Third person's pov
"Evelyn!! "
"Evelyn!! "
"Where the hell are you? Look I am here!"
Meera shouted at top of her lungs while moving in a circle around herself taking in the place. She didn't know Evelyn would ask her to come to such a place. An abandoned warehouse. To be specific a run-down old warehouse that belonged to Elijah's company. But isn't this so typical? All the kidnappers always bring the victims to these kinds of places. The walls were dirty and muddy along with the floor with nothing in sight, completely empty.
"Well, well, well. Here comes my lovely sister-in-law! "
Meera turned around making her gaze fall on Evelyn and behind her, Angelina and Mark, standing at top of the staircase. The three then stepped down and stood in front of Meera who for the first time looked emotionless. It startled Evelyn a little but she didn't show it.
"Don't you look happy sister-in-law? "
"Where are my parents? "
Meera asked, too calmly for a person under threat. Evelyn who was grinning stopped and looked properly at Meera. She was wearing the same dress from last night, a royal blue cocktail evening gown. Her hairs were disheveled. She looked tired and defeated. Although Evelyn had nothing against Meera she still loved the way Meera looked right now. A complete mess.
"Come on, today's your wedding with my brother. Show some happiness at least, hmm? "
"Where are my parents? "
"You are no fun sister-in-law. Okay, forget it. Tell me one thing. What do you think Eli would be doing right now? "
"Hahaha. I am pretty sure. He must have gone berserk not finding you anywhere along with your parents"
Evelyn kept her eyes on Meera who refused to show any kind of reaction. With eyes watching Evelyn, she stood still. Stepping closer to Meera, Evelyn voiced out,
"Tell me, Angie, doesn't it give an impression that sister-in-law ran away with her parents from the wedding"
"Well yes, it does Evie"
Both the two chuckled while looking at Meera. Mark who was standing behind moved forward keeping his arms around both Evelyn and Angelina's waist and spoke,
"And the cherry on top, the note dear Meera left for him was the confirmation all he needed"
Kissing his cheek, Evelyn grinned at Meera who finally showed a reaction, clenching her fists tightly.
"Where. Are. My. Parents? "
"Am I supposed to know where they should be sister-in-law? "
Meera glared daggers at Evelyn. She had enough to deal with. Last night she was heartbroken after knowing her parents were kidnapped. With guilt and remorse heavy in her heart, she spent midnight with her Eli until four in the morning according to the so-called plan. After immediately coming back to her hotel room, she left the note, as planned before she fell in love with Elijah. She knows reading that note, her Eli would be heartbroken. It aches her heart thinking about him. Leaving her ring behind was the move she did out of pain. She can't bring herself to keep something so sacred of their love after the things she put him through. The wedding ring was a bittersweet object of memories to her. At first, she hated how it symbolized her defeat to Elijah and then loved it because it was proof that she was married to the love of her life. But she kept the proposal ring. She can't give it up. It's her everything now, when she knows it's the last thing she has of Elijah.
"Awww, don't give me that look, sister-in-law. Fine. Let me take you to them"
Meera silently followed after Evelyn. Outside she looked calm though the inside was brewing a storm of nervousness and anxiety. She doesn't know how her parents are and what her Eli must be doing and feeling. Evelyn brought Meera to a room on the ground floor inside which her parents were kept. Meera saw them tied to chairs and unconscious. Her heart leaped out of the chest seeing the conditions of her beloved parents. Without wasting a second she ran to them.
"Maa! Baba! Oh my god! "
With hands immediately trying to undo the ropes tied around the hands of her mother, Meera cried looking at her Baba on the adjacent chair. But before she could do anything further she was dragged away from her parents. Looking up, she glared at Evelyn who pulled her further away.
"Not so fast sister in law"
"What now?! "
Meera shouted jerking her hands away from Evelyn's grasp. Harshly wiping her tears, she glared at a startled Evelyn. Her patience has run out, she has had enough.
