566 We Go Together
With a great heave, Natalie helped her friend climb over the wall and she made it to the outside successfully. It was a good thing that her family member had not discovered her favorite spot, making it easier for her to escape.
âHere, catch my bag,â Natalie noticed her friend, tossing the bag over to Penelope, and from the soft thud, knew that she caught it.
Free from any restriction, Natalie then pushed herself up and scaled the wall. Previous experiences made it easier for her and she landed on her feet steadily.
âGood work,â Penelope gave her a high five with a giggle. After that, She took the bag from her friend and swung it over her shoulder while casting a longing look at the house.
âWeâll be back, I promise,â Penelope placed a hand on her shoulder gently as if knowing what she was thinking, âWe would just stay away for a while and after everything calms down and Daniel gives up on you, weâd return to the country and join them.â
That was the plan.
Natalie nodded in agreement, a small smile graced her face and she took Penelopeâs hand on her shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.
âWe have to find a place to lie low first. A place neither our parents nor Daniel would be able to find us,â She said, feeling the cash in her bag.
Natalie had stolen enough money from her father, well, not exactly stolen, she only took the money without permission. After all, her fatherâs money was her money too. The point is the money would be enough for them even in five years to come. Both of them were covered.
.....
She had seen the money in her fatherâs study that day her mother had an altercation with Daniel and monitored it closely afterward, only to steal it later. Natalie knew inwardly that the money must be paid for whatever sick deal Daniel and her father had. So yeah, she didnât feel any guilt for stealing it.
âLetâs go,â Natalie took Penelopeâs hand in hers and turned to leave, only for a car coming in their direction to flash its headlights at them.
Although the light blinded them and they had to use their hands to shield their face, Natalie peered through the gap in between her fingers and she was able to recognize the Mercedes.
Shit.
It was Daniel.
Natalie didnât need to be told twice, she grabbed Penelopeâs hand and shouted, âRun!â
Immediately, they took off in the opposite direction.
Even while they ran with all their might, Natalie couldnât stop thinking. Daniel must have known that she would attempt to escape and was laying in wait for them. Damn, she fell right into his trap.
But then, something didnât make sense. Daniel had stayed long enough with them that her fatherâs guards could recognize his ride right away and would have sent him away knowing he was a dangerous man and shouldnât linger around them.
Moreover, the fact they were ready for them could only mean the car had been there for a long time. Could it be....?
Natalie swallowed uneasily, shaking her head in disbelief as her eyes teared up. There was no way her father had given her up to save his political career. But that was the obvious truth. That could explain why Daniel was allowed to stay in the shadows, waiting for her. No, it was the perfect plan. One even her mother wouldnât suspect.
Daniel knew her thoroughly and when she tried to escape, he would grab her. When her family gets the news, they would probably blame her for leaving the house and falling into Danielâs trap. But by then, they canât do anything to save her. She now belongs to Daniel.
Natalieâs heart broke into a million pieces. If her father could strike a deal with Daniel to end his enemy to prosper, what more use his daughter for a business negotiation? She was the payment â not even the money she had in her bag.
âNatalie, theyâre gaining on us!â Penelope shouted, jerking her from her thoughts.
No, Daniel canât get her! She would rather die than let that happen. And with that determination, Natalie took to the streets. The path was narrow and rougher and they would have no choice but to abandon their car.
However, there was a little problem.
Daniel came along with three of his men and Natalie had no idea how they were going to outrun a man, not to talk of four of them. But then, she was not a quitter and would see this to the end.
âRun faster!â She urged Penelope who was losing momentum. Damn it, she should have really forced her friend to exercise more.
The noises from behind told Natalie that Daniel and his people were hot on their chase. Of course, the bastard didnât want to lose her. He was fucking obsessed with her.
The both of them kept on running nonetheless until suddenly Penelope slipped and fell with a yelp. Dread filled Natalie knowing that with every second they wasted Daniel was catching up with them.
âCome on, Penelope!â Natalie pulled her up, panting.
âI think Iâm having a cramp,â Penelope complained, rubbing her left leg.
âShit, weâre screwed!â Natalie cursed aloud, âWe donât have time for this. Daniel would catch up with us soon,â She could hear their footsteps even as she spoke.
âThen go without me,â Penelope said and Natalie froze. It was almost as if someone poured a bucket of ice over her.
âYouâre kidding me, right?â She couldnât believe Penelope was telling her to abandon her. It was not going to happen. They made a pact. It was the both of them together.
Penelope clasped her arm and stopped her when she tried to lift her to her feet, âYou know this is the only one. I would only keep on pulling you back. Iâm not the one Daniel wants, itâs you.â
âYouâre full of bullshit!â Natalie gritted her teeth, pulling up amid her protest. She was not leaving her. They would go together.