Chapter 19: The threat of belinda
2349words
Under the table, Ramona, who had been holding her breath for a long time, now breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Lord," he muttered quietly, feeling that this was a golden opportunity that should not be wasted.
Deftly, Ramona came out of hiding and picked up the design that she had been hiding earlier. He held it tightly, making sure no one was left behind. Immediately, he moved towards the door, opening and closing it carefully so as not to make suspicious noises.
To make sure she doesn't meet Sevano or Elors on the main route, Ramona decides to take the road through the emergency stairs. He moved quickly but remained vigilant, descending the stairs one by one while continuing to check his surroundings.
When she finally arrived outside the building, Ramona felt the night breeze hit her face. He paused, looked up at the sky, and said a prayer of gratitude. "Thank you, God. I managed to get out without them suspecting," he said with a deep breath.
Ramona continued to walk away from Sevano's office, trying to calm her still-racing heart. Although he managed to escape, he knew that this mission was just the beginning of a big step full of risks in the future. However, for tonight, Ramona chose to be grateful for her safety and focus on returning home to meet her son.
On the rooftop, Elors and Sevano are still checking every corner closely. The night wind blew strongly, but Sevano's sharp gaze did not waver. "Who dares to shoot at my company?" muttered Sevano in a tone full of anger, his eyes squinting as he swept the surrounding area.
Elors, who had inspected almost every corner of the rooftop, walked closer. "There's nothing here, sir. Nothing suspicious," he reported, his tone sounding confident.
Sevano sighed angrily, then squeaked in annoyance. "It's a waste of time," he muttered before stepping back into the building, followed by Elors who remained alert.
Arriving in her room, Sevano threw her body on the sofa violently. However, as his gaze fell on his oversized chair, his expression changed. The chair is now facing the desk, even though previously he was sure that his position was facing the desk.
Suspicion immediately erupted. With a quick step, Sevano approached his desk and checked the secret storage room under the table. His breath felt lighter when he saw that the black-bound ledger was still in place.
"What's wrong, sir?" asked Elors, his tone sounding anxious when he saw Sevano's tense expression.
Sevano carefully closed the secret room before glancing at Elors.
"Looks like someone just walked in here," Sevano muttered making Elors look around Sevano's room.
Ramona walked along the sidewalk on the side of the road, her steps fast but full of vigilance. The shadows of the night and the dim street lights add to the silence around it. Suddenly, a luxury car stopped right next to it.
Ramona turned her head, initially hesitant, but once she recognized who was behind the wheel, her doubts disappeared. Hunter stared at him sharply from behind the car window. Without saying much, Ramona opened the door and got into the car.
The car drove through the city streets at a moderate speed. Inside the silent car, Ramona reached for her phone and started sending all the photos she had taken from the ledger in Sevano's room. When he finished, he turned his head towards Hunter, his voice sounding firm but tired.
"I've completed my first mission. Let me see my son. I'm going to stay away from your life after this," he said without further ado.
Hunter, who had been focusing only on the steering wheel, finally turned his head. A faint smile appeared on his face, yet it was not an ordinary smile—the smile implied a cold and intimidating aura, the smile of a man in full control.
"Good," Hunter muttered, his tone meaningful. "But who said you could just leave, Ramona?"
Ramona looked at him with a surprised look, but Hunter only continued to grin, his smile increasingly resembling the smile of a devil. "We're not done yet," he added in a low voice that sounded like a hidden threat.
Ramona sneered softly, a cynical smile adorning her face. "You're cunning, Hunter," he said sarcastically. "If you know this, I'd better ask Rafle for help to find my son."
The statement made Hunter grip the steering wheel tightly, the veins in his hands looking tense. Her breath hunted, a clear sign that Ramona's words had ignited her emotions. Without saying anything, Hunter turned the steering wheel sharply and pressed the brake pedal until the car came to a sudden stop on the side of the road.
