(•HEARTBEAT•)

“No one is coming to save you.” They muttered.

Just then, there was a loud crash, and the door was smashed open. The room filled with smoke, and a figure emerged, shrouded in shadows.

Joanna looked up and saw Leo standing in the doorway, his expression fierce. The men’s eyes widened in shock.

“W-what are you doing here?” one of them stammered, his voice shaking.

“Let her go,” Leo demanded, his voice cold and commanding.

“And why should we do that? Is that an order? ” the leader asked, sneering.

Leo rolled up his sleeves, his eyes fixed on the men. His gaze scanned the room, searching for anything he could use as a weapon.

His eyes landed on a thick stick lying on the ground, and he picked it up, his hands tightening around it.

“Now you’ve made me angry,” he said, his voice low and thr_@tening.” Leo raised the stick and brought it down on the man’s leg, causing him to cry out in pain.

He fell to the ground, clutching his leg. The others hesitated, but Leo kept swinging the stick, taking them out one by one.

Just as he was about to hit another man, he heard a low voice from behind him.

“Don’t move, or I’ll $h00t.” The voice said.

He spun around, swinging the stick wildly. The man behind him dodged, but Leo grabbed his arm and twisted it, forcing him to drop the gun.

The leader of the gang leapt forward, aiming a punch at Leo’s face. But Leo ducked, and the leader stumbled past him.

In one swift movement, Leo kicked the leader’s legs out from under him, and the man fell to the floor.

Leo stood over him, breathing heavily, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He looked around, taking in the scene.

As Leo walked over to Joanna, she looked around at the men lying on the floor, groaning in pain.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Leo asked, untying her hands.

“I’m fine,” Joanna said, her voice shaking. She looked up at Leo.

Leo smiled.

•••

FLASHBACK**

Leo turned and strode out of the office, but not before $h00ting one last, wicked grin smile at Newton.

He started to walk out of the door, but then stopped, his eyes narrowing as something occurred to him.

He’d noticed something strange about Newton’s behavior. Why had he been so worried? It didn’t make sense.

But he didn’t have time to ponder it, so he continued on his way, opening the door and walking out into his car.

A few minutes later, he arrived at his mansion, where his mother was sitting in the living room.

“Mother, did you do something? You know Newton looked really worried earlier. I think something’s up.” Leo said.

Dorothy put down her cup of coffee and gave him a sly smile.

“Oh, you guessed right, my boy. I did do something. And you’re about to find out what it was. Just sit back and relax, and you’ll see how we’re going to get what we want.” Dorothy said.

“What did you do?” Leo asked, his voice rising.

“I just performed a little task, that’s all. I kidnapped his wife. And once he finds out, he’ll have no choice but to hand over the company to me.” Dorothy smiled, her eyes glinting with triumph.

“You did what?” he asked, unable to believe what he was hearing.

“You heard me, I kidnapped his wife. I did it for you, to make you happy. I had to act fast..”Dorothy said, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Leo was speechless. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“What if they hurt her?I can’t bear to think of her being hurt.” Leo muttered.

“You don’t understand, I’m doing this for you.” She said.

“You’re still the same cruel and heartless woman I’ve always known, I’m warning you – if you don’t tell me where Joanna is, I’ll tell everyone what you’ve done. I’ll tell the whole world about what you’ve done.” Leo thr_@tened.

“You’re joking, right? You wouldn’t choose her over your own mother, would you?” She asked.

“Where is she?” he asked again, his voice resolute.

Dorothy let out a long sigh.

“They’re holding her at an abandoned warehouse on the south side of town,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper before she knew it Leo rushed out of the house.

•••

END OF FLASHBACK✨NEWTON MANSION**

Newton was holding the documents he needed to sign to hand over the company to them.

He didn’t know who was behind this, but whoever it was, he prayed they would rot in jail.

He didn’t suspect Leo – with his cold, impassive demeanor, he seemed too kind to be involved in something like this.

And Aunt Dorothy had always been there for him and his sister, Piper. He didn’t know who to believe or who to blame.

All he knew was that he had to sign the papers to save Joanna.

He couldn’t bear to see her in trouble, and the thought of her being with those people made his heart pound. Just then, the door opened and Joanna stepped inside.

Newton stood up and stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. But there was Leo?

“How are you doing? Hope they didn’t hurt you?. ” Newton asked.

“I’m fine, Newton. They didn’t hurt me, as you can see.”Joanna walked up to him, her smile reassuring.

Newton let out a breath of relief, and then turned to look at Leo, who was looking around the mansion.

“I’m glad you’re safe. And… Leo? What are you doing here?” he asked.

Leo shrugged, his expression unreadable.

Joanna opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Leo spoke up.

“This is a nice place you’ve got, Newton,” he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Cousin,” Leo corrected.

“What are you doing here, Leo?” he repeated, his voice stern.

“Can’t I come and visit my dear cousin brother? And while we’re at it, I could use a glass of juice. i’m thirsty. ” Leo said, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Uhm…He was the one who saved me from those goons. Come and see the way he beat them – he’s my hero.” Joanna said turning to Leo.

