Quicksand

Chapter 12

I instinctively moved closer to Adrik, my heart racing. Fearing that he would lash out or do something reckless. As I stepped closer, the tension between us became palpable.

Adrik's gray three-piece suit was a stunning echo of my own gown, the identical shade creating an unsettling sense of symmetry between us. The impeccably tailored fabric hugged his athletic build, emphasizing his strong jawline and piercing eyes. The overall effect was one of polished elegance, but beneath the refined exterior, I sensed a simmering intensity.

Lost in thought, I hadn't realized I'd been staring at Adrik for what felt like an eternity. His sudden words shattered my reverie: 'Don't worry, I'm all yours.' My gaze snapped back into focus, and I felt a jolt of surprise to find him standing mere feet away, his piercing eyes locked onto mine.

The proximity sent a shiver down my spine. How had he closed the distance without me noticing? His intense gaze seemed to hold a hidden message, and I felt my cheeks flush with warmth.

A chilling smile spread across his face, sending shivers down my spine. Just hours ago, he had brutally taken innocent lives and mutilated their bodies, yet now he stood before me, radiating an unsettling calmness. The stark contrast between his heinous actions and serene demeanor left me stunned, my mind reeling with the sheer horror of it all.How could someone who had committed such atrocities so recently now wear a mask of tranquility? It was as if he had compartmentalized his darkness, locking it away to reveal a façade of normalcy.

Adrik's tender gestures only amplified my fear, his contradictory behavior leaving me on edge. Taking my hands in his, he lavished gentle kisses upon them, sending shivers down my spine. His eyes locked onto mine, filled with an unnerving intensity.

He guided me to a secluded table in the corner, adorned with a single, exquisite box. With a deliberate slowness, he opened the lid, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring that glittered in the dim light.

My heart racing, I felt trapped in a nightmare. This man, capable of unspeakable violence, now presented me with a symbol of eternal love. The disconnect was staggering.

Adrik slid the ring onto my finger, his touch sending shivers down my spine. I stood frozen, unable to utter a word. The weight of the diamond felt suffocating, a constant reminder of the horrors he'd committed.

"The photographer is downstairs," Adrik announced, his tone deceptively casual. "We've already kept him waiting."

My shock gave way to panic. "What's going on?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

Adrik's expression turned incredulous. "We just got engaged," he stated, as if I should be overjoyed.

"No!" I protested, horror seeping into my voice. "I don't want this!"

Adrik's eyes narrowed, his smile twisting into a menacing grin. "I'm afraid it's too late for that," he whispered, his breath caressing my ear.

"Please, just let me go!" I begged, desperation creeping into my voice. "I won't say a word to anyone, I promise."

Adrik's gaze pierced through me, his silence more unsettling than any words. He didn't respond, didn't react. It was as if I hadn't spoken at all.

Instead, he grasped my arm, his grip tightening like a vice. "Let's go," he said finally, his tone low and menacing. "We take pictures together. The party will be tomorrow, and the wedding next."