Chapter 4 Four

• Serena's trembling hands struggled to dial the number, her mind racing. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she waited for Camillo to answer. On the second ring, his menacing laughter answered, sending a chill down her spine.
• "What is the meaning of this, Camillo?" Serena demanded, trying to keep her uneven voice steady, but it shook with rage and fear. Her eyes welled up with tears as she pictured Aria's frightened face.
• Camillo's smug tone made her blood boil. "What do you think? Remember I told you you'd come back begging? This is it, Little darling."
• Serena's knees buckled, her legs trembling beneath her. She leaned against the alley wall for support, her vision blurring. "Please don't hurt her, Camillo. She's innocent. Please," she begged, desperation creeping into her voice. Her words tumbled out in a frantic plea. "What do you want?"
• "You, of course," Camillo replied. Serena's heart shattered. She couldn't even say no. What if she argued over the phone and he does something to Ariadne? She'd never forgive herself if the girl got hurt because of her. "What do you say, Serena?" He asked and she could hear distant cries from the other line. 'Aria!'
• "Okay fine! Let's talk about it please. I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt my sister." Her voice broke as she spoke. She couldn't believe she was going back to Camillo. Still, she couldn't let that monster hurt her sister.
• Camillo's response was smug and triumphant. "Very well then. I'll send a chauffeur to pick you up. Text me your address. Come and pick up your sister. Then we can discuss other things." The line went dead.
• Tears streamed down her face as she sent her address to Camillo. She waited at the bus stop, her heart pounding in her chest. Fifteen minutes passed like an eternity.
• Then ansleek red car pulled up, and a suited chauffeur stepped out. His gaze assessed her before he asked, "Miss Serena Martinus?"
• Serena nodded, her voice caught in her throat.
• "Please get in. We wouldn't want to keep Mr. Andreas waiting," he said, opening the door. Serena got in and he shut the door. The lock clicked, and Serena's heart skipped a beat.
• The silent ride was oppressive, Serena's thoughts consumed by dread. She rested her head against the window, watching the city blur past. Why wouldn't Camillo leave her alone? Regret washed over her; she shouldn't have agreed to date him.
• "...Water, Miss?" The chauffeur's deep voice interrupted Serena's thoughts, his eyes meeting hers through the rearview mirror. His expression seemed contradicting to his actions but Serena didn't notice that.
• She looked up, grateful for the offer. "You looked stressed, so I thought you might need it," he explained, handing her a bottle of water.
• Serena muttered a thank you, her voice barely above a whisper. At least there's still a nice person in this world, she thought, twisting open the cap.
• As she chugged down half the bottle, relief washed over her, momentarily calming her frazzled nerves. She was ready to do whatever Camillo wanted, as long as he promised to leave Arianna alone.
• But then, a strange sensation crept up her throat, an unpleasant aftertaste lingering. Her brows furrowed, and she examined the water bottle, searching for any visible signs of tampering. It was new.
• "Excuse me, what kind of water is this?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern, her eyes scanning the label.
• The chauffeur's reply was curt, his tone abrupt. "Just mineral water." His gaze flickered back to the road ahead, his expression impassive.
• Before Serena could press further, a subtle warmth spread through her body, her senses heightening. Her vision blurred, and her skin flushed with heat. The car's interior began to spin, colors blending together.
• Her heart pounded in her chest as the car accelerated, the speedometer needle racing upward. Something was in that water. Was she drugged?
• She wanted to say something but she couldn't. Just then, she felt the car move forcefully to the right. She heard the tires screech against the tarred road and the car came to a sudden halt. A blast went through Serena's ears before evening went black.
• ***
• Camillo frowned, his piercing gaze flicking to his phone for what felt like the hundredth time. 8 pm had come and gone, and Serena still hadn't arrived. His patience was wearing thin, his annoyance simmering just below the surface. "Shouldn't she be here yet?" he growled, his deep voice echoing through the opulent room.
• Matteo Rico, his assistant, immediately sprang into action. He bowed deeply, his eyes cast downward, before stepping aside, making urgent phone calls.
• Camillo reclined on the plush sofa, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his chiseled face.
• His plan was flawless. Kidnapping Aria had been child's play. Now Serena would do anything to save her sister, and Camillo held all the cards. He recalled the first time he laid eyes on Serena five years ago at college. She was his ideal woman: petite, beautiful, and vulnerable.
• A wicked smile curled on his lips as he murmured, "My little darling. This could have been easy for us both but you're too stubborn."
• Camillo reviewed his plan once more, his grin widening. There was no way he would let Serena leave with Aria tonight. Not until he had his way with her. The aphrodisiac-laced water would ensure her compliance. Things he would do to her.
• Camillo's excitement grew. He poured himself a glass of fine wine, the crystal goblet reflecting the dim light. The rich, full-bodied flavor filled his senses as he downed it in one gulp. A second glass followed, but before he could savor it, Matteo burst in, looking frantic.
• "Mr. Andreas, there's been a problem, sir!" Matteo's urgent tone cut through Camillo's triumph, his face pale and worried. Camillo's sapphire eyes narrowed, his smile faltering.
• "What kind of problem?" he demanded.
• Matteo hesitated before speaking, his words tumbling out in a rush."The chauffeur sent to bring Miss Martinus was attacked, sir. The driver's body was found at the scene."
• Camillo's face contorted in rage. He rose from the sofa, the glass cup flying across the room, barely missing Matteo. It shattered against the wall, the sound echoing through the silence. "What?! Where is Serena?! Was she there?"
• Matteo cowered, fearful eyes locked on Camillo's. He took a step back, his hands raised in defense. "They couldn't find her, sir. She must have been taken away by whoever attacked the car."
• Camillo's anger boiled over. Who dared? His face reddened, veins bulging. His eyes seemed to burn with fury. "Who dares to cross me?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
• He grabbed Matteo's collar, choking him. "Find her. Find her now!" Camillo's hot breath brushed against Matteo's face. "If you don't bring her to me in the next one hour, I'll kill you! Vi ucciderò tutti! Do you understand that?" His grip tightened.
• (I'll kill all of you.)
• Matteo stuttered, "Y-yes, Mr. Andreas," before bowing and rushing out of the living room.
• Camillo's eyes blazed with fury. He grasped the wine bottle, pouring its contents down his throat. The liquid burned, but he didn't care. Who was it? Who dared to take his Serena away from him?