Five years ago.
Good Books Library.
Romance Books Section.
Natalia walked into the library looking bright and beautiful wearing a light pick skirt and a blue blouse with Nike sneakers. She stopped at the romance section of the books looking at a few in the shelf. Her eyes scanned them and rested on a particular book 'Spring lovers' and she smiled and murmured, 'found you''
She stretched her hand to take the book and another hand also touched the book at the same time. With a frown Natalia looked up and her eyes rested upon a very handsome man. The man took the few seconds of distraction to snatched the book and spoke.
''I got it first''
Natalie frowned and looked at the book in his hand and spoke, ''that is cheating. I found it first but you distracted me and used that as an opportunity to take the book''
The man leaned on the shelf with a flirtatious smile and asked her, ''then, you admit you were checking me out?''
Natalie chuckled and replied, ''you have so much confidence in yourself''
''And you are so easy to read. I can tell you like what you see''
''Is that your pick-up line? Because is so outdated. Now, give me the book''
''No, I won't. I picked it first''
''I saw it first'' Natalie said impatiently and the man placed his finger on her lips saying.
''Sssh, put your claws down tigress, we are in the library…'' he looked at the book and added, 'how about this, I will pay for it then lend it to you later''
''No can do'' Natalie turned to go and heard him say.
''I initially bought this book because I heard a lot of girls love to read it and I wanted to see what was so good about it. Who knows, I could use whatever is inside to woo the girl I like''
Natalie folded her arms and lifted a single brow questionably at him as she commented, ''I see your looks doesn't have much going on for you then. If you needed the help of a book to woo a girl?''
''No, you're wrong. My looks do everything for me but, can't help being curious about this book. Tell me your reason for wanting this booking?''
''My little sister is a fan of the author 'Purplebride' and I wanted to gift her this book as a birthday present since is her latest book''
''If you put it that way, then, it can't be helped. How about this? I will let you have this book but in exchange for your time''
''You are crazy, I don't even know you'' Natalie replied.
''I am William Yun and my parents arranged a matchmaking session for me and I'm supposed to attend…''
''But you don't want to go and you want me to pose as your date so that you can put the whole dating behind your back, right?'' Natalie interrupted him and William looked at her with a smile.
''Yes, you're a very smart girl''
''I am. And I am also smart to know that those things don't always end well. How could you ask a random girl to go pose as your girlfriend? Is something wrong with you?''
''Nothing is wrong with me. Do you know Janice Jewellery? That's my mother's company''
Natalie nodded her head and asked sarcastically, ''oh, so, you are an heir? Are you joking with me? Is that supposed to change my views about you?''
William noticed the eyes on them and said to her, ''come with me first'' he pulled Natalia to the counter and paid for the book and pulled her to a corner in the library.
''Stop holding my hand or I will sue you for sexual harassment''
''You're one funny lady''
''What exactly do you want?'' Natalie asked impatiently.
''Do you want the book or not?''
''You…'' Natalie's phone buzzed in her bag and she took it out, ''I have to answer this call'' she walked towards the door and answered her phone speaking to Alice, ''Alice''
''Big sister, where are you? the audition is about to start. I need you here with me''
''I will be there in 10 minutes'' Natalie said as she walked out to the roadside, ''calm down and relax. I know you can do it. That role will be yours''
Natalie stood by the roadside waiting to hail a taxi. Suddenly, a black van pulled over in front of her and two men got down from it and forced her inside.
''Who are you, people? Let me go'' Natalie struggled with them in the car and one of the men injected her with a substance.
Slowly, she lost consciousness and the van drove away.
''Elder sister, did something happen?'' Alice's voice could be heard on the phone. A passerby picked it up and spoke.
''Hello''
''Hello, where is my sister?''
''A van forced a lady inside it and drove away. Is she your sister? I think she's being kidnapped'' the woman said and the phone fell silent.
….
''A van forced a lady inside it and drove away. Is she your sister? I think she's being kidnapped'
Alice's hands quivered as she looked at the phone in her hands. She turned to look at the lady who was behind her.
Note that this was Zeya at that time.
''Alice, are you alright?'' Niania asked.
''Niania, I have to go'' Alice picked her bag and ran out of the audition centre leaving Niania alone.
….
Unknown basement.
A man's large footsteps could be heard as he made his way into the underground basement. He was wearing a suit, everything about him was elegant, showing that he wasn't an easy man.
Behind this mad was a young girl. She was dressed in a short pink outfit with black straps high heels.
When they got to the woman who was shackled and blindfolded, the young girl sat down while the man squatted in front of the woman.
''Natalie…'' Daniel said softly as he caressed Natalie's hair.
''Leave me alone. Who are you?''
''Dad, she smells bad''
''Must be because she hadn't taken her bath since they brought her two days ago. Say, Natalie, would you like to take your bath?'' Daniel asked.
''Uncle Dan? Mimi?''
''Whoa, she even managed to recognise us, she is so commendable'' Mimi chuckled.
''What are you people trying to do by kidnapping me? Do you think Thomas will let you go when he finds out that I am missing?''
''That is if he finds out. Natalie, be good. Be good! Later on, someone will come and send you somewhere. If you want to leave here fast, then you should listen to him. Do whatever he tells you to do''
''Daddy, I want to play with her for a while. You can go back to your work. I will go home after here''
''Don't keep long and don't hurt her too much. I need her for an important purpose'' Daniel before standing up.
''Don't worry, daddy. She will still be fine'' Mimi smiled and waited for her father to leave before she squatted in front of Natalie.
Mimi removed the clothe used to blindfold Natalie. She smiled at her and sat back in the chair relaxed.
''Who would have thought a day like this would come? Natalie, I feel energised just watching you in this state''
''You and your father are both lunatics. You won't get away with this''
''Save the energy, Natalie. You will really need it for later on. I don't know what my father is planning but I know him very well. It must be something grandeur. Do you remember he once collected your blood when you were staying with us? I guess it has to do with that''
'What do you mean?''
''Don't ask me. I don't know, I don't meddle in my father's business. But, even if I knew what it was, did you think I would be so generous as to tell you?'' Mimi chuckled.
''He is my father after all''
''What about you? What exactly do you want from me? I left, I gave her to you. I gave my mother to you, what else do you want from me?'' Natalie screamed out.
''Death! The only thing I want from you is for you to die, disappear from my life forever. You gave your mother to me? She never forgot about you. She has a photo of you as her phone screensaver. She has secretly saved a lot of your photos in a gallery that has a passcode in her phone. Right, you gave her to me. But she never for once saw me as her daughter. What right do you have to tell me you gave her to me? What I Mimi Song has, no one can take away. I will destroy anyone who goes after something that is mine.
''Natalie, that is what I am going to do to you. I am going to waste your life away here. Every day, you are going to wish death for yourself but you know what? Even death will not come because I intend to make your life miserable. Death is a luxury for you.
''You do not deserve death!''