Chapter 5: Under Siege

Selena’s POV

It was the wee hours of the morning. My head was pounding as if someone was using it as a drum. The police station was the worst – those bright, buzzing lights bouncing off the gross floor. I’d just finished giving my statements; the whole freaky ordeal still felt surreal. The hands over my mouth, the car ride in total darkness, the creepy voice of whoever grabbed me.

Then, bam, everything went black, and some lady was whispering threats I couldn’t even remember clearly. By the time the cops showed up, they were gone. Poof. Like ghosts.

The cops asked me a million questions – what the car looked like, what the guys looked like, anything and everything. But it was all a mess in my head, like a scrambled puzzle. I couldn’t even tell them why this had happened. Why me?

As I sat there trying to piece together the fragments of the night's event, Justin showed up. And he was… different. Like, serious. No cocky smirk, just straight-up worry.

“Selena”, he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “Are you okay?” His voice was low and soothing.

I nodded, but my head felt all fuzzy like I'd just stepped off a spinning ride. "I... I don't get it," I  mumbled, my voice barely audible. I could feel tears building up, and I bit my lip hard, trying to keep them from spilling.

"I'm so, so sorry, Selena," he whispered, his voice cracking. He wouldn't look at me, he just stared at everywhere else except me. He ran a hand through his hair like he was frustrated and lost. His shoulders slumped like he was carrying the weight of the world.

He took a deep breath like he was trying to calm down. "I think... I think this is about me," he mumbled, looking at the floor. "But I'm not sure." He paused, taking another shaky breath. "I think someone's trying to send me a message."

I looked at him, my eyes squinting in confusion. "A message?" I asked, my voice shaky.

He hesitated like he was trying to figure out what to say. "A warning," he finally said. "To stay away from me."

My heart just stopped. Like, froze solid. A warning? That involved getting kidnapped? Seriously? I felt this icy chill creep up my back, thinking about what could've happened if the cops hadn't shown up. My brain didn't even want to go there. I shook my head, trying to get rid of those scary thoughts.

"But... why?" I whispered, my voice trembling. I was so freaked out and confused. Who would want to hurt me to get to Justin? I barely even knew the guy! It was so messed up. Then, suddenly, it clicked. Like a puzzle piece sliding into place. "Stay away from him." That's what the lady said. But who was "him"? Justin?

Justin's eyes snapped to mine for a second, and I saw a flash of what seemed like worry. Then, just as quickly, he looked away, his jaw clenching. "I'm gonna figure out why this happened, I swear." His voice was low and husky, and it gave me goosebumps.

Then he looked back up, his eyes softer. It made my heart do this weird little jump. "Selena, I don't think you should go back to your apartment. Not tonight. Why don't you stay with me? Just for a few days, until I’m sure you’re safe."

My breath hitched. Stay with him? In his penthouse? That sounded like something out of a movie – a super rich, totally crazy movie. It was also a really bad idea.

Part of me was like, "NOPE, run away!" But another part, the part that was still totally freaked out, was like, "YES, hide behind him! Let him protect you!"

"Stay with you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Like, in the same house?"

He nodded, his eyes serious. "It's the only way I can keep you safe. Please, Selena. Let me help."

My brain was going a mile a minute. Hailey would lose it. She'd told me how dangerous it was to get too involved. But what else could I do? I was still terrified, and he was offering me a way out, a safe place.

"Okay," I said defeated. "But... just for a few days."

He smiled, but it was a small, kind of careful smile. His eyes seemed to say more than his lips. "Of course," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "Just a few days."

I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around everything. "How did the cops find me so fast?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Justin's face lit up. "Hailey called, she was losing it. And Jaden helped, he knows people." He smiled a little, like he was remembering something good. "He's a good friend." 

I could tell he meant it, and it made me feel a little warm inside. It was weird, but I guess it took getting kidnapped for me to see this side of him.

I said a little prayer for Jaden in my heart and made a mental note to thank him whenever I had the chance.

