Mia held the gear tenaciously. Her eyes pierced as her right arm reached for the brake, increasing the speedometer before zooming off. The wheels rode voraciously as her body ached for rest, but she knew she needed to save Chloe.

Mia intensified her speed, slightly turning back to see if Rico was following her, but it turned out that they had both followed different routes.  

 “Rico mustn't find her before me! "He's going to hurt her.“ She muttered, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her grip on the terry firm, her eyes darted around the corners. Searching, looking for anyone and anything that looked like Chloe.   

 “Sh*t! She groaned, smacking her laps.

"What route could she have taken?" She muttered, swallowing hard, and before she could alter more words, she ran into a stranger but halted almost immediately.   

 A loud shout was heard as the stranger asked, frozen in shock.     

“Chloe!” Mia called out, slowly coming out of her car. Her mouth was still wide open.

   “I'm so sorry Chloe," she beckoned; her eyes checking to see if she was hurt. When she found no scratch she paused, staring deep into her eyes. Please listen to me.“    

“No I won't. "You almost ran me over.“ She yelled, her gaze bouncing from side to side as she adjusted her clothes slightly.    

“It was a mistake. I was looking for you." She leaned closer, her eyes wide, rounded, with very few blinks. Hands clutched together.    I advise you to come with me.

"You're chased. "It's not safe out there.“ Mia's eyes gleamed through her words as she maintained strong contact with Chloe.  

 “And why should I trust you? She paused her lips in thought, raising her eyebrows. When you almost killed me.

"Huh! "Because I haven't called the corps already.“ Her head cocked to the side, flinching while her lips pressed together taking a slow, cautious backward moment.  

 “Breathe Chloe… Breathe. Before you call the corps. I need to get you to my place. Please. She lowered her gaze, deepening it slightly. But Chloe furrowed; a stern expression. She didn't buy it. "It's safe and sound. Away from those thugs.“ She reassured, her feet pointing forward.     

Chloe hesitated, gazing with focus as she tilted her head side to side. But Mia's urgency and desperation felt real, like a comforting shield. Against her better judgment, Chloe nodded, wrinkling her nose as she threw a hypothetical question.

“Hope I can trust you?” She asked, tilting her body in Mia's direction, who stood in a relaxed posture, smiling; her head tipped back with a soothing nod.  

 “Alright. Let's finish this.“ Mia tucked a smile. “Yeah! Sure, of course.

"We need to leave here A.S.A.P!.“ She snapped.    “Wait!, Hope…. "Can I trust you?“ Her eyes scrutinized Mia's features the umpteenth time. Mia reached for her hand, softly looking deep into her eyes.

“Your father will be out of prison tomorrow," she whispered.

“And this might be the only shot we have to fix everything.”    Chloe's breath caught in her throat. She looked at Mia, trembling. Silence enveloped both of them.  

 “My father!” Chloe echoed, her voice barely a whisper. The truth pierced through her like a cold wind.    

“You know him.” her eyelids clouded.  

 “Yes I do," She clutched her hands to her chest. Eyes widened. We need to go.” And with that, they got into the car, both their brows furrowed as they hunched over as if choking down a sob. 

The storm wasn't over; it was just beginning, and the truth wouldn't be far-fetched.  They drove off, the car windows covered with something thicker like clouds that seemed not to back out amidst the thunderstorm.    

MIA 'S APARTMENT

   In a short while, they got to Mia's apartment. A part of Chloe's hair stood erect, refusing to be carried away. Even as they walked into the house. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.  Was she overthinking things or just basically being Chloe who never backs out without a fight? The truth stood amidst her scattered thoughts. Her moves were calculated, never carried away.   

 “Come in," Mia said from the foot of the door. Feel at home.

"You can call me Mia." She reached out for a handshake, narrowing her eyes—squinting.    Chloe's breath hitched with her lips slightly parted; a need to know and understand the signal her nerves and muscle tendons were trying to pass.  

 Mia cleared her throat, jolting her back from her thoughts with a playful grin so soft as the shadows.  

 “I've been out of the country for a long time. "I just got back, then bumped into you.” She curled another smile. This time, so soothing as it made Chloe relax a bit. But her other eyes watched closely, weighing her words and the energy backing them from behind.

   “We've got a lot to talk about Chloe.“ Reaching for her hand and holding it softly to her belly region.     

“Sure. We will talk.” Chloe replied softly before withdrawing back to take a seat. Sudden silence enveloped the entire place.    

“I see you're all sweaty. "I'll quickly turn on the air conditioner.”

Mia pressed her lips in a slight grimace, struggling to find the right words before waving a smile at Chloe, who sat unphased by her petty drama.    

