The look in his eyes was drawing me in . I wanted that, but a part of me wanted to stay guard too. Joseph was every girls dream, in school. He was a top student, a leader and he got the looks. He was also known for his cold demeanor and ruthless efficiency.He was a force to be reckoned with,calculated, relentless and unyielding especially in political world.He became the college president out of his reputation, that was built on a foundation of power and control,a fortress of strength that seemed impenetrable. I must say the man Infront of me contrasts the persona he projected to the world .The cold mask he wore diligently fell away. His usually, authoritative and commanding voice, transformed into a soft melodic cadence, words laced with a persuasive tenderness. Maybe, in my presence, he was no longer the formidable political analyst;he was a man laid bare , showing a side of himself that maybe few ever saw.
"But you are in love with someone else! You said, you are in love with someone else, Joseph!" I repeated. "Is your love so cheap that you fall for anyone you meet in a day?you realize you confessed to me about what you feel for her, and now you're telling me this? What am I supposed to do with it? " Bella! Bella! Bella!" , he cut me short,his voice fierce." Listen to me," his voice calm , he said. "The girl I was talking about is you. I thought confessing indirectly would make me feel lighter and better. But it was you Bella. I have always loved you," he said as his lips locked mine. We kissed and hugged and kissed again and again, deep and intense but we're interrupted by multiple light coming towards our direction. The light became blinding every second it came closer. The sound of a speeding boat from a distance made the atmosphere tense. In confusion, I stood statute, my instincts shouting 'We are in danger '. I hated the feeling I felt. The feeling of desperation. I could hear the sound of my mother ringing in my ears. "You need to act fast!" I hated the defensive side of me that my mother created. Quick to analyze a situation and spot any danger. Ready to act.
"It couldn't be," Joseph said, turning in every direction the light came from.
Everyone was up and out, standing by their doorstep, each couple holding each other, trying to understand what was going on.
"Joseph, what's going on?" I asked.
He didn't immediately answer, his body tense, his mind calculating.
In an instant, six tall dark figures climbed out of the boat, the unmistakable movement of trained men; swift, coordinated, controlled.
They were all dressed in black, a kind of uniform, and their faces obscured by masks.
"Who are they?" I asked, taking two steps back. My eyes darted between Joseph and the approaching figure, taking into account their length, their spacing, any hidden weapons, and the way they communicated. Either by eyes or nodding. To act in defense, you should anticipate or respond to events before they unfold. To predict 'who throws the first punch'.
"Joseph! "I called again, fear beginning to seep into my voice.
"Mr Joseph, you're coming with us now!"
The men moved like they were on a mission, making the atmosphere more dense and tense. It made my blood run cold.
"We've been ordered to extract you. Your safety is at risk. You need to come with us, now." The man in the lead repeated.
Joseph stepped back slightly and stood tall in a protective posture like he wasn't going anywhere.
" Not without her, "he said in a low but firm voice.
He felt the pressure and the weight of the situation. He wasn't afraid of what would happen to him, but he couldn't leave me behind.
"Not now, not like this." He pleaded.
"I'm not leaving her!" he repeated, more forcefully this time.
" You don't have a choice. We can't let her endanger you. Your safety is our priority. The leader of the group said as he reached for the gun in his waist, as a way of warning.
Realizing what the situation was, my heart skipped a beat, panic rose in my throat, and I whispered, my voice barely audible, "What are you, Joseph?"
He turned towards me, his eyes fierce, protective. "Bella, you don't know so much about me. But you have to trust me now. Please don't ask questions. Go back to your friends and stay safe!" He turned towards his friends and shouted, his voice breaking in fear and desperation "Peter, please watch after her for me. Please, man."
I didn't move, not at first. My instincts screamed at me to run, to do something, anything, but I couldn't take my eyes off him. The man had just confessed his feelings for me. He seemed different now. I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was happening had nothing to do with him.
"Joseph-"I stated, but the words died in my throat as the men moved in. Before I could protest further, the first man was already stepping forward, pulling Joseph's arm while others formed a tight perimeter around him.
He fought back with all his might, resisting, but they were too strong, too fast.
He caught my eyes one last time as they pulled him towards the boat.
"I love you!" He shouted, his voice raw with urgency. "Don't forget that!"
I stood there, frozen, my body shaking. The reality of what had happened hit me hard. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move.
The speedboat's engine roared to life, men pushing Joseph aboard. The boat surged away from the deck, the blinding light flashing once more before it disappeared into the night.
The night which had begun with a confession of love, now seemed darker, filled with questions I wasn't prepared to answer.
I couldn't stop trembling, my legs threatening to give way.
"Bella" Rebecca called, her voice a little shaky. The blank look in my eyes, the tremor, the fear, and the confusion frightened her and stood statute for a minute before she rushed to hug me. Peter had also rushed to hold me. I felt him hold me by the back to keep my feet steady. "What had just happened? Who is this man? Who were those people? "
They quietly walked me inside the cabin while everyone joined us. We stayed quiet for some time, covered in blankets. The whole situation had made the atmosphere cold for everyone. No one knew the right time to talk or the right thing to say. We all sat there in silence.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I brought all this to you. I didn't know such a thing would happen. Joseph is my friend. I've known him for quite some time now, since we joined campus. Since you joined campus, he's been crazy about you. He's never been acquainted with anyone. He never had a liking for any girl until the day he saw you. He wanted to be your plus one for the trip. He funded the whole trip because of you."