MELISSA’S POV I was back to Lord Daniel’s mansion, and I sat in my room, feeling down. How did I manage to get into this trouble? It’s just as that lady said to me that I would end up in a battle ground between both of them, and I would be like the grass that suffers when elephants fight. Recalling that, I decided to go to the basement and ask a few questions. I stood up from the bed, and walked out of the room. I looked left and right in the hallway, and tiptoed out of the hallway. On getting to the sitting room, I looked around to be certain there was no one lurking around anywhere. I knew it was because I was about to do something which could cost me my life, or make Lord Daniel torture me, that I was carefully walking. As soon as I got to the stairs leading to the basement, it felt as if a huge rock was dropped in my heart. I felt like my blood became cold. “You can do this, Melissa.” I muttered under my breath. I walked down the stairs, step by step, careful not to make a noise. I almost tripped at the fifth step, but I held on to the rail tight, and balanced my self again. As I got to the bottom of the stairs, I opened the door, and walked in. The first thing I set my eyes on was the different tools on a table which could be used to torture people, and the stench of blood, filled my nose, making me to squeeze my face. But I noticed that the lady was no longer here. The ropes which were used to tie her to the chair, were on the floor, and a trail of blood which stopped halfway was all I could see. Could they have killed her or taken her away? It’s best I leave this place before anyone finds me here. I walked out of the basement just the same way I came in, and while I was walking past the sitting room, I heard footsteps walking towards me. Shit! Whoever is coming would have noticed I was walking suspiciously. “Melissa?” I turned to the direction in which I heard the voice, and relief washed through me, just like when the wave washes off the writing on the beach sand. “Uhm… Cecilia. Didn’t see you there.” I said, trying to hide my nervousness. Even if it wasn’t Kavan or Lord Daniel, I still felt nervous, because the manner in which I walked would look suspicious to anyone.“Yeah. But you should try your best not to walk that way anymore, and not to get too curious in this mansion. Even if Lord Daniel has a use for you, he doesn’t mind eliminating you.” Cecilia uttered, with a straight face. “Oh, I see. Thank you for the tip.” “You’re welcome. By the way, Lord Daniel asks to see you.” “Me? Where?” “In his bedroom. You shouldn’t waste time.” She said, then left. My heart skipped a beat, and tension built up in me, almost reaching my neck and ridding me off my ability to speak. I didn’t know the way to his room, and Cecilia didn’t inform me on that, either. Was that a test? Then I let out a sharp breath, and tried to bury my fear. If he noticed fear in me, that could be another page of trouble for me. I walked briskly, and looked around the rooms upstairs. I moved closer to each door, and leaned on them to hear any movements. I heard none until I got to the last room which I heard the sound of liquid being poured into a glass cup. Finally, I found the room. I knocked and gulped down my fear, which sank to the bottom of my belly. “Come in.” His voice sent shivers down my spine, and I hoped I wasn’t in trouble. I opened the door which made a creaking sound, and walked in, then shut the door behind me. “You asked to see me.” I voiced out, ignoring thevoice of my fear. I figured out it was alcohol he was drinking, and he seemed a bit tipsy, but since he called me, he certainly was still in his right senses. “Yes, I did. I called to let you know something which I have decided on.” He replied, and poured himself another shot. I patiently waited for him to gulp it down, and when he did, he shut his eyes and inhaled sharply. I looked around, and noticed his room was neat and well arranged, and he had a collection of books, as well as a few alcoholic drinks. “I have decided that you will attend a college here. Apart from the mission I dropped in your hands, there are other things which schooling would make easier for me to get from you.” “I…I appreciate it. I never thought you would say something like this, so I never thought of what I would love to study.” I muttered out, trying my best not to say anything that would anger him.“You will study only what I tell you to.” He said, with a poker expression on his face. I gulped down my saliva, and fiddled with my fingers, nervously. Then he stood up, and began to walk towards me. I got scared, and moved backwards until my back touched the wall. Now, there was nowhere I could walk back to. “Did…did I say something wrong?” I inquired, out of fear. Then he placed his right hand on the wall, next to my head, and leaned closer to me. “Somehow, you look familiar. But I can’t seem to remember where I could have met you. Have we met before?” He asked, staring at me, out of curiosity. I blinked nervously, and before I could speak, he leaned over to me, and enveloped my lips with his, and his left hand laid on my belly. What was going on here? What was going to happen next? Don’t tell me it was going down the wrong way? “Oh, my goodness. So, what’s the way out right now? What do we do? She can’t be stuck there. Only the heavens know what time and age she went back to, and how the people act, over there.” Charles said, not happy with the fact that things went this way. “I might need to go in there