Ramona's body was pushed forward due to the sudden shock, her forehead almost hit the dashboard. He reflexively restrained himself with his hands, his eyes widening, between surprise and anger.
"What the hell are you, Hunter!" he exclaimed in a loud voice, full of anger.
Hunter turned his head towards him, his gaze sharp as a knife, and his jaw hardened. "Never bring another man's name in front of me," he said coldly, in a tone that echoed full of threats. "If you think he can do better than me, you're very wrong, Ramona. You're tied to me now. And you'll do as I say."
Ramona looked at Hunter hatefully, but she refrained from retaliating. In his heart, he knew that playing with Hunter was like walking on a knife. However, one thing is certain: he will not give up just like that.
"What do you really want?" Ramona's voice was full of firmness, though her tone was holding back her trembling. "If you don't want me to be exposed to the public, let me go."
Hunter looked at him with a dark gaze, his red eyes burning with anger. In a matter of seconds, he grabbed Ramona's neck with one hand, creating a pressure that made it difficult for Ramona to breathe.
"You think it's easy?" Hunter's voice was low, yet full of menacing. "A cheap woman like you, who is crazy about money, is unlikely to do that."
Ramona tried to fight back, but Hunter's grip was too strong. His eyes widened, staring at Hunter who now looked like a stranger to him.
"Which woman is not infatuated with me?" Hunter continued in a cold tone. "All the women in Malta want me. But you... You who took advantage in the past, will certainly use me with your son."
Hunter tightened his grip for a moment, making Ramona cough. "I know such a cheap trick," he continued with a cynical smile. "You can blackmail or threaten me one day, maybe you'll even hold me accountable. I won't fall into that trap, Ramona. I've memorized the game of women like you."
Ramona tried to catch her breath, with both hands trying to release Hunter's grip. "Hunter... I don't—" his voice was cut off, barely audible.
Hunter finally released Ramona's neck violently, causing her to fall into a chair with a short breath. "You're not going anywhere," Hunter looked at him coldly, looking away. "You're mine now, and you'll remain under my control."
Ramona held onto her still sore neck, staring at Hunter hatefully. In his heart, he was determined that this was not over. "I'll repay all this, Hunter," he muttered softly, almost like a promise to himself.
In a magnificent mansion with a classic feel, Belinda is enjoying her leisure time. She sits in an elegant living room, reading the latest fashion magazines while sipping a cup of warm tea. The warmth of the afternoon was interrupted by the sound of light footsteps approaching.
"Tante!" called out a soft voice, making Belinda look up from her magazine. Her smile expanded when she saw Jeseline standing there with a paper bag in her hand.
Belinda closed her magazine and stood up. "When are you coming, honey?" he asked as he welcomed Jeseline with warm sips.
"Just now, Tan," Jeseline replied with a sweet smile. "This is Jeseline, bringing my aunt's favorite bread and green tea from China."
Belinda's eyes lit up, her smile widening when she received the gift. "Oh, thank you very much, baby. Auntie is really happy!" He checked the contents of the paper bag with great enthusiasm.
Jeseline nodded, smiling contentedly at Belinda's happy expression. "Jeseline knows Auntie will like it."
Belinda invited Jeseline to sit on the sofa. "Come on, accompany Aunt to have tea. Auntie wants to try this green tea now." Jeseline nodded again and sat down beside her, enjoying the warm togetherness of the afternoon.
Feeling that the situation was right, Jeseline immediately expressed her goal.
Jeseline stared at Belinda for a moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. "Auntie remembers the maid who used to run away from Hunter's wedding?" she asked abruptly, breaking the relaxed atmosphere in the living room.
Belinda's expression instantly changed. He placed his teacup on the table slowly, but his movements were full of tension. "Why did you suddenly discuss that woman?" he asked in a cold tone. The atmosphere that was previously warm turned into a little tense.
