trapped

Katalina
“Kata, I am worried. It’s been more than a week.”
“I know.”
Emilia sat beside me as I watched David run around in the flower garden we found behind the house where Hoseok left us more than ten days ago.
Since then, he hasn’t come back.
Two days after he left, he simply told me on the phone that we should sit tight and wait for him. I thought he was trying to arrange Emilia’s travels, but after that phone call, his numbers became unavailable, and his absence became like a heavy hill, placed on my chest. I couldn’t stop thinking that something terrible would happen soon. Luckily, Emilia was able to inform her father about the situation we were in, and the man promised to take care of their family. They talked every day, and up till now, everything seemed fine on that side.
“What can possibly be going on with Hoseok?”
“What if we go back and check?”
“But he asked us to wait.”
“He needs his family’s approval. What if he doesn’t get it? What happens then?”
“…”
The moment Hoseok’s numbers stopped connecting, I suspected that something was awfully wrong. With no trustworthy person to call at the office, the only thing to do was go back to Houston to find out what could be going on.
“What about Huracio? What if he is still there?”
I had no answer to that. In fact, the only reason I have been reluctant about going back was because I was scared of getting crossed by him. If there is anything I am sure of, it is the fact that he wouldn’t let me go. I’m not scared of that. What I am scared of are the consequences.
“We are trapped.” I huffed dejectedly.
“Let’s wait a bit more. If we don’t get any response in two days, I will try to leave. As long as you are safe, that’s enough.” She said, thinking of sacrificing herself.
“It’s no use if he catches you. He will use you as a bargaining chip.”
“Didn’t I promise never to make you sad? Kitty, do you not trust me anymore?” Huracio’s calm voice reached me. Chilled from the deepest part of my soul, every bone in my body rattled. I spurned around, almost spraining my ankles.
“Huracio!” I gasped. I started backing off until I was close to David.
“Mummy, what is it?” He dropped the truck toy he was filling with sand and stood beside me, looking bewildered.
“It’s nothing, love. Keep playing. Lilly is just talking to someone.”
Being usually aloof towards strangers, David spared Huracio a quick glance and went right back to playing.
Noticing that he was staring at the boy with an amused gaze, I stepped in front of David, cutting him off. I knew it was useless, but I couldn’t help myself. Apart from endangering Emilia and her family, my second greatest fear is losing my son. If he wants to take the boy from me, I can only give up. I have no way of fighting him off. I may have legal custody, but what does the law have to do with Huracio? When has it ever stopped him?
“Kitty, kitty.” His stern eyes gently ran across my frame. I could feel him striping me of every item of clothing, and checking every part of my body. Ensnared, I fell into a dazed spell.
“How?” Emilia gasped, bringing me back to my senses.
I grabbed David and held tightly to the confused boy.
“Mummy, no! Let go!” Displeased, he tried to wiggle his way out of my hands, but I couldn’t let him go.
“Baby, be a good boy. Stay quiet.” I earnestly whispered into his ears.
Looking into my eyes, he sensed my tension and quietened down with pursed lips. I patted his back affectionately then glared at Huracio.
“How did you get here?”
“You know her?” Suddenly, Miss Kim and Grace emerge from behind him, followed by Stone and some unfamiliar faces.
“Miss Kim? Grace? What are you doing here?”
I expected Hoseok to also appear from behind them, but all I saw were several men rolling travelling boxes to an adjacent building to where I was staying. Filled with unease, I muttered aloud; “What are you doing here? What is going on?”
Snorting, Miss Kim turned to Huracio. Her gaze was blatantly filled with longing. If possible, she probably would pounce on him right there. “Mr Ignatius, this is just one of my brother’s whores. He brought her here to escape public scrutiny. I apologize for exposing you to such vermin.”
With her chin lifted up like the neck of a strutting peacock, Grace stepped forward and sneered disdainfully. “Get out of here right now. Stop soiling the sight of our guests.” She ordered.
“Your guest?” I gasped, then turned to Huracio. “You are their guest? How?”
I suddenly understood why Hoseok never came back. Somehow, Huracio had outplayed Hoseok, using his family against him. Fuck. This demon.
“Just like you, Kim’s family has given me permission to enjoy the hospitality of this beautiful island. Aren’t they very generous?”
My body shivered at his words. His face relaxed into a knowing smile. He knew I was scared shitless and he was enjoying it. It was just like when we first got married. My fear and trepidation used to turn him on. He would smile like that before spiking my drink and making me beg for his cock.
To my dismay, the moment I saw that familiar look in his eyes, my nipples started tingling, and a slightly achy sensation started spreading between my legs.
Fuck.
I haven’t felt like that in five years. Believe me. I tried, but no man had been able to turn me on in five years. But with just one look, Huracio had my nerves tingling.
“Are you deaf?” Miss Kim snapped at me, her squeaky yelp jarring at my senses.
The spell broke and I couldn’t stop blinking as I realized that years did nothing to change my feelings. I am still his for the taking. All that therapy and nothing to show for it.
“I- I am sorry.” I stuttered, then turned to Emilia. “Let’s go.”
From my experience while on the run, I have always left my bags packed. The moment we got back into the house, I strapped David to my chest and we quickly grabbed our bags. We had just five, which made me regret packing so much. That much meant return trips. We got everything to the living room before I realized that we had no vehicles. I hurried to the kitchen area of the villa, calling out for the butler, but when he arrived, I received an unexpected shock.
“Miss Catherine. I am sorry. I can’t give you a ride to the ferry dock.” The butler said in a monotone. A robot would be more expressive.
“Why?” I asked with a sinking heart.
“I can’t let you leave unless Mr Kim gives the order.” He explained.
“What?”
I had no idea I was being held against my will. I thought I was borrowing a place to stay and could leave whenever I wanted.
Feeling extremely stupid for trusting Hoseok, all I could do was try to calm down while trying to convince him.
“Why don’t you call him. Tell him we have to leave. Or better still, call him and let me talk to him.”
“I am sorry, Miss. Mr Kim’s local line is out of service and I don’t have his private number.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
An ominous feeling settled in my guts, and sweat broke out on my back.
“Are you saying we can’t leave?” Emilia completed the words I was scared of uttering.
“I am sorry, Miss. I am just following orders. Please, go and relax. Lunch will soon be ready.” He bowed like he always did and backed out of the room.
With my jaws on the floor, I could only stare at Emilia in shock. The dread in her eyes was perfectly mirroring my heart.