"Hey girlfriend," Denise waved at Elena.
"Wow. Where did you get this dress? You look fabulous in it. My God! Denise, you look beautiful," she composed herself and hugged her friend.
"Thanks. I thought I was late. I just got here and I decided to see you. You don't look good," Denise said.
"I am so nervous. I don't know how my designs are going to be. Are they going to be accepted?"
"Of course, your designs will be accepted. I have seen what you can do and I can't wait to see the new designs you have. Listen, you are going to be fine, okay? Just breathe."
"Okay. I think I feel better now. I can do this. I can really do this," Elena repeated.
"I am sure the show is going to start soon. So, I am going back to my seat. Don't panic okay? You will do great."
Elena breathed in and out. Soon, the show began and Denise and Harold were already at the seat watching the models walk the runway. Each attire that came out was fabulous. Denise had already made her choice on which of the dresses she wanted to get. After all the models had walked the runway, it was time for Elena to make an appearance. She came with two models, both at each side of her. The walked the runway till they were at the edge and Elena bowed down to thank everyone present. All those present cheered for her and stood up from their seats for an ovation. Elena was so touched that she began to cry.
A cocktail refreshment was made for all the guests. All the important fashionistas wanted to speak to Elena to congratulate her. She had so many people crowding her and congratulating her. Denise and Harold walked up to her when Elena was somewhat alone and hugged her.
"Oh girlfriend. I am so proud of you. Your designs are amazing. I have one particular dress in the lot I really want. Hope I will get it first before it is out to the public."
"Of course, you will get the first one. You are my best friend after all. And oh, why didn't you tell me you came with Harold? I thought you were alone," Elena said.
"Hello, Elena. You did great. Well done," Harold said.
"Thank you. So, Denise, I hope you are having a great time?"
"Yes, actually I am. But, unfortunately, we have to go. It's already late and I have work tomorrow."
"Aw. But thank you so much for coming, Denise. I really appreciate it. I will come home and say a proper thank you to you." They hugged each other.
Elena walked them out and had a small chat with Denise. They hugged one last time before Denise sat in the car and Harold closed the door behind her. Denise waved at Elena as they drove off and Elena waved back.
When they were a few meters away from the venue, Harold kept looking at the front mirror. Denise noticed it and questioned him about it.
"It's been a while since we left the auditorium but I have noticed you keep looking at the mirror. Is everything alright?"
"Yes. I mean no. I don't know but I think we are being followed. A black Mercedes has been following us ever since we left the auditorium," Harold said.
Denise began to panic. "What?! Are you sure? Is there a way to shake them off our tail?"
"I am trying to find a way to shake them off. I want to see if I can find a short cut around here."
"They are closing in on us." Denise shouted.
Harold had to find a way to calm Denise down. "Listen ma'am. I need you to calm down for me. If you panic right now, I wouldn't be able to think of a way to help us both. So please trust me on this, alright?"
Denise just nodded. She was scared to death but she trusted Harold to handle the situation. Harold finally drove off the main road and drove onto the short cut. The black Mercedes Benz also followed. Harold tried to drive faster but the car was still on their tail. Harold then decided to do something. Something he felt will end this whole thing. He drove into a dead end.
"What are you doing? They are going to kill us," Denise screamed at him.
He turned off the ignition and turned to face Denise. "Ma'am. Do you trust me? I know what I am doing. Trust me on this, please."
Denise nodded quickly. She was tense and afraid. She decided to trust Harold on this. Harold unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door, when he saw the car approaching them. "Harold!" Denise held his hand.
"It's going to be fine. I promise. Now, promise me that no matter what happens, you will not come out of the car, " Harold said. He got down when it was evident the car following them was now closer. The occupants in the car got down, two men, and started walking towards Harold who had gotten down from the car. Harold walked over and stood behind Denise's car with his hands up.
"Who are you guys and what do you want?" He asked them, with a bold voice.
"We are not here for you. We are here for the girl, so step aside and let us do our job," one of the men said.
"I can't let you do that. The lady is my boss and it is my responsibility to keep her safe. I can't let you take her," Harold said in a low threatening voice.
"Then we have no choice than to kill you," the man said again and pointed a gun at Harold. All this time Denise was lying in the back seat, away from sight. She could hear everything they were saying. She raised her head a little and saw the men pull out their guns. She laid down again, with her heart pounding very hard in her chest. She began to pray hard, hoping the men will just turn away and leave.
"Please, don't hurt me. I am sorry. I just have to protect my boss, please," he said and began to kneel on the ground. He had already spotted a stone by the side of the car, away from the men. As he knelt down, he quickly picked the stone and brought it closer to himself.
"You should have known better instead of blabbing your mouth like that. When you join your fathers in the grave, tell them of your heroism," the man said again as the other laughed.
Then everything happened. It happened so fast. The man who was speaking with Harold was suddenly on the floor, touching his head in pain, while Harold was holding the man's gun. He harshly and quickly picked the man from the floor and then pointed the gun to his head. The man was already bleeding from the side of his head.
"Put the gun away, or else, I will kill him and kill you. What is it going to be?" Harold threatened.
The other man wanted to play tough but gave up at the end. He lowered the gun and threw it at Harold's feet at Harold's orders. Harold pushed it back with his leg and pushed the man in his grip towards the other man and pointed the gun at both of them.
"So, both of you, I am going to give you a 10 minute head start. Start running," he warned them and fired the gun in the air, making the men scurry off in a hurry. The men quickly drove the car and left the place.
Once they were out of sight, Harold picked both guns and threw them in the car. He opened the passenger seat and sat by Denise who had sat up on the seat. She was shaking in fear.
"Are you okay? I hope you were not hurt," Harold fussed over her.
Denise began to cry and hugged Harold tightly, hoping to never let him go.