The Dangerous Family Secrets

Chapter 6: Red Ribbon

The Red Ribbon Assassin was a myth a story Clandestine parents use to scare their kids into behaving. But is it. The tales of the red ribbon assassin was famous among the clandestine no one knew who he or she was, but they say the assassin was seen as a dark knight that came and went like smoke only leaving behind it's victims and a red bowe. For it came to punish those who it deemed righteous...But no sighting was made mention of the red ribbon assassin in years, and now it pops up at the CUB ball.

Terrence's POV

The banshee scream of Amanda Islam, ringed through the ball room has the heavy wine colored curtains that were use to decorate around the ball room roar in flames.

There was smoke all around, broken glasses and turned over chairs. guards where rushing into the ball room from all entrances to secure their charge's, it was a complete and utter chaos for an assassin had just breached the CUB building and its security measure and killed one of its comity members.

Raya! Raya where are you! Terrence shouted using is elbow to shield is nose from the smoke that had him coughing up a fit, has he tried to find Raya in all the mess.

Soraya was laying on the floor, has she stared at the lifeless body of Antonio Reveara in shock, she did not hear Terrence calling her but how could she hear anything in this chaos, this was a disaster, a catastrophe.

Some one then scooped her up off the ground, but Raya was in too much of a shock to care that it was Terrence Vadeem the moment she looked at the person in whose arms she was secured, making his way outside Terrence alerted Corey who drove around to meet them at the front entrance.

Terrence then placed Soraya in the back of his car then got in beside her and told Corey to drive. Speeding out the gates and on to the main road, Soraya was still in a bit of a frenzy she still could not rap her head around what had just happened, but then she remembered Ryan and Naomi.

"Where's Ryan and Naomi !?, take me back!" Soraya yelled, take me back!!.

" where not going back there Raya just please calm down, i'll have Corey contact Ryan to let him know your safe, and Naomi as well Terrence said trying to calm her down.

"Safe, with you" Soraya said pulling away from Terrence, "you've kidn*pped me how can i be safe, Take me back".

Terrence looked at Soraya has if she was an alien then he said " i didn't kidnap you, i save your life i got you out of there and this is the thanks i get"

Corey, stop the car, Terrence said.

Corey pulled over to the side of the road has Terrence instructed him to, pulling the door to Soraya's side of the car open he said

" no ones holding you hostage you can get out".

" i can't get out here Soraya respond, " i don't even know where we are, am not getting out"

"Fine then" Terrence said has she shut the door and Corey drove off. The silence in the car was deafing, and acward after the little spat between Soraya and Terrence, they both kept their eyes out the window of fear that if they looked at each other they would start a fire.

Pulling into the gates of Terrence's Vienna home Soraya peek up looking around has she said

" this isn't my hotel, where are we".

"At my house" Terrence replied pulling is door and got out of the car, leaving Soraya in shock has he slam the door shut muffling her words

" why did you bring me here" which he did not hear.

Corey came around to Soraya's door and help her out of the car, her dress was difficult to move in all of a sudden and she wished for the comfort of her rose pink night gown and her bed.

" are you alright" Corey asked Soraya has he walked her into the house,

" am doing as well as could be expected" she replied giving Corey the best smile she could muster up at the moment.

" well, the bathroom is down the hall and to the right" Corey said has he left her standing alone in the entrance way. Sighing Soraya felt a weight leave her shoulders, she still could not believe what happened, nor did she understand why but she knew things were just about to get worst.

Terrence came downstairs to find Soraya sitting in the hall,

" i contacted Ryan to let him know your safe and with me, but he was insisting that he speak to you but i told him that wouldn't be possible for you are asleep and i couldn't get through to Ms. Swyffer, it seems her phone is off".

Why would you tell him that, i want to speak to him now" Soraya spat at Terrence has she stood up. And where is my purse.