Jeseline smiled faintly, as if enjoying the reaction caused by her words. He noticed how hatred towards Ramona radiated from Belinda's face. Slowly, Jeseline also placed her cup on the table. "Actually, Jeseline wanted to say something, but was afraid that Hunter would be angry," she said hesitantly, her voice full of caution.
Belinda immediately turned her head, her eyes looking at Jeseline anxiously. "What's wrong? What's wrong with Hunter?" he asked, gripping Jeseline's hand tightly, trying to calm the worry in his heart.
Jeseline remained silent, her lips trembling slightly. Seeing the silence, Belinda strengthened her grasp, this time holding Jeseline's hands tightly. "Just tell Tante, baby. Auntie will guard you from the Hunter, whatever it is. Don't be afraid," he said in a confident tone.
Jeseline swallowed, looking like she was looking for the courage to reveal something important, while Belinda waited for her with care and concern.
Jeseline lowered her head as if she was afraid and said, "She has returned. And now lives with Hunter in his mansion." Belinda was made to gawk with her eyes widened in anger at this time.
"What?" he said loudly. Jeseline immediately looked at Belinda with a little fear and panic.
"Please don't tell Hunter ya tan, if I'm the one who told you. I just don't want Hunter to get entangled in his seduction," Jeseline said, making Belinda immediately call her bodyguard.
"Hurry up and take me to the Hunter mansion!" he ordered who immediately drove away.
Jeseline, who saw Belinda's departure, only smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Feel you Ramona, I'm sure this time you weren't just kicked out of Malta, but as soon as Aunt Belinda found out you gave birth to Hunter's child, she might plan to kill the two of you to get rid of Malta before it was revealed to the media," muttered Jeseline who couldn't wait to see Ramona's ruined performance.
Meanwhile, in Hunter's mansion, there is Ramona who sits in the living room anxiously waiting for Hunter who is picking up her son.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Ramona immediately rushed forward to greet Esther.
But it wasn't Hunter who came, but Belinda.
Ramona staggered back, clutching her cheeks that were flushed red by Belinda's slap. "Madam... why are you...?" his voice trembled, his eyes full of shock and fear.
Belinda stepped closer with a gaze full of anger. "How dare you come back here after what you did, Ramona! You think you can escape your responsibilities without consequences?" he said sharply, his tone like a knife blade piercing Ramona's heart.
Ramona tried to control herself, although the hand holding her cheek was still trembling slightly. "I don't intend to go back to trouble anyone, Madam. I just want my son," he replied quietly, his voice barely audible.
Belinda chuckled, laughter full of sarcasm. "Your son? Don't make me laugh, Ramona. You think I don't know your game? Coming here, pretending to be innocent, then trying to take advantage of this situation? You're a very cunning woman."
Ramona shook her head firmly, her tears began to pool in her eyes. "I just want to be a good mother to my child. Nothing more. If you don't want me here, I'll leave after I get my son back."
However, Ramona's words only made Belinda even more furious. "You think all this is about what you want? You've already destroyed Hunter once, and I won't let you do it again!" Belinda approached, this time looking at Ramona coldly. "Listen carefully, Ramona. If you dare to touch our lives again, I'll make sure you have nowhere to run."
"You think I'm the one who ruined Hunter's life?" Ramona smiled bitterly.
Ramona stepped forward to Belinda boldly, "You and your son have come too far. Now I won't be polite anymore. You suppose, only you can give me threats and cruel actions? I can do it too." Belinda squinted her eyes and raised her hand again, but Ramona held Belinda's hand.
"If you want me to leave your son's life, return my son first. After that I will leave Malta as before," Belinda smiled bitterly as she pulled her hand away from Ramona's restraint.
"A woman's mouth like you is not worthy of trust," Belinda pressed refusing to do Ramona's request.
Ramona smiled meaningfully at Belinda.
"Don't stop me from revealing everything to the media!" said Ramona with full of pressure and a sharp gaze.
