Jennifer.
Mr. Cercus, the enigmatic and unsettling man who had taken me captive, was the reason I had spent the entire night in fear and uncertainty. He drove me back, his imposing army providing a shield around us as we traveled. Cars surrounded our vehicle, their occupants armed and alert, eyes scanning the surroundings with a vigilance that made my heart race. I thought for sure that I wouldn’t survive another second in this terrifying scenario. Yet, strangely enough, this man treated me with unexpected kindness, almost as if he felt a sense of responsibility for the mistake that led to my abduction.
His words did little to reassure me; in fact, I wanted to reject his so-called gift of kindness, but fear gripped me tightly. I didn’t want to provoke him further, to awaken any darker impulses that might lie beneath his calm exterior. Though I didn’t know him well, he exuded an aura of danger that made him seem like a killer lurking just beneath the surface. I yearned to escape, my instincts screaming that we were walking into a trap from the moment we landed on this island.
But it wasn’t just a single trap; it felt as if traps were hidden everywhere, lurking in the shadows, waiting to ensnare me when I least expected it. The question loomed large in my mind: who was the real hunter here, and whom did he intend to hunt? And why? Yes, it was like an army surrounding me. I noticed that all the guards working for him were armed, their hands resting on weapons that could easily be drawn in an instant. It was bizarre and frightening, but thankfully, he hadn’t harmed me so far. I was alive, and that was what mattered most. Even better, he hadn’t raped or coerced me into anything.
As we arrived at Le Chateau of Miss Maya, the source of my heartache and confusion, I had to admit to myself that she had won the first round in this conflict. But I vowed to win the war. I would be the one to laugh last-at least, that’s what I hoped. Then there was Selina, the actress who had appeared out of nowhere, adding another layer of complexity to my already chaotic situation. I wasn’t sure how I would confront this mess, but I knew that leveraging the men around me could support my next plan.
“Miss Jennifer, we’ve arrived,” Cercus said, breaking my thoughts and pulling me back to the present moment.
I nodded and smiled, forcing cheerfulness into my voice. “Thank you for the ride and the… generous gift,” I replied, trying to sound sincere, though my words felt hollow.
I intended to say goodbye and escape this surreal situation, but then Cercus stepped out of the car. I stared at him in surprise, taken aback by his shamelessness and unpredictability. I sensed he was hiding something beneath his charming facade, and curiosity gnawed at me, but I didn’t want to play detective at that moment. There were far too many pressing issues at hand.
An overwhelming urge to run away from everyone washed over me-away from Jack, who had once been my best friend, and away from Cercus, who felt like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce. I wished that Tomas could see the truth of my situation: I was the victim here, treated like prey, a mere toy to be tossed from one hand to another at the whims of those around me.
Despite everything, I was certain that I was deeply in love with Tomas. His mysterious aura, his complex past, even his infuriatingly heartless attitude-all of it drew me to him like a moth to a flame. He was my first love, and I desperately hoped he would be my last. I knew it was unrealistic to think he would choose me over all the famous and wealthy women surrounding him, but I couldn’t help but love him fiercely. Living next to him while harboring these feelings felt impossible, yet I couldn’t suppress my heart’s desire.
Love wasn’t something I could push down and hide; it was beyond my control, a force of nature that I couldn’t contain.
I snapped back to reality when Mr. Cercus addressed me again.
“What’s wrong, Miss Jennifer? I hope you don’t mind coming inside to welcome Tomas!” he said, his tone casual but tinged with something deeper, something I couldn’t quite place.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “No, sir, I don’t mind. At least you’ll be standing next to me in this fight,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
“Fight? Who would dare to fight with you, Miss Jennifer? I will never let anyone harm you,” he said, his voice suddenly serious. I didn’t believe him, not for a second. Perhaps he thought I was weak and felt pity for me. At that moment, I sensed something was off; everyone around me seemed to be lying, their smiles masking hidden agendas and ulterior motives that were impossible to decipher.
