Chapter 1.The Unexpected Departure

Looking at her phone again, Isabella paced uneasily in front of her room's large mirror. The hour was very near  and the moment she dreaded had come when she had to leave the sweet familiar surroundings of Venice.

This day had arrived so swiftly that she was quite sad. She had dreamed for years of pursuing her masters degree and in a few short moments she would be traveling to another country to do so.

She had to study abroad even though the thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

That alone determined her future and securing her future in Sea Horizon Enterprises.

She stepped out of her room after making one final adjustment to the collar of her coat, smoothing out the wrinkles.

She moved down the hallway and the only sound in the unusually quiet house was the gentle click of her heels.

From the living room, she could hear a faint murmur of conversation. Her grandfather was talking to her step mother , his face still displaying sadness despite his efforts to hide it.

She couldn't help but feel guilty. Her grandfather had supported her through everything and she knew how much her departure was hurting him.

Only he was able to bridge the gap left by her father's absence in her life. Even though she knew it was for the best, the weight of his sorrow weighed heavily on her chest.

This education was the first step towards her grandfather's long-held goal of her taking over the family business.

Her grandfather stood up as soon as she walked in through the door,  his ailing body approaching her slowly. He reached out to give her a hug, his hands trembling a little.

He spoke softly and emotionally.

" My dear, I'm going to miss you. "His pride and love for her were nearly unbearable as he looked down at her with glistening eyes.

Holding Grandpa close, Isabella whispered .

"I'll miss you too Grandpa." her voice hardly audible. "But I'll be back before you know it. It's just four years and I promise that I will make you proud."

With pride and sadness on his face, he pulled back to face her and said.

" I know you will my darling. My greatest hope for this company has always been you. Keep in mind who you are."

Wiping away a tear that had threatened to spill, Isabella nodded. Her grandfather used his blood, sweat and tears to build the company. She was determined not to let it fail because it was now her legacy.

He had been her only family ever since her mother died at childbirth and her father passed on when she was sixteen.

They were about to resume their conversation when the door creaked open and Clara her stepmother appeared in the room wearing a mask of fake happiness.

She had always been aloof, Isabella's affection for her family stood in sharp contrast to her icy manner.

She seemed to have practiced her smile a lot but today it was forced.

Clara's voice was almost too smooth as she said.

" Well Isabella off to the land of opportunity huh?"

Isabella could sense the contempt that lay beneath what she was saying.

"I have no doubt that you will accomplish incredible feats in the world."

Isabella smiled politely but her eyes were unable to conceal the glint of annoyance.

Clara and she had never been on good terms. They had been cats and dogs.

The woman's focus was always on her father's fortune rather than her family and Isabella had never been afraid to voice her emotions.

"Thank you, Clara. "Isabella said her tone composed but with a trace of tension. "I'll try my best."

Clara quickly covered her slightly narrowed eyes with another smile.

"You will of course. "She said her tone slightly condescending ."You've always had the motivation and ambition haven't you?"

Isabella compelled herself to remain silent. It was best for her to avoid responding to Clara's provocations as she had learned long ago.

And Grandpa old and had no interest in this or maybe never knew of the silent war between those two.

She turned back to her grandfather instead.

"Grandpa, I will see to it that everything is taken care of. Before you know it I will return." Her grandfather nodded, his eyes displaying the anguish of seeing her leave.

"I understand sweetie. You'll be back in no time. Just make me a promise."

" Anything." Isabella said in an emotionally filled voice.

His voice weighed down by emotions too as he said .

"Remember where you came from. Avoid being too much influenced by the outside world."

"Grandpa I won't. "she vowed. "I will never forget you. I will carry with me all that you have taught me."

They gave each other another embrace but it was brief this time because Isabella was starting to feel the pain of saying goodbye.

As she stepped back and wiped her eyes one last time the rooms air felt heavier.

With a phony smile Clara took a step forward. She said .

"Well I'm sure you have a flight to catch." She said in a sweet but slightly sinister tone. "We don't want you to miss it.*Isabella nodded a shiver running down her back at the odd undertone in Clara's voice.

"All right. I better leave."

Her grandfather embraced her one last time, his arms encircling her tightly as she turned to leave.

"Be careful sweetheart. And never forget that my spirit is always with you."

Her voice cracked slightly as she promised.

" Grandpa I'll be back. "

The departure weighed heavily on her heart as she followed the driver outside to the waiting car.

She looked back at the house that had been her home for so long as she climbed into the backseat the cold air biting at her skin.

What seemed like a lifetime ago, she had run through these halls as a young girl with nothing but dreams in her heart.

The burden of her future however felt different now.

She wasn't just Isabella the young girl who sat by her grandfathers side or played in the gardens.

The burden of being the family business's future weighed heavily on her.

She noticed her grandfather watching her go from the doorway as the car drew away.

She swallowed the lump in her as her chest tightened.

Now it was too late to go back. But as the car rounded a bend and began to drive to the airport.

They were almost at the airport when with a suddenness that caught Isabella off guard a sleek black car abruptly cut off their route.

As the driver applied the brakes hard it was too late.

Like a predator observing its victim, the black cars tinted windows gazed back at her.

Before she could understand what was happening the rear window of the black car rolled down revealing two figures inside.

Immediately they jumped down and yanked the door open.

Isabella's heart pounded.

She was blinded by a piece of cloth that was thrown over her head before she could even react as one of them reached out.

Her hands were pushed behind her back and the dark clothing was too tight causing panic to rise in her chest as she struggled.

She felt as if she was being pulled from the car, her legs stumbling under her.

" Help! Help!. "she cried out but her voice muffled by the cloth and her cries were ignored.

She was pushed roughly forward and thrown into the black car with such force that it made her stomach turn, the car lurched into motion as the door slammed shut and sped off.

The driver had ran off immediately out of fear.

Isabella was scared and confused and tried to defend herself.

Her fear was all too real even though she had no idea who had taken her or where she was being taken.

Her grandfather was the only thing on her mind .

what if she didn't make it to her flight?

Why was this happening?

Nevertheless nothing made sense. Not at this time. It had completely ended  her world.