My Flame Of Hell

Prologue

I couldn't react. I couldn't scream. My head felt dizzy and my eyesight was blurry. My face had gone numb. I could hear my breathing, but I couldn't hear anything else.

I felt paralyzed.

And I didn't know how long I had been like this.

I woke up to a bright light on my face and my hands tied to a chair

Help me!

I tried to pull my hands in vain.

Help me!

I was shaking in fear as I tried to look around. I felt my ears getting pierced when I heard a very sharp sound and I tried to blink a couple times.

Was... was that a mic getting adjusted?

Someone's here! Help me!!!

Slowly, I found my strength coming back to me when I felt a ray of hope. I could hear many voices in Front of me.

There were people here!

My eyes widened in surprise when I heard a man saying something into the mic. I tried to open my mouth to scream for help but only a few gurgling and moaning sounds came from it. My tongue has gone numb too.

HELP ME!

Then suddenly the bright light in my face dimmed and that's when I saw it.

People have their faces covered in masks, sitting in chairs and staring at me, but nobody is coming to help me.

What's going on here?

I tried to struggle more. My eyes started to sting as tears rolled down my face.

I could hear someone speaking on the mic but I couldn't process what he was saying.

I saw people raising some sort of banner but nobody came to save me.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to wake up from these nightmare and curl into my mother's lap and feel her fingers running on my hair's

"H-Hel.."

The person on the stage kept shouting and panic started to consume me as my eyes landed on banners being raised by these people .

Then they landed on one person

He was wearing a red mask and he was just staring at me. Not raising any banner, nor caring about the person who was shouting on the mic. His whole face was covered but I could see the gray outlines of his hair and his silver eyes.

These place screamed danger. I had to get out of here.

"H-Help..." my throat went dry and my head started spinning.

"H-Help...m–me.."

The man slightly tilted his head and raised a banner. At the same time I finally screamed. "HELP ME!"

Then a strong smelling cloth covered my mouth again and I passed out

*******************************

1yr Before my abduction

"You are the most boring person I've ever met Irene porter"

I threw a split glance at the girl.

In Front of my desk, my best friend had her hands on her hips, huffing out an annoyed breath.

"River just a sec am almost done...." I furiously scribbled in my note book resulting in unintelligent penmanship that will be of no use later when I review it.

But still... I had to finish at least this much before I went for lunch.

"Know why it is called homework? Do it when you get home. Come on!"

She pulled me by my elbow causing my pen to slip.

"Alright, l'm up! I'm up!" I flipped my notebook closed and neatly returned it into my hermes backpack.

I stood up looking at her in defeat.

" I've been hungry for the last two hours and you insist on studying," Rivers grumbled in disgust.

She looked down on her cartier la Dona gold watch on her wrist and turned her glare to me.

"See? We've already wasted twenty minutes of our precious break!".

She picked up her Louis Vuitton shoulder hand bag and stormed out of our classroom leaving me to scramble after her.

With the pace she walked with in the middle of the hallway, my best friend almost ran into another student.

" Watch where you're going" she hissed at the freshman- looking boy.

The poor guy looked scared out of his wits as he moved out of the way.

River And I were graduating from high school in two months,but I doubt it was our seniority that made him scram.

Salle academy may be the school for the rich but even the students weren't safe from its own caste system.

River Clarisse Ruiz was an infrastructure genius. Both an engineer and an architect and the head of the billion dollar SHR building inc.

"Stupid commoner! This is why the board should have abolished that useless scholarship program!"

Oh,no. She's starting again. With a nervous laugh, I slipped to her side.

"You wanted that lunch right? We have a class in An hour."

River was already getting second glances and people were stopping in the hallway to watch the unfolding drama.

"Oh stop being so nice, irene! This is why you always get preyed on by vultures!."

With an apologetic glance at the people around.

I took hold of my best friend's expensive bag and started dragging her out of there.

River may not have cared for attention,but I did.

And when she started there was no stopping the things coming out of her mouth.

My best friend may be rich and beautiful but she needs an obvious filter.

In a way though,I couldn't blame her. During our first year, I had a friend.

A product of a CSR program. She was kind,well mannered and intelligent- the very reason she passed the difficult screening of LCA.

