Chapter 3: Failed Escape

Elvis (Jace)’s Pov

Slowly I opened my eyes from what felt like I had been asleep for a decade, the flashes from the Tv screen cleared the blurriness from my vision of the room. After checking out the room for any familiarity, the reality becomes clear that I am in a room I have never been before. Shifting my focus, I noticed the drip stand on the bedside. The drip is attached to my hand, I hurriedly sit up but the aching pain from my arm jolts me back to reality. In a flash, the memories begin to rush in. “Damn Nickolai” I hissed holding my wounded arm. I ripped the IV set off my hand and get out of the bed ignoring the bleeding I had caused as a result of my action. I walked around the suite in search for the door. But i am only met with the view of the bathroom with a large bathtub, the toilet and a walk – in closet with clothes that are made of weird designs and definitely not my style.

Finally, I found the large door of the suite. I grab the door knob to open it but it won't bulge. I tried, again and again, but it won’t open. Just as I expected, it’s not going to be easy getting out of this place. After failing on every possible means to open the door, I went back to the bedroom to search for tools or any object I can use to open the door but found nothing. Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door open. I stood anxiously waiting for the door to open. Two arms guards walked in leading a maid in to the room. I stand watching the maid set a meal of Polenta, brown rice with kidney beans and a glass of water. I sat on the chair to get closer to the maid. Before I could say a word the maid, one of the guards who seem to have seen through my motive. Then one of the guards who seems to have seen through my motive stood attentively watching us frivolously. My attempt to communicate with the maid failed. After the meal was served, they left the room without saying a word or sparing me a look. Later in the day, the doctor came to attend to my wound.

He also gave some prescriptions. The maids and doctors attend to me under supervision. I haven't been allowed to communicate with any other them. Days after days. The realization that I am being imprisoned by Nickolai is getting to me and this is starting to drive me crazy. After spending three days in the suite, Nickolai is yet to show his face in my presence. I am being restricted to the daily routine of taking showers, dressing up, eating, watching Italian series and sleeping.

This is so different from the lifestyle that I am used to. Day after day, I am forced to search through the closet to find a decent outfit that is palatable and decent enough to wear. The under wears are laced with beads and pearl. And today, my fourth day of being locked up, another day to search for a decent outfit in this god damn slutty closet. Do men wear lingerie??

This is Nickolai's doing. I growled angrily searching through the shelf. Ugh!!This is so annoying. After rummaging the closet, I finally found some Calvin Klein boxers hidden at the back of the shelf. I put on a grey pant and a casual shirt. I entered the bedroom barely calming the anger and frustration building up in me. I have no idea what Nickolai is doing at the party where we met. The last time I checked, he was just an ordinary teenage back in the past. Although, it’s being since I last saw him. Because I left the juvenile with the determination to never look back. This includes me cutting all times with the acquaintances I had back in those days. I left the institute without telling a soul about my release.

Looking back at it, many must be shocked after hearing the news about my release. Amongst them, I seemed to have forgotten the person whom I had a relationship with, Nickolai. I wonder how he felt, after I left. From his temper, he would have turned every dormitory upside down in burning rage to search for me. Even if he did get mad, what we had was just a short-term thing. In no time, he should be over it. I see no reason why Nickolai held me hostage in his house. I am getting sick of being locked up. I don’t care about Nickolai’s intention; I am definitely getting out of here. Whether easily or forced, I am leaving. Just when I made up my mind about my escape, the two guards assigned to monitor me happens to come in at the wrong time. In a flash, I rushed towards one of the guards, before he could read through my actions. I flip him over and take the gun from him. I aim the gun to his head to get the second guard to oblige to every of my request. The second guard instantly pulled out his gun and shield the doctor behind. I watch him yell at the doctor to leave. The panicked doctor hurriedly ran out of the suite. This is probably a bad escape plan but I don’t care. I don’t have all the time to set up a plan. Either this, or nothing.

"Put down the gun or I'll fucking blow his head" I threatened putting the tip of the gun to the guard's head.

The second guard refuse to put down the gun. I need to scare him to get him to surrender. My eye search around the suite before landing on a glass jug filled with water. It just happens to be behind the second guard. I raise the gun and fired a shot at the glass jug. The sound of shattered glass and water splashes filled the room. Tiny bits of sweat emit from the guard's face but he didn't back down. Taking my threat for mere bluff. I spoke again in a deep tone.

