Mark had been working secretly in collaboration with Egrado to conceal Anita's true identity from Jago. What they did not realize was that Jago was already aware of their plans and had assigned men to kidnap her the moment she returned.
"She is on her way back today. I have tracked her movements," Mark reported.
"Please ensure she is safe," Egrado urged. "Not just her, but your brother too."
"Sure thing, I will," Mark replied. "Just stick to your part of the deal, alright?"
Egrado nodded in agreement and walked away. As soon as he was gone, Mark pulled out his phone and dialed his brother, Sebastian.
"Hello bro," Mark greeted as the call connected.
"Hi bro, what's up?" Sebastian answered.
"Nothing for now, but things are about to happen. Go wait for Anita at the airport, please."
"Why should I?" Sebastian asked, still feeling the weight of what had happened between them.
"Because Jago is planning to harm her as soon as she parts ways with Egrado. Don't worry, I will be there too, watching from a distance," Mark explained.
"Okay, I'm on my way," Sebastian said, his mind racing with mixed emotions, wondering how he was going to face Anita after everything.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Sebastian was already at the airport, waiting impatiently for Anita's arrival. His brother Mark was also nearby, cleverly disguised as one of the security personnel to keep watch without being noticed.
The moment Sebastian spotted Anita, he rushed towards her. He let out a deep breath as he approached.
"Hey... welcome back. Just follow me," he said urgently.
Anita stepped back, looking reluctant and confused. "Why should I?"
"Because you could die here today," Sebastian warned seriously. "Or worse still, die right now. So please, just follow me. We need to get away from this place at once."
"What are you talking about?" Anita questioned, suspicion in her eyes. "Or is this your way of apologizing for what you did?"
"We will talk about all that later, please Anita. Just trust me for now," Sebastian pleaded.
Suddenly, Mark appeared beside them. He pointed a gun gently at her waist, forcing her to move. They all hurried towards a waiting car and sped off immediately.
As soon as they left then another car began to follow them, shots ringing out as they fired at the vehicle. Anita was terrified and completely bewildered. She turned to Sebastian for answers.
"What is going on here? Who are they? Why are they shooting at us and chasing us?" she cried out.
"Calm down, Anita," Mark said firmly from the front seat. "You will be free soon, I promise. Let's just get to a safe place first, and then we will answer every single one of your questions."
Sebastian held her hand tightly and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I am just so happy to see you back... and alive."
Anita looked at him, her anger mixing with relief, and rested her head on his shoulder. "You have a lot of explaining to do, I hope you know that."
"Of course, my lady. I am well aware," Sebastian replied softly.
They drove swiftly into a large, abandoned building protected by two heavy gates. Once inside, the car came to a stop.
As everyone stepped out, Egrado quickly got back into his vehicle and sped off again, leaving them behind.
"So, can someone please explain to me what is really going on here?" Anita demanded, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.
"Let's go inside first, my lady. You'll be fine, just trust us," Mark said evasively, deliberately keeping the truth hidden for now.
"Well, my love," Sebastian began, "for now, you are not safe here. We need to get you inside quickly."
Anita pulled her hand away from him, tears already streaming down her face. "Safe? Don't touch me! How dare you act like everything is okay? After what I saw... after that video!"
"Anita, please..." Sebastian tried to reach for her.
"No!" she shouted, sobbing uncontrollably. "You betrayed me! You were with her! You slept with Blanna! How could you do that to me?"
"And what about you?" Sebastian shot back, his voice filled with pain and anger. "Don't act innocent! I saw the video too! I saw you with Edward! I saw you kissing him and making love to him! You cheated on me first!"
"I didn't!" Anita cried out, defending herself fiercely. "I never did anything with him! Sebastian, please believe me! That video was fake! It was all a setup! I love you and only you! I would never do that to you!"
"It looked so real, Anita!" Sebastian yelled, his heart breaking. "How am I supposed to believe you?"
"Because it's the truth!" she wept. "I am innocent!"
They were both crying, shouting and fighting, completely lost in their emotions. Seeing them like this, Mark stepped forward and gently pulled them apart. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders, trying to calm them down.
"Enough! Please, stop this right now!" Mark said firmly but gently, trying to console them. "Look at where we are. We are in a very dangerous situation. People are trying to hurt us, they were shooting at us just moments ago. Fighting amongst ourselves is not an option right now. It is not the best thing to do."
He looked at them both seriously. "Put your differences aside for now. Your lives are at stake here. We can sort out whatever happened between you later, but right now, the most important thing is staying alive. Please, just focus on that."
Still crying and confused, Anita and Sebastian looked at each other, the anger mixing with fear. They realized Mark was right. They had to stop fighting for now.
*******************
BACK AT THE WAREHOUSE
Meanwhile, at Jago's hideout, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Jago stood with his arms crossed, his eyes blazing with impatience and anger. He had sent his men out a long time ago, and they were yet to return with good news.
One of his men stood before him, trembling slightly as he waited for instructions.
