The hours pass by painfully slow as I stare out the window, gazing down into the deep dark waters of the ocean. The sun completely disappeared hours ago, leaving the cabin succumbed in darkness besides the few lights which have been left on by Dante, because he refuses to turn them off for some unknown reason.

I tried to fall asleep multiple times, but it's much more difficult than I would've expected. Normally i'm out like the flick of a switch, but too many thoughts plague my mind for me to even think about the prospect of sleep.

Matteo is expecting me to explain myself after my slip up.

"What's your favourite language?"

"Italian." I say without any hesitation.

"Interesting, and who taught you Italian?"

Dad.

How could i have been so stupid as to make that big of a mistake like that? And now I'm paying the price.

If i don't come up with some kind of explanation by the time we reach Osaka, I don't even know what he's going to do with me. Maybe I can just tell him that my Mum dated an Italian guy who I saw as my father figure?

No. That sounds dumb.

I stretch my limbs out in my seat, and stand, wanting to go for a walk around the plane.

I spot Dante who's looking outside, staring into the darkness. I decide not to say anything, as it seems he's currently lost in an ocean of his thoughts.

Matteo sits on the other end of the cabin, typing away on his laptop, just like he has been doing for the past few hours. How he manages to do that, I have no idea.

Making my way over to him, I peer over his shoulder looking at his laptop screen where he seems to have multiple images collated into a folder, sent within an email. He clicked one of the images, and appeared on the screen as a woman at a cafe, holding a coffee cup.

She's tall and a brunette, wearing a white dress and sandals.

And something looks awfully familiar about her...

Is that... Mum?

I let out a gasp as I realised it was her, and took a few steps backwards before Matteo turned to catch me prying in on his business. "Why do you have pictures of my Mum?" I ask, with a dangerous edge to my voice. No one messes with my Mum.

I notice the cogs and gears going in with Matteo's head. His face going from one of confusion and puzzlement, to wickedness and evil. "I suppose now is a better time than ever to tell you of the consequences if you are to try and escape during our stay in Japan." He sneers as he stands from his seat, keeping the laptop on his desk.

"Are you threatening my Mums life?"

"No." Matteo says almost too quickly, making me suspicious. I can almost see guilt in his features. "I simply want you to know that your mother is under surveillance."

I narrow my eyes at him, ready to pummel my fist into his beautiful face. Yet, somehow I manage to restrain myself. "You are sick." I see. "What kind of person threatens another's own mother?"

All the horrible thoughts of Mum being tortured flash through my brain. If I try to escape, terrible things could happen to her. But if I don't, terrible things could happen to me.

Of course I know what the best option is. I would never willingly put my mother in danger, not even if it costs me my life. But I'd never let Matteo know that.

I storm back to my chair, not wanting to hear another word from that monster. Regret floods my veins. I wish I stood up for myself. I wish that I had the guts to yell and scream and punch Matteo.

As much as I hate to admit it, Matteo's threat has heightened my fear by one-billion fold. I don't know what i'm going to do now. Will I ever be able to escape? With my mother's life now in the balance, will I ever even be able to refuse Matteo, knowing that my mother could be killed?

My stomach reels at the thought, and as much as i try, i can't stop the silent tears that fall down my face.

***

I had fallen into a deep sleep after Matteo's less than pleasant threat regarding my mother, and was only awakened when Dante had come and gently shook me until my eyes decided to open.

"We're getting off the plane." He says.

I groan in response and slowly stand up, my eyes instantly snapping open, looking for where Matteo is, but he is nowhere to be found.

"Matteo's gone, he had business to attend to urgently."

I nod my head, grateful that I won't have to deal with him for now. I'm still deciding whether I want to strangle him or not.

Dante leads me off of the plane, and we enter the airport's terminal, instantly greeted by what has to be at least ten men in suits, from those who I can see. I'm guessing these are Matteo's body security.

Dante seems to know then and nods his head, saying a few hellos and asking to catch up later.

As I'm ushered through the airport, I realise that we are skipping customs and any security. I glance towards all of the staff employees and security, who all appear to be turning a blind eye to us. Though we still receive strange glances from the public.

I'm not surprised, i can't imagine how strange we all look.

We exit the airport soon enough, and I notice that the sun is beginning to rise. I can already feel the jet lag taking effect and all I want to do is sleep as exhaustion takes over my body. I hope we are heading to wherever we are staying now, because i don't think i'll be able to last much longer.

Entering a black limousine, Dante takes a seat opposite me, his posture relaxed in his chair, with his legs spread out within the spacious environment.

I watch as the security guards get into cars on either side of the limo. Is all this security really necessary?

The car begins its journey to wherever our destination may be. And I decided it's alright for me to relax into the comfortable leather seating. I know Dante won't try anything on me, I can tell he fears Matteo despite their friendly relationship.

Watching as we pass by cars, the humming of the car begins to lull me to sleep.

And I almost do.

Until I'm jolted very awake by the sound of a gun shot followed by the screech of the car, and lurched forward from my seat.

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