Taking slow steps towards her Terrence replied " Ryan has it, it was the only thing he found in search of you, and i lied because well i felt like it"

Looking down at her for he was standing mare inches from her the dim hall lights did her creamy complexion no justic, lost in his fantasy Terrence reach out and touched her hair before he could stop himself.

what was once in a neat up do was now frazzled and sticking out but he loved the colour of her hair and it's curls he thought to him self.

Soraya could not think of a reply to Terrence's words not when he was standing so close to her to smell the faint smell of lavender and sandel wood coming off him, a strange mixture but for some reason she could not get enough of it.

Feeling the touch of Terrence's hand on her hair stroking the out of place strawn she went stiff, and fear started to creep up her spin. but it was not fear of dispear, no it was a sudden fear that she was alone with him, all alone, but she would never leave for her heart would never let her.

Composing him self Terrence cleared is throat pulling his hand away from her hair and stepped back,

" let me take you to your room so you can freshen up and get some rest" Terrence finally said, but Soraya did not respond she just followed him blindly, for even though she hated and could not trust him, she missed his touch for she enjoyed the fear it brought her.

Soraya walked through the door that Terrence held open for her, inside was a nice bedroom, the walls were grey with streaks of blue, the bed and furniture was of a master bed room set of a black decor, but the sheets were white as white as her innocence.

"its nice, i like it and thank you for saving me back there i know i was a bit snappy........................... with you but i apologies" Soraya was in the process of saying when she was cut of by the feel of Terrence's lips on hers.

At first she was surprised but has Terrence explored her mouth in fever and frozen passion she closed her eyes, and let go of her better judgement and kissed him back. Pulling on the soft skin of his lips, Raya was flooded with desire and heat she beg him for more access has she tangled her tongue with his in a dangerous forbidden dance,that she never wanted to end.

But as sudden as the kiss came, it was gone the only thing Soraya saw has she opened her eyes was Terrence's back walking out the door and slamming it shut leaving her to wonder what the hell just happened.

Touching her lips Soraya felt her swollen skin, she step back and dropped herself on the bed. Did that just happen or was she dreaming she thought to herself, closing her eyes with a sigh a sudden fatigue took over her.

The days activites and the balls unfortunate incident had drained her but the kiss had robbed her of her life force so she kept her eyes closed. releaseing a yawn she kicked her shoes off and wiggled out of her dress, and got under the covers, smiling in her half sleep state, but before she fell asleep her fathers words ringed in her ear

" what ever is going on between you and Terrence Vadeem, end it".

What the f**k did i just do, Terrence said to him self, he could not believe he kissed her, why did he do that, yes he enjoyed it and it was more than what he dreamt it would be, but it should never have happening, sitting on the couch in his room Terrence kicked off his shoes, loosen his buttons and pulled on his hair in frustration.

She was getting to him, he shouldn't have brought her here, he thought, but he wanted to bring her, he wanted to be her knight, but it seemed she was the one doing the slaying, for every time he was around her she cut down his walls and invade his kingdom, his mind and now his body.

Naomi's POV

Naomi's mouth tasted of Vodka, cigarette smoke and tears, sitting on the floor of her room in Vienna she was over it she thought to herself, why would Adam treat her like this, where did she go wrong. She knew their relationship wasn't perfect but she never expected that it was this bad.

Turning the vodka bottle to her head again she started to cry once more. She couldn't understand why the universe was being so cruel to her, finally standing up she decided she was going to fight for what's hers.

She wobbled her way down the stairs " Frank! Frank! Naomi called her body guard who strode into the hall way on the first call, yes miss Swyffer are you ok?, he asked,

"take, mah...me..to....thve Ahuja es...state" she said on wobbly feet, You seem a bit drunk miss Swyffer, how about i help you off to bed, frank responded.

" No, hiccup, take meeeee to the Ahuja's place ourrrrr, ill driveee mahhhyyyy self"

frank did not argue any more with her orders he just took her to the car, and drove off in search of the Ahuja's.

