Chapter 22
Alessia's POV
I finish setting up the security cameras and alarms around the house, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Andre is now safer, but I know Cassandra won't stop easily. "Cassandra's getting desperate," I warn Xavier and Luna. "We need to find Eni and figure out what's going on before she hurts someone else." Xavier nods. "I'll keep investigating Eni's disappearance. You focus on keeping Andre safe and recovering."
Luna looks worried. "What if Cassandra shows up here?" I grip my phone tightly. "I've got the police on speed dial. We'll be ready."
- Alessia's POV
Just then, Dami and Jessica walk in, looking concerned. "Hey, what's the plan?" Dami asks. "We're trying to find Eni and stop Cassandra," I fill them in. Jessica's eyes widen. "I think I can help with that. I've been going through some old files, and I found something suspicious." Xavier raises an eyebrow. "What is it?" Jessica hesitates. "It's about Eni's past. I think she might be in deeper than we thought." Luna leans in. "What do you mean?" Jessica takes a deep breath. "Eni was involved in some shady dealings a few years ago. I think Cassandra might be using that against her."
Dami's POV
I listen intently as Jessica shares her findings. This changes everything. Eni's past is more complicated than we thought. "We need to talk to Eni," I say, determination in my voice. "Find out what's going on and how to stop Cassandra." Xavier nods. "Agreed. But we need to be careful. If Cassandra's using Eni's past against her, we don't know what we're up against." I glance at Alessia, who's watching Andre with a worried expression. "We'll figure it out," I reassure her. "We won't let Cassandra hurt anyone else." Jessica hands me a folder containing the files she found. "Be careful, Dami. This goes deeper than we thought." I take the folder, feeling a sense of responsibility. It's time to uncover the truth and put an end to Cassandra's games.
Jessica's POV
I watch as Dami takes the folder, his expression determined. I'm glad I could help, but I'm also scared. What if we're in over our heads? I think back to the files I found, the ones that revealed Eni's secret past. It was like nothing I expected. Eni, the quiet and reserved one, had a history that could get her into serious trouble. I glance at Luna, who's watching me with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" she asks. I nod, trying to reassure her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about Eni." Luna puts a hand on my shoulder. "We'll get through this together. We always do." I smile, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friends. We're in this together, and together, we'll uncover the truth.!
Desmond's POV
I sit in the dimly lit internet cafe, my eyes scanning the crowded room. I've been hiding in Country C for weeks, trying to stay one step ahead of Cassandra's men. I quickly type out an email to Xavier, my fingers flying across the keyboard. I've finally found Eni's location, and I know I have to act fast.
"Subject: Eni's Whereabouts," I type. "She's being held at an abandoned warehouse on 5th and Main. Be careful, Cassandra has men everywhere." I hit send, my heart racing. I hope Xavier gets this in time. I owe it to Eni to help her, after what happened in the past. I glance around the room, knowing I have to leave now. Cassandra's men could be closing in on me at any moment.
Luna's POV
Xavier's face is grim as he shows us the email on his phone. "Desmond found Eni," he says. "She's being held at an abandoned warehouse on 5th and Main."
I feel a surge of determination. We have to save her. But then I think about Eni's past, the secrets she's kept hidden. What if this is more complicated than we think? "Guys, we need to be careful," I say. "We don't know what we're walking into." Alessia nods. "Luna's right. We can't just barge in there without a plan." Xavier's jaw clenches. "We'll figure it out. We have to save Eni." I look at Dami, who's watching me with a concerned expression. We both know Eni's secrets, the weight of what she almost did to protect herself. This changes everything.
Alessia's POV:
I sit beside Grandma in Andre's room, watching as he finishes his meal. He looks tired but okay, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Grandma notices my gaze and smiles. "He's going to be alright, child," she says. "He's strong." I nod, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Grandma. She's been a rock for us, always knowing what to say and do.Just then, Xavier walks in, his expression serious. "Alessia, we need to talk," he says. I get up, following him out of the room. "What is it?" Xavier hesitates. "We got a lead on Eni's location. We're going to go get her." My heart skips a beat. This is it. We're finally going to save Eni.
But what will we find when we get there? And what will happen when we face Cassandra?
- Xavier's POV
I give a nod to my men, and they move swiftly, surrounding the warehouse. We've got to get Eni out before Cassandra returns. "Go!" I whisper, and they burst into the warehouse, guns drawn. I follow close behind, my heart racing. We move room by room, clearing the area. Suddenly, I hear a faint noise. "Eni?" I call out.
A weak voice responds, "Yes Boss?"I rush towards the sound, finding Eni bound and gagged. I quickly untie her, but she collapses immediately. "We've got you," I whisper. "You're safe now." Eni nods, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she whispers. Just then, my phone buzzes. Desmond's text reads: "Cassandra's heading back to her father's house. You've got a small window."
Luna's POV
I watch anxiously as Eni lies unconscious on the bed in Xavier's mansion. We made it back safely, but she's still not waking up. Xavier's face is etched with worry. "We need to get her to a hospital," he says. But I know that's not an option. Not yet. We can't risk Cassandra finding out where we are. Just then, Dami bursts in, looking grim. "Cassandra knows about the rescue," he says. "She's furious."
Xavier's jaw clenches. "We need to be ready. She'll come for us." I glance at Eni, feeling a surge of care. We can't let Cassandra hurt her again. Suddenly, Eni stirs, her eyes fluttering open. "Cassandra..." she whispers, her voice trembling. I take her hand, trying to reassure her. "You're safe now, Eni. We've got you." But Eni's eyes are filled with fear. "She'll come for me," she whispers. "She'll never stop."
Luna's POV
Eni's words send a chill down my spine. "There's someone inside Xavier's mansion, working with Cassandra," she reveals, her voice barely above a whisper. Xavier's expression turns grim. "Who is it?" he demands. Eni hesitates, glancing around the room nervously. "I don't know their name, but... they're workers here in this mansion, Xavier. Someone that gives her information." Xavier's eyes narrow. "I'll find out who it is," he vows. "But first, we need to get them away from here."
We quickly come up with a plan to send the suspected insider on a fake errand, getting them away from the mansion without arousing suspicion. Meanwhile, Xavier beefs up security, adding more guards and cameras. We're not taking any chances. Eni looks relieved, but I can tell she's still scared. We all are. Cassandra's reach seems to be everywhere.