Chapter 18

Rome, Italy.

Alliana's pov:

We were supposed to return to the mansion, but as expected, plans were changed and we were off to a mall. It was eerily quiet on the way to the mall. I couldn't breathe because I was trapped between these bodyguards. I wanted to put them to the test and play a prank on them to see what they would do if I passed out. I waited a few moments before doing so, and then I waited for them to notice.

I pretended to pass out on the bodyguard next to me and waited for them to say something. It didn't take long for Kai's head to turn over to see what was going on.

"What the hell is going on?" Kai wondered. The other two bodyguards turned around and looked at me. "Is she sleeping?" one of them asked. "If she was, we would have heard her snoring," another said.

From my right, I heard a slapping sound. "Ouch!" exclaimed another. "Vex, why the hell is she sleeping on you?" one of them asked. "What was I supposed to do? I was completely asleep!" Vex, one of their names, is now familiar to me.

Vex was the one who got slapped somewhere. "Hold on, check her breathing," Kai said, and I held my breath to make it appear as if I had died rather than faking it. "I don't feel a pulse," Kai said. "Holy shit. We murdered our only hope of releasing Carlos!" screamed Vex. "We didn't murder her, Vex," Kai clarified.

"So, why doesn't she have a pulse?" Vex asked. "I don't fucking know," Kai said. "So that means we murdered her!" exclaimed Vex. "So, should we bury the body here or elsewhere?" asked another. "We're in the middle of the road, AJ. We're not stopping in the woods to bury her," Kai stated. "Yeah, dumbass," Vex agreed. "Shut up, Vex, before I murder you next to her corpse," AJ said.

"Will you two stupid fucks stop arguing and act accordingly?" demanded another bodyguard. "What are we supposed to do, Denzel?" Vex asked, "That's right! We don't know what to do with a dead body! Carlos is the only one who is aware, and he is not present!"

Okay, that concludes the show.

I awoke on Vex's lap and quickly inhaled before exhaling. I'm pretty sure my face is red and sweaty, especially considering how hot it was in here. "Oh my god, it's a zombie!" Vex exclaimed. "No, she's the new Jesus, who rose from the dead," Denzel explained. "Same shit," Vex said. "It isn't Sherlock; zombies do not resurrect after death," Denzel stated.

"What the hell happened to you?" Kai asked with furrowed brows. Vex spoke up before I could respond. "She was dead, Kai." "Were you?" Kai asked. "No, you scumbags! I was wondering what you'd do if I passed out and you didn't do anything," I said. "Oh!" Kai exclaimed.

"That wasn't very nice of you," Vex pointed out. "You weren't very nice to fucking abduct me, but here we are," I gritted my teeth. "Oh, come on, if you agreed to help get Carlos out of prison, we would have gladly left you alone," Denzel said. "Perhaps control and leash your master," I hissed. "Master? I'm not gay," Denzel stated. "You are, in secret. I'm sure you two kissed in the dark," I said. "Keep on with your delusory mindset," Kai said as he turned around.

"It's a good thing I did because I now know your names," I explained. "Oh? What exactly does that mean?" Vex asked. "If I am ever found, I will be able to identify Kai and his little bodyguards who helped abduct me," I explained. "Shiver me timbers," said Kai, scowling. "Oh, alright," I said, rolling my eyes.

We arrived at the mall a few minutes later, and just looking at the stores makes me want to move here. It appeared to be very large, clear, and thorough, with every store you could imagine, including Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Versace, and others.

Kai came out first since the chauffeur parked next to the sidewalk. He opened the door for Denzel, causing both him and AJ to exit the car before I could. Vex exited the other side, shut the door, and approached us.

"Alright, who wants to stay with her annoying ass?" Kai asked. "Not me," Vex said. "I'm fine," AJ said. "Does it look like I want to deal with a woman all day?" Denzel asked. "We can't leave her inside because she'll try to escape," Kai explained.

I sighed and waited for them to stop talking. "Let's just vote then," AJ suggested. "All for Vex dealing with her?" They all put their hands up before Vex could. "Pardon? This isn't fair!" Vex exclaimed. "You're just slow," AJ said as he pushed Vex towards me.

"The three of you owe me," Vex hissed. "Best of wishes. We'll be waiting here. Let us know if she tries anything, and don't take your eyes away from her," Kai warned as he handed Vex the money before getting into the car.

While walking away from Vex, I went straight inside the mall. "Are you trying to get away from me?" Vex asked. "How does it appear to you?" I asked. "Would you like me to use your hair as a leash?" Vex asked. "Touch my hair, and I'll contort your cock," I threatened. When we entered the mall, everything was spotless, and much cleaner than the malls in Ontario.

After two hours of shopping, money being wasted, and being unable to carry heavy bags, Vex finally agreed to assist me with my bags after I threatened to cause a scene in the mall, but it wasn't enough because Vex had to call Kai, Denzel, and AJ to help out as well.

We drove back to the mansion after we had loaded all of the bags into the car. "How much have you wasted in total?" Kai asked. "About a hundred thousand," Vex sighed. "A hundred thousand?" Kai asked. "What else can I say? Women are pricey," AJ stated.

