Hostage

Chapter 11

*Ezra's POV

After what went down in our hotel room, I knew I had to figure out a solution to this problem soon. We couldn't keep running forever, it was only a matter of time before they would catch up to us. For now, we needed to get away first before I could think of the larger plan. I knew we had been behaving too risky by staying in populated areas where there were many people who could be witnesses and rat us out, or maybe even camera footage of us that could be hacked into so they would know where we are at all times. We needed to be in a more isolated place to buy us some time to regroup and think. We had been treating this like some kind of romantic vacation, when that's far from what the actual situation is.

I decided to take Nathaniel to a smaller island in Hawaii where there would be less tourists and less people in general. It would be much harder to track us down there. We also couldn't take the risk of staying in another hotel in the city center, we really had to try and disappear of the map for a bit. Luckily I knew another guy in Honolulu who had his own boat and could drop us off and might also be able to provide us with some shelter. I always think it's so funny that Nathaniel is shocked by how I have contacts everywhere who are willing to help me. Truth is being the son of a crime lord, you're bound to run into many other people who grew up in similar crime families and who also don't necessarily agree with what their family members do. Over the years I have built up a network of contacts that would have my back when I want to get away from my dad, obviously I would provide them with the same kind of help if they ever needed it.

Nathaniel and I arrived at a smaller harbour than the one we were at last time, when I spotted my friend. He instantly recognised me. I introduced Nathaniel to him and quickly explained the entire situation, asking him for his help after having explained everything. He didn't need any convincing and immediately agreed. I asked him if he knew of a place where we could stay low for a while. He told me he knew of an abandoned hut along the shore of the island, he said it wouldn't be very luxurious but it would be hard to find us there. I looked over at Nathaniel worried he would be scared about the potential living situation but he gave me a confirming nod and smile to let me know he would be just fine.

We got on his boat and sat in silence until we arrived. My friend dropped us of at the abandoned hut, and told us how to reach him if we ever needed his help again while we were here. Nathaniel and I entered the hut, and it was basically just a roof and a bed. "I'm so sorry Nathaniel, I wish we could be in a normal hotel but it's not safe right now. I hate that I'm putting you into situations like these." Nathaniel stepped closer to me and hugged me. 'Don't worry about it, we'll be alright. It's actually kind of cosy here. Besides, it's like were contestants on some kind of game show where we have to survive with nothing." He said. "I guess you're right. I wasn't expecting such a positive outlook from you." I joked. "Just because I grew up rich doesn't mean I can't appreciate... nature and... simplicity.... Okay I'm lying. Had I been here 3 weeks ago I probably would've run out screaming but due to this whole predicament we're in, it puts things in perspective. At least I'm here with you." The last part of what he said made me melt.

I have always thought Nathaniel was attractive when I saw him in school and despite of his rich-kid-attitude, I have alway had the feeling that deep down he was a good person. The way he acts now is so different than how he used to and I can't help but be more attracted to him every day as he consistently seems to become more... human and approachable. I think we both realised that we are so much more than our families. I don't have to resort to crime because that's what my dad wants for me and Nathaniel doesn't need to act like he's better than everyone just because of his old money family. When we're on the run, we're equals. We like each other because of who we are and not because of what we have. I think Nathaniel was scared to be himself for so long because of what his family name meant for him. People everywhere automatically expected him to be a certain way and to act a certain way and I guess he was scared not to conform those expectations... so he just did. If we ever make it out this situation alive, I hope this can be a new beginning for both of us and hopefully a new beginning for us together.

We spent a couple of days at the hut. It was like we were living in a romantic castaway type of movie, even though civilisation was only a couple of miles away. We gathered our own food from the trees as well as from the ocean, we swam, we talked endlessly and we genuinely forgot about the world around us and the people who were out to get us for a little while. Nathaniel and I were laying on the beach looking up at the stars in silence. We both turned our heads at each other at the same time. The way he looks at me always makes me feel incredibly overwhelmed, in a good way. I cupped his face with my hand and I kissed him softly on his lips. 'Nathaniel, these last few days have been so amazing. I wish this could be our life forever. I hate to ruin this moment and to burst the bubble, but he have to talk about what's next..."

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