75: THE SOUND OF FEAR

ARIEL’S POV

“Who said the two of you could carry out this nonsense in my kitchen?” Mariam snapped at my mom, and I.

“Your kitchen?” I raised an eyebrow. “You barely even be here. And by the

house.”

“It’s just about a matter of time before I throw you out.”

I chuckled. “Impossible.”

“The both of you can leave now!” She snarled.

way,

this is my

My mother entered the conversation with a calm tone, “I’m sorry miss, but we’re preparing…..

“No one said you can talk!” Mariam barked at her.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at her!” I gave Mariam a dark look.

She returned the expression. “Just look at this little rat, raising her voice at me like I was her puppet, or something.”

“If you want respect. Then you got to be respectful,” I told her. “Don’t think people are going to be smiling at you when you got that disgusting attitude.”

“Disgusting attitude?” Mariam laughed. “You went ahead to poison yourself, and put the blame on me. Now you’re saying I got a disgusting attitude?”

“You poisoned yourself?” My mom uttered softly, and looked at me. “Ariel, is this true?”

“Come on now mother. Why in the world would I do such a thing? Poisoning myself? Hell no.”

“Oh shut up now. Enough with the lies,” Mariam spat.

“Hey, you need to have some manners,” my mom told Mariam.

Mariam burst into laughter. “You’re telling me to have manners? When your daughter right here has none.”

“I won’t let you insult my daughter like that, do you hear me?!” My mom’s anger was awakened.

“What are you going to do?” Mariam moved closer to my mother. “Your daughter is nothing but a worthless piece of trash,” she said in huhsed tones.

My mom, brimming with rage, surprised Mariam with a tight slap. And as Mariam held her face in shock, she received another slap. Then my mom gave her the third one on a different cheek.

Mariam gaped at my mother who did nothing but glare at her. She couldn’t believe what just happened.

“That is what you get for being disrespectful to my daughter.” My mom picked a knife. “If you try to talk nonsense again, I won’t hesitate to stab you with this.”

15 THE SOUND OF FEAR

“Okay mom, you got to calm down. That’s enough, that’s enough,” I said, lowering the knife she was holding.

After that, we heard a the thunderous sound of a bullet released in the air.

of us exchanged fearful glances, my heart

that?” I aksed, as I could feel myself getting carried away

just released a bullet,”

was just a stray sound, but my hope vanished when I heard more gunshots, one after another, growing louder and closer. Panic gripped me immediately. I wasn’t

to my feet, my voice quivering with urgency.

need to relax. Everything will be fine,” my

think so,” Mariam spoke, and I looked at her

I don’t have time for a beef right now,” I

rolled her eyes. “You think I got time

something was definitely not

chaos.” I grabbed my mom’s hand, and began to

Each step brought us closer to one of the rooms where different books were kept. I used to

the cacophony of gunshots

my stomach, fueling a desperate need to find

sanctuary of the dark room, my mom and I. I slammed the door shut behind us, just

My mom questioned me in

I faked a confused face, acting like I had no idea of what she was

open that door right now

“But mom..”

my mom’s mode was serious, and her decision

before opening the door. I glared at Mariam, but eventually shifted backwards, opening the door wide for her to come in. And

the sound of someone slamming the door from downstairs. And at this point, I knew we were not safe. But I hoped nothing bad would happen to anyone in the mansion at

moment.

THE CHANG

chest. “What’s happening out there? Who would

safe. We have to trust that help will come.” My mom replied, her

agree mom.”I nodded. “But we can’t just keep standing here

going to do then, huh?” Mariam aksed. Her irritating tone caused me

her.

was searching for anything that could

place, but I spotted a large wardrobe in the corner of the room. I had totally forgotten

inside the wardrobe. It’s our best chance to stay out of sight.” I gestured toward the

you sure we’re going to fit into

That’s your own cup

mom told me. I exhaled deeply, before treading to the wardrobe. The two of them walked behind

other. The scent of old clothes filled the air, mingling with the fear.

fear compounded the moment I heard some maids

still in the house, and her life could be in danger. I quickly burst

My mom asked me, she

yourself safe,” I answered, leaving the

ARIEL’S POV

gripped her as I had a conscience of

by the plush carpet beneath my feet. The air was thick with tension, and I was filled with terror. But I

desperate screams coming from downstairs, my fear intensified. Each gunshot seemed to echo through my bones, causing my heart to

but I knew I had to stay calm

and terror surrounding me

consume me. I needed to be strong in this moment, for myself and for Riley, whenever shr was at

LUKE’S POV

through a stack of documents, when suddenly my phone began to ring. At first, I tried to ignore

at the caller ID. It was an unknown number, and my mind told me

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