L'Amour Fou (bxb)

Chapter 9

Looking at the reflection in the mirror, I was adjusting my tie whilst getting ready to go to work. It was either too small or too large, or it wasn't in the center. After a neverending struggle, I was finally contented with it. I covered myself with a black blazer and buttoned it up. Grabbing my perfume, which had a strong masculine odor with a hint of a floristic fragrance, I sprayed it all over my body elegantly and gave myself a smile in the mirror.
"You've got this. Ok. You will conquer the day today with confidence."
Before starting my day at work or whenever I was nervous, I always looked at myself in the mirror and sent positive affirmations.

I ran downstairs whilst looking at my watch on my hand. 7:28. I didn't even know how far this house was to the city, it could be 30 minutes or an hour. Searching everywhere, his presence was absent. Suddenly, a loud honk abrupted the short silence. He was already waiting in the car. Firmly grasping on the door handle, I closed the front door shut. I checked whether it was locked, and a second time just to be sure. I felt anxious without checking things like this. As I stepped inside his car, a strong scent slithered its way into my nose. His perfume.

"Are you ready?" He asked, making eye contact with me.
"Yeah. How far is it from here?"
"According to the GPS it says... 26 minutes. So we're reaching there by 7:54. That's not too late, right?"
"Yeah, that's usually the time I reach work," I replied with my focus directed to the scenery.
It was captivating, but deadly. The emerald ribbon of trees travelled for miles endlessly. No ends. No escape. Nature seemed to have its own way, it seemed to make its own decision, it seemed to have its own plan in mind. The only animals that were noticeable were the birds that flew freely in the sky, with the others that seemed to suffocate in the depths of the forest, consumed by nature's insidious demeanor that strangled its innocent prey mercilessly. Eventually, the power of nature began to deteriorate as the works of mankind became apparent. Skyscrapers intimidated the height of the trees with its ability to control its animals to get absorbed by the behavior of the city. Its frivolous livelihood became acclaimed, and cities were a notable example of the famous proverb - 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. Not just the atmosphere and buildings but also its residents. Humans have the tendency to put on a superficial mask and manipulate their own behavior, becoming a pretence to the outside world. What was the need for it - to keep secrets, to keep emotions to themselves, to keep others captivated...

"We've arrived," a voice exclaimed, awaking me from my own intrusive thoughts.
"Oh- right. I didn't even notice," I said whilst exiting the vehicle. "Bye see you later."
"Remember. 4pm sharp ok. Don't you dare go anywhere else."
I smiled at him whilst nodding slightly as I headed towards the large building beside me. Scanning my card on the wall, I finally managed to get inside and access the elevator. I pressed the button '7' as I waited for the doors to start closing. There were 11 floors in my building considering that I work for a large company. As the doors opened, the environment of work exploded everywhere - phone calls, people chattering, the sounds of the keyboards being pressed. I sat down to my cubicle and switched on the computer. I had to admit it, my department that I worked in was interesting. It was relaxing and the employees were really nice. I began working on my research I had to do for a project.

12pm. It was my lunch break now. Reaching out my phone, I finally turned it on considering that it was dead yesterday so I had to charge it overnight. A bundle of notifications exploded from my phone. 126 missed calls. 542 new messages. I tried to read them all but it was virtually impossible. Amongst our friendship group, we had a group chat which we used if we needed to inform everyone something or if there was an upcoming plan. A few days after my kidnapping was when the panic began. They were saying how I hadn't replied to them in a few days considering I went to my parents' house. They all questioned where they last saw me and any last messages or calls from me. Then the fear really sank in. They went to my office, knocked on my door, attempted to break in - they even called my parents despite knowing my relationship with me. I replied to all of them instantly to relieve them of their fear. Then a text message popped up from Aurora, my best friend amongst the group.

'We're gonna meet up by the café. Its for you.'
'For me, but why?'
'We need to make sure everything is ok.'
'I already told you guys I'm fine.'
'There's smt else to this. Idk what it is but I can sense it.'
'What time then?'
'4:15. Just after when you finish. The entire group is gonna be there.'
'Ok, I'll be there.'
Fuck. This meeting was really important then considering that the entire group was gonna be there. Whenever there was anything really important, everyone would be there, no matter what. I had to text him then to inform him.

* * *

I was surprised how he allowed me to go.
'I'm gonna meet up my friends after work. I know I promised I won't go anywhere but this is urgent. It's about my absence.'
'I'll wait till you're over then. Message me when you're done ok. And don't you dare try to go anywhere else.'
'Ok.'
The second half of work went really quickly, and before I knew it, I was already heading to the café. Café Cinq Étoiles was our place, one of the few precious places we'd meet up since it has a comforting atmosphere. I pushed the door open to see my friends sitting by the same table as usual. Jake came running at me, giving me a warm hug as he began to sob.
"We were worried sick of you. Don't you ever do that again. Ok?"
"I promise."
Jake was the youngest in our group and the most immature, so everyone treated him as their younger brother or son. He loved showing his affection to the group by giving people hugs, especially when they were sad. Everyone tried setting us two up since we were both gay but I saw him as my younger brother that I never got, so it'd feel weird to me if I dated him. Besides, he wasn't my type.

Slowly after, everyone else also gave me hugs even though it was only one week that we didn't see each other. I sat on the end of the table and then they started to interrogate me.
"What happened to you?"
"I went to my parents' house but my phone was broken so it was getting fixed. In the meantime I was with them."
"Stop telling us lies. We phoned your parents and they said you left after a few days you stayed at theirs. It seemed like an argument. So tell us what really happened."
"Ok fine. The argument happened because basically my parents were tryna set me up with this girl that they knew cus they thought my sexuality was only a 'time-pass' but I got furious at them. Then we argued and they kicked me out of their lives. It was painful and I needed to recover. So I wanted some time alone."
From my tone of voice and mannerism, they automatically knew I wasn't lying. They consoled me and told me that everyone is gonna support me. Whilst they were giving me advice, I noticed Aurora was staring at me. She knew there was something more to this. Finally she broke the dreading eye contact by informing the group that she's gonna borrow me to speak to in private.

"What happened?"
"What do you mean, I told you."
"There's something more to this. I can feel it."
She was the most empathetic one in our group; no matter how much we'd try to hide our feelings, she knew. Which made sense why she chose to become a therapist, and ours as well.
"Tell me. What is it? If it's that bad I won't tell them."
"Ok but first promise you won't tell anyone."
"I promise."
"Also. You didn't phone the police or anything right."
"No... We were considering to. Why?"
I leant in closer to her and whispered, "I got kidnapped."

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A/N: Thank you guys so much for this many views. It may seem really little but it means a lot to me. Feel free to recommend this story to anyone you know or may feel like they'd enjoy it too. Message me if you have any queries or have any special requests <3