**Lumina's POV**
**IT WAS MIDNIGHT**
I couldn't sleep and kept tossing around in my bed. My long hair was taking forever to dry, and it was really irritating. Finally, I decided to call my best friend my only helper. After two rings, she picked up. *"Hello?"* I whispered.
*"Yes, Lumi? Tell me,"* came her soft voice.
I broke down. *"B-Bella… I'm in trouble."* *"What? What happened? Why are you crying?"*
I started to cry more now sobbing and she can feel it *"Stop crying Lumi explain to me"*
I told her everything.
*"That day at the function, you saw that guy the buisness man who caught me when I was about to fall? Well, he came today morning in the college and , called me to the hall, and told me he wants to marry me. He looks so scary,I was crying begging but you know he pulled me closer Bella… I'm really afraid of him. He's threatening me, saying that no matter what, he'll marry me. I don't know what's happening! I am in very big trouble"*
*"Seriously?"* Bella sounded shocked and everyone will that's an actual reaction. *"I mean… that man who caught you? Ohh know it means he was interested from the beginning....he is a rich handsome CEO as well"* Bella was teasing me and I can't help but want to stop her
*"Stopppp it Bella....he is not handsome"*
Bella whispered *"Well all know who is what....don't you dare to deny it"*
she again whispered *"Lumina it will be better if you will marry him...like see everyone wants a man like him...it will be better you know"
I softly screamed *"Nooooo...Bella stopp it...I can't I don't want I called you for helping me giving me ideas to run away from this marriage but here you are praising the man's look...if you are so interested go and marry him....you are beautiful too.."
Bella speaks nervously now *"L.. Lumina how can I? I mean he told you....not me and I was....just simply praising someone but wait"* Suddenly realisation hits her *"Lucian Blackwood?"
*"Who is now Lucian Blackwood?"* I asked confusingly and she replied *"My dumb Lumina did you forget that who runs this city? Or did you forget the person who runs this city is Lucian Blackwood....The Mafia kingpin who is dangerous"*
My eyes popped out how can I forget this? His name I totally forget and went out of my head and I was feeling dizzy *"Whatttttttt?"* I screamed my heart was pounding in fear and nervously
*"I totally forgot about it didn't you heard the name Lucian Blackwood....we never saw him and that day we saw but didn't gave much importance to his name when it was announced that's why I was thinking why others were sweating so much....and we forget the ruler of this city God Lumina you are in big trouble...but why he wants to marry you?"* Bella panicked too
My eyes widened again*"M-Mr. Blackwood? I thought he was just a businessman, a CEO!"* I gulped nervously. *"Oh my God, where have I gotten myself stuck? And tomorrow, he said he's going to marry me!"*
*"I don't really know Bella...I don't really know what to do? tomorrow a car will come to take me on the back gate of the college...I don't want to go"* I cried complaining to Bella, tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back anymore.
Bella whispered, *"Lumina, dear, don't cry. Shh… we'll find a way. Tomorrow, after class, you have to run. I'll bring you to my house they don't know me yet."*
*"But what about the CCTV? They'll track us through the cameras. The city is full of surveillance. I don't want you to get into trouble, Bella,"* I whispered.
*"We'll at least try once before the car comes,"* she insisted.
*"Okay… goodnight, Bella. Take care."*
*"Goodnight, Lumina. And don't let your sister Isabella taunt you. I swear, I'll sue that witch one day. She's disgusting. Bye, hmm?" I don't know why the hell she is also having 'bella' in her name a big witch"*
She hung up, and after a long time of overthinking, I finally fell asleep.
**THE NEXT DAY**
I woke up early, still exhausted. Slowly, I began my chores, momentarily forgetting the horrors of the previous day. I cleaned my room, then moved to the living room and kitchen. Sometimes, it felt like I was more of a maid than a niece in this house but I didn't mind. It was my uncle's house, and for him, I could at least do this much.
After finishing everything, I went back to my room, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the shower. Once done with my morning routine, I wrapped myself in a towel and picked out a cardigan and flared jeans. I dried my body, then my hair under the sun before combing it and tying it into a ponytail. A few baby hairs kept falling into my eyes, and I blew them away in annoyance.
