Chapter 5 In danger

IVANKA'S POV

"Maribel, check the inventory. Carlos, you go man the stocking area, make sure everything on the list, matches everything in those damn boxes!" I yelled loudly, as I gave out instructions to my coworkers.

Today had been a long day and my feet were sore. But, I couldn't sit down now. I'd come too far for that.

Giving birth to Jakob was the best thing to happen to me, it was as if God sent him down to help me. A year after rehab, I stayed back home still recovering from the labor injuries and nursing my child. Afterward, I searched for work until I landed a job as a warehouse manager at one of the top companies in Philadelphia.

"We have to move fast people! Those ships won't load themselves, we have to get everything sorted and ready." I commanded before going back to my office to file out some paperwork.

Mirabel burst into my office, "I checked up on the inventory. We have everything complete with a few extra boxes." She reported, placing her hands behind her back.

"Good." I nodded, approving the report. "Let Carlos know that he has to speed up, I know he can be very slow."

"Yes ma'am." She bolted out of my office, closing the door behind her. I decided to check on the rest in the main warehouse and make sure they were carrying out their jobs efficiently when all of a sudden, I heard gunshots in the air.

Men in black suits stormed into the warehouse, holding heavy machinery guns. "Everyone, on your knees, now!" A muscular man bellowed. I could see everyone around me going down on their knees, but I couldn't comply. These men were armed and loaded, what were they doing here?

As if I knew, all of a sudden, the formation of men standing in front of the warehouse started emptying their bullets. I could see Maribel looking in my direction, mouthing 'Run'. So, I ran to the other side as fast as I could, using the boxes in front of me as coverage. They shot Maribel thrice straight in the chest, causing her to collapse on the floor.

I glanced around nervously, my clothes stained with blood that wasn't my own. The metallic smell of blood overwhelmed my senses as I hid behind a wall of boxes. The strange men reloaded their guns and kept firing. I covered my mouth with my hand, watching as different bodies dropped to the floor like flies. My hands were sweaty and my heart was caught in my throat.

I sobbed wildly, trying to keep my voice down, as my heart thumped crazily in my chest. I hyperventilated, finding it hard to breathe. Everywhere was silent now, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. I wanted to make sure they had left, so I peeked my head out from the side of the boxes. Instantaneously, a bullet came whizzing towards me in the air, and it pierced through my shoulder. "Ah, fuck." I whimpered, unable to move my arm as pain flowed through my nerves.

I soon heard an army of people storm into the warehouse, shooting it up. It seemed like a clash of people now, definitely against one another. I heard numerous groans of pain and more people slumped to their death. I shifted and peeped from the side of the carton boxes again, gripping my shoulder tightly. My hands were bloodied and my blood seemed to keep rushing out. I grit my teeth, using one hand to crawl out from my hiding spot.

I saw a group of men, different from the ones that had barged in earlier, exit. The only man standing in the warehouse still held a gun in one hand and a phone in the other. I thought I could hold it in, but when I saw dead bodies splayed around me, I burst out into tears.

The man glanced over to me, pulling his gun out. "Who are you?" He cocked his gun, staring at me like I was some type of germ.

"I-" I took a deep breath in, gripping my shoulder tighter, "I'm the manager of this warehouse. Please, help me." I babbled, losing control over myself slowly. I felt weak and my hand dropped from my shoulder, revealing the bullet hole.

He tilted his head, looking almost amused. His eyes looked delirious and he stepped closer to me. "Why should I help you?"

Was I hallucinating or...was he smiling? I didn't even know, but all my brain told me to do at that moment was plead for my life. "I have a three-year-old son, please..." Hot tears slid down my face as I grabbed his foot.

He kicked me away instantly, which affected my shoulder. "Do not touch me." He warned, and I backed away.

"Should leave you for dead." He scoffed, calling two of his men to carry me. They hauled my ass out into a car, but it didn't take long before my eyes started closing.

-

When I woke up, I could feel a soft cushion underneath my butt. My top was off of one arm and when I turned to look, my arm had been treated and bandaged. I tried to move my body, but a sharp pain held me down.

"The girl's awake." A lady in the room with me said to a short man in a suit. I hadn't even noticed her. It seemed like she was a doctor, so I felt a bit at ease.

"Where am I?" I lifted my other hand up to my head, groaning.

"Somewhere safe and away from who will cause you harm." The doctor said, slipping off her gloves and sitting down beside me. People were after me?

"I-I don't understand. What do you mean people who will cause me harm?"

"For starters, you were supposed to be left for dead. If not for my boss, you'd be lying in a pool of your own blood right now."

"Who's your boss then?" I curiously asked, adjusting my position on the couch. "You ask too many questions, that's not good." She stated.

I glanced around the luxurious room nervously, in search of my bag. "Are you looking for this?" The male bodyguard lifted my bag. "Yes, my phone please."

He took out my phone, passed it to me, and watched as I dialed my parents.

"Mom? Dad?" I whispered, keeping my voice low, "I think I'm in danger