Kidnapped: Welcome 'home'

Chapter 6: Not London

"Good morning, princess!" Kidnapper 2 sang as he skipped into the room. This guy was really making me feel sick and I had the urge to slap him.

"It's a new day today! The Sun is shining, the birds are singing... oh" his face fell as if it was only now that he realised that there was no sun nor birds in my captivity.

I bit back a sarcastic comment I wanted to make and focused on what's beyond the doors.

"Pierre, what is all the racket down there?" shouted Mr Businessman.

"Ah, sir, I was just waking the little princess up" replied Kidnapper 2. I scowled. His name was Pierre... wasn't Pierre a French name? It was just then that I noticed an accent.

Some footsteps could be heard as though someone was rushing down a flight of stairs.

"He certainly is rather fond of you, mademoiselle" whispered Pierre as Mr Businessman appeared at the doorway. A smile lit his face when he saw me and I immediately tensed up. Monday mornings are not my favourite, and this Monday morning is the worst.

"Good morning, Asmaa" he smiled.

A chill ran down my spine and I shivered. He knew my name. But how?

"Oh, I'm sorry. A bit of a shock wasn't it?" Mr Businessman said as if he knew all along things about me without me knowing. "Fancy some breakfast? We can discuss this over breakfast if you'd like."

I did not respond to him. Not like I would have had a chance to do so because, almost immediately after, he called someone by the name of 'Stevenson'. A couple of seconds later, Kidnapper 1 appeared. "Pierre, untie the girl and you Stevenson, accompany her to breakfast" he ordered cheerily.

Seriously, why were these guys so cheerful on a Monday morning?

Pierre untied me from the chair of misery and I took a second to rub my wrists and move my ankles. I gingerly stood up, a little uneasy on my feet and my knees almost gave away as a heavy weight was placed on my shoulder. I shrugged off Stevenson's hand and turned around to face him.

"I can walk on my own." I snapped stubbornly.

Stevenson turned to face his boss with a look on his face as if he was asking for help and was only given a shrug.

"Ok, Miss, follow me." he said.

We left Mr Businessman giving Pierre a list of orders. I felt a tingling in the corners of my mouth curl up into a smile, but stopped them. It felt good to move and get out of that room.

We climbed up a set of stairs right outside the double doors - it was the only way you could go. At the top of the staircase was another door which led to a grand hall. Its walls were painted white - except for one of them that were made of the cleanest glass I have ever seen. A large marble staircase climbed up to the floor above, looking like a beautiful bridal dress as it spread out at the bottom. The gold railings resembled beautiful jewellery. An enormous crystal chandelier hung down from the high ceiling, each crystal glinting in the light like stars. Plants that were dotted here and there watched these stars in awe of their glory, oblivious to their own beauty and the homely feel they provide.

"Where are we?" I asked matter-of-factly. Stevenson stopped in his tracks and quizzically stared at me.

"What do you mean?" he asked before walking again.

"I mean what I said." I responded, unbothered.

He looked at me as if I was mad for not knowing where we were.

"We are in the mansion of Mr David Brookes, one of the grandest mansions you will ever see! Mr Brookes has his own fashion company that sells fashion lines to multiple different companies-" Stevenson explained proudly as if he were speaking of his own achievements.

"That's not what I meant," I cut him off, and he looked at me confused. "I meant where on Earth are we?"

"Oh, right. I don't think I can explain that to you." he said, opening a door that led to a garden outside.

I stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. The sun really was shining and the birds really were singing and there was a cool breeze playing about, cooling everyone down from the hot weather.

"This is not London weather." I noted, standing at the doorway.

"Indeed it is not, Asmaa" said a familiar voice.

I turned around to face Mr Businessman and glared at him before turning back around and thinking hard.

If we aren't in London, then where are we?

• • • • • • • • • •

Uh-oh. Cliffhanger!
I was going to end the chapter after announcing where they are, but I decided against it 😈

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