Caged

Gracelyn

I woke up to an empty room, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. This is not my room. Maybe Nico's

I looked around, taking in the opulent decor, the lavish furnishings. But my gaze settled on the door, wondering where Nicolas was. I planned not to talk to him. The words he said to me. And he drugged me so he can bring me here.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, folding them to my chest, my eyes cast down. I felt...lost. Trapped.

Hours passed, me sitting silently, lost in thought. The door opened, and Nicolas walked in, his suit impeccable, his eyes piercing. He strode over to me, his face twisted in a scowl.

"You've been quiet for too long," he growled, grabbing my arms, pulling me to my feet. "You think you can just sit there, looking pretty, and I'll let you be?"

His grip tightened, his fingers digging into my skin. I winced, trying to pull away, but he held fast.

"You're mine now," he snarled, his breath hot against my ear. "You'll do what I say, when I say it."

He spun me around, slamming me against the wall, his hand closing around my throat. I gasped, struggling to breathe.

"Don't think you can defy me," he hissed, his eyes blazing. "You'll lose, Gracelyn"

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to cry. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Nicolas's grip relaxed, his hand dropping from my throat. He stepped back, his chest heaving, his eyes still burning with intensity.

I stood tall, looking Nicolas straight in the eye. "I'm tired of you," I spat, my voice shaking with anger. "I'm tired of being here. I hate you, Nicolas. I hate you so much that if I wasn't trapped in this mansion, living under your roof, I would have escaped by now."

Nicolas's face lit up with amusement, his eyes gleaming with delight. He laughed, a deep, rich sound, and clapped his hands together. "Oh, Grwcelyn," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you're so brave, don't you? You think you can defy me?"

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to back down. "I'm not afraid of you," I lied, my voice trembling.

Nicolas's laughter grew louder, more mocking. "Oh, Gravelyn," he repeated. "You're so precious. But let me tell you something, my dear. You're not going anywhere. By rain or shine, by hook or crook, I'm never letting you go. You'll stay with me forever."

My heart sank, my legs trembling beneath me. I felt a sob rise up in my throat, and this time, I couldn't stop it. Tears streamed down my face as Nicolas's words washed over me.

"And if I think you need a little...persuading," he continued, his eyes glinting with menace. "I'll marry you, Sophia. I'll fill you up with my babies. You'll be mine, body and soul, forevermore."

"You know you are not gonna stay here all day Gracelyn, I know you like to play hopscotch,"

I looked up at him wiping my tears, surprised. "How did you know?"

"I've been paying attention. And I've made you your own hopscotch board. I thought it might bring you some joy and you would stop crying every second. It's like music to my ears."

I felt a warmth spread through my chest, replacing some of the anger. "Thank you," I said, my voice like a whisper why is he being nice to me now.

"Let's go see it."