Grabbing my bag, I headed out only to freeze mid-step.
*"No… no, how could I forget? I have to face this. After college, I need to run… but why am I even going to college? I should've run right now!"*
But then I sighed. *"No… all this time, I've never run from anything. Whatever happens, God will see it through. Please, save me, God. Please."*
I walked to college, where Bella was already waiting for me. *"Bella"* I ran to her and we hugged *"Bellaaaa"* I whimpered silently
She pats my back *"Aww my Lumina baby stop crying look at me your bestie is here*" she cupped my and cheeks and wiped my tears *"I will beat you now.... don't cry like a child always crying.....telling you I am here... nothing will happen"* she was shouting at me angrily and softly like a mom and I chuckled and nods my head
*"Are you okay now?"* she asked softly.
*"Yeah… are you?"*
She nodded. *"Let's go to the classroom."*
We headed inside, unaware that some pairs of eyes were watching us closely.
The entire time in class, I was tense. Bella tried to calm me down, but my nerves were shot. During break, I couldn't even eat Bella had to feed me, and even then, I barely managed a few bites.
When college ended, we walked out, my hands trembling and sweaty. We planned to sneak away, but then
*"Wait! I forgot my phone in the classroom! Oh God… Bella, wait here. I'll be right back!"*
I sprinted back inside, leaving Bella alone.
Bella waited, glancing around nervously until two huge men in black suits approached her. They were tall, muscular, and intimidating
*"W-Who are you?"* she whispered, trembling
*"Come with us,"* one said coldly.
*"No… I won't!"*
She tried to run, but they grabbed her arm. The other students froze in fear, unable to help her and was feeling guilty because the all the men were looking dangerous.
*"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"* Bella screamed as they shoved her into a car, covering her face with a black cloth and tying her wrists behind her back.
She thrashed wildly. *"UMMMM! LET ME GO! I DARE YOU ONCE I'M OUT, I'LL PUSH YOU ALL INTO A RIVER, KICK YOU, AND SET MY TOMMY ON YOU! JUST WAIT AND WATCH!"* She was screaming her lungs out *"aaaaaaaaa....you all bloody full don't you all have any work....why the hell did you all kidnapped me?"* She was going out of control
One man *"Do you even know who we are? And whose men I am?"*
She growled loudly *"The hell.....I don't want to know your name you are not someone great leave or else...I will seriously do something with you all"*
Alex, sitting in the front seat, sighed. *"Shut the hell up, girl."*
*("I never thought she'd be this feisty. Boss said she'd be innocent and crying… so why is she screaming like a banshee?")* Alex was thinking in his mind being annoyed plus amused
Bella kept struggling, her muffled shouts piercing their ears.
*"Alex, sir… seriously, this girl is making my ears bleed. Boss said she'd just cry, not scream like a mic!"* one bodyguard grumbled.
Alex chuckled. *"I don't know… I thought the little mouse would be boring, but she's actually interesting. Maybe Lucian will have a hard time."*
I returned with my phone only to find Bella gone. Her bag was thrown on the ground.
*"Where's Bella?"* I asked a nearby student, panic rising.
*"They… they kidnapped her,"* they stammered in fear.
*"They? Who's 'they'?"*
Then it hit me. *"They mistook Bella for me! Oh no… God, no!"*
**Meanwhile, Inside the Car**
One more bodyguard groaned. *"Alex, sir… seriously, this girl is a firecracker. Boss said she'd just cry, not scream like a maniac!"*
Alex smirked. *"Well, looks like Boss is in for a surprise."* Yes yes every much surprise he will get
Bella again screamed *"Who the hell is your Boss? Tell him to meet me in person not to kidnap me like a coward"* but then a bodyguard who was unable to control himself he just sprayed something in front of her face making her go unconscious
After driving for sometime
They reached the mansion, Bella still blindfolded. Alex carried her in bridal style to a room, tying her to a chair.
*"Finally… God, you're a handful,"* he muttered, oddly proud. Though her face was still covered.