"She escaped…again?" Madam Carly's sharp voice echoed, forming a broad smile on my face.
"Find her… now!" She continued to scream at the men, their shuffling footsteps echoing along the floor.
A loud slam almost made me lose my bearing, but I controlled myself and didn't make a sound.
In between the folds of the gowns, I could partially see the now-empty room.
I waited for some time…until I could no longer hear a sound from outside.
I carefully opened the closet and got out, making sure to close it behind me.
I scanned my surroundings, making sure I was alone; the view of the sheets torn and tied together over the window brought a smile to my face.
"Did they really think I don't value my life?" A triumphant smile crossed my face.
I might be careless, but I fear death more than anything. Can a little coward like me really go down the window using unreliable sheets?
Rushing to the doorway, I slowly opened it, making sure that the floor was clear before slipping out and heading to the elevator.
As much as the stairs would be safer, I am not fit enough to run down twenty-five flights of stairs, but then again, this darn elevator was still at the bottom floor.
"Damn it," I cursed out loud, punching the steel door.
Steeling my nerves, I resolved to use the stairs instead.
"Ding"
Halfway towards the stairs, I heard the elevator open behind me.
"That was fast" was the first thought that popped into my mind as I turned around.
I rushed towards it, only to see it was now on the second floor… So where did that sound come from?
The sound of someone heaving soon answered my questions as I saw the special elevator open up and a drunken man come out.
I carefully rushed towards him when I realised his identity – Mr Zachary, playboy multibillionaire; he is always drunk.
Seeing his intoxicated state, I carefully patted him down and took his car keys and some 'other' things.
Feeling a burst of joy in my heart, I rushed into the elevator and pressed the garage, scanning the keycard before tossing it out to him.
"I am so sorry; the hotel staff will help you… and you didn't see me. Thank you," I spoke out in one go before the elevator closed up and started its descent.
In a minute or so I was already at the garage. I peered around for his car; I needed to find it, and quick.
I needed to get out of here before Madam Carly realised that I didn't go out through the window.
I scan around the garage for a while. I could just press a button on the key, and the car would alarm – but that would bring attention to it.
A short while later, I saw a car with the same logo as the key, and a burst of joy spread in my heart as I rushed towards it.
"There she is!" the familiar piercing voice of Madam Carly broke the silence in the garage.
I turned to the voice and got face-to-face with Madam Carly.
My feet went cold and my flight mode took control, as the next thing I knew, I was dashing through the garage headed straight for the car.
My feet carried me off without my mind catching up; I guess that's the advantage of being on the run constantly.
"Please, just a few more steps, and I'll get in the car, and I will be out of here," I cried within.
The car got closer and closer to me, and my panic lessened as I stretched my hands to open the car, but instead of holding the cold metal handle of the car, my hands got enveloped by a warm but rough larger hand.
"Gotcha", a sickening voice spoke out before flinging my body in the opposite direction.
"Where were you headed, Little Ginger?" He said, swinging his baton carelessly.
I felt my heart pick up pace, and I ignored the slight sprain on my hand and immediately got up and changed direction, only to be blocked by another figure.
And another.
And another, until I was fully encircled by them.
My heart dropped, panic rising.
"No… this can't be it," I muttered, gripping my hands together.
"Like I said… Gotcha," the huge man from earlier said, a perverted smile appearing on his face.
The sound of an engine revving brought me back my strength; I turned to the sound and saw a sliver of hope.
Once the car closed in, the men turned their attention to the 'intruder', giving me a millisecond of an opening window.
I broke through their barricade and immediately launched towards the moving car, and somehow I found myself in the backseat.
"Drive, drive!" I yelled out at the driver.
Luckily, he accelerated, and we were soon out of the building and into the busy streets.
I looked back to see that they hadn't chased after us.
"That's strange," I thought; Madam Carly would rather lose a leg.
"They won't dare follow my car." A gruff voice spoke up.
I turned to my left and for the first time noticed that there was someone else in the back seat.
A strong scent of jasmine hit my senses as I turned towards the stranger.
"Why would a man be using floral?" was my first thought.
"He seems familiar" was my second.
I looked at the person trying to figure out where I know him from…. Newspapers? Maybe ...at the club? Nope.
But where?
"Mr Kanu, Should I drop the lady off?" the driver asked, waking me up from my thoughts.
"Mr Kanu?" I thought once more before it finally clicked.
Mr Derrick Kanu, that Mr Kanu?
"Park by that street and let her get off." His voice came out once more.
"Yes, sir." His reply came almost instantly.
"Sir, I am eternally grateful for your help," I spoke out, grabbing his hands.
No less than a second later, he took his hands off and wiped them with a set of wet wipes.
Soon the car came to a halt, and he basically threw me out.
I stood there at the walkwayas I watched the car zoom off into the distance.
A smile voluntarily crept up on my face when I looked down at my spoils of war.
A watch, a ruby ring and a wallet – all Mr Kanu's – and also, the diamond bracelet from Zachary's pockets.
I wonder how long it will take him to notice.
Meanwhile, the Black Market people are obsessed with this ruby ring of his.
"I am going to be RICH."