The air tasted of damp earth and something else, something metallic and sharp, like fear. I reached out, my fingers brushing against rough-hewn stone – or what I assumed was stone. In the absolute, unyielding black, every other sense screamed for attention. The distant drip of water, the faint, rhythmic thud that vibrated through the floor, the frantic flutter of my own heart in my chest. I had been here before, or somewhere like it. But this time, a new chill snaked down my spine, unrelated to the subterranean damp. This time, I wasn't alone.

2 DAYS AGO

Elizabeth's apartment

I heard a load noise of my alarm which annoys me every morning, but I know I have to wake up. As the sun rays stroke into my room I woke up and got off my bed, I walked towards my window and opened the window to let the fresh air. As I was enjoying my phone disturbed me I left the window and took my phone from the pillow, it was my boss

"good morning Mam Nancy " I said with a calm voice

"Morning Elisabeth I know today is ur day off but could u please come to work my daughter is in labor today... could u come and look after my shop" Mam Nancy ( Boss) said and she hung up which know leave me no choice but to go.

I arrived 30 minutes later than normal since I had to prepare myself. I found that she wasn't even here, so I opened the Café and operated like normal working days.

..............

A HUGE MANSION IN TOWN

 In the dark of night inside a mansion, upstairs in s room that looks like a study room sat a tall man ruthless man, wearing all black, his gazed fixed on a laptop. Looking serious as ever. The room is really dark only one light on the table is on. Who is he?

He goes by Ethan the most handsome man in town, the powerful and unstoppable man. He owns lot of companies of cares and technology also inherited the family companie. In the dark he is goes by scorpio, the Mafia lord. he wears half mask that covers one eye making it hard to see the real him.He is worshipped by lot of people...not because they want but because they fear him. He calls the shots,those who knows him say he stare just not make u shiver but kills u

Slowly. He is the type of man that only his name can make u go mute. Girls love him ...with just one look can make their knees go weak …he is a real demigod.

As he was busy typing something on his laptop a dark figure with a scare on the eye... he looked to serious as he walked into the room. He stopped on the table "boss the goods were delivered, and it went smooth" he said in a scary voice. Ethan just nodded his gazed still fixed on the laptop… The guard just left the room.

Nancy's Café

Another new day. I rose up and got ready for work as usual. When I reached I found Mam Nancy already packaging an order of cupcakes, she saw me entering and gave me a warm smile that I couldn't help but also smile and greeted her warmly.

"Morning Lizzy "she said as she continued to pack the last box.

"Looks like we have a big order hey" I said as I check the slip order.

"Yeah today there is a birthday party at the park that is next to Miller's big company "

"That one out of town?" I asked looking at her in a surprised and disbelief look… And she nodded yes.

"All done you can take them and deliver" she looked at me as she handed the key of delivery scooter, I took the order and placed them gently in the scooter, wore the helmet and hit the road.

****************

MILLER'S COMPANY

This is the tallest building, the first one you meet when you leave the small town... it has a lot of working station and a lot of stuff. It has the most beautiful view especially on the top view where is Ethan's office, is really breathtaking especially at night when city lights are on.

Noise was heard from a room looking like a boardroom, everyone was presence for the meeting to meet new clients but except the CEO's chair. Everyone was complaining that the boss is late wondering where he is because the clients are already present, as soon as Ethan walked inside with his assistant William, who plays two roles (in noon he is an assistant and in night he is a bodyguard. He is Ethan's right hand they have been close since kindergarten) the room become silent like no one was talking just now. That's how powerful Ethan is. He is really respected...some ladies in the boardroom could help but still glance at him. He was breathtaking making it hard for them to look away. His expression remained still no smile no sign of emotion. He sat down, and the meeting started.

After 1 hour 30 minutes they came to an agreement with the clients, the document signed and the deal was closed just like that, the clientswere happyand readyto work with Ethan. Everyone started to leave the room to continue with their daily work. Ethan also left with his assistant to his office, they got in an elevator as soon the door closed, his assistant faced him

"boss tonight we are going to deliver the money and also receive supplies".

Ethan still faced forward with one hand in a pocket and getting out of the elevator while his assistant walking by his side

 "make sure you send the best team and no mistakes must be made" he said in a sharp tone walking inside the office and looked outside the window at the park view he saw kids celebrating. William poured him a glass of whiskey and gave it to him, he also looked at what his boss was looking at. Ethan as he was looking he noticed a figure of a girl that made him remember a girl who ruined his plans 5 years ago.

...5 years ago...

Lara (Elizabeth) was working as a specialized driver, she was the top driver. Her job was really dangerous, she was driving the Mafias, gangsters and help them escape. And when she drives you can't catch her she does the unpredictable no one could catch up with her. She was the best ... looking innocent which made a lot of customers to doubt her but after showing her skills they started to show respect. Most gangs even wanted to hire her as their special driver, but she turned them all down.

The reason is still a mystery!

