YOU'LL BE SAFE HERE

Safe with You

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

A big explosion from outside Cielle's room woke her up in a gasp. It was four in the midnight that it happened. She was drowsy still, so all the while she thought it was just a dream. When another explosion came near her underground room however, she darted out of bed as quickly as she could.

No. No! What is happening?! she shouted in her thoughts when flames outside showed themselves through the vent. Black smoke rising up the atmosphere where seen too, engulfing what should have been a starry sky in their area.

With her heart threatening to jump out of her chest, she bolted towards the door and turned the knob.

Please be it unlocked! Please be it unlocked!

That was her chant the whole time and luckily, it was.

Without delay, she flung the door open and ran to the dark hallway, intending to find out the status of the island and to escape if favorable circumstances present themselves.

When she reached almost to the exit though, a hand shot out to capture her elbow. She yelped when she was whirled around and pressed against a man's hard chest. His other hand covered her mouth quickly and restrained her head from turning to look at him.

"Stay still or you'll get caught. Wait for my signal, " the man from behind her instructed.

"Nicholas?!" her mind shouted.

Of course, it was expected he'd be around her still. He did say he will guard her room.

Nic's hands in her mouth and elbow loosened so she took advantage of it and spun around to face him. He was too quick to stop her though and placed her back on the spot, embracing her tightly.

"What is happening?!" she asked with wide eyes as she regarded his partly hidden face.

Nic bent his head and kissed the crown of her head. Cielle, despite her panicked self, blushed.

"Be safe Cielle, " he whispered. "Run. Run away from here and be safe."

And then, she heard shuffling noises passing by, handheld radios buzzing, shouts of panic men, rifles being fired and more, more distant explosions.

It didn't take for a genius to know what they meant.

"The police?! The army?! Are they all here?!" she shouted, glancing to the doorway and then over her shoulder.

Nic only nodded with a firm-set mouth.

"They are here to rescue you and to erase this island in the face of the planet."

She shuddered. That would be mass murder even if the target were criminals.

"But how? How did they—?"

"Cielle, " he abruptly cut in. His voice sounded low...husky and low. It was a surefire difference from the many times he spoke to her coldly.

Cielle felt heat shot through her then when his hand gently roamed from her chest up to her face.

"Nic?" she called, looking over her shoulder.

He remained silent and continued to cup her chin.

"Nic!"

And then, time seemed to stop.

Cielle's head was slightly twisted and drawn up to meet Nic's bent one. His mouth was on her, coaxing her stiff, stunned lips to open.

She was surprised at first, but in the end, surrendered, opening her mouth when his tongue flicked it wet.

Whatever buried emotions she felt towards this man came alive, surging up in the most pleasurable of ways, ways that she couldn't stop now.

She reached for his head, raked his soft, tousled hair and moaned, wanting not to stop.

They kissed, lips pressed against each other as if fate had predetermined it. It was gentle and rough. Soft and needy. His, commanding and hers, giving. More explosive than the explosions outside the hallway they were in.

And they stayed like that for glorious minutes. Her, not complaining at all. Her, not caring of everything around them, until he withdrew.

"Now go. Go!" Nic prompted.

Cielle, still in a daze, was pushed forward.

A tall man in army suit, googles and holding an assault rifle appeared from the doorway and stretched his hand.

"Come! I will lead you out of here!"

"Nic?" Confused, she glanced at him and saw him nod.

He pulled out the gun in his back and gestured his head to the army man up the stairs.

The latter didn't seem to mind after seeing the firearm. He even nodded back at Nic as if a sign of respect.

"What is going on?" Cielle, with one hand pressed against her chest, asked, turning her head back and forth to Nic and the soldier.

"Now, let's go!" The soldier climbed down two steps and reached for her elbow. Cielle let herself get pulled by the man, but her full attention was still riveted on Nicholas who curved a small smile towards her way.

As if saying goodbye.

"Go."

"Nic!" Cielle shouted just as she was dragged out of the house.

Another explosion came somewhere along her line of sight and saw the flames touching the roof of her prison house. She felt the soldier's arm wound around her shoulder as they managed their way into the twist and turns of the island.

Emerging unscathed from the path, they reached the shoreline. A navy speedboat awaited them from there and without delay, men aboard the boat helped the two up.

Not long, the speedboat jetted out of the island with Cielle in it. She sat with arms crossed to her chest whilst looking at the scene before her. Fire had literally engulfed the island showing only but a small portion of it untouched. Two helicopters were seen above spraying bullets down.

It was a macabre sight even for a place that was a criminal base, but it wasn't that that made her shiver, it was the thought of Nicholas and how he was going to survive it all.

"Isn't Agent Nicholas leaving with us?!" the man holding the steering wheel shouted. He looked at the soldier who escorted Cielle out and arched his brow.

Agent Nicholas? Cielle's mind stressed.

The soldier took out his googles first before shaking his head and answering in a form of a shout, "No! He needs to make sure the gang is wiped out, so he will stay!"

