Prologue

Prologue

Khloe Anderson 

As I locked up my shop for the evening, I breathed a sigh of relief. My eyelids were practically closing on their own, and my back was killing me from baking constantly since morning. It had been a tough day at work, with many customers calling to place orders for parties, meetings and weddings. I'd also had to prepare lists that my staff would need to use in the morning. My catering service attracted customers, but at a time like now, I was happy to be going home. I couldn't wait until I lay perfectly on my bed tonight, and snuggled into my warm comforter, forgetting all about the world for at least a few hours. That's something I'm looking forward to.

Looking at my watch, I realize that it's 10 pm. The shop normally closed at six, but being the owner, I had to stay back to take care of a few things. My staff had already left, and it was just me in this building, making certain that when we opened in the morning, everything would be perfect. The floors were all cleaned, and the tables were waiting to be prepared in the morning. If I did forget anything tonight, I would have tomorrow morning to do some quick preparations.

Turning off the lights to the sitting area, I walked out the front door, and I'm greeted by the chilling air. It was the end of winter, but it was still cold enough to wear a coat or sweater. I couldn't wait for summer. We were still in the month of March, so hopefully, winter would cease soon. I prayed for that particular day.

As I walked down the side walk, I appreciated the New York City lights; the city that never sleeps. My phone suddenly began vibrating. Must be my dad checking up on me. This is his life's mission. Looking closely at the screen, I am greeted by none other than his picture.

"Hey dad," I answered, but my voice was the least bit welcoming. I'm exhausted; not in the mood for chit-chat.

"Hey sweetie. Where are you?" He asked, and I knew he was worried. Being a General in the US Army, it wasn't a surprise that he is concerned. He called every night at this time to make sure I got home safely. Sometimes, I was already home, but other times, I would still be at work. A night like now, I wish I was home, so he wouldn't be worried too much. However, knowing my dad, too much is never enough. Also, my car being packed a few blocks away from my shop didn't reassure him. If he could possibly have me pack my car in the shop, he would. However, he couldn't control everything, and he knew it. Well, I reminded him every day.

"I just left my shop." I replied, looking around as I continued walking.

I heard his intake of breath, and I knew he was trying to control his breathing. He wasn't happy that I was still out. However, he didn't scold me like he normally did. Instead, he replied, "Okay, I have to go now. Call me when you get home. Bye love you."

"Bye dad," I said and hung up.

The streets weren't deserted like I'd appreciate at this point. Actually, most of the people I passed were couples walking hand in hand. Seeing them gave me a punch in my gut. It's like the universe trying to tell me something; 'Khloe, when will you have this?', or 'Khloe, see. That should be you'. I've never been in any relationship, and I wasn't sure I would. My dad drove away any, and every single guy who showed interest in me. You could call him overly protective. I think it comes with the job he has, of protecting people, and his rank made him constantly paranoid. I don't know how my mom happened to stay married to my dad for 25 years, and didn't get tired of his constant worrying.

That's how it has always been. My older brothers, Cody and Josh didn't get much of his prying. They could do anything they wanted. However, being the only girl, and 'daddy's little princess', I went through it all. I would've had bodyguards if it wasn't for me putting my feet down and standing up for myself. I didn't need people constantly watching over me. I needed space, and that's exactly why I moved out when I had the chance.

A year ago, when I turned 22, and graduated with my degree in business management, I decided to go straight to business, and knowing my mom owned a flower shop before she met my dad, I'd always wanted to follow in her footsteps. I started off as a little bakery, baking anything I could think of at the time. The first few months were difficult, and I hardly ever got any customers, but when a lady came up to me one day and asked me to prepare cupcakes for a book conference, I didn't say no. I was desperate. She was like my very own guardian angel. 

I'd needed a big break in my life, and in the end, it all turned out wonderful. She happened to give my name to a friend until people started ordering biscuits, cupcakes, and cookies, to the point where I had to add more items to the menu. When I least expected, there was an article in a famous magazine about my shop and from that, business has become amazing. On the income, I could hire more people, and expand, until now that my shop is large enough to host a party. We hosted birthday parties for kids, business meetings for companies, forums, but we mostly catered. 

In the morning, we make a simple breakfast for people who are up and about, and too lazy to make breakfast for themselves. The rest of the day, we bake- any- and every-thing. 