"Haven't I done what you asked of me? And everything in the plan? Can't you now leave me be? "
"I tolerated that you dragged my parents into this mess but nothing more than this Evelyn. I accept defeat. You will never see me after today. I am going with my parents. Don't you dare to come in my way"
Evelyn stood agape listening to Meera lose her cool. It's a first for her to see Meera crying and venting in anger. The pain was visible in her eyes and body language. Evelyn for a second felt guilty and sorry for Meera. She sympathized with her. In a way, she saw herself in Meera when Mark was being arrested. Seeing your loved ones in distress was heartbreaking. She understands Meera. But foremost is her revenge. Thus, clearing the throat, Evelyn declared,
"Of course. Go ahead but don't forget, never contact Elijah. And go to the place we decided. Elijah won't find you there"
"It was nice working with you Meera Goenka. Hope to never see you again"
Meera ignoring Evelyn walked past to her parents. While untying them, she heard the three arguing.
"Eve baby, why are you letting her go?"
"Mark baby her job is done, so"
"Nothing is done Evie"
"Mark? Angie? What do you mean? "
"What we mean is, she is still useful to us"
"How? "
Evelyn doubtfully glanced back and forth between Angelina and Mark who smirked at her. Stepping past Evelyn they both grasped either forearm of Meera who yelped in surprise. Forcefully dragging her to a chair in the corner, they tied her up.
"What the hell are you doing? Leave me! Evelyn! What is this? "
Meera shouted at Evelyn who herself knew nothing about what her lovers were planning. She felt nervous all of a sudden. She was feeling the wrong vibes. Keeping Meera hostage was not in the plan.
"Mark, Angie what are you up to? "
"Don't worry Eve baby. You will soon know"
Saying so both grinned evilly. The very next second a skin-slapping sound echoed in the empty warehouse. Evelyn jumped in surprise with eyes widening.
"Aaaah! "
"Meera! "
Both Meera and Evelyn exclaimed simultaneously when Angelina slapped Meera. Evelyn immediately asked seeing the unexpected,
"Angie! Why did you slap her?"
In response, Angelina while smiling sweetly again slapped Meera on the other cheek. Evelyn marched in anger towards Angelina and grabbed her hand when she was about to slap Meera again.
"Angie! Stop this nonsense! I asked why did you slap her? "
Angelina looked at a glaring Evelyn and asked,
"Why do you care about her Evie? Did you get attached to your dear sister-in-law? "
"What? No! It's not that but there is nothing in the plan about hurting her unnecessarily"
"Then you don't know the plan, Eve baby"
"What? "
Evelyn looked at Mark and Angelina who were grinning at her evilly. It gave her chills. She never saw this look on them before. They are looking evil and cruel. Were they always like this? No! Her lovers were sweet who love her dearly. They can't do anything without a reason.
"Yes. It's what you heard"
"Why are you saying that Mark baby? Isn't it the plan that we will separate Eli from Meera on their wedding day just the way in the past? "
"Hmmm, let me think. Actually, no"
"Angie! What is this? We never planned more than that! We decided to let Meera go and hide her until we confront Eli and make him regret his past doings to us"
"Did we? Well I can't remember Eve baby"
"Mark! Stop joking. I don't like this"
Evelyn shouted in nervousness. In her heart, she felt uneasiness, like something bad is going to happen. It was screaming that she has to stop her lovers before everything crumbled. But she still refuses to believe that they might do something wrong. She ignores the warning her heart gave her.
"Evelyn I told you to not believe these snakes"
"Shut up Meera! Don't interrupt us"
"Actually it's funny how I already know that you are going to see their real face now"
"I said shut up Meera! "
Evelyn glared at a chuckling Meera who shook her head in amusement. Evelyn taking a deep breath calmed herself thinking whatever nonsense Meera said is nothing to think about. She knows her lovers. With that, she was about to take a step when Mark's voice halted her movements and his words dropped her heart making it beat faster.
"Eve baby your sister-in-law is right though"
Evelyn gasped in shock when he continued with a Cheshire Cat smile.