Crying in the back seat, Naomi wanted to wrap her hands around Naveen's throat, how could that, that thing try and steal her Adam away from her.

Driving up to the Ahuja's estate, Frank spoke through the inter-com, Miss Swyffer to see Naveen Ahuja, he said and the tall gates started to open allowing him to drive on to the premises.

Has the car came to a stop at the front entrance Naomi wobbled out the car before Frank could help her,

" get out here Naveen!!, you thieving some of a w***e!!!" Naomi shouted, as she held on to the car door for support.

"Get out here and face me now!!", A slender man walked out of the house with three men in black tux behind him,

" miss Swyffer, what's the meaning of this" Naveen respond with a chilled Smile.

Pushing her self off the car Naomi lunged at Naveen but before she could reach him her body guard Frank caught her,

" let go of me", she said wiggling in Franks arm, "let me go, let me teach this hussy some self respect"

But Naveen wore neither a shocked or confused look on his face has he took in Naomi's words. He was well aware why she was here but how did she find out, that was the mystery.

" Naomi please leave your making a fool of your self" Naveen finally said,

" did you just call me a fool, you worm, do you know how long we have been together, and you think you can just walt's in here and take him" Naomi said has her tears flowed once more.

" i didn't take anything from you Naomi, Adam left and i think you should be doing the same thing, leave my property now" Naveen said through greeted teeth.

Well this isn't over, Naomi spat at him,

"oh miss Swyffer, the game has already finished", Naveen said with venom

Pulling Naomi back into the car against her will was a stressful task for Frank, he didn't know if it was her broken heart or the alcohol that gave her such strength. Once he got her in the car, Frank made their way off the Ahuja's property, looking at Naomi through the rear view mirror his own heart broke for her.

Soraya's POV

Soraya jump up out of her sleep, her nightmare was back with a vengeance, holding her chest to steady her heart beat Soraya looked around and notice she was in her hotel room, but how, she remembered the ball, the assassin and a kiss,

Touching her lips Soraya wondered if everything was but a dream, did Terrence Vadeem kissed her, and did she really kiss him back. grabbing her purse which was now on her bed side table, Soraya pulled out her phone, she needed to tell Naomi what happened, but would she tell her about Cindy.

Naomi's number kept going to voicemail and Soraya was getting worried, why won't Naomi answer her phone. Getting up out of bed she walked to the window and moved the curtains,

The sun was just in its birth and it was beautiful, looking down at herself she noticed the robe tied around her frame, it was not her's. Pulling the robe from around her body she smelt it, it smelt of Lavender and Sandel wood, and she knew just whose robe, she was wearing.

Soraya watched the sun come up as she thought about everything that had happen and what she had learnt, it was a lot but she knew the mysteries have just began.

Once Soraya had taken a shower and got her self ready she walked out of her room and into the seating area that was joined to her room, and there she found Ryan sitting on a couch,he looked up at her as she entered the room, he looked tired Soraya though to her self, " hey Ryan why don't you let Greg take point and watch over me for a while you could use some rest,

Rubbing his chin, Ryan chuckled at her request, "It is my duty to ensure your safety and your safety comes before my need Miss De luca"

"ok then, but tell me this how did i get back here last night" Soraya asked,

" well Mr. Vadeem called me to came get you at his estate, and you were asleep so i carried you". Ryan respond.

Well then, there is a change in plans Soraya said after a while, we won't be flying back to Italy we will be going to Morocco instead, and please have the planes engine and fuel lines check constantly before our departure" Yes ms. De luca, Ryan said pulling out his phone,and stepping out side to carry out her request.

Trying Naomi phone again to asked her to accompanied her to morocco, soraya sigh for she still got her voicemail and now she was staring to wonder if something had happened to Naomi, once Ryan had stepped back into the room Soraya asked him if he knew where the Swyffer estate was located, to which Ryan told her no but he could have an address for her in minutes.

