Deadlock

XLVII

Jake and I were kept in the study room after Clarence Byrone dismissed us. I wondered why Rob stayed at the dining hall but he did. Although it made me feel relieved but it only prolonged the agony of when Rob, Jake and I are already in the same room. That day when we were kidnapped, Jake and I were together and Rob didn’t know that Jake and I were best friends. Who knows what he might think.

The study room wasn’t exactly the cell I thought are for prisoners. Well, we aren’t exactly prisoners but we were kidnapped victims. Not that I’ve been kidnapped before but this whole thing doesn’t fit the usual very dangerous kidnap crap. Or is this even more dangerous?

Jake looked at me with those same worried eyes. “Emily, did they hurt you? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine Jake. Are you?” I was worried about Jake of course. I raised my hand to touch his face, his pretty face that was bruised so he could protect me.

He had his hand raised so he could hold mine. He rubbed my hand softly across his face and ended on his lips to kiss it. I wanted to take my hand, but I couldn’t. He just looks so peaceful and contented kissing my hand like that. Maybe Jake really loves me. “Emily, we need to get you out of here.”

“Of course, that’s all we need. We have to escape in here.” I agreed.

He smiled at me, that cute smile that completes my day just few months before, but only a one simple smile right now. He had his two big hands on my face. And his eyes were twinkling. “No, listen Em, Rob and I, we have a plan to get you out of here. But it would be difficult if we also come with you. You have to escape without us.”

I had Jake’s hand taken out of my face. I was shocked. “What are you saying? I can’t escape alone. I can’t leave you here.”

“Emily, it’s for your own good. That Byrone can’t be trusted. He said he’d exchange you for the Empire, and who knows what'd he do after that? That man doesn’t look as if he would do just as what he said.” Jake coaxed me.

“Jake, he wants me. If I leave, who knows what he might do to the both of you.”

“Emily, Rob and I, we can take care of ourselves.”

“Yeah, like how you took care of us before we were captured.” I told him in a manner I shouldn’t have. Jake and Rob protected me all they could but I can’t even appreciate it.

“Listen here bratty princess, you are going to do whatever it is we tell you to do whether you like it or not.” Rob’s voice echoed from nowhere. I didn’t even realize he was already in the room. He was leaning on the arch just before the door. “Alright?”

I didn’t know what to say actually. Rob never talked to me since that night when we were kidnapped and now that he talked to me, he seemed really distant. Not that we’ve really been close, but I thought Rob and I are okay. But the look on his eyes says otherwise. He might even loath me and I don’t even know what I’ve done.

“Rob, how did it go?” Jake called.

“Jake, is it safe to talk here? Did you scan the place for some hidden cameras or something?” Rob walked to the corners of the room as if he’s inspecting the place.

“Yes, that was the first thing I did.” Jake answered and grinned. “That man underestimated us Rob.”

“Well, it’s good that that old fox thinks we’re dippy, at least we’ll have our chances in getting her out of here bigger.” Rob looked at me. I flinched, for one second I thought I saw someone else, not Rob exactly.

Even if Rob is starting to scare the shit out of me, I didn’t let him shut me thoroughly. “I uhm I am not… going alone.”

“Are you stupid?!” Rob yelled.

“Rob!” Jake called. What is up with him?

“Okay I’m sorry. But you have to go!” He pointed to me. “I stayed in there to get some information from Byrone, and he was cunning. He’s mind is difficult to penetrate. I had to stay longer with him but at least I had a piece of information we could use.”

“Okay what’s the plan Rob?” Jake asked. He walked near Rob and slowly pulled me near them.

“Byrone would talk to the Chairman of the Van Tassel Empire tomorrow to discuss about the transferring of the shares to him. And we’ll take advantage of that. Without the sly Byrone, we could easily get Emily out of this mansion. Since his men wouldn’t be as bright as he is, and a good number of them would probably accompany him.” Rob explained.

“But I wouldn’t know what to do after that.” I muttered, I’m starting to get nervous actually.

“You’re going to take a motor boat and we’ll stay here to keep them from chasing you. We’ll take care of them here, you got nothing to worry. Just drive yourself as far away from here as possible.” Jake instructed.

“I don’t know why you guys have to stay here. Why can’t you just come with me.” I almost want to cry. I was pleading. I was scared that’s probably why. What if I won’t see them again? What if they die protecting me?

“That’s irrelevant, that’s not a choice. Look if we come with you, we all die. They would chase us in the sea and they will outnumber us. It's better that Jake and I could stop them here, the possibility of you escaping alive will be considerable.” Rob told me, more like scared me. “But of course, we won’t let them chase you. Little bratty princess wouldn’t know what to do if that’s the case, so your knights in shining armors here will take care of the bad guys.” He smirked.

♥♥♥

I didn’t like the idea Jake and Rob proposed to me. Not that I have any other choice, but the thought scared me. I couldn’t run away alone. I might not see them again. But Rob wouldn’t let me speak much less give me a choice at that. He seemed so determined. He’s going to do it his way, and he won’t let anyone stop him.

We stayed the whole day in the study room. The goons open the room when they want to check if we’re still there and if they send food. But the awkwardness also stayed in the room. Or was it just me? Rob and Jake were talking casually. The print of ten years together was obvious. They were really close. They were brothers and they really care for each other.

While I, sulking in the corner of the room, staring at the both of them, as if I’m an invisible person. It might never occur to them that I was still there. I noticed it was already dark outside the window. Suddenly, the door creaked. Everyone turned to look who it was, and it turned out it was Byrone’s another man. Who did we expect anyway?

“The director wanted to give you a room where you could sleep, so come follow me.” The goon told us.

Rob and Jake stood up to follow him. I followed them. I walked behind Rob and Jake without saying anything. Honestly, I was waiting for Jake to talk to me, and leave the jerk Rob Van Garrette quiet. But Jake wouldn’t do that. Rob was more important. And this is getting sick, I can’t possibly be jealous of Rob.

We stopped in front of a door, and the guy opened it with his keys. It wasn’t the kind of a luxurious one, but it would do. It has medium sized bed, at least that was what I saw from the outside.

“Get in.” He commanded me. I looked at Rob and Jake, hoping they’d give that reassuring smile that even if we part, I’m going to be fine. I was a coward alright. Jake did, send me that reassuring smile I mean, but Rob didn’t even look at me. I got inside the room and I was ready to be locked in there. But the guy didn’t. He was waiting for something to happen I didn’t know exactly what it was. And then Rob walked toward me, inside the room, him. I looked at Jake, and he was just as astounded as I was. And then the man closed the door, locked it.

Rob and I were now locked in the room, alone. While Jake, would be in another room all by himself. And yes, I’d rather be in a room with the two of them, even if that would mean that I have to be invisible than having Jake in some other place where I couldn’t see him. Some other place where I wouldn’t be sure he was fine.

“Where are they taking Jake? Is he going to be fine?” I asked Rob desperately.

“He’s gonna be fine. This is just some sick perverted game of that sly old man.” Rob twitched.

“What ‘sick perverted game’ are you talking about?” I was more worried than ever. What if they’re going to torture Jake?

“Just shut up Emily, you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Oh yeah, because I’m stupid? I don’t know what’s wrong with you Rob Van Garrette but I don’t think I deserve this. YOU ARE AN ASSHOLE AND I HATE YOU!”