Leave Me If You Dare

After 6 years, Arabella saw the person she cursed in her life and she was not prepared for it.

Never she’s prepared for it.

All she prayed was not to see him anymore.

Why is this so happening so sudden?

She just went back to this city, why of all the people, she had to see him?

If not for her mother, she would never step foot in Capital Z ever again.

With her steady career, Adam and Damien by her side, she was already satisfied with her life.

Now, how on earth she was suddenly with a monster trapped in the dark?

How could she run away?

How could she escape from him?

No!

It’s a matter of who will come out alive.

No!

She still has Adam. She could not die here.

But could she really kill him?

No!

She’s not a murderer but one thing is for sure, she will do anything to defend her life and to come out alive for her son.

“What made you think that you are allowed to come back here?” In the dark, a life-threatening question echoed inside.

Arabella shivered in fright but she tried to stop it.

There’s no backing out now.

She had no escape now.

He already noticed her.

The man still didn’t move. His steadiness made Arabella more nervous but she suppressed every fear she had. She needs her wits and courage to face him again. Living as a single mom for 6 years without any help from the father of her child made her tough in any way.

That's what she thought but meeting Bill again, she still feels undesirable fear inside.

Gathering all her bold guts, she fixed herself and stood up proud. Then, she folded her arms in front and slowly raised her chin.

“Is that how you welcome me?” Arabella’s voice was no softness but she was really feeling her heart was going to explode due to restlessness if she would not get out there on time.

“Tough tongue.” Bill remarked with a mockery in his voice. “You sure you can handle that in the long run?” He asked again without turning his body to her.

“There’s no long-run here. I don’t have a plan to stay here for a long time.” Arabella quickly replied with a proud tough voice.

Bill didn’t talk anymore and she felt the urge to assure him that she’s not going to stay there for too long. This is also to protect Adam.

“Look! I am not here to ruin you. My mom is dying. She needs me for one last time. After this, you will not see me again.” Arabella spoke with briefness and assuredness. Yes! She swore not to see Capital Z ever again.

Never ever again!

“Then maybe, since I am here, we can process our divorce legally. How’s that, Mr. Sky?” Yes. This is important. They should be free from burdening and killing each other. They deserve to marry the person they love and it should be right for her to give that to Damien in the future.

After her proclamation, finally, Bill turned around and walked towards him. His silhouette was getting closer and closer to her.

“Stop!” Arabella yelled. Her back was already touching the wall, she had no free space to go.

“Do you really think, you can just come back here and go away?” Bill with full of sarcasm said while walking closer to her.

“Do you really think you can order me just like that?” He took another step.

“6 years…. I want to see what you’ve got.” Bill stopped with a meter gap away from Arabella.

The uneasiness made her mind a mess. She could not think properly because of his exquisite scent. There’s something in it that awakened her senses.

“I begged you. Please let me be with my mom for the last time. I promise you. I will be out of your life forever.” For her, she had to make a strategy. It seemed to be being tough just triggered him so might as well beg at him. Who knows he might listen? Though it’s impossible, she had to take her chances. By doing this, she was also protecting Adam.

“What if I don’t want you to be out of my life anymore?” His voice was serious and provoking.

“Hahaha. You are joking, Mr. Sky.” Arabella laughed bitterly. She couldn’t believe what she just heard but Bill is Bill. He’s not going to give her a good life in Capital Z. Maybe that’s what his main purpose in life is, to make her suffer.

“Joking is not my thing and you know that.” Bill plainly stated.

“It’s been six years. Still not growing up?” Arabella felt her irritation was about to explode but she tried her best not to deal with the matter hysterically. She should be yelling at him unstoppably and choking him to death for making her life miserable 6 years ago.

But she’s not like him. She’s not a murderer!

“Hmmm…” Bill muttered crossing his arms in front. He was not affected by her insult but he was more triggered and challenged.

“It seemed 6 years didn’t teach you anything,” Bill added with full sarcasm.

“Don’t worry, I think I will personally focus on teaching you.” With a voice full of arrogance, he turned his back on her and went back to his position. Then suddenly the light opened and the elevator went down smoothly.

What the heck?!

Is the elevator stranded purposely?

Bill Sky.

What can’t he do?

Nothing.

How could she forget that even people’s fate he could twist?

Before the elevator opened,

“Your 1st day is tomorrow. Don’t be late.” Bill said without looking at her behind. Then, he went out walking domineeringly.

What?

What did he say?

She didn’t understand but she had no time processing it as her mind was with her two boys waiting for her. She hurriedly stepped outside.

“Bella!” Damien shouted her name and quickly ran towards her.

Arabella breathed in relief hearing and seeing her boyfriend. She hugged him.

“I’m sorry. The elevator got stranded. Where’s Adam?” She was looking forward to seeing Adam. Back there, she missed Adam as she didn’t know if she will get out alive. Fortunately, the monster didn’t kill her. Somehow, she didn't let go of the possibility that someday or maybe tomorrow or the next day he will kill her just what he did to her father.