Once Ryan had acquired the information they made their way down to the car, Soraya couldn't help notice that more security had been added to her guards, no doubt because of what happened to Antonio Reveara, the whole clandestine would have already been informed. Her father would have been informed.

Pulling out of the hotel premises, Raya kept trying Naomi's phone but she still got no answer, she didn't know if she was to lie to Naomi about Cindy being the girl in the picture or tell her the truth. Soraya knew how fragile Naomi can be, all because she told her self she was fragile.

In about an hour they had reach Naomi's estate, after identifying them selves over the CCT, and inter-com they were let in. Once Ryan drove up to the front entrance, Frank came out to greet Soraya " good morning Ms. De luca", Frank said escorting her inside with Ryan close behind.

Knocking on Naomi's door Soraya, walked in, after Frank had told her about Naomi's state last night she wondered what could have happened to drive Naomi to get drunk.

Naomi was asleep in bed, so Soraya crawled into bed and laid next to her and stroked her black curls. The friction from Soraya's hands woke Naomi who opened her red and puffy eyes to be greeted with her bestfriends smile.

" how are you" Soraya asked, "where did you go last night after we talked, you just disappeared"

Naomi just looked at her friend with broken eyes for she couldn't answer, her throat was dry and her heart hurt, but she couldn't tell Raya the truth no she just couldn't.

Naomi please talk to me, Soraya begged, what ever is going on we will fix it together just please say something your scaring me.

But Naomi still said nothing, "I'm flying to Morocco later but if you need me here i won't go"

Raya said she felt as though no secret was more important than her bestfriend, even if she didn't want her there she wasn't going any where.

Terrence's POV

Terrence was fuming, could Cindy really be carrying is child, he was sure they had use protection every time but maybe just maybe. Sitting in his office at his Vienna home he was trying to get some work done but he couldn't focus on numbers,shipping routes and trade prices.

Cindy and her boom shell took over his mind but to make it worst Soraya had invaded his body. After their kissed last night he couldn't beer to have her so close to him, he was tempted in ways a man of his stature shouldn't be, so he call Ryan to come and get her.

Flexing his wrist Terrence knew he had to focus, Cindy was not here by chance and he didn't believe she came up with her plans, there must be someone pulling her strings but who, and to what ends. It seem to Terrence that who he was up against was a formidable opponent who knew him and maybe his secrets so he was at a disadvantage for he was blinded.

Reaching for his phone to make a call, it started to ring, looking at his phone the number was anonymous so she pick it

" hello who is this" Terrence ask the person on the line,

" I've sent you a package, with information on your girl, it contains all that i could find out"

the person said, an Terrence knew it was is PI guy.

" thank you for your quick and discreat work, Terrence said and hang up the phone.

Terrence was glad that is PI guy had come through with something for he didn't want to go back to Baldoor Swyffer for their last conversation left Demetrius Shaw, the CEO of Vector Corp. dead, he didnt ask Baldoor why he wanted him dead, for it was none of his business but Terrence did not appreciate been used as a personal assassin by any one other than his father.

Once he had registered everything Terrence knew what he had to do has he dialed Cindy Owana's number,

" hello, she said in a charming voice over the phone,

" i want a prenatal DNA test done as soon as it can be" Terrence said to Cindy,

" that's a bit dangerous Terrence, you would have me harm our baby" Cindy said in a sad voice, no doubt has fake has her name Terrence thought.

I will get the best doctor to preform the procedure Cindy, its either you do it or you don't, but if you don't then you can go to hell and take that baby with you. Terrence spat at cindy over the phone.

" fine she said as soon as its ok to be done i will" satisfied with her answer Terrence hang up the phone and called Corey.

Corey let the pilot know to get the plane ready for we will be flying home today, yes Corey said and went on his way to carry out Terrence's order. Terrence wanted to go home for there would be a package waiting for him, he needed to find out about Cindy and a lead was awaiting him back home.

