Hypnotic

Six

A/N: All right, so... The picture for this chapter is Venus's bedroom. I have pictures of the main area that she saw first in the previous chapter and of Venus's bathroom and of Damiar's bedroom and bathroom, but I'm wondering if I should just describe the rooms instead and just leave it up to you all to piece it together in your minds. Let me know what you want me to do in the comments, please. And thanks to everyone who's reading this book. It means a hell of a lot to me..

I woke up slowly, a soft yawn escaping as I stretched harshly, managing to pop quite a few joints. I took one look around the room and heaved out a massive sigh. Of course it would have been too cliche for it all to have been a dream. I sat in bed for a moment longer, only for a small ding to catch my attention. My eyebrows shot up in surprise to see the brand new black iPhone 11 just sitting on the nightstand. He had actually kept his promise...

I cautiously picked it up and unlocked it, finding it completely stocked with my old contacts and old pictures. My social media accounts were all accessible as well. Everything was normal except for the dozens of texts from my parents, asking me why I wasn't answering them. Remembering Damiar's subtle threats, I called my Mum.

"Sweetie, are you all right? Why haven't you answered any of our calls or texts?"

"I'm sorry, Mama.. I accidentally ruined my phone last night by dropping it into the bath..."

"Oh, Venus, I told you that you'd one day do that! You know how much I warned you."

I couldn't help but smile at her lighthearted scolding. "Yes, Mama, I know."

"Well... I'm glad you're ok."

"I'm just fine, Mama. I'll call you before long."

"All right, sweetheart.. Stay safe. I love you."

"I love you too, Mama. You and Daddy." I hung up after that, checking on my latest followers and likes on TikTok, and updating my Snapchat story. I didn't bother with Twitch or Twitter just yet, seeing as I never updated either of them regularly anyway. With a final glance at the time - 4:04 pm - I crawled out of bed. I picked a Panic at the Disco hoodie and skinny jeans out of my purple suitcase alongside my necessary toiletries and made my way into the bathroom.

I had to, yet again, take a moment to ogle at the grandeur of this mansion. The bathroom was twice the size of my living room back in New York. I shook my head gently to snap myself out of my stupor and snooped around until I found the towels. The hot water sliding down my body made me shiver, but it was heavenly just the same. I probably should have been surprised to see my favorite coconut scented shampoo, but given everything else Damiar already knew about me, I truly wasn't.

I was slightly disappointed that my conditioner for colored hair wasn't among the bottles, and I winced upon seeing the pink drain down my chest. I would have to ask Damiar for more dye.. I wrapped the towel around my body and plugged in my hair dryer, trying to ignore how much color was already stripped from my roots. "Well, I've always wanted a platinum blonde look," I muttered to myself as I brushed out my hair. "Guess now is as good a time as ever to change it up a bit."

I quickly got dressed and brushed my teeth, heading back into the bedroom to grab my makeup - which I didn't bring. I huffed out a sigh of frustration, sitting on the hard floor, my clothes scattered to and fro. I thought about how I'd bring up my "needs" to Damiar without seeming bratty. I rolled my eyes. Oh, who am I kidding? I've always been a brat. Speaking of, wonder what he had ready for me to eat? My stomach rumbled at the prospect of food. If he truly knew everything about me, then he knew that my favorite food was medium rare steak and grilled asparagus.

After hanging my clothes on the hangers I found in the wardrobe, I tentatively opened my door and peered out. I leaned over the railing, seeing no one below me. The building was silent, and I was almost afraid to make a sound. I glanced to Damiar's door and tiptoed my way down the flight of stairs and half ran into the kitchen. I was instantly greeted with the intoxicating scent of steak. So he did know.

The steak and asparagus was still simmering over a weak flame, so I took the plate lying beside it and fished them out, turning the burner off afterwards. I cut off a piece off the meat and moaned as I bit into it, relishing the warm blood sliding down my throat. Heat seeped into my back, and lips brushed my neck. Contended with my clean hair and warm food, I almost melted into the touch. This was almost natural. I wanted to give in.

"Damiar..?" I murmured. "Yeah, baby?" He replied, just as softly. "Can I.. Uh, can I redye my hair..? Um.. And have a little makeup..?" The man chuckled, his arms wrapping around my torso. "You can have anything you want." I couldn't prevent the smile that sneaked onto my lips. "What are you doing today?" I asked. "I have a few things to take care of. Next Saturday, we head to Texas. You'll like Eric." "Is he the roommate you were talking about?" "Mhm."

He buried his face into my neck and inhaled, and it took everything in me to move out of his grip. I walked to the table set for dozens of people and continued to eat my food, watching Damiar from the corner of my eye. He leaned against the wall, his own dark eyes flashing in the dim sunlight filtering through the windows. He wore his iconic leather jacket over a black button up shirt with a rose print, ripped black jeans, and his combat boots. He had on a silver necklace, four rings, and those same cross earrings.

Of course he looked better than me.

"What about you?" He finally asked, and I paused in finishing up the steak. "Well, I - I need to update my TikTok.. But I don't know how to do that without everyone questioning where I am..." Damiar cracked a smile. "Tell them you're visiting an old friend. Speaking of.." He trailed off as he chewed on his lower lip and kicked off the wall. "I don't trust you completely yet," he seemed to admit, and I wasn't surprised. "So I can't leave you alone. Not yet, anyway."

I watched him cautiously. "So...." "So, one of my friends will be watching you while I'm gone." "Oh.." Damiar seemed to sense my unease and proceeded to step forward to lift my head up so he could kiss my forehead. "Don't worry, baby," he muttered. "He wouldn't hurt a fly unless he didn't have a choice." "What's his name?" I asked softly, his face mere inches from mine. His fingertips burned the tender flesh under my jaw, and something irrational in my brain was screaming at me to kiss him.

Kiss my inhuman kidnapper. Right.

"Noen," he replied, his eyes holding mine in a captivating stare. "You'll like him too." I swallowed thickly as he pulled away, his rings brushing over my lips. I almost wanted to feel their cold touch against other parts of my body... I mentally scolded myself, keeping my head down as he took my empty plate and headed back into the kitchen. I took a deep, shuddering breath, and tried to compose myself. "He'll be here a few minutes after I leave," Damiar said as he returned. "I'll have your hair dye and makeup when I get back tomorrow. What color do you want?"

"P-platinum blonde," I whispered, refusing to meet his eyes. 'Stop stuttering, damnit...' "Okay.." I glanced up in time to see him leaning down to kiss my cheek. "Go ahead and update your socials, my love. Noen will be here before long." I stayed silent as he moved to leave, but he paused in the doorway. "Oh, and.. I left you a Starbucks frappe in the freezer. I got it about ten minutes ago, so it's still fresh." And with a wink, he left.

Shit.