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Celina had just gotten out of her hotel,it was time to leave yet her heart ached badly. She felt like she was leaving the most important part of her life back here in Larissa(Greece).
she had wonderful memories here both bad and good most expecially with her father.
He usually calls her "his sunshine" and recited a poem to her about it when he first gave her the name at 5. Then all was good between celina and her step-sisters, their hatred towards her started when they were teens, up till now she couldn't put a finger on why they hated her so much.
As she recalled these memories tears clung her eyes threaten to spill down her face, there was nothing she could do, she couldn't think of even trying to pull up a stunt towards her stepmom because only God knows what harm she would bring to her father if she disobey her.
The ironic aspect was that her stepmom has full authority for the time being, her savings account was the only thing preventing her from being broke, her step-mom has no access to it, if not she would have been stranded.
Celina always knew her step mom flawless public facade that entrapped her father and others unknowingly masked her deviousness which she now shows. The tears Celina tried to hold spilled down her face, her cheeks were red from crying, she was preety sure she would get a migraine sooner from too much crying.
She was feeling helpless as she passed by to enter her designated cab waiting for her, it was booked by her favorite maid by name 'Manny,' who was like a mother to her. fresh tears streamed down her face she would miss alot of people here.
Celina was glad that she was wearing a plush bunny ears pink hooded coat.
The hoodie covered half of her face so she felt relived people won't notice her emotions easily. She held a small luggage containg just few clothes, the rest would be way billed once she get to the Italy, to start a new life with her friends for the time being.
As she moved towards the cab.....
She noticed a huge chunk of a man in the driver seat, Celina felt goosebumps all over her skin, her hairs stood on one end in her neck and anytime this happens it's a sign she was scared.
'Scared of what' The thought rang in her head trying to reassure herself. It wasn't working.
She took a glance at the seat and at the man as coldness seeped into her, the weather was cold so Celina reassured herself a little 'yeah..that's why, no need to fret'. she still found herself in that position, staring. Expressionless.
"Don't be scared little one" The big man at the driver seat said, giving her a devilish smile.
Before Celina could process everything on her head that this voice it isn't familiar with the one she spoke to an hour ago...as she made move to dial the cab number which she spoke to some minutes ago...a shadow was at her back, before she could turn all she heard was a loud sound of car door and then a sharp smell...,as she struggled for consciousness, car sounds faded in her ears and then total blackout.
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.... Celina woke up her eyes fluttering, she felt a sharp pain on her wrists; a feeling of being restricted like being tied with ropes. Shrills of fear ran through her body. Thoughts of "Who are these men! and what do they want from me?"... passed through her mind.
Just too scared to make a sound so they won't notice she was awake...as all these questions rushed through her mind.
Helpless and Hopeless were the two words that hung above her fate, yet a silver hope
was the only thing that withold tears from streaming down her face.
"Who could have done this and what have I done to deserve this". Each unanswered question in her mind tire her bravery in shreds as tears clung her eyelids... another muscled man was sitting beside her.
The car was lousy with different males voice echoing, they were laughing and discussing on a variety of topics. Celina opened her eyes slightly, noticing another man again sitting at the front seat..
There were three huge men if she acts so carelessly she would die in matter of seconds.
She was like a damsel in distress, with no knight in shining armor.
Their faces signified ruthlessness and screamed dangerouslly built-in mind and body. Their hugeness and height turned her into puddle, to discard every plan of escaping because one thing was sure—she could never pass this fortress begins.
But one thing was straight.
"if they wanted to kill me, I would've been dead by now...but the car is still on trail". Before she could wrap her head over it, another thought swayed in..."Like they were taking her somewhere! What would they do to me?". a feeling of teripdaton mixed with dark energy filled the air.
Celina heard a loud voice feeling a pair of eyes on her body, nauseous rose in her throat, her stomach turning in fear as the observation continued. She tried her best to stay motionless not to make a mistake and draw attention to herself.
No one had to know she was awake, the consequences is just too dire in her opinion, not when an escape plan formulated in her mind.
"Let's have fun with her, she's freaking hot never have I seen such a curvaceous at the same time very beautiful.." A voice trailed buzzing on her skin due to the close space they sat. "In my life" the voice uttered in awe.
"Boss orders! We have to maintain the order!".the one driving, his voice boomed with authority, obviously the leader.
"Don't even start Akash" The one at the front seat said "At this point I don't believe in boss orders after all we were asked simply, is to torture her for a week and let her off with deep cuts then after sometime she would be killed slowly...no one said we can't have our fun"
"Fun! like seriously" Akash rolled his eyes as he continued driving a little bit fast.
"Have you seen her?" The same voice from the front, exclaimed unbelievably, demonstrating to where the beautiful damsel was tied. "Turn back and see this beauty."
Akash turned thrice in quick glances, very tempted, he didn't have a clear view of her when she was captured and tied. Maybe because the alley was filled with low lights or maybe it was in the night whatever the reason was.. she's truly beautiful from the short time he stared.
The voice at the back seat boomed with laughter. "Stick your eyes on the road else you'd kill all of us before we kill her". The half-scary joke brought laughter from the rest which didn't quite settle in Celina's mind instead it heightened her fear.
