Leap OF Fate

Serene’s vibrating phone cut off the staring contest between her and Justin. Her brows furrowed as she looked at the unidentified number flashing on her screen. “Hello?”

“Serene Ellis” a raspy man’s voice spoke on the other end of the line. From the background, Serene could hear children crying.

“Yes.” she answered, her voice trembling. Her heart tightened and the angry flush on her cheeks drained.

“We have your children --”

“Please, please, don’t hurt them. Don’t hurt my babies,” she whimpered. She felt her phone snatched from her hand. Justin put the phone on speaker, not making any sound. The entire room listened in silence.

“We won’t as long as you follow everything I say.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll do everything, please don’t hurt them.”

“Two hundred million.”

“Two hundred million?”

“US Dollars. You have 24 hours to ready the money. We’ll call you by then. Don’t dare call the police if you want to see your children alive.” After the man spat his words, the line died.

Serene’s knees felt weak, and she fell on the carpeted floor. Her shoulders heaved. Her children were abducted. Their cries from the background sliced through her. Her breaths became heavier and quicker, as she thought of the fear her children were going through.

Justin held her when she fell on the floor, but she’s too absorbed in her thoughts to even care. He felt her abnormally fast breathing. It felt like she’s gasping for air rather than breathing it. The next moment, Bryan kneeled in front of her and held her hand.

“Shen, listen to me Shen, they will be alright.” he talked to her in a calm voice but she seemed not to hear it. “Shen, look at me. Take deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale…” he continued coaching her to breathe until her breaths finally stabilized. When her breathing became regular, she burst into tears and flung herself at Bryan.

“Bry… my babies” she cried on his shoulder.

“They will be fine. We’ll rescue them.” he assured her.

Justin watched the two with his murderous eyes. When Bryan kneeled in front of Serene and held her hand, he wanted to push him aside. But when he realized what he was doing, he felt helpless. Bryan always knew what to do. He always knew what she needed.

scene before he would have gone amok, but now he knew better. He met Bryan’s eyes, who showed a slight

had a panic attack. She usually gets it when she’s in a high-stress situation.

resting on Justin’s chest stiffened. She

her head nodding as she listened. “I see. What about in other currencies? How much would

lacked a hundred million, even if she pooled all her money. She racked her brain on where she would get that sum of money. Standing up from the floor, she walked towards the door without so

are you

need to talk to Al. I’m

said, exasperated. She dares ask for another person for money to save her

“Excuse me?”

dare ask another man for money? Those are my children! Why would you think of going

the mercy of kidnappers. She swallowed hard and pushed all her hesitations. “Alright then.

him by grabbing his shoulder, “Let her be. She’s under

the room when her phone vibrated once again. Her trembling hands fished it out of her pocket. She did not know when Justin came to her side, she just saw her phone on his hand. He pressed the answer button and put the call on loudspeaker. His

She asked,

your word and have not

not. Please don’t hurt my children,” she

Ms. Ellis, the more I look at your son, the more I am convinced that 200 million

to Justin. Her tears welled from her eyes

Ms. Ellis, that they’re

want?” Justin spoke.

up it to 300 million? Another

want to

cut off, making Serene’s knees weak. She almost fell face first on the

to him with her wet eyes. She searched his eyes for strength. She knew she could no

take care of this, Serene.

she poured out all her worries on him. He rubbed her

to death about their

a video call. As soon as he answered