The Right Decision

Amara

Flashback

I came back from school feeling exhausted. Today wasn't the best day.

However, my day got better when I saw Ryder waiting to pick me up from school.

"How was your day princess? You don't seem too excited" He said once I was inside the car.

"Yeah today was tough but it's over now" I said with a smile.

I was actually just happy to see him.

"Are you staying for lunch?" I asked him.

"I don't know-"

"Please" I said with a pout.

I saw him smiling as he drove, "Fine" He said after a few seconds with the smile still on his face.

Whne we got home we greeted my parents and went up to my room. Ryder would help me study many times after school since he was older and knew more stuff. My parents trusted him since we basically grew up together. I trusted him too.

"So how was you day?" He asked.

"Exhausting. I have a headache" I groaned.

"Come here" He said patting the spot between his legs.

I blushed, but tried to hide it with my hair and sat there. He started massaging my shoulders and all the way up to my scalp.

"Feels good?" He asked.

I hummed in reply, closing my eyes.

"You're such a big girl now" He mumbled, "You're almost in high school"

"I know. It's stressing me out" I said.

"Have you thought of what you want to do after school?" He asked.

"Not really" I said.

That's when I realized something. I didn't even know what he wanted to do.

"Ryder?" I called and he hummed in reply, "What will you do now that you're almost done with high school?" I asked.

His hands suddenly stopped their movements making me pout.

"I am still thinking about it" He said and started massaging my shoulders again.

"You're good at playing guitar, maybe you could do that and be a famous musician" I said laughing

"We'll see princess" He chuckled before sighing and kissed the top of my head.

End of Flashback.

I couldn't believe what I had just heard, but it made sense. Mary didn't know a lot, but she gave me an idea of what he was. He was a dangerous man. He called Jason a criminal, but he himself was one.

I couldn't believe my childhood best friend, someone I used to consider my brother, was this person.

I even kissed him.

I sat on my bed holding my head in my hands. I hated him right now. I couldn't believe I'd trusted him and almost got close to him again.

"Are you okay, Amara?" Mary asked fiddling her fingers.

"I don't know" I said letting out a deep breath.

Mary had a worried look on her face, "Do you want to walk around the house, or take a walk in the garden to get some fresh air?" She said quietly.

"Yeah that's a nice idea" I said and stood up.

I noticed how weird her reaction was. She looked even more concerned.

We left the room and walked downstairs together, "Let's go outside" I said.

"W-wait!" She called out, "Are you sure you want to go outside?"

"Yes, come on. You need a break too" I smiled at her.

"Okay" She whispered looking down.

We walked around the garden. The garden was beautiful and I loved looking at the colorful flowers and tall trees. I almost forgot what I had just learned.

"Maybe we should go inside now" Mary said.

"Why do you look so worried? Relax" I said.

"You're right" She once again looked down.

I should have listened to her and stayed inside while I could.

I heard a phone ringing and immediately checked mine to see if it was Ryder, but it was Mary's phone.

I shouldn't care about him. I shouldn't even want him to call me, not after learning he's a criminal.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this" She said and walked away.

What was weird was the look on her face. That girl was sweating and looked more nervous than me on a physics test.

I crossed my arms and looked around. She was gone.

Should I check on her? No, I shouldn't dig into her business.

But something seemed a bit off. I felt kind of uncomfortable all alone in this garden.

Little did I know, I wasn't alone.

I felt uneasy and Mary was taking too long. Plus, it was getting dark and cold.

I should head inside.

With that thought I turned around, only to bump on something, or someone.

"You" I said squinting my eyes.

It was Christian. Needless to say I wasn't happy to see him.

Many thoughts ran through my mind. I was worried about Mary. Maybe he hurt her and that's why she was taking too long. She was probably dying somewhere and I was waiting for her to come.

I took a deep breath to stop myself from making up scenarios and looked up at him.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"I heard the conversation you and Mary had" He said with a grin, "It was about time you found out who Ryder really is"

I frowned.