"She's hottttttttttt...let's just sleep with this beauri she wouldn't know. Just take a look how sexy she is". The guy at the back seat said.
Akash signed "To be true she's freaking hottt at least we can take one or two liberties with her". He finally agreed with the rest of them as they laughed mockingly...tears slid on Celina face unknown to them.
It was over. There's no way she could overpower the three of them especially as huge as they are. Celina prayed for strength she couldn't stop the hard thumping of her heart neither the way her body froze in shock.
Even if she was scared to her bones..She would neveret them lay a finger on her even if it means dying just to save herself.
Akash mumbled alot of times as the car dragged on a slow pace.
"Why are we coming to a stop. Hit the brakes Akash, we aren't entirely free from safety". The man at the back seat said.
Akash mumbled "I can't hold it anymore I need to pee".
"Same here" Another voice echoed "it's been hours since we drove, the streets are empty and no one visit a grave yard at night we can just pull over, do the needful and continue our journey". He reasoned with the rest as they noded in affirmation.
As the car came to a halt, the car door opened as Akash ran out, the one at the front made move to go out.
"Keep an eye on her". He ordered sternly to the thug at the back and left to relieve himself.
Then Celina knew this was her chance it was now or never with a thumbing heart and a mind full of determination, she first accessed the movements of the thugs.
As the one sitting at the front earlier ran to the bushes towards the grave yard....
Celina kicked the man at the back....she kicked his intimate part hardddddd as he screamed furiously and made a move to quickly pin the doors that was opened.
Celina struggled to roll to the front as he was about to catch her, she kicked his face and bit his earlobes and nose between her teeth, his blood smeared on her lips, while he he screamed trying to get her.
That was the perfect opportunity to loosen the ropes from her body, which left marks on her fair skin.
Blood filled the thug face and Celina quickly rolled out of the car, standing up immediately and running into unpaved paths leading to thick bushes with her heart racing praying they won't catch her. She was unfortunately left with two options either she stay or she escape.
And she choosed the last.
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For the first the time Leonardo visited his grandpa's graveyard this year.. something broke in him like the first time he heard of his death. A feeling of being shattered, broken from within in ways that it took the last thing in him not to be torn apart.
Leonardo loved him to the core. His grandpa always stood by his side..it was a tradition to him that at least three times to visit him at the graveside since he died last year December.
It was just three weeks into the second month of the year and he just visited him once, breaking the rule set out for visitation.
Normally, the family was supposed to visit him together but work held him back last week so he couldn't follow them, even as his schedule was tight this week,Leon promised himself that he would come this week.
He just got back from signing some millions contract deal on investment hours ago and he got on his private plane, stepped down and drove his cyber truck awaiting him even tho it was nightfall.
Leonardo crouched low, his body squatting, old memories of how his grandpa stood by him when his mom died. He could remember his words clearly.
"My child", Tapping his shoulders. Leonardo could still feel the touch of the old man's hands pressing lightly on his shoulders. "You have to be strong. Alot of things would tamper your spirit as you grow older. Nevertheless, you must overcome them with a willing heart, determination and wisdom. Strong men don't cry". Leon remembered these words bitterly, tears clouding his eyes.
His grandpa had been his moral support right from his teens.
Leon's father "Mr Alexander de Caruso" lost himself to his darkness, keeping to himself and welding a mask of unhappiness never letting anyone too close to see how it affected him badly after he lost his father (Leon's grandpa).
His father has tried all his best to form a bond between them for a very long time.
The word "bond" brought fumes of rage boiling in his heart as Leon clenched his fists hard.
There was never a relationship between them...precisely!! it was guilt? Choking his father's heart..right from Leon's tender years.!
When he realized Leon was his true... and other circumstances included when his mom died.
Well, it wasn't important for now! It was something he swore to never speak about and everyone was forbade from saying it..not even a whisper else consequences would be unredeemable.
These words resurfacing again made his heart lurch in grief. Losing his grandpa was like a source of light pulled off above him leaving him in total darkness yet he had to be strong, to keep his emotions checked, not letting anything break him on the outside even if he's hurting badly in the inside and anything threatening to break his walls down.
Leon face hardned with unbearable pain, A line of tears slid down his cheek, his hands shook, each fast-breath heavy from his nose rumbled through his body as he pushed his palms to his chest, trying to control his emotions.
His expressions turning blank trying not to remember at the same time while going down the memory lane on how his grandpa unexpectedly died.
Suddenly, his jawline hardned,vpanting raggedly, his emotions resurfacing all over, removing his palms from his chest, fisting and releasing his palms hard, repeating
same movements.
Over and Over again. Trying to control himself for hunting for blood at the accomplice behind his grandpa's sudden death..
Leonardo heard some weird sounds, very much unusual because coming here before he hadn't heard noises the place was very quiet.
It was a reserved area bought by his family.
Who had the guts to break into private grounds and to leave unscathed without being scared of unforseen circumstances. Upon his grandpa death that left his family mourning.
This private ground was secured solely for his grandpa.This county Greece had something special to his grandparents even though his grandpa had his origins from italy.
