms, he carried her out of the store room, into the cool evening breeze.

.....

A/N : So who do you think the guy is? The male lead?

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* Strive to be the best version of yourself. ---- Queenebunoluwa15. *

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--- Mira ---

The walk to his powerbike was short, yet it seemed like forever, as I was still having a hard time processing what had just happened. It felt like a movie and i still found it difficult to believe that, I'd almost lost my chastity to a total stranger minutes ago.

" What would have happened if Joseph hadn't been there at the very last minute? " With this thought in mind, I stared up at Joseph who was staring straight ahead, his face wasn't smiling. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his head.

I never would have expected him to come in to save me, as we aren't on good terms at present. We've been on, no contact for almost two weeks now, so? how had he known I was missing? Had he asked for me? Had he called me?

My headache from the various thoughts that were swirling around it.

.

We arrived at the spot where his power bike was parked. Recalling the day Joseph and I got this bike filled me with nostalgia. I still remember the good old days. Though it's been only ten days since we've been apart, it feels like forever.

He placed me gently on my feet and mounted on the bike quietly.

I took the helmet he handed to me, wore it and climbed on behind him. No words were spoken between us and I felt my heart ache, recalling how talkative we both are.

I held unto him as if my life depended on it, as the vehicle was fired to life and sped out of the vicinity.

The journey lasted for about thirty minutes and all through, I romanticized how close we were at the moment. When was the last time I'd actually laid my eyes on him, not to talk of touching him or being this close to him.

Recalling how close we were a few weeks ago and how distant we are now made my heart ache.

" How did we get here? " I wondered as emotions clouded my vision.

He was with me, but not emotionally present, I was greatly bothered by his silence. Though an introvert, Joseph was talkative whenever we were together, but now? He's suddenly gone dumb. If it were before, I would have said anything, anything to make him talk, but I can't. You know why? Because I somehow fear he might dump me in the middle of nowhere if I said something wrong. Our relationship had become so strained that I don't even know what to say anymore. In the end, I kept my mouth shut, throughout the journey.

We arrived at his house which was a four bedroom duplex with a driveway and little garden. The house wasn't new to me as I'd spent most of my youth here.

I alighted carefully from the vehicle when it stopped. " Thank you " I started to say when he completely ignored me, pulling off the key from the ignition, he mounted it and walked into the house.

I followed right behind him in silence.

The house was empty, as expected.

Joseph lived with his Nanny who worked six days a week. Therefore, I wasn't surprised by her absence. Though I somehow feel downcast, as I at least wished I had someone to talk to about all I went through today. I'd gotten so used to telling my best friend, Joseph everything that now that I can't, I feel so lonely and alone.

I walked carefully towards the guest room, which I could as well call my room, due to how often I'd been there. Opening the door, I wasn't surprised to find it neat and tidy, just as I'd left it the last time I was there.

Grabbing pajamas from the closet, I went into the bathroom to freshen up before heading to the bed which still had my scent on it.

I grabbed a journal and a pen from the bedside locker and documented my entire experience today. Though that did more to help me relive those moments, yet I knew I had to do that, not only for myself but also for my readers. Did I mention to you guys that I'm a writer? Yeah, I am. Nice to meet you.

It took me forever to finally fall asleep as I kept thinking of my bestie and how strained our friendship had become. I found it funny how i'd always believed our friendship was unbreakable and unshakable, only for it to become hugely strained due to a simple misunderstanding.

" He should have trusted me more. " I fought the tears that threatened to drop, as I thought of what happened. It hurt me to know that my Bestie is currently in the same building as I, yet he feels miles away.

We were being blamed and punished for what we didn't do, but that's definitely not reason enough for him to actually distrust me. We are meant to be on the same team, right? Why then does it seem like we are on opposing teams?

I'd always heard that separation hurt, but never would I have thought it would apply to friendships too. I hadn't known it until now - The pain of having a friendship you've always treasured slipped slowly away from you. It hurt so much that I felt the palpitations of my heart.

It took me a while to actually fall asleep, as I kept tossing and turning.

But In the end, I fell asleep after saying a shotgun prayer. " God help me. "

.....

A/N : Our Female lead is a writer, yay!

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* Learn to love and appreciate yourself more than anything and anyone else. -- Queenebunoluwa15. *

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------ Mira ------

" Mira dear, it's late, you should come down for dinner. " I was surprised to see Josesph's nanny in my room later on. She was meant to be at home resting, right?

" Nanny, you are here? " I didn't bother hiding the surprise in my tone. " I am, Baby. " she gave me one of her best smiles.

