𝐃. 𝐋. 𝐒. || 𝐊.𝐓𝐇 ✓

ＦＯＵＲ

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Warm water surrounds me, and the bubbles relax my stress. I know I still have a lot more to worry about, but right now, I'm in my happy place.

There are no men around, no violence, no guns, and no threats for my life. Truthfully, it feels like I'm dreaming, but I know I'm not.

Eventually, when my skin has had enough of the water around me, I stand up in the white, porcelain bath and let the water out.

I step onto the light pink mat below, letting it soak in the water that's surrounding my toes. I grab a white towel and walk towards the bathroom counter once drying myself.

Standing in front of the mirror, I stare at my face. A dark ring surrounds my eye, and I know it's from when I was punched the other night. However, I never knew it would look this bad.

I ignore it for now and begin towel drying my wet hair. I made sure to wash it since I have no clue when I'll be able to take a bath again.

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The body-sized mirror in the bedroom reflects my image. My hair is now dry, I wear enough makeup to hide the bruising around my eye, and I wear the outfit Alice bought me earlier.

Thankfully, a gray nightgown is included in one of the bags, so I won't be walking around in just lingerie. 

It's when the phone rings that I jump. I cover my heart and calm down once walking across the bedroom and picking up.

"Go downstairs. He'll be waiting in the living room." When I realize it's Alice over the line and not this stranger, I don't have time to ask anything before she hangs up. Despite her telling me this man would call, he didn't, so I'm curious just who is this person I'm about to meet.

Hanging up the phone, I open the bedroom door and start down the narrow hallway. I may not know what's going to happen to me, but at least I know I'm willing to fight to survive.

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When I come downstairs, I hear only silence. It doesn't sound like anyone is here except for me. However, I keep walking.

I have no clue what the layout of this house offers, so I'll have to go to each room until I find where I'm supposed to be.

Luckily, I find the living room after five minutes of searching. When I step into the dark room, I take in its design.

The carpet is a bloodied red, shaded in a dark pigment to draw out the colors on the wall. The massive windows are clear, and the darkness pours in the large room. The ceiling is high, which makes the room seem even larger.

When I step closer, I feel the warmth from the bright fire in the room. Fancy chairs made out of rich-looking mahogany ignite the space with luxury. Large brown bookshelves press against the wall with dozens of books sitting idly on the shelf.

"So you're the one everyone is talking about," a deep, rousing voice comes from one of the chairs facing the opposite way of me. "I have to admit... you're not what I imagined."

I ignore his words and walk around to face him. It's as if time slows when my steps come closer to seeing this man. I've been hearing talk about him ever since everything took place. Whoever this man is will be the key to my freedom or my demise.

When I stand in front of the chair, my heart stops beating in my chest for more reasons than one.

His hair is black and wavy, and his bangs are long enough to touch his eyelashes. His skin is a warm tone, and for a brief moment, I imagine if my hand were to be pressed against his chest, it would ignite my palm in a tingling warmth. He wears a loose, red and black sleeping gown, which exposes his chest.

When my eyes suddenly move upwards, I instantly feel the tension in the room. His eyes survey mine with so much intensity that I feel like he's looking right through me in places any normal man wouldn't. It's almost like he's challenging me to do or say something, but I hold my tongue because my very life depends on it.

"It's very hard to imagine how a pretty little thing like you ruined my hit the other night. I assume you must be a feisty one." He chuckles in an electrifying way.

I take a step back when he stands and comes closer to me. His warm hands grab my cheeks softly while analyzing my face closely. "Has anyone ever told you that your eyes are bewitching? None of my girls have such eyes." He removes his hands and gives me some space.

"I'm one of a kind," I admit sarcastically.

"You are," he agrees, stepping towards the fireplace while propping his arm on the wall and staring deeply into the reddish-orange fire. "I'm in a predicament here." He sighs and pushes himself off the wall to look back at me.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do with you. I could kill you... or... I could keep you." His words make my eyes narrow. "But that decision is half on yourself. For now, let's go eat in the dining room. I can get to know you before I make any rash decisions."

He walks ahead of me and leads the way into the next room, while I feel my heart beat harshly against my chest. Whatever happens tonight will determine everything.

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