It was always just the two of us and we tend to stay in the library to study.

But for some reason whenever we are together, I tend to mysteriously lose my things.

River was just my classmate then and she was the one that caught the scholar stealing from me.

She even persuaded me to report it to the student affairs of our academy for proper action.

To say I was shocked was an understatement.

And instead of reporting the situation I confronted that friend, her answer was something that I, in all my time, will never forget.

"That shouldn't be a big deal aren't you rich? I needed the money more than you did!".

Word failed me and I was frozen on a spot,staring at her.

But Rivers ,who was there, was quick to react.

Her hand reached up to pull the other girl's hair.

Of course that girl fought back.

They fell on the grass as Rivers went on top of the other girl, not letting go of her hair.

"You dirty poor thief"

In the end it became the three of us in the dean's office.

Rivers told the concerned office staff about everything.

My parents came into the room as Rivers's mom and the director were called in.

The next day the girl was gone.

Rumors spread throughout the school like wildfire.

There were mixed reactions from students due to the incident .

But from that time on, I and Rivers became best friends.

I remember her saying "you should stick to your own kind" and since then it was just the two of us... but there were still days I wondered if we were the same "kind" like today.

"Aren't you embarrassed with what you are doing, if your dad finds out!" I lectured her as we walked.

Rivers snorted in an unladylike manner "what could he do? disown me? I will definitely pay to see that".

I always knew this girl was a bit too rebellious for her own good.

But lately she is more hot headed than normal.

Especially at the mention of her parents.

I decided to keep my mouth shut until we got to the school cafeteria.

There were just a few people left lounging around and we quickly got our plates.

"I thought you said you were hungry" I pointed my fork at her untouched meal.

I looked at my best friend with straight blonde hair, full red lips, high cheekbones, and a slim figure. She was pretty talk at five-eight.

But there was something about the set of her perfectly shaped eyebrows and clouded big brown that screamed wrong.

Rivers was turning eighteen these Saturday and my family was invited.

I took a sip of my milkshake before breaking the silence.

"I got your invitation, by the way. Should I wear something red for a change?"

My best friend always complained that I stuck to soft colors when we attended functions.

And she always insisted my best color was red.

Big brown eyes turned to me before blinking twice. Rivers blew out a breath.

I smiled at her encouragingly. " Oh, Come on, you've been acting weird lately.

Just say it. I'll listen to matter how crazy it is."

My smile, however, quickly faltered as tears brimmed those brown eyes.

"River-"

"i'm already engaged Irene , they've already chosen a bride for me."

The pause was involuntary on my part.

I didn't know why I was still surprised.

It wasn't anything new in our class.

The mega rich as the media called us, did everything to rise to the top and to stay on top.

Marriage and business always went together. It was either to further or maintain the status and the monetary value of a household name.

It's just the way things are. How it's been for centuries.

But my best friend was just turning eighteen! Which means she was going to be legally allowed to marry.

And I am turning eighteen in three months too.

Suddenly, I was nailed to my seat, lost for words, a single tear fell which she hastily wiped away with her manicured fingers.

She smiles bitterly at me while trying to lighten her tone "not that it isn't expected but ..." her button lips wobbled.

I tried to regain my composure. " Do you know the guy? Do I know the guy?.

She shook her head,and for some reason I felt my heart would break for her.

My hands were tied too.

"danike Luther Blackwell"

The name did not ring a bell.

"The Blackwells own chains of hotels abroad.

Danike Blackwell, despite being an heir and next CEO of the company, interned in the SHR building under my dad's supervision. That's all I know."

Did you try talking to your dad? Maybe he will ..." What Isla? Stop the engagement? Maybe postpone it to salvage the feelings of their daughter?

I was one to talk. I knew I couldn't say no if my parents said jump.

This was part of business, the payment to a lavish lifestyle.

Things like these were negotiated so carefully between families - quite possibly before our birth!.

It's our part, our follow through the contract,our duty.

I think I was more zoned-out in our next class. I kept looking at Rivers who was calmly listening to lectures. As if her world was not crumblings around her.

When the last bell rang, I sprung from my seat and immediately went to her side.

"Are you sure you are okay?" I asked her worriedly.

