Misunderstanding

Chapter 9(Nathalie POV)

I casually settled on a park bench, my legs dangling from the sides as my teeth sank into the soft bread, stuffed with banana filling. After this short breakfast break, I could head to Chase's mansion. Perhaps seeing that I have returned on my own, and hearing my sincere apology, he'll develop a little trust in me. 

The laughter of children, the chatter of parents and the creaking of swings flooded the park. After the fifth bite of my banana bread, the desire for water brought my gaze to a lemonade stand, where a ten year old girl was selling lemonade for 75 cents.

I reached into my pocket, my fingers grazing a crumpled ten-dollar bill. For sure she had some change, right? I strolled over and flashed her a warm smile, gesturing at her lemonade. 

As her face brightened with a joyful smile, the young girl eagerly poured a glass of refreshing lemonade for me. "Of course you can have some, here!"

I handed over a ten-dollar bill, expecting my change. She stared at the ten dollar bill, beaming. "Thank you! This is enough to buy my toy doll!"

Uhm sorry, but I thought you had some change? I communicated in sign language.  A sense of guilt washed over me, but I needed the cash for a ride to Chase's place. 

The girl's face fell. 

Apologetically, I reached out my hand for the money.

She clenched the dollar bill tighter, glanced at me one last time, before abruptly turning away and bolting off. 

 Determined not to let her run away, I chased after her, wondering how such a young girl could commit such an act. She disappeared behind the large trees. 

 I brushed away the branches, ready to retrieve my money when I felt a hand on my elbow.  I turned around to confront a shirtless man, his body adorned with intricate tattoos and a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Panic set in as I realized we were hidden from view in the trees.

"Hello there, beauty," he breathed. "You have successfully caught my attention. How about we go to my house?" He leaned closer, inhaling the smell of my perfume.

I shook my head. At this point I didn't even care about my money. I could walk to Chase's mansion, with my feet full of blisters. Just not this... He tightened his grip on my arm. 

"Are you refusing me?"

I suddenly attempted to pull away. 

The man clasped a hand on my mouth, and dragged me behind a tree. Out of the corner of my eye, the man flipped out a sharpened knife and pointed it to my neck. He gestured towards the ladies out in the park. 

"Don't try to run, beauty," he warned. I nodded frantically. He cautiously slipped the knife back into his pocket.  Dragging me away from the safety of the public eye, down a desolate gravel path, I felt helpless.

Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the air, "Hey, stop!"

My captor stiffened, and as he turned around, I recognized one of Chase's bald bodyguards. 

"You have Sir's woman."

"What are you talking about?!" 

Help me, save me! I stared at him with a plea in my eyes.

"I said, you have Sir Chase's woman," the bodyguard repeated. "Hand her over to me."

"She's my girlfriend!" The man held me closer to his chest. I could feel his rapid heartbeat and smell his breath. Ew, never!!

The bodyguard's eyes narrowed. Tension crackled in the air.

I saw my kidnapper slip his hand into the pocket where he held his knife. Sensing an opportunity, the man shoved me to the ground and launched himself at the bodyguard. The bodyguard swiftly side-stepped, grabbed his arm, kicked him in the side and snatched the knife from his hand.

Disarmed and defeated, my kidnapper crawled towards me, ready to seize me once again and run. But the bodyguard was quicker, pulling me up from the ground and positioning himself protectively in front of me. "Scram!" he yelled to my kidnapper.

With anger blazing in his eyes, the kidnapper slithered away. 

How could the bodyguard just let the kidnapper leave like that? He'll kidnap more innocent girls!

However, before I could voice my concerns, the bodyguard firmly grasped my wrist and guided me into his waiting car. "Let's go, Miss Nathalie."