Chapter 15: FAILED ESCAPE

DIANA'S POV

“I need to leave this place” I uttered to my self as I stood up to leave where I was.

I walked out of the door, I scanned the environment and luckily for me there was no one around I took my heels and ran towards the nearest exit

“And where do you think you are going to” Francesca voice cut in sending shoulders down my spine making me halt right there.

“Just wanted to check round the environment” I said to her even tho I know it was a blatant lie that even a 2 year old won’t believe

“Ha..ha ha” Francesca laughed hardly as I continued scanning the environment as an idea came to my head, she wasn’t a tough one I could just fight and leave but it might wake others tho.

“Who do you think you are fooling” she said with her face twisted in disgust

“Why does this girl hate me so much” I thought to myself, my family or I haven’t even done anything to her, so why this anger ???

"Leave her alone," Enzo's voice cut in, his tone firm and commanding.

I turned to see him walking towards me, Franco by his side. Enzo's eyes were narrowed, his jaw clenched in a mixture of anger and concern.

But it was Francesca's reaction that caught my attention. Her eyes blazed with hatred as she spat out the words, "Why are you being so protective? Isn't it obvious she wants to run away?"

Enzo's expression turned icy, his eyes flashing with warning. "Francesca, that's enough," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

But Francesca didn't back down. Her face twisted in a snarl, she took a step forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're always so quick to defend her," she spat, her voice venomous. "But what about me? What about our family?  Besides Carlos was asking of her, isn’t it high time ?"

I felt a surge of unease as the tension between them escalated. Enzo's face was thunderous, his fists clenched at his sides. Francesca's eyes flashed with defiance, her chin lifted in a challenge.

Franco stepped forward, his hands raised in a calming gesture. "Hey, let's not fight about this," he said, his voice soothing. "We're all on the same side here."

“Who is Carlos?” I asked and I could see that Enzo was now more angry than before as he exhaled and inhaled trying to calm himself.

“She is fine as you can see, now you can leave” he said as Francesca walked away angrily.

"Who is Carlos?" I asked again, my intuition screaming that there was more to the story. Were these people hiding something? Was there more to being a hostage here than met the eye?

Enzo's expression turned guarded, his eyes darting to Franco before returning to me. "No need for that," he said, his voice firm, as he motioned for Franco to leave.

But I wasn't having it. "No, I deserve to know," I insisted, my voice shaking with emotion. "Is someone else looking for me? Why are you doing this, Enzo?"

I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about our past. We had been childhood friends, inseparable and innocent. What had happened to change everything?

"Why are you treating me like this?" I asked, tears streaming down my face. "We were friends, Enzo. Did you just throw all that away?"

I could see his gaze soften towards me, I walked closer to him begging “please let me go Enzo” please ?

But he just stood looking at me but now with a softer look and the next thing I felt his arms around me as I smelled his cologne filling my senses and keeping me at rest.

I felt his arms wrap around me, warm and strong, as I leaned into his chest. His scent enveloped me, a familiar and comforting aroma that was like a warm hug for my senses. It was as if I had been hypnotized, my worries and fears melting away as I breathed him in.

For a moment, I forgot about the pain and suffering I had endured. I forgot about the uncertainty and fear that had gripped me for so long.

All I could think about was the safety and security of his arms, the warmth of his body, and the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat.

As I stood there, wrapped in his arms, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time, and it was like a balm to my battered soul.

I closed my eyes, letting the moment wash over me, and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"How could this be?" I thought to myself, my mind reeling with confusion. This was the same man I had grown to hate, the same man who had held me captive and manipulated me. So why was I seeking comfort in his arms?

I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as I realized what I was doing. I was letting my guard down, letting him in. I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let him win.

With a surge of determination, I pulled myself away from him, creating some distance between us. I looked up at him, my eyes narrowing as I tried to process my emotions.

“You should go back, but you can move around  within this area if you need air, don’t bother going far, you would get caught and I know you know that already” he said as he turned his back to leave.

I dragged myself back to my prison cell, my mind a mess. Is this really my life now? Locked away, at Enzo's mercy?

I thought about everything I'd lost - my freedom, my family, my friends... it all felt like a lifetime ago.

I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. I cried myself to sleep, the sound of my own sobs echoing off the walls.

Just as I drifted off, I thought I heard something. Footsteps, light and cautious, like someone was trying not to be heard.

My eyes snapped open, and I sat up in bed, my heart racing. Who was it? Enzo, come to mess with me again? Or... someone else?