It held a beautiful moments because this is where they first met.
His grandpa often said he would love to be buried in Greece in a place filled with different kind of beautiful flowers and Leonardo could remember his grandpa's wistful smile as he continued by describing the landscape how enthralling and beautiful it would be like.
The amazing view and the serenity around the place.
Recounting these memories brought tears to his eyes, Leonardo could hear the echoes of his laughter after saying these words, the way his eyes shone bright thinking about the beauty of his description. His grandpa not knowing his death was near.
The horrified expression on his grandma's face, nagging she couldn't think of him being dead or his imagination of his graveyard site.
His grandma would change the wheels to nag at Leonardo, rolling her eyes at her precious grandson that his grandpa won't have negative illusions on his head if Leonardo had settled down for a family.. and.. Babies which his grandpa would have ample of time to be with instead of these Ill-thoughts.
Working his fingers on his hair to calm down his nerves and struggled to take puffs of breath, untangling the last knots within him.
Almost everything in his life was intertwined with his grandpa. He was his friend. Role model. A mentor and His confidant. Leonardo having a reputation of being cold, brutal and heartless. It was only his grandpa who could see through him.
Leonardo made sure he made his grandpa illusions of his gravesite come into reality. That was the one of the things that could make his grandpa's spirit more happier and at ease.
There was no demarcation in this private landscape. Everything here was owned by his family and bought by him so who had the guts to enter into here and how.
Or was there a secret pathway.
Searching around with his keen eyes everywhere seems normal and peaceful.
It was just his imaginations.
He knew there was a cliff end.. that's just it
"Isn't it". He tried to convince himself,btrying to clear doubts from his mind but it proved fruitless. There was still an aching gap in his heart .
Did someone follow him from the back when he opened the gate and walked in. Even if that was true the person would have strike him since when he was lost in the thoughts of his beloved Grandpa.
Even at that could the person easily overthrow him? Thinking about that made him grin wickedly as he flexed his muscles. But nothing else happened since then,he didn't even smell anything fishy... until now.
The person truly had some guts!! He heard breathing sounds close by, heavy footsteps which were unsteady. He saw shades of bright torches, the clicks of equipments and then heart-welching scream like someone was in panic.
He was for a moment stunned, the voice was sonorous piercing in his ear at the same time full of fear like in trouble.
He held his head feeling unconcious like everything he saw almost became blurry with beads of sweat formed on his forehead, he had to put his hands on his truck to support himself.
The only time he felt like this was when....
He sighed deeply to clear his head and straighten himself from his crouching position to a full height.
Leon thought as his heart started to beat fast in a low tune. "Was it a lady?" what could a woman be doing in this kind of place and this kind of time, leon questioned himself quizzicaly.
What surprised him was hearing that scream and it did alot to his senses. Why did it affect him so much, with his heart already thumping wild that something bad could have occurred.
He felt an unbridled urge to go help her.
Like he couldn't believe his eyes that someone might actually be in trouble! Especially here of all places. It seems so Impossible until he heared a piercing voice like a female scream, which still tugged at his heart making him forget how cold and aloof he had always being....why was he so interested in this voice?
what could be happening? Leon was much curious now.
"What would someone be doing here by night" The question still rang in his mind.
" It isn't possible," Leon came to a conclusion,
calming his heart to stop thinking of scary scenario as he made move towards his Tesla Cybertruck which was obviously the latest model.
His instinct still bothered him that something was wrong somewhere.
"It's nothing" He reassured himself finally as he made move to open the door but stopped. The title of being a "Heartless monster", followed him wherever he went. Never paying too much attention to anyone. Never giving a damn about anyone apart from a specific set in his family. One of which was his grandpa.
He knew too well the cost, the last time he let his guard down, the pain still clung to him like a fresh wound..even now.
From then on, His key code was 'Keep your emotions in check, or It would be preyed upon by enemies exuding fake innocence...whether they come smiling as friends or lurking as foes.'
He wouldn't care about the voice. He shouldn't'. It wasn't his concern in any way!
' Yes he would just do that!..With that feeling of finality,bhe opened the door and settled in the driver's seat.
Leon could still hear sounds, screams in pressure, cries and whelps.
He sighed annoyingly, he had to block this voice, the sounds from his head and how his steel heart reacted to it.
He had to getaway. As fast as possible. Far from where the soft voices won't affect his soul turning into unheard whispers.
But somewhere deep inside of him he knew that voice would continue to haunt him till the end of his life.
Maybe every unknown thing that occurred from the shades of light, drumming footsteps and sonorous screams felt like imagination of his mind. Maybe due to everything that he had experienced these month and half following his grandpa's death, sometimes he hears his grandpa voice even when his cold body lies in the grave.
With his heart is racing, His mind playing over and over again the piercing voice he heared.
Leon could feel his hand shaking, his fingers unable to press the key in and start it sufficiently.
A heavy breath left his lips with a trembling heart he started the vehicle, his heart had a will of its own not ready to follow his body, there was nothing like allowing his heart to lead him on again.
Maybe if he gave his heart that opportunity again. He might never recover from it...ever!!!