Chapter 7

Stumbling out of the car, her eyes scanning the deserted roadside. The driver, one of Don Marco's henchmen, glared at her before speeding away, leaving her alone.

Natalie took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and fear. She was free, but she knew Laylah was still trapped. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, hoping against hope that someone would answer.

As she waited for help to arrive, her thoughts turned to Laylah. Where was she? Was she safe? Natalie's heart became burdened with worry, but she knew she had to stay strong. She had to find a way to rescue Anny, no matter what it took.

After what felt like an eternity, she saw a car approaching in the distance, waviny her arms wildly, hoping to flag down the driver. The car screeched to a halt beside her, and a kind-faced woman leaned out the window.

"Hey, are you okay?" the woman asked, eyeing Natalie's disheveled appearance.

She nodded, trying to process her emotions. "I need to get to the police," she said, her voice shaking. "My friend...she's in danger."

The woman's expression turned serious. "Get in," she said. "I'll take you to the nearest station."

Natalie gratefully accepted the ride, her mind racing with thoughts. She knew she had to act fast if she was going to save her friend.

Coming to think of it, she wondered how Laylah got entangled with such evil men because she seemed to be familiar with them, especially Don Marco, The boss.

Or was she over thinking?

Probably Laylah just rushed to save her and respected their choices of not involving the police. Her thoughts were interrupted when the kind lady pulled up.

Tires screeching that she had to cover her ears.

At the police station, she recounted her story to a skeptical officer. She knew it sounded crazy – the kidnapping, the torture, Laylah's interference – but she knew it was the truth.

The officer, a gruff but kind-hearted man named Detective James, listened intently. When Natalie finished speaking, he nodded thoughtfully.

"We'll do everything we can to help your friend," he promised. "But we need more information. Can you tell me more about Laylah's father or family member?"

Natalie paused.

It was at that moment she realised that she really knew very little about Laylah's life and Laylah in turn never really wanted to talk about it, except growing up in the countryside.

She spent the next few minutes recounting every detail she could remember about Laylah's life at the countryside and her job.

As she spoke, Natalie felt a sense of determination growing inside her. She was going to rescue Laylah , no matter what it took. And with the police on her side, she knew she could do it.

Only one person could really help her now and that was Collin but that was her last resort if her plan didn't work...

Meanwhile, Laylah was trapped in a luxurious bedroom, her every move watched by Josh's guards. She knew she had to escape, but every door and window was locked, and the guards were always lurking.

Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions – fear, anger, desperation. She knew she had to stay calm if she was going to survive, but it was hard when every moment felt like an eternity.

As she paced back and forth across the room, her eyes landed on a small, almost imperceptible crack in the window. It was a tiny opening, but it was enough to give her a glimmer of hope.

She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to escape. She began to formulate a plan, her mind racing with possibilities.

As the hours ticked by, Laylah's determination only grew stronger. She was going to escape, no matter what it took. And when she did, she would make sure that

Josh and her father paid for what they had done to her.

Little did she know, Natalie was working tirelessly to rescue her. With the police on her side, Natalie was determined to bring Laylah home safely.

As the sun began to set, casting a it's glow over the city, Natalie and Detective James hatched a plan to rescue Anny. It was a risky operation, but she was willing to do whatever it took to save her friend.

With a deep breath, Natalie steeled herself for what was to come. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Laylah's father, Don Marco, stood by the window, his eyes fixed on some distant point as he listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. His expression was calm, but Laylah could sense the tension coiled beneath his surface.

As he listened, his eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that something was wrong.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped towards her, his gaze piercing. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he ended the call and turned to face her.

"Natalie has gone to the police," he spat, his voice venomous. "She's told them everything."

Laylah's heart leapt with hope. Natalie had escaped, and she had gone for help. Maybe, just maybe, she would be rescued after all.

But Marco's expression turned uglier by the second. "You foolish girl," he snarled, advancing on her. "You think you can outsmart me? I'll never let that happen."

Laylah shrank back, fear clawing at her throat. She knew that she had to get out of there, and fast. But as she looked around the room, she realized that she was there might be no way.

The doors were locked, the windows barred. And Marco's guards were closing in, their faces brutal and unyielding.

Her heart sank, but she refused to give up. She knew that Natalie had gone for help, and she had to hold on to that hope or probably a distraction.

Marco's face twisted with rage as he barked orders at his guards. "I want you to take care of Natalie," he snarled. "Make sure she never talks... Again."

The two guards nodded, their faces expressionless. "Consider it done, sir," one of them replied.

Laylah was in shock as she realized what was happening. Her father was sending his guards to kill Natalie. She knew she had to act fast if she was going to save her.

With a rush of adrenaline, she launched herself at the guards. "No!" she screamed, trying to grab their arms. "You can't hurt her!"

But the guards were too strong. They easily overpowered her, holding her back as they turned to leave.

Eyes gleaming with triumph as he watched the scene unfold. "You're too late to save your precious Natalie," he sneered at her. "And soon, you'll be nothing but an obedient wife to Josh."

Laylah's eyes blazed with hatred as she struggled against the guards

Her eyes locked onto the guards, her mind racing with a desperate plan. She knew she had to act fast, or Natalie would be killed.

With a fierce cry, Laylah launched herself at the guards, her fists flying. The first guard swung a meaty fist at her, but she dodged it easily, her agility and quick reflexes allowing her to weave between the guard's clumsy blows.

She landed a series of swift kicks and punches, sending the guard crashing to the floor. The second guard charged at her, but Laylah was ready.

She grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at the guard, shattering it on his head. The guard stumbled, momentarily stunned, and Laylah took advantage of the distraction.

She sprinted towards the balcony, the guards hot on her heels. She could hear her father hurling insults and instructions at them and their footsteps pounding the floor, their angry shouts and curses echoing through the air.

She reached the balcony and flung herself over the railing, dropping down to the garden below. Laylah landed hard on the grass, the wind knocked out of her.

But she didn't hesitate. She scrambled to her feet and took off in a sprint, racing across the garden towards the safety of the trees.

The guards were close behind, their shouts and curses growing fainter as she put distance between herself and her pursuers.

Finally, she reached the trees and plunged into their shadows, her heart pounding in her chest. leaning against the trunk of a tree, gasping for breath, she managed to wipe her sweat.

She reached further at the hem of her shirt, tore it and wrapped up the wound on her right hand.

She had escaped, but she knew it was only temporary. Her father's guards would be searching for her, and she had to find a way to save Natalie before it was too late.