CHAPTER 22: MEETING THE MASTERMIND

"I promise you, I won’t escape the facility. I don’t want to put my life and our baby in danger," Naomi assured him.

"I’m glad to hear that," he said in relief, hugging her tightly, afraid of what she would do if she saw a chance of escape.

"Don’t worry anymore, I won’t escape today," she said reassuringly.

"Just observe the surroundings around you but don’t do anything that will provoke them to hurt you. I won’t be there to protect you," he reminded her. Inside, he was deeply worried because sometimes women think in an unpredictable way.

She nodded her head. "I got it."

The couple continues to watch the movie.

Deep inside, Naomi was still thinking about the possibility of escaping. If an opportunity presents itself, why not? She will grab the chance.

The whole day passed by quickly.

That night, when the couple went to sleep, Naomi felt restless inside, thinking about her first step outside the room.

She would beg the staff to allow her to see the sunshine even for a few minutes, then escape to freedom.

She is excited and scared as well. Her mind was bombarded with many different things and scenarios that could happen tomorrow.

She forced herself to sleep, but she couldn’t, moving restlessly on the bed, getting Alpha Maxwell’s attention. He wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind, spooning her.

"Sweetie, you have to sleep now. Stop thinking too much about tomorrow. Okay?" he said, kissing her head.

"OK," she replied and closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep.

A few minutes later, Naomi finally drifted into a deep slumber.

Hours passed quickly.

The night faded and gave way to a new day.

Outside the facility, the sun has risen on the horizon, and another day has just begun.

Two hours later, Naomi stirred in her sleep and finally opened her eyes, and glanced at the clock. It was already 7:30 in the morning.

The thing that instantly came to her mind was her prenatal check-up.

Every fiber of her being vibrates with excitement.

Yes, she got to see the outside world again!

Being holed up in the room for more than two months already feels like an eternity of imprisonment.

Fueled by excitement, she bounced up from the bed and entered the bathroom for her morning routine.

After emerging from the bathroom, the smell of freshly made coffee drifted into her nostrils.

"Coffee, sweetie," Alpha Maxwell said cheerily, sipping his own.

"Yummy!" Naomi picked up her mug and sipped her delicious coffee mixed with milk.

After drinking her milk, she walked around the room for one hour as part of her daily exercise regimen for a healthy pregnancy.

After exercising, she rested in bed, then proceeded with breakfast a few moments later.

The whole morning she watched videos on how to take care of one’s body during pregnancy, how to give birth naturally, breathing techniques, and cooking videos.

Lunch consists of plain boiled rice, chicken soup with vegetables, savory fish steak and slices of sweet mangoes with a pitcher of refreshing lemon juice.

After a hearty breakfast, Naomi is getting ready emotionally and mentally for her trip to the clinic.

Despite feeling nervous, she is ready to see the outside world again.

No matter what happens today, she must insist on seeing the sun again, to know where they are.

Alpha Maxwell has been observing Naomi’s face the whole time. She was silent the whole morning, barely talking to him, as if he no longer existed in her world. He respected her silence though. Her mind was flooded with so many things right now.

Given their current condition, it would be overwhelming to be outside their prison room even for a few hours.

It must be a nerve-wracking experience.

He hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on her head. "I’m worried about you, sweetie. You’ve been silent the whole morning. Are you okay?"

She looked at him and smiled. "I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me."

"Don’t ever attempt to escape, okay? This place has many guards and if you attempt to escape they might accidentally hurt you. So please, take care of yourself and our baby," he said anxiously, his voice laced with worry.

"Got it, copy," she replied calmly, her eyes glistening with an unspoken plan of escape.

"Good. I want you to return to me in one piece, not injured. I don’t want to see your body filled with bruises. Do you understand, sweetie?" he said, hugging her tightly, wishing his reminder could prevent her from attempting the impossible that would put her life in danger.

"I understand," she responded with a smile.

The beeping sound rang in the air.

Zero said, "Guys, listen up. It’s now time for Naomi’s prenatal check-up. Alpha Maxwell, please proceed to the bathroom now. We will only unlock the bathroom after Naomi returns to the room."

"Copy," Alpha Maxwell replied calmly.

"Naomi, the blindfold is in the opening. Put it on your eyes," Zero ordered.

"OK," Naomi responded.

With one last look at each other’s anxious faces, the couple parted ways.

Alpha Maxwell reluctantly entered the bathroom and was locked inside instantly.

Naomi picked up the blindfold. She returned to bed and put on the black blindfold over her eyes. She raised her head. "The blindfold is already in place, Zero. Let them in," she ordered.

"Good, wait a moment, dear," Zero replied.

Naomi held her breath, waiting for someone to take her out of the room.

A few minutes later, Naomi heard the sound of the door opening. She listened attentively. The sound originated on the right side of the room. Hmm, that is where the secret door was located?

Great! She discovered something important today.

She heard footsteps entering the room and several people standing by her side. She was about to remove her blindfold, but the people were quick to put her hands behind her back and put a handcuff in place, immobilizing her.

All hopes of escape evaporated into thin air.

Damn!

Then they put another handcuff around her ankle meant to restrict her movements. She couldn’t run fast anymore. Her spirits sank further. All excitement was gone, replaced by sadness and sorrow.

Sigh.

She can’t escape anymore.

Tears of sadness and defeat filled her eyes.

There goes her plan for escaping the place. Even if there’s an opportunity to escape, how can she get out of this place if she can’t use her hands and feet to run as fast as she can?

Heart heavy with sadness, she asked, "Can I see the sunlight today? Please even for a few minutes? I would love to see the sun again. Promise I won’t escape," she begged.

"I will inform management about your request, Ma’am," a female voice replied gently.

"Time to go," a male voice interjected. "Ma’am, please step forward. We will take you now to the clinic."

Naomi refused to move. "I won’t leave this room if you are not going to promise me that I will see the sunlight today!" she insisted in a hard tone.

There was silence as the staff didn’t know how to answer her.

"You will see the sunlight for sure, dear. So go now," Zero spoke calmly.

Naomi smiles in relief. Nice. There is hope after all. Zero’s assurance rekindled her excitement.

"The management responsible for putting you and Alpha Maxwell in this room will see you after your prenatal check-up. So please behave when you see them, for your own good," Zero announced the good news.

Oh wow!

Naomi’s heart skipped a beat. It looks like today has a purpose after all.

Today, she will finally meet the despicable people, the mastermind behind their kidnapping.

Naomi took a deep breath and said, "Let’s go."

The staff led Naomi out of the room.

Outside the room, they rode a six-seat electric shuttle vehicle, heading for the clinic.

Naomi was feeling apprehensive. She looked calm and brave outside, but deep inside she was feeling scared. What if they hurt her and her baby? What if they have other plans for her? What will she do?

A few months ago, she saw some disturbing news on TV about pregnant women being kidnapped and the baby in their tummy being harvested for longevity and other medical purposes. The bodies of the victims, stomachs cut open, were thrown into the sea.

What if this facility operates like that?

She is a weak woman. How can she defend herself against their sinister plans?

She hoped she was wrong, or else she might die today.

She trembled in fear.