Rivers arched one brow before rolling her eyes.

She gave me the attitude as if the conversation earlier was already forgotten.

"It looks like you should be asking that question to yourself babe".

Then she suddenly lunged at me and engulfed me in a death grip. " Don't look so heartbroken!

It's marriage not suicide!".

I tugged at her hair. " Don't joke about death, you phsyco" I murmured, hugging her back.

Her hands let go of me, raising it in the air " irene,am fine. Really. I swear."

I didn't believe her but sure. "There's this new Italian restaurant that's been on the rave these last week. According to the reviews, the chief is a reality show winner. Wanna go? My treat.

Rivers driver was already waiting in front of the school.

We slipped into the backseat of her audi.

I texted my own driver the coordinates of the restaurant and told him to follow.

I also called my mom who immediately agreed upon learning I was with Engr. Ruiz's only daughter.

It was 7pm when we arrived at the restaurant.

And the whole time, Rivers was pretty vocal again.

Maybe telling me these things made her feel better.

She was devouring the food and somehow, her earlier mood shifted to le as I picked on mine.

Things were going around in my head.

"Do you think......" I started and she stopped mid chew.

Rivers swallowed, taking the wineglass and pointing it to me. "Do I think?"

"Do you think you'll like him?" In my own words, my cheeks coloured In embarrassment.

Her face soured as if my question was the most ridiculous thing she's heard.

I waved a hand to her face, "Don't answer that. Nevermind". Pairing it with an awkward laugh.

We finished eating and I gave the card to that waiter.

Rivers was Obviously in a better mood now and was humming as we strode out of the place.

"Shoot! I forgot something,".

Rivers ran back inside as I was left on the sidewalk.

I followed her with my eyes until she went inside.

She was always like this, always forgetting things and I shook my head.

My gaze traveled up the building.

The place was a hôtel-restaurant, the first floor being the restaurant. Which reminded me, I pulled out my iphone out of my bag and dialed my driver number.

"Hello, Rob? I'm outside -"

Someone slammed against my side And u crashed to the floor on my elbow and right hip.

My iphone skittered across the pavement. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings, my weight on one high-heeled foot.

There is no way I could've myself and I took that fall hard and skidded even a few inches.

Pain shot up from where I landed on the hard ground.

My teeth clicked together upon impact .

I heard a curse. A string of them, as a guy, presumably the one who slammed into me, halted in front of me in obvious annoyance. Expensive Italian loafers came into my sight.

"Would you look at where you're going?! Get up!" He said rather harshly

"O-Ouch...." I couldn't think past the pain

On my side. I couldn't get up either, at least not for a minute as I gathered my spinning sight.

My eyes squeezed shut as I tried to breathe through my nose.

And that earned me a string of profanities before I felt a hand on my arm, and another on my hip, as the man had my hands slipping around his neck and hauled me upwards .

My eyes flew open at the touch.

Only to meet the angry stare of a stranger.

Back then, I still didn't know who he was. I had no idea. But I had known that moment wouldn't be the last time we crossed paths, I would've never gone there. I would have tried to change fate. Because in the future as I would know, I wish we never met. Repeatedly.

Chapter 2

Even in my disoriented state, the shockingly silver eye color got me.

And of all things I could process at that moment, my senses registered the smell.

His scent in particular. It was something that reminded me of crushed mint and ice underset by musk perfume.

But before I could look at his whole face, there was a distinct click before a flash of light.

I froze, that was a camera and Didn't take a genius to know who those people would be.

The heavy footsteps were approaching.

"Jake, is that the person you were to meet at this hotel?"

"Mr Montgomery-"

"Hell"

Reporters, what rotten luck do I have lord,

I tried to calm down but my heartbeat spiked automatically.

My body had gone cold, and though I tired to will it away, the memories were already coming back.

It was freshman year, just outside the school gates. Of all the times my driver should be late.

I will never forget that reporter's face....

"Ms porter? Irene Porter !"

He came out of nowhere. One moment I was standing alone the next moment he was in my face.

"Is it true that you had caused a bright scholar to lose her scholarship here in LCA?" The continuous clicking of the camera he shoved it into my face continued.

