Bound to the Boss

A Case of Mistaken Identity - Mei's POV

"Damn it Aiya..." I mumbled to myself as I made my way up the stairs to her apartment. Aiya has been my friend since starting college. She was an international student from Japan. We bonded by our shared Asian heritage in a small town in Virginia. I'm pretty sure we were the only two Asian women in a 30 mile radius. How she ended up picking this school all the way from Japan I would never understand. I was only here because I am pretty sure they needed a diversity student. I was too poor to afford another school since this one offered me a full scholarship. And I knew my grades were not a deciding factor in that.

This morning she texted me asking if I could stop by her place before our evening martial arts class. Part of our college curriculum required us to take one sports class, we both chose the MMA class. It seemed more interesting than soccer or baseball. And it's always good to know how to defend yourself.

I walked down the carpeted hall trying to hide the fact I was out of breath. "I really need to do some more cardio..." I thought to myself. Three flights of stairs should not be making me this out of breath. I made the resolution to myself tomorrow I would go for a run. I had been to Aiya's so many times before that she had given me a spare key. I didn't bother to knock as I unlocked the door and made my way into her apartment.

I placed my bag on the floor as I took off my jacket and kicked off my shoes.

"You shouldn't leave the lights on when you're not in the room!" I called out, flipping off the entry way light. It wasn't unusual for her to leave lights on or have her things strewn about. A pair of Gucci heels peeked out from under a pile of clothes, and a Louis Vuitton bag was crumpled on the counter. Aiya grew up with the mindset of "it's just money". If it was ruined, she'd buy another one. She struggled with keeping things tidy once she started living on her own- her entire life she was waited on hand and foot. She had a team of staff to attend to every want and need she might have. I felt a pang of envy as I walked through the apartment. In contrast, I grew up in a modest home, raised by a single mother. Every penny counted, and I would spend week nights clipping coupons with my mom. It was considered our quality time. While other families watched TV, we went through paper after paper, hunting for the best deals to clip. Even now as a college student, I still will clip coupons and work long hours just to make ends meet.

Realizing Aiya wasn't here yet, I decided to just make myself at home while I waited for her. Her apartment was also another indication of Aiya's family's wealth. It was in a nicer part of town and was a two bedroom for just her. It was also another reason I did like coming here. It was nicer than what I could afford on my own, and I wasn't someone who was able to get along with roommates. I tried my freshman year, and it just ended with chaos. I almost got kicked out after the first semester because of it. I headed towards the living room.

The living room boasts a plush white velvet sofa, a custom-made coffee table with gold accents, and a luxurious shag rug in shades of ivory and cream. The room is accessorized with carefully curated designer throw pillows, vintage vases, and a stunning crystal chandelier that hangs from the ceiling. Sometimes her apartment looked like it belonged in a home decor magazine - if you take away the mess.

As I walked into the living room, I was suddenly overcome by the feeling that I was being watched. I shrugged it off as I settled down on the couch. I chalked it up to the building being old and the weather getting colder. I didn't feel like fidgeting with the tv so I slipped on my headphones and started to play a game on my phone. I sent a quick text to Aiya telling her to hurry up. We had class in about half an hour and if she wanted my help picking an outfit she needed to hurry home.

I plopped down on the couch and grabbed the nearby throw blanket. For some reason, as much money as she had, Aiya hardly turned on the heating. Maybe it was cultural, or maybe she was just weird, but this meant there was always a blanket within reach.

Just as I was getting settled, the feeling that someone was watching me came back. I paused my music for a minute straining to see if I was just imaging things again. Just as I was about to resume the music, I saw a shadow cast in front of me. I whipped my head around and saw a man standing behind the couch. I locked eyes with him, I was trying to find my voice to scream, shout, anything. To make any noise but all I could manage was a pathetic squeak

The intruder gestured for me to remain silent, pressing a finger to his lips. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel the sweat trickling down my back as I realized the gravity of the situation. The man's intense gaze bore into me, and I could practically hear the unspoken threat lurking behind it. Panic seized me, and I found myself unable to move or even take a breath.

He loomed over me, his sheer size making me feel small and helpless. It was clear that he could easily overpower me with one hand tied behind his back. His broad shoulders filled the room, and his form-fitting black clothing emphasized the toned muscles beneath. A black mask covered the lower half of his face, obscuring his features, and long hair fell over his eyes, adding to the menacing aura he exuded. Despite my desperate attempts to discern his identity, he remained shrouded in mystery, a looming presence that filled me with fear and uncertainty.

I had always taken pride in my strength and athleticism, but now, as fear gripped me, I realized that I might not be as capable as I thought. What did this man want from Aiya? Had he been stalking her, knowing she lived a luxurious life? If he was here to rob the place, why hasn't he done it already? What is the waiting for? The questions kept coming, filling my mind with an unbearable weight. Suddenly I heard the front door click.

"Shit!" I thought. As I saw the front door slowly start to open. It had to be Aiya, I had to warn her. I finally found my voice for a brief moment.

"Run! Get help!" I croaked. It was barely audible. The intruder just smirked as if he was amused by my pathetic attempt at warning my friend of the danger.

As the door creaked open, my heart leapt with hope, but it wasn't Aiya on the other side. Instead, a man I'd never seen before stood in the doorway, his clothing matching the first intruder's. My stomach churned as I quickly assessed him. He had shoulder-length hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, and he was noticeably smaller than the first man, with a leaner frame. The way he stood with his arms crossed and his expressionless face gave off a menacing vibe.

My heart raced as I mustered the courage to ask, "What do you want?" My words were met with silence, their gazes fixed on me, unresponsive. Fear gripped me as I considered begging them to leave when a sharp prick on my neck left me momentarily paralyzed. I instinctively reached to touch my skin, hoping to understand what was happening, but the room spun and I knew I was in more danger than I could ever imagine.

My limbs felt heavy, and my body started to slump against the couch. I realized with horror that the second intruder had injected me with something, and panic surged through me. I tried to call out for help, but my words were slurred and barely coherent.

The two men exchanged a satisfied look, their faces leering with a twisted sense of triumph. They didn't say anything, but their actions spoke volumes as they began to trash the apartment with swift, practiced movements. They tossed drawers and overturned furniture, scattering Aiya's belongings in a frenzy of chaos.

As I struggled to fight the effects of the drug, my thoughts drifted to Aiya. I prayed that she wouldn't be home till after this ordeal was over was safely out of harm's way. But deep down, I knew that she was in danger too. These men had come to her apartment, I was just here at the wrong time.

The intruders eventually turned their attention back to me, their eyes gleaming with malice as they advanced towards me. I tried to crawl away, but my limbs were numb and unresponsive. As they grabbed me roughly and dragged me towards the door, the room started to spin and I knew my world was about to go black.