Anna was Lara's close friend she has been taking care of her since she was young. She found her in the street crying all alone, she didn't know who her parents was, so she took care of her until she grew. She played a parent role in her life till she grew up and finished school. They worked together to support each other, but she was not a driver like her. She was her guard making sure that the customers don't hurt her she was her shield. She worked at a club called Rizzoli.

One stormy ugly night Anna asked Lara to take her shift at Rizzoli club not aware it will be their last day of communication and seeing each other. Rizzoli club, the famous club where everyone goes especially mafias the place smelled danger, a place you enter at your own risk. Anna wanted to go and take care of her friend who was in the hospital so since Lara had nothing to do She agreed. She went to work and was busy serving customers as she worked at the counter, she was fantastic like a professional if you didn't know you would say she has been working for years ...as she was busy working she noticed her top customer Matthew holding a black briefcase heading to a VIP room. she wanted to ignore it, but Curiosity got the best of her, so she took the top expensive whiskey and went upstairs to spy.

VIP Room in Rizzoli club

The room was a bit dark where men all in black tuxedo's wearing shades … They were Ethan's men stood on both his side.Ethan was sitting on a sofa, a glass of whiskey on his hand and on the left hand he was holding a cigar facing up blowing the smoke the room was really quiet. Matthew walked in with his man and sat down opposite.

Matthew's man open the briefcase revealing a non-active bomb the top bomb not ordinary a one of a kind ... that's what is Matthew known for making bombs, the once that are not easy to dysfunction if is being activated, they are dangerous " I got the stuff hope u have my cash" Matthew said with a deep calm voice leaning on the sofa.

 Ethan faced him and put the cigar in a container of dispose he just commanded one of his man with a snap of a finger, and he understood what he meant he took out a case of cash and opened it to show Matthew. Matthew stood up and took one stack of cash to check is real. He smiled and took the case with a boom and put it on the table and started to explain how it works.

Ethan stood up and was about to speak when one of his man opened the door holding a girl "boss we found him on the door spying on you" he said while he made the girl kneel. She looked young and that's what made Ethan curious. Ethan faced her and hold he chin making her to face him

" who sent you " he said in a lazy deep voice like someone is forcing him to talk

Lana faced him for a moment she got lost in Ethan's blue eyes, but she snapped back to reality "no one send me I work here, and I was coming to deliver the whiskey and I heard nothing please...please…'s…spare my life" she said in a creaking voice her facial expression showing she is really scared. She just really she said the truth she closed her eyes shut already welcoming her death.

Matthew was about to steal the money from Ethan side ...he took the opportunity to do it while Ethan was focused on the girl whom he noticed he knew her as the driver not sure what she was doing here .He took the briefcase of money and was about to escape, one of Ethan's man aimed to shot him but Matthew's man took a bullet for him and that's what brought everyone in the room to the main reason they were here. Matthew took Lana's hand to escape and Ethan's guy where after them .they got in Matthew's car and Lana drove them out but Ethan's men followed them like crazy...rain started to rain heavily as Lara drove madly making crazy turns , driving like a maniac and finally lost them.she saved their lives. and stopped at safety spot commanding Matthew to explain which he did... but after explain he used an injection which made Lana feel dizzy and conscious.

Ethan got furious after learning he lost them. He felt like tearing his men apart since they lost to a girl and because Matthew didn't only take the cash but also the bomb he was supposed to deliver to him... and that girl who just helped him escape. He went back to his mansion and asked William to get information of that girl, and He did. Now he knows everything about her.

...----------------...

THE PARK

 It is really lovely out here, the weather was not hot nor cold but balanced it showed that it will rain. It is a good weather to be outdoors. Girls and boys are running around playing and having fun. The birthday girl is dressed in a princess dress, having a lot of fun. Elizabeth arrived took of the helmet, placed it on top of the scooter seat and carried the boxes, placed the order on the table and went to the elder who was taking care of them ... they talked for a bit since she already paid for the order. Elizabeth looked at the kids running around which made her miss Anna, a lot ever since she left her in California they never got in touch.

The weather started to change, and it began to rain cats and dogs. Elizabeth was about to go but decided to help the lady by taking kids to safety which is the miller's building, luckily the security let them in because of the kids... Elizabeth and the lady managed to get kids to safety. Elizabeth was mesmerized by this amazing building, looking around...this place was give a wow is like she was in a movie or some sort of dream because is the first time seeing this building face to face … Her expression was like a little kid given a candy. She was really amazed by this place not aware that someone is watching her. She was going to tick this one in her basket list 'entering the miller's company '

It was Ethan watching from his office "I want you to get me information of this girl" William looked where Ethan was looking, he bowed and left the office. after 45 minutes he returned with a file

"Here is it boss" he handed him the file. Ethan took and faced William

"you should go and get ready for the mission I don't want any mistake I want a clean job okay... and don't forget you are in charge tonight" William nodded and left Ethan alone.