"Her name is paige smith"

I was taught never to entertain the media.

It was one of our golden rules.

But as I moved to turn away from the man, he grabbed my arm and whirled me back to face him.

" Her mother is a waitress and the father is a janitor! Did it give you satisfaction to ruin her future in a snap?"

"Is this the so-called entitlement of the mega rich? To further bury those beneath them?

Wouldn't it be considered as cruelty from the upper class of the society ?

Do the rich not feel pity for the poor in this day and age?!.

We need your answer on this matter young ms!"

I had never had an encounter like these with any reporter.

It was just my luck that there was no one around in the most grueling five-minutes of my life.

When I tried to leave,he easily pulled me back. The camera steadily taking those pictures especially when he saw the fear in my eyes.

That reporter had taken satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment as he harassed me.

"Irene !" That was Rivers's voice.

I snapped back into reality, my head turning towards the direction my name came from.

Rivers stood a few feet away but her eyes were on the man whose hands were supporting me.

"Jake Montgomery ?!" She turned to the right where the camera flashes came from.

There was a horde of reporters coming in our direction.

I wanted to throw up, it wasn't just one man, what would they do to me these time?.

"Ri-vers" I called.

Rivers was quickly by my side, her hands quickly replacing the guys' hands from around me.

Rivers still looked at the stranger.

"I'm sure you're Jake Montgomery,what the hell were you doing ok her?!."

There was a fear and accusation in her tone as she glared at the man.

"Shut up and take your friend" I was rudely pushed into River.

"Dammit!"

But the stranger was already lost in the sea of pedestrians.

The reporters completely passed us looking for where the stranger went.

I didn't realize then that I was holding a breath and I let it out in relief.

Everything happened too quickly.

"What was that about Irene?! That was Jake Montgomery!

"M-My iphone"

But Rivers was in full hysterics now.

"irene, you were photographed in the embrace of a manhore/killer/God"

What was she saying?

The look that she gave me was harsh and crazy.

" Yes! What I said! The biggest mystery in all the industries. Gosh Irene, what were you thinking? Don't tell me you don't know him!"

In my dazed state i managed to shake my head weakly. I really didn't have an idea who he was.

"So you're telling me you don't know Jake Montgomery?, the CEO of the biggest shipping and armory company in the world!!, the industry's biggest mystery and you were just in his embrace !!.

" Then how do you know him if he is a mystery"

"My dad had worked with him on a project that's how I got to see his face and never forgot it"

At my blank look she rolled her eyes heavenward.

"I can't believe we are best friends yet you don't know him, if those pictures gets out you are gonna be more famous than you are"

_ _

Suffice to say, no pictures got out from that night. Not one, so maybe Rivers was mistaken about the guy's identity.

I don't even remember his name anymore, not even his face, just his eyes, that height and that perfume I am sure was uniquely his.

I just realized one thing from that night though.

I don't know anyone else apart from the people who I was forced to associate with on a regular basis.

I wanted to google him just to be sure but since I had forgotten his name,I will never risk asking Rivers and see her have another apoplectic fit, no thanks.

I looked at my best friend who was out of it again, it was after classes on a friday and she decided she was feeling like going to the mall.

But here she was, passing her hands over the same rack for the past twenty minutes and still not choosing anything.

"Rivers" I called from where I sat

She blinked a few times as of getting out of a haze "H-huh"

" See anything you like? Because you know......" I staged a shrug.

"I haven't noticed that blank far-away look as you pretend to shop" I think I knew her thoughts though.

Her party was on Sunday, her eighteenth birthday party. And as I found out the announcement of her engagement.

It took some time for my word to sink in and her eyes narrowed at me

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, porter" but then a slow smile spread on her face as she looked at me.

Then it slowly turned into a smirk and I looked at her worriedly

"I don't like what's going on here"

She skipped to my side and promptly dragged me out of my sit

"I want to dress you up! Please, Irene!" Rivers gave me puppy eyes then proceeded to lock me in a hug.

" Oh,no" I roamed my eyes around to see the clothes in that store, before whispering to her.

"Their designs are too edgy and flashy. O can't wear those."

She pouted, looking at my clothes over.

A white button down cotton shirt and blue skinny jeans.