"You never knew the original plan Eve baby. You were a pawn of our plan not our partner in it"
Angelina walked towards a frozen Evelyn. Kissing her on the cheek, she told Evelyn smirking,
"Also you were never in a relationship Evie"
"Yo-u, y-ou, you b-both are l-lying, k-k-kidding, r-right? "
Evelyn stuttering asked them with a heavy heart. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw both of them kissing passionately. Don't know why from their action she can tell that they were serious. Instinctively her eyes shifted to Meera who was already watching Evelyn silently. She saw pain and sympathy in Meera's eyes but above all, she can clearly see the obvious truth that she tried to tell about her lovers.
"We never kissed you with love Eve baby. It was only lust. You couldn't tell though. Still can't. So let me tell you whatever we are saying is the truth. Okay? Listen carefully"
"With ears open. You didn't believe your brother and your sister-in-law. You trust us. So hear the truth from us, hmmm Evie? "
Evelyn couldn't move. Every second, her heart beat with a sudden ache that wasn't there before. Was it because of the betrayal she knew was coming? She silently watched her lovers mock and speak with tears in her eyes.
"We trapped your brother for money. And used you. Whatever Meera told you was the truth, Evie. Wouldn't you want to know? "
"But we don't have the energy and time to tell the story Eve baby. A kid like you can't understand. Let us proceed to our plan, okay baby? "
A numbness filled Evelyn with harsh words leaving from her lover's mouth. After the numbness came the anger. Angry tears left her eyes. She can't believe they betrayed and used her for their selfishness. What was her fault? She only loved them. To the extent of betraying her brother and taking revenge on him. With a sob escaping her mouth, she marched towards the pair. While pushing them, she shouted,
"How dare you! I loved and believed you! How could you do this to me!!! "
Mark immediately caught Evelyn's hands with one of his own and by the other slapped her. Taken aback, Evelyn glanced up at him who twisted her arms behind the back painfully.
"Shut up brat! Enough with the tantrum. I can't tolerate you like your brother"
"Evelyn! You spineless snake leave her!"
Evelyn glanced at Meera in between the pain. Never in her life had anybody ever raised their hand on her. She was brought up with utter love and care. She was spoiled to the brim by her family. The family whom she betrayed for the so-called lovers. And today a stranger Meera who was dragged into this mess by her was fighting for her. She sobbed, overwhelmed. She regrets everything. She couldn't utter a single word.
"Shut up! Angelina bring the chair"
Mark and Angelina tied Evelyn to another chair and put her beside Meera who immediately checked on Evelyn.
"Evelyn? Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere? "
Evelyn sobbed while looking down at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to answer or look at Meera. It was too much for her guilt-ridden heart. She was very guilty for everything she did.
Meera watched Evelyn crying badly. She knew one day Evelyn would see the truth of the snakes but it was very painful to see her this broken. She wanted to comfort her. Although she can't forgive her for the wrongdoings but she is her Eli's little princess whom she came to accept as family. She can't ignore that Evelyn is a victim too and is betrayed in love. She can't imagine the pain Evelyn must be feeling.
Hearing a noise, Meera turned away from Evelyn glancing at Mark and Angelina who were filming them. Meera glared hard at which they both laughed.
"Well look at this, isn't this lovely Elijah Mancini? We have your wife along with her parents and little princess captive"
Meera's heart dropped listening to them. She can tell what they are planning to do. And she can't let them succeed.
"No Eli! Don't agree with anything they say. We are fine"
Angelina held the phone when Mark walked toward Meera. Slapping her hard, he spat angrily,
"Shut up bitch! Don't make me strangle you"
Meera gasped in pain. Her cheek was on fire and can feel it swollen in pain. Tears filled her eyes. It hurts badly.
"So Elijah Mancini if you want the safety of your wife and sister, comply to whatever I say because I don't have patience. Find me if you can in one hour. And of course, come alone and don't think about informing the police and authority"
With that being done Angelina completed the video and along with Mark left the room and locked it.
