Chapter 37

**Bella-Rose pov**

***Previous day***

I have excelled at the art of dodging my mom's questions. I know it's not going to work for much longer, but I can stretch it to its full extent till then.

As I was contemplating between Ben & Jerry or chocolate chip cookies to munch on (tough choices I know. Oh, what life throws at us!) while I watch Netflix, Sarah messaged to meet her at the cafe. Strange. We never had a meeting there. And what about Amanda? Sarah wouldn't dare to overlook Amanda. She must have a reason to call me there.

I got ready in my comfy wear and drove through the city. The location she specified looks questionable. Not a living being on sight though it's only 8 pm. The street lights are better suited for a night club, what with their on-off dance, and the walls are sprayed with graffiti. Something fishy is going on here. My sixth sense is tingling like anything. Yes, we poor souls also have that.

I saw Sarah in the cafe sitting on the chair of a corner table looking suspiciously at all sides as she cracked her knuckles. Oh ya, she is definitely nervous.

"Hey. What's up?", I called Sarah as I sat on the opposite chair from her.

She jumped in her seat as if I fired a gun. "Nothing...nothing is going on. I swear", she said nervously.

"Okayyy. If you say so. So, why this cafe? Why not our usual place? And where is Amanda? She wouldn't lay her foot on this floor", I said pointedly looking at the cracked tiles.

"I heard the food here is nice. And well...you know Amanda. So, I didn't call her. It's only us", she said to which I raised my eyebrows high. That's a first. Going against Amanda. She must have a strong motivation to do it.

"So... what do you want to talk about?"

"You first", she said slowly getting confident maybe after realising that Amanda won't jump in front of her and shout, "caught you!".

I related to her what has passed on in my life since I last met her. The mail-Agatha-Nana-Her betrayal. Everything. She listened patiently until I finished.

"Wow...it's been what? Less than a week and you got so much stuff going on. Your life sure is more exciting than mine", she said enviously.

"What exciting? I wish I had a distant cousin named Sid the sloth so that I could dump my Nana on him", I said as I marveled at that idea, though my Nana has all her teeth intact and in no need of a stick yet (except to hit me).

I could picture myself throwing my Nana at the cousin and saying, "See you later, alligator", as I drove into the sunset all the while my Nana standing on the side of the street, destitute and crying, to take her back.

"Harsh. Think of it this way, she rescued you from Old Pen by taking your responsibility", Sarah said as we crossed to the counter to buy something.

"Right! That's my Nana. The great rescuer", I replied as we piled our trays and returned to our seats.

"Speaking of Old Pen, have you ever wondered...", she paused in the middle of her bite?

"Wondered what? When will she die? Yes...a lot of times", I said in between my bites.

"No silly. I'm an outsider so I'm saying from that perspective. Old Pen and you, your snarls and snubs...don't you think you both are like your mom and Nana in that area?", Sarah used her weird logic.

"What are you implying, Sarah?", I asked, totally confused with where she is going with this.

"That...Old Pen corners you because maybe she saw you as a potential future daughter-in-law", she shed the light.

"Me? Her daughter-in-law? Does she even have a son?", I scoffed at the ridiculousness.

"No... but she does have a nephew. Of marriageable age", she said as if it's one and the same.

Hmm...does she really think that? What about me, am I desperate enough to consider Old Pen's nephew?

"Enough discussing my love life. Let's talk about yours, shall we? Have you told him yet?", I teased as I raised my eyebrows not in the mood to see Old Pen and her nephew in a new light.

Sarah suddenly gave me the deer-in-the-headlights expression as she checked the vicinity.

"Relax. There is no one here", I reassured her.

"Still...oh look at the time! it's getting late. Let's go from here", Sarah said as she rose from her chair hurriedly.

"What's the rush? You vouched for this place, right?"

"Umm...yes. But I'm tired and feel so sleepy. Don't you?", Sarah asked as she gave a fake yawn.

"Sure", I dragged my feet behind her as we left the cafe. She is busy typing on her phone.

"Who are you messaging?", I asked, trying to peep through her shoulder.