“Come. He’s waiting for us in the ice cream bar.” Damien replied while his hand was on her shoulder.

While in the corner near the exit, Bill stopped hearing someone call her name.

He saw her hugging a man. That’s the only time he noticed that she was already wearing a ring.

‘That’s why she was very eager to have a divorce with him.’

He smiled with sarcasm and strode out followed by his bodyguards.

“Mom! Where have you been?” Adam was a bit angry but happy to see his mom.

“I’m very sorry, the elevator here is not so good.” Arabella replied hiding the real reason why she reached there late.

“But I already ate your ice cream because it already melted.” Adam’s voice became sweet. He hoped that her mom would forgive him for eating her ice cream. He got bored waiting at her and her mom’s ice cream was so tempting it’s like saying, ’Come on! Eat me.’ So, he ate it all.

“It’s okay. As long as you have a happy tummy. Let’s go back to grandma now.” Arabella had no time chit-chatting with them. They are not safe in this mall.

She needs to bring them out and get away from the place immediately.

When they reached the center, Jaime was still sleeping. Arabella brought Adam inside to see his grandma again.

Adam sat beside Jaime’s bed and held her hand. He then put a tender kiss on Jaime’s forehead.

‘I’m sorry grandma on behalf of my father’s wrongdoings.’ Adam whispered to her.

Jaime who was sleeping suddenly had tears rolling down from her closed eyes.

Arabella was quick to see it, then she wiped Jaime’s tears. Every tear of her mom made her heart clenched hard.

“Adam let’s go.” Arabella sounded soft.

Adam looked at his grandma and kissed her again before he held his mom’s hand to exit out.

The day was very tiring for all of them so they decided to go home.

Arabella was still out of her senses seeing Bill again and the only option she had for her mom.

She had some regret for not taking the chance to ask Bill about her mom.

He may or may not listen to her but at least she gave it a try.

She felt useless but she could not hide the anger and hate for him.

She wanted revenge but she could only insult him with her words.

Now that he knew she is here, she had to protect Adam. She must send Adam back to city Y as soon as possible.

Night came, Arabella still couldn’t sleep thinking of the earlier event, how to help her mom and how to convince Adam to go back to city Y.

“Mom, are you okay?” Adam sensed her mom had so many things in mind as she keeps on switching her position on the bed.

“Ah. Yeah.” Arabella replied holding her uneasiness.

“Hmmm…” Adam muttered in the air with satisfaction. He was really tired today and he was so sleepy.

“Adam?” Arabella spoke with tenderness in her voice.

“Yes, mom.” Adam hid in his mom’s arms to get more of her warmth.

“You need to go back to city Y. Your school and friends are waiting for you there.” She needs to solve quickly the issue of Adam as time is her enemy. With Bill knowing her presence in Capital Z, she didn’t know what worst things will happen every second, every minute, and every hour with her stepping again in Capital Z.

For a long time, Adam didn’t reply. He seemed to weigh also the situation.

“How about you mom?” Finally, Adam broke the silence as his big round eyes met his mom’s loving eyes.

“As much as I want to be with you, I have to stay here for a while, my son.” Arabella was hurting inside. She didn’t want to be away with Adam. He is her source of courage and power to survive every day but she needs to protect him.

“Mom, I want to stay here with you. I love it here. Just like you, I want to stay beside grandma. Please don’t send me back.” Adam’s said with teary eyes. He couldn’t just say his main reason.

He wants to protect his mom.

Hearing and seeing her son’s pleading expression, she didn’t have the heart to break his spirit. She didn’t reply instead she enveloped him very tight like protecting her precious gem in the world.

Morning came quickly when she got an emergency call from the hospital.

The doctor announced that her mother was brought to the emergency room as her blood pressure went down drastically. Her mom needs to be transferred to the Sky Medical Group for medication as soon as possible. Only Sky Corporation has the modern technologies for high-sensitivity beaming lasers and radiations for an inoperable tumor.

Without time for hesitation, Arabella rushed to Sky Corporation. After 6 years, she stepped there again.

“I have to see your CEO. He is expecting me.” Arabella knew the protocol and she had no time for the question-and-answer portion in the reception.

“All right mom, here’s the key.” The receptionist replied after she called up the CEO’s assistant.

With heart insanely thumping nervousness, Arabella’s mind was with her mother who’s fighting her life in the emergency room.

She has to do something so instead of rushing to the hospital, she was determined to do what it takes just to transfer her mom to his hospital.

When the elevator reached the CEO’s floor, Arabella ran towards his office. Without knocking, she pushed open the big door.

Unexpectedly, it opened and then she entered quickly.

“I need to talk to you.” Arabella had no time for greetings or making fake talks. His mother is waiting to be transferred. Only him could be her access to transfer her mother right away.

She was talking to a man who was facing the overlooking view in his glass wall.

Just after her words, the man turned around to face her with folding arms up to his chest.

“To the bedroom.” Bill ordered while his sharp eyes pierced to hers.