I wrapped my arms around her the moment she got close enough. " I miss you, Na. " Words couldn't explain how much I really do. It's been almost two weeks, yet it seemed like forever. " I miss you, Baby. " she patted my hair as she'd always done since I was a preteen.

We broke the hug later on and I didn't realize I'd got tears in my eyes until she reached out and wiped them off with her fingers. " Don't cry, Baby... " she held my hands in hers and gave me a comforting smile.

" Do you want to talk about it? " I stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

" Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of a mother, Miranda. " She said my name for the very first time in a while. I'd being super used to being called Baby by her that I didn't know how beautiful my full name sounded on her lips. It's beautiful not only because of her unique accent, but because hearing her call out my name reminded me of my mother, Lydia Edison.

I tried not to reveal my emotions when a memory of my childhood flashed right before me, but seeing the look of understanding on Nanny's face. I realized how useless hiding what I felt was.

If one thing, Nanny was the first thing closest to a mother that I've got and I love her so much, I believe the feeling is mutual though as she loved me lotts too.

" Jose and I had a misunderstanding more than a week ago.... " I rolled off, not knowing how to continue.

The look of understanding on her face, reminded me that I don't have to worse it. " We'll talk about it after dinner, Kay? " She gave me a comforting pat on my shoulders. " Yeah. "

" Let's head down for a nice dinner, shall we? "

" Yeah. " I stood up taking her outstreched arm.

I wasn't surprised to see Joseph at his usual spot on the dinning table when we got there. He didn't even bother looking up from his food when we arrived.

Pulling out a chair, I sat at the edge of the table as I slowly uncovered my dinner. A grin made it to my face as I realized what it was; Lasagna

with tomato salad.

I could already feel myself salivating simply staring at the food in front of me. " Thanks, Na. "

" You welcome. " Nanny replied as she filled with my glass with orange juice which was my all time favorite drink.

" Bon Appetite. " I grinned at her accent. " Merci. " The dinning room was silent as we simply focused on devouring our food. I stole some quick glances at Joseph occasionally and every time I did. His head was down, eating his food slowly. Only once did our eyes meet and I froze.

I averted my gaze, soon afterwards not happy with the emotion I saw in his eyes - Disappointment mixed with sadness.

" When did we get here? " I wondered yet again, trying not to sigh loudly.

After dinner, Nanny and I did the dishes before she invited me over to her room.

I followed her gladly, already feeling ecstatic about pouring out my heart out. Though I'd always being a secretiveperson, but when it came to Nanny. I simply remove my guard.

We entered the room and I was slowly adjusting to the darkness

in it when the light came on.

The room was simple and had a unique vibe to it, there were no litters as everything was well arranged to it's place.

We sat on the bed cross-legged not like a mother and daughter, but rather like two best friends super ready to have a beautiful conversation.

" So what led to the misunderstanding? " Her question wasn't rushed so I didn't feel rushed to answer and took my time to do so. " Someone uploaded some pictures of Joseph and Vera on a date on the social media and hash tagged the school. "

" Okay. " Though she was quiet, her gaze were screaming for me to continue.

" As the school president, Joseph and his assistant were the only ones that had the permission to do so. And since he claimed he wasn't at fault. The blaim was put on me as they'd claimed I'm the closest person to him. "

" Really? " I heard her sigh and I honestly wondered what she was thinking. " Vera is also close to him, isn't she? Why then wasn't she a suspect too? "

" Well, she is a victim, so - " I trailed off, feeling too tired to continue.

Silence reigned between us before Nanny finally spoke up after a long while. " You and Joseph really need to have a deep conversation about this. "

I wasn't too surprised by her answer as I was kind of expecting it. " I know, Na. But how can I do so when he practically ignores my existence? "

" You can at least try. " She tucked a tendril of my hair behind my ear lovingly. " I believe in you, Miranda. " Her smile plus her sincere words, warmed my heart.

" I will. Thanks. "

" My pleasure. " I left the room feeling a bit relaxed and yet anxious at the same time.

How was I going to explain myself to Joseph when he won't even acknowledge my presence? This were my thoughts as I took the stairs up to Joseph's room.

I stood in front of his door, wondering if I'd made a wrong decision coming up her.

I was about changing my mind when the door opened and I froze. I didn't miss the surprise in his eyes on seeing me. " We need to talk. "

He squinted his eyes at me. " Do we really need to? " the coldness on his voice caused me to shiver.

" Yeah. " Seeing the disinterest in his eyes, I sighed. " Why does it have to be so hard? "

" For ten minutes, Please? " His gaze softened a bit and he opened the door wider for me to get in.

I entered in carefully as he shut the door behind me.

The room shone with blues as it has always been. Nothing had changed.

It's been barely two weeks since I've been here, yet it feels like forever.