I coughed, lowering my gaze to the ground. “Um, it’s not like that, Mr. Cercus. It’s-”
But before I could finish, I heard Tomas shout my name as he sprinted toward me, with Jack right behind him. My heart raced. I slowly turned, fear and confusion washing over me as I tried to prepare myself for whatever Tomas would do next.
I wasn’t ready to face Tomas. To him, I was irresponsible for leaving, and that’s why that man had kidnapped me. He might be furious and even scold me, and I didn’t know what to say, especially since he looked so angry.
Jack hugged me tightly, his relief palpable as he wrapped his arms around me. “Oh, Jennifer, what were you thinking? I was so worried about you! Don’t you know how much I love you? Thank God you’re okay,” he said, his voice trembling with concern. His face was pale, as if he hadn’t slept at all, perhaps even cried because I was lost. I felt a pang of guilt, but it didn’t change the fact that my heart only beat for Tomas. I was his, forever, even if the world around us was crumbling.
I caught a glimpse of Tomas’s face; he was seething, a mix of anger and worry contorting his features. He grinned, then pulled me close, looking deeply into my eyes. “How could you do this to me? Leaving like that and breaking my heart! You shattered it into pieces. Do you understand what I was prepared to do to save you?” His words shocked me into silence. Was this really Tomas? I couldn’t believe he cared so much about losing me. Could this be love, as I felt for him? Surely not; perhaps he just felt pity for me, a helpless girl stranded in the middle of nowhere.
But why would he feel that? He should be heartless, indifferent. I realized I could never fully read Tomas’s mind. He was different from anyone I’d ever known. No one could tell if he was acting or if his emotions were genuine. He held a power over me that was intoxicating, and I had to admit that.
I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my chest. “Um, I’m sorry, Tomas,” I said softly, hoping to ease the tension.
“Don’t ever do this again,” he warned, his tone firm and almost threatening. In an instant, he shifted from tender and caring to possessive and dangerous, a transformation that sent a shiver down my spine.
I stared at him, taken aback, and then he kissed me. In that moment, I forgot about everyone else around us. I missed him deeply, and the thought of never seeing him again frightened me more than I could express.
Then Cercus scoffed, breaking the spell. “Oh, I guess you forgot I’m here, Tomas. You didn’t welcome me,” he interrupted, the tension in the air becoming palpable.
Tomas pulled away from me, stepping a few inches toward Cercus, his expression darkening. “Welcome you for hurting my sweetheart?” he shot back, glaring at Cercus with a fierce intensity.
Cercus’s smile faded, replaced by a more serious demeanor that made me uneasy. “You should thank me; she’s back safe with you,” he smirked, his arrogance evident.
“If I hadn’t met her and seen how innocent she is, I wouldn’t…” Cercus began, but Tomas shot him a look that silenced him instantly.
“Anyway, Mr. Tomas, she’s back. I apologize for the misunderstanding. You have a perfect, innocent girlfriend,” Cercus remarked, and I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
I stood between them when Maya and Selina arrived. Maya quickly moved to Tomas’s side, while Selina strolled in slowly, as if to watch the unfolding drama from a distance, a spectator in this twisted play.
I wanted to divert the conversation from the tension that had thickened the air. “See, Tomas? Cercus gave me a gift as an apology for his mistake, and I forgive him,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace.
Tomas’s gaze shifted to my neck, where I felt the weight of his scrutiny. “What? A gift? How could you accept something from another man? From my enemy?” he exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief.
I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat, struggling to defend myself. “I didn’t do anything wrong, Tomas,” I replied, looking away, feeling cornered.
He pulled my attention back, his intensity drawing me in. “Maya, look at me!” he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.
“What?! Maya?! You’ve forgotten my name, Mr. Tomas?! I’m your fiancee, Jennifer!” I shouted, feeling insulted and hurt by his apparent disregard.
Maya chuckled, an unsettling sound that grated on my nerves. “I guess he’s forgotten he has a woman! Maybe he was dreaming of me while you were gone!” she teased, clearly enjoying the moment.
Tomas cleared his throat, looking flustered. “Honey, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I…” He struggled to find an excuse, but I ignored him and took a few steps away, needing space to breathe.