to save her, but then, I need to work on some things to ensure I get into the same age and time she’s currently in. And that might be difficult.” Andrew said, and silence fell. VERA’S POV I was back in my room, and could not get the thought of what had happened between Lord Daniel and I out of my mind. Although, it had ended just with a kiss, and it seemed like it was the influence of the alcohol. But the only thing that weighed on me was the fact that he reminded me that I know him even before I was auctioned to him. I had tried to forget it as long as he didn’t remember me, but he telling me I looked familiar only pushed dread down my throat. ~flashback~ FIVE YEARS AGO I was left alone in the house because my aunt and her son had gone out to have fun at the mall and what hit me hard in the heart was the fact that they would go to the cinema and have fun with the virtual games as well. My aunt had ordered me to do the laundry, and clean the home before she got back. I even had to do my cousin’s laundry as well which was disgusting because most of his pants was stained with his semen. I squeezed my face as I sorted out the clothes which were meant to be handwashed and the ones which could be washed by the washing machine. Suddenly, I heard a loud sound which was certainly the sound of the door being flung open. I stood up immediately, and walked towards the sitting room only to see a man dressed in a black suit, locking the door. I was horrified because blood was dripping from his hurt shoulder, and he seemed to be in immense pain. Although I feared him because he was a stranger and seemed deadly, but I could not ignore the fact that he was badly wounded in his arm. I ran to him, and held his arm. “Stay put and sit here. I will get you a first-aid box.” I said to him and ran over to my aunt’s room where she had kept the first-aid box. I rushed back to the sitting room, and helped him pull off his suit, and shirt. I was awed by how fit he looked with no shirt on, and my eyes drifted to his face. He was good looking, and my eyes gaped open in awe. “Can you admire me after I have been treated?” He spoke out, still squeezing his face in pain. “Oh! I’m sorry.” I said, snapping out of my thoughts. I treated the wound and wrapped a bandage around his arm until it was perfect. “Where is your bathroom?” He asked immediately. I was expecting a thank you, but I guess he wanted to use the restroom first. “Uhm… It’s this way.” I stood up, and led the way to the bathroom. “The barrel is filled with water?” He inquired inquisitively. “Yes. Is that a problem?” I asked, looking baffled at his unexpected question. “No, it’s perfect.” He responded, staring at the barrel with a pleased expression. “Perfect?” I repeated, baffled at his awkwardness. All of a sudden, he grabbed me and opened the barrel. “What are you trying to do?” I voiced out, in fear. “Getting rid of you.” He responded as he stared into my eyes.All I could see in his eyes were coldness and brutality. “But…but I helped you.” “I didn’t ask for your help. No one should live to see this weakness.” He sneered, and pushed me inside the water, holding my shoulders down as I tried to escape from his grip. “You will have to drown and die. If you perhaps get out alive, and I set my eyes on you anywhere, I will ensure to finish off the work perfectly.” He threatened, and pushed my head in, and locked the barrel tight. ~back to reality~ I shook my head to snap out of the dreadful flashback. I was relieved that he didn’t remember me when I was auctioned to him, and I hope that he wouldn’t remember me, no matter how familiar I seem to him. It would be so easy for him to finish me off instantly without anyone looking for me. But even if he were to remember me, before he does, I have to get all the information that can make him crumble, and give them to Michael Deaton. That way, he wouldn’t be able to lay a hand on me. I laid on my bed, and went under the covers and let out an exhausted sigh. “Mother, father, I hope your spirits will shine luck on me.” I muttered under my breath with my eyes beginning to feel heavy. ~ I felt the sun’s warm rays on my face, and I squeezed my face and rubbed my eyes until it opened to see the bright day. I yawned and stretched and looked out of the window. The estate was quiet, and I could only hear a bird chirping like it was looking for something. Today, I was to go to a college, and hopefully what Lord Daniel wants me to study is to my liking. Not everyone can do well in a field of study which they have zero interest in, and I was one of them. I wouldn’t want college to be another reason I am experiencing more torture. I stood up reluctantly and dragged my feet to the bathroom. It was best to get prepared before Cecilia knocks on the door to tell me Lord Daniel calls for me. It would be a disaster to find out I wasn’t ready. I brushed my teeth vigorously and spat into the sink, and rinsed it off. Then I stayed under the shower and turned it on. Whoa! It was refreshing as the water sprouted out on my head and body. I scrubbed as fast as I could, and washed my hair as well. As soon as I was done, I walked out of the bathroom, and got dressed, then tied my hair up into a bun.Then a knock came on the door. “Lord Daniel calls for you, Melissa.” Cecilia informed. I smiled, and walked out of the room. I was ready, so i could foresee that there would be no problem with him this morning. “Time to start college.” I muttered under my breath with contained excitement.