Bloom stared at Rosa as she walked into the small room with a wicked smile plastered on her face. Her black and white polka-dotted skirt and white chiffon top didn't go with the evil look on her face. Her black stiletto heels that clicked on the coarse floor sent an eerie feeling down her spine.

"Hi, Bloom. Glad to see you're not dead yet."
Rosa said, stopping two feet away from her. Her golden locks were pushed up into a neat bun, making her face look long and small.

"It's a miracle right?" Rosa asked with a big smile and laughed.
Bloom took the chance to check her surroundings. She was in a storage room, there were cleaning equipment and old paint buckets around her.

Bloom wanted to speak but remembered her lips were taped. She gave Rosa a dark look and struggled with the ropes to set herself free as if it would suddenly cut loose.

"Don't waste your strength, those ropes can hold the strongest man alive."
Rosa told her as she checked out her perfectly manicured nails.

Bloom gave up and waited for Rosa to set her free.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way, but your father deserves to feel the pain we all felt."
Rosa told her.

Bloom tried to say something again but failed. Rosa sighed and moved closer, she ripped the duct tape off with no care and stepped back.

Bloom hissed at the pain and allowed some air into her mouth. She breathed in and coughed to soothe her dry throat.

"Please can I have some water?" She asked hoarsely.

Rosa stared at her for a long second as if contemplating giving her the water.

"Please," Bloom begged. She felt so dehydrated and was scared she was going to pass out any second.

Rosa grabbed a white plastic bag from outside and threw it at her.

"If you try to escape, you will be dead before you take a step."
Rosa warned her as she untied her hands.

Bloom stretched her hands as soon as they were free. They felt so numb and she could see the bruises around her wrists from her struggle with the rope.

She reached quickly for the bottle of water like her life depended on it. She didn't care about the sandwich and muffins. She opened the cap and drank the whole water in haste even licking the drops that didn't enter her mouth.

Rosa watched her with an enraged look written on her face.

Bloom squeezed the bottle wishing there was more left. She dropped the empty bottle and sighed in content.

She stared at the sandwich and muffin with an unknown feeling in her stomach. She took a glance at Rosa then back at the food.

"Don't worry, it's not poisoned. I decided I don't want you dead, I will give you to the Antisam, you'll be more useful to them."
Rosa told her as if she read her mind.

Bloom opened the wrap around the sandwich reluctantly and took a bite.

"Thanks."
She said after the first bite.

"Don't thank me yet, you might not get out of this alive. Your Dad was stupid to let you out knowing how many people want him dead, I'm surprised it's not on the news yet."

Bloom stiffened, maybe no one had noticed she was missing, but Damian would have known by now.

"If you don't mind me asking, how many days have I been here?"

"Three days."

She wondered why there was no news about her? It's been more than 48hrs and nothing was happening. She was the hidden daughter of the President of the United States, she was a secret and her Dad wanted it to remain that way. Her dad won't abandon her or Damian, what about Zayn? Did he know? Would he even care?

It scared her that no one might come for her. She brushed her thoughts away and focused on Rosa, she needed to find a way to get to her so she would let her go.

"I'm really sorry about your sister," Bloom said softly to Rosa.

"Twin sister," Rosa corrected her with rage taking over.

"I'm..."

"Your apology means nothing to me, it wouldn't change anything!"
Rosa cut in before she could finish her sentence.

Bloom pressed her back to the wall as Rosa stepped closer with a murderous look in her eyes.

"Do you know what it means to lose your twin? Your other half?"

Bloom wanted to say yes, she knew the pain of losing someone important to you.

"It's like half of my soul is gone, like that part of me is dead and gone forever." Rosa whimpered.

"Your father stole that from me and I had to put my life on hold and leave everything behind to become a parent to Tumika and Zayn who treats me like shit! That bastard," she paused and let out a humorless laugh.

"He had the opportunity so many times to turn you in, to get back at your father, but no, the fool is still hung up on his stupid childhood love."
Rosa sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I can't wait for this to be over, I will give you to the Antisam for a ransom, tell them about the traitor and take Tumika with me to a nice country and start over."
She said with a broad smile.