Joanna’s words made Newton’s blood boil. She called Leo her hero? That couldn’t be right. But before he could say anything.

“So, what would you like, my hero? A glass of juice or beer?”She asked.

“ I don’t drink beer. ” Leo said.

“I don’t drink beer either? . “Joanna said, clapping her hands together in delight.

Newton glared at her, feeling like he was about to combust.

The thought of Joanna and Leo getting closer made his blood boil. He tried to control his breathing, but he couldn’t.

Smoke began to pour from his ears and nose, and he could feel himself getting hotter and hotter.

“Get me some juice,” Leo demanded, and Joanna rushed off to the kitchen to get him a glass. Newton followed her, his temper boiling over.

“What the hell were you doing outside with him?” Newton asked.

“I don’t understand,” Joanna said, turning to face him.

“How could you call him your hero when your husband is right here?” Newton said, his voice trembling with rage.

“Oh! That, He’s a hero – he came to my rescue at just the right time. And if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go and attend to my guest.” With that, she hurried off to the living room.

Newton was left alone, seething with jealousy.

“Hero? Who does he think he is?I’m your hero, and you’re my heroine.” he muttered to himself.

•••

✨

FIVE DAYS LATER**

S•K•J HIGH SCHOOL**

“Come on, let’s go and check our results,” Lovie said to Piper, who was biting her lip nervously.

They had taken the test the previous day, and the results were now posted on the board.

“I’m afraid of failing again,You go and check, and I’ll just wait here.” Piper said.

“Come on, you can do this, I’ll check your result first.” Lovie encouraged her.

Lovie looked up at the board and saw Piper’s name in the fourth position. She was so shocked – Piper had tried her hardest, and it had paid off!

She rushed over to Piper and gave her a big hug.

“You did it, babe!” she exclaimed.

“But what’s my grade?” Piper asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Lovie looked back at the board and read the grade aloud.

“You got 79.6%!” she exclaimed.

Piper’s eyes widened as she heard the score. “Are you sure?” she asked Lovie.

Lovie nodded.

“You can check the board if you don’t believe me,” she said.

Piper practically sprinted to the board, her heart pounding.

She scanned the list of names until she found her own, and sure enough, there was her name, with a grade of 79.6% beside it. She couldn’t believe it.

“Piper Moore, 79.6%,” she read aloud, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, she let out a squeal of happiness.

“I did it! I did it! I have to tell senior Kiss” she exclaimed, jumping up and down.

She raced out of the hall, her heart pounding in her chest, and almost ran right into senior kiss. He looked a bit startled, but she threw her arms around him anyway.

“I did it! Thank you so much for your help!” she said, beaming with smile.

“What was your score?” he asked.

“79.6%!” Piper replied, still practically bouncing off the walls.

“You could have tried harder,” he said, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

“Do you know how many sleepless nights I had, studying for this test? I promise I’ll do even better in the finals.” Piper pouted her lips.

“You’d better,” senior kiss said, though Piper could tell he was proud of her.

“Promise?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“Pinky promise,” Piper said, giggling.

“So…” he started, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Will you go on a date with me, since you did so well?”

Piper’s eyes widened.

“Do you mean that? Really?” she asked, hardly daring to believe it.

Kiss nodded his head and she hugged him again.

“I’ll Senior. ” she said with a smile.

••••

The door swung open, and in walked Jarvis, a smirk playing on her lips as she scanned the mansion.

“I’m back,” she announced, her voice full of mischief.

Newton and Joanna hurried down the stairs to meet her.

“Newton, your baby is back,” she cooed, spreading her arms wide for a hug.

Joanna saw the look on Newton’s face and quickly took hold of his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

“Don’t go back to her, please,” Joanna said, her voice pleading. But Newton seemed to be in a trance, his eyes locked on Jarvis.

“Remember, she betrayed you. And now she’s back, are you really going to take her back?” Joanna asked, desperate to get through to him.

“Because I love her,” he shouted, and Joanna jolted awake, her heart racing. Was it all a dream? She wondered.

Then she felt someone shaking her shoulder, and she looked up to see Newton staring at her in concern.

“Why were you screaming like that? I rushed in here as soon as I heard you,” he said.

Joanna tried to catch her breath, her mind whirling. Had it all just been a nightmare?

But she couldn’t let anyone steal this man from her. It was hard to admit, but she had feelings for him. She liked him – no, she liked him a lot.

“Can I have just ten seconds to recharge?” she asked. Before he could respond, she threw her arms around him, and he held her close. She could feel his warm breath against her skin.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven…” he started to count down.

“Time’s up,” Newton said, trying to extricate himself from her grip.

But Joanna only held him tighter. Newton could feel her heartbeat quickening, and he could hear it pounding in his ears.

“Dum… dum… dum…” he heard her heartbeat, and he wondered what it meant.

Why was she holding him so tightly? What was going through her mind?

⇙

💜𝑻𝑩𝑪…🖤