Silver lining

Logan's POV:

'Logan…' A faint gentle whisper flowed through my ears. "Wake up, Log." The whisper was so alluring and fascinating that my eyes fluttered open instantly, waking me up from my nap. My eyes were almost blinded by the bright white light that filled up the entire room and I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning loudly.

"Log," the same whisper, the same familiar voice. This time when my eyes snapped open, I could see a figure in front of me. A very very familiar figure.

"Lia?" I sucked in a sharp breath and immediately sat up straight, the blanket falling off from my abs to my lap. A big smile grazed her red lips.

"Yes, Log. It's your Lia" she smiles softly. Her voice was so melodic to my ears that made me want, no crave for her to speak endlessly. There was another subtle glow that surrounded her figure. She was wearing a pearl white sundress, a flower crown perched on her head. So beautiful, just like Goddess. I tried to touch her but I couldn't. It was like my hand wasn't long enough to touch her, even though she is near to me.

"Lia, how did you…." I trailed off. Karolia smiled sadly and bit her lip.

"This isn't real, Log." My heart clenched tightly at her revelation. This is just a figment of my dream. A beautiful dream. But I'm down for these dreams if it means I could keep looking at her beautiful face and cherish our moments.

"Where are you now, love?" I asked her in a hushed whisper.

"Near to you, yet so far away." she smiled sadly and her hand caressed my cheeks gently. Sparks erupted on my skin at her touch and I missed this feeling, so badly.

"Where? Tell me where." I ask her desperately. Lia looks at me dejectedly, her face pained.

"I don't k-know where I'm," she whispers, her eyes welling up with tears. I shook my head and again tried to touch her face, but my hand just passed through it.

"No. I-I'm sorry, love," I said guiltily. Karolia frowned at my statement. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise. I wish I could reach you faster so that you don't have to go through whatever you're going right now. I'm sorry. I feel useless now. I failed you." My voice broke at the last statement as it was becoming heavy and I could feel a lump on my throat. I feel like a complete failure. I couldn't save her and now she is suffering because of that.

Karolia shook her head with a soft smile and cupped my cheeks gently. I leaned into her touch and smiled back at her, even though my heart was breaking slowly.

"You didn't fail me, Log. Never. You came to Worcester in search of me and I know you're trying your best, baby. You are on the right path, just keep coming." I stared into her brown eyes in sadness before my gaze wandered around her face, studying every tiny detail of her face again.

"I'll find you soon, love. I won't let you stay wherever you're for longer. I know I'm near you, just hold on for a little more time, love." I assured her firmly. She nods her head and gives me her encouraging smile.

"I know baby. I always knew I could rely on you." She strokes my hair gently. "I'm waiting for you. Still holding onto your promise." she then leaned forward and pressed a gentle lingering kiss on my cheeks. Closing my eyes, I inhaled her enticing smell deeply.

"Come fast and get me." Her sweet voice called out again.

"I will," I say with certainty.

"Wake up, Logan." her voice was becoming less audible at each letter and as soon as I opened my eyes, her figure completely faded away into thin air and the room ceiling came into view.

I let out a deep sigh and stared at the ceiling, rewinding the dream I just had again and again in my head. A newfound determination to not lose hope was set on my mind and I'm sure I'll find her at any cost. No matter what, Karolia belongs to me and I'll make sure that bastard knows it as well.

My hand automatically traveled to my chest where the chain she gifted was resting. I brought the locket closer to my face and opened it to reveal the beautiful photo of us laughing together at something. A smile graced my lips, reminiscing that day on the beach long ago where we took this picture.

A knock on the door snapped me out of the nostalgic memory. I got up from the bed and walked to the door and opened to reveal Patrick.

"She's here," he said nonchalantly.

"I'll be down in a minute." I nod my head and walk back to take a shower and get ready for today's event. Instead of taking a suite in a hotel, we rented a whole small residence, so that we could get enough privacy to deal with matters and also was convenient to accommodate all of us including guards. After taking my medications I experienced a bit of drowsiness and before I knew it I was napping. But right now I regret as I could have been with my people while searching clues for Lia's location. To find her, I'm ready to work with no sleep.