"You will be dead before Zayn allows you to take his sister away from him," Bloom glared at her.

"We'll see about that," she gave her a triumphant smile and snatched the remaining sandwich from her hand.

"I'm sure the one in your stomach will last you for two days," she collected the untouched muffins and tied her hands back.

Bloom was still starving but she didn't complain rather she eyed Rosa as she tore out another duct tape.

"You won't get away with this," Bloom told her before she taped her mouth.

"Goodnight, Bloom."
She said and locked the door, trapping her in the pitch-black prison again.

||
The President switched off the tv after the CNN reporter announced about his daughter's disappearance. He turned around to look at Damian who stood behind him with a neutral expression.

"So, what do you think?" The President asked.

"You did the right thing."

"I hope you know we just put my daughter in more danger, she will never be safe again."

"And whose fault is that?" Damian blurted, he didn't intend to say it out loud.

Anger flashed through the President's grey eyes, he stood up and walked toward him but Damian stood still not feeling threatened.

"I can see you have gotten too comfortable and think you can speak to me however you want. Do I need to remind you..." A knock on the door cut him off.

"What?" He asked, stepping back, trying to regain his composure.

The door opened and a tall guard and a short lady that had her phone pressed to her ear walked in.

"Mr. President, they are many reporters outside waiting for you."
The guard informed him.

"Mr. President."
The small lady in a red pantsuit called after she finished her call.

"What is it, Kate?" He asked, sounding annoyed.

"People are calling for interviews, you have six already."
She told him as she went through the white tab in her hand.

"Reject all, I'm not going for any stupid interview."
He said, walking away.

His personal assistant and the bodyguard trailed behind him like his shadow.

Damian ran both hands down his face and looked around. He decided to check on Aunt Matilda.

The maids and chefs were already talking about the news. The youngest maid in the residence who was very close to Bloom was crying like she just lost someone special to her.

||

Zayn was in the Antisam gym killing time and trying not to go crazy with Bloom's disappearance.

He's been avoiding everyone and didn't give up searching for her. His friends were already tired of looking at the same place every day.

He punched the punching bag harder at the thought of Bloom being held captive and tortured.
The sweat rolled down his light skin and his veins appeared prominent as he clenched his fists.

"Take it easy, Santi."
He heard Max's voice from behind him.

He paused and turned around to look at him. Max took a seat on one of the benches and his two hefty guards stood behind him.

"What do you want?" Zayn asked him breathlessly, unwrapping the tapes around his pale knuckles.

He reached for his old gym bag and grabbed a bottle of water.

"I was just worried, you're here 24/7. Everything okay, buddy?" Max asked.

Zayn shook his head at his fake concern.

"What do you want, Max?"

Max smiled and stood up, he took slow steps toward him.

"I just saw the news, sorry about your girlfriend. I understand why you're here trying to distract yourself, so sad."

Zayn tried not to react to anything he was saying.

"Did you know she was the President's daughter?"
Max asked with a hardened expression, Zayn didn't reply.

"Of course you did, you are smarter than that."
He said and laughed.

"You had the nerve to bring her to the headquarters? Now it all makes sense. She was the one behind the attack, she told her father about our hideout."

"She was not the one!"

"Of course you're going to defend her cause you're crazy in love with her. That's why you refused to help come up with a plan to capture her. You've been fooling us all this time!"

"Leave her out of this Max, whatever happened is not her fault but her father's. Why does she have to pay for his crimes?"

"She is his blood Zayn. It doesn't matter whose fault it is. The only way we can get back at that asshole is through his precious daughter and you can't stop us. We'll find her, give it a day."

Max said and smirked.

Zayn clenched his bruised fist at his threat.

"You traitor, I should have noticed it. You never turn down any opportunity to help." Max said and laughed in awe.

"She is not like her father, leave her out of this."

"You're an orphan because of her father, your sister is mute because of..."

"Stop it," Zayn warned stepping closer.

"Don't you miss your mom, Santiago?"

Zayn raised his fist to hit but his two guards were quick to stop him.

"The only thing stopping me from killing you right now is the Vice President, but some beating is allowed."
He smirked and gestured for the two big men to beat him up.

"Don't break any bone, but make sure you beat the shit out of him."
He ordered and left.