Ethan opened the file sitting down on this chair and smirked when he sees that it is the same Person from 5 years ago but different identity

"what do we have Here... ohh, so you are Elizabeth. I guess I have to introduce myself soon" he said in a dark dangerous voice he took out his cigar and started to smoke with a smirk on his face like he just found a missing puzzle.

 He stood up and looked at her again. Elizabeth was saying goodbye to the lady because the rain was not that heavy anymore, so she wanted to leave before the rain comes back, since she is living far from this place. She left the building and went to her scooter, she rode and left the place… Ethan also left the office following her. Making sure she doesn't notice.

 Elizabeth's POV

It was getting dark, and I was far from home. The rain came back while I was thinking nothing could go bad, the scooter just broke down in the middle of nowhere. I moved it away from the road and took my phone out of my pocket to call for help, but it was dead...what a bad day am I having.

 "great just what I needed "

I looked around for a shelter since the was no car passing around. I am really soaking wet I. started to look around to find a shelter just to escape the rain, and I saw one on the left side of the road a bit of distance from the road, so I began to run to it, when I got there, the building was really out of shape, and it was really dark making it hard to see.I started to wonder why is nothing going my way today.

The place smells dust…. Showing that is has been abandoned for many years. For a moment I felt this place was familiar, but why is it familiar ? It is clearly my first time here so why do I feel familiar, I brushed the thought away. I started to walk around, and I started to feel a chill down my spine... A feeling of fear, a feeling of another presence in here. I hoped no soul was hunting this place. I gathered all my courage and I reached out, shaking due to cold wet clothes and fear my finger brushed against something hard like a stone, or I assumed was stone. Not only that, but I no longer smelled the dust, but I started to smell a nice smell, actually a smell of expensive perfume mixed with smell of cigar. This smell felt a bit familiar but not sure where I smelled it. At this point I felt like my mind was playing silly tricks with me. At this point I don't want to lie am so scared that I could faint on the spot I took steps back. Wishing I could just disappear from this scary place.

 Ethan's pov

I smirked when I saw her face still looking innocent as ever after 5 years of searching for her, and the fear on her face makes me wanna torture her

 "we meet again Elizabeth or should I say" I leaned to her ear both hands in pockets, I bent a little to meet her height and whisper "Lina" I faced her as I saw her facial expression which I love to watch...she was surely scared ,and confused which made me feel happy to see her that terrified.

"Who...Who are You and what do You want?" She looked at me confused and scared on how I know her real name an...at this point she wanted to run before being abducted by a mysterious man.

"You don't get to ask questions here I do the asking, and your answers will be your ticket of survival" I sat down and face her with a serious look "Sit down Lina" She did what I said And she sat like an obedient dog and I liked that.

"Now Lina where is Matthew and tell me what u heard 5 years ago at Rizzoli club that night" I asked while lighting my cigar, she kept quite like she didn't hear me.

"Come on Lina don't waste my time speak" I blew the smoke and looked at her with my lazy blue eyes with no emotion on my face. She was quite for a minute, and she started to talk not meeting my gaze. I can tell she is really terrified.

"I don't know what your talking about and how do you even know my name? who are you anyway?" she said in a low voice and I started to get annoyed I stood up bang my fist on the wall next to me making it Crack which made her to flinch...I walked to where she was setting I raised her chin to look me in the eyes, our faces were inches away.

" am going to ask for the last time, where is Matthew, and why did you save him the other night ? if you don't know what am talking about. You better start talking if you don't want to end up like this wall" I let go of her chin and gave her space I inhaled the smoke and exhaled it to her face

This name Matthew sounded familiar to her ears as I saw she was looking down and thinking...after a minute she opened her mouth starting to relax

"ohh Matthew... you mean the Mafia guy. He was my top customer...and a loyal one you know he was generous... but you got the wrong idea cause all I did was to drive him to safety...no question asked. we never talked like having a friendly conversation, and I didn't work for him, I worked for myself... the last time I saw him was when he was offering me a job which I declined" Elizabeth replied in high voice now "and if u want me to work for you, you can ask someone because I no longer do that job any more" she continued in a calm tone.

"Stop with this game Lina where is..." I heard my phone ringing I answered it without looking who is calling "what" I answered in a sharp tone as I walked away from Lina.

"Boss the exchange was great but..." William went silent for a minute.

"You really like to waste time don't you" I said with anticipation"but what William "

"The truck of guns the once we got, got bombed on our way back we lost everything along with 4 men" William said in a low disappointed voice.

"I am on my way" I hung up and faced Lina "I will be back for you Missy" and after saying that I vanished like I was never there. Elizabeth was left stunned, shaking. She was not sure whether she was shaking cause of fear or the cold. Her clothes are dry at this time. She made sure to hit her identity very well so how did he find out and what happened 5 years ago that he assumed she knows. This whole thing felt like a long nightmare, and she just wants to wake up from it.

****************