I froze for good minutes until I felt a tap on my shoulder. Charles looked at me worriedly and pointed at the enormous iron gate and a lock hanging on it. I cursed under my breath and rummaged through the two lifeless bodies on the floor for the key. When the key jingled, I quickly proceeded towards the door and unlocked it.

A gasp left my lips when I saw the scenario in front of me. "Zearo, we have to break her out. We tackled some people, but I don't think they will let us take her that easily." Charles whispered, breaking me out of my shocked state.

"Zearo? Is that you?" A faint voice came from inside the cellar, causing me to shiver. The agony in the tone was too extreme for me to bear. Of course, I have heard voices with grief in them and to some, I was the source, but this one appeared like a hammer on my heart.

Julie was sitting on a steely chair, her hands and legs tied in handcuffs. Her body dotted with prominent bruises that popped out when the only light in the cellar upon her head focused on her. The scene itself forced me to vomit.

"I thought you'd never come." Oh, baby, the anguish in her statement drove me to recoil.

"Shush! I'm here. I'm here now." I drew deep breathing and calmly moved past Charles, who stared at me. I took tentative steps towards Julie, who just gawked at me as if she had seen a ghost. Slowly, I attempted to touch her hand but kept my eyes on her, noticing if she'd retreat or not. But to my surprise, she sighed when I touched her hand as if she knew I came to protect her.

"Just... Just take me from here. They... they beat hard. It pains so much Zearo." Her tone was barely audible, making a clot in my throat.

"Charles, we can't stay here for long, but I want to know who did this to her." I deadpanned and gently undid the handcuffs, making her cringe, I could feel the strain myself.

"It's alright. Just a second, we will be out of here in no time." I whispered as gently as I could. When I freed her completely, I lifted her as she had a hard time even keep her legs down.

"Zearo, you get her to the cabin. I will clear the mess and join you as quickly as possible." He said and handed me the keys.

As if on cue, I heard footsteps. Charles and I shared a look, and he nodded at me. Marching out of the vault, I haltingly made my way out of the construction holding Julie who continued to whimper making my heartache.

"I'm here now, you are safe with me." I cooed at her. Suddenly, the building was covered with green hooded guys and I had to hide to let them pass me without notice.

Soon I barged out of the building and haltingly but carefully took Julie to the Cabin which I own here in Florida.

****†*****†******†******†******†*****

Three days, three days passed away, but Julie didn't come back to her senses. I've been constantly keeping a check on her after returning from that building. Charles sent doctors who took proper care of her wounds, but she was required to heal internally.

She woke up in between but because of nightmares. Her body has healed, but I was afraid as her soul needed more space. I didn't step out of the cabin, worrying about her all along. I felt she needed me, and I had this lump in my throat that I couldn't digest and I needed to take care of her.

"Zearo?" As I was looking at the window, I heard a faint voice. Instantly I ran towards her, offering her a cup of water.

"You came." Her fingers trailing down my jawline confirming that I'm her dream or real. I just nodded. I realized my voice would betray me. The intensity of her gaze deliberately eating me from inside.

"I missed you." She smiled after a very long time.

"How are you feeling?" I inquired, gently helping her sit.

"I feel like shit!" She answered, but then started laughing.

"Julie, is it still paining?" I asked, pointing at the knife wound on her palm.

"It stings, that's it. Other than that, I'm all good." Her smile beaming in the room made my nerves a little lighter. I had millions of questions, but I'd rather wait then to hurt her again. Taking the cup of water from her grip, I moved aside only to get interrupted by her.

"I'm hungry." She sheepishly looked at me as though she was ashamed of the fact that she was hungry.

"Oh, look at my stupid brain. I will be right back." I dashed towards the kitchen and rummaged through the ingredients available. I hardly ate these three days, so I could only find a few eggs and some fruits. I instantly made scrambled eggs and arranged them for her with some apples and strawberries. "I have to go grocery shopping once I settle her in." I made a mental note for myself.

"Here, eat them." I entered the room but couldn't spot her anywhere. My breath hitched by thinking about the possibilities, but then the bathroom door opened and a fresh Julie wearing only my shirt exited. I tried not to stare at her and put the plate on the table next to the bed.

"Will you eat with me?" Her question stopped my action.

"I have had my breakfast though," I replied because I was already full.

"Can you please stay with me for a while? I don't want to be alone." Her quivering words shoot me like a needle. I nodded and scooted over at the end of the bed and she started having her breakfast.

I kept looking at her frame. The graceful Julie who I first met was nowhere to be found. Her eyes were so distant that squeezed my heart.

"Stop staring at me like that," Julie whispered while swallowing a strawberry.

"Um.."

"I realize you have so many questions and now that I'm full. I can answer all of that. But first I have to go out. I'm feeling suffocated here." Her voice grew quieter and calmer, and I felt as if she was trying hard to be back.

"I will take you out. I have brought a couple of dresses for you. You take your time and let me know when you are ready, alright." I told her and walked out of the room when I saw an incoming call on my phone.

"Oliver! What a surprise man. How have you been?" I inquired as it's been days since I have not talked to him. He must have sensed my absence.

"You gotta tell me, young man. You vanished and it unsettled me when I didn't hear from you for so long!" His worried voice entered my ears, making me sigh.

"I've been through a lot. It was a sudden trip and I will be back shortly buddy, don't you worry I'm alright." I assured him.

"Okay, guess what! I paid off my debt, and they'd never cause me any trouble anymore." His tone was so calm and joyous that it made me smile, but then suddenly I frowned when I recalled the deal that I signed up for before running to Florida.

"What day is it?" I asked more to myself, but Oliver answered me instead.

