Chapter 3

In the midst of the darkness, Julia stumbled onto the patio of a old house. She saw a blurry figure of a man. Terrified but exhausted, she collasped into the arms of the stranger.

Who is this lady? The stranger peered out into the darkness and is puzzled by the whereabouts of Julia. He listened to her terrified murmurs during her restless sleep, he knew something horrible must have happened to her. What could have happened? Who would want to harm someone as beautiful as she is? He ran his eyes down her curvaceous body and he had a pang of anger towards the person who could have cause her so much pain. Viggo couldn't explain how he was feeling except he wanted to take this woman in his arms and shield her from all the vices of the world.

Julia finally woke up, 2 days later, she surveyed the room she was in and wondered where she was and how she got here. The gashes she had on her hands were bandaged up and the tattered clothes she was in replaced by a men's shirt and shorts.

'I'm sorry. I took the liberty of changing you out of those dirty clothes and bandaged your arms. I hate to sleep in dirty clothes, don't you?'

Julias' eye shot up and saw a man standing at the doorway. She scoured to the corner of the bed, fearing she had ran away from 1 trouble into another.

'I'm sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I'm Viggo. You collasped on my doorstep 2 days ago...' Viggo said as Julia scrutnised him. He's scruffy with his unshaven beard and longish hair. Yet, he's neat and handsome. Standing at the doorway with sincerity in his eyes, a pair of tight boot cut jeans and a shirt 1 size too small, Viggo as he calls himself, doesn't seem like a bad person. Awaken from her reverie, she notice he was no longer standing at the doorway. Julia crawled out of bed and went out of the room. Smelling the fragrant smells of bacon, sausages and eggs, she realised how hungry she was.

'You must be hungry. Come down, have some eggs and bacon'

Julia chomp down the food without chewing but nearly choked when she saw the news bulletin about the search party calling off the search for her and her 'destitute' husband calling out for her. She also realise Viggo's eyes on her, it looks like he finally realise why he found her so familar.

'Please don't call the police. I'll leave immediately if you are afraid of trouble.' Julia pleaded.

'No. Stay. Please. But....could you tell me what happened?' Viggo probed with caution.

Julia burst out in tears, she has neither the answers or an explanation. She doesn't understand why her husband of 3 years want to kill her for money. Suddenly, she felt body heat. Viggo had rushed over and embraced her. Julia wanted to struggle and break free, yet, it felt so warm. So comforting. So safe.