“Make yourself comfortable. "Will join you shortly." She said, but her hands and legs pulled towards her core as she hid her face slightly. Her chin dropped to her chest. The silence from Chloe struck her so hard that she felt so stupid that she pushed herself to the toilet.  

 Chloe's heels passed mid-step into the sitting room. Her finger instinctively clenched around the suitcase handle she saw at the edge of the sitting room.  

 A sudden chill kissed her ankles as her gaze locked into the dust from another angle of the room that seemed to conceal an object- a covered frame. But it wasn't just a frame. It was a photograph of Rico with his eyes staring back from the photo, hollow and accusing. As she held the frame, her knuckles cracked. She swallowed hard, lowering herself to a seat.     

A slight noise is heard from the toilet. She blinked, as her shoulders tightened briefly. Her throat grew up in split seconds as she turned swiftly to the source searching for Mia. But Mia was gone. She had run into the toilet. When Chloe saw that the coast was clear and her instincts were playing tricks on her, she cupped her elbow with one hand while tapping her lips with the other; pacing through the room in a circular motion. Looking for any more clues or hints to satisfy her instincts.    

Mia got into the toilet, pressing her cellphone tight into her ears. “I have her.” Her voice barely whispered. The toilet door was locked with her hands resting on it.  

 “First of. She had to get comfortable first. "I will come with her by evening when the coast is clear.“ She pressed the phone to her ears, taking a slight glance at the door. Her heartbeat is racing; not from tension but from trust issues.    She curled a smile at her boss, who happened to be Rico's supposed rival Mafia don. Caleb laughed sinisterly from the background. A breath of fresh air washed over him as the news about Chloe reached his ears.  

Caleb was a cold-blooded, quiet and strategic mafia don who sought to claim and take over the entire mafia world. Until now, he stood tall in his ambition, never backing out without a fight. Quest Mia was his new accomplice.   

 “You know you owe me.” Her eyebrows raised.  “I do my love.” Caleb responded. 

   “You know how badly you wanted this. Right? He paused. Chloe hunched over as if choking down a sob as she covered her lips slightly, presenting a sob to escape.

"Now it's here. "You have to take it by force,” Caleb added, the tone in his voice looming of gunpowder and old sin that had refused to bury any hatchet.    

“He caused me so much pain growing up. And this is the only way I can make him pay without lifting a finger. She tightened her hand to her phone.

"Trust me. "He wouldn't know what would hit him!" Mia's skin bunched around her wet eyes, giving off a pained stare as tiny sweat trickled down her spine.  

 Caleb pressed a smile from his end as he nodded his head in approval. He was beginning to love the dynamics. Mia's face suddenly grew strong. The phone beeped as it went off, falling off her hands. She lowered herself to the toilet ground. Tears rolled down her eyes.    Just then, a soft knock is heard on the door. She jolted, drying her eyes and fitting into her gown. She swallowed hard, but her hands clenched into fists, refusing to stay low. Not only that, but she clutched to herself, shivering at the slightest heat. Her shoulders curled as her neck corded, rubbing at the middle of her forehead with her eyes closed.

She whispered deeply. “This is a tough decision. But I must do it.”    She blew her cheeks out, swallowing the air before releasing it all out. She reached out for the door knob when she was sure no tears were evident in her eyes.  

 “Oh… Chloe. You're here! She swallowed hard, searching for a spot to place her eyes. "Sorry I had lots of chocolate the day before, so I guess the long hours in the toilet.“  

 “I never asked you that.” Chloe replied calmly, her eyes strong on Mia, who paused a little, adjusting herself in her clothes then flashing a soft smile. She reached out for Chloe's hand, forcing a handshake into her palms.   

 “Naughty me. "I completely forgot I haven't served you anything.” She said, maintaining a cool demeanor, but Chloe remained calm. Her quietness ate deep into Mia.  

 “I wanted to ask something.” Chloe finally let the cat out of the bag. Mia halted, her heart racing.    

“Was she eavesdropping? Mia muttered, grabbing the edges of her gown tightly.    “Go ahead.” She turned to Mia, leaving her hand off  the gown.    

“What can you say about this!” She revealed Rico's photograph.    “Oh! Sh*t!" She muttered, driving a hand through her hair.  “Where did you get that frame?” She shut her eyes, placing her left palm on her forehead.  

 “Drop it! "He's dangerous.“ She snapped, backing Mia.  

 “That's the exact reason why I'm asking. How did it get here? What connection do you both have?"  Her eyebrows raised as her jaw clenched?   

 Mia squeezed her eyes shut. Chloe's patience was wearing thin. The tension between them is hotter than ever, like the smell of garlic too strong to ignore.