They were all laughing. We built a bonfire in front of us and ate a lot. I would have told Mitch to feed Zaneska because it was late at night and she could be hungry. But I was embarrassed that Mitch thought I was interested in her friend.
"Isn't Zaneskka hungry yet? It's late at night, and they've been talking to Nathan for a while," Zander was relieved to hear his mother's question because he had already stated on his mind.
"She only eats when she's hungry, Aunt; people like her don't like rice; she makes better vegetables and sandwiches," Mitch responded.

"Is she always on a diet?" Zander's mother asked.

"Sort of off."
"That's why she has such a nice body," Zander's mother explained.

Nathan's presence made Zaneska very happy. Because she is no longer alone and ashamed because she is the only one in the group who does not have a partner and appears to be an outcast. Nathan is a pleasure to be around. He's not a bore to talk to.

"Let's go with them so you can eat," Nathan suggested.

"I'm still full, and I don't like eating rice at night," she explained.

"Are you afraid of gaining weight when you eat a lot?" Nathan asked.
"Sort off."

"Body figure isn't important to me; I leave it to others," Nathan explained.

I exhaled a sigh.
"Nowadays, good looks are always important. There are oversize women who are broken hearted simply because their men aren't saying anything to them, especially when they can find sexy and good looking. That's a reality of life," he said.

"You're correct."

"Can you accompany me, I'd like to swim; when my friends and I went to the beach, I didn't get a chance to take a swim," Zaneska asked.
"Are you sure? The water is freezing, especially tonight," Nathan asked.
"Night swimming is fun, but I hope there aren't any sharks in this area," Zaneska said.

"Nothing so far."

"All right then."

They've already started walking towards the group. As we approached, Uncle Augusto smiled at me.

"I'm delighted to meet you in person; I've only seen you in tabloids and on social media, and we've never met on business trips abroad," he says.
"Is that so? I try not to be in the tabloid news, but someone always manages to get through," Zaneska joked.

"Of course, that's their work, so whatever you do, they'll find a way," Uncle replied.

"Yeah, speaking of business trips abroad, I only send representatives because I despise traveling," she responded.

"Whoa, this is the first time I've heard of a businesswoman who isn't interested in gatherings; the others compete just to be known all over the world," Nathan says.
Zaneska simply laughed.

"I'm the lazy businesswoman, and when I'm not in the mood, I don't show up at gatherings," he explained.

"Can I work as your assistant, Zaneska?" Duke inquired.

"Of course, if you can leave your profession," Zaneska replied, "but being a teacher is a nice profession. You teach children. You wouldn't be a doctor or a police officer if it weren't for the teachers."

"Yeah, but there's a lot of paperwork, and it can be exhausting at times," Duke complained.

Zaneska bursts out laughing, and the first thing Zander notices is how white her teeth are, which adds to her beauty.
"Hmmm, Aunt, do you have an extra bathing suit?" Zaneska inquires of my mother out of the blue.
"However, can you swim in the sea? Will you get cold?" mom inquired.

"No, I can only go night swimming now; how about you, Mitch and Amara?" Zaneska asked.

"We're going to get cold, Zaneska; perhaps we'll take a bath tomorrow; I'm sorry we can't be with you," Mitch said.
"I'm fine," Zaneska replied, "I'll just make Nathan accompany me."
Zander's brows rose unexpectedly, which he didn't notice, and he simply looked away.

"Sure."

Zander's mother accompanied her inside the house to look for a bathing suit.

He had no idea what happened next because they had vanished from his view.

Zander's mother offered her a swimsuit, but she declined. Because it was evening, she was prepared to wear leggings and a shirt in case something bit her in the sea. As she walked out, Nathan smiled at her.
"All I could think was, are you going to wear a bathing suit?" Nathan asked.
Her brow furrowed.

"Disappointed?"

"Of course not; it's better that way because it's tonight; let's go," Nathan said.

They went to a nearby beach, and she swim while Nathan stood right next to her, keeping an eye on her.

However, he noticed that Nathan was talking on the phone. After a while, he addressed her.

"Zaneska, come on up because I'm going somewhere today; is that okay? Just continue your bath tomorrow," he said.
"Sure."

She got out of the bath and went into the kitchen to get some water. Nathan had to leave as well due to an urgent call. Her phone began to ring.

Genie phoned her.
"Hello, Genie, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Something came up, Miss," Genie replied.

She was trembling at the time.
"What's the matter?" I inquired.
"Lazzy was attempting suicide, and she slashed her wrist. It's good to see us," Genie said.

My world came to a halt when I heard what I heard.

"What happened? I just vanished for a while, and that's what happened to you there!"

"I'm not sure what her problem is because she doesn't speak; she just keeps crying; we're at the hospital now, and she's looking for you."

"OK, I'm going home there," he says.

Zaneska gets off the phone. She exclaimed. What exactly is going on? She  walked out of the kitchen without even looking back to see if Zander was standing in the kitchen doorway.She quickly changed her clothes and left the house. She  rejoined the group.
"Are you all right, Zaneska?" Mitch asked.
"No, I'm not, something came up in the mansion. Duke, may I borrow your car?" she asks.

