15

[REBECCA]
The tray of food beckoned me with its tantalizing aroma, causing my stomach to protest loudly. Yet, as I glanced back at the closed door, my heart raced in anticipation, fearing the return of Artemy, ready to drag me back into the dreaded basement.
To my relief, he didn’t burst through the door, and I found solace leaning against the headboard, my gaze falling upon my bandaged wrist. Artemy had taken the time to wrap it, and he had also brought me food, offering an apology for his actions. Conflicting emotions surged within me. Fear lingered, but his unexpected kindness touched me deeply. Was he truly sincere?
A silent plea echoed in my mind, desperately hoping he meant it.
Running my thumb over the bandage, I reminisced about the way he delicately kissed my wrists, as though afraid of causing me harm. It shattered my preconceptions of him as a callous individual. Remorse and guilt had flickered in his eyes, but doubts gnawed at me. Did his remorse stem from genuine regret or was he simply a masterful actor?
Countless uncertainties clouded my thoughts, all leading to the same unsettling conclusion: Artemy remained an enigma, unpredictable and untrustworthy. After enduring his mistreatment, I refused to place my faith in him. Vulnerable though I may be, I refused to be foolish.
For now, however, I was alive, and that fact alone held paramount importance.
Closing my eyes, I drew a deep breath, feeling the tension melt away from my weary muscles. A trifecta of hunger, soreness, and fatigue plagued me. My gaze fell upon the tray once more, and my stomach grumbled insistently. Leaning forward, I gingerly placed the tray on my lap, wincing as my protesting muscles made their complaints known.
I savored each mouthful until my stomach reached its limit. Eggs, rice, curry, and fruits disappeared into my grateful belly. Sighing contentedly, a strange realization struck me-this new life, despite its trials, held a greater allure than my past existence with Raffaele. Placing the tray back in its original spot, I nestled deeper into the cocoon of warmth beneath the covers.
As my gaze fixated on the closed door, my vision blurred, and I blinked several times to clear my sight. Weariness engulfed me, rendering me defenseless against its embrace. Lethargy settled in, and I had no desire to resist. My body grew heavy, and my eyes surrendered, closing gradually, succumbing to the darkness that awaited.
In the fleeting moments before sleep claimed me, a peculiar thought flickered through my mind:
Don’t fall for him.
But before I could dissect its meaning, sleep overcame me entirely, whisking me away from consciousness.
***
[RAFFAELE]
“We haven’t located her yet,” I muttered, frustration boiling within me. The weight of the situation pressed down on my shoulders as I hurled my phone across the room in a fit of anger.
I rose from my chair, forcefully pushing it away from my desk, and began to pace around my office. That treacherous woman had managed to slip away from us a week ago, leaving us all fooled. I had devoted countless resources and manpower to track her down, but still, she eluded us.
Where on earth could she be hiding?
My fury intensified, and I couldn’t contain it any longer. I struck the wall with a forceful blow, feeling my self-control teetering on the edge. She would pay for her betrayal. She belonged to me, and mine alone. The image of her lying in my bed, vulnerable and awaiting my arrival, was etched deep within my mind.
From the moment I laid eyes on her at the tender age of seven, I knew she was destined to be mine. Her life was intertwined with mine, her purpose solely to fulfill my desires. Yet she had dared to abandon me, and for that, she would suffer.
Just as my rage reached its peak, the door swung open, revealing Herman’s figure entering the room. I swiveled around to face him, my eyes burning with intensity.
“Have they found her?” he demanded, his voice laced with urgency.
I shook my head, my back pressed against the wall as I observed him pacing anxiously.
“Where could she possibly be? How is it that our best trackers have failed to locate her?” he growled, frustration evident in his gesture of running his hand through his hair.
“I don’t know,” I replied through clenched teeth, growing weary of the constant questioning from the old man.
Taking a step closer, Herman pierced me with a piercing glare, his disappointment palpable.
“She was under your watch! I return to find my daughter gone, and now I’m reconsidering your position as my second-in-command, Raffaele. You had better find her-and quickly!” With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving behind a resounding slam as the door closed.
The elderly man, who had been a constant source of frustration, had finally pushed me over the edge. As his second-in-command, I scoffed at his words, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. Deep down, I knew I held all the power.
