The morning in the mansion felt like freedom disguised. Birds chirped, sunlight streamed through the large windows, but to Alana, it was just the decor of a prison wrapped in luxury.
She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her own reflection.
"You're not a captive. You're just… lost," she murmured softly, trying to convince herself.
Then her phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number:
"Back door, 11 a.m. I'll help you escape, Al." Manda.
Alana held her breath. Her hands trembled as she read the name. A small spark of hope ignited in her chest.
A few hours later…
"Miss, Mr. Alaska has ordered that you stay in your room until the afternoon," said one of the guards.
"I just want to walk in the garden. Is that forbidden too?" Alana smiled sweetly, hiding her nervousness.
The guard eventually let her pass. Alana's steps were light, but her heart raced. As she passed through the backyard, she saw a small gate slightly open, and behind it, Manda stood in a black hoodie.
"Manda…" Alana almost cried at the sight of her friend. "How did you…."
"Quick, before anyone sees us!" Manda grabbed her hand. "I can only distract the guards for five minutes."
"You're amazing," Alana held back tears. "I thought I'd never get out of here."
They ran toward the car waiting outside the gate. Just as Alana opened the door, a loud voice rang out behind them.
"ALANA!" The voice echoed, cold but filled with pain.
Alana turned. Alaska stood on the mansion steps, his face full of anger and hurt.
Manda stood behind her, holding off the guards.
"Get in the car, Manda!" Alana shouted.
"Al, he looks…"
"Move, Man!"
The car sped away. Alana glanced back. Alaska remained standing, his eyes sharp as daggers, fixed on her.
"He won't stay still," Manda said anxiously. "We need to hide."
"I don't want to hide. I just want to be free," Alana said, staring at the road ahead, though Alaska's shadow lingered in her mind. "But why does it feel like I'm leaving something… broken yet real behind?"
A few hours later, in a secret room of the mansion.
Kenan watched Alaska sitting silently in his chair, his face dark.
"Boss, we could send a team to search for her. But…" Kenan swallowed, "there's something else. People from your old organization have resurfaced. They claim you still have something that belongs to them."
"Organization?" Alaska slowly looked up. "What do you mean…?"
"They know you're alive, Al. And they know about Alana."
Alaska's gaze sharpened. His fists clenched, jaw muscles taut.
"If they touch Alana even a little…" His voice was low, trembling with restrained emotion. "I'll burn their world down."
"You realize, right?" Kenan stepped closer. "They're just looking for a way to attack you, and the girl is the key."
"Exactly why I can't let her get far," Alaska stared at Alana's photo on his phone. "She's not just someone I love… she's the only thing that could be my weakness."
Meanwhile, at Manda's hiding spot:
Alana sat on an old chair, breathing heavily. "I thought escaping would calm me," she said softly, looking at the small window. "But all I feel is fear."
"Afraid of Alaska?" Manda asked.
"Afraid of losing him," Alana covered her face. "I hate him… but I also can't lie that I…"
"Alana…" Manda looked at her with concern. "You're falling for the person who broke you."
"I know," Alana whispered, "but I don't know how to stop."
That night…
Gunshots echoed from outside.
A window shattered, and Manda screamed.
"Alana! They found us!"
The bedroom door was slammed open by a group of armed men. Before Alana could react, someone shot the light, plunging the room into darkness. In the middle of the darkness, a familiar deep voice sounded.
"I told you, you'll never be safe without me."
The lights came back on. Alaska stood there, covered in dust and blood, breathing heavily, but his eyes focused on only one thing: Alana.
"You…" Alana stared, a mix of fear and relief. "You followed me?"
"I saved you," Alaska replied coldly. "And now, you're not leaving again."
"You can't keep doing this, Alaska!" Alana shouted. "You can't protect me from the world if you're part of the world yourself!"
"I know," Alaska whispered, stepping closer slowly. "That's why I'll change the world… starting tonight."
That night became a turning point not just for Alana, but for Alaska, who began confronting the shadows of his past. Yet neither of them knew that their obsession had only entered a more dangerous phase, between love, revenge, and loss.