Chapter 1
It took Nathan more than the one hour that he had promised his brother that day, to think through. The planning took more than a month, but he had delayed the execution for another one month. He gave it consideration countless times, each time led to only this last resort.
"Nathan, she's here. The storm is coming. We don't have much time."
"I don't know, Patrick, I really don't know," He lifted his gaze towards the red head in front of him.
"I understand your hesitation. But really, we have no choice. Trust me; Father will be more appeased with my backup plan should this one fail." Still, Nathan's hands clasped in front of him and his elbows stayed on his sitting knees, praying one last time for a miracle.
Patrick walked closer, patted on his broad shoulder," Come on, Bro. I know it's hard. But you saw the way she looked at me. You've delayed long enough. You don't want him hiring a professional, now do you? I like her too".
"Well, grab this chance while it's not too late. C'mon," Patrick shoved his head towards the opening of the woods, beckoning him with encouragement. A silver sparkle appeared from behind the woods.
Panting, a middle aged man called Jack ran towards them, speaking to him in low voice when he was close enough, "Nathan, C'mon, boy, we're running out of time, don't let it be too late again. Let's go".
With his last words of prayer, he stood up, tightening fists at his sides, and followed them towards the lake inside the woods. If destiny wants it this way, so be it.
Rebecca walked in a hurry towards the lake. Her backpack wasn't heavy on her back. But she didn't have much time. Her time for sneaking out of the castle was almost over. A storm warning had been broadcasted, so she had to return before dark.
This ritual of sneaking out her castle-like home unescorted was her favorite part when she had to stay home alone. Alone? Bah. There were always Nancy and Mr Atkins, and every time she left her home, escorts were compulsory. Being the only daughter of a billionaire, she hardly had any privacy. What with the Paris Hilton scandal, and the rave parties that these rich girls her age had been throwing, her parents sticked to their conservative religious background. Instead of a wild sexual venture with her elite schoolmates, she had to remain a virgin, at least until she's married to some arrogant elite heir their parents chose in future. She had to bluff about her sexual ventures to her friends, and pretend that she was going on a wild camp with other friends, while actually she had been locked at home if she didn't want the escorts embarrassingly tailed her around.
Browsing her green eyes towards the hill, she made sure nobody was around. Of course, nobody knew of this secluded place, it was her secret escapade. Sighing over her own paranoia, she put her bag on the bushes, and walked to the clear watered lake, stripping off her cotton dress. The calm water was so beautiful and shiny, she just couldn't wait.
She enjoyed the splash of fresh water against her well-pampered skin. Scrubbing her back and washing all over her petite body, she sighed and smiled in contentment. This is my favorite kind of adventure. Silently she prayed to her maker, with much gratitude that just 2 hours walk from her home, happened to be the neck of a mountain with such wonderful lake. Plus, nobody could come here without breaching the perimeter her parents had placed, to prevent anyone from coming into their fortress without permit. A sly smile appeared on her face, the perimeter guard had been asleep, and so were Nancy and Atkins. What are the odds!
After swimming around the edge, she walked back to the land, laid down naked for a bit of rest before returning home. She shut her eyes for a while under the sunshine, enjoying the rustling sound of leaves caressed by the gentle wind. Oh if only the sun could stay still to delay the storm, she would indulge in a nice afternoon nap here. Sighing again, she enjoyed the wild nature blowing gentle wind to her hourglass body. Her silky black hair contrast to her milky white skin, and fanned around her rebellious head. She needed more tanning if she were to make her friends believe the next story about a wild adventure in Mexico. Mexico... Bah!
Suddenly, pairs of rough hands grabbed her naked body and tapped her mouth. She couldn't escape in their overpowering clutches, but still tried to struggle, draining out her energy. They carried her deeper into the woods. Finding no chance to see the face of her captors, she saw only features of huge men towering against the sunlight.
They chained her limbs to the two trees at her sides, leaving her bound at a spread-eagle position. She quickly gazed to identify her captors; three men in casual clothes, she couldn't tell their occupation. She gasped, recognizing one of them, as Patrick. She used to have a crush on him in high school, but he moved away, without a chance for her to introduce herself. He had been such a mysterious babe magnet with the handsome face and the athletic built. The chicks were disappointed for the sudden loss of gem, all of them, including her. But what is he doing here now?
Beside him, a brunette man, seemed busy pressing the buttons on his camera, and setting his tripod. Beside the brunette, her eyes widened, was a more handsome and more tanned version of Patrick. His facial feature resembled Patrick's. He was slightly taller, but also had Patrick's swimmers body. His hair was dark blond, and his deep blue eyes... there was something about his eyes that she couldn't recall, and wouldn't bother to. Still, she would rather call him handsome beast. Yes, a beast, but handsome. They were all savages because they had abducted her this way, regardless the regal composure they possessed. Damnit, she couldn't think properly at this state of panic. How dare they bind her in the open like this?
The handsome beast walked closer, observing her. He had this authoritative aura, a predatory yet elegantly straight back. She raked into her mind, trying to recall on where she had seen him before. He spoke to her in low voice, while looking deep into her eyes,
"First, I have to apologize for the inconvenience, Rebecca. But we need your cooperation. I shall remove the tape, so we can converse better. Only, if you promise not to scream. Save your strength, there's nobody around and we don't have much time. Now nod if you agree to cooperate please." She was right, his tone was elegant too. Still pissed despite his courteous words, she just nodded anyway.
He removed the tape on her mouth.
She glared at him in full hatred. Staring at her eyes, he stood so close to her, that the edge of his nose was just an inch in front of hers.
"Now Rebecca, I've pulled all my strings here to keep you alive. And I implore you to please cooperate with us. I do not want to harm you." Bollocks, she thought.
"State out your business and quick release me!" She demanded.
"The matter concerns your parents. I understand that they are attending a wedding in Tokyo?" her eyes flew in surprise. Her mind darted to two possibilities; he might be just an unsatisfied competitor, or perhaps he was urgently trying to help her parents out.
"It is very important that you'd cooperate with us, and talk to your parents about our matter, as soon as they come back from...."
"What do you want from them?" She was very direct indeed, as sharp as her tone.
