Chasing the Shrew

Trip to the Orient

Amelia pushed the kids behind her and launched herself at Kae knocking him out of the doorway, “Lock the door!”

She thought that she would be able to at least knock him down the steps but he merely sidestepped, grabbed her passing frame, and swung around using her momentum to make a clean 360 turn. Slamming Amelia’s body into the siding Kae pinned her there and grinned at the pair of frightened eyes between the crack of the door.

“You better open up or I’ll crush your mother to death.”

Jenny cried, “Mommy!!!! Nooo!! Let go of Mommy!!”

Peter grimaced, if he followed his mother’s orders, she would die. But there was a slim chance they could all survive if he opened the door. He closed his eyes and let the door open.

Kae dropped Amelia to the floor in a breathless heap. Peter and Jenny rushed to her side. Kae sneered, what weak sheep. He reached down but was blocked by Peter.

“Stop!” Peter was shaking but he lifted his small arms to block Kae anyway, “Don’t touch my mother!”

A look of interest flashed through Kae’s eyes. He crouched down and looked at Peter, “How old are you, boy?”

Peter glared at him, “None of your business!!”

Kae threw back his head and barked with laughter. This little boy had guts. He didn’t look older than 8 so it was still possible to train him. If he was properly taught, he would make a great assassin. The smile on his face disappeared as he looked again at the woman and her daughter; those two, on the other hand, are expendable. He could use one to lure Dae-Seong and the other to control the little boy.

Kae sighed and stood up; so much work to do. He snapped his fingers and the henchmen appeared again.

“Load them into the car. If anyone tries to run, break the mother’s legs. If anyone tries to fight, pull out the little girl’s teeth.”

Amelia and the children shivered in fright. She tried to cling to her children but the henchmen pried them apart and picked them up effortlessly.

“What about the little boy?”

Kae turned, “What about him?”

The henchmen shrugged, “You ordered to hurt everyone but him.”

Kae hummed, he was already showing favoritism, “We’ll save him for last. Let’s go.”

Amelia sobbed as she was draped over a bulky man’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She watched helplessly as her children were tossed haphazardly into different cars. As she was thrown in, she got up and pushed her dress down. Kae leaned in and sat next to her without looking at her. As soon as he closed the door, the car engine started and they inched away from the curb. Suddenly there was a loud thud and the car tilted a bit from the impact. Amelia looked over and saw DS slamming the window with his fists. His muffled voice came through, “Open up, Hyung!!”

Kae smirked and waved, “See you at home!”

Amelia screamed as the car took off leaving DS running after them.

***

Amelia woke up with a start, her babies were sleeping in her arms, and their faces had streaks of dried tears. Kae had knocked her out earlier when she screamed. She looked around cautiously. They were sitting in a posh-looking jet. The windows overlooked billowing white clouds. This was her first airplane ride as she never had any reason to go anywhere far. Vacations were a luxury she couldn’t afford and Dustin never cared to take her anywhere nice. After she gave birth she was too busy raising the children to go anywhere.

She sighed, what should she do now? She pulled her babies closer to her and held on tight. Please… please, someone save us.

An hour into the flight, the children woke up and curled up next to Amelia.

“Mommy it’s cold,” Jenny’s teeth chattered.

Peter tried not to shiver but he couldn’t help it. Amelia hugged them in her arms and rubbed them, “I’m sorry babies, here hold tight to mommy.”

She heard a tsk behind her and whipped her head about to see Kae staring at them.

“You’re coddling them too much. It will ruin them.”

Amelia glared at him, “This is not coddling, they are going to freeze to death. The least you could do is give them a blanket.”

Kae sneered, reached out, and grabbed her chin, “Listen well, woman— I am not Dae-Seong, don’t push your luck with me. You sit quietly, eat what you are given, sleep where you’re told, and s**t when I tell you to. If you complain, I will hit you. If you cry,” he glared at Jenny, “I’ll break your mother’s fingers… one. by.one.”

Jenny bit her lower lip and held back a sob. Peter, still shivering, clenched his little fists and glared at Kae.

Kae looked at him, “You have something to say?”

“I’m going to kill you!”

Kae smirked, “I’ll give you your first lesson today. Don’t spout empty threats, little tiger, or someone will pull out your teeth and claws before you grow up.” He laughed and walked away.

A few minutes later a large henchman came in and threw two folded blankets at Amelia’s face then walked away.

Amelia didn’t say anything; she just quickly wrapped her two shivering children like dumplings and hugged them close. Jenny leaned into her chest and whimpered. Amelia combed through her baby girl’s hair singing lullabies.

***

When Chris arrived at Amelia’s house he saw DS sitting on the steps with his head down. Chris smirked thinking Amelia must have sent him out to reflect on his wrongdoing like a little kid. Only when he got closer did he realize something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?” He asked sharply.

DS raised his head, his eyes looked soulless, “I was waiting for you. Your brother, Theo, was it? I need his help to get Amelia and the kids back.”

Chris’ heart fell to the floor and shattered, he rushed DS and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him up to eye level, “Where is Amelia and the kids?!”

DS sighed, “My brother took them back to China. They are likely held hostage in my family home. I need to go back but I cannot go alone or they will keep Amelia and the kids there to make sure I never run away again.”

Chris mentally kicked himself, he noticed Theo’s weird reaction to DS but he never asked about it. Had he done so, he might have prevented all this from happening.

“Get in my car NOW and explain on the way.”

He dragged DS two steps before DS placed a hand over Chris’, “I can walk on my own.”

Chris watched as DS walked to the car with a naturally elegant gait. His eyes narrowed, in just two days the bumbling fool turned out to be a high-class seasoned fighter. Who was he really and why did he latch himself to Amelia?

Chris hurried to his car and dialed his brother’s number.