~2 weeks after~
Just as Julie had predicted, Mr Hugghs had sent spies to her house, monitoring her daily activities. She could feel the weight of their presence, as if invisible eyes were constantly watching her every move, sending chills down her spine.

It hadn't been long after his release before he got information about Sam's departure. The news hit him like a cold shock, and the room felt heavy with his disappointment. Sam was his main target and he was devastated about that. "Why did that idiot leave?" he asked furiously, his voice echoing in the empty room.

The spies shook their heads- showing they didn't know. Their movements felt like a subtle undercurrent of tension in the air. "In that case, I have to hurt the one he loves the most," he grinned devilishly, his expression confusing the spies.

Meanwhile, Charles and Julie always performed their normal ritual of visiting Bliss. The smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of distant chirping birds filled the air as they left the house. Charles' driver would always take them to her place in Washington. The hum of the car engine and the gentle rocking motion as they travelled added a soothing rhythm to their journey. Mr Hugghs have always been curious to know where they were always off to. So one day, he decided to find out; with the information from his spies, he set out with his men, trailing Charles' driver from behind. The tension in the air was palpable as they embarked on their pursuit, the anticipation of the unknown hanging thick in the air.

~Julie~
I felt the uneasy rumble of the vehicle as it moved along the winding road. The low hum of the engine seemed to underscore the feeling that we were being followed. I turned to catch a glimpse of the familiar blue car that had been trailing us ever since we departed from California.

"Charles, I think someone is following us," I murmured, trying to draw Charles's attention to my concern. But he dismissed my apprehension and simply told me to stop overthinking.

As the car raced ahead, the rush of wind and the blur of passing scenery heightened my anxiety. When we pulled up at Bliss's house, I anxiously glanced back to see if the car was still there, but it had vanished. I chided myself quietly. "I always let my imagination run wild," I muttered as I stepped into the house.

Unbeknownst to me, Mr Hugghs had cleverly parked his car just outside the gate and was discreetly following us from a distance.

We talked to Bliss as usual and spent time with her and her mom. The cosy living room was filled with the pleasant aroma of freshly brewed coffee that lingered in the air. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Excuse me guys, I'd be right back," Madam Stella said as she went to get the door.

I kept pondering in my heart who the person was. The sound of rain softly tapping against the window added an extra layer of mystery to the atmosphere. "Are you guys expecting anyone?" I asked Linda anxiously. Linda was also curious to know who it was. She didn't have an answer.

"I don't think so. I even wonder who it is," she said, a note of uncertainty in her voice. From a distance, I could hear the pattern of rain outside as I strained to listen for any other sounds.

I could hear a familiar voice in the distance, muffled by the sound of the rain. My heart raced as I struggled to make out whose voice it was because of the combined noise of the rain and my anticipation. Suddenly, he appeared, rain-soaked and smiling. "Surprise!" he said, his words accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the rain against the roof,  shoving to the floor, Madam Stella whose hands were on her head.

"I knew it. I knew that there was a reason you guys came here," he said with a tone of suspicion, his eyes squinting as he observed us. The room was dimly lit, and the air was heavy with the scent of old books and dust. He looked over at Bliss and then quickly averted his gaze in disgust. "Who is she?" he asked, his curiosity evident in the way his eyes darted back and forth between us. "She's Sam's girlfriend," Charles answered, his voice calm yet tense. Mr Hugghs just shook his head mockingly. "Oh. I see why he left. Because of this old-looking alien," he jeered, his words cutting through the stillness of the room. "Don't you dare insult her? Even in her condition, Sam still loves her," Charles threatened, his voice firm and unwavering.

Just immediately, his men surrounded us and held us tightly from moving.
Mr Hugghs seemed to ignore Charles' threat and went straight to Bliss.
"Your boyfriend left without paying for his sins, so perhaps you may be willing to pay it for him", Mr. Hugghs told Bliss.
Charles got infuriated. "What else do you want, old man? Shouldn't you at least be happy that you got released?" Charles asked.
Mr Hugghs immediately got annoyed and signalled his men to tape his mouth. He gave Charles one annoyed look. "You talk too much, boy. I may decide to cut your tongue now", he smirked.
The man that was holding me squeezed my wrists tightly and I screamed in pain.
"Please let them go. I will take all their punishments", Bliss pleaded.

I looked at her in amazement. "You can't be serious. Just look at the condition you are in", I screamed at her. She looked at me and said. "My life is worthless compared to yours. You still have a lover, you have Charles. But I have none. Mr Hugghs was right. I'm an old-looking alien.
If my punishment is death, I will gladly be happy to die for you after all you have done for me. That is the least I can do to repay the favour", Bliss said, amidst tears.

I just sobbed. What could I do? I wasn't ready to sacrifice my own life. I didn't want to die. But look at her, she wanted to be free. She didn't want to suffer anymore staying alive. I felt for her.

Her mum volunteered to take her place but the wicked man didn't agree. Charles, on the other hand, tried to fight the man holding hi,m, but they smashed his head against the wall mirror. He just lay helpless on the floor, blood dripping from his head.
I screamed in pain when he dropped to the floor.

Mr Hugghs was just standing there enjoying the whole thing. "I would be leaving now", he said. "Don't dare call the police; if you do, I will slit your throat right away", he warned as he left with Bliss.
Bliss gave me a final smile. "Bye Julie, tell Sam that I never stopped loving him", she said. I could see the joy underneath those eyes.
She looked over to her mum and said.
"I never hated you, Mum; I only ask you for one favour: find my sister and start a happy life".

I watched as they whisked her off. Her mum shouted and rolled on the floor. It was a sad moment.
After the man holding me released me, I went over to Charles on the floor; luckily enough, he was still breathing. I tried to lift him but he was too heavy for me.
Suddenly I remembered the driver.
Where was he all this while? I moved out of the house to find him in the car sleeping. I gritted my teeth at the sight of him. "Of what help could he be even if he was awake? It could have ended the same way", I calmed myself down. I woke him up and told him to help me. He quickly panicked seeing the condition Charles was in.
"I'm finished. What would I tell his dad? What have you guys done to him?", he asked.

I wasn't in the mood to reply. All I wanted from him was to take Charles to the hospital and not a fruitless conversation.
My worst fear had already come through. Mr Hugghs had just attacked.
Who knows who he would come for next? "I must inform Sam about this", I said as the car drove speedily.