Harold's POV

It has been weeks since Harold has seen his family. Or so he believes it has been weeks. The warehouse was so dark, he couldn't tell time. He was worried about his wife, Elizabeth. His darling wife who has stuck by his side after all the things he has done to her. Hiding all these secrets from her. The woman who loved him no matter what. He would never tell her that he loved her but he thought she knew that. But he just wished he said it more often. And he's one and only son. He never felt a strong bond with him because of his absence. He only tried to make him a stronger man for the future but he only pushed him away. He wished that he never started this business. If only he started his business the right way and didn't take any shortcuts. Now he had to fave the consequences. He tried to wriggle his wrists from the ropes they used to tie him with. The ropes were really strong and they tied him up tightly. He's wounds were starting to heal a little but he still felt the excruciating pain. The bruises were still visible. And his rumbling stomach didn't help at the moment. They'd feed him a slice of bread once a day. Sometimes he goes the whole day without eating. He felt parched. He saw the doors open and Alvaro walked in. "Alvaro," Harold's voice croaked. "Now what?" Alvaro said as he dragged a chair and set it in front of Harold and sat down. "Why?" was all he could ask. "Why what, you imbecile! I don't have time to play guessing games!" Alvaro yelled. "Why am I here?" Harold asked. Alvaro raised a brow and forced out a laugh. "You're asking me why you're here? You know why you're here? You know exactly why you're here," Alvaro leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms. "Harold, you stole from me. I had my suspicions but they were confirmed. You didn't think you'd get away with it," Alvaro chuckled. Harold remained silent for a while then said, " You know I can pay it back," he pleaded. "Don't worry about that. You 'apprentice' is taking care of that," he air quoted the word apprentice. Harold frowned. "But I don't have a apprentice," Harold stated. "As if I don't know that already," Harold rolled his eyes. "That little apprentice of yours is the same boy who has been seeking for your approval for his entire life," Alvaro said. Harold's eyes widened. "Kyle?! But how?" Harold asked. Alvaro just shrugged. "I don't know and I don't care. But it is quite amusing watching him run up and down trying to clear your debt," Alvaro shook his head while chuckling. "You leave my family!" He tried to project his voice but he strained himself. "Or what? And your wife. Poor wife is trying so hard to negotiate with me to let to go. Your family is quite weak and gullible, really," Alvaro smirked. Harold hanged his head. "But I guess I'm willing to show you mercy," Alvaro said, looking at the broken man in front of him. Alvaro placed his hand under Harold's chin and forced him to look at him. "I've tortured you enough, have I not? So here's the deal. Once you son has fully cleared your debt, I may let you go," Alvaro said. Instead of feeling happy and relieved, Harold got suspicious. "Why are you so kind all of a sudden?" Harold asked, his eyes squinted. Alvaro's smile faded. "Don't test my patience now. I'll keep promise." Alvaro got up from his chair and started his way to the exit. Harold sat up straight and tried collecting his thoughts. He had to get out. He had to go back to his family.

Lorelei's POV

Lorelei woke up and looked around. She didn't remember arriving in her bedroom but she was really tired from yesterday. She looked at the time and thought it was still early. She was too comfortable in her bed so she took her phone from the drawer. She typed in the password and saw a few messages from an unknown number. She sat up straight and viewed them.

Hiiii. I got your number from mom because I forgot to ask for it from you personally. Hope you had an excellent night because I know I did. It's Scott btw.

Lorelei found herself smiling as she viewed the next one.

Scott again. Just wanted to make sure you're okay because Mrs Cohen called Cassandra saying that you ran off. Be safe and don't hurt yourself.

I feel like I'm blowing up your phone but idc. Goodnight, luv.

Good morning. I'm horrible with these morning texts but I hope you didn't hurt yourself and did something stupid. Just text or call me back so I'll know you're good.

Lorelei felt butterflies in her stomach as she read all the messages. She never knew anyone who cared for her that much to check in every hour. "Wait till he gets tired," Lorelei said to herself. Everyone who cared for her got tired over time. Elizabeth, Kyle, even her own parents. She decided to text Scott back.

I'm actually okay. Don't worry, dummy.

A minute later, she got a message from Scott.

There you are, beautiful. What happened? 

Just a little fight. We made peace, kinda.

Well, I feel super reassured about that.

Shurrup, dumbass

Pet names already?

Lorelei blushed a little before she texted him.

I don't know. Have we reached that stage already.

I don't know, princess. Have we?

You're an idiot.

Tell me something I don't know.

Wanna meet up today?

Lorelei wasn't even thinking before she sent the text to him. She waited a few seconds for him to type back.

Today?

Well it doesn't have to be today. Could be anytime you're free

Actually, I don't mind. I am leaving today.

Lorelei's heart sank when she read the message.

Today?

Yeah. I gotta go back, remember?