My heart felt all mushy thinking about Hailey. I smiled a little, even though I felt like crying. Nobody cared about me like she did. I just wanted to hear her voice and tell her I was okay.

I reached for my phone, but my pocket was empty. My stomach dropped. "I can't find my phone! I need to talk to Hailey," I said, freaking out, my voice trembling. "I have to tell her I'm okay!"

"Don't worry about it, I'll get you a new phone, and you can talk to her soon," he promised. "But first, let's get you out of here." He gave me this soft, kind of sad smile, and I felt this weird flutter in my chest.

***Earlier, at Hailey and Selena’s Apartment…

Hailey was typing super fast, her eyebrows all squeezed together. Selena wasn't answering her texts or calls, which was weird. Especially after Selena's messed-up visit to her mom's. Hailey was expecting, like, a whole dramatic story, with voices and everything. But nothing.

She'd even called Selena's mom. Mrs. Baldwin was her usual ice-queen self, she said something along the lines of Selena leaving without saying goodbye.

Hailey's stomach twisted into a knot of panic. Selena wouldn't just disappear. Not after everything that had been going on. The fake relationship thing, the big gala coming up...

Hailey chewed on her lip, scrolling through her contacts. Who else could she call? Then it hit her. Justin Branson. Selena's fake boyfriend. Maybe he knew something. Even if they were just pretending, they were spending a ton of time together. Maybe Selena had told him something. She grabbed Selena's work files and found his business card.

She paused. Justin was a billionaire, a super-powerful and ruthless dude. Not someone you just call up. But she was freaking out. Selena was her best friend. She'd do anything for her.

Taking a deep breath, Hailey pressed the call button.

Justin's phone buzzed, cutting through the quiet of his huge penthouse. He looked at the screen. Random number. He usually ignored those, but this one felt different.

"Hello?" he said, his voice sharp and kind of cold.

"Mr. Branson?" The voice was panicked. "It's Hailey. Selena's friend. It's... it's about Selena."

Justin's stomach dropped. "Hailey? What's wrong?"

"She's missing!" Hailey said, her voice shaking like crazy. "I can't find her anywhere. She went to her mom's last night, but her mom said she left abruptly. She hasn't been home, and she's not answering her phone. I'm freaking out!"

Justin's brain went into overdrive. He hadn't seen Selena since their deal. He'd been busy with the gala and all the paparazzi stuff. He was gonna talk to her, explain everything. But now...

"Did you check with her other friends?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"She doesn't have many friends. I've called everyone." Hailey said, her voice breaking. "Please, Mr. Branson, you gotta help me. I don't know what to do."

Justin's jaw clenched. Something was seriously wrong.

"Jaden," he said, turning to his friend who was crashing at his place. "We've got a problem."

Jaden looked up, his face serious. "What's up?"

"Selena's missing. Hailey can't find her."

"Crap," Jaden muttered. "That's not good."

"I need your help," Justin said, his brows furrowed. “Do you think your guys can locate her?” He pressed.

Jaden started typing on his laptop. "I'll see what I can find."

Justin paced, his mind racing, picturing Selena. That weird message he'd gotten earlier, about how he should end his relationship with Selena or face the consequences, kept popping into his head. He'd thought it was just some crazy blogger, but now... now he had this sick feeling in his stomach.

Jaden's eyes snapped to Justin's. "I've got something," he said. "They spotted her. Brooklyn Bridge. A warehouse near the docks."

Justin's face went pale. "Let's go." He yelled, running out of the room, and grabbing his jacket and keys.

They sped through the city, sirens wailing. Justin's heart was pounding. He didn't know what they'd find, but he wasn't going to lose Selena. Not like this.

The warehouse was super creepy and dark. Justin and Jaden stayed hidden. They watched as the cops swarmed the place. Justin had called in a favor and told them it was a kidnapping but didn't say Selena's name. He didn't need any more drama in the news.

Finally, they came out. Selena was with them, looking spaced out. Justin watched, feeling this huge wave of relief. She was alive. She was safe.