"Sir, what do you mean by that?" Cielle asked, unable to keep herself.

He turned to her and smiled. "Ms. Becker, the man you had just been with is an undercover agent from Interpol working with us for years to spy the movements of this notorious kidnap-for-ransom gang."

Her jaw dropped. "What...?"

Nicholas is an undercover agent?!

"You are safe now Ms. Becker. You will be delivered to your parents who are waiting for you at the Mactan Seaport, " the soldier informed.

She couldn't believe it still. She wanted to ask more about Nicholas, but instead, she refrained and said, "Tha—thank you Sir."

The soldier, oblivious of her raging heart, made a salute.

"You're welcome Miss. It is our job."

***

"Cielle, honey, where are you going?" her mother asked when she saw her passing the living room with a handbag on her side and all dressed up with a floral-printed blouse and white slacks.

Cielle paused and smiled at her mother who was holding a bouquet of red roses.

"I'll be seeing an old friend mom. I promised I'll take him to his favorite restaurant, so I have to keep it."

Her mother sighed. "That's good to know, but please be careful will you? I don't want you in danger again."

Cielle nodded, "Yes, I will, " and then crossed the space to kiss her mother's cheek.

"By the way, who gave you that roses?" she asked when she withdrew, pointing her nail-polished finger on the gorgeous blooms.

"Huh?" Her mother, for a moment, looked lost. She blinked twice and bent her head to see. "Oh! I almost forgot." She grinned. "I actually I don't know. I picked this from the receptionist downstairs. She said that this is for you."

"For me?" Cielle echoed, watching the bouquet as her mother handed it to her.

"Yes. You have a suitor now?"

Cielle furrowed her brows and shrugged. "Not that I know of."

"Oh goodness, I hope it is not a stalker, " her mother commented whilst massaging her temple. "Is there a note in there?"

"Mmm, let's see." Cielle checked and just as any normal bouquets, there was one inserted inside, but it wasn't a card, it was a small square envelope. "Yup, there is." She plucked and raised it up, the weight of the envelope surprising her a bit, but before she could check the contents, her phone rang and vibrated inside her bag.

"Wait Mom, I need to take this call."

She handed the bouquet back to her mother and fished out the said gadget quickly.

"Hi Mrs. Lee!" She greeted whilst pacing around the available space still holding the envelope. "Yes. Yes, I am on my way. See you there. Say hello to Alex for me."

"Yes, bye!"

Then, she turned around and faced her mother. "I need to go mom, " she informed as she hurriedly placed the phone inside her bag together with the envelope. "They are ten minutes away from the restaurant across the apartment. I want to be there first to order."

Her mother nodded. "Alright, I will just have to put these roses in the vase. Won't you check the envelope first?"

Cielle twisted her lips. "I'll check it later. See you!"

"Yes, take care honey."

After hugging her mother, Cielle left her studio unit.

The restaurant was just a few meters away from the apartment she stayed in so for less than three minutes, she arrived there. She ordered everything she hoped the boy would love and then chose a plush four-seater cubicle near the glass wall.

Minutes later, Alex and his mother walked in and waved a hand on her way.

"Oh God! Alex!" Cielle was almost teary eyed when she saw the boy's healthier state. It may not look like it, but she knew the time in the island had placed the boy's weight down a point or two due to eating less protein-rich foods.

"Big Sis!" the boy beamed a smile and widened his arms.

They hugged and hugged dearly, like a sister to her brother and vice versa, each with happiness on their faces. Alex's mom just stood in their midst smiling on her own as she saw the closeness of the two victims.

"Oh! It is so good to see you!" Cielle exclaimed once they pulled out. She brushed the boy's short hair with her hand and pinched his chubby little cheeks.

"Hi, I am Alexander's mother, Eleonor, " she butted in.

Cielle stood up from crouching and offered her hand. "Hello Mrs. Lee."

"Please just call me Ellie, " Alex's mother stated and then shook her hand.

"Ah, alright. Please have a seat, " Cielle offered, gesturing to the sofa. "I have taken the liberty of ordering first. I hope that these are Alex's favorite."

"Wow! Yes, Big Sis! These are my favorites!" exclaimed Alex with round, excited eyes. He was holding the toy figurine still, the one Nic had given in the island, and this choked up Cielle remembering him for a moment.

'No, I mustn't. I mustn't entertain the thought of him now, ' she thought.

"I'm glad you like it, " she stated, covering the shake in her voice with another jolly tone. "Dig in Alex!"

And he did after putting the toy figurine at the edge of the table.

It took them almost an hour of eating. Alex was silent, munching on his favorites while Cielle and Ellie talked about everything that happened on the island. A lot of thank you's were thrown, warm smiles and joyful tears from the two women feeling relieved that they survived the harrowing ordeal.

Their conversation was cut off when Alex informed that he needed to take the bathroom. His mother stood up and accompanied him there. Minutes later, they came back with Alex holding more toy figurines of the restaurant.

