*Lily*Finding myself trapped in a dimly lit basement was not how I expected my evening to turn out. I mentally kicked myself knowing I should have realized Jean was not who he said he was. William was right, he was dangerous. I should have listened to him. Why hadn't I heeded his words of warning?I held back my tears as I looked around the basement after Jean had dropped me on the floor unceremoniously. A few dilapidated boxes stood in the corner filled with trash and I saw a mousetrap loaded behind it. The basement was lackluster with gray cement walls and an easel stood in the other corner with a few worn paints and brushes. What was the purpose of this room? Did Jean expect me to paint here?I looked up at him straight faced and tongue tied. What did he want? He had once come across so charming, like a pleasant figure that had found his way into my life just by happenstance. He had praised my work and entertained me with promises of grandeur and fame. He could have charmed r
*William*I rubbed my eyes as I walked up the stairs to Rick's office. I had not slept well. I’d tossed and turned all night and it was catching up to me, now. It was strange not having Lily beside me since I had become accustomed to her presence not only with me during the day but sleeping next to me at night. I hated the fact that I couldn't pull her to my side. Her absence was even more apparent because she had been taken from me.I was feeling desperate this early in the day, and absent-mindedly clutched the door handle of Rick's office. I stepped into the waiting room looking around and briefly admiring how Rick had decorated, barely registering the environment because I was distracted. I needed answers about Lily. My mind was going nuts. A secretary sat behind a desk, looking up at me from behind her round glasses as I approached. "William Shaw," I said before she could ask and recognition crossed her cream-colored face as she pressed a button on the desk.On cue, I hear
*Lily*I picked at the paint that had dried on my fingers wondering what time it was. Still stuck in this godforsaken shit hole of a basement, my prison felt like it was becoming smaller. My hands were red and pink from the colors I had just used in the painting and I chipped away at my nails nervously. I felt very unsanitary and wished I could have a sink to just wash my hands. I could even wash my hair, which had become slimy and sticky against my scalp.I had been given a pail to use the restroom, and I felt like it was a manipulative move to remind me I was a caged animal. Jean had come in a few times to check on my work and breathe heavily down my neck. He spared me any encouragement as he dragged me around this basement roughly hoping to get me started on a painting.I shivered thinking about it, because I couldn't stand being around him any longer than I had to. His true colors had shone through and they were ugly. I scoffed as I wondered if the word ugly was too kind of a
*William*I stared at this strange woman who had joined me at the bar in a dark part of town. I hoped she wasn't some gold digger who had figured out who I was. She knew my name but I was very much unaware of hers or who she was. It didn't feel good being left in the dark.The woman nodded in acknowledgment toward me as she downed the rest of her drink. She was mysterious and looked to be possibly older than me."From what I heard, you know my ex-lover Jean Laurent," she started to explain herself.Now things were starting to get interesting and heated up. The mystery was starting to unravel and unveil itself. An ex-lover of Jean Laurent, perhaps a spurned woman coming to me out of spite to rat out Jean? At least, that's what I was hopeful for."Ah," was all I said as she waited for me to respond. I didn't want to give too much away because perhaps she was meeting me with a ransom request. Perhaps Jean and her were still in cahoots despite their relationship."Nasty busines
*Lily*What would I give to have access to a comfortable pillow or a throw blanket? Something to rest my eyes on for just a few minutes. A fluffy pillow would be a welcome sight. I wished to lay my aching head down and catch a few minutes of much-needed sleep. Although, I couldn't be sure it would be a restful sleep knowing Jean was in this building waiting for me to finish my first few paintings. I pursed my lips thinking how I would never complain of an uncomfortable old chair or bed again after this experience. Even if I was given a stiff cot, I'd happily sleep in it with no questions asked. I contemplated whether I'd sleep on a stained mattress at this point. I could feel my desperation turning into irrational compromises and ideas.I shivered controllably feeling even more exposed and vulnerable the longer I stayed down in this basement. The thin fabric of my dress had been nice when visiting the Louvre but not helpful in the dungeon I was trapped in. How long had it bee
*William*I stared at the dark building that we had just seen Jean Laurent step out of to smoke a cigarette. No lights were on and it was so gloomy that I could not understand how someone like Lily would have gone unnoticed here. Lily was a vibrant and colorful soul, she drew everyone in around her with her bubbly personality and kindness. This building was the complete opposite of her, and it showed.I barely registered what the Directorate of Territorial Security was saying to all of us gathered in the back of a camouflaged van. They had been going over our strategy one more time but I could no longer contain myself. Without thinking or hesitating, I swung the van door open jumping out of it as it slammed hard at the end of the rolling track. I moved with a purpose as I took the steps up to the door. "Mr. Shaw! Come back, please stop!" One of the officers yelled behind me but I paid him no heed. I was going to get my precious Lily back. Fuck what they wanted. Her safety was
*Lily*I sighed with relief hearing Jean Laurent being placed into the cop car. I didn't register what all of the voices were saying around us. Only William. His hands hadn't left my body, touching me everywhere as if to make sure I was actually there. We hadn't said a word about our previous fight, it had been forgotten.I still couldn't believe I was out of the basement. I had been rescued by the exact person I had wanted to see. William and I were finally reunited, our embrace had offered me a sense of safety and solace in the midst of the chaos. His arms had felt so large as they tucked me closer into his body. I was safe again.I frowned trying to remember what had happened, like the trauma was already being blotted from my memory. From what I could recall, William had thrown Jean off of me in a fit of pure rage. I had never seen William like that and if it had been a different circumstance I would have been shocked. I realized now how much William cared for me the more time
*Lily*I fully submerged myself in the warm water to wash the slime out of my hair. Having no shower or real toilet for those hours I was with Jean had taken its toll on me. I squirted a large amount of shampoo and conditioner into my hair, scrubbing hard. William swatted my hands away as he began to massage my scalp and temples.."I said I want to help, I'm not leaving you alone another second," he said sitting on the edge of the tub focused entirely on me.I blinked with surprise and dropped my arms back into the warm, bubble-filled water. I hadn't taken him seriously but I chastised myself now knowing when William said something he meant it. I felt spoiled knowing most men just said whatever women wanted to hear, while William always followed through with his words and put them into action. I sighed feeling his fingers scrub away, and I could finally rest comfortably."I'm so happy you are back with me," he said, plunging his hands into the water to wash away the suds. "You