Chapter 355: Temporary Truce

Who captured me and why? They’re not going to hurt me…are they?

Suddenly, I started worrying less and less about the wedding and I started worrying more about the short-term future of my life and my safety. To my surprise, I found that I was less panicked than I thought that I would be. I couldn’t hear anything or anyone and that made me feel like I must really be all alone in the warehouse.

If I wait here patiently enough, Hayden will come and save me. That was what I told myself over and over again as I rubbed my hands together to keep them warm. Rubbing my hands together seemed to be the only way to slowly loosen the tape around my wrist as well. It’s so cold in here and it was making me feel very sleepy and tired. I need to conserve my energy or I’m going to pass out.

Closing my eyes, I continued to rub my hands and wrist together while I tried my best to stay calm. To keep myself from going crazy, I tried to think of Hayden. I was sure that he was looking for me right now and soon he would find me. If I just trusted him, I knew that I could make it through. If what Hayden told me before was true, then this wasn’t the first time that this is happening to me.

When I was younger, someone had kidnapped me just like this. Of course, I didn’t remember a single thing about it because I was too young.

My eyes snapped opened and I looked around the empty warehouse in panic. Hopefully, the kidnapping from back then had nothing to do with what is happening now. Seriously, Malissa, how unlucky do you need to be to be kidnapped twice in your lifetime. A thought struck me, and I ended up giggling like a mad person. Thankfully, whoever decided to tie me up didn’t gag me.

Hayden was probably right, if I married him, I might have to go through a lot of eventful events like this. Might as well get used to this, Malissa. This isn’t the first time, and it may not be the last time for you.

If this was a repeat of what had happened to me before then it was probably ransom. Hopefully that meant that they wouldn’t hurt me and after they get their money from Hayden, they would return me and be on their way. Money does solve many problems, fortunately.

I had no idea what time it was or how long I had been sitting there with my back against the wall. Why does it feel like it’s getting colder in here. I feel so sleepy, my eyes won’t stay open anymore…

Hayden…please come soon…

…

"We’ve just received demands from the kidnappers," one of the men in black stated.

"Give it here!" the boss snapped as he reached for the letter.

The atmosphere in the room was tensed and the boss’s face was red with anger and frustration. The boss looked around the room before his eyes focused on his son and Ethan, the boss of Silva. He still didn’t understand why Ethan had to get involved but he wasn’t in the mood to deal with another conflict between the gangs right now.

"This girl is fucking expensive…" the boss growled before he began laughing loudly.

Everyone’s eyes were on the paper that the boss held as they wondered what the demands were while the boss continued laughing without bothering to share the news to anyone else.

"Boss…" Hayden called his father to remind him of the gravity of the situation.

"First, I paid 500 Million to get her back and now they’re asking for another 500 Million. Thank God those bastards are too stupid to bake in the effects of inflations over the years," the boss spat followed by another round of laughter.

"Show me," Hayden demanded as he grabbed the letter from the boss.

Ethan was beside Hayden as both men quickly read through the letter stating the demands for Malissa’s release. It was just as the boss had said, they demanded 500 million dollars for her release.

"Just like last time…" Hayden muttered while Ethan nodded.

"Jack…why the hell is your daughter so expensive?" The boss asked as he stared up at the ceiling as if conversing with someone up in heaven.

"I’ll pay for her release," Ethan spoke up without hesitation.

"I won’t let you do that!" Hayden objected loudly.

"I don’t want Silva to be indebted to Torex about this anymore," Ethan explained simply.

"Malissa is not a Silva!" Hayden yelled loudly.

"Silence!" the boss shouted at the two younger men.

"I’ll get the money ready. You two get the men ready. I don’t want any of them left breathing after we get Malissa back," the boss said decisively.

"Yes, Sir," all men in the room replied at the same time.

"This offense will never be repeated ever again. I’m going to kill all of them. I shouldn’t have let them go. I shouldn’t have listened to Jack. He was always too kind…" the boss muttered regretfully.

After figuring out that Lucy and some members of the wedding organization staff were involved, it didn’t take long for Hayden and Ethan to trace her connection back to a mafia gang that was struggling financially. Ironically, the gang was closely related to the culprit from the past which made it easier to narrow down their suspects.

With everyone looking forward to the festivities of the celebration, the guards admitted to being too loose when dealing with internal staff members and did not suspect the staff team entering in and leaving the venue. Prior and during the entire event, many vehicles that belonged to the organization team came and left to transport decorations, people, and other tools in and out of the venue.

After a few days of getting used to the staff team’s transportation, the guard did not feel that it was suspicious.

"Ethan…Malissa is just Malissa. She’s neither a Silva nor a Torex…" the boss said followed by a small smile.

--To be continued…