Lovers in California: Held For Ransom

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Monday 5:30pm

He left me for about an hour. My tummy started making noises because I was getting hungry and I hoped he was going to let me eat soon.

Just then, like he read my mind, I heard the basement door unlock and seconds later he came down the stairs holding a tray. On the tray was a bottle of water, and a couple of ham sandwiches. Pretty boring, but I was hungry so I didn't complain.

I just watched him quietly as he grabbed another wooden chair and placed it in front of me. He sat down and put the tray on his lap.

"I'm gonna take your gag out now so you can eat, but if you scream or say anything stupid, it's going straight back in and you won't get any food, understood?" He said in a firm voice. I nodded because I really wanted that food and water. "Good girl" he said and pulled the cloth out, letting it hang around my neck.

I moved my jaw around and licked my lips, my mouth felt so dry.

He grabbed the water and opened it, then held it to my lips, "open" he said. I did as I was told and he poured the water. I drunk the whole bottle in a matter of seconds which shocked him, "jeez, were you that thirsty?" He said chuckling.

"Yeah, my mouth was a little dry" I said back, giving him a little smile. This was my first time actually being able to talk to him and I wanted to stay on his good side for now.

He grabbed one half of the sandwich and let me take a bite. After eating one half, I decided to just go for it and ask him a question.

"Are you holding me for ransom?" I asked.

He looked at me and sighed, I don't think he was expecting me to ask anything. He set the other half of the sandwich down and leant back in his chair. I just watched him waiting for an answer.

"Look, I... Uh... Okay, yes I am holding you for ransom" he replied after a few seconds.

"How much?"

He just looked at me, you could tell he wanted to tell me but also was trying to hold back for some reason. "I can't tell you" he finally said.

"Fine, I'll guess... 50 thousand?"

"Higher."

"Uh... 100 thousand?"

"Higher."

"250 thousand?"

"1 million" he suddenly said.

I nearly choked, "1 million?!" He just nodded. "That's a lot of money" I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

"What, so you can afford to live in a nice, fancy mansion by the coast but 1 million is a lot to you?" He said, then smirked.

He had a point. I mean, yes, our mansion cost us a fair bit but still, 1 million dollars is still a lot for us, for anyone in fact. Especially to just give to a stranger we knew nothing about.

I didn't know what to say so I just said "good luck."

"Oh I won't need it," he replied, grabbing the other half of the sandwich and holding it up to me "eat."

I reluctantly opened my mouth and carried on eating. After a few minutes, I finally finished the sandwiches. I still could have done with a little bit more food but then again, I was thankful that he still fed me, plus I was also thankful that I had had a massive lunch.

"Right, I need to go get a few things, then I'll be back to get you ready for bed" he said as he stood up. I just looked up at him with a puzzled face. He then grabbed the cloth from around my neck to put back in my mouth, but I quickly stopped him.