Two men were talking on the phone. Man #1: Everything is set up Boss. Man #2: Good, just do as planned. Man #1 (seems to hesitate a bit): But Boss, what about Dai Lo? Man #2: What about him? Man #1: Should we maybe ease out a bit? Man #2: No, just do as I told you. Don’t care. As long as the job is done properly, I don’t care who gets hurt. Man #1: Sure Boss. (suddenly feeling chilled to the bone at this man’s unfeelingness)
The next morning in Louis’ car
Louis (talking on the phone): Yeah, I’m on my way now for the contract signing.
Stephen: Don’t get there late. Mr. Chu hates it when people are late.
Louis: I know. You don’t have to be that nervous about this.
Stephen: Not nervous? Are you kidding me? This project cost me 2 sleepless nights!
Louis: Ok, ok. I’m almost there now so bye. Talk to you later.
Stephen: Bye.
As Louis hung up, Nic suddenly stopped the car.
Louis: What’s wrong?
Nic: A van is blocking our way. I’m going to see what’s going on. Lock all the doors and whatever happens, just don’t get out. I’ll leave the key here. If in case something comes up, just drive away.
Before Louis had the chance to say anything, Nic had already made his way to the other car.
Nic tapped on the driver’s window.
All of a sudden, all the doors to the van opened at the same time and 8 men got off of it, each one of them holding either a baseball bat or a steel pipe. Without a word, they immediately rushed up to Nic and attacked him. Nic tried to shield himself and fight back with his bare hands.
Witnessing what was happening, Louis immediately got off the car and went to Nic’s rescue instead of driving away.
They both fought back courageously but they were simply outnumbered.
At Louis and Jessica’s mansion
Jessica was feeding GiGi a bottle of milk when the phone rang.
Jessica: Hello.
Man: If you want your husband back and alive, prepare 10 million dollars and put it in the garbage can in Central Park. I give you three hours. Don’t even try to call the police.
Jessica (calmly, swallowing her fears): I want to talk to him first.
Man: Trust me or not, that’s your choice. It’s up to you, your husband’s life is in your hands now.
Jessica (strong and with a distinctively clear voice): If you ever touch a strand of his hair, you’ll not get one cent from me.
Man: Deal.
He abruptly stopped the connection.
Jessica (to the housemaid): Auntie Yeung, can you take care of GiGi for me? I need to go now.
Auntie Yeung: Of course, Mrs. Koo.
Jessica nodded and immediately left the house, her car keys in her hands.
She drove to the nearest bank.
In an abandoned house
Both Louis and Nic were on the floor, tied up and gagged. The men had severely injured Nic while Louis was better off since the men had just pulled him in the car when he got up to them.
With thoughts swirling in his mind, Louis looked around the house hoping to find a way to get out of here. His sharp eyes then spotted a piece of broken glass that must have pertained to an empty beer bottle. He dragged himself towards it. It took time and when he reached it, he tried to pick it up with his tied hands. He failed at first and the broken piece of glass continuously cut against his hand. He ignored the pain and patiently continued, determined to get out of here. After many attempts, he finally got hold of it. He used it to cut the ropes that were tied tightly around his hands. After a while, he was able to free his hands. He removed his gag and quickly walked up to Nic who was barely conscious by that time.
Louis removed Nic’s gag and ropes.
Nic: Just leave.
Louis: We came here together, we must leave together.
Nic: They just want you, not me. I can’t run, I’ll hinder your escape.
Louis (with authority): Just shut up.
Nic just looked at Louis, exhausted and touched. Louis’ kindness truly surprised and shocked him at the same time. He couldn’t believe that kind people like that still existed.
Nic (barely audible): Thanks.
Louis helped Nic up and let Nic lean on him for support as they quickly made their way out of the house, making the less noise possible.
v
They just ran and ran. When they were a little far off, a man from the gang saw them.
Man: Boss, they’re escaping!
Boss (looking at his watch): Let them go.
Jessica was walking out of the bank holding two suitcases in her hands when her cell phone rang. She immediately took the call.
Jessica: The money’s ready.
Louis: It’s me Jessica. I’m alright.
At the police station
Jessica ran as fast as she could pushing through the large number of people in the police station. When her eyes spotted Louis talking with one policeman, she immediately rushed up to where they were standing. Not wanting to be a light bulb, the policeman excused himself. There was a moment of silence as they stood in front of each other.
Jessica just stood there dumbfounded, staring at Louis. She wanted to see him clearly, every part of him to make sure that he was truly standing before her. She couldn’t believe that at one point, she could have lost him. She had been so shocked when she received the phone call that she didn’t even have the chance to think or to panic.
Jessica ran to Louis and hugged him tightly, tears falling from her eyes. All the fear and worries that she had unconsciously repressed in the back of her mind exploded at the same time as Louis’ strong arms surrounded her.
Louis (holding her, he gently pats her back in comfort): I’m okay now. Don’t cry.
Jessica (speaking through her tears): I was so scared, Louis. I was scared that I would never see you again. Did they hurt you? What happened?
Louis: No matter what, I’m here now. (he holds her tighter)
After a while, when they pulled away, Jessica noticed the cuts on Louis’ hand.
Jessica (her eyes very concerned and worried): What happened to your hand? You’re bleeding.
Louis: They’re just minor cuts, don’t worry. (he takes her hands) Let’s go home.
At Anne’s house
On TV
Reporter: Mr. Koo Tin Lok, chairman of Hung Sam Holdings, was kidnapped today. But he managed to escape with his bodyguard. For further details, tune in for our next news coverage!
Anne’s heart skipped a beat at the news. Everything else the reporter said after, completely drowned out in her mind. She couldn’t wait for the next news coverage. She needed to hear his voice now, to make sure that he’s truly alright, that they didn’t hurt him. She felt so helpless not being able to be near him now.
Anne instinctively reached for the phone and dialed his phone number. She dialed the first numbers when it dawned on her that as much as she wanted to call him and talk to him, she couldn’t do it.
Instead, she called Joyce.
Thanks to everyone for leaving us your comments, we truly appreciate it. They always brightened up our day. We promise the next chapter soon. It's late tonight so we are answering each of you tomorrow in our comments' section. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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