between love and danger

The real enemy

Chapter 5

Ryan sat frozen in his office, the girl's words echoing in his mind like a mantra. He stared at the crumpled piece of paper on his desk, the scribbled number a cryptic message from the unknown. The air was thick with tension as he picked it up, the paper crackling between his fingers. To his left, his phone lay silent, a cold, unresponsive slab of glass. He grabbed it, his thumb hovering over the dial button before pressing the numbers.

The phone rang, a hollow sound that seemed to vibrate through the room. And then, a voice answered, Hello, The single word was like a spark, igniting a fuse of emotions within Ryan.

Yeah, who am I speaking with,Ryan asked, his voice firm, but with a hint of unease.

Wow, after a very long time, I hear your voice once again. How are you doing, Ryan The voice was like a ghost from his past, familiar yet shrouded in mystery.

Ryan's brow furrowed, his mind racing to place the voice. It felt like a forgotten melody, just out of reach. He stayed silent, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner.

I guess the girl gave you this line, the voice continued, a hint of amusement dancing beneath the surface. To clarify things, my address is written on the back of the paper. The call ended abruptly, leaving Ryan staring at the phone, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach.

At 5 pm, the streets bustled with people scrambling for shelter from the impending storm. Dark clouds loomed, heavy with rain, casting a gloomy shadow over the city. Sandra lay on her bed, her mind spinning with thoughts of Ryan, her heart heavy with worry.

I wish Ryan would just open up to me. This whole thing is confusing, she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat. She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Ryan's number repeatedly, but he didn't answer. Frustration and fear mingled, a toxic cocktail that left her feeling helpless.

Just then, the phone rang, its shrill tone making her jump. Hesitating, she picked it up, hoping it was Ryan.

Hello, am I speaking with Miss Sandra,a steady voice asked, the words a gentle caress.

Yes I'm Sandra, she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

I'm at your door now. Please open it. Ryan sent me with a gift for you, the voice said, the words a sugar-coated trap.

Sandra's heart pounded, a sense of foreboding creeping up her spine. Why would Ryan, who'd been so distant, send her a gift, Curiosity and unease churned inside her, a maelstrom of emotions.

She stood, her legs shaking beneath her, and walked to the door, where a young woman waited, holding something in her hands. Hey, can I come in, the woman asked, forcing a weird smile.

Fine, you can come in, Sandra said, her voice firm, but with a hint of trepidation.

The woman entered and sat at the table, her back turned to Sandra. I came to teach you a lesson, as instructed by my boss, she said, her voice cold, devoid of emotion.

Sandra's mind reeled, confusion and fear wiping out rational thought. "I don't understand. What do you mean she asked, her voice trembling.

The woman smirked, reached into her bag, and pulled out a stick. The air seemed to freeze as she began hitting Sandra, the blows raining down like a storm, each one a thunderclap of pain.

Sandra screamed, the sound echoing through the room, as the world around her went dark.

The curtains shinee bright as the morning sun shine, making ot look more beautiful, it's 7am already

Sandra awoke on the floor, pain shooting through her body like a wildfire. Ahhh, she cried, trying to lift her hand, but it felt like a lead weight. Memories of the attack flooded back, a tidal wave of terror and confusion.

Who is this girl,And who is her boss she wondered, wincing, her mind a jumble of questions and fears. I think all this is because of Ryan. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach.

She struggled to stand, her body shaking, each step a battle against pain. Oh my God, the pain is too much, she lamented, moving slowly toward the bedroom, her vision blurring at the edges.

The clock ticked loudly as sunlight streamed through the curtains, a stark contrast to the darkness that had shrouded Sandra's world. Ryan, already dressed for work, stood before the mirror in the sitting , adjusting his tie, his eyes a window to the turmoil within,the picture of sandra is left on top of the mirror table,he picked it up,grap it tightly to his heart while letting out a calm relief, imagining he was with sandra,l miss you so much darling he whispered,l know things will be alright, just the his mind clicked,

He remembered yesterday's incident with the young girl, the memory a bitter taste in his mouth. I think l will head straight to this address written on this paper, that's where the root of my problems lies,I must get to the root of all this drama, he said,his voice firm, but with a hint of doubt.

He grabbed his suitcase, headed downstairs to his car, and drove off, thoughts swirling about the real enemy the girl had mentioned. Minutes later, he stopped in front of a five storey building, a sense of trepidation creeping up his spine.

I guess this is the right address, he murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own heartbeat. He climbed to the fourth floor, as written on the paper, and knocked, the sound echoing through the corridor like a death knell.

Come in, a voice called from inside, the words a siren's song.

He opened the door and stepped in, his eyes scanning the room, his heart pounding in his chest. As he entered, he froze, eyes wide with shock

Betty,he called, his voice loud and clear, but with a hint of uncertainty. Betty turned, her eyes widening in surprise, a mix of emotions playing on her face.