"Um... no one. Let's go. Oh...I forgot my keys on the table. Wait here. I'll just go and grab them", she turned towards the door.

"Let me accompany you", I said as I joined her.

"No... no. It must have fallen under the table or something. I have to check. You stay near your car. I'll come right back", she rushed before I could answer her.

I walked aimlessly towards my car as I dissected her strange behaviour all night. Just as I was reaching for my car door, a black van with tinted glasses skidded beside me at full speed. Four people wearing black tracksuits and Halloween masks barged out of the car at full speed. Except for the last one. He/she is very slow, sauntering through the pavement as if he/she is walking on a red carpet with all the time at their hands. The fifth one didn't come outside as he is the designated driver.

"What-", my voice was cut off, as two of them grabbed me by my arms and the third used a white handkerchief to stop my screams. There is no chloroform on it though.

Before I could understand the situation, I was lifted up and packed inside the van, with the red-carpet diva tying my hands very thoroughly and taping my mouth.

I struggled to untie the ropes as I scanned through the windows for Sarah. Where is she? Did anyone see my abduction? How can someone get kidnapped in the wide-open streets and no one notices it? I tried to speak through the tape, but my voice was muffled.

Suddenly another joker blindfolded my eyes, making my package complete. Sealed and delivered. Panic started to set in. Who are these guys? What do they want? Are they some women-trafficking gang? Am I going to be shipped into an unknown continent to slave myself away for eternity?

Mom, Dad, Scott, Nana. I wouldn't get another chance to meet any of them. Oh no, surely someone must have recorded something. This is 2021. No one outside does anything without recording something. Sarah must be on her way to the police station informing my dad. Yes, my dad is a cop. He will come for me. And Scott... forget he is mentioned.

An idea took root inside my fear-induced brain. I tried to count the turns just like in the movie taken, but unfortunately, I realised I'm no good at counting numbers in my current state. Just as the van was taking another turn, I braced myself and tried to jump through the car, only to hit a chest.

I heard a sharp feminine gasp from the opposite seat as if she is concerned. Realising the lengths of my bravery or stupidity, take your pick, the two goons grabbed my arms in a tight hold.

The van suddenly stopped and the goons who were grabbing me lifted me again and took me inside. I don't know where I was, who took me, or what they want to do with me. My feet didn't touch the ground as they lifted so I don't even know the layer of this place.

Once I'm safely tied to a chair, they finally removed the tape. And as soon as they remove it, I scream so loud, I fear one or two glasses might have broken if they are near. (Those who are looking for opera singers, contact me. Once I'm free, I might look into it).

"Who are you? What do you want from me? This is illegal. You won't get away with this. Are you some sort of trafficking gang? If so, let me tell you, I'm horrible at it. I never even tried giving blowjobs. The customers will give you negative ratings", I ranted as someone near me choked on something they are eating.

"Hello! Hey choking guy... untie me now. You don't know about my family", I heard a scoff that sounded like disbelief.

"My dad is city commissioner", he is not, "if he learns about this, he will hunt you down as Liam Neeson did. He will chop you into tiny little pieces. And my mom..."

I took a breath before continuing, "my mom knows karate. She is a black belt state champion. Don't even think about messing with her. She knows how to paralyze you", I buffed. The only belt my mom knows is the one she wears on her dresses. I waited a moment to hear whether they were panicking. Not a peep.

I continued my dose of exaggeration. I was in full speed as I said, "And my Nana. She knows the delegates of all countries. She can make a war happen with a snap of her fingers. You won't want to get on her bad books. She may crush you".

"And Scott", I heard the scraping on the floor as someone dragged a chair to get close to me.

"He can...well, he can eat his way through your pantry. Trust me, he is the biggest threat", I said proudly of myself at the lie. A burst of laughter can be heard from the remaining goons.

I tried different tactics since it doesn't seem to be working. "I need to pee...god, I need to pee. It's urgent. Untie me or else I will do it here on this chair", I threatened as I wiggled in my chair.

I opened my mouth to blether some more when the guy in front of me ripped off the blindfolds from me. I squinted as I tried to make sense of the people standing before me. They looked exactly like my family.