"Put down the gun now or the next bullet will be in his head". Reluctantly, the second guard raised his hands in submission and threw the gun in my direction which I vigilantly kicked far away. "Lead the way". I command directing them to the main door. They head towards the door with their hands raised. The first guard opened the door. They lead me down the staircase to what seemed like a penthouse. All of a sudden, I hear claps behind me “Wow, I applaud your effort. I must say, you're one hell of a strategist." I turned to the direction of the voice and there sat Nickolai with many guards aiming their guns in my direction.

"Shit!!!" I hurriedly put the two hostages on their knees. "If you don't want them dead, let me out now" I yelled. But my actions didn't seem to get any reaction from him. He reaches for the glass and take a sip of the alcohol. "Thought it was going to be that easy?? Sweetie, it can't. I have been searching for you for a long time and you think I am just going to let all my efforts go to waste?? Nah, not happening." He smirks sitting comfortably in the sofa.

His nonchalant attitude seems to infuriates me. Am l holding the wrong piece of chess?? No, two lives should be worth enough reason from him. I angrily fired at the room chandelier, the noises and the shattering increase the guard’s alertness but Nickolai retained his calm self. "I won't hesitate to fire the next shot at them if you don't let me out of here" I yelled furiously.

"Damn!!! That really cost a fortune. It's imported from Germany." He replied ruffling his hair. "Jace, do we really have to this the hard way?" He asked. "I don't care. Just let me go. I have family and friends waiting for me. They are going to look for me". I claim still aiming the gun at my hostages. He stares at me and burst into a fit of laughter. His laughter infuriates me more. He finally spoke "The one who abandoned you to die??” He pauses. “Jace, put down the gun while I ask nicely.” He speaks. I tighten my grip on the gun. “No, I’ll only spare their life, if you let me go. And don’t fucking call me Jace. My name’s not Jace.” I corrected still refusing to surrender.

He crosses his legs “My bad, there are just too many of them, so I had to use the name I know well. Or would you prefer to be called Elvis or Choi Narim?” He cocked his brow.

“You fucking asshole! Did you run a background check on me?” I asked, furious that all my cover ups and identities are exposed.

“It was quick difficult finding you because every information about you is off the internet. You did a pretty good job hiding but at the end, you still can’t escape me.”

“Honey, put down the gun….. you really don't have to do this.” He says nonchalantly. I fired another shot into the air to show him how serious I am.

“Seems to me, that you want to play this the hard way; I’ll do well to play along. Give me a second."

He reaches into his suit pocket and brings out a familiar necklace. "Are you talking about him?" He asked with a smug look on his face. The face I had kept at the back of my mind appears vividly in my mind... "No, no,no .... What have you done to him?? What did you do to Marc? Where is he? I swear if anything happens to him, I will never forgive you." I shouted trembling slightly barely managing to control myself. His silence and grins increase my panic. "Yea, yea my ear is starting to hurt. Bring him in" Nickolai ordered.

In the next moment, they brought Marc into the room. He had been tortured beyond recognition. He could barely stand. He looks up to my face and barely mouth the world 'Hyung'. I stared in shock at my best buddy who is on the verge of losing consciousness at any time.

For a moment I had forgotten that even if the Keegans abandon me. Someone is still going to look for me. I am all Marc has after I saved his life on the street. He has sworn his life and loyalty to me. "H... how could yo..you do this?? I stuttered still staring in horror before noticing Nickolai cleaning his gun with a napkin.

He stands from the sofa and work majestically towards Marc. "Three days ago, this little thing broke into my mansion and thought he was going to infiltrate my territory without me noticing. Unfortunately for him, my mansion is heavily guided." He said cocking his gun. " His trespass couldn't surpass my monitoring eyes. He is hellbent stubborn. Despite all the torture, he refused to say a word. Only until the necklace comes into question before we could get a confession from him that he was searching for you. As the Asians would say - curiosity kills the cat. This is the end of your journey"

He stopped his movement beside Marc aiming his guns to his head. "Nickolai, what are you doing?" I shouted. He replied with a smirk "Darling, what's wrong? Seems you want to play want to play it the hard way, I decided to play along". " Nickolai, stop this right now!. You know what?? how about I let these men go. And you give Marc to me and let us leave. It's a win-win." I said desperately. " No, that's a loss on my end. How about this, if you stay, I will see to it that he is properly treated and cared for. This or his death." Nickolai replied still aiming the tip of the gun at Marc's head. "What do you think sweetheart?? You don't have much choice. Do you??"

