Adira was bewildered. Who the hell was that, and why was he sounding like he could see her at the moment? Nikolai was distracted, checking out some male outfits. "Listen, I don't know who you are, but it's obvious you're joking. So, I'm hanging up." "I wouldn't do that, if I were you." The voice stopped her. "I mean, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to see a bullet go through Nikolai's head right now. It would be awful seeing his white shirt get soaked in blood." Adira froze instantly. Her eyes became so wide like they'd fall out of her sockets. She looked around frantically, but the galleria was too big with hundreds of people in it. "Are you insane?" She gritted. "What stupid game are you trying to play? You expect me to believe you'd shoot a man like Nikolai here in public? If that happens, you should know you're never getting out of here alive.""I know. I know his guards are there with you at the moment. But trust me, they won't be fast enough to stop or shield him before I pull this trigger. And about dying - yes, I know there's no way I'd shoot him and get out of here unharmed, but that is something I'm ready for, Adira. The person that hired me, you see, will make sure my family gets compensated. And to be honest, I'm getting tired of living, anyway." Adira's breath was becoming uneven. She swallowed around the lump in her throat, looking around again. "You're trying to play games with me." She shook her head. "It's possible you're not even here and just trying to..." "You think so?" The caller interrupted. "Well, first I'd all I'd advise you to stop looking around 'cause you're not going to see me. Secondly, stop looking so nervous so someone doesn't get suspicious. I promise you, Adira, I'll pull the trigger the moment you raise an alarm. Thirdly, I wish you could whisper it to Nikolai that the blue shirt in his hand would look awful on him." Adira looked at Nikolai and confirmed he indeed, had a blue shirt in his hand. A heavy weight settled in the depths of her core as her spirits plummeted. Whoever this person was, he wasn't joking. Her grip on her phone tightened. Her stomach had started grumbling. "Who sent you?" She asked lowly. "And what the hell do you want? What sort of dumb game is this?" "Now, you're speaking in my language." The caller chuckled. "Well, first of all, I need you to walk away from Nikolai. Come up with an excuse, whatever it may be, and leave the mall. When you get outside, take a car and start driving alone. I'll direct you afterwards." "What?" She flinched. "Have you lost your mind? You... you want me to go where? You seriously expect me to drive myself into danger?" "You don't have an option here, Adira, and to be honest, you're running out of time. Now, make sure you keep the line running while you go to Nikolai. I repeat, you must not drop this call. One wrong move from you and I promise to pull this trigger and shoot myself in the head right after. I' told you, I've been paid for that." Nikolai had turned to look at Adira, and she wasn't quick enough to cloak the anxiety on her face. Quickly, she lowered the phone from her ear but didn't end the call. She approached him. "Hey, is everything alright?" He asked before she got to where he was. "Y...Yeah. I mean," she paused and sighed. She was trying so hard to hide her anxiety. Everything was happening so fast, but the only thing she could think of at the moment was seeing Nikolai get shut. She'll never be able to get over the trauma - never. And whoever that caller was, sure sounded like a lunatic that'd make good of his threats. "You don't look fine, Adira; what is it?" Nikolai dropped the shirt in his hand. "I'm... I'm fine. It's just... I just got a call from Freya. My dad..." She drew in a shaky breath. "My dad suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. His health is... pretty bad, and she said he's been asking for me.""Oh. So, you have to go to him?" "Yes. I know I've hated him for such a long time, but if he's this critical, I think I just have to be with him." "Of course, of course. Ill go with you." "N... No." She wagged her head. "The clients will be here shortly, Nik, we can't afford to lose them." "It doesn't matter. We can just reschedule." "But you know that's not possible. Their flight leaves by midnight. So, we have to do this." She held his hands. "Don't worry, it's just my father. I'll rush over to him now and let you know how it goes. Perhaps, when you're done with the meeting, you can come join me." Nikolai wasn't satisfied. "I'd really love to be there, Adi. Just..." "Trust me, okay?" She smiled. "I'll be fine. Let me go take care of my father, while you take care of our clients." Having no choice, Nikolai finally agreed. "Fine. Call me the moment there's a problem." "Of course, I will." She leaned forward and pecked his cheek before turning away. Her heart ached for what she just did - lying to Nikolai. She hated it so much and wants nothing more than to get this caller punished. Out of the mall, She took the phone to her ears. "I'm out." She spoke angrily. "That was a pretty good lie, I must admit. Even I nearly fell for it." Adira's fingers curled into fists. "Now, like I said, get a car and drive out alone. I'll give you the directions as you go." With her hand still fisted, she walked towards their cars and found the driver there. They'd arrived with two cars - their guards making use of one. "Ma'am, are you heading out?" The driver asked as she approached him. "Yes. But don't worry, I'll drive myself." She stretched out her palms, and hesitantly, he released the keys into it. "Uh...are you very sure, ma'am?" He questioned as Adira made her way into the driver's seat. She didn't respond to him and simply drove out. "Whoever you are, I hope you realize this is a terrible mistake and you'll definitely pay for this. Definitely." She spoke irately on the phone, her grip tight around the steering. "We all have sins, Adira. Focus on yours, while I focus on mine." He laughed like a maniac. "One of my partners is following you behind as we speak, so ensure you don't do something nasty. And as for me, I'm here at the mall, ready to pull the trigger if you blow off any kind of alarm." He informed, tripling her fear. She had thought things would be able to work in her favour since she was away from the mall, but the bastard had everything planned out. "You'll not get away with this, you know." She huffed. "I have no idea what you're trying to do, but I just know you won't get away with this." He laughed. "Let's see about that, shall we?" With anger bubbling within her, she took all his directions until she finally got to the destination he had in mind. It was an apartment - a small apartment. And she noticed a car was parked outside. "Why did you bring me here?" Her fear was taking a different dimension now. Seeing a house, she was no longer worrying about Nikolai at the mall, but herself. Why would they want her in a house? "Get down from the car and go in, Miss Adira. My man is watching. Don't try anything stupid." The words came out clipped. She glanced behind and found the car parked at a distant. That was the car that had been following her from the mall. Oh, God; something really bad was about to happen - she could feel it. Fearfully, she stepped out of the car and the caller finally ended the call. She's never been so scared in her life. Her hand unconsciously went to her tummy, praying nothing bad happens to her or her baby. Shakily, she proceeded into the house, expecting the worst - whatever it may be. She found herself in the living room - although, there were no chairs in it, just a bed. She looked around, and her heart jumped out of her chest when she found Lancelot in the room with her.