"Wow! How big is your organization? You guys are now stealing people's faces too!", I scanned each of their faces as I said, "you look exactly the same. Whoever has done the surgery they did well, except you", I pointed towards Scott with my chin.

"Whoever did your nose, botched terribly. You must ask for a refund. These are costly, I tell you. At least next time try for someone who has a handsome face", I said pitying his crooked nose.

Mom, Dad, and Nana's lookalikes burst into laughter as Scott's lookalike face turned red.

"Shut up, FIFIBEL", he said sarcastically.

Fifibel? I scrunch my forehead, making a frown. Fifibel! How do they know about it? I checked the room I was in and it's a basement. To be exact, my parent’s basement.

"What the hell guys! How could you do this to me?", I screamed as mom and dad untied my hands.

"Well...you were taking so long for your explanation. We thought to give you your own medicine", mom folded her hands in front of her.

"But Nana knows everything. I told her", I pointed at Nana.

"You did?", asked mom and dad.

"Why do I get the tag of slobber, when the other gets the cool ones?", Scott interjected hurt, and hung on my statement.

Nana gave a sheepish smile in return and said, "it's just honeymoon fun. I wanted to see whether we could pull it off. And this is the first family outing with Mathew. So, why not?"

"Not my style of outing Nana", I said as I rubbed my hands.

"And you guys, whose idea was this? Do you know how panicked I was? I was ready to pee on that chair".

"Gross", said Scott while eating through chips, I don't know from where he found it.

"Don't be overdramatic. It's been only 10 minutes since we brought you here", mom said pointing towards the clock.

Huh?? It really is. "Well, that's enough time to give me a heart attack. Next time guys, if you get this itch, there is this thing called communication. Try it", I said as I stomped towards the stairs disappointed and angry at my family to talk to them much.

"We wouldn't have to if you would respond to our calls", mom shouted back as I exited their home. Thankfully, my car is here. One of them must have driven it here.

I drove myself to my home with anger seeping through me. I slept fitfully that night as the remnant fear still lingered inside me. What if the abduction has been real? It was so easy. Hell, my 70+ Nana was able to pull it off. Spoke a lot about my survival skills. As the sun painted the sky with its colours, my fear turned to anger slowly.

Fucking Sarah! She betrayed me. I should have thought about it. All those nervous gestures. Scott must have dazzled her with a smile and she fell for it. Though, it's not her fault totally. Nope. The fault lies with a certain mail guy. He started all this with his mail. James, you are getting an earful from me.

I quickly typed my mail and sent him, breaking my own resolution within 5 days. The reply was instant. As if he was waiting for my mail all these days.

[mail from James to Bella]

To: iamfifibel@gmail.com
From: james.aonal@gmail.com

Subject: Re: My nana eloped with my wannabe boyfriend.

Little Red,

Took your sweet little time replying to me. Next time I might not be this patient. As for losing your only admirer, that's not true. I'm still here. I couldn't vouch for the other guy though.

You say it's my fault. What fault is mine when the other guy is into an older woman or your Nana is a successful cougar? Though, I'm questioning his intelligence and really interested to know about one thing. What's his age?

What could be worse than getting fired and losing an admirer? You are making me curious about each thing you say.

P.S- next time little red, don't make me wait so long. I may cause havoc waiting for your words.
James.

[end of the mail]

I responded to his mail within seconds, just as he did, totally ignoring the flirting fact.

[mail from Bella to James]

To: james.aonal@gmail.com
From: iamfifibel@gmail.com

Subject: Re: Re: My nana eloped with my wannabe boyfriend.

Dear Arrogant mail guy,

You are not the boss of me. I will reply when I want to.

And about Mathew's age...well, he is 60+. But what's the big deal? Age is just a number. Yes, my would-have-been boyfriend is an old guy, so what? Anyways, it's no use talking about what has been. I lost my chance at one true love.

What's worse than those things? How about getting abducted by your own family? It was a terrifying 10 minutes of my life.

Unapologetically,
Bella.

[end of the mail]