Chef's Kiss || Joshua

20

The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room as Yumi stirred awake, her eyes blinking sleepily as she stretched out beneath the covers. Beside her, Joshua lay curled up in a peaceful slumber, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath.

Yumi couldn't help but smile as she watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful and she's so happy he decided to spend the night at her place

With a gentle sigh, Yumi extricated herself from the warmth of the bed, careful not to disturb Joshua as she padded across the room to the kitchen. As she rummaged through the cabinets in search of food, she felt regret of not going to grocery shopping yesterday.

"Looks like it's time for a grocery run," Yumi muttered to herself. She glanced back at Joshua, still sound asleep in the bed and took the decision of going now to the shop to do him a hotel worthy breakfast.

As she walked, the once busy streets of the city were quiet since it was really early. Yumi has been here for almost a year and she can't lie about how much she loves to just walk around.

The morning sun was high in the sky as Yumi stepped out of her apartment building, a small shopping list clutched in her hand. It was a beautiful day, the sky clear and blue, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as she made her way to the nearby market.

As she walked, the bustling streets of the city came alive around her, the air filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation as people went about their daily lives. Yumi smiled as she passed by familiar faces, exchanging greetings and pleasantries with her neighbors as she made her way towards her destination.

Arriving at the market, Yumi breathed in the familiar scent of fresh produce and spices, her senses alive with the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace. She made her way through the crowded aisles, her eyes scanning the colorful displays for the items on her list.

As she reached for a bunch of ripe tomatoes, she couldn't help but notice a figure standing nearby, his gaze fixed intently on her. Yumi felt a flutter of unease in the pit of her stomach as she glanced up, meeting the stranger's eyes for the first time.

He was tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. There was something about him that made Yumi's heart race, a sense of familiarity that she couldn't quite place.

Feeling self-conscious under his intense scrutiny, Yumi quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on the task at hand as she continued to browse the produce. But no matter how hard she tried to shake the feeling, she couldn't escape the sensation of being watched.

As she moved through the market, the stranger seemed to follow her every move, his presence a constant presence at the edge of her awareness. Yumi couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her like a heavy weight, her senses on high alert as she hurried to finish her shopping and make her way home.

But no matter how fast she walked, the stranger seemed to be one step ahead of her, his gaze following her every move with a predatory intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see the stranger still following her, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Yumi grabbed her phone and dialed Joshua's number but after two rings all she saw was black.

Yumi's eyes fluttered open, her heart pounding in her chest as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings. She was lying on a small cot in the corner of a dimly lit room, the air thick with the musty scent of old furniture and stale air. Panic surged through her veins as she struggled to remember how she had ended up here.

Memories flashed through her as she remembered the man, the intense gaze, and then... darkness. She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt heavy and sluggish. As she noticed the rope at her feet, fear gripped her heart as she realized she was trapped.

Just then, the door creaked open, his silhouette outlined against the dim light filtering in from the hallway. Yumi's breath caught in her throat as she watched him approach.

As he drew closer, Yumi's eyes widened in horror as she recognized the man standing before her. It was the same guy she went out months ago.

"What do you want from me?" Yumi demanded, her voice trembling with fear as she struggled to keep her composure.

The man's lips curled into a sinister smile, his eyes gleaming with malice as he took a step closer to her. "What do I want?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I want you, baby. And you've been a bad girl"

"I-I'm sorry," Yumi stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper as she met his gaze. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Please, just let me go."

But the man's eyes narrowed with fury, his grip tightening on her arm as he leaned in closer to her. "Let you go?" he spat, his breath hot against her skin. "No, now you're mine. You had your fun with him and now you'll know what's good for you"

She knew she was in danger, knew she had to find a way to escape before it was too late. But as she searched for a way out, her mind kept returning to the same terrifying realization – she was alone, trapped in a room with a man who was crazy.