After fifteen minutes, I walked downstairs and to the room at the far end of the hallway where a special guest was waiting for me. Mark, one of my men, opened the door for me and Tyler was walking beside me. I entered the room after nodding at Mark in gratitude and zeroed into the figure that was sitting on one of the several chairs that surrounds a rectangular table at the center of the room.

Lindsey.

She immediately looked up at us and her face morphed into confusion upon seeing me.

"I know you...." She trailed off and scrutinized my face closer. Her face hit with realization after several moments. "Ah, Logan Watson. Karolia's boyfriend. Isn't it?" she smiled at me coyly. I nodded my head and walked towards the chair across her and took a seat. Tyler was standing near the table studying Lindsey, his arms crossed and he had a serious face on.

"Yes, you're right," I replied. Her smile grew and she leaned towards the table.

"You look….injured. Are you alright?" she asks, looking at my bandage and bruises. I just nod my head at her.

"So what brings you here, Logan?" Her voice again turned flirty and I released an annoyed sigh. I'm not in the mood to deal with her attitude. "Did you finally realize I'm more worthy than Karolia? I was surprised and scared when I was kidnapped from the mall, now I'm not." She wiggles her eyebrows. I simply raise my eyebrows, not at all amused at her audacity. She is so sure of herself.

No one from this world can be more worthy than Karolia to me.

"So much confidence in yourself, huh?" Tyler asks her in annoyance. Her eyes traveled to him and smirked seductively at him. I'm glad someone else is also annoyed at her, like me.

"Yes, baby. And who are you, handsome?" she pushed her chest up and gazed at him. Tyler made a gagging face that instantly made Lindsey scowl.

"Lindsey," I called. She looked back at him and her seductive smile was on again. "We're not here for that," I say seriously.

"Then?" she asks curiously.

"Your father and brother kidnapped my girl." I straight away jumped into the matter, not wanting to waste my time by beating around the bush.

"What?" she was confused and shocked, I could say. "Why would they kidnap Karolia?" she expressed her confusion. I sighed heavily. So I believe the game is only played by Micah and Vincent. Lindsey is oblivious to these things I presume.

"You would be surprised." I just shrug my shoulders. I'm in no mood to waste my time explaining how much of a bastard her father and brother are. "They are not who you think they are." I spit out in pure hatred.

"Are these bruises given by t-them?" she asks tentatively and I again nod my head.

"Karolia's parents were murdered by your father," I say. She sucks in a sharp breath at my revelation and I saw her gulping harshly. She took a moment to process the information and her eyes cast down to the table.

I always knew Dad had some dirty business and Vincent was also involved along with him. But not to this extent," she says, her lips trembling. I pressed my lips tightly. I wanted to show my sympathy and empathy to this girl in front of me, but the thought that she is also the blood of Micah is pulling me back. I know it's heartless as she didn't know, but I can't help it. Tyler shortly explained the whole backstory, without diving into too many details.

"D-Did you…" she slowly looked at me through her lashes. "Did you bring me here to k-kill me? To take revenge?" she asked cautiously. I shake my head.

"NO. I brought you here because I need your help."

"Help? How can I help?" she asked me curiously.

"Do you have any idea where Micah would have taken Karolia? Like any building or warehouse? I need a location that your father could take her to." I asked her. Lindsey appeared to be in thought and slowly nodded her head.

"Did you check his office building?" She asked.

"Yes, we already did that. He's not there." This time Tyler replied to the question. Lindsey nodded and again took some seconds to think before talking again.

"I know there's a woodhouse that dad owns here and he even sometimes stays there for a few days. I'm not sure if they will be there, but that's the only place I know." Lindsey says.

"Where is it?" I ask her, my heart starting to beat loudly.

"I'm sorry. I don't know the exact location as I have never been there myself. But I know it's somewhere near the outskirts of the city, closer to a forest."

My eyes snapped towards Tyler and he immediately understood the message in my look. He nods his head and turns around to leave the room. I lean back on my chair and sigh heavily.