“Oh, Mr. Cercus, would you please show me the rest of the island, if you don’t mind?” I asked him, trying to shift the focus away from the escalating tension.
He bowed politely, a charming smile returning to his face. “Of course, Miss Jennifer. It’s my pleasure. You haven’t seen the most beautiful beach and shore yet. You’ll love it. If you’d like, I’ll come to take you at 7 PM and show you the most romantic spot,” he offered, and I felt a flutter of hope.
I smiled, grateful for the distraction. “Thank you, Mr. Cercus. That’s so sweet of you. I’ll be waiting for you at 7.”
“Bye for now, Mr. Cercus,” I said, smiling as I turned back toward Tomas, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy.
Tomas pulled me against him, his voice rising once more. “What? I haven’t accepted that yet!” he shouted, his frustration palpable.
I walked inside the chateau, determination swelling within me. “You don’t have to accept anything, Tomas. You have friends here to enjoy your time with; let me enjoy my days with my new friend, Mr. Cercus,” I declared, feeling a surge of defiance.
“I will never let you do that, Jennifer!” he called after me, his voice a mix of anger and desperation.
Jack chimed in, his tone earnest. “Stop, Jennifer! Talk to me! This is unacceptable. You don’t know him. How can you trust him?”
What did Jack and Tomas think they could control my life? Never! I turned around to face Jack, laughter bubbling up in my chest. “Why do you keep following me? Why do you keep annoying me? We’re not best friends!” I shot back, my voice rising.
“But we are best friends, Jennifer! I’m here to look after you and protect you,” Jack insisted, concern etching his features.
“Oh, I see. You want to protect me from Tomas? You want me to break up with him, like Maya and Selina? All of you want this! The only one who doesn’t want this to happen is Mr. Cercus! You all keep hurting me, but he’s the only one who hasn’t. Maybe that’s because he’s mature enough to handle things. An older man at 50 is better than one at 30!” I shot back, my words laced with anger and hurt.
“What do you mean, Jennifer?” Tomas asked, confusion etched on his face, but I hardly cared.
“I mean it’s my life, my decision. I’ll do what I want. You can’t prevent me! Not you, not Jack! Enjoy your time on the island and forget about me,” I declared, storming to my room, my heart pounding in my chest.
As I ran to my room, I heard Tomas right behind me, shouting my name. “Jennifer, wait! Stop! I will never let you go out with this man. You don’t know him; you don’t know how much he hates me. Please, don’t do this to me…”
I ignored him, locking the door behind me. He pounded on it, his voice rising in urgency. “Open up, Jennifer! Don’t force me to smash this door. Don’t make me angry!”
“No, Tomas! I will never open this door. Leave me alone! Use another room or go to Maya’s! I’m done with this! I don’t want to continue this fake deal anymore. I quit!” I yelled, my voice shaking with emotion.
“Open this door now! Don’t say those words again!” Tomas warned, his tone dark.
“What do you think of yourself? You think you can play with all the women on earth? You think I can’t live without you? You’re wrong, Tomas! I’m not one of your girls! I can live without you! Mr. Arrogant! Stay away from me! I don’t want to see your face again! I want my life back-my life without you!” I screamed, feeling a rush of anger and hurt.
“Open up, Jennifer! Now!” Tomas repeated, but I continued to ignore him, my heart racing.
“How could you forget my name? Maya?! I’m not your slut! I’m not her! You’re a liar! You said you loved me! You said you forgot about Maya! How could you dare? It was my mistake from the start. I’m the fool here-how could I fall in love with you and ignore your reputation? You’re known as the womanizer of the city!” I shouted, feeling humiliated and betrayed.
He kept banging on the door, then began kicking it until it broke open. I stepped back, startled, as he came closer, locking eyes with me, his expression a mix of anger and desperation. He pulled me into him, giving me an angry look that sent chills down my spine. He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head away, trying to push him off.
“Do you think you can quit this easily? No, you can’t! No woman can break up with me! You belong to me! When I say goodbye, it’s final! It’s not your decision, Jennifer. You are mine,” Tomas said possessively, his words holding a weight that terrified me.
“No, I’m not!” I shouted back, my voice firm.
