Skylar gazed out of the window as she sat between two hefty men who she hadn't met before. Leon sat in front while Ty drove the car. She was shocked to see him again, considering the last time he had left.
Apparently, Leon didn't fulfil his part of the bargain when they arrived in Italy. Ty got annoyed and left, but now he's back. Skylar guessed that Leon had once again made him another promise.
Skylar pitied Ty, if only he knew who Leon was. He isn't the kind of man to keep promises, but Skylar couldn't blame Ty; he was just another victim of love.
Love is an emotion so strong that it could claim your whole being. She knew from first-hand experience how powerful it could be. It was love that drove Lolita into being an accomplice to Leon, even though she knew she was at risk of being arrested with him.
It was love that drove Ty to also aid Leon in his kidnapping spree. And the same love had turned to obsession and consumed both her sister, Elise, and Leon, risking their lives for the ones they loved.
And love for her child and her fiancé had kept her going even in this darkest day. Her love for him had motivated her. She wants to be strong for her baby and him.
Skylar wiped her eyes as she sobbed silently. She missed Vino. She missed him so much that her heart ached. Why is love so painful? Why does it make us do this thing? Isn't it supposed to be the sweetest emotion one could find? Her hands went to her ring finger, and she rubbed it around while imagining her ring in her hands. It was one of her coping mechanisms. It helps to calm her down and makes her feel closer to Vino and her child.
"We are here." Leon announced it suddenly as the car pulled over. Skylar came out of her thoughts to search her surroundings. She took in the big white building in front of her with the inscription "The Hospital."
"Why? What are we doing in a hospital?" Skylar asked Leon immediately when he came to open the door for her. She couldn't help the fear that could be heard in her voice.
Leon smiled knowingly before placing a black cap on his face to shield his face from anyone recognizing him. His gesture gave Skylar some hope. It only means Vino was searching for her. And Leon's face had been plastered all over the internet. She hoped someone would recognize her and send a message to Vino.
Before Skylar could revel in her newfound hope, Leon placed a black veil on her head. He helped her adjust it to cover her face. There goes Skylar's hope of ever being recognized. Who will recognize her in this?
"And just to be clear, don't think of doing anything drastic; otherwise, I won't hesitate to run a bullet through your head. Remember, if I can't have you, then that bastard wouldn't either. You are either mine or dead."
Skylar gulped as she nodded. She knew he wasn't bluffing. Leon had spent the past two months telling her that he would rather kill her than let her be with Vino. And now she had to cooperate. How can she escape now? And by the way, what was she doing in the hospital?
"Good. That's my girl. Let's go!" Leon patted her on the cheek like he would a little girl who had made him proud. He led her into the hospital like he knew exactly where he was going. Skylar could see that he had planned this for a while, but why?
"This way," Leon calls to her, and he guides her over to the elevator, which seems empty. They got in while she watched as Leon pressed the button for the fifth floor.
"Isn't that the gynaecologist?" Skylar asked him, shocked. She had glimpsed the big map at the entrance of the hospital showing all floors and their respective actions briefly, but now she wondered what they were going to do there. Surely, Leon wasn't having second thoughts about letting her start her prenatal. She had begged him ever since the kidnapping, but he always refused. What has changed now?
"That's correct. You are smart. I like that. And that's why I love you more," Leon replied with a wink at Skylar before he walked out of the elevator, dragging a shocked Skylar beside him.
Skylar scoffed at him. The nerve of him-how dare he cleverly evade her questions? Why did he keep doing this? Why does he enjoy keeping her in suspense? What does he want?
Skylar couldn't complete her sentence as her eyes caught the television in the hallway where everyone was gathered to watch it. It shouldn't have gotten her attention, but the man___ it was Vino. Skylar was curious, so she let go of Leon's hands and rushed to listen to his words.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, Skylar heard him say as she drew nearer. Looking at him through the television, she couldn't believe how much she had missed him until now. He looked so thin and had dark shadows under his eyes.
"Hasn't' he been sleeping? And he looked lean since the last time I've seen him. Oh! Vino, I missed you," Skylar whispers in her heart as she listens to him.
"I'm sure this is a world news channel because I want this news everywhere around the globe. Even in places without phones and internet," She heard him ask the pleasanter, who nodded and urged him on. It spikes Skylar's curiosity. What could he possibly want to say about he wanted it around the globe? Surely this isn't about his business or_____
"Good. I am Vino Thompson, CEO of Thompson Art Centre. A few months ago, I got engaged to the woman of my dreams. My one true love We were supposed to get married, but she got kidnapped. All attempts to find her have proved abortive these past few months. I've been going crazy, wondering what could have happened to her earlier today. I found out____'' He paused as Skylar watched him whip the tears from his eyes with the handkerchief that the pleasanter had handed him before he continued.
"Earlier today, I found out she was pregnant. She was carrying my baby. I was devastated to hear that. I can't find my wife or my baby. And so, I'm offering a million dollars to whoever will give me information on my wife and baby. Here's her picture on the screen and the picture of the man who kidnapped her."
Skylar's face broke into a smile. Does he still care for and love her? How could he throw away such an amount of money all because of her? Now, she had no more doubt. Surely, she could see how much Vino loved her.
Skylar came out of her thoughts as she heard the voices around her as soon as her picture and Leon's were portrayed on the television.
"Isn't that the man who came into the stall the other night?" Ask a lady who was looking at her husband for affirmation.
The man bent slowly to gaze at the television after lifting his glasses to the brink of his nose. "Yes. That's true. He's the same one, but I haven't seen that woman around here."