Hold on, Lia. I'm coming for you

*******

Karolia's POV:

My eyes were strained on the circular clock that was hanging on the wall opposite of the bed, where I'm sitting right now. My knees were pulled up to my chest and I rested my head on my knees. The time on the clock read 9:50 in the morning. Yesterday, well practically, today early morning, Micah said he will come back at 10 am with some documents. Ever since I woke up at 7:30 am from my induced sleep, I have been anticipating this time.

It's been more than half a day since I have been here and although most of the time I was put to sleep by the men, as seconds ticked by, the desire to get out of this dirty place was increasing as my hope that someone will come and save me was slowly decreasing. I was given two loaves of stale bread and a glass of milk as 'food' and Vincent was the one who brought it. The anger I felt towards everything, especially to my fate of ending up here made me reject the food he offered, and accidentally the plate fell as I pushed his hand, which was offering the food, away. It made Vincent angry and he slapped me on my face before storming out of the room. I didn't spill a single tear in front of him. But as soon as he was out I cried like a baby. It has not even been a day and already I got a lot in these hours that I was awake. I don't know what I have in store if this continues.

The jingling sound of keys inserting to a door alerted my ears and I sat up straight. When the door opened Micah, Vincent, and one more guy who was following them from behind came into view.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Micah greeted cheerily, I looked away from him and stared at the opposite wall, not uttering a single word.

"Ahh, I believe this is called silent treatment, isn't it son?" Micah teased my silence. I heard Vincent's chuckle. My jaw clenched.

"Yes, dad. You're correct." Vincnet answered. I could detect amusement radiating off from his voice and I'm not liking that at all. I heard the scraping of a chair before the chair was placed in front of me and Micah sat on it.

"Come on, sweetheart. Be a good girl and sign these documents for us." Micah said sweetly and thrust the paper towards me. My eyes snapped towards the paper momentarily before it returned to the dirty wall. I heard Micah sigh heavily at my stubbornness.

"Sweetheart, don't make this hard for either of us. Just sign the documents." Micah said in a clipped tone. I could say his patience was thinning.

"Karolia, don't test my patience," he warned through gritted teeth. I turn my head to look at him and bored my eyes into his and spitted out,

"Go to hell." I showed him my middle finger. Micah's jaw clenched and his nose flared. He stood up quickly and angrily, the chair falling to the ground. I flinched slightly at the loud sound. Micah's hand came forward and grabbed my hair angrily and tugged it down, bringing my face upwards to look at him. I hiss in pain. The wound on my head was still fresh and uncared.

"I said don't make it harder, sweetheart. Just stop acting stubborn and sign the documents." he grits out slowly and rather carefully.

"I won't sign the documents" I spit back in hatred. "It's my father's. He gave his blood, sweat, and life for that money. I won't let you touch a single penny from it." I said, glaring at him. The next thing I know was a pain spreading on my cheeks as I fell on the bed. I could taste blood in my mouth and bile formed in my throat. My teeth gritted in anger and bit the insides of my cheek to hold my tongue that will again earn slap from him.

"Watch your dirt mouth, little girl" Micah growled at me. "The money belongs to me and only me. I want the money and I'll get the money." Micah shouted. I looked up at him and smirked.

"Make me sign the documents" I challenged him. Micah had a surprised look on his face. "I won't sign the documents even if you hit me or threaten to kill me. So I dare you to make me sign it, bastard"

Micah still had a frozen look on his face for two seconds before it morphed into an amusement and he started chuckling, shoulders shaking.

"Oh, Lord" he chuckled. "I'm hearing a challenge there. Good" Vincent also joined his father and laughed. I jut my chin up and looked straight into Micah's eyes, showing him I'm not bothered.

"But you're forgetting to whom you're challenging, little girl" Micah stated seriously, narrowing his eyes at me. "I know killing you will not solve anything. But I can kill people dearest to you right in front of your eyes if that means you'll sign the documents. So think before you challenge me, sweetheart." He snarled.