"AJ, shut the fuck up. What did you even buy?" Kai asked. "Personal items, clothing, and other nonsense that a woman necessitates," I explained. "I'm sure she bought makeup and jewelry," Denzel speculated. "A woman, as she put it, requires," AJ explained.

"So we're going to have to unload every bag of hers like we're slaves?" Vex wondered. "What exactly do you want us to do? Allow her to do it herself? Who knows if she got a phone and called the cops on us," Kai stated. "I didn't see her enter Apple because I was literally with her all day," Vex explained. "Sure," I mumbled quietly enough that they couldn't hear me. "Let's just go; I'm hungry," Kai said. "Yes, sir," the chauffeur said as we took off.

We returned to the mansion. We parked in the front so that we could unload the items. Denzel slammed the door on me before AJ and Denzel could exit the car.

"Asshole!" Kai's attention was drawn to me when I screamed through the door and kicked it open. "Woah, woah, don't fuck up my car door!" exclaimed Kai. "Well, tell Denzel not to slam the door in my face," I said as I exited the car. "It was an accident, snowflake," Denzel explained. "Are you sure?" I asked as I approached him. "Take a joke," AJ said as he dabbed up Denzel.

"Would you like to see a joke?" I asked. "Women can't joke," AJ said. "But this one can," I said before striking them both in the nuts. AJ and Denzel shrieked and winced in agony, drawing Vex and Kai's attention. "Fuck!" exclaimed Denzel. "Oh, I'm sorry, take a joke next time," I said as I approached the trunk.

"What are you idiots trying to accomplish?" Kai asked. "Nothing; we're tormenting her," AJ said as he stood up. "Stop fucking with her and act like a professional," Kai advised. AJ and Denzel groaned as they approached me and began exchanging death glares.

We unloaded everything and brought it inside. Mimi sat on the sofa, a sly grin on her face. "Hey Mimi," Vex said slowly before approaching her. Mimi's face turned disgusted as Vex approached her. Mimi hissed as soon as Vex put his hands on her. "Leave the cat alone," I told Vex. "As if she'll like you," Vex remarked. "I bet she will," I predicted. "All right, pick her up," Vex said.

I looked at Mimi, who was staring at me with a puzzled expression. I leaned in close and gently petted her. Mimi's expression changed from perplexed to calm. I smiled slowly before picking her up.

Vex gave me and Mimi a look that was so fucking hilarious, dumbass. "Isn't that beautiful?" I asked while Mimi became acquainted with me. "You must have done some witch shit on her," Vex speculated. "No. The truth is that she dislikes you, and we can both agree on that," I said as I placed her down.

I returned to my bags and examined them. "Who's going to help me with my bags?" I asked. "Do it yourself," Kai advised. "Excuse me? I can't bring all of this up on my own," I said. "It's called a workout, and it's something you need," AJ explained. "I'm already in shape," I explained. "It doesn't appear to be," Denzel said. "Assholes," I said as I grabbed half of the bags and carried them upstairs.

I finished in thirty minutes. I stumbled downstairs and collapsed on the couch, exhausted. "Wasn't it easy?" Kai asked. "Shut the fuck up," I commanded. "Perhaps don't buy a lot of shit," Denzel suggested.

"A woman needs her shit," AJ explained. "Yeah, not necessary shit," Kai clarified. "Did you order anything to eat?" I asked. "No, we have food here," Kai replied. "Who's making something?" I asked. "Who else? Of course, our fucking chef," Kai stated.

I rolled my eyes.

"It's crazy how you guys rely on others to meet your needs," I observed. "No, we're just luxurious," AJ clarified. "You wouldn't be here if it weren't for Carlos," I explained. "You would have been in the desert if it hadn't been for Carlos," Kai said. "Sure, but you have no control," I replied.

I got to my feet and stretched. "Anyway, I'm off to bed. "I'd rather save those poor chefs than feel entitled," I explained. "All right," Kai said. I walked upstairs to my room. I slammed the door shut and dashed to where my bags were. I dug around inside, hoping to find something I bought secretly without Vex noticing. While he excused himself and went to the restroom, he handed me the money before he excused himself.

I went into Apple and purchased a new iPhone. I didn't care which iPhone I got; all I needed was a phone so I could communicate. I bought it and hid it in one of my other bags so he wouldn't notice. When he returned quickly, I told him that was all I needed. Men are incredibly slow and predictable. There is no shame as long as you know how to hide and be sneaky.

I unlocked my new phone and dialed Souline's phone number. As a lawyer, you should remember everything, even the smallest things. I called her and hoped for a response, but she didn't pick up. I took a deep breath and decided to message her.

"Souline, it's me, Alliana. I don't have much time to elaborate, but I can assure you that I'm fine. I was abducted by Kai and his bodyguards and am forced to help with Carlos's case. Buy a ticket to Rome as soon as possible. Respond to this message as soon as you can, Alliana Mercedes."

When I heard footsteps approaching, I turned off my phone and hid it behind my bed. I pretended to sleep while one eye peered to see who it was. Vex peered through my open door. He left a few moments later.

I sighed and reached for my phone once more. I turned it on and checked my messages to see if Souline had texted back, but she hadn't. I'm hoping she does by morning; I can't wait for her to arrive here if she's able to.