Love in Captivity: Chains of Obsession

We will see about that

Kinda a long chapter for you 1500 words! Normally I do less let me know what you think 🙂

I fight against the heaviness that pulls me back into sleep. My eyelids flutter, and the soft blankets of the bed wrap around me once more. As I surrender to sleep yet again, I can't shake the raving thoughts that swirl in my mind. Why had he done this? Exactly...

I imagine our last moments together the memory flickers like a faulty film: his calming reassurance to my fears, the soothing drink he gave me, also the way he looked at me as if I was his entire world. But now, that warmth felt tainted by the realization of how he'd manipulated me to get me here.

The sound of his footsteps faded away and now only the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. I tried to focus on the rhythm of the waves, searching for some sense of peace in the craziness of my mind. But even that seemed to taunt me. I was trapped in a beautiful cage, far from the US, and at the mercy of a man who claimed to love me yet had stripped me of my freedom yet again.

Gradually, I fall asleep sleep and my mind finally fogs over as darkness envelopes me once more.

The next time I woke up the sun was now higher in the sky casting a warm glow through the almost sheer curtains. I could hear his soft voice drifting from outside the room, the melody of the Italian language mingling with the crash of waves off in the distance. It was beautiful, almost surreal, yet the beauty felt like a cruel joke.

I sat up slowly and took in my surroundings. The room was very elegant, with soft beige walls, and intricate woodwork furniture. A part of me marvels at the lavishness, but the reality of my situation quickly pulls me back to the present. I needed to find a way out.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed my bare feet hitting the ground the cool floor sends a shiver up my spine. I was alone, but I knew he wouldn't be far. I had to act quickly in a country I didn't know anything about.

I walk across the room as my heart races with each step. I look out the window, the view stunning but intimidating even the architecture was different. Below, I could see a winding path leading down to the beach, and beyond that, the expanse of the world seemed to call me.

A soft knock at the door startles me, and I quickly turn back to the room. I step away from the window just as he walks in with a smile on his face that doesn't reach his eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful," he says with affection. He closed the door behind him.

"What do you want?" I snap, the fire in my chest flaring up again though having been snuffed out.

He raises an eyebrow at me amused by my tone. "I just came to check on you. How are you feeling?" He says as he takes a step closer, but I instinctively back away and cross my arms defensively.

"I want to go home," I demand.

His expression darkens instantly. "You're home, sweetheart. This is where you belong now."

I feel a surge of anger. "I don't belong here!" I shout back as my heart races and I hold his look. "You can't just decide that for me."

He steps closer. "You think I wanted this?" he asks his voice low and steady. "You think I wanted to take you away from everything you know? But look at what it has come to. You needed protection, and this is the only way I could ensure your safety."

"Safety?" I scoff and shake my head in disbelief. "This isn't safety. This is kidnapping! You kidnapped me again Colton!! This isn't okay!"

He shrugs an almost mocking smile creeps onto his lips. "You might call it that. But I call it taking control. I'm keeping you safe from the dangers you can't see."

I take a deep breath and try to calm the storm of emotions that swirl within me. "By imprisoning me? By drugging me and dragging me across the world?"

"It's not like that." He says and his tone remains calm, as if he is explaining something simple. "You'll see. In time, you'll understand why I had to do this."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're delusional if you think this is love. You don't own me. I'm not some possession you can whisk away because you think you're protecting me." I snap at him.

He steps back slightly, and for a moment, I think I see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by an almost predatory look. "You don't understand yet. I'm doing this for both of us. You'll thank me when it's all over and you come back to your senses things can be just as they were before I took you here, I had to make sure you were safe."

I narrow my eyes and refuse to back down. "Thank you for what? For taking away my choices? For isolating me from everything and everyone I care about?"

"Exactly. I'm keeping you away from influences that could hurt you." His says. "People who want to take advantage of you, who don't care about your well-being. Who wants to hurt you? Do you think I'm the bad guy here? You need to open your eyes, baby."

I swallow hard trying to fight back tears that threaten to fall. "I don't need you to save me. I can make my own choices, even if they're mistakes."

"Maybe." He moves closer again. "But the world isn't kind to people who make mistakes. I won't let you fall victim to it."

A bitter laugh escapes my mouth. "You're the one making me a victim right now Colton."

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair frustrated. "You're being stubborn. But I promise, you'll come to understand this decision. In time, you'll see that I did this for love."

I shake my head intensely. "This isn't love Colton. Love doesn't force you into a corner and doesn't talk to you. I would have come had you just asked me."

The corner of his mouth twitches, and for a moment, I thought he might give in. "You're right. But love also doesn't allow harm to come to the one it cherishes, I couldn't let you say no. You forget you are still mine. I will do what I feel I'd best to keep you safe."

I turn my back on him, unable to meet his eyes any longer. "You have to let me go. You can't keep doing this to me!"

He steps forward wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back against him. I tense, my breath hitches as I feel his body press against mine. "And where would you go?" he whispers in my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "You don't know anyone here. You have nothing without me."

"Let me go!" I struggle against his grip and desperation fuels my movements.

"No." He says lowly. "You need to understand that I won't allow you to leave, not now and not ever. I thought you understand this."

His words strike me like a physical blow, and I feel my heart plummet. "You can't keep me here against my will," I said, my voice shaking. "You can't control me forever, I thought you were starting to trust me."

He pulled back slightly, his expression unreadable. "I was, but I did this for your best interest, I could not risk you saying no. But do you think you're strong enough to fight me? To escape? You don't know what I'm capable of. And I don't want to hurt you, but if it comes down to it, I will."

"Please," I whisper barely audible, "just let me go."

He stares at me for a long moment, the silence stretches uncomfortably between us. Finally, he sighs and his features soften. "You'll see, in time, that this is for your good. Trust me."

I felt the last remnants of hope drain from my chest. "Trust you?"

"Yes. Trust that I will always protect you. That's why I did this, that man you saw isn't good Hannah." His expression hardens again. "Now, let's get you something to eat. You need your strength."

As he turns to leave a surge of defiance fills me. "I won't stay silent," I call after him. "I will find a way out of this. You can't keep me here forever, you violated our trust."

He pauses at the door and a shadow of a smirk crosses his face. "We'll see about that, sweetheart." And with that, he steps out closes the door behind him, and leaves me alone.