“Always speak the truth!” Little Cara listened to her father's wise words. “No matter what, you should always choose honesty, even if it means facing the consequences.” His smile reflected on Cara’s face.

“If you lie, Jesus will throw you into a difficult situation, and nobody will help you!”

“Not even, Daddy?” Cara asked.

Her father chuckled. “Not even, Daddy!”

“Ms. Cara Silencio!” Startled, she heard the judge call her name. “Are you all right, Miss Silencio? You appear pale.”

Adjusting her position in the chair, Cara licked her chapped lips and grasped the microphone to speak. “I’m all right, thank you!”

“So, Miss Silencio, it seems that you were the key witness to the crossfire incident on March 29, 2019, at Park Street.” The judge looked at Cara. “Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct!” Cara said.

“Would you please recall and tell us what you saw that fateful night?” The prosecutor questioned, and Cara nervously swallowed, stealing a sidelong glance at Keith before launching into her explanation of what she had witnessed.

“What’s wrong? Are you worried about something?” Cynthia asked Alfred.

“Cara!” He sighed. “Her boldness seems to grow every day. I think we did wrong by letting her slip away from our hands. We should have killed her.”

“You’re aware of the circumstances!”

“There’s still a chance to fix it!” Alfred smirked. “We should kill her now.”

“I am afraid we can’t. Many secrets will be revealed, and we can’t let that happen,” Cynthia sighed.

“We must get rid of her! I can’t live with the constant fear that she might open her mouth any moment and ruin us.” He sighed. “I know someone who could help us.”

“Who?” Cynthia asked curiously.

“Sebastian Genovese! I heard he’s in the city.”

“Did you witness Mr. Sebastian Genovese shooting the man or being involved in the violence?” The prosecutor asked, and Cara’s eyes moved to the man, who was sitting across from her, crossing his leg over the other.

“Miss Silencio?” The prosecutor interrupted her. “You are aware that you hold a crucial testimony for this case?”

With a determined nod, Cara made up her mind. “Mr. Sebastian Genovese was present, but he did not shoot the man, and I don’t know if he was involved in the violence.”

Keith gritted his teeth. “Did he have a gun in his hand?” The prosecutor inquired.

“No!” Cara answered.

“Then who shot the man and Officer Janet?”

“The other man in a black suit. Officer Janet intervened when I was attempting to move the man from the crime scene.” Cara answered.

“So, you believe he was not implicated in the crossfire?” The prosecutor asked.

“I am not sure,” a wide smirk appeared on Sebastian’s lips as he heard her. “But he didn’t hurt the man or Officer Janet. He attacked the man after Janet was shot. You can ask her. His intention was to assist us in escaping.”

The prosecutor faced the judge. “Mr. Genovese got involved in the gang war accidentally, just like Miss Silencio. It’s all about the wrong place at the wrong time. He had no involvement. Also, according to Miss Silencio, Mr. Genovese was trying to help them. He’s falsely accused in this case.”

Cara, who was feeling restless, couldn’t stop fidgeting beneath the sturdy wooden desk. After enduring a long trial, Sebastian was finally given the opportunity to record his statement, and he was ultimately proven innocent.

“I’m relieved that Cara didn’t lie in court!” The chief clenched his jaws in response to Janet’s words.

“Are you crazy?” He shrieked. “Her statement has put the lives of ordinary people at risk, and you’re relieved?”

“It isn’t Cara’s fault! The situation ensnared her, and you found an ideal candidate to jeopardize. The Genevese family would punish her with the most agonizing death if she put their precious heir in question, and you knew this.”

“That was not what I had in mind!”

“So, why did you choose not to disclose the Genovese’s threat to anyone?” Janet countered. “They told you they will kill Cara!”

“How do you…. Are you still in touch with Sebastian?” The chief narrowed his eyes, but Janet didn’t lose her composure.

“Why did you put Cara’s life at risk?” Janet confronted.

“Oh, come on! We couldn’t put the lives of thousands at risk just to save one girl!” Janet was taken aback by his words. “Take note, this girl has no family! Her life is useless. What is the issue with offering her as a sacrifice to rescue thousands of innocent people?”

“Cara is also one of those thousands of innocent people, sir!” Janet said. “And you were going to set her free after the trial so that she becomes the object of Genovese’s cruelty?”

“Don’t be so emotionally invested! I have to look after the people of this city! I am responsible for them.” The chief stated.