"Where are they?" Jago demanded in a low, dangerous voice. "What is taking them so long? I need results! I want that girl brought to me now! Do you understand me? I need it done!"
The reason Jago was so desperate to get his hands on Anita was not just to hurt her, but because he needed Edward's cooperation. He planned to use Edward's company name and license to ship drugs illegally, and he knew Edward would do anything to protect Anita. He intended to use her as leverage to force him to comply.
That was why Jago had sent two separate teams: one to capture Anita at the airport, and another team to hunt down Edward.
But Egrado was always one step ahead. As soon as he left Anita and the others at the safe house, he drove straight to where Edward was staying. He arrived just in time, right before Jago's men could locate him.
"Edward, come with me now!" Egrado urged urgently as he entered. "Your life is in danger. Jago has sent men to attack you. We need to get you out of here immediately!"
Edward stood his ground, looking worried and stubborn. "I am not going anywhere!" he refused firmly. "I can't leave like this. What if they find me wherever I go? And besides... what about Anita? I need to know she is safe!"
"Anita is already safe, I took care of that," Egrado assured him, getting frustrated. "But you won't be safe if you stay here! Please Edward, just listen to me and come along!"
"No!" Edward shook his head, refusing to move an inch. "I am not leaving this place unless I am sure everything is okay. I can't just run away like a coward."
Egrado sighed, realizing he couldn't force Edward to go with him. He needed someone Edward trusted or listened to. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Mark's number.
"Mark, I need your help," Egrado said as soon as the call connected. "Edward is refusing to come with me. He is being stubborn. Put Sebastian on the line right now. He is the only one who might be able to convince him for the sake of Anita's safety."
After speaking with Sebastian, Edward finally agreed to come along. Egrado quickly drove him to the hideout, ensuring they were not followed.
As soon as they stepped through the doors, Edward's eyes landed on Sebastian. All the worry and anger he had been holding inside exploded instantly. Without warning, he marched up to him and threw a heavy punch right across Sebastian's face.
BAM!
Sebastian stumbled back, touching his bleeding lip. "What was that for?"
"What for?" Edward shouted, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him against the wall. "You have the guts to ask me? How dare you! You were supposed to love her, protect her! Yet you betrayed her! You slept with that woman just to hurt her! How could you do that to Anita?"
"It is not what you think!" Sebastian fought back, shoving Edward away. "I did it because I saw the video of you and her! I saw you together! I thought she betrayed me first!"
"Lies!" Edward yelled, charging at him again. "That video was fake! I never touched her like that! I respect her! But you... you actually did it! You broke her heart!"
They started wrestling violently, throwing punches at each other, completely out of control.
"Stop it! Please stop it!"
Anita rushed between them, crying uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to push them apart with her small hands.
"Please! I am begging you both! Stop fighting! You are hurting each other!" she sobbed loudly. "Sebastian! Edward! Please stop!"
But they were too angry to listen. They pushed her aside slightly and continued grappling.
"I will kill you for what you did to her!" Edward roared.
"Try me!" Sebastian challenged.
In the heat of the argument, amidst the shouting and grunts of pain, Edward finally screamed out the truth.
"You think I did it because I wanted to?" Edward yelled, pushing Sebastian back hard. "No! Because the truth is... the truth is I am in love with her! Yes! I love Anita! I have feelings for her! But even with all my love, I would never force her or betray her trust! But you... you had her heart and you threw it away!"
The room went silent for a second. Anita stood frozen, her hands covering her mouth, crying even harder. They both walked to different angle of the room avoiding each other';.
After ensuring everyone was settled, Egrado turned to Mark.
"We have to leave now," Egrado said seriously. "We need to return and act like nothing happened. We cannot let Jago suspect that we know his plans."
Mark nodded in agreement. They both turned to face the others who were staying behind.
"Listen carefully," Egrado warned them. "You three must stay here in this abandoned building for your own safety. Do not step outside and do not draw any attention to yourselves. Just lay low and stay safe until we come back or give you the signal."
"Don't worry, we will be careful," Sebastian assured him.
"Good," Egrado said. Then he and Mark headed for the door.
BACK AT THE WAREHOUSE & SHIPYARD
Egrado went straight to the warehouse to meet Jago. He acted calm and innocent, as if he knew nothing about the previous events.
"Boss," Egrado reported, "the drugs have been successfully shipped to the destination as ordered. Everything went perfectly well."
At the same time, Mark went to the shipboard. He met with the authorities and workers there, reporting professionally.
"The roads are clear and the coast is safe," Mark announced. "You can proceed with all operations."
Both of them played their parts perfectly, making sure everything looked normal on the outside while running the company affairs smoothly, even though they were in hiding internally.
********
Inside the large, quiet building, Edward, Sebastian, and Anita were left alone. They had no choice but to stay there for their protection.
They sat together, sharing a meal to keep their strength up. Even though they were confined, they had to eat and rest. Edward would continue managing his company from afar, making calls and giving instructions secretly, while Sebastian stayed by Anita's side, protecting her.
For now, this was their life—hidden away, but alive.