Isn't he supposed to be loyal to Ryder and my brother?

"Your brother too" He continued, "I bet it's tough finding out your whole life was a lie" He said.

I was getting angrier by the second. This man was just frustrating.

"Nothing changed. They are the same people I've known ever since I was born" I said firmly.

That was lie. A lot had changed.

"Didn't Ryder leave you?" He asked tilting his head, "Seems like he liked doing illegal stuff more than he liked you" He said.

I rolled my eyes and turned around to leave, but he grabbed my wrist tightly. It was painful, but I didn't make a sound.

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you" He said.

"Aren't you loyal to them?" I asked and shook off his hand harshly.

"I was" He said sighing, "But it's too much, Amara"

Him addressing me with my name had me a bit irritated for no reason.

"These people are too cruel. I don't want to be a part of this anymore and you shouldnt either" He said.

I huffed, "Said the guy who abuses his girlfriend"

He frowned, "I'm sorry that you had to see this. It is true that I've been getting mad at her for no reason lately, but that's only because I was frustrated with the situation. I want out Amara. I am being honest"

He did seem very genuine, but everything about this man screamed evil. They do say don't judge a book by its cover and yes, maybe I didn't know him well, I didn't have a lot interactions with him but I trusted myself and my gut.

"It might seem harmless now, but it gets worse. Ryder and Gordon are much worse people than you think"

"Why are you saying all of this to me? What's your motive?" I asked.

"Today I am leaving Amara. I want you to come with me. Mary is coming too"

"Come with you? Why?" I asked.

There was no way I was going with him.

"I am trying to save you here Amara"

"Last time someone else had to save me from you" I said.

"First of all, I am deeply sorry and I didn't know who you are. I thought you were one of the stupid maids-"

"Don't you dare talk about them as if you're much better" I said firmly.

The nerve this man has..

"Okay" He rolled his eyes, "I don't want Ryder to take advantage of you. You seem like a nice girl who could have a nice life. You don't deserve this. Plus, the ones that "saved you" are the ones you should be afraid of. They are extremely loyal to Ryder and Gordon. Their family does even worse things than both Ryder and Gordon. Their dad is a famous mafia leader and their uncles.. I won't even talk about them" He said with an annoyed look.

To be honest, the fact that they talked about a "job" was a little suspicious and their whole behavior in general, but I still didn't know whether he was lying or being honest or both at the same time. I was torn.

"Oh and look who's right on time" He said looking next to me.

I looked to see Mary, who had a scared look on her face.

"You're coming, right hun?" He asked sweetly.

This was just too fake to be real.

"Yes" She said.

Mary looked at me and gave me a knowing look. A pleading look, but I didn't know what she wanted me to do.

Does she want me to come with her or not?

"So what do you say? Are you coming or not?" He asked.

I bit my lip and looked down as I weighted the pros and cons in my head.

"This is a one in a lifetime chance Amara. You won't ever be able to escape without my help when you want to and believe me you will want to. I won't look back Amara"

He's pretending to be nice, but he's not. Will he do something to me if I say no?

Let's find out.

"Actually, I don't want to leave this place. I'm being treated nicely. Why would I want to leave?" I asked before adding "Especially with you"

His fake soft expression instantly hardened. He clenched his fists and I could see Mary trembling beside me.

"Because if you don't come you'll regret it" He said.

"You should've just started with that instead of lying to me and playing nice. How am I supposed to trust you now?" I crossed my arms.

"Enough of that" He said and took out a gun, "If you don't come I'm going to hurt you"

"You might, but you won't kill me. You need me"

"You'll come either way. Want it or not, you're coming. It's your choice if you want to make it painful or not"

I looked around feeling nervous. I couldn't buy any more time and no one was coming to my rescue. As much as I didn't want to go with them, I didn't want to get badly hurt. I was scared.

If I go I can get information about them.

And I can help Mary.

"Fine" I said with a sigh.

"Good girl. You made the right decision" He said with a disgusting smirk.

I love when Ryder says it but right now all I feel is disgust.