I felt a tingling and sharp pain at the back of my head, as my eyes slowly opened. My hands felt locked in something, my legs unable to make any movement. My butt felt so hot, something pinching my lower abdomen. As I blinked, the bright light on the ceiling shone against my eyes, making me feel partially blind.
What was going on?
Hearing a thick, masculine voice, my eyes snapped open. Wait, why were my hands and legs tied with a rope? Why was I tied to this old, wooden chair? Had I been… kidnapped?
I gasped, my eyes broadening in fear. My eyeballs scrolled through the place, my heart working at its ultimate pace. Dreaded, I took a deep breath, praying for a miracle to happen. Who had done this to me? Why would anyone kidnap me? What did they want?
“When all the guests leave the hall, we’ll be able to leave the hotel without being questioned by anyone,” a man said. He had his back on me, his hands behind him. Wait, that voice was familiar.
“But, sir, what about the hotel’s security men? What if they see us or something?” The young, black man who bowed his head, said.
The man sighed. “I’ve dealt with that already. Don’t worry.”
According to what they were saying, it meant we were still in the hotel where the business dinner was being organized. But, where exactly was this place? I hadn’t thought an old room could be in such a luxurious hotel. What would I do now?
Being as dauntless as possible, I glared, and hollered, “Who the heck are you?! What do you want?!”
The moment the tall idiot heard my voice, he stood still for a while. Letting out a low, throaty laugh, he turned around like the proud man he was. The moment my eyes caught his, I gulped in fear. Raymond Shawn? He had… kidnapped me?
A threatening, fear worthy smirk ambled to his lips. “You’re awake, my sweet pie.”
“Raymond,” I called amidst gritted teeth. “You asshole! How dare you?”
He shrugged, sauntering towards me. “I do what I want, my dear. Let’s try to act cool, ‘kay? It’s been long since we saw each other, you know?”
I felt tears welling in my eyes. I hadn’t ever felt this scared. What would he do to me? “Why would you do this?” My words came out in a whisper. I was getting weak. “I don’t like you. I don’t. And, I just can’t. What’d you gain from this?”
All of a sudden, a deep glare creased his brows. Leaning close to me, he put his hands on the arm rest of the chair, gazing directly into my eyes.
“You wanna know what I’ll gain?” He spoke in between clenched teeth. Nothing but wrath trudged in his eyes, and there was no doubt that his closeness exacerbated my fear. “Many things, my dear. You’ll become mine. I’ll get my revenge on Ryan. He hit me in front of everyone. Do you know how embarrassing that was? Do you realize that my reputation was ruined that day?”
“But, no matter what you do, I can’t love you. Why can’t you understand that?” I tried reasoning with him.
“I just can’t understand it!” He slammed his palm against the armrest, which made me flinch in fear. “I can’t! So, just shut up!” He stepped backwards, wandering in front of me like an angry Lion. “Ryan’s my enemy. My greatest enemy. We’ve always disliked each other, and you know it. I’ll make sure I take my revenge on him.”
I scoffed. “You’re such a fool. What makes you think Ryan would leave here without me? He’s definitely gonna find me. I know it. He’d come here for me. I know it. I just know it.”
He snapped his neck sideways to look at me, his eyebrows cocked, as if he was surprised. Unexpectedly, he burst out laughing. After laughing for a while, he put his hands behind him, and stood very close to me. He leaned close again, gently started to run his fingers through my hairline and jaw. This was gross.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m always a step ahead.” He sniggered, the intimidating smirk widening. “Well, you see, I obviously couldn’t have done this alone. I like you, while someone else likes Ryan. When she came to me for help, I was glad to know that I’d have an accomplice who would help me ruin you and Ryan’s relationship.”
“Pardon?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“It’s been twenty minutes since I brought you here. And, you know what?” He sniggered again. He grabbed my jaw with his fingers, and pulled my face close to his. “Your man is being distracted by the lady with the luxurious outfit. He’s been drooling for her. He’s not even thought of coming here for you. This room is only a few rooms away from the restroom, so why hasn’t he decided to come over to check on you?”
A tear left my eye. “So, you and Sherri are working together? Seriously?”
“Yes, my love.” He pulled away, putting his hands in the pocket of his pants. “Don’t keep your hope high. In thirty minutes, all the guests will leave. That means I’ll be able to elope with you. You’ll be mine, forever, and ever.”
“What is this?” I snorted. “Some kind of teen romance movie? What makes you think no one will get you?”
He shrugged, and just stepped backwards. “Leave that question for someone else. You’ll see.”
“Bradon and Fred!” He snapped his fingers at the tall and huge dudes behind him, and they jogged towards him immediately. “Untie her now. We’ll get going very soon.”
I whimpered. “You won’t get away with this, you fool!”
The big guys hurried over to me, and untied the ropes around my legs and hands. The moment they did so, each of them held each of my arms, and pulled me up to stand. I wanted to yell so much, but I was in a state of despair. What if no one was around here to help me out?
But, wait, I definitely had to do something. I couldn’t go with Raymond, right?
Alarmed, my senses began calculating a couple of things. These men were big and strong, but there was something that’d definitely be their weak points. What could that be? As far as I knew, every guy’s weak point was… yes! The nuts!
I knew this cost my life, but I would do it. Swiftly, I turned around. I was so fast, fast in a way that they wouldn’t have expected me to turn around. As if I was an experienced street fighter, I pivoted my long leg forward, and hit one of them in the nuts. Only two seconds later, I hit the other one in the nuts as well. Just like I had planned, they groaned in pain. They fell to the floor, grumbling like the idiots they were.
A bit relieved, yet petrified, I spun around so I’d be able to escape. I ran towards the door. Getting there, I jerked the door knob. But, unfortunately, the door was locked. Oh, goodness. What now?
And then, Raymond burst out in laughter. I turned around, my back clutched to the door. I tried catching my breath, tears forming in my eyes.
“Open the door now,” I ordered, my voice shaky. “Open it now. Someone help! Help me, please!”
He ran towards me. Knowing that I wouldn’t stop screaming, he pulled his hand over my mouth, and pulled me away from the door. He grabbed my arm with his second hand, and threw my back against the wall. He pinned me to it.
“Y’all should leave the room immediately,” he instructed his men, as he looked at them past his shoulder. Turning to me, he smirked. “I wanna deal with her personally. Go to the parking lot. I’ll call for you once I’m ready to leave.”
Not wasting time, they all left the room. They shut the door behind them, and, once again, I was encountering the devil alone.
I sobbed. “Please, leave me.”
He caressed the skin of my arms with his hands. Gently, he grabbed my wrist, and pinned my hands to the wall. His hot breath struck against my face, his closeness making my heart skip beats.
“Why can’t you give me a chance? Do you need me to make love to you, first?” He whispered.
I wept. “Please, let me go. Raymond, please. I can’t love you,” I beseeched.
He laughed, definitely mocking me. “It’s too late, my love. At this point, you should just give in.”
“Please,” I pleaded
He shook his head in refusal. Desire ran in those ugly eyes, and I instantly knew where this was going. I knew what he wanted.
“Sweetheart, opportunity comes once. I won’t misuse this opportunity,” he stated.
Before I was able to plead further, his lips brushed against mine. He kissed hard, kissed as if there was no tomorrow, kissed with desperation, kissed with so many mixed emotions I couldn’t even decipher, kissed as if I was His.
Where was Ryan? Didn’t he care that I was missing? Was he really having so much fun with Sherri?
I shut my eyes, and just let the tears leave them. At this point, I guessed I would surrender.
So help me, God. Amen.
—