4. Gold's POV

Death Or Help

I woke up the next morning feeling sore but ready to fly.

For some reason, I felt scared, like my eyes were clearer. As much as I wanted to cuddle in the arms of this man who wouldn’t let me touch him, despite counting all the moles on my body, I needed to run. Getting away from this cozy penthouse to face the harsh realities of my life was top on my list.

Usually, it’s yoga.

I descended the stairs, trying to be as discreet and silent as possible, but even as I reached the very gate of the penthouse, I didn’t see any of the five live-in staff he had introduced.

Like that, I escaped from the estate, hoping my limp didn’t give away the fact that I was worshiped like a goddess and ravaged like a feast all through the night.

“We are here, ma’am,” the driver announced, and I stepped into the magnificent building before me.

Luna Hotel.

The most expensive, but also the most secure hotel in LA. I came here whenever I needed to escape from my family. No one had ever found me during my stays, something I was banking on this time as well.

I made my way up to the VIP suite. Inside, I took my time soaking in the bathtub, strategizing about how I could no longer live with my life in Carlos’ hands. I needed to take control from now on, which meant breaking the merger between my company and his.

My phone rang, dragging me back to reality. I stepped out of the now-cold bath, wrapped a towel around my body, and shivered at the thought of what might have happened if Kent had been in there with me.

“Jenna, it’s me, Promise. I’ve been so worried. I… I couldn’t reach you all night, and you weren’t at home. Your uncle and aunt, they said you didn’t come back. Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.” Her voice was hurried, panicked, full of concern, but I couldn’t bring myself to accept it.

Not after I blocked all their numbers last night.

“I’m okay,” I replied briefly, putting the phone on speaker.

“I’m in front of Carlos’ office building. Come, let’s talk,” she urged, and I frowned, setting down my lotion.

“I don’t want to see anyone right now. I need alone time.”

“I know. Carlos told me everything, but you can’t just call off the wedding because of that.”

“Are you on my side or his?” I frowned, already knowing the answer but still craving someone who would be on my side, someone who understood me and wouldn’t betray me.

“I’m always on your side, bestie. We’ve been roommates since college, and you’ve been my closest friend. I just want to be here for you. I promise I didn’t bring Carlos. He doesn’t even know I’m meeting you.”

“But I definitely heard him pick your phone. You even called him babe,” I tried to harden my features and extract a confession from her, but she maintained her stand.

"I swear, I didn't do that, Jenna. I’m your best friend. Why would I hurt you?" 

I sighed, torn between trust and suspicion.

“Fine, I’ll meet you in an hour.”

After getting dressed, I took my time applying makeup to cover the dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep. I skipped breakfast, called a ride, and headed for the café.

“There you are! Jenna, over here!” I heard Promise call out from her corner in the café, waving enthusiastically.

“I ordered English tea for you—extra sugar, just how you like it,” she said, pushing the saucer toward me.

“Thanks. You wanted to talk about something?” I asked, eager to get it over with as I soothed my dry throat with the hot sweetened tea.

“Yes, Carlos told me about everything, but I want to hear from you.”

“He was at your place last night when you came out of the bathroom, wasn’t he?” I asked, trying to stifle a yawn.

“No, it was just my laptop. Carlos came in later.”

“So he didn’t see you in your towel?”

“No, he didn’t,” she denied without blinking, sounding too sure of herself. Her certainty pushed us into an uncomfortable silence.

I took another sip and yawned again.

“Are you okay?” she asked, leaning closer, concern clear in her eyes.

“I’m just tired. I didn’t get enough sleep,” I mumbled, noticing how heavy my eyelids felt.

I blinked hard, trying to focus. My hands trembled against the teacup, a weight sinking into my bones. 

“Your eyelashes are drooping. Maybe we should get you home,” she suggested, and I nodded. But when I tried to stand, I stumbled, almost hitting the floor if she hadn’t caught me.

“I don’t know... I feel... strange.”

Promise smirked. Not a smile. A smirk. “Do you? Well, that’s interesting. Must be the drug kicking in. You’re fine. It’s just the side effects.” Her breath was warm against my skin as she spoke, her voice sending alarm bells through my foggy mind.

My head swam as her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "Side effects of the drug I put in your tea, you bitch," she spat, her voice dripping with malice.

I stared at her, my pulse thudding in my ears. "What? What did you say?" My limbs were growing heavy, my thoughts sluggish.

“ You really are slow, aren’t you? You heard me. Now, get in the fking car." She shoved me toward the open door of the taxi.

I stumbled inside, fumbling for the door handle, but my fingers wouldn't cooperate. My body felt like it was moving in slow motion. "I… I need to get out of here," I whispered, more to myself than her.

Promise smirked, signaling to the driver. The car lurched forward. Panic clawed at my throat, but it was buried beneath the fog clouding my mind.

She laughed, cold and malicious. “Just something to make you lose your senses. You know my brother likes you, he’s been dying to have his way with you, and once you’re out of the way, I can finally be with Carlos. It’s a win-win.”

“No! Carlos would never…” I trailed off, my words losing their edge as the drowsiness overwhelmed me.

My mind raced, but my body felt like lead. I stumbled to stand, but my legs buckled beneath me as she pushed me into the cab. “Promise, I—”

She cut me off, stepping close, her breath hot against my cheek. “I liked him too. Always. But no, he stayed loyal to his perfect little Jenna. Well, let’s see how loyal he is after I destroy you.”

We pulled into a grimy motel, and I tried to fight back as Promise dragged me inside.

“Have fun, bro,” she shouted as she shoved me into a dimly lit room with her brother whom I could never stand, locking the door behind me.

I heard guttural sounds from the bed, and fear gripped me as I realized someone was approaching.

“Promise really gave you to me,” the man’s voice was low, lustful, and laced with menace.

“Please… don’t,” I pleaded, backing away, but I hit the bathroom door and fell inside.

“You’ve always looked down on me, haven’t you? Time to show you your place.”

Summoning the last of my strength, I locked the bathroom door behind me.

Begging and struggling to hold back my sobs, I pressed my body against the door, my breath shallow and frantic as Preston's fists pounded from the other side. Every slam rattled my bones, but I forced myself to stay as rational as I could.

I fumbled through my pocket, my fingers shaking, searching for my phone.

Blocked. His number was still blocked.

My heart lodged in my throat as panic surged through me, but I dialed the number on the card Kent had given me the day before.

The moment he answered, I gasped, “Please help me—RAPE! LA Motel, room 44.”

“Wait—what—?” Kent’s voice broke through the haze, as I cut him off.

“Help me, please,” I whispered, as the door suddenly burst open., tearing a scream from my throat.

“Hurry!”

Preston’s force sent me sprawling, losing my phone in the process as my head cracked against the ceramic toilet seat. The world spun violently.

I’d die before I let him lay his filthy hands on me.

But I didn’t know which would come first. Death or Help.