Meera and Evelyn looked at each other in fright. Both thought one thing, what if Elijah couldn't find them? And what will he do if he does find them? They were trapped. Their fate was in Elijah's hands. Either way, they both were screwed. Even if Elijah saves them, how will they face him after everything? He will surely not forgive them both. What to do? They never thought about how to face Elijah.
.............
"A heart can't be owned, it can only be loved. Not forcefully but sincerely and wholely. I escape the golden cage of your forceful love today taking two steps ahead from you to never look back"
Elijah reread the note again and again to believe the reality he refuses to happen. His doe has several times confessed her love to him. He saw the sincerity in her eyes every time. She can't betray him. Never. He has faith in their love. It has to be someone's doing. Crumbling the note in a tight fist, he wiped the tears which fell from his eyes.
Standing up from the floor, he turned to Eros who stood baffled at the door. Elijah noticed him holding the wedding ring of his doe. Immediately he took it from him and kissed it closing his eyes. His doe's smiling face flashed before his eyes. Unnoticed, another tear escaped from the corner of the eye and his heart ached remembering his doe.
"I am sorry Eli that this happened. I can't believe she ran away"
"Shut. Up. My doe didn't run away"
"Eli her parents are also missing. And looking at the note and this ring, it's as clear as day. I am sorry to say this but she was a bitc--"
"I will remove your tongue with my bare hands if you dare to say a word against my doe! "
Elijah harshly grabbed Eros by the collar. His blood was boiling in anger. If Eros was not his best friend, he would have already removed his tongue. Nobody gets to badmouth his doe.
"Eli! Snap out of it! If not run then what? Where is she? "
"Somebody dared to take my doe away from me"
Elijah clenched his fists tightly that it almost strangled Eros who voiced out his distress,
"Eli! Leave me! "
With a jerk, Elijah left him. Running his hands through the hair, he looked at the wedding ring of his doe. He can't believe for a moment he too thought that she betrayed him and ran away. It literally broke his heart and he cried. He loves his doe dearly that he can't live without her. He will do anything to keep her by his side forever.
He was very happy after meeting her this morning and coming back to his room that he almost couldn't sleep in excitement to marry his doe. But all his happiness vanished the moment Eros told him that his doe was nowhere to be found when he was getting ready for the wedding. He has to find his doe. He will find his doe and whoever is behind being her missing is going to see his wrath.
Taking out his phone, he walked out of the room with Eros following behind.
"John immediately send me all the CCTVÂ footage of the hotel from midnight in which my doe is present. And inform all the men to search for her in the city, airports, railway station, and bus station"
Elijah hung up the phone and loosened the bowtie. Upon reaching the parking lot, he saw his brother standing there along with his father and all his bodyguards and security men.
"I informed them"
Eros told him before he could ask. Nodding he addressed them all.
"As you already know my doe is missing along with her parents. I suspect kidnapping. I want all of you to search every nook and crook of the city. Make sure no place is left unturned"
"And Xavier talk to the deputy chief of police Mr. Marcus to close all the checkpoints of the city and search for doe"
"And father stay here and check all the history of people coming in and out, list of guests and each and every person meeting my doe. If anything suspicious inform me"
"Eros, come with me"
Everybody nodded and moved to do as told when suddenly Elijah's phone pinged. Opening it, he saw an unknown person sending him a video. Clenching his jaw, he started playing it. Eros, Xavier, and his father stood in a circle around him and saw along.
The content in the video made him infuriated that he trembled in anger. The screen of his phone cracked from the pressure he applied.
"Aahhh! That bastard! How dare he! I am going to kill him! "
"He dared to put his hands on my doe, my precious doe! And he dragged Evelyn into this too again. I won't leave him"
"Elijah calm down! What are you gonna do? He asked you to come alone"
Alexander asked his son in worry. Elijah standing upright turned around to face everyone and spoke in lower octaves that sent chills to the spine of everyone standing there.
"Don't worry father. I know how to deal with the kinds of people like Mark Alfonso. Last time I left him easily. Not again. I will not let him see the daylight again"