“One innocent life or thousands of innocent lives. Life is Life!” Janet stated firmly and walked out of his office.

***

The ride back to Keith’s house was shrouded in complete silence, and Cara could feel the waves of fury emanating from him, leaving her anxious about being the target of his wrath.

“Jesus, the last time I didn’t lie, yet you never came to help me in the difficult situation. This time I’ve spoken the truth. Will you come to my rescue this time?”

At the sudden sound of Keith slamming the driver’s seat door shut, Cara flinched, and she witnessed him walk into the apartment complex without even glancing at her.

Timidly, she emerged from the car and drew a deep breath to confront the repercussions of her truthfulness in court, and trailed him into the building.

As she stepped into the house, Milo was quick to greet her while her attention drifted towards Keith on the couch, whose eyes were piercing her with anger. “I warned you against playing with us! What did you get to set him free?”

“I recounted what I observed that night! Sebastian didn’t try to kill anyone. He helped…..” Just as she was about to finish, Keith abruptly stood up from the couch and marched towards her menacingly.

“Oh, cut the crap!”

“I just spoke the truth. Now you can punish me for my honesty!” She lowered her eyes to the carpet.

“You know what? God will punish you for what you did today. You endangered thousands of people!” His loud pitch made Cara gulp and blink.

“How am I responsible for their lives? Why should I lie in the court?” Cara expressed her views. “Why should I wrong Sebastian? He is innocent!”

“Fuck off, Cara! Just fuck off!! I don’t want to see you tomorrow morning. You’re free to go anywhere you want!” Keith said, before storming into his room and slamming the door shut.

Alfred Doyle waited for hours in Sebastian’s office, but he didn’t show up. “Can you tell me how long I need to wait for him?” He asked, annoyed.

“Mr. Genovese doesn’t meet without an appointment. His assistant will be here in a few minutes.” The man said, and Alfred sighed.

The door opened precisely after two minutes, and Sebastian’s assistant entered the room. “How may we assist you?” He sat behind the mahogany desk.

“There is this girl, and I want her dead! I’ll pay three million dollars in advance. Just make her disappear.” Alfred said.

“What’s her name? Do you have a picture?” The assistant asked, and Alfred presented the photograph in his direction.

“Cara Silencio!”

“Where is Cara?” Janet walked into Keith’s apartment.

“She left this morning, and I don’t know where she is!” Keith answered, and Janet’s eyes fell on the depressed Milo, who sat in his usual spot with his face on Cara’s new shoes.

“Oh, my baby!” She patted his back, but Milo hardly responded. “Why did you kick her out?” She glared at Keith.

“I didn’t. Not technically! I told her she was free to go.” He justified himself.

“Okay, but why did you ask her to move out?”

“She betrayed me! We made an arrangement. In exchange for helping us get Sebastian, I won’t press charges against her.”

“Charges?” Janet arched an eyebrow. “Keith, Rob molested her that night! She had to rescue herself, and she did nothing wrong with slamming the vase on that scumbag.” She said. “And you didn’t feel bad for a second before throwing her out? I thought you liked her.”

“Stop guilt-tripping me. Thank goodness I didn’t develop feelings for her. She is as great as Natalie.” Keith got up from the couch and paced the living area.

“Call her and ask her to come back!” Janet ordered.

“She left her expensive phone and shoes. There’s no way for me to reach her. Such an attitude!” Keith averted his gaze.

“Anyway, I am just glad she didn’t lie in court.” Janet sighed. “At least, she must be safe somewhere!”

“Yeah, putting the lives of hundreds of people in danger, she must be chilling somewhere!” Keith rolled his eyes and moved to the kitchen to reheat the food he had ordered an hour ago, but as he opened the microwave door, he found food already reheated.

“Cara!” He groaned, taking out the food when he heard Janet.

“The Genovese family threatened the chief. They told him they’d kill Cara if she testified against Sebastian, and this city will be under attack.”

Keith knitted his eyebrows. “How did they get to know about Cara? We were keeping this a secret!”

“Informers! Do you really think Sebastian’s men aren’t keeping eyes on us?” Janet brushed her hair and focused back on Keith.

“Why didn’t the chief say anything about the call? Or discussed Cara’s safety after the trial? He asked me to set her free!”

“Because he was fine to sacrifice Cara!” Janet said. “Anyway, now the Genovese family won’t hurt her. I’m just worried about Cara. She has no money. How would she survive out there?”

