11.

A week had passed and it was already time for Gigi's engagement announcement party. I had met Gigi every day leading to the day of the party just to go over everything. While I'd been meeting Gigi and Andrew quiet regularly, there was no news of Leo. I tried to shrug it off but it bothered me. I hated that I missed him. It had been such a short while since we knew each other and in this short span, I'd gone from hating him to actually finding him tolerable to hating him again only to start missing him.

It was finally the day of Gigi's announcement party. Upon Emily's suggestion I wore that fancy blush coloured satin ball gown that I'd brought for a friend's wedding. Emily also made a rose gold masquerade mask for me to match my dress. Her eye for fashion was always a good thing for me.

When I arrived at Aquamarine Palace, the party had already started. I was late because I had to drop by the bakery to make sure those party favour macaroons were ready and I had to make sure they would be delivered on time.

I slipped on the mask and mingled in the crowd. From a distance, I saw Gigi's highlighted hair. She wore a lavender dress and a matching mask. The music was playing loudly. I approached her and she greeted me with a hug.

"Meg, I'm so happy to see you." Gigi said,  "Andrew was searching for you. He wanted to talk to you about some allergy friendly menu."

"I'll talk to him."

"He went outside through the backdoor to smoke."

She was practically screaming to make herself heard through this noise.

I made my way through the crowd and went through the backdoor and ended up in a passage. I took a turn and went to the exit. Luckily, I'd been to Aquamarine plenty times to know every nook and corner.

"NO!! HELP LEAVE ME ALONE!"

I quickly rushed outside and saw Andrew. Few men were forcing him into a strange white car. I yelled and ran towards them. One of those guys noticed me and quickly drove away. I ran behind them but they'd already vanished out of my sight.

Oh my god! Andrew was kidnapped and I had no clue what to do. Should I tell Gigi? No, she'd freak out. This was bad. I had to do something. Frantically, I headed inside the ballroom.

When I was entering, I ended up crashing into a guy.  Even in the dimly lit room and even through a masquerade mask, I recognized him. I removed my mask.

"Leo something has happened."

"What?" He shouted.

Ugh this crappy music. I took his hand and led him outside in the secluded passage. When we were out, he removed his silver mask.

"I thought you never wanted to see me again." He said, crossing his arms.

"There's no time for that. Andrew... Andrew has been kidnapped."

I explained everything to saw to Leo. He took his phone and dialed up someone.

"Alex, Andrew has been kidnapped. Meet me at the backdoor and come alone." He said on the phone.

He noticed that I was hyperventilating.

"It's okay, Alex will be here and we'd get Andrew." He said.

I had no clue why Leo had asked me accompany him and Alex. I was pretty sure I'd get in the way since I was so easily terrified. Alex drove our car so fast that within moments, we were tailing the white car from a safe distance.

"Those bastards!" Leo exclaimed. "How dare they violate our treaty?"

"Kidnapping Andrew was a dirty move." Alex said. "You know, you could declare an all out war. No one would oppose you."

"For god's sake Alex, I don't give a shit about the council and those old idiots. I'm concerned about getting Andrew safe. If Andrew is hurt, I swear I'll burn all those idiots."

All this talk of violence was getting on my nerves.

"Umm sorry to interrupt but can we talk about something cheerful?"

Both Leo and Alex turned to look at me as I sat in the passenger's seat.

"Are you sure bringing her is a good idea? Wouldn't she be a liability and a distraction?" Alex asked.

"She is our backup. In case something goes wrong, she can call for backup. In case something goes terribly wrong, like us ending in a trap, we make sure Andrew gets in the car, we cover for both of them until they cab escape." Leo said.

"Hey shut up. You have to return safely."

"You're naive Meg." Leo said.

I noticed his lips crack a small smile in the reflection of the mirror.

Suddenly Alex turned the car sharply. The jerk pushed me to the other side, crashing my head on the door.

"Ow! What the hell?"

"Look, they stopped near the warehouse." Alex pointed at the white car.

I realized that he'd stopped the car strategically behind an broken wall for cover. Leo angled himself to get a better view of the car.

"I saw Andrew, they're taking him inside the warehouse."  Leo said, " My doubt was right, it is those barbarians."

I recalled hearing that term from Amy. She had written an article about the conflict between ethical gangsters and barbarian gangsters. The gangsters who followed certain set of rules and principles like the mafia, yakuza, and barbarians were gangsters and cartels who followed no principles, those who were only out for survival. There was a sort of rivalry between those two groups.

"As soon as they leave, Alex and I will enter and find Andrew. Meg, you need to stay alert. If you hear someone returning, give me a call. If you hear three gunshots, text Gigi the word Boom along with our location." Leo said.