I scoffed at his statement. "You already took all my loved ones away from me." I snapped, hoping deep down my statement isn't true and Log is still alive in this world.

"Is that so?" Micha's eyebrows raised. "Hmm...So I presume you don't mind if we finish Grecia Watson as well, huh?" I froze completely and my stomach dropped at his statement. Oh-No. He won't-

"She can join her son soon. What do you think?" Micah asked bemusedly. I bit my tongue harshly to hold my tongue. Don't say anything. Don't give these bastards the satisfaction of me surrendering down.

"Vincent, fill her up about Grecia Watson's whereabouts." Micah taunted. My eyes snapped towards Vincent who took his phone from his pant pockets and searched for something.

"Grecia Watson is now in a restaurant, chatting with her friends. Our two men are watching her every move." Vincent informed us. My fist clenched at the sides.

"One word from us is enough for them to finish her off then and there. Last time she escaped but not this time." Micah smirked evilly. My fist clenched tightly beside me. "Or how about Scarlet Miller?" My heartbeat again started escalating at a rapid pace. "Two souls will be killed then. The innocent life growing in her stomach wouldn't even get to see the world. So sad." Micah jeered. I saw red and I lunged at Micah in an animalistic manner.

"YOU BASTARD!!" I grabbed his collar in my fist and shook his form angrily. "I WILL KILL YOU" I snarled at him and scratched his face with my nails. But I was soon pulled back by a strong arm wrapped on my waist. I again tried to scratch his face but couldn't as I was pulled back by Vincent. I was screaming and spitted profanities at everyone.

Vincent held my shoulders firmly. Micah fixed the collar of his wrinkled shirt and cleared his throat. Seeing no use, I stopped screaming and instead glared at him, breathing heavily. I tried pushing Vincent's away but it was in vain.

"I see you still care for them. So if you want them alive, better sign the documents." Micah commented. I pressed my lips tightly. I know Micah will do it if I don't sign the papers. He's a devil. He only cares about himself.

"If I do this, will you let go of Scarlet and Grecia? I don't want anything happening to them." I asked Micah strictly.

"I assure you, Karolia Kingston. You have my word on that." Micah replied with a straight face. I took a moment to contemplate everything before I settled on my decision.

"Just give me a pen." I snapped at him. A triumph smirk formed on Micah's face and I wish nothing but to wipe that smirk off his face forever. Vincent released his hold on me and I quickly stepped away from him, disgusted by him. I snatched the pen from Micah and sat on the bed before grabbing the documents and signing under the written lines of each page, not bothering to read what was written on the paper.

I threw the papers on to Micah's face harshly and it hit his face before it flew down. "Here you go, bastard." I snapped at him. Micah's fist clenched tightly at my action and he pressed his lips tightly. I expected another slap either from him or his son, but it didn't happen. The man standing with them bent down and started picking up all the papers from the floor.

"You better keep your word," I warned him darkly. The man handed all the papers to Micah and he folded it in his arms as soon as he took it.

"Ah NO, I got what I want. So they are lucky" he winked at me. "Tomorrow, I'll submit the documents and then I'm a f***ing MILLIONAIRE." He shouted happily. I rolled my eyes at the self-seeking, greedy old man. I hope you and your son die in the cruelest way possible I prayed in my head.

Micah again smirked at me and gave me a small salute with his two fingers in a taunting manner before turning around to exit the room, his men who were silent all this time following him. My eyes traveled to Vincent who was eyeing me with lust-filled eyes. Oh God, this is insane!!!

"Just GET OUT" I spit at him annoyingly. Vincent chuckled darkly.

"Now I will go, but I will come back soon to you. It's the first night of our wedding, let's make it memorable." his eyes raked down my body again and I almost tried to cower away from his gaze. I glared at him.

"I hope you won't create much trouble for me. Or else I know how to make you surrender," he smirked proudly. "See you soon, wife," he said and turned around to walk out. As soon as he closed the door and locked it, I screamed in frustration.

Ughhh, was there no other option for them other than marriage to get what they want. How can this happen? I'm not sure if I should hate my dad for putting that condition there.