Keith was remorseful. He regretted making baseless accusations against Cara and acting impulsively. “I thought you liked her!” He heard Janet but stayed quiet. “You were neglecting your responsibilities just to relish lunch with her at home. Taking care of her needs. What was all that?”

“Certainly, not love!”

“I’ll take your word for it, but you seemed sincerely joyful in the last few weeks, Keith!”

“Cara, the order is ready.”

Dressed in a knee-length skirt and a white t-shirt precisely tucked in her skirt. Cara reached the counter to collect the order with a surreal smile on her face.

“Your order!” She reached the table and smiled politely, placed the order, and moved away when her eyes fell on Jasper and Natalie, the bartender and waitress from the former club. Cara walked to them and smiled.

“Thank you so much for helping me, guys! The staff of this café is friendly and respectful.”

“It’s all right, babe!” Lydia smacked her arm. “But where are you staying tonight?” She asked.

“Jasper has lent me some of his savings. So, I checked in at a cheap hotel for some days until I found a place for myself.” Cara said.

“Why don’t you stay at my place for a few days? My boyfriend and I share a room, so the other one is spare!” Lydia offered, and Cara’s mind shifted back to the horrific night at Sandra’s place.

“Or you can stay at my place?” Jasper gave Cara a playful wink, and she responded with a chuckle.

“No, I’ll manage. Trust me!” Cara said. “And I’ll return your money soon!”

“Keep it. I won’t need them before the end of this year.” Jasper smiled.

“Okay, we should rush now, or the manager will kill us!” Lydia said, and quickly they hugged Cara before leaving for the club.

Cara whispered good luck to herself as she watched them leave. She turned to walk inside when her eyes stopped at someone familiar.

Aries stood at the ship’s bow in black trunks, his sculpted god-like body on full display.

With a glass of wine in hand, he watched the breathtaking view before him through blue shades that covered his grey eyes.

His father came up with the idea of travelling on a cruise to Mexico, as he wanted his son to take a break before continuing his journey. And Aries had no choice but to obey him.

As he took a sip of wine, a pair of hands wrapped around his torso from behind. “Did you miss me?” The woman’s soft voice interrupted Aries, and he turned to look at her.

He took off his shades, and his gaze landed on the blonde in a solid neon-striped bikini that exuded sexiness.

She melted into him as he held her, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. “Did you miss me?” She asked again, tracing her index finger down his chest, all the way to his crotch.

“Answer might hurt you, Melinda!” Aries kissed her cheek and tried to kiss her lips, but she stopped him with her finger.

“I love it when you put me in my place! It helps me not to fall in love with you.” Her eyes drifted from his perfectly tempting lips to his unreadable eyes.

“Well, I have a place to show you where you exactly belong!” He whispered in her ear and carried her to his suite.

Cara felt a sudden rush of fear as she watched Alfred Doyle gesturing for her to come to him. She pressed her lips and took a step back, and ran back inside the kitchen, leading her to the back exit into the empty alley.

She wiped her forehead and set off walking. Her heart was thudding noisily, and she turned around to make sure he was not behind her when she bumped into someone, and her gaze returned to the man.

“Hello, angel. Long time no see!” Alfred smiled slyly.

Cara recoiled and gazed at him, filled with horror. “I heard you’re becoming bolder every day. Is that true?” He lit his cigarette.

“Let me see your face. Come here!” He forcefully pulled her arm towards him. “Oh, you’re radiating!” He smirked smugly. “Your boyfriend seems to treat you well!” He took a long drag of his cigarette and blew the smoke in her face.

Cara coughed. “Isla got scared when I mentioned Keith, maybe he’ll leave me alone too!” She confidently looked him in the eyes while thinking. “Let me go, or I’ll tell everything to Keith. He w-will punish you!” Her threat turned into stammering.

Alfred snickered in response. “I thought he broke up with you.” He lifted an eyebrow, and Cara struggled against his hold on her. “Little vixen, how dare you try to play on us?” He growled in her face.

“I am sorry! Please leave me,” she panicked, tears trickling down her cheek.

“You won’t get away with it!” With an evil sneer, Alfred was about to burn her hand with his cigarette. Cara tightly shut her eyes and turned away. However, moments later, she felt no pain.

“Taking a woman’s delicate hand as an ashtray!” She heard an unfamiliar and dominating voice.