Dark Chemistry

Chapter-19

Natalia's POV :

Sometimes small things can make us happy in the worst moments of our life. And amidst the worst moments, I found a little happiness today, serving as a waitress. Small talk with different people, taking orders, serving coffee and pastries were all the works I had done today morning and I enjoyed all of them. It was like, a caged bird got freedom then it was flying happily in the infinity sky.

Ashley too seemed very happy to have me as a waitress. The coffee house became busy in the morning and the evening. As it was famous among the town people, most of them come here to have an evening snack and to take a small sip on a cup of heavenly nectar-like coffee.

"Thank you so much! Have a good day!" I smiled and waved at the last customer of the shop and made my way to the kitchen.

It was lunch time so there were a few customers coming and going.

"Thank you for today, Natalia." Ashley smiled brightly while gathering all the dishes in the kitchen sink to wash.

"It's alright. I enjoyed the day so much. Actually I should thank you for everything you've done for me. You give me a shelter, an amazing job. It's too much for me you know. I thought I would end up on the street. Thank you so much for everything again." I smiled as two drops of tears rolled down on my cheeks.

"Oh honey, it's ok. There is no need to thank me. You're such an amazing and sweet girl. I don't know why people didn't care to help you. They're so stupid." She cupped my cheeks and smiled.

I was about to say something but stopped when we heard some customers entered in the shop.

"Okay, I'm going to get the orders then." I smiled.

"Yes. Of course." She smiled, showing her beautiful teeth.

I took the notepad from the kitchen counter and made my way to the direction where the customers were sitting. As soon as I reached the table and met the two familiar faces, I paused as I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Natalia..."

"Fardinn... you? How?"

I gasped and my eyes went wide when I saw Fardinn and his friend Ryan sitting in front of me, their eyes and mouths also wide as mine.

"Natalia? Is that really you? I can't believe you're standing in front of me. How you came here? You're supposed to be with that bastard. Oh God, are you alright?" Fardinn stood up and squeezed my shoulder, concern and surprise written all over his face.

"It's a long story, Fardinn. But what're you doing here? In this town?" I sighed and asked.

"It's a long story though, we came here to rescue you. A lot of things happened after they shot Jacob and brought you here. Now sit down, I've a lot to say." He pulled out a chair beside me.

I slowly sat down beside him. My mind was racing a million miles ahead thinking that I had finally got a chance to go back to my country. But I was afraid of thinking about the last encounter at Jacob's house. Even if I manage to escape this time, Nicolas would definitely hurt them again.

"How did you end up as a waitress here, Natalia?" Ryan frowned and asked in confusion.

"Well, I was with them two days ago. I was getting bored staying in the house so Nicolas gave me permission to go out, with his giant guards. We went to a restaurant and there I needed to use the washroom. But when I was about to come out from the washroom, two men pressed something on my face and I blacked out. When I opened my eyes, I saw I was lying behind a trashcan but luckily Ashley got me and took me here with her. And this is the story." I shrugged and sighed.

"Oh God! I'm so sorry this is happening to you, Natalia." Fardinn growled and rubbed his palms on his face. "But don't worry. We're here for you. You just have to help us to catch that bastard." He nodded and looked into my eyes.

"But Fardinn, my parents―" I opened my mouth but Faraaz cut me off.

"Officer Jacob is on his way to conduct an operation in Miami with the Miami cops. Your parents, brother and granny are there. Don't worry about it at all." He gave me a small smile and patted my shoulder.

"How's Marjan and Reema? I miss them so much." I asked him as tears threatening in my eyes.

"They're not fine, Natalia. They miss you everyday and waiting for you." He smiled sadly.

"Now, we can't stay here much longer."

"Wait! Won't you take me with you? You said uncle Jacob is going to rescue my parents then I can go with you, right?" I widened my eyes and spoke.

"Listen to me carefully, Natalia. We can't take you with us right now. Nicolas will be here at any moment and if he finds out that you're with us, he'll directly attack us with all of his powers. And they're definitely more powerful than the cops and us. But we've a perfect plan and we need your help." He grabbed my hand and spoke before giving it a light squeeze.

"But, how can I help you?" I frowned.

"Look, I think Nicolas already got the information that you're here so he'll show up anytime soon and take you with him again. Take this tracking device and keep it with you. We'll track down your location and attack them suddenly to catch the whole gang and rescue you. You got it?" He uttered in a serious tone.

"Yes but I don't want to go to him. You don't know what I've been going through." My voice broke as I started crying.

Again I had to go to him, his house, his hold and his possession. I was so afraid of thinking this whole bullshit.

"I know, I know, Natalia. He's too dangerous so we've to be careful. One wrong step, we're all dead. So please, just do it. You and your family will be free like before, happy and blessed." He smiled and squeezed my shoulder.

His last sentence hit my brain, I would be happy again, with my family and friends. I would get my old golden life back.

"Okay, I'll do it." I spoke and looked at him as he nodded and gave me a small smile.

Though I didn't want to go to Nicolas again but I had to. I had to do it to get myself and my family free from the cage. A caged bird can do whatever it takes to get it's freedom and I was a caged bird who kept thrashing inside the cage for freedom and finally got a glimpse of it.

Now I just needed to wait for the devil's presence so that I could go with him and help Fardinn to track the location of his house. It wasn't a big deal anyways, was it?

After giving me the tracking device and taking two cups of coffee, Fardinn and Ryan left the place as soon as possible. I saw the severe fear in their eyes which wasn't unnoticeable. So they knew how dangerous Nicolas and his gang was.

