Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 5: Challenge

A week passed since Mr. Holden and Dr. Linda visited me. I have been very careful to observe my surroundings. It's been almost a month now in the new apartment and I haven't yet seen any of the faces of my chasers in the area. I laid down on my narrow bed and took the card with Luc's number again. Ever since the day Mr. Holden visited, I was constantly reminded of the fact that I was Luc's wife. I guess that shows how much I had been unconsciously always thinking of Luc. Now, every time I thought of him, I recalled that I was supposedly his wife.

I wondered if I should take Mr. Holden's advice and call him. But I didn't want him to feel grateful to me. Love was not a trade. What I did for him was something I did freely. It was a priceless act for which he could never pay back even if he was able to make the oceans into gold and give it to me. Only love is the befitting reply for love. So, telling him what I did for him in my mind was like belittling my love for him. I am sure Lucas is not ungrateful. But it's not his thanks I want. I want something far more precious than that. I want his heart. I put the card back in my wallet and then looked at the picture of Max with me in it. Max was laughing as I hugged him from behind and propped my chin on his shoulder. I smiled at the picture. Even in tonight's call to Max, I didn't tell him anything about Lucas or the farce of a marriage. I just kept hoping it didn't happen or that Luc would forget what had happened and move on instead of looking for me.

I closed my eyes for a while, but sleep deluded me. I woke up to a sudden noise that didn't seem usual. It was followed by the neighbourhood dog's barking. Quickly I darted to look out of the window. There were black cars in the parking lot. I watched with growing unease as the bald headed man who chased me came out of one of the cars. My heart came to my mouth as I realized I was already probably surrounded. Grabbing my bag quickly, I ran towards the toilet and quickly made my escape through the toilet window. Just as I climbed out, I heard the door to my room open. I ran as fast as I could but someone detected me and alarmed the others.

Quickly I turned around to run in the other direction as people ran after me with guns. This was bad! I thought as I ran into an unfinished construction site next to my apartment block. It gave me places to hide but it was also more dangerous. I saw their cars surround the construction site. I gulped as I tried to find a way out of the place without being detected. But their men were everywhere. Seeing the bald man and the now familiar faces of his comrades, I knew that it was Belle Pietro's gang.

I crawled into a crate and made myself as small as possible as the guys spread out in search of me. I took the phone from my bag and wondered if I should call the Police. But then I realized how messy the situation could get if I involved the Police. I would have to tell the truth and even with that I didn't trust they could protect me. Suddenly an idea occurred to me. How about I message Lucas to help me? I wondered. The more I thought of it, the more appealing it sounded. Quickly, I took Luc's business card and saved his number on my phone before trying to compose the message.

"Hi Luc..this is Vincent." I wrote and then started deleting the message.

"Hi Luc, this is your wife.." I paused and sighed before deleting it again.

"If you want your money come get me. Love. Your wife. Bwahaha." I wrote and then stared at the message. That sounded like I was threatening him but the bwahaha would dilute it I hope? I thought nervously. Is Bwahaha an evil laugh or should I say Hahaha? I wondered. No..just a smiley face would do, I thought. It needed to sound convincing enough for him to come and find me. If I said I was Vincent, he wouldn't bother coming to save me. But if I said to come to save his money, he probably would right? I should make the smiley more sexy. The wink with tongue out would do right? I wondered as I added it too and then added a few more of it. Wait! That might look like I was joking. My god! What the hell was I doing in a dangerous situation? I thought to myself. I shouldn't be thinking too much. I should just send the message, I thought as I quickly pressed send.