"Thursday, man. What's the matter?" His concerned voice made me facepalm.

"No! It's nothing. Can I call you later?" I urged him when I saw Julie getting closer to me.

As soon as she came closer to me, her lips captured mine, startling me. I jerked back, which led her to draw a few steps backward, and her face revealed sadness.

"I'm so sorry I shouldn't have done that." She said becoming dejected and I could feel my nerves going super crazy at the moment with the overwhelming sense.

"No, it's nothing like that!" I struggled to reassure her but failed.

"Come on, let me get you out." I raised my hand, and she cradled my hands, which was a relief because I never wanted to react the way I did. The things that transpired these days made me realize Julie became important to me. I didn't know how this happened, but I can't take my mind off the feeling that I felt when I found her inside the cellar.

"Where are we going?" She inquired, excitement clear on her face.

"You'd like that place, now come on." I tried making her comfortable after the kiss, and I could see that she was struggling to open up.

**†****†****†****†****

Julie enjoyed the outing much more than I expected. We went to the crowded market and then to the lake where she was so happy that she hugged me, knocking the air out of my body. Her presence always enlightened my mood.

Even when she had gone through such a trauma, she was recovering real quick. Charles called many times to inform me I have to be there in New York soon. I sighed as I realized I was in denial so far. I had to admit that it was all so foreign for me, my marriage, the secret, everything happening right now, even if it was for the short term and just a deal.

I took a heavy, audible breath when I stared at Julie sleeping peacefully beside me. There were still marks on her face, but less visible. Before I could study her face more, she opened her eyes and smiled at me. Making my heart swell with affection that grew towards her. She had been constantly struggling with nightmares and requested me to be with her, so I shared her bed. And to be honest, she slept for seven hours straight after I lied down beside her.

"You know you have a beautiful face." She stated in her groggy tone. I chuckled at her innocence.

"I love you, Zearo."

I froze!

Did I hear what I assume I heard?

"You need to take some more rest, Julie." I was still on the verge of processing her words and did what I could do the best. Denial.

"You think this started because you saved me? No! I've been in love with you since the day we met. I've.. I've always loved you." She was now wide awake, and the confession did nothing to stop the throbbing headache.

"You need rest, Julie. Please?" I tried convincing her, but her next words had me speechless.

"I need you! Why do you think they tortured me? Because I refused to marry that bastard! My brother kidnapped me so that I could change my mind and marry that prick and to top it with that, they wanted me to sign off on my bar!"

"The hell!" My tone rose, but when I saw her scooting back, I took a sharp breath. All these things happened to her because of me?

It was really hard to process what I discovered.

"Zearo, I've been fighting my fight since day one and no one has ever been supportive of the way you were. I know sincerely that I love you and I will never alter that." She wiped the tears from her face and stared at me in an extreme determination that left me dumb.

"I don't want you to love me back. I'm never forcing myself on you." She studied my face for a few minutes, and I'm sure my eyes had a blank expression. Words caught up in my throat and I couldn't fathom how to react.

When she realized that I'd not say anything, she got up to leave, but I drew her hands towards my own and breathed her scent. "I'm always with you." I could only respond this much because I knew loving someone was never in my dictionary of living life. The guilt inside me had been eating me up from inside. The thought of someone close to me getting hurt because of me had been crushing my heart.

I never in my dreams hoped that I someday have to sail in two boats. The days are going to be much crueler than I imagined them to be.

"All the best working your way out of these hurdles" I patted myself, not knowing what else to do.

***†*****†*****†***

A deafening bang on the door jerked me out of my sleep. "Who is it?" Julie stirred, clearly terrified at every bone. "Shush, it's alright I'm here." Even if my mind wasn't in peace, I had to keep her safe.

Another loud bang boomed inside the cabin from the door. I hastily wore my t-shirt lying on the floor and picked up my gun resting on the shelf.

Slowly, taking tentative strides, I moved a little near the door, shutting Julie's room, giving her a last nod of reassurance. I held the cold doorknob and twisted it open, and my eyes scanned the person who covered himself in a hoodie from top to bottom.

"Master!"

"David, what the fuck!" I exclaimed when I heard David's crisp voice, which was rather too urgent for my liking.

"I'm so sorry, but you have to leave urgently. I've been discreet, but Marios found out that you are here and they may be here any second." He rushed his words, handing me a mate of keys.

"How did they?!" My voice rose, but I immediately pulled David inside the cabin, knowing full well that Julie was awake and she'd be perturbed to death if she heard our intense voices.

"Their men saw you somewhere near the lake and had been following you ever since. They weren't confident as your face has somewhat changed. But they wouldn't think twice before killing an innocent man by doubting that it's you." His voice calmer now as he understood my situation.

"Those motherfuckers!"

"Zearo? Is everything alright?" Julie took slow yet careful strides down the hall where David and I were talking.

"All good. I just have crucial work to take care of. I guess we need to go to New York now." I glanced at her as I tried explaining her in a carefree manner.

"Uh, yeah, sure. Why not?" She answered to my relief. I drew a deep breath, ran my hands through my hair, and looked at David.

"I will pack our bags and be ready in an hour if that's okay?" She inquired. Unaware of the danger.

"You don't have to do that. I will take care of your luggage. Just grab some essentials and leave." David sounded harsh. I glared at him for talking to her rudely.

"Sorry, he meant that it's urgent so we have to get moving as soon as possible." I chimed in the middle. Her eyes flickering between me and David but then she gave a weak smile and headed to my room.

"Don't you ever speak to her like that. Ever again." I said through gritted teeth. He nodded and then vanished from my sight.

"This is going to be a long night!" I cursed under my breath before heading back upstairs.

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

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