When Daniel and I arrived in the living room I immediately ran into my friends. Cally was the first to see me so she was the first I hugged. My tears flowed. Finally.

"It's okay. We know the truth. We're here to rescue you." She whispered.

I was so relieved of the hug and shocked by what she said. I looked at her and she smiled at me then stroked my hair.

They're here to rescue me? How? How will they do that? They can't handle Daniel. They didn't know him. Who he really is and what he is.

I was about to speak when April, Layla, and Shay suddenly rushed to us and hug me. "We missed you Sandra." Layla said.

I smiled at their gesture but also disappeared when I saw Flynn standing by Cally's side. He was smiling but just a little. I could see the concern in his eyes. I left in April's hug then approached to Flynn. His eyes were full of worries and sadness.

"You don't know him. You can't do whatever you had planned. I don't want to hurt you because of me. I don't want to hurt all of you." I said in a low voice so that Daniel would not hear.

"I know him. That is why we brought someone." He answered weakly.

Someone? Is it-.

No.

He will not come here to save me. He doesn’t care about me so it’s impossible for him to be what Flynn is referring to.

I stiffened when I felt Daniel's warm and hard hand on my waist. "Are you happy now? I invited them here because I know you miss them."

"I still can't believe that you will end up together in the end. You two are mean to be, Sandra. Your love story is enviable. After almost two or three years that you haven't met and now you're here, married to him." Smiling, Cally said.

"You, how could you! You don't tell stories anymore. I thought you were doing business, but the truth is, you're just making your life comfortable here." April said in a happy tone but I know what she really mean is. She's just making stories to make it less awkward. I know behind their smiles is the opposite of what they show. Make Daniel believe that they don't know about what really happened to me.

I don't know their plan but I pray that they can do it without hurting them.

"I'll leave you here first. I'll take care some business." Daniel kissed me first at my temple before leaving in front of us. After he disappeared, we immediately sat on the sofa and they immediately gathered in front of me.

We formed a circle. Cally is on my right while Shay on my left the rest is in front of me sitting on the mat.

"Oh my gosh Sandra! How are you? Did he hurt you? Did he do something to you?" April's first question.

I bent down then took a deep breath and faced them. "I'm scared." My tears flowed immediately. I felt Cally's hand grip my hand. "I want to go home but I can't do that. Daniel doesn't want to. He forced me to marry him even though I'm still married. I don't know how I signed that paper. When I wake up he's already my husband."

"Wait. Did I hear it right? You're married before Daniel" Shay cut me off.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't really go to Milan for work. It was actually our honeymoon. No. It was actually his business."

"And who is this man?" Layla asked.

"Nicolas De luca." I answered. I could hear them sighing except for Flynn who was just sitting quietly.

"You're kidding right?"

I wish I was but no. It was the truth. The truth that keeps hurting me. It is a fact that I fell in love with my husband who loved someone else.

"I thought F-" Layla went silent when April elbowed her.

Cally rubbed my back. "Don't worry. We'll get you out of here."

I shook quickly. "No. You don't know Daniel. Don't do what you're planning. I've accepted my fate. I'll stay here. I don't want you to get hurt. Just go back and tell Mom and Dad that I'm okay here."

"No. We'll get you out of here." Flynn said a little scared.

"You'll just make it hard. Leave me here and go back."

"Sandra. Can I talk to you privately?" I looked at Cally. I nodded then we headed near the pool.

"Do you love Nicolas?"

Tears flowed in my cheek when she asked me. She immediately hugged me. "I'm sorry."

"I love him Cally. I love him. But he loves Fiona, his girlfriend. Maybe it's better that I am here than seeing them over and over again. It hurts me when I see them together. I'm tired Cally. I'm tired. "

"Maybe he had a reason. You got married to Nicolas and Fiona was the one on the news showing to all people that she is the wife. Aren't you wondering about that thing?"

"They'll do that because everyone knows Fiona is his girlfriend and that's the truth. I don't want to ruin their relationship. They love each other. Maybe it's better that this happened to us. I want to let him go but it's just so hard. Maybe it's better to leave him."

"But Sandra. Your parents told us how much Daniel hurt you back then so we asked Flynn for help. We'll get you out of here."

I shook again. "Please don't. You'll just get hurt. I'm okay here. Daniel won't hurt me. I know Daniel. Sometimes he's kind and I saw that when we were still together. I'll endure the fear. I'd rather be here than there if only I could see them every day. "

"Are you crazy? Are you thinking Sandra? If we don't take an action how can you sure that you are safe here? You will only get hurt by your decision. Your parents talked to me to get you back to them so I'm talking to you Sandra. Please. cooperate. "

"Do you see how tight this place is? You will not succeed in your plan."

"That's why we asked for help because we couldn't afford it. We couldn't rescue you if we are just one to do this." I stared at her.

"Tell me. To whom did you ask for help?"

"It doesn't matter. What's important is you getting out of here. They will be here soon."

"Cally. Is there something you're not telling me? What's your plan?"

"It's simple. We'll get you out of here."

"That's all? How are you going to do that-"

"Leave that thing to us."

I was about to speak when we heard a loud explosion. We stumbled upon a series of gunshots. "What the hell is happening?!" I shouted.

I felt Cally's tight grip on my arm then pulled towards our friends. "Why are they suddenly attacking without even giving a warning!" April screamed.

Cally ushered me out but we hadn't even gotten close to the door when Daniel's men blocked us. My heart is pounding rapidly about what is happening now.

Suddenly someone grabbed me with my other hand. I saw Daniel's furious face. But we all stooped down when a series of gunshots rang out throughout the house.

Cally let me go and that's when Daniel dragged me to the back of the mansion. "Please don't hurt my friends."

"They tried to take you away from me! Do you think I'll be happy with them?"

"Please."

But Daniel ignored me. He just pulled me to the back exit. He opened the door and the vast bermuda grass opened up for us. We went straight until we entered the dense forest. We walked the rough and dense forest for a few minutes until we came to a wide landing area.

We immediately went to the chopper that was there and then we boarded.

The pilot began to operate the chopper. When we were at the sky I saw smoke coming from Daniel's mansion. Many men were lying on the ground and I felt panic. Remembering my friends.

But suddenly my heart started beating faster when I felt a dark gaze towards me. I looked around the forest and I gasped as I stared at the same person below who was looking at us.

No. He was looking directly at me.

Nicolas.

______________