It's the smiles I see on people's faces every day that make me do what I do. When I see kids happily eating whatever treat we've prepared, I can't help but smile, and be proud of myself- and also wish I had kids of my own.

I smile, remembering the journey I traveled to be where I am presently. It wasn't easy, but I knew life has its way of surprising us with what we least expect. My parents always encouraged me, and my mom gave me new recipes to try every day. My brothers mostly came to my shop to eat all the left over treats. However, this is beside the point.

As I continued on my journey to my car, I looked around at the people I passed, and smiled. 'One day gone, another approaching' I thought to myself, as I entered my car.

~**~

Arriving at the door of my apartment, I sigh in relief. Finally home. I couldn't wait to take a warm bath in my tub, basking in the water so perfectly refreshing. Then, I would curl up in my soft bed, under my comforter, and pause for a moment to appreciate heaven on earth. And finally, I would allow my body to drag me into a shadowy world of dreams.

Stepping inside, I locked the door, placing my bunch of keys into its rightful bowl in the living room. Looking around the dark living room, I realize that the air is warm, which is strange. It's a total contrast from the air outside. Normally, I have to turn on the heat as I enter through the door. I'd made many complaints to my landlord before the heater had been fixed, and I never left it on when I left the house. Actually, I could remember turning it off before I left my apartment this morning. Or, was it yesterday morning?

I sigh; too tired to think about anything but my bed right now. The issues of my apartment would be dealt with in the morning. Now, I would head straight to the bathroom.

Reaching over to turn on the light, my hand doesn't get to the switch before my mouth is covered by a pair of hands in black leather gloves. I freeze, but a moment later, reality begins to settle in, and fear courses through my entire body.

I try to scream, punch, hit, or whatever people normally do when there's a stranger in their apartment, but it's all to no avail. Tears rushed down my cheek, but I didn't stop them. I couldn't stop them. This had never happened before, and I had no idea how to escape. I wasn't sure I would. I couldn't see my attacker, and my phone was too far away to call someone.

Oh, God!

Looking closely- as best as I can in my condition- I notice another man coming from the shadows. I can't see his face, as it's covered in a mask, but I shake in fear that it's not only one, but two. One, maybe I could escape, but being two of them, my chances were pretty slim.

For the first time in all my life, I cursed my mom's genes. I'd taken her petite physique of 5'5", and my body seemed to forget all about my dad's height or body build. Also, I regretted not going to the gym. I should've invested in a treadmill. I should've...Ugh!

I lived on the first floor of the two story apartment, and my neighbour worked during the night. There would be no one to hear even if I screamed. If they're here to rob me, I would give them all my belongings. However, the fact that they waited for me till I got home, raised an alarm. If they were here to rob me, they would've taken everything and ran away even before I came back to my apartment. However, turning my gaze to where the 50'' television was, I realized that it was still there. Actually, everything seemed to be intact. So why are they here?

It couldn't be- could it? They can't be here to kidnap me...

"You don't have to be scared," the one in front of me said, his voice muffled by the mask. "We won't hurt you."

I didn't believe him. I couldn't. They're in my apartment, possibly kidnapping me, and he wanted to reassure me with the words 'we won't hurt you'. I'd seen and heard this in movies, and they never ended in the victim's favour. I'd best believe an enemy. But now, they were the enemies.

Then, I remembered that I had to call my dad when I reached home. And if I didn't call, he'd be looking for me. For once in the years I've been on my own, I regretted moving out of my parents' house, and turning down my dad's offer on having bodyguards, or at least someone keeping an eye on me. Then, I realized no one was coming to save me. I'm on my own, and I'd never felt so scared in my life.

"We need to leave," the one holding me said. I saw the other man nod, and removing something from his pocket, I realized it was tape. I screamed, knowing what was to happen. But, even I didn't hear my voice.

Oh no!

I squirmed, trying to escape my kidnappers grip. I didn't want to be tied up. I'd never experienced this before, but I knew it couldn't be comfortable. However, I didn't want to die either.

"Stop moving, sweetheart," the other said, and I wish I could punch him in the face. However, I knew it would never work out. My vision started to blur from the constant crying that I was doing. Before I knew it, my hands were bound, and my mouth next.

"No!" I tried to scream, but it came out as 'Mm.'

When the one who had covered my mouth took out a cloth from his pocket, I knew this wouldn't be good. And it wasn't because I couldn't stop him, and the last thing I remembered was my body giving up to oblivion.