VENGEANCE IN THE SHADOWS [KIM MINGYU]

{20} Captured

Chapter 20

"Captured"

⭑.ᐟ

Alara's head pounded as she slowly blinked her eyes open, her senses clouded with disorientation.

She felt a cool, silken fabric against her skin and immediately realized her outfit was different gone was the dress from last night, replaced with a soft, elegant nightgown.

The room around her was unfamiliar, both beautiful and unsettlingly dark. Heavy, dark curtains covered what must have been massive windows, blocking out any light, casting the room in a shadowed stillness.

She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt heavy, her mind still foggy. The events of the previous night came back in pieces: the masked stranger in her penthouse, his piercing gaze, the way he'd leaned close, kissed her, then... darkness.

As the memories hit, she threw back the covers, determined to get out of there. But as she tried to stand, her balance gave way, and she stumbled, landing hard on the floor with a loud thud.

"Argh!" she growled in frustration, rubbing her knee as she glared around the room. "Unbelievable!" she spat, her voice dripping with irritation as she took in her surroundings.

"Kidnap me, dress me up, and then make the bed so high I can't even get out of it properly. Real classy."

Just then, a low, amused chuckle echoed from somewhere in the room, sending a jolt of awareness through her.

She straightened immediately, her heart pounding. She forced herself to maintain her usual sass, though her voice wavered slightly.

"So," she called out, her tone laced with forced bravado, "is this the part where I'm supposed to be impressed with your grand kidnapping scheme? Because, newsflash, this isn't exactly the most comfortable arrangement."

The sound of footsteps approached, slow and deliberate, each step heavy and unhurried as if savoring the moment.

Alara turned her gaze toward the sound, and there, standing just at the edge of the shadows, was the figure from last night the same imposing frame, the same masked face, his expression unreadable.

"Comfort wasn't exactly the priority," he replied, his voice smooth and unsettlingly calm, his presence filling the room.

Alara felt her pulse race, but she refused to let him see her fear. She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she leaned back against the bed.

"Great. So, what is the priority, then? Scaring me? Because if so, I'll have you know it's not working."

He stepped closer, just enough for her to catch the faintest glint in his eyes behind the mask. "Fear isn't what I'm interested in," he murmured, his voice low, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.