Tears started rolling down from my eyes, my shoulders sagged down. All the hope vanished from my body. There's no use keeping a hope now. This is my destiny, my fate is already written on my forehead. The past eight months in New York, the amazing days with Scarlet, Grecia, Pat, Ty, and Finn, the best moments with Logan are just some beautiful memories. Memories that I'll always cherish. Memories that I can never experience again and will die along with me.

Please Lord, just stop this torture. Just take me away from this horrendous reality.

It would have been better if everything ended on that day itself. It would have been much better to have been killed along with my parents than to experience this current situation.

********

As soon as the clock struck 15:00, the door burst open and Vincent strolled in with a sick twisted look on his face. I suck in a sharp breath when his dark lust-filled eyes raked down my face to my chest where it lingered for a few seconds and then down. A shiver ran down my spine and this time, I cowered away from his gaze.

"Hello, wife." Vincent purred darkly. His eyes had a disgusting glow and I gulped in fear, my heart racing. Vincent strolled towards the bed and stood in front of it, gazing down at me.

"I'm not your f***ing wife." I grit at him but my lip was trembling immensely. Vincent cackled loudly, his sound reverberating in the small room and echoing off the thin walls.

"Still in denial, I see," he rasps above me. "Don't worry, I'll change that," he says and bends down to caress my cheeks. I flinched back and slapped his hand away.

"Do. Not. Touch. Me" I snapped at him. Vincent raised his eyebrows at my stubbornness.

"Is that so?" he muses and cupped my jaw harshly, stroked my hair, and then his hands traveled to my neck. I tried to slap his filthy hands away from my body, but he quickly dodged it. I could smell the alcohol from him and I realized he was drunk.

"Come on, baby. Why are you being such a pain?" Vincent asks me in annoyance. I glared at him in pure hatred.

"Let go of me" I try to fight him off. Vincent crosses his hand against my chest. "Just GET OUT" I yell at him pointing my finger towards the door. Vincent clicked his tongue and bent further down and wrapped his hand under my knees and waist before he pulled me up in his arms.

"LEAVE ME" I started screaming and hit his chest, yelling at him to let me go. Vincent just laughs at my tantrum and strolls out of the room. I noticed he was walking down a hallway before a flight of stairs came into our view. I was still screaming my throats out as Vincent climbed the stairs and into a bright hallway. Few men were loitering around the room, ignoring my cries of help and not even looking into our direction. Vincent again climbed another flight of stairs and walked down another hallway before he stopped in front of a room. Tears were streaming down my face and my throat was sore and scratchy after screaming. Vincent's face had scratch marks that I did with my nails and a trail of blood was formed on his face, but it seemed like Vincent was unbothered.

He looked down at me and smirked darkly, lust and some other dark disgusting emotion now filling up his entire face.

"Let's make this day memorable one, sweetheart. Let me finally have a taste of you." I shivered disgustedly and my heart stopped beating. Hell NO! Vincent entered the room and kicked shut the door behind us. Ignoring my screams and pleads, he threw me onto the bed. I immediately scurried away from him to the edge of the bed and brought my knees closer to my chest, sobbing loudly.

Vincent grinned down at me and gripped the bottom of his black t-shirt and pulled it over his head, he threw the t-shirt away to the ground.

"P-Please, don't do this Vincent. P-Please, I beg you." I pleaded-cried. Vincent ignored my cries and begging and put both his knees onto the bed and crawled to the center of the bed before grabbing my ankle and pulling me under him.

I screamed and thrashed under his hold, hot tears streaming down my face. Vincent held both my wrist above my head and then put his head in the crook of my neck and started peppering kisses on my skin. His kisses felt like sharp needles getting pierced into my heart. I felt violated. I closed my eyes and bit my lip, praying to the lords above to save me.

The door bursts open and hit the wall with a resounding sound. The force was so strong that the whole room shook under the strength. A loud growl vibrated among the walls and Vincent was pulled off me in the blink of any eyes. I looked up to see my savior and a loud sob escaped my lips.

Is this my silver lining?

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