"Oh, where did you get those Alex?" asked Cielle with a curious brow.

"Big brother Nic gave it to me, " Alex replied when he slid on his seat.

Cielle's heartbeat skipped in two after hearing the name.

"Come again?" she stated, half in widened eyes.

"Big brother Nic from the island gave it to me Big Sis. He says I will become a great man someday."

Her mouth dropped. She turned to Alex's mother to get a clearer information to which the woman obliged but with a reserved, cautious face.

"There's a man who approached him Cielle. He says he knows you from the island. He is a friendly man, really handsome and tall and well-dressed, but I have to ask, is he a...you know, a criminal?"

Her voice faltered for a moment.

Cielle immediately shook her head and clasped her hands across the table. "Ah, no, no, no Ellie. He is an undercover agent. He...he saved me back there."

Ellie visibly relaxed. "Oh, that relieves me."

"Where is he now?" Cielle asked. There was urgency in her voice like she wanted to find him right then and there, but it wouldn't be right to leave the mother and son just like that.

"He left a minute ago on that side of the door." Ellie pointed to the opposite door where Cielle couldn't see.

"Well, uhm, if it's okay. Can I?" she asked, clearly hopeful.

"Sure, sure." Ellie raised her hand up. "Don't worry. You can go dear. We will be fine here."

Cielle immediately gathered her handbag. "Thank you Ellie." Then, she turned to look at the boy and patted his head. "Uhm, Alex, I should go. I need to talk to your Big Brother Nic."

The boy smiled and bobbed his head. "Okay, see you later Big Sis!"

Like a mad woman, she exited the store and searched for any signs of the man that had captured her heart.

Yes, she could most certainly say that she truly was in love with him. She had contemplated on it countless of times for five days since she escaped the island. Each thought of him made the feeling stronger, louder and echoing in her heart.

She had tried her best to act normal; to do the usual things she does while on vacation, but the memory and the worry of Nicholas and his welfare in the island still lingered. She had tried calling the police department where their case was handled, but many times she was turned down, explaining it was classified information.

Now that a clue of his presence had emerged, she was hell bent on finding him.

The downtown streets and roads were cramped up with many people and cars, yet as if it was meant to, she saw a familiar frame of a man walking past a street going to a center park.

"Nicholas!" she shouted, sprinting out from her spot, taking no heed of the many people close to her.

She slipped and excused herself along the way, looking and desperately picking out his features from the sea of people until she finally came to a halt inside a grassy clearing on the park. There was still no sign of him here though and this made her insides clench with mixed sadness and frustration.

"Nic... where are you?" she muttered to herself, a little winded.

Once she was able to calm down, she remembered the bouquet and suspected immediately that it came from him. In a hurry, she fished the envelope out of the bag and opened it in her front. A black strip of cloth came into view once she did and then a message in cursive saying: From Nicholas Sebastian Horan.

Nicholas Sebastian Horan? That's his real name? she asked in her thoughts.

Unconsciously, she smiled, thinking that he went through great lengths sending her flowers and making her remember the weird nights they shared through the black cloth. It warmed her heart, yes. Definitely.

"Don't move."

Suddenly, a man stood from behind her and gripped Cielle by the waist. It was so firm she couldn't turn around and see who he was.

But no, she didn't really need to turn just to know who the man was.

"Nicholas, " Cielle named; her voice calm, but tingles of sensations shot from her back to every part of her body as he pressed his hard chest against her. "You seem to enjoy attacking me from the back."

She heard a deep chuckle first and then a whisper in her right ear, "Let me abduct you, Cielle."

She drew her eyes down to the black cloth in her left hand and stated, "Blindfold me first."

"I'd be mistaken for a kidnapper again, " he stated.

"You act like one superbly though."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fool you Cielle."

Cielle curved a small smile. "You really did fool me good, especially on those nights that I thought you would take me by force."

"I had to act and sound the part. Otherwise, those criminal freaks might think that nothing happened between the two of us. They would pursue you then."

"All for my safety, " Cielle muttered.

"Yes, of course. All for your safety."

Her heart somehow swelled.

"I believe all the things you did were for the right reasons?" she asked in addition.

"Yes."

"Even kissing me back then?" She looked over her shoulder, blushing now in deep shades of red.

"Yes, " he replied right away. "I had restrained myself from you many times."

"Numerous times, " she butted in.

"I didn't think I'd survive that night. I thought that at least I get to taste your lips before I die."

"But here you are now, " she expressed and with his hold loosening, she turned around and palmed his face. Their eyes met; each with smoldering flames, expressing the undeniable attraction and love they knew existed since they clashed in that one faithful night.

Nicholas smiled and thumbed her bottom lip. Cielle shuddered, but nevertheless raised her head more for him.

"Indeed, here I am now. With you. Forever with you."

And then he stooped low and claimed her awaiting lips.

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Fin.