Chapter Twenty Six (Mom was spot on).

As I roused from sleep, the brilliant light flooded my eyes.

I opened one eye, squinting to find Lily flipping on all the lights in the room. My arm throbbed slightly, but the discomfort had eased a bit.

It seemed that Lily had already taken care of my bandage.

"Isn't it a bit too early for me to be up?" I asked, struggling to prop myself up.

"Too early? You've been out for the whole day; it's already nighttime," she said, hands on her hips.

"No way, it can't be that late!" I exclaimed.

"Believe me, it is. Just look at the clock," she replied, gesturing towards it.

"But I still want to sleep," I murmured, still feeling drowsy.

"You can't go back to sleep now. You need to eat. So, what's it going to be—food or shower first?" she asked.

"Ummm, probably food?" I said, leaning back against the pillow and covering my head with it.

"Alright, I'll fetch it for you. Oh, and the master left you a letter. You should check it out," she mentioned, pointing to the white paper on the table as she exited the room.

I quickly seized the letter and unfolded it, eager to see its contents.

"Don't go gallivanting with Lily. I might be away for a bit."

*Gallivanting? Seriously, I'm not a kid.*

I neatly folded the letter and placed it back on the table just as Lily walked in with a tray.

"No way, did you actually make spaghetti?" I exclaimed as she handed me the tray.

"Yeah, I thought you might not be too hungry, so I whipped up something irresistible," she said with a smile.

"Thanks!" I replied, diving into the bowl of spaghetti.

"So, what did the letter say?" she asked with interest.

I passed it to her. "It's a rather charming way to address someone recovering from a gunshot."

"Come on, it sounds like he genuinely cares," she countered.

"Of course," I said, rolling my eyes while I continued eating.

"By the way, what went down between you two last night? He looked like he'd just hit the jackpot after visiting you," she remarked slyly.

I suddenly choked on my spaghetti, and Lily immediately passed me a glass of water, which I quickly drank.

"Nothing happened; maybe he really did win the lottery," I said, sliding the tray away.

"No, he didn't! With the ongoing conflict between his group and Nathan's, that's certainly not a reason to celebrate," she clarified.

"What! No way!" I shouted.

"Yes way. That's why he hasn't returned yet, but I'm not concerned because their organization is weak; he'll take care of them with ease," she replied with a smile.

"Oh wow," I said, taken aback.

"Come on! Spill the tea. I know something went on between you two; you can't hide it from me," she insisted.

"Uh, w-we..." I stumbled.

"We what? Come on!" she pressed.

"We sort of made out and did some other things," I confessed, my cheeks warming as I averted my gaze.

"You what?! No way!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and pacing around.

"I had a sense that the master was quite taken with you. He's never shown interest in a woman before—or perhaps he just seemed too exhausted to notice. Even Cynthia made an effort, but having you here shifted everything," she elaborated.

"Wait, so Cynthia has feelings for him?" I asked, feeling surprised and a touch envious.

"You were unaware? That's the reason for her consistent meanness towards you," she replied.

"Wow, that's intense. But I really think he just enjoyed the moment; I doubt he has any real feelings for me," I responded.

"Mhhhmmmm, if you believe that," she said with a playful grin.

"I have something I need to handle. Make sure to take your bath and get some rest, alright?" she instructed.

"Oh, and really, I can't thank you enough for saving my life. I owe you big time," I said with heartfelt appreciation.

"Of course, no worries," she nodded, then exited the room with the tray.

*Ring*

I picked up my phone from the table.

*Mom.*

"Hi mom. How's everything with you?" I inquired, trying to keep my tone casual.

"I'm doing well, Blossom. How are things on your end?" she responded.

"It's all good, really," I said.

*If only I could share everything that's happened. I was kidnapped, I'm now entangled with the Mafia, nearly lost my life twice, and just got shot in the arm. She'd absolutely panic. It's probably best to keep this to myself.*

"Okay, sweetheart." Her voice held a hint of concern.

"Mom? Is something wrong?!" I pressed.

"No, everything's fine," she replied untruthfully.

"Mom! I can tell when something's up," I asserted.

"Your dad stopped by," she revealed.

"He did what?! Are you alright?" I asked, alarmed.

"Yes, I'm fine. He pleaded for me to return, saying he was sorry and all. He looked really out of sorts," she confessed, sorrowful.

"Mom, you can't go back to him. That's the same old story!" I cautioned.

"Alright, I won't. Just take care of yourself, okay? I've been worried about you this week. I just have this gut feeling something bad could happen," she said.

"Mom, don't talk like that. Nothing bad is going to happen," I assured her.

*Well, her instincts were on point, but not at the right time.*

"Alright then, goodbye," she said.

"Talk to you later!" With that, I ended the call.

I made my way to the bathroom, still mulling over my chat with Mom.

*I really hope she doesn't go back to him. Sometimes she can be so set in her ways.*

As I approached the bathroom door, I heard footsteps outside my room, causing my heart to race as I froze, fully alert.

My gaze swept across the room and landed on the wardrobe where Vincent had stashed a small knife. I snatched it up quickly, my hands shaking as I gripped it tightly.

Just as I turned around, a hand clamped over my mouth, and a cloth was forced against my nose. I fought against my assailant, but their grip was firm.

I attempted to scream, but my voice was muffled. Panic rose within me as the horrifying realization hit—I was being kidnapped.

With a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the knife into the attacker's leg. He grunted in pain, but his hold didn't waver.

In a desperate bid for freedom, I bit down on his hand, yet he refused to release me. He forced me to the ground, and fear washed over me.

As hope began to slip away, the assailant brandished a syringe and plunged it into my skin. A searing heat coursed through my veins, blurring my sight.

*This week just keeps spiraling downhill. I'm still reeling from the gunshot, and now this. Mom was spot on.*

As the shadows enveloped me, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the attacker's sinister smile before everything faded to black.