Hannah's Pov:
I looked at Richard, who was still speechless. What the hell's going on?
"You're running out of time. If I were you, I'd act fast," Noah said, making me more confused.
"Why do you want her?" Richard asked.
"I mean, she's under my care, and I need to know if something's wrong".
"Under your care?" He scoffed.
"Are you really trying to say she's under your care?"
"Well, of course. What are you driving at, Noah?"
He huffed and turned to the boys beside him.
"Go in and get her", he said, and they nodded and started coming towards the house - three of them.
"Where do you think you're going?" Richard asked and tried stepping in the way, but the boys brought out guns and pointed at him.
Whaaaaat?
I flinched and held Richard back. What the hell are they doing?
They shot us a glare and walked into the house.
*
*
Maxine's Pov:
I sat on the floor in my room, painting in my book since I was bored.
Well, I decided to rest before my aunt remembered me and assigned me all the household chores.
Each passing day, my life only seems to get worse, and I feel more helpless, thinking I might be doomed forever.
And to think the dance competition was commencing today - how do I go about it?
I haven't been able to contact Pablo because my battery was low and I had no way to charge it. Perhaps I won't make it to the competition.
"Maxine! Maxine!" I heard my name and wondered who it was because the voices were strange.
I stood up from the floor and rushed to open the door, heart pounding, as I saw men around the passage, checking every corner, probably looking for me, and my stomach clenched in fear.
Huh? Who are they?
They all stopped when they saw me.
"Are you Maxine?" One of them asked, but I didn't reply as I kept looking at them in awe.
What's going on?
"Are you Maxine? Please?" Another asked more politely, and this time around, I nodded.
"Please, come with us. Mr Noah's waiting outside for you," the other said, and I flinched.
What?
"M...Mr Noah?" I repeated.
"Yes. Please, there's no time. You'll understand everything once you get to see him," he urged.
I looked at them, beady-eyed- not understanding a thing. Why on earth would Noah be looking for me?
I rushed back to my room and looked through the window to confirm it. Oh my God! It was true! It really was Noah!
He was outside - together with my uncle and aunt.
What's going on?
"Ma'am Maxine, please. We don't have much time. You need to come with us - now," one of the men said from outside, and I turned back to look at them.
Could something be wrong? Why would Noah be
looking for me? Well, I guess there was only one way to find out.
I returned to the door and followed the boys out of the house, my heart beating the entire time. I don't know; I just had a feeling something was wrong.
Definitely.
I followed them, and we finally got outside, where Uncle and Aunt were both looking infuriated.
"Please, ma'am, come with us", one of the boys said as I slackened my steps.
"Don't move an inch, Maxine", my uncle said in a hard voice, and I looked at him.
Oh my God! What's going on between Noah and them?
Maxine, step into the car - I'm here to protect you, and everything will be okay, Noah said warmly, his hand behind his back.
I looked at him, confused, then back at my uncle.
"She's my niece! And you don't have any right to take her away," he rasped.
"Yes, and I have the right to sue you for your domestic violence", Noah replied, and I gasped.
What?
Immediately, one of the boys brought out a gun and pointed it at me, and I shivered.
What the heck?
"Please ma'am, don't make this difficult for us. Just step into the car", he said, and I gulped a million times and found myself moving towards the car.
I looked at Noah as I walked past him and went into the car, which had already been opened for me. The whole thing just felt like a dream to me.
What does Noah plan on doing with me? Why did he come all the way here to take me away?
The door was locked afterwards, and Noah came in through the other door.
Oh my God! This sh*t is really happening. What is going on?
I turned to look at him as he sat next to me in the car.
"Mr Noah", I called.
"What's going on, please? Where are you taking me?"
"I'm just trying to be of help, Maxine. You don't need to worry," he said softly, his tone hiding something, as the driver sped away, making me more curious about his true motives.
*
*
Hannah's Pov:
I tapped Richard immediately after they left.
"What - the - hell - just - happened?" I asked with gritted teeth, my entire system burning.
"I...I don't know," he shook his head, still staring at the gate.
"What do you mean you don't know? How can Noah just come in and take Maxine away? What's happening??"
"I don't know, Hannah! I don't know! You were here, weren't you?" He half-yelled and brought out his phone.
"I'm never going to let that happen. I'm calling the police right away and charging him for abduction. Maxine is coming back," he stated angrily and made the call.
*
*
The drive was long and silent; he didn't say anything to me, and I couldn't say a word to him either. I was just speechless and scared.
After a long time, the car drove past a gate into a white, sparkling mansion, making my eyes beam.
What? I couldn't even describe the beauty of the place.
There was a waterfall, a garage full of cars, a swimming pool, and the whole place was neat and shiny.
The car was parked in the garage, and the door was opened for me to step out, but I couldn't.
"Come on, Maxine", Noah urged, and slowly, I came out of the car.
My lips were agape as I looked around, in shock. I couldn't comprehend the whole thing. What am I doing here? Why would Noah bring me here?
What exactly is happening?
I looked around in shock, amazed at the magnificent building. It was far more beautiful than my uncle's. Could Noah be the owner?
"You'll be staying here from now on", Noah suddenly said, filling my curiosity.
I quickly turned to look at him and saw him coming closer to me.
"You'll be staying here with me", he added, more like in a whisper, and I flinched.
"What?" I shrieked for the first time.
"W...With you?" I asked, and he nodded.
"I know you're the crazy dancer, Maxine", he released the bombshell, almost making me fall to the floor.
What?
Oh my God!
No! This is a dream.
"I know who you are and...I want to be of help. So, from now on, you'll be under my protection," he added, and my jaw dropped.