"Come on, we need to leave." Alex said.

"Hey Leo.... take care of yourself and get Andrew back."

"That's a promise, Meg." He said and flashed a charming smile.

This time when I watched him go, I felt a distinct pain in my heart. I just hope he'd be safe.

I'd been keeping a watch since a long time. My heart almost stopped when I heard a knock on the window. Thank god, it was Andrew. Behind him, I saw Alex. I unlocked the door and let both on them inside. Alex took the driver's seat while Andrew sat next to him. He opened the glove compartment and grabbed the first aid kit. In this darkness, I hadn't even noticed that Alex had some injuries. Skillfully, Andrew dressed a wound. He then dressed his own wound.

"May I help with the bandage?" I asked when I noticed him struggling bandaging his own arm.

I wrapped the bandage around his arm and he muttered a thanks.

"Now both of you, listen carefully to these instructions." Alex said. "Meg, you have to let Leo inside the car and shut the door as quickly as you can. There would be guns firing so remember to keep your heads down. Andrew, keep your eyes on the road and give me directions. Steer the when when I'm shooting. Now prepare yourselves, Leo would be here any minute."

I saw Leo emerge from the warehouse and make a run for the car. He was just reaching the car when I saw some goons following him.

"Oh god! Leo quick."

I opened the door for him. Those goons started firing.

I heard Alex scream, "Stay low Meg."

Leo entered inside the car and I shut the door. The goons were aiming at us and Alex started the car and rushed away.

"Meg stay down. Alex, let's shoot them." Leo said.

Leo and Alex started shooting the goons back. Andrew steered the car.

"Just a little more, we'd be out of their range." Andrew said.

Alex kept his gun aside and stepped on the accelerator. When we were safely away from the goons, I noticed blood dripping from Leo's forehead.

"Andrew give me the first aid kit, Leo is bleeding."

"No, it's just a cut I'm fine."

Despite Leo's protests Andrew handed me the first aid and I peered to take a look at his wounds. He crouched lower and I wiped the blood from his face and cleaned the wound. It was a shallow cut so I bandaged it.

I noticed some blood dripping from his lips as well. I took the gauze and dabbed some antiseptic over it and pressed it on his lips. He sharp wince escaped from his lips.

"I'm so sorry."

It looked like someone had banged a side of his head against a wall or something.  Poor Leo, he was so hurt. I looked into Leo's dark eyes. Even in such a situation, he maintained his cool. I knew he was in pain but he was trying his best not to show it.

"Fuck! Stay low Meg." Suddenly, Leo pushed me.

I realized that someone was shooting at us. Oh god, I think I'm going to die. Leo loaded his gun and fired back. Looks like those goons had caught up to us.

"Okay guys hold on to something." Alex shouted.

He took sharp turns making us tumble over each other.

"What is happenning?" I asked.

"He's driving in a zigzag way to distract them." Leo explained.

I was pretty sure I heard the car being bumped into something. I was getting dizzy. Fear was making my heart pound crazily. I was terrified of speed. I guess my panic was visible since Leo patted my head.

"It will be fine." He said. "Close your eyes if you're afraid."

I don't know why but somehow his reassurance always worked. I shut my eyes and focused on the sensation of his hand gently caressing my cheeks. After some time, the car slowed down and finally came to a halt.

I let out a relieved sigh. I was alive through this. It was probably the craziest thing I've ever done for a client.

"Umm Meg?" Leo said. A slight blush covered his cheeks.

Suddenly, I realized that we'd ended up in a very awkward position with me on top of him.

"Sorry..." I mumbled and pulled away.

All of us got out of the car. Alex had driven us through Aquamarine's parking lot.

"Everyone, head to Andrew's room and get changed up. And try not to be seen by anyone. Remember, Andrew's family doesn't know about us." Leo said, to Alex and me.

We all headed to Andrew's room where he'd asked for some spare clothes. I had a scratch on my elbow and I realized that my precious gown had bullet holes, soot stains and rips from shredded glass. I went to the washroom to change into the plain black gown the hotel provided me with. By the time I returned, Alex and Andrew had gone. Leo was the only one in the room. I noticed that he'd changed into a new suit.

"Where are the others?"

"They changed up and left. Gigi was looking for Andrew." He said.

Crap! I completely forgot about Gigi.

"I should be going too or Gigi would loose her mind."

Leo chuckled. I felt like he was about to say something sarcastic but instead he kept quiet.

"Thank you Meg. I know this is out of your comfort zone. I know this was a little too much but I really hope you can keep it a secret from Andrew's family. He knows but his family isn't that understanding" He said.

"I won't tell them, I promise."

With that both of us headed to the ballroom once again.