VEILED

I could not believe what my eyes were seeing, so I had to hide. As shocked as Mariah was, she stood there looking at my mum and couldn't hide with me. I watched as my mum feasted on the witch, draining out her life completely. She then tore her apart and pulled out her heart. Mariah kept shouting and begging my mum to let her go. Before I could help, my mum had vanished with Mariah. With no idea where my mum took her, I stood in shock. Mariah was my greatest concern. How was I going to locate Mariah? I had no idea where my mum took her. "I needed to find my friend, but first, I had to get the map. The Witcher said that was the only way I could get my answers. I went straight to the locker while still searching for the map. I heard a gun c***k directly behind me. Before I could move, I was hit to the ground. I tried to defend myself, but two huge guys overpowered me, tied both my hands and legs, and threw me into a van. My eyes were covered, so I had no idea where I was being taken. Before I knew it, I slumped off. Could it be that the world is now upside down? I guess I was being tied upside down." I could hear footsteps; someone was approaching with great energy. 'Where is my daughter?' Surprisingly, it was Mariah's Dad, holding a hammer in his right hand and an electric shocker in his left. 'Does he really want to use these on me?' Mariah's Dad didn't appear as nice as I had thought. 'You think I wasn't tracking your location? I'm sure you convinced my daughter to take you to that deep forest. Now, tell me, where is Mariah?' I couldn't utter a word. He ordered his men to beat me, and after the beating, I was locked up in a room. At night, I could hear the voices of other ladies crying, shouting, and begging for help like me. It seemed that Mariah's Dad was involved in human trafficking." Minutes passed, hours passed, and by day three, my phone was down to five percent. I had tried saving the battery; that was the only thing that could get me out of this mess. Earlier, I had thought of calling the police, but for a second, the police? How would they believe me - my mom, a witch who disappears with Mariah? Calling the police was only going to make it worse. Instead, I tried calling my ex, Josh. However, a lady answered, 'Oh, sorry, he's taking a shower. Can I kno...' I hung up the call. There was nobody I could think of calling at a moment like this for help. 'What about Dad?' I wondered. Dad was far away, consumed with his own things. Asking him for help would be the worst thing I could imagine. I remembered the last time Mum was stranded and needed money for my surgery. She called Dad, and he was like, 'Do I look like a bank? If she dies, you would get another baby.' Can you imagine?" "What kind of a dad cares less about his daughter? Hunger wouldn't let me think straight; I was becoming too dizzy. My phone kept vibrating. 'Oh, thank goodness, the guard was fast asleep.' 'Hello, Caramel, it's been a long time. I really miss you.' For a moment, my ears couldn't believe it was Carlos. 'Should I be happy now that you left me? Should I!' Well, that's by the way. I need your help, Carlos. I have been kidnapped." "I kept waiting and waiting for Carlos. Part of me started to wonder if Carlos was actually going to show up, while the other part of me knew he was definitely going to come. I didn't realize I dozed off while waiting for Carlos until I heard the danger. 'Traffic light on, there was commotion,' the guards kept shouting. I could see a shadow on the wall. Relieved, of course, it was Carlos. I'm sure it didn't take him so long to locate me. I kept staring at him. 'Let's go. You'll have more time to stare at me when we are out,' he said. It wasn't easy getting out; we kept meeting more guards, but Carlos defeated them all. I didn't realize he was a good fighter." "It was a long drive to Cali, Carlos' new home. Bokota was not safe for me any longer, knowing that Mariah's Dad and his men would be looking for me. Carlos' new home had a nice setting, so luxurious, just by the sea. The house must be pretty expensive. I wondered where he got so much money. 'Would you like some coffee? Carlos, Carlos, excuse me, are you there?' Carlos groaned as he pulled off his shirt. 'Are you okay?' He nodded his head with a yes, no, as if he wasn't sure. It was his arm; he was still bleeding. I guess some of those bullets got him. 'Can I see it?' I applied spirit as I dressed the wound. while i dressed the wound I remembered how close we used to be back in Bokota."Oops! Our eyes met, it appeared he was also staring at me. For a moment, I was caught up. Carlos kept coming closer and closer, 'Should I kiss you?' he muttered. I just froze, still staring speechless, before I realized his lips were on mine. His hand on my thigh, moving up to my bra, struggling to take them off. I couldn't say no, neither could I say yes. I just stayed there like a fool, unable to resist his nice breath or his warm touch. My heart was beating fast; I was yearning for more and more of his touch. Oh no! Someone was knocking..." it was the delivery guy. I really felt like punching him; he just destroyed a good moment." "It's been three days, and Carlos has been avoiding me. Could he be avoiding me because of the kiss? I wonder. I couldn't stop thinking about him, the kiss. For the first time in years since Josh broke my heart, I felt different. I had just finished taking my bath when Carlos knocked on my door. 'See who is at my door,' I thought as I opened it. 'Any problem?' I asked. 'I'm sorry for being so indifferent these past few days; a lot has been going through my head,' Carlos explained. 'You mean the kiss?' I said confidently. 'My Dad would be coming over tomorrow; I would love you to meet him,' he said as he made his way out. Wow, can you imagine? He couldn't even answer my question and now he's telling me to meet his Dad. How awful." "I woke up very early the next day preparing for Carlos Dad's arrival. Carlos wouldn't tell me his Dad favorite dish, so I took it upon myself to make different dishes such as arepas, bandeja paisa, empanaditas, sancocho, lechona, a delicious roasted pork. Carlos had to help me clean the kitchen because I was so tired by the time I finished. I rested a bit and then took my shower. I was dressing when Carlos came in, "He kept looking at me; it was so obvious. 'Is something wrong with my dress?' I asked. 'You look perfectly okay. My Dad is here.' It took me a few minutes to fix my hair and apply a little lipstick. I was so nervous; 'I hope he likes me,' I thought. I could see him leaning his head against the wall."He was wearing a black suit and held a case, two huge men stood beside him as his bodyguards. I came closer, 'Hello Caramel, it's nice meeting you again.' For a second, I couldn't believe my ears or my eyes. 'Artemis? Not again,' I thought. Carlos stood as shocked as he could be, wondering how and where I knew his Dad. I didn't know what to do; his men were everywhere. Artemis kept laughing and calling my name, coming closer and closer to me. "Everything that has been happening has really been a shock to me, but realizing that Artemis is Carlos' Dad is the greatest shock of my entire life..."