"Fine, fine.... Have it your way. Just don't hurt him please." I pleaded. Putting down the gun. My hostages quickly race to Nickolai's side. "I'm a man of my words" He said before facing the guards "See that he is properly treated by the doctors. Get him out of here.". After the guards left the room, leaving Nickolai and I behind.

I sighed defeated, having lost my chance to escape. While thinking of my next move, Nickolai takes large strides towards me. Before I could act, suddenly I am being engulfed in an intense kiss. I stiffen out of shock and disbelief. I nearly lost my balance at the sudden approach. I pulled at his suit jacket to get him off me. Each time, I tried to pull away, he deepens the kiss even more. He explores every part of my mouth despite my struggles and fight. This continued for three minutes, just when I was about to lose my breath. He finally released me from his grip, leaving me to pant and gasp for air. He stared down at me in amusement. After organizing myself, a wave of anger swept through me, instantly I landed a hard punch on his face. "You fucking bastard" I hissed. He wipes the blood off the little cut on his lip.

"Delectable as before." He says biting his lip. "I fucking missed the taste. I sighed in tiredness pushing him out of my way. I head towards the stairs leading back to the suite. He followed behind. My anger and frustration seem to be amusing to him. "Hey, you're just going to ignore me?? Say something. Honey, don’t you miss me?" He taunts smiling mischievously. I ignored him opening the door to the suite. He continues. "Well, I miss you. And I am pretty sure you do too" leaning on the door frame. "I don't" I replied irritably.

Traces of anger still evident in my face. "Look, why are you doing this?? This isn't fair. I have my own life to live and I don't owe you anything. So why are you holding me hostage in your house?" I questioned. He scoffs "You don't owe me anything?" He asked raising his brow. "Oh dear, do I need to jolt your memory?? Have you forgotten what we had? The memories we share and...." I cut him off. "What we had was just a little fling. Get over it for god‘sake. It's all in the past. Moving on will be better for both of us". He eyes darkens. " Do you mean that all we had was merely nothing. You disrespect our memories by call it a fling. I see, this explains why you left without a goodbye. How dare you? Am I really that worthless to you?" He takes heavy steps towards me. "Nickolai, stand back" I said. " You have no idea how long I have been looking for you. Searched the whole internet for 'Park Jace', but found nothing. It was like you disappeared into thin air. You have no idea how miserable I felt and you dare to call us a fling?" He uttered sternly. " Honey, you know better than to provoke me". I take a step back to avoid the close distance between us.

I lost my balance and sat on the bed. I look up at him staring me down with his dark eyes. He expression changes to worry. He held my arm to check to check my wound. " Looks like you have been taking the medicine. Your wound is healing face." I pulling my arm out of his hold. "You fucking shot me" I glared. "It's just a tranquilizer." He defended. I continue to glare at him. "C'mon don't look at me like that. And for your information, you won't be leaving the mansion without my permission. Don't even think about convincing my maids and doctors. They won't listen to you." Dude, what the fuck!!!. How do you expect me to just stay lock up in a room and do not. I am no prisoner nor am I your hostage." I declared.

"Trust me, you'll be just fine. If you behave well, I might let you out for some fresh air. Be a good boy and be obedient, I promise you will enjoy your stay here. And you had better not try to escape. Even if you try, you will always fail." He warned. " Fuck you Nickolai " I said unfazed by his warning. "I will, gladly" He bites his lip. I scoffed at his smirking face. "Rest well. Dinner will be delivered at 7:00pm" he says before heading towards the door. "Wait ..... Please don't lock the door”. I plead. Staring at him with my puppy eyes. For a second, I see him contemplating whether to lock the door or not. His expression changes to a cold stare "We can't do that Honey". Those were the last words he said to me before shutting the door behind him. I bolt to the door and tried opening it but it's locked. I mumble some curses before going back to bed. I searched around for the TV control. I soon gave up after realizing the TV doesn't have a control, so basically, I am stuck with Italian dramas all day. Ugh!!! Fuck this!!!.