I pushed against his chest, desperate to create space. “Now leave me alone! I hate you, Tomas! I hate you!” I screamed, my emotions spilling over in a torrent.
He released me, narrowing his eyes as if trying to see into my very soul. He struck the wall with his fists in frustration, the sound echoing in the small room. Then he walked away, leaving me alone in tears, feeling utterly defeated.
How could he do this to me? I wasn’t his doll! I wasn’t his game! I began to question everything: Was his story about Maya and Mark true? He was a liar! What were these people? They were devils, and Jack, too! After everything he’d done, why did he come back to annoy me? What was his purpose?
Just then, Maya entered the room, scoffing as she took in the scene.
I turned to her, wiping my tears and trying to regain some semblance of composure. “What do you want from me, Maya?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, ready for whatever she had to say.
“What do you know about Tomas? Do you know why he broke up with me?” she asked, moving closer and sitting at the foot of the bed while I remained on the couch, glaring at her.
“Yes, I think I do, Miss Maya,” I replied, disdain evident in my voice.
“I don’t want to hear what he told you about me, but I’ll share my story about the womanizer. Will you listen?” Maya asked, her tone shifting from mocking to sincere.
I nodded, willing to hear her out, though I was skeptical.
“I did everything for him. I gave him my virginity, worked for him, forgave him countless times when he betrayed me. I tried to ignore the pain because I loved him, but the last time was a disaster. It was his birthday, and he promised to be with me. I dressed up beautifully and reserved a nice place for us. But he didn’t answer my calls. I ended up calling his best friend, Mark, who refused to tell me where he was. But he slipped up and mentioned the club. So, I went there and found Tomas with another girl-drunk, kissing her, touching her. I was heartbroken,” Maya recounted, her voice filled with a mix of anger and sadness.
“Why is Mark working for you now if Tomas fired him? He used to be his best friend!” I asked, intrigued by her story, which contradicted what Tomas had told me.
“Tomas thought Mark told me about his whereabouts, so he fired him out of anger. As an apology, I hired Mark after I married him. I was devastated after Tomas left me, with no home and no money. Mark helped me during that time,” Maya explained, her eyes glistening with unspoken emotions.
“Okay, but why marry an old, rich man if you were just a victim of Tomas? Why use him?” I pressed, trying to make sense of her choices.
“What do you expect from a homeless girl with no money? A rich man asked me to be his wife and promised to take care of me! Would you refuse? Don’t lie! If it happened to you, you wouldn’t refuse!” Maya retorted, her voice rising defensively.
“Maybe you’re right, but why do you keep following Tomas if he hurt you? Why do you want me to break up with him? Are you doing this because you love him? Then you’re betraying your husband, just like Tomas did to you! This isn’t revenge, Maya! Don’t lie to me!” I yelled, my frustration boiling over.
“Yes, it started as revenge, I admit that. But seeing him with you, taking care of you, made me jealous. I hate you because you made him love you! I’ll do everything I can to make him break up with you. I just want to expose his true nature! You think you know him? You don’t know anything!” Maya fired back.
“Actually, yes, I know nothing about him! I’ve just realized that! But you and he don’t know me either! You don’t know what I can do! I’m not your game, or his! I won’t lose this fight! I’m stronger than you think!” I declared, standing up and walking toward the door.
“Now, Maya, get out of here! Don’t try to advise me to stay away from Tomas because everything you said only proves you still love him and want to steal him from me. Trust me, you won’t see my next move coming,” I warned her.
She stepped closer, a smirk on her lips. “Are you challenging me, Miss Jennifer?” she asked.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Challenging you? I’m his fiancee! But tell me, who are you, Miss Maya?” I challenged back, laughing.
“Okay, Miss Jennifer, but don’t forget about Selina! And the girl with the letter, too!” Maya said as she left.
I stopped her. “Wait! What do you mean by the girl with the letter?” I asked, surprised. Tomas had said he hadn’t told anyone about that.
“The unknown girl! If she shows up, all of us will be out of his life! No one can compete with her love. He adores her, Jennifer. Remember that,” Maya said before exiting.