“Your time is up, Herman,” I whispered through clenched teeth, fixing a piercing gaze on the closed door. The confrontation left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I turned away, seeking solace near the window.
Caught in the corner of my eye was a photograph of Rebecca on my desk. She stood elegantly in a black gown, my arms lovingly encircling her waist. Her smile, as always, seemed forced and devoid of genuine joy. Her eyes held a haunting emptiness, as if her soul had vanished.
Let it be known that if I ever lay my hands on you, you will live to regret every moment of your existence.
***
[REBECCA]
I was roused from my slumber by a relentless knocking sound. Its vibrations reverberated in my ears, causing me to groan in annoyance. Shoving the warm comforter away from my face, I reluctantly opened my eyes, only to immediately squint against the intrusive rays of sunlight flooding my room.
The events of the previous day seemed hazy and dreamlike, as if they belonged to another world. I blinked repeatedly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Why was I in my room? Wasn’t I confined to the basement?
But then a rush of memories came crashing back, and my eyes widened with realization. Artemy had released me, apologizing for his actions. He had tended to my wounded wrists and brought me food.
Allowing my head to sink back into the soft pillow, I released a deep, audible sigh. It must have all been a dream, a fleeting yet beautiful illusion. Just as I heard the persistent knocking on the door once more, I instinctively called out, “Come in.” But the moment the words left my mouth, a wave of anxiety washed over me.
Oh God, what if it’s Artemy?
Swiftly sitting up, I clutched the covers tightly around me, my gaze fixed nervously on the door. I watched as the doorknob turned, and the door creaked open gradually. Fear caused a slight tremor to run through my body, but as Lynda poked her head in, my muscles relaxed and I slumped against the pillows in relief.
Lynda was Nona’s daughter. Despite being a few years older than me, we had an instant connection. Besides Nona, Lynda was one of the few people I had begun to trust.
“Becca,” she whispered, stepping into my room and shutting the door behind her. She hurried to my side, sitting down on the edge of my bed, her face etched with concern.
“Oh my God, we were so worried!” she exclaimed, grasping my hand in hers. Her eyes widened with shock when she noticed the bandages, and an involuntary gasp escaped her lips.
“Oh, Becca,” Lynda whispered, biting her lip as her brows knitted together in distress.
“It’s okay. I’m fine,” I mumbled, withdrawing my hand, not wanting to draw any more attention to it.
“Becca, it’s not okay. How could he do that to you? When we found out you were taken to the basement, I think my mom nearly had a heart attack!” Lynda rose to her feet, placing her hands on her hips, her voice filled with righteous anger.
As I pondered Nona’s concerns, a pang of pain gripped my chest, causing me to look down with a heavy heart. “He believed I betrayed him,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, as tears welled up in my eyes. Sniffing back my sorrow, I hastily wiped away the tears, trying to compose myself.
But despite my efforts, the floodgates opened, and I found myself succumbing to tears. Swiftly, I managed to halt my weeping and brushed away the remnants of my sorrow. Lynda, observing my struggle, eased herself back onto the bed.
“I know,” she replied gently, her voice filled with understanding.
“But I’m not,” I insisted, raising my gaze to meet hers, hoping she would perceive the truth in my eyes. However, all Lynda did was smile.
“We know, Becca. It’s evident to us that you’re not a traitor. But Artemy can be stubborn. If he suspects you’re a spy, he won’t easily let you go,” she explained, her voice tinged with concern.
I nodded, tilting my head slightly to the side, my gaze fixated on Lynda as confusion clouded my expression. “But he did let me go. He even apologized for his mistreatment. So, I don’t understand,” I voiced my bewilderment.
Her eyes widened in astonishment, followed by another smile gracing her lips. Placing her palm over mine, she gently squeezed it. “Artemy is unpredictable. However, if he apologized, something he rarely does, and released you, then he probably meant it sincerely. So, don’t worry too much. You’re safe now,” she reassured me, her voice tender and soothing.
Her words had a calming effect on me, dissipating any lingering doubts. I found myself relaxing, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “Are you certain?” I inquired, seeking further confirmation.
Lynda nodded, her smile growing slightly. “Yes, I’m sure. Trust me, babe, Artemy hardly ever apologizes. The fact that he did should erase any doubts you have.”