Soraya's POV

Naomi had fallen back to sleep and Soraya had sent Ryan to get her stuff at the hotel,and inform her pilot in the change of plans, she would not leave her bestfriends side at a time like this, she did not know what had Naomi in a rut but she knew what ever it was, it was bad.

Thinking back to everything she had learnt Raya knew she wouldn't find out any more information on Monaya,until she travelled to Morocco, and thats if she finds Frederico, and if he would be willing to talk to her.

but she might be able to get some information on the Red Ribbon assassin, and that too of her mothers shadow government. Looking up to see if Naomi was still asleep, which she was, Soraya took out her phone and called her brother Renzo.

" Hey Renzo, what's up" Raya said,

" I'm fine, i should be the one asking you that, dads been in a bit of a rage because of the incident" Renzo said,

of course he would know about it, sometime Soraya forgets that Renzo was no longer a baby and he was old enough to handle the truths of the De. Luca family.

" am great Renzo, I've not been hurt, but that's not why i called", Raya finally said,

" can i please talk to grandma"

grandma!" why do you want to talk to grandma" Renzo asked,

i can't tell you that, but can you please go see if she awake and let me talk to her, soraya said feeling annoyed with her little brother.

" Fine" he said

My precious grand daughter are you alright came grandma Catharine's sweet voice over the phone

I'm wonderful Gran, but i didn't call just to chat nan, i called because i want to know more about the Red Ribbon assassin and i think you would be the only person who would tell me anything or at least the truth. Soraya said.

Well let me take you back to when i was a girl grandma Catharine said, it was 1950 and i had just turned 13, it was the start of Summer and i had gotten my self a job at a candy store and thats how i met your grand father.

Thomas De. Luca, his father owned the candy store at which i worked and one day he came in, and i had never seen any one more mesmerizing than him. We became friends that summer, we hang out, every where but it was at the end of summer that i found out who the De. Luca family really were.

Soraya was so in tuned to her grandmothers story but every now and then she would give an eye to see if Naomi was still asleep.

It was on our last night of summer, Thomas and i were out having fun, but he decided to take me to his house afterwords but when we got there we found Thomas's older brother, Alandro dead in is office. Alandro was the heir to the De. Luca clandestine.

I didn't know grandpa had an older brother Soraya said. Why didn't she know this, why were there so many secrets that her family did not tell her.

When we found Alandro he had an arrow in his chest with a red ribbon tied to it. Thomas and i were so scared, his parents came and there were guards every where, but because of all the chaos Thomas decided that i should go home.

but before i went home i was summoned to his fathers office, when it got there i over heard them talking about the Rennob Program, once i was in the office i was warned not to breath a word of what i had seen..then sent home. But i always believe it had something to do with Alandro's death.

Soraya was at a lost for words but she got her head right and then asked her grandmother why was she telling her all of this when no one else has, to which she said that she was old and what's the point in keeping this secret any more Thomas and is parents were gone.

Before Raya hanged up the phone she asked her grandma one last question " what is the Rennob program"

" im afraid all my 83 years my child, that is still a mystery to me". grandma Catharine said.

Soraya was now confused she had just learnt of an uncle that she never knew existed, buy why was this a secret, she also wondered if her mom knew about Alandro, probable she did for her mother was a master of deception, for she ran a shadow government which she still didn't know anything about or its purpose.

But the main question on Soraya's mind was what is this Rennob Program and how do they connect to the Red Ribbon Assassin, and why did the assassin kill Alandro. But one thing was clear to Raya the assassin at the ball could not be the red ribbon assassin, it had to be an imposter, but who and why was Antonio Reveara the target.

Could Cindy be involved for Raya knew that there was more to Cindy than what meets the eyes, for it was no coincident that she was with, Adam and Terrence and now married to Antonio, plus she knew things about her home that no one out side could have known. But Raya knew for sure that there was or is a spy in the De. Luca ranks, but who.