"I'm all yours," Zayn said to them with open arms.

The first blow was sent to his stomach, making him scrunch down in pain.

"Is that all you got, come on!" he yelled.

He didn't fight back, he welcomed the pain from the kicks and punches they threw at him. He had wanted to feel pain since she went missing, he shut his eyes and allowed them to beat him to their satisfaction.

After three agonizing minutes of blows and kicks from different angles, they got satisfied and stopped.

He laid on the ground coughing out blood, they gave him one last kick in the ribs and walked away.

He twisted from side to side at the pain that swallowed him.

"Son of a b*tch!"
He groaned clutching his ribs.

He spat out the blood in his mouth and laid there for a few seconds.

He summoned the little energy left in him and struggled to get on his feet. He held the wall for support as he staggered down the large hallway to the elevator.

He ignored the stares pointing at him. He sighed in relief when he entered the elevator, he leaned on the steel wall still clutching the left side of his ribs. She was worth it, she was worth every kick and punch he received.

He made it to his car when he got out of the elevator. He leaned back on the seat before turning on the ignition.

One of Max's men stepped on his fingers and managed to dislocate two. He ignored the pain as he held the steering wheel. The ride to the girls' place was a bit tormenting.

He pulled into their driveway almost hitting Taylor's car that was parked on the street. He turned off the ignition and came out of the car.

Luckily for him, their apartment was on the first floor. He banged on the door and screamed Nicole's name.

The door opened, the anger on Nicole's face was soon replaced with worry when she saw him.

"Oh my God, Zayn?"
She gasped staring at his face. She looked behind him if anyone came with him. She moved closer and put one arm around his tall frame to support him.

"Guys! I need help here!"
She screamed as she walked slowly with him to the living room.

"Oh my God, what happened?"
Tyra asked when she looked away from her phone. She stood up and helped Nicole to place him on the couch.

"Liz! Bring the first aid kit!" Nicole yelled.

"Did he get in an accident?" Tyra asked, kneeling next to his body.

Liz rushed into the room with Taylor.

"What happened to him?" Liz asked opening the white box.

"I found him outside the door like this?"
Nicole said.

"Get me a towel," she said to Liz.

"Who do you think did this to him?"
Taylor asked sitting beside him.

"I think he needs stitches," Tyra said staring at the cut on his cheek and lips.

"We should take him to the hospital."
Liz suggested when she returned.

"And tell them what? He got into a fight?" Nicole asked with shaky hands as she tended to his wounds.

"Maybe that was what happened." Tyra shrugged.

"I know how to give first aid, okay?"
Nicole said and glared at Taylor.

"Girl, you're shaking," Tyra said and Taylor gave her a warning stare.

"Is he still conscious?" Liz asked as Nicole wiped the dried blood off his face.

"Yeah but not for long?" Nicole replied.

"We need to take him to the hospital."
Taylor said vehemently.

"No," Zayn mumbled with his eyes still closed.

"Bro, you don't look good," Taylor told him, twisting his face at his injuries.

"I will be fine, just get me some painkillers."
He said in a weak tone.

"This is gonna hurt," Nicole warned as she brought the bottle of alcohol closer. Zayn bit down on his lips and nodded his head in approval. He cried out in pain as soon as the liquid made contact with the gash on his skin.

Liz looked away and shut her eyes while Tyra held onto Taylor's arm as she watched.

"I'm so sorry," Nicole said, holding back her tears even if she tried to appear strong.

Liz stood up and left to get the pain meds while Nicole stitched up his cuts with caution and cleaned him up. Zayn took the painkillers after Nicole finished and closed his eyes.

They left him on the couch to rest and gathered in the kitchen to talk.

"What do you guys think happened?"
Nicole asked after washing her bloody hands.

"He got outnumbered in a fight?"
Tyra guessed.

"You said he has been at the gym all day right?"
Liz asked.

"Yeah," Taylor replied.

"He still has his gym clothes on, I think he was attacked in the gym," Liz told them.

"You should be a detective," Nicole told her.

"I was going for CIA but that's good too." Liz smiled.

"I will kill whoever is responsible."
Taylor said in rage.

