TAKEN... AGAIN 2

"Did you tell him?", Dylan asked when he saw Arianna hanging up the call. He came when Yanyan and Yago were almost done talking and he became a bit curious seeing the woman's sad face.

"I didn't. I'll tell him next time." Arianna answered. "He's flying home early tomorrow morning. I don't want to burden him with anything." Tomorrow. Yago told him he will be going home with Vier to meet the elders of the dela Vega clan. He will be taking back his position as the next candidate to be the clan leader and he'll be staying there for more than a week. She thought he need not have any distraction during this time, so maybe she could just tell him the news of her pregnancy after he's back.

Dylan frowned at Arianna's response. A burden? She thinks she and her child were burdens? Because she's blind? "You're not a burden." he stated. "Why do you have to see yourself as one?"

"Well, I'm not used to being this idle. Yago and I are usually the best partners in crime. We're the ultimate villains. I'm not very proud hiding in a corner while he does all the work." Arianna joked. "But I think I should start planning my life ahead.... and get use to this sightless life." she said with a bitter smile. "Anyway, thanks for the strange looking phone, Master Dylan!" she said as she stretched her hand holding the phone towards Dylan in an attempt to hand it back.

"Strange? How can you call it strange?" the boy exclaimed. He then walked closer and held the woman's hand. Arianna felt Dylan's hand guiding hers in attaching the phone into something. He then let go of her hand afterwards.

"What did you do?", she asked as she felt something heavy attached to the "phone".

"This phone is not weird at all. The unique shape was designed to complement this cane. You just attach it to the head of the cane and it can guide you around like that of a car's navigation device. Not only that. This phone is connected to my quantum computer system. In a way, I'm sharing it with you. By the way, my AIS is called Callum. You can ask him anything and he will respond to you." he stated. He named his Artificial Intelligence System as Callum because he was fascinated with doves when he was younger. Ah, how nostalgic.

"Wow. Cool huh!", she commented as she touch the cane. No wonder the phone seemed weird. The size was like those of the small keypad phones about twenty years ago! The screen has curved edges except for the lower part that connects to the cane. It just lock itself there and it wouldn't come off if you don't know the right technique to unlock it. She really wish she can see it! Dylan had a different idea though. He's glad Arianna can't see it, because he kind of played with the color when he was making it, and the pink cane with a bit of a rainbow accent isn't very classy at all. Well, Forget about it. Maybe the child would be a girl and she'll appreciate its aesthetics. Lol.

"I can't wait to try it!" Arianna exclaimed.

"Alright. You can try it tomorrow. It's late now, it's time to sleep." the boy preached!

Arianna chuckled loudly. Oh, the irony! She can't believe a child is telling her off. "Listen to yourself, old man! Isn't that my line! This is the reason you're so short. You always sleep so late!" she jested.

Dylan sighed at once. "Can you stop calling me short? I'm going to leave. You should sleep now too. It's very cold out here." he scolded her a bit. He watched her nod with a smile and he couldn't help but shook his head. He made the cane to help her once she leaves this island to have her treatment in the city. He can't believe the thing won't be of much use now. He knew, Arianna don't want the treatment anymore. She won't be leaving in the near future...

Would she?

***

Arabella shot up as she suddenly woke up from a bad dream. She held her forehead and wiped away the cold sweat on her face. Again, she dreamed of Arianna being washed away by the large waves. Why is that scene hunting her? Why wouldn't the dreams go away? It was Arianna's fault that the car plunged into the water! And it's not like she's dead! She's just blind!

Blind... Arianna is blind...

Belle curved into a ball as she began shivering. The darkness... It reminded her of the days when her mother used to lock her in her closet. She was scared but she couldn't scream. If her daddy finds out she's there, then her mom might punish her with something more severe.

Arabella pulled the blanket over her head. She wished Roy was there to comfort her. But Roy left yesterday morning for a business trip, and he won't be back for a couple of days. She can only pull herself back together now. If she wants to stand on her own feet, then she needs to start learning now.

Belle climbed down the bed and head to the bathroom to wash her face. If she wanted to be an independent woman, then she needs to stop acting like a fragile princess. She changed her clothes and prepared to go out. What she needs right now is a distraction. Something that can make her busy at the moment, and cooking might be the best option, so she went out, planning to head to the supermarket to buy some ingredients.

It's a warm, sunny day, and Belle looked up at the blue sky as she was coming out the gate. Such a good weather, the warmth sunshine felt energizing. She then fished out the phone from her bag and scrolled through her notes, trying to find a good recipe to try. She was enjoying that walk with a smile when suddenly, two men stood in front of her and another one grabbed her from behind.

Arabella was frightened! The incident brought her a sense of deja vu! It felt familiar. It's like the time Roy ordered people to abduct her. Who wants her this time? Who did she offend?

The man behind her covered her mouth with his hand. "Don't make a sound. We're not here to harm you. Our boss just wants to have a word with you." the man said. He then pushed her towards a black car parked near them. The car door opened and the man pushed her in.

Arabella closed her eyes. She remember the day Arianna was taken away by men and drove away in a black car like this. Is karma really after her? Being kidnapped a second time, will this be the end of her?

"Don't be scared."

Arabella opened her eyes as she heard someone speak. She turned to her right and saw a middle aged man sitting on the passenger seat with her. Who is this man? He seemed familiar but she couldn't remember where she had seen him. "I'm here to take you away. And I want you to come with me voluntarily."

Belle frowned. "Why would I do that?", she asked. Is this man crazy? What does he want?

"I'll give you anything. Just come with me. I'll do anything just to convince you. I can give you money, jewelries. Mansions? Anything you want. You just name it."

Arabella was incredulous. Was this old man asking her to be his mistress? He's too gross! He's old and wrinkly. Why would she come with him?

"What if I say no? I'm now in a relationship with someone. I don't want to leave." she replied.

"No? Then what am I gonna do with your sister? It was so hard to find her. I did my best because I want to gift her to you..." the man said with a smile. It was a frightening kind of smile. As if the devil was enticing her.

Belle was stunned. "You have Arianna? How could that be?" She uttered. What to do? At the moment, Belle didn't know how to respond. Should she come with him? She's scared though. Very scared.