I rushed forwards to grab Nora as she collapsed against me. “Leave us behind, Scarlett,” she said hoarsely. “It’s no use. This is our fate!”
I shook my head and held back tears. The strain of her weight against my delicate arm was immense.
Dante had arranged for four bedrooms to be prepared in the villa. As the women occupied the bedrooms, he ordered for them to be cared for.
That’s them settling in.
When they were finally asleep, I went down to the living room where Dante and Danny were having some tea.
They looked up when I emerged. “Is there anything wrong?” Dante frowned.
“I will keep my promise. I’m going in!”
They stared at me for a moment before Dante laughed. “Ms. Stovall,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Do you know what will happen to you when you enter the operating theatre?”
“I do.”
“I’ve never met anyone who’s as desperate for death as you,” he chuckled.
I said nothing and waited for him to elaborate.
After a slight pause, he said, “You needn’t go in anymore. It’s a waste of your talents for you to be delivering goods. Mr. Abe has plans for you. Have a good rest!”
I was stunned to hear that. The men had returned their attention to their tea, and I didn’t bother asking them further.
Now that Abe knew about me and Ashton, it wouldn’t pay off to use me to transport their product.
Business is all about profit maximization, after all. I was destined for more lucrative operations.
I went back to my bedroom and stood on the balcony. The villa was heavily guarded; escape is nigh impossible.
Besides, it was located in the middle of a dense banana plantation. Without an experienced guide, this villa was as unlocatable as it was impenetrable.
On second thought, Ashton would be searching for me around the city for a couple of days. He wouldn’t be departing Venria just yet.
I saw Armond again the following morning. He came with Abe.
Nora and the rest were very frail and spent most of their time in bed. I went to them a couple of times, but they did not want to see me.
Soon, I gave up the endeavor.
Armond was in the living room having tea with Abe when I emerged from my bedroom.
“How’s your arm?” Armond asked when he saw me.
“Much better,” I replied after a brief pause.
Armond laughed humorlessly. “Can I have a few words with her in private?” he asked Abe.
Abe scowled but nodded.
Everybody left, leaving me and Armond at the table.
He appeared calm and cold, but he poured me a glass of tea politely.
“Would you like to go home?” Armond asked.
I was caught off guard and spilled some tea on myself as my hands trembled.
“Yes,” I said after a pause and a sip.
Armond nodded and laughed in his easy-going manner. He refilled my glass and said. “I’m flying to Epea tomorrow. You can come with me if you like.”
“It’s not so easy to leave now,” I said without thinking.
“Don’t worry,” Armond said. “Abe owes me a favor. He won’t do you any harm.”
Things weren’t that simple. My value to Abe in his grudge against Ashton was large. Abe won’t relinquish me that easily.
Armond would have to ask for a whole lot more to compensate for the loss that he had caused Abe.
“Scarlett, you just need to tell me if you’re willing to get away from here. If you are, I will think of something with Abe.”
“I want freedom for my friends as well,” I said with some hesitation.
Armond looked conflicted at that.
I was aware that he had a way of taking me away, but to take five women with him was another story altogether. It wasn’t just an inconvenience for him, it was dangerous too.
I did not wish to make things difficult for him. “Mr. Murphy, thank you very much for your kind gesture.”
“Alright, you’re all coming with me!” Armond suddenly said, his eyes gleaming determinedly.
I froze in confusion.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Armond set his glass down noisily. “I’ll bring your friends along. Tomorrow, some of my men will be here to pick you up.”
I was taken aback. It seemed like an overly breezy promise to make. I stared at him disbelievingly.
Armond laughed at my suspicion. “Us Murphys are known for accomplishing something when we set our minds to it. When I’ve made up my mind to take you away, I mean it. So please, humor me and accept my gesture.”
I became even more confused. Though I did not know the extent of his relationship with Abe, I was sure that it was a lot to ask from Abe. If he was determined to get his way, surely it would only end in a conflict between the two of them.
In the worst-case scenario, if they were just casual acquaintances, Abe might even hold a grudge against Armond.
No matter which way I looked at it, it was disadvantageous to Armond from every possible angle.
“I would like to know why,” I blurted after a moment’s hesitation. I could not quell the suspicious feeling within me.
Armond raised his brows. “Would you believe me if I told you that I feel a certain way about you?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” We were all adults here, there was no place for fanciful feelings anymore. Besides, we’ve only met a handful of times, and I wasn’t particularly beautiful that every man I met would just fall head over heels for me.
