SHE MUST BE ALIVE

"Roy... are you sure you want to leave with me?" Belle asked one more time while they were seated at the airport terminal. They're about to board in thirty minutes and Belle couldn't help but feel anxious. As she stare at the man sitting next to her, her heart wouldn't race or skip a beat. She's not in love with him. But she has nothing now. No family, no fiance. There's no one for her to rely on but this rich guy who has been obsessed with her for some time now. He wouldn't let her go. Why not make use of him?

But thinking about it, wasn't that the very same thing Jayden did to her? He used her and she was willing all the while. Wasn't Roy digging for his own grave like she did?

"Or what? Should I let you wander alone? I've been crazy about you for a couple of years now. I don't mind doing more crazy things with you." If she knew he has been stalking her for a long time now; if she knew how he planned to lock her up to keep her beside him; if she finds out how much he's been thinking of taking her away and keeping her in a remote island where there's no way to escape, she would probably be frightened to death. Now that she's willing to be with him, isn't running away with her just a piece of cake? It feels like a honeymoon, actually. Should he propose marriage to her soon?

While Roy was pondering about his future plans, he suddenly received a call from his dad telling him to come back. He listened to him for a while before revealing his whereabouts. "I'm leaving with my girlfriend, dad. I'm afraid I'm so useless that I can't be of any help to you." he told him before ending the call.

Roy thought for a while before taking out his phone again and dialling a string of numbers. When the call connected, he instantly stated his orders. "Spread the news of Arianna Reid's death." he said. "Dela Vega will surely come out in the open once he hears of this. This is my final gift to dad. I'm out of Rojo from now on."

***

Yago watched Tiger take calls after calls. He had been quite busy lately but he wouldn't tell him what's going on. His actions made him anxious. He knew something wasn't right, but it's as if both his hands and feet were tied.

"Tiger, aren't you going to tell me what's happening?", Yago asked from behind when he saw Tiger put down his phone.

Tiger was startled. Since when was he standing behind him? "Sir, what are you asking about?", Tiger avoided Yago's eyes. He had been busy this morning with trying to suppress the news of his lady boss's death that started circulating the internet all of a sudden. He was so engrossed that he didn't notice Yago was already listening to his phone call. How much has he heard?

"Tiger, I don't need your service anymore. I hated disloyal dogs. You can leave now." he declared with a cold expression. "I'm going back to Dan city today. I want to see Arianna. I know she has already seized control of my assets including my security group. I don't mind giving all of you up. I'll just start over again. It's better than keeping traitors like you beside me." he said before turning around.

Tiger was unable to depend himself. He fell on his knees as Yago begun walking away. "Sir, please... we've been doing everything for you.... you can't abandon us now." he begged. "I was previously taking orders from the Miss. I was in the wrong. I shouldn't have kept things from you. It's my fault. Everything was my fault." Tiger started kowtowing on the ground, making Yago stop from his track.

Yago stopped in his track and sighed but didn't spare Tiger a glance. "It's her right to give you orders since I told you to stay by her side. However, you stopped following orders from me already. Why should I still keep you then? I told you to search Arianna's whereabout a dozen times as I couldn't contact her but you defied me over and over again!" he roared. He was livid. Being deemed fragile and powerless just because of his current injury made him feel useless! He has been recovering for some time now. He needs to get back to his throne and be in control of his world again!

"Sir, it's not that I wanted to defy you or ignore you... I've been trying my best to find Miss Reid but I couldn't... " he confessed. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists. This is as far as he can go. He couldn't keep it from him any longer.

Hearing that piece of news, Yago couldn't help but turn to question his subordinate further.

"What do you mean you couldn't find her? Did something bad happened to her?", Veins started popping out of Yago's forehead. He started imagining various things while waiting for Tiger to spill the beans. "Tell me!" he yelled.

"Miss Reid was kidnapped.... and met with an accident. The last intel i recieved.... only led to the conclusion that she's dead." he reported with his voice shaking. He closed his eyes expecting to receive a beating, but Yago remained unmoving in the next several seconds.

Dead? Arianna's dead? How could that happen? They've hidden such an enormous thing from him? How long were they trying to keep him in the dark? This is unforgivable. "Where is she? What exactly happened? Why didn't anyone tell me?", he had so many questions to ask but his mind seemed to slow down. He couldn't process what he was hearing from Tiger. He refused to believe it!

"Miss Reid was being taken away and was travelling the coastal road South of Wei island when their vehicle went out of control, fell to a cliff and plunged to the sea. Miss' body hasn't been recovered. The rescue team I sent was unable to make thorough search because of unfavorable weather condition... Sir, we are very sorry." Tiger continued to kneel on all fours. He didn't have the courage to look Yago in the eyes. He felt guilty and sorrowful at the same time. Yago loved Arianna Reid very much. How is he gonna accept this devastating truth?

Yago turned around again intending to leave. "I don't believe it. Arianna isn't dead. She must be alive. I won't believe it unless I see her body with my own eyes." he stated before disappearing in front of him. Tiger was stunned. His boss's reaction was unexpected. He expected him to shout and beat him up; to destroy the room he was in; to howl like an injured wolf. But he was so calm just now. He was obviously in denial. But it was good, too. He didn't want to see in him the same reaction Arianna had when she thought his boss died...