"Do you think Max found out?"
Liz asked.

They all went mute and exchanged glances between one another.

Suddenly, everyone's phone beeped. They all checked their phones and looked at one another.

"Shit!" Tyra cursed hitting the countertop with her fist.

"Max is calling for an urgent meeting, I think he knows."
Nicole said.

"Should we go?"
Liz asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea if Max already knows we were hanging out with the president's daughter."
Taylor replied.

"We could tell him we didn't know who she was, Zayn never told us."
Tyra said, leaning on the countertop.

"He won't buy that," Taylor said.

"Let's wait for Zayn to wake up, he might know what's really up," Liz suggested.

They all agreed and sat back. Tyra kept pacing the room and mumbling curses. Everyone was occupied in his or her thoughts, waiting for the worse to happen.

Zayn was out cold for almost four hours.

"I think we should wake him up, it's been four hours."
Tyra said.

"You can't blame him, look at his condition."
Liz said.

"We have no idea what's happening at the headquarter, we..."

"Can you guys please stop talking for a minute," Zayn said cutting Tyra off from finishing her sentence.

When he opened his eyes, he found all his friends staring at him.

"Freaking finally!" Tyra exclaimed.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?"
He asked sitting up slowly on the couch.

"We are in deep shit, I think Max knows about you and Bloom," Nicole said in one breath.

"Yeah, he does. He saw the news and put the pieces together. He figured it all out."

"He did this to you?" Taylor asked with a hardened jaw.

"Yeah but that's the least of my worry right now," he said as Taylor mumbled 'son of a bi*ch'

"A mission alert was sent three hours ago but we ignored it," Liz said.

"He wants to find Bloom, we need to find her before he does."
Zayn said and tried to stand on his feet.

"Have you seen yourself? You're not in any condition to leave this building."
Nicole said, stopping him.

"I need to find Bloom, you don't know what they will do to her if they find her!"
He almost yelled.

"We've looked everywhere Zayn, she is like a ghost," Taylor said.

"We'll keep looking," he said and forced himself up.

"Do you have any shirt or hoodie I can wear?"
He asked Nicole.

"Yeah," she rushed to get it.

"Wait, you said her bodyguard told you she was coming to see you?"
Liz asked.

"Yeah," Zayn replied.

"What if she is somewhere in that neighborhood, we haven't paid much attention to that place."
Liz said, stealing everyone's attention.

"Are you saying someone in the neighborhood kidnapped her?" Zayn asked.

"Just a theory. Maybe someone figured she was the president's daughter or because she wears expensive things."
Liz explained.

"She doesn't wear expensive things when she is visiting."
Zayn said quickly.

"There are criminals in that building, someone might have taken her for his sexual needs no offense, just another theory."
Taylor said.

"Fine, we are going to search the neighborhood and every house. Break in if you have to."
He told them.

"You're asking for too much," Tyra complained.

"It's your choice, I'm not forcing you."
He told her.

Nicole arrived with a white Champion hoodie. He slipped it on, thanking her.

"Let's go."

"Go where?" Nicole asked.

Liz filled her in as they left the building. They took Taylor's car and Tyra's small car.

"Do we have to break in?" Liz asked when the car came to a stop in front of the tall building.

They came out and gathered in front of Taylor's car.

"I bet the cops will be here before we make it to the second building."
Tyra snickered.

"If anyone wanna back out, you're free. I can do this on my own."
Zayn said with a determined look in his eyes.

"No one is backing out, right guys?"
Nicole asked with a smile and they all nodded in agreement.

"Bloom is our friend, let's do this!"
She added.

"Let's split up," Taylor suggested.

"I will check my apartment," Zayn told them and walked away.

"Be careful!" Nicole yelled after him.

"Okay, guys. Bloom needs our help."
Nicole said to the others.

They all nodded and separated.

"Nicole!"
Taylor called, running after her. She stopped and turned around, he kissed her before she could say anything.

"I don't know what will happen tonight, I just want you to know you're more than a fuckbuddy to me. Stay safe."
He told her after he pulled away, she stared at him lost for words.

"Bye, Nicole."
He whispered and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and walked away.

She smiled at his retreating figure and walked away.