Better than Death

Chapter 2

On days like this, her short stature felt like a curse. At just 5'2", she constantly struggled to keep pace with others, and now, reaching for the painting knives, she found herself at a disadvantage once again. With a sigh, she reached for the step stool nearby, determined to overcome the obstacle.

But before she could even adjust her position, she felt a large hand wrap around her waist, sending a chill down her spine. Panic rose within her as she froze, unable to turn and face her unexpected intruder. She had heard of the primal instinct known as "fight or flight," and she was convinced that when push came to shove, she would be the one to fight tooth and nail against any threat. She found herself frozen in terror. Without a word, the imposing figure reached above her, effortlessly grabbing the knives she sought. His touch was suffocating, restricting her movements and filling her with a sense of dread.

When he finally allowed her to face him, she was met with a towering presence that seemed to engulf her small frame. He was a formidable sight, his size and strength overwhelming in their intensity. She couldn't help but feel insignificant in his shadow, forced to tilt her head up just to meet his gaze.

He was undeniably handsome, but his beauty was overshadowed by an aura of menace that sent shivers down her spine. She struggled to maintain her composure under his penetrating gaze, her heart racing with unease. The smirk that tugged at his lips only added to her discomfort, a silent acknowledgment of the power he held over her.

As she attempted to distance herself from him, she found herself trapped in his grasp, his touch sending shivers of revulsion down her spine. She felt small and vulnerable in his presence, her attempts at asserting herself met with only amusement from him.

With each passing moment, her sense of unease grew, a gnawing fear settling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was at his mercy, a helpless prey caught in the grasp of a predator. And as she struggled to break free from his hold, she couldn't help but wonder what sinister intentions lay behind his charming facade.

In the depths of her despair, a flicker of determination ignited within her. "I didn't ask for you to get those for me," Ayanna snapped, her voice tinged with defiance as she glared at him. Despite the fear that coiled in the pit of her stomach, she refused to cower in submission. She was stubborn but what she had failed to see was the glimmer on his eyes. He would have fun breaking her.

But as the darkness closed in around her, she couldn't help but wonder if her defiance would be enough to save her. With every passing moment, the fear threatened to overwhelm her.

"And what makes you think I got these for you?" he stated in a matter-of-fact tone, his smirk growing wider by the minute. 

His voice had held a power over her. At that moment, she found herself captivated not only by his physical presence but by the allure of his voice.

 "Considering how close you were to me just a second ago, I assumed you were trying to help me out," Ayanna's voice trembled slightly, her words tinged with a mixture of defiance and uncertainty. "Sorry if I misunderstood, but I'd suggest the next time you wanna take something, you don't do so while touching the other person's waist and stepping so close. Y-you don't wanna be sued for sexual harassment."

She cursed herself inwardly for stumbling over her words, a hint of insecurity creeping into her voice. She refused to let her captor see her weakness, but the sudden shift in his demeanour sent a shiver down her spine. What had started as a defiant challenge now felt like a dangerous gamble, and Ayanna couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her like a suffocating cloak.

As she met his gaze, she found herself drawn into the depths of his eyes, searching for any hint of what lay behind the facade. But all she found was a chilling emptiness that sent a chill down her spine.