Oh-

But don't be sad. We'll make the best out of it. Fetch you at 13:00?

Fetch me at 13:00

Lorelei tossed her phone aside and thought of the tone she'll spend with Scott today. "I have to get ready," she said as she jumped out of bed to look for something to wear.

Kyle's POV

Kyle was jogging in the woods until his phone rang. He stopped and saw that it was Deandre. He clicked his tongue and ignored the call and carried on with his jog. When he was done, he ran back home to get something to eat. As he got into the house, he saw Lorelei was dressed to go out. "Where are you going?" Kyle asked as Lorelei fixed her shoes. "Somewhere," she replied, not meeting Kyle's gaze. "You're going out with Scott again, aren't you?" Kyle realised. "Yeah, and?" Lorelei sassed. "I'm bot fighting with you. It was just a question." Kyle walked into the kitchen and grab a banana. "Kyle, do you have a problem with me dating Scott?" Lorelei asked. "Don't you think it's too soon to be using that term?" Kyle retorted. He heard Lorelei sigh from behind him. "Kyle, are you feeling this way because... you liked me before?" Lorelei asked, as if she wasn't sure if what she said was true or not. "Lorelei, drop it," Kyle said, still refusing to meet her gaze. "Kyle, just tell me," Lorelei said. "There's nothing to tell, Lorelei. Just get out!" Kyle barked. "No! You've been acting like a bitch these past few days especially when you found out Scott was my date to the Dance Formal!" Lorelei barked back. "No I didn't! I was happy for you! But obviously you were too blind too see that! It's always about you, isn't it?!" Kyle started to walk away but Lorelei gripped his wrist. "Lorelei let go of me!" Kyle tried to wriggle his hand free but Lorelei was stronger than she appeared. "No! You went from being nice to me then being a douche! What the hell!" Lorelei yelled. "So you wanna know why I've changed?! Good guys always come last, Lorelei! The girl I've loved for years is actually doing drugs and I broke up with her. My mother is always out doing God know what and my dad has been missing for weeks and no one knows where he has been and it seems as if no one cares!" Kyle barked as he pushed Lorelei to the side. She landed flat on her butt but she didn't feel the pain. She was filled with rage. "How is all that my problem?" She asked, standing up. "The same way you made your problem ours!" Kyle barked. Lorelei stood still and quiet. "My problem has bothered me for years. I never asked to be beaten. I never asked to be sworn at and be degraded and be told that my parents threw me away and that my grandpa was just being 'generous' when he took me in! You think I asked to come here?! That stupid detective dragged me from my old home to stay here!" Lorelei shouted. Kyle was about to say something hurtful but bit his tongue. "Lorelei,  why are we even fighting?" Kyle rubbed his eyes from the exhaustion. Lorelei crossed her arms and looked out the window. "I don't know," she said with a straight face. "Look, I don't care if you're dating some other dude. Just know that I'll always love you and I'll always be here if anything happens," Kyle said. Lorelei widened her eyes as Kyle leaned in a kissed her cheek. Kyle went upstairs, leaving a dumbfounded Lorelei in the kitchen all alone.

Kyle was doing his maths homework when his phone rang for the 5th time. It was still the same person. He finally answered the phone. "Stellar, what do you want know?" Kyle asked, getting quite ticked off. "Can we at least talk?" Stellar pleaded. "Stellar, my decision is final. Now leave me alone!" He hung up and blocked Stellar. Every memory he had of her turned into poison, toxic. He didn't even want to imagine her, much less talk to. A few seconds later, his phone rang. He answered it without checking who it was. "What now?" He asked. "You finally decide to pick up," Deandre said. "What do you want?" Kyle asked, ready to hand up. "I have bad news. He's decided to add a little interest to the debt," Deandre informed him. Kyle jumped out of bed. "What?! Why the hell would he do that?" Kyle asked. "I don't know but-," Kyle cut him off. "How much?" He asked. "50%," Deandre answered him. "Where the fuck am I going to get 250 grand? Plus the money I still owe him?" Kyle asked, as he kicked a chair that was nearby. "And this time, he has a deadline," he informed Kyle. "When is the deadline?" Kyle asked, not liking what his answer might be. Deandre stayed silent for a minute or so  before answering him. "Exactly in a week's time," he said. "Is he insane?! It took me months to clear off the original debt," Kyle complained. "Sorry kid. I don't make the rules. But I'm here if you need help," Deandre said. "Sure. Whatever." Kyle hung up and threw his phone on his bed. He leaned on the wall and sat on the cold floor. He rested his head in his hands trying to think of a plan. He looked at a pair of scissors on the bed then his wrists. No. He couldn't. He just couldn't. He couldn't give up. No matter how hard it is already. He just had to find a plan. Sooner nor later. He got himself into this, he can get himself out.