Yes, my clothes were branded.

Yes, they're as expensive as Rivers dresses, but I will never wear uncomfortable dresses in the name of fashion.

She flicked me a glare, "you promised to wear red to my debut party! You promised, are you backing out of that all of a sudden?" She stomped a foot little like a misbehaving child and crossed her hands over her chest giving me a daring look.

I exhaled a breath.

She's been sorta out of it lately, as if she is always preoccupied in her mind and couldn't keep still.

To suddenly see her as her normal self over buying me a dress...... I sighed in defeat.

"Fine! But get me something comfortable. No crazy metallic embellishments and no spikes."

Who knows why people need deadly weapons as a fashion statement? I didn't know.

With a soldier salute, "Aye aye! Of all things to doubt?,not my fashion statement, it's just wrong to doubt it. Like ever"

She happily went back to the racks and now I worried about myself more.

Rivers' shopping concentration was really remarkable if you ask me. But then.....

My best friend was engaged and I couldn't believe it.

" How about this one?"

" That neckline is too low"

"So what? Your boobs are B! It won't look slutty "

She insisted on the dress, pushing for me to try it on.

"Next" I said

Rivers grumbled under her breath.

"How 'bout this one?"

"Yes, let me show my butt to the world"

"You haven't even tried it yet!"

" I can tell by just looking."

"Such a prude! There's nothing wrong with showing some skin from time to time"

"If you show skin, you can't expect people not to look. I don't want them to look."

She looked at me as if my logic was failing her

"Irene, they'll only be seeing it, they won't be touching it!"

My mouth fell agape, "touch? What are you talking about? All the more, no!"

In the end I had to help her look. Rivers' debut party was going to be more like a business gathering. Most of the guest are big time or medium-sized businessmen, wealthy local and international personalities, and the media will be there to flaunt the crowd associated with the Ruiz name. That along with the grand party to celebrate their daughter's coming of age.

Which means I wanted to blend into the crowd. But at the same time I didn't want to disappoint my best friend who was determined to change my wardrobe. We got to the back of the store when I noticed a red dress tucked into the end of the rack.

I pulled it out and promptly stopped. I went back to the front of the store to a tired and frowning Rivers.

" How about these one?"I showed her the dress.

Her eyes widened and she clapped in glee.

" Where'd you get this? I love it! You gotta try this on"

I was ushered into the dressing room. It was a glitter lace, turtle- neck dress that showed off half my back, empire waist and trumpet skirt whose end will be gazing at the ground if I wear five-foot heels.

Rivers knocked, tossing me silver stiletto.

Somehow the red complimented my extremely pale complexion and willowy structure. I was far too small at the height of 5"1, my hair was waist-length and black, my eyes a deep blue and lips as red as blood.

I was sometimes called snow-white, with my skin as white as snow, hair as black and ebony and lips as red as blood things were spot on similar to the actual Disney princess, bit if you asked me, being these thin, I looked dead if not for the red lips I would have looked like the walking dead.

" I already know the shoes match, don't thank me"

I was handing the sales girl my card when Rivers pushed it away and handed her card over. " you better wear that,or else!"

I laughed

I was startled when she threw her hands around me and started squeezing me in front of the staff

" I'm so lucky to at least see my best friend wear something so red and so matured, You're all grown up now!"

I playfully pushed her away, " you say that as if you are leaving, stop being so dramatic"

That night, we ate fast food . I don't know what has gotten into her but she wanted McDonald's. I mean, I don't have anything against them but Rivers described fast food places as "disgusting".

"You sure?" I asked her doubtfully.

" I wanna try it. I know you sneak into these places when I'm not around."

After eating there, she vowed never to eat fast food ever again. My eyes rolled at will.

I couldn't help but feel something was going on. But come to think of it, this was probably normal seeing as she was about to announce her engagement....... And after that the wedding was sure to quickly follow.

Back then, I didn't know what she was about to do. It never came to my mind that she was going to do something as drastic as that. Had I known, I would never have worn that red dress, I would have never let her pay for it in the first place. Not when in the future I would réalise the mess she would be leaving me in.

One dress and a pair of shoes couldn't pay for the mess she would be Leaving me in.

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