THE BILLIONAIRE DRAMA (BWWM)

Chapter 18 (Part 1)

I approached his front door, but hesitated. It was quiet. Too quiet. My hand shook violently, both from fear and exhaustion, as I reached out and turned the knob. The door was unlocked. I pushed it open and stepped inside.

To my surprise, everything was just as I'd left it earlier.

Then why did Dimitri ask me not to come here?

"Dimitri," I called softly as I walked silently through the house.

There was no answer.

Maybe I was mistaking. Maybe Dimitri hadn't come home yet. Maybe it was a prank call. Maybe someone stole his phone and tried to imitate his voice.

But no matter how much I wanted to believe that, I knew it wasn't true. Something was wrong. But what?

I caught something move through the corner of my eyes. I swung around. Nothing.

"Dimitri?" I called again.

Still no answer.

As I was about to call again, a soft cloth covered my nose and strong arms grasped me from behind. I kicked and pulled against the firm grip, but my struggling was all in vain. Every color in the room faded to the darkest shade of black as I slipped into unconsciousness.

*****
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself seated on a chair in a slightly familiar room. As my eyes became more accustomed to the dim lighting, I realized I was in Dimitri's basement.

I straightened on the chair.

Why was I able to do that? Why weren't my hands and feet bounded?

I rose to my feet, ignoring the headache I was feeling. But as soon as I got up, I found myself face-to-face with the barrel of a gun.

My heart caught in my throat. Where did this man come from? I didn't see him there.

"I suggest you stay in that chair ma'am," came his rough voice. He had an Australian accent. Why did he have an Australian accent?

I sat back down on the chair and the man lowered the gun then went to lean in a corner of the room.

I heard the door being opened and turned towards it. Two men walked in. One was short, bulky and had graying hair, and the other was... Dimitri?

They seemed to be deep in conversation. They were arguing about something.

Why was he okay? Why wasn't he hurt? Why wasn't he under restriction like I was?

"Dimitri?" I barely said.

They stopped speaking and he turned in my direction. He seemed surprised to see me.

"Vivica," he said, rushing to my side. He pulled me into his arms in a hug so tight I could hardly breathe.

"What's going on? Are you hurt?" I asked when he finally pulled away.

He didn't answer.

"Well, aren't you going to tell her?" That was the man who came in with Dimitri.

"Tell me what?" I felt like there was something big going on but I had no idea what it was.

"Vivica," Dimitri said. Why was his voice so full of emotion?