Ashley asked me why it took so long to get orders from the customers but I told her that they were asking some questions about this place and she seemed to believe that. I didn't want to involve this poor woman into the mess of my life. Though I was feeling guilty for not telling her the truth but it was good for her.

After finishing dinner and washing the dishes, I made my way upstairs. As it was the last week of November, it was very cold outside. Ashley told me that the Italians doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. But her son comes home in every Christmas vacation and celebrate Christmas with her. So I would miss Halloween and Thanksgiving as the criminal family never celebrate the days. I was so upset about it because the previous years were so fun and we used to arrange parties and picnics to celebrate the days.

The people of Capaccio started decorating the town for the Christmas with beautiful colorful lights and Christmas trees everywhere. Holding the tracker between my fingers, I looked at it blankly for a few moments then placed it inside my shoe.

Taking a long breath, I laid down on the small, soft bed and pulled the blanket up on my body.

"But who are you, man?" I heard Ashley's voice downstairs.

"It doesn't matter. Where's Natalia?" A deep familiar voice spoke.

"She's upstairs, probably sleeping." Ashley spoke this time.

Wait, what?

My eyes snapped open when I understood I wasn't dreaming. I quickly got up and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. Fardinn was right, he finally found out where I was. How freaking powerful was he?!

When I got out of the bathroom, I saw Nicolas was already sitting on my tiny bed, leg crossed and looking at me blankly.

"Nicolas.." I gulped the lump in my throat.

"Let's go." He suddenly stood up and grabbed my hand then pulled me out of the bedroom, making me flinch under his rough touch.

"Natalia, who are they?" Ashley looked at me questionably.

"My cousins! My cousins! They finally found me." I quickly answered and smiled awkwardly.

The tension raising between Ashley and the criminals. I glanced at Mariano and Victor who were sitting on the couch, both raising their eyebrows at me. I bit my tongue and lowered my gaze. What if Nicolas hurt Ashley or say something stupid?

"It's time to go. Thank you, Ms. Rossi for taking care of our.... cousin?" Victor broke the silence and gave me a 'well-played' look.

"It's alright. She's an amazing girl actually. And it was nice meeting all of you. See you often then?" Ashley smiled genuinely at us.

"Ashley, thank you for everything. I'm so grateful to you. I hope we'll see us around. Actually I had a great time with you." I smiled sadly.

"You're always welcome to my little coffee house. Come often here, child. It was an amazing meeting to you though your cousins are a bit weird. I'll miss you." She came toward me and hugged me tightly.

"I'll miss you too. Take care, bye." I sniffed.

Actually I didn't want to go with Nicolas and not this time because his eyes were glazing with anger. Before we could talk further, Nicolas again grabbed my arm and dragged me outside of the house with him.

"Bye!" I waved at Ashley one last time.

Nicolas abruptly threw me inside the car as I looked at him in shock. Why he was acting like this? I was kidnapped!

"Nicolas?" I looked at his angry face.

"Shut up, b***h!" He hissed.

What? b***h? Huh?

The car started running and I glanced at Nicolas from the corner of my eyes. His face was red and knuckles were white as he was fisting and unfisting his palms.

"Nicolas, w-what's wrong?" I stuttered.

"Are you f*****g kidding me? You f*****g escaped and now you're asking me what the f**k is wrong?!" He suddenly boomed.

I gasped and jumped back. But then my blood started boiling.

"And are you kidding me?! I didn't escape! Someone kidnapped me!" I shouted at him.

But before I could do anything, he suddenly grabbed my hair and pulled me closer. I cried out in pain and started pushing him back but the more I was struggling the more he was tightening his fist.

"Don't lie to me, ragazza. And never raise your voice at me, understand?" He hissed through his gritted teeth. (Italian -girl)

"Nicolas, please, it hurts―" I cried out.

"Grover, stop the car beside the lake. She needs to learn some lessons." He ordered the driver as he gave him a small nod.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I looked at him with wide eyes. The car jolted as it suddenly stopped and as soon as the car stopped, Nicolas pulled me out of the car by my hair and threw me on the ground. Victor and Mariano's car was far ahead of us.

"You know you did a good job, not telling anything to that lady. Otherwise she would be dead by now." Nicolas chuckled coldly and started walking toward me.

"Now tell me who helped you. How you came here?"

"No no no. Don't came to me. I didn't escape, Nicolas. Believe me. Someone kidnapped me and threw me somewhere in the town and Ashley found me and helped me. Please, don't hurt her. I'm telling the truth." I shook my head and spoke hurriedly while backing away from him.

"I know you escape with them. They helped you, didn't they? Huh?" He gritted his teeth and again gripped my hair and pulled me up.

"Who? I don't know what you are talking about. Two men kidnapped me. Please, let go." I cried and begged.

"Stop lying!" He shouted and dragged me near the lake water.

"No! Nicolas! Don't! I don't know how to swim! I'm telling the truth! Don't do this!" I screamed as loudly as I could.

But within a blink the most unexpected thing happened, he lowered my head and dipped it inside the cold water. My breath stopped and the only thing I could feel was ice cold.

I started thrashing my hands in the water and pushing the surface but Nicolas caught them and pulled them behind me with one hand. Water started seeping inside my trachea and esophagus as I was struggling hard to get out of his hold to breathe.

My nostrils, throat, eyes and head were burning and aching badly. But then he suddenly pulled my head out of the water as I started coughing and gulping the air hungrily. But I neither could see anything nor hear any sound. My head started spinning and my whole body became numb.

I felt so cold and still couldn't breathe as a huge amount of water entered in my lungs and stomach. And the last thing I remembered was a pair of concerned ocean blue eyes.