Sydney

Neither Leah nor Mike answered the phone when I called. It wasn't surprising; it was still early, and they'd most likely be sleeping. I was slightly out of breath by the time I got to Leah's floor. Fortunately, I still retained my old flat's extra key. I opened the door and went inside. Switching on the light, I checked Leah's bedroom. It was empty, the whole flat was empty. It wasn't that big, to miss any corner.
Perhaps Leah stayed the night with her new boyfriend. She was smitten with one of her classmates. I decided to look around Mike's place. I approached his door and was ready to knock when it opened and Mike strolled out. He was dressed strangely in a jumpsuit that appeared to be some kind of uniform. It dawned on me that he was also wearing a lot of makeup. He looked just like the dude in the video!

"Mike!" I exclaimed, my gaze fixed on him.

Mike took a quick look around before dragging me inside and closing the door.

I was too startled to feel anything, so I said, "You better have a solid explanation for this, Mike."

Mike cautiously said, "I.... I am sorry, I have nothing to say."

I felt foolish, since nearly everyone I trusted was either lying to me or attempting to manipulate me.

"I don't want you to be sorry. I am sick with everyone, the whole lot of you. I am sick of your lies. For fuck's sake just tell me what is going on ?" I shouted at him.

Mike didn't look me in the eyes; instead, he took a quick check around.

"You dumbass, answer me," I yelled.

"It's…It's nothing; I've started working part-time again......"

" Shut up Mike! Just stop this charade... I know you are doing something illegal. I asked you repeatedly if you were in trouble. Just stop manipulating me. What exactly are you up to?"

" Yes! I am doing something illegal, I am going to blow up one of the Reiner factories. So that your husband gets in trouble with the police. You got your answer now?" Mike screamed in frustration.

For several minutes, I was speechless.

"Aiden was right," I mumbled to myself, then looked up at Mike again "but why? Why are you doing this?"

"Because they got Leah, and he.....killed Rob, and Rob is dead.....because of me." Mike sobbed and sat on the sofa, his face hidden behind his hands.

I had no idea what was going on, but there was something fishy. Who were the 'they' Mike was referring to? I sat down next to him and gingerly kept my hand on his shoulder.

"Tell me what happened, Mike?" I insisted.

"Eric has killed Rob and kidnapped Leah," Mike narrated everything, between sobs. How he was forced and manipulated by Eric to plant my fingerprint on that bag of cocaine. How he tampered with Aiden's soft drinks and now this.....
I jerked my hand away from his shoulder. My mind was reeling and I was trembling uncontrollably. I could never imagine that of all the people Mike would betray me.

"It was you all along, Oh God! I have been so stupid!" I mumbled. " How could you do that to me, Mike? I thought we were friends!"

"I am sorry Sydney. I didn't mean to hurt you. Eric and Marilyn assured me that they would only be deported.....but suddenly Aiden arrived....."

"And married me. " I finished the phrase. I couldn't think of anything else to say because I was so taken aback. My elbows were resting in my lap, and my hands were covering my face. This couldn't possibly be true.

"Believe me, the last person I'd want to hurt is you. I love you!" Mike put his hand on my shoulder and said.

Love? That's what Aiden had said. That he loved me. He would never hurt me, and then he went ahead to accuse me of betraying him and..... Mike was no different.

"This is what you call love? Hurting someone you claim to care? My life is ruined because of you. You are all the same....," I shook my head in sadness and disbelief. "Go ahead and destroy Aiden's factory or whatever you're planning. I'm not bothered. I don't want to be a pawn in this game. Do whatever it takes to save Leah." I yelled angrily and got up to leave.

"Where are you going ?" His grasp on my arm became tighter.

"I don't know....somewhere far away from all of you," I said.

He didn't leave my hand. I glared at him. "Mike, let me go."

"I'm sorry, but I can't," he whispered.

"What do you mean? Mike just let me go!" I said louder.

"Sydney, listen to me. I need to get this done. Save Leah and get out of this place. I......cant let you mess this up." He said flatly.
"And how exactly would I mess this up? Don't worry, I am not going back to Aiden. I am done with him. And he already knows it was you who sabotaged his soft drinks and dropped that letter. Heck, he even believes I am part of your 'little team'," I said dejectedly.
"Does Aiden know?" Mike spoke slowly and quietly, his face as white as a sheet. "However, that makes no difference. This is something I still need to do." He breathed deeply.

"Goodbye Mike, thank you for everything. It was nice to meet you. Take care." I said and left before bursting into tears. He didn't stop me again. Maybe he realised he had no right to do that.

I ran down the stairs and walked out of the building. I leaned against a wall and cried my heart out. I was betrayed by all the men in my life. I had no idea where to go or what to do. But I had to get away from this wretched place. Maybe go back to Australia. Would Aiden follow me? Possibly, but I didn't care anymore.

I wiped my tears and started walking towards my car. I didn't notice a truck stop beside me. Before I could realize what happened, I was roughly grabbed by burly hands. I tried to scream and struggle against those hands. But a cloth covered my mouth and nose. The putrid scent of something assailed my nostrils, and I lost consciousness.