"Who cares? Once we find the man, the woman will be found. I can't believe he's a kidnapper. I mean, he looks handsome, quiet, and kind." The woman replied with a shrug as she gazed at the screen in shock.
"I guess there's a saying for that. What is it?" The man lifted his head up to think for a while. He clapped his hands as soon as he found the answer.
He smiled and turned to his wife "Never judge a book by its cover. Looks can be deceiving. It is what is in the heart that matters, just as much as how much I love you."
"Whatever, I'm off to find him." The lady swatted her husband lightly on the shoulder and turned toward the exit, but judging from the smile on her face, Skylar could see she liked the compliment.
"But I haven't collected my medications yet." The man protested, but he still followed his wife.
"That can wait. Didn't you hear how much is involved? I bet the whole of Italy is out searching for him. Do you know how much of a boost that money will be to our store?" And with that, they left the hospital, along with everyone who had gathered to watch television.
Skylar stood alone in front of the television, which was now broadcasting random news, with tears streaming down her face. What irony! Here she was standing in their midst, but they couldn't recognize her because Of her veil? She was tempted to scream at the top of her voice and let everyone know she was Vino's fiancée, but before she could act on that, she felt a cold and deadly grab on her shoulder.
"Don't you dare?" Leon threatened her as he dragged her into a dark corridor away from prying eyes who were watching them with curiosity.
He let go of her when he knew they were safe and she wouldn't scream. He fisted the wall behind him in anger, saying, "Fuck! Why does he have to do that? Why? And now, everyone is going to recognize us."
Skylar watched Leon with a smile on her face. She had never seen Leon this scared and powerless in front of her. It makes her feel powerful. Even though Leon was rich, his wealth was no match for the Thompson's "We could go back home and _____."
"No, No. We are doing this. This is the only way, and after that, we are free. Let's go; the Doctor is waiting for us." And with that, Leon pulled Skylar into the office after a loud knock on the door.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Rodriquez. I've been expecting you." The doctor greeted them as she stood up to shake Leon's hands before offering them the chairs in front of her
The word 'Mrs.' rang continuously in Skylar's head even after they had sat down. She felt nauseous even after she heard that. She couldn't believe he had to lie and say they were married.
"I understand your concern from your email, Mr. Rodriquez. Complications like this does happen and most of the time can be deadly but sometimes it always corrects itself miraculously but____"
"I don't want a miracle, doctor. You and I both know a miracle isn't something you can summon; it happens randomly. What if my wife is among the 1% women who lost their lives?" Leon willed tears into his eyes and allowed his lips to quiver as he acted the part of the scared husband.
"I can't lose my wife; please, doctor, Help me. She's all I have," Leon pleaded as he reached out to grab her hands across the table.
He withdrew his hands to dab at his now-wet eyes, which were pouring like an unceasing raindrop "I've been telling her through her third month, but she wouldn't listen. My wife is adamant about the pregnancy. You know how women are attached to pregnancy. She wouldn't listen to my side of the story. I can lose her. You see, we could make more babies after this one but if I lose my wife, I wouldn't." Leon let his words hang in the air. He shuddered at the thought of losing Skylar. The doctor obviously buys his act as he watches her nod before she stands up to get a document. She returned and handed it to him before sitting back down.
"Since this is mutual, can you sign this and go wait in the reception? This would only take a few minutes." The doctor nodded before turning to the supposed wife, who had been quiet. The doctor finds it odd that the woman who fought so hard for her baby and protested the abortion will keep quiet and resign to her fate. Didn't she know how risky it was to abort a seven-month-old baby? But the doctor shrugged it off; it wasn't her place to ask. She was being paid a huge sum for this job, and if it was successful, a promotion would be her reward. With that resolve, a smile graced her beautiful lips as she folded her manicured fingers on the table and watched the husband scribble his signature in the documents without reading the words.
Did he know he just signed away the life of his wife to this hospital? If anything should happen, neither the doctor nor the hospital would be held responsible. How could someone be that selfish? He only thought about himself and neglected his wife's feelings. What if she really wanted to keep the baby? Considering how quiet she was, it wasn't in the doctor's place to protest. If the woman could accept it, who was she not to accept the money and carry out her duty like the responsible doctor she was?
Skylar watched Leon happily sign the document in front of him with a smile on his face. He obviously cared so much about her if he was this excited for her to begin her antenatal care, but what changed? Skylar thought he had always been against it.
She didn't listen to any exchange between the doctor and him, as her mind was fixed on Vino. After watching him on television earlier, she had come to realize how much she had missed home. She missed the rush of New York. She missed her mom. She missed Paula. She missed Cynthia and her colleagues, who hated her. She missed Maddy, the only friend she has aside from Paula. She missed Mrs. Devin, whom she had taken a liking to. And most importantly, she missed waking up in the arms of Vino. She missed his family.
"If that's all, Doctor, I'll be downstairs. Call me when you are done. Take care, darling, and be strong for me, okay?" Leon stood up and patted Skylar on the cheek as he played the part of the dutiful husband.
He was shocked to see Skylar smiling and nodding at him. Whatever had happened to her, he was glad it did. It helps him sell his story to the doctor.
"Please do everything to save my wife. Thank you, Doctor." With that, Leon closed the door behind him and went to sit down at the reception.
"Just a few minutes," he mustered to himself after checking the clock on the wall.
"Just a few minutes," He repeated loudly to himself, "And she will be mine." Leon smiled as he took a sip of the coffee he was offered. He looks happy, like he has just hit the jackpot