"I'll take you there, Zaneska; it's late for you to travel," Duke said.

But only now Duke and Amara reconcile again, so he can't leave.

"You just gave me your car key, Duke; it's urgent; don't worry, I'll be fine," she says.

Duke let out a sigh and handed her the key.

"Aunt, Uncle, I have to go," Zaneska said.

"Take care."

Mitch and Amara exchanged nods.

Zaneska exited and got into Duke's car. Lazzy's concern was palpable. She had already driven away from the beach house in her car. She answered the phone when she tried to call Uncle Conrad.

On the other end of the line, she asked,

"Uncle, how is Lazzy?"

"She's fine. She fell asleep crying. She doesn't want to talk about her problem. I didn't think this woman had a suicidal problem. Do you have no idea what she's going through?" Uncle asked.

"I'm not sure, Uncle; I have no idea what she's going through right now. Okay."
After that, she hung up the phone.

When Zander returns to the group, he notices that Zaneska has left. And he had heard that there was an issue with their mansion. And he was concerned because she was traveling late at night.

"Let's go, Zander; I'll be taken home first because I have duty tomorrow," Mitch said as he approached.

He gave a nod. They began by saying their goodbyes to his mother and Uncle Conrad. When they exited the gate, he noticed Duke's car had vanished. Maybe Zaneska used to.

He and Mitch got into the car and started it. They were out of the apartment in half an hour. He kissed Mitch on the lips and bid her farewell. He plans to follow Zaneska because he has a bad feeling about her travel. He was nervous for no apparent reason. This is the first time he has expressed concern for someone.

After Mitch entered the apartment, he drove the car quickly. He might even be able to catch up to Zaneska. And it was twelve o'clock at night, so he knew the road was dangerous at this time of night, especially since she was alone and a woman. But he couldn't see her any longer, and there was no other way to travel.

Zaneska was especially worried because she saw men with guns in the distance, which was not a check point because no one was blocking the road. They are not soldiers or police officers based on their appearance. Sh e estimated that there were about ten people. If she continues, she will undoubtedly be blocked and kidnapped.

Particularly since she was alone. Only now did she realize she should have studied martial arts for self-defense years ago. She was worried because someone had seen her with a mustache and she couldn't describe it. She will only be brave in order to engage these men in conversation. She rolled down the window of her car.

"Good evening, Miss," the man said, as if he saw grace in her. And he gave her a malicious look. So she is aware that she is in danger right now. Because of the distance from the city, these men will catch her before Uncle Conrad arrives to rescue her. She was already breaking out in a cold sweat. Her heart was pounding like a drum because she was so nervous.
They will shoot her if she backs up and drives quickly. She wishes she had simply listened to Duke and let him send her home. She could be so adamant at times. The ten men were staring at her like hungry animals.
"Do you have a problem? I'm in a hurry, and as far as I can tell, none of you conducted a checkpoint," Zaneska said.
They're both laughing like maniacs.

"Miss, it's not just soldiers and police who need checkpoints; you're so unlucky because you passed by this place; who told you to travel at this time?" said the tall-haired man, who looked as if he hadn't taken a bath in months.

Shit! This is the end of the road for me. If I survive this time, I will never return to this place. I swear! I'm not even sure I want to die!

"What's up, Miss? Get out! And don't wait for me to drag you out!" he yell.

"What do you need? Money? I'll give you a lot of money," Zaneska said, her voice trembling.
They were all laughing.
"This beautiful woman is wealthy, and we're lucky to have her," they said.

The man pushed open the car door and drew me out.

Please help me! I want to live a longer life! She silently prayed.

Zander noticed Zaneska in the distant tow of a man with long hair, and he noticed many other men staring at her. I detect a threat. They are well-armed men. He sped up the car to catch up to them before they took Zaneska away.
He exited the vehicle.

"Release me!" yelled Zaneska, but the man's grip tightened on her.

"Zaneska! What's wrong, darling? Did they do something bad to you?" a man's voice I recognized asked.
Aside from her father, this is the first time she has been addressed as darling.
Zander! She yells quietly. He stood there staring at her with his eyes fixed on her. And men, too.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" the man asked Zander.

"Of course, she's my wife, and we had a misunderstanding, so she left at night. Where do you plan to take her?" Zander asked the man, his voice solemn, but she could see fear in his eyes.

"Just make sure you're telling the truth or we'll kill you," the man said. "Is what that man said true, Miss?" he asked.
She didn't say anything, but Zander could tell she was just nodding to avoid the problem even more.

"Yes," she said.
"I'm still not convinced because I haven't seen a ring that proves you're truly married; you can leave; I just need this woman so you don't get hurt," the man said to Zander.

Zander was concerned for Zaneska's safety, and he could see it in her eyes. We both share the same sentiment. They have guns if only hand-to-hand combat is permitted, but I'm not sure if they'll shoot us if I don't speak politely.