CHAPTER 03_ Trapped

His eyes roamed over me, lingering on every curve, filled with a hunger that made my skin crawl. "Stunning," he whispered, his breath caressing my ears.

His fingers began to trace the curve of my cheek. I shut my eyes in disgust, trying to shake him off, but he held tight onto me. His touch sent shivers down my spine as I panicked.

Jasper’s grin broadened as he continued, his hands sliding down towards my chest. I felt my face flush with humiliation and I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.

Just then, Mr. Jenkins, intervened awkwardly, "Mr Jasper, please, she's just a waitress, she doesn’t engage...ah...sexually with clients"

Jasper chuckled, his little laugh made my body vibrate.

“Well, then I’d be her first. She doesn’t get to decide, I make the decisions.” He added.

Eva rushed towards us, kneeling. Her eyes were pleading.

“I’m so sorry Sir, for my negligence. It was all my fault. Take…take me instead. I’ll go with you, I’ll do anything. Just let Quinn go, please. She’s just a student.”

Mr Jasper didn’t relent. His hands still continued to move all over me, as though he did not hear Eva’s desperate plea. He tucked my hair behind my ears, to get a clearer view of my face. 

He obviously didn’t care. 

The ruthless sets of beings, usually the wealthy, famous ones with power, never did.

In one instance, I heard the ripping sounds of fabric. It only took me seconds to realize that Jasper had just torn my clothes. Panic set in, as I struggled to break loose, but he was too strong for me.

No one was trying to help me or stop him. They all stared fixated and I wondered why. 

I felt abandoned and helpless as his eyes ravaged my body. 

Just as all hope seems lost. A commanding voice behind ordered him to stop. He let me go immediately, and I staggered back trying to cover up the rest of my revealing underwear, in the open.

As they left, Mr. Jenkins' expression darkened. His anger fixed on I and Eva, "You two," he growled. 

"You should be grateful you’re still here. Else, I would have fired you right on this spot. He made an attempt to leave, giving one final order on the spot.

“No one should dare help them” he ordered, leaving us behind.

I felt my world spinning and closing up on me. The room tilted, becoming black, void of colours and I fainted.

I remember waking up in the hospital, Eva’s worried face hovered above mine.

"Quinn, oh God, I'm so sorry," she whispered.

I struggled to sit up, confusion clouding my mind. "What...what happened?" I stammered.

Eva’s eyes welled up with tears. ”You fainted and Mr. Braxton Bryan sent someone to take you to the hospital.” You’re safe now.

My eyes widened. “Bryan Braxton?” The name echoed within me, stirring lost memories.

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BACK TO THE PRESENT_

I stirred from my memories, Bryan's gentle voice pulling me back from my reverie. I blinked, disoriented.

I didn’t realize the car had come to a stop, and we were at our destination; the restaurant. 

Bryan opened the door for me. As I stepped out, my eyes scanned the parking lot. I was wowed by the amount of people staring. I couldn’t entirely blame them; we made a striking couple, after all.

"Who's that with Bryan?" a woman whispered to her companion, eyes intently fixed on me.

"Must be his new girlfriend," the other replied, envy lacing in her tone.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. They had no idea.

Bryan offered his arm, and I took it, playing the part. We walked into the restaurant, faces turning to gaze at us.

"Right this way, Mr. Bryan," the maître d' said, leading us to our table.

As we sat, Bryan’s hand lingered on mine, making me very uneasy.

This is our routine now. He would invite me to dine with him, and I'd accept, trapped in a cycle of obligation. He'd escort me back home, never crossing the threshold. 

The predictability was suffocating, it was a constant reminder of my vulnerable position.

Tonight was no different. Bryan's eyes scanned me, his expression critical. 

"What’s on your mind? He inquired. And I quickly brush it off, feigning indifference.

“You can't look forced when accompanying me, I hope you know that?" he added, his voice low and commanding. 

"Smile, Quinn. Laugh. Make them believe you're happy." My subconscious teased.

I forced a smile, my heart heavy, but who was I fooling? 

Certainly not myself.

His sudden question caught me off guard. "What are your plans for winter vacation?"

"Urmm...my college is organizing a trip south for sketching, and I'd love to…," I replied, a spark of excitement flickering within me.

But Bryan's response cut short through mine. It was immediate and decisive. 

"Come with me to Paris instead. I'll be on a business trip to Europe in a few days, and we can stay for a while. I can introduce you to some French artists."

My protests died on my lips. 

It wasn't a request. It was a declaration. 

As if my opinion held no weight.

I remained mute and ate in silence.

After dinner ended. He made signals and a man approached us holding a small box in his hands.

“I got this for you”, Bryan announced, revealing an opulent beautiful diamond necklace.

It was indeed beautiful. He smiled, urging me to turn, and he fastened it around my neck.

His fingers brushed against my skin. To outsiders, we were a blissful couple—handsome, beautiful, and seemingly in love.

But I felt great pain, sensing that Bryan was playing with me like a mouse. There was no way he had forgotten what transpired years ago. This was a game, and I was just a pawn.

He hasn’t mentioned anything to me. Constantly taking me for dinner and spoiling me thereafter? All designed to keep me captive to his whims.

 I longed for him to reveal his true intentions. Do something to me out of the ordinary. Probably, make me face the consequences of our history.

My subconscious tried to play the devil’s advocate on me. “Maybe he doesn’t have such ulterior motives”. But I quickly silenced that thought. “I would be a fool to think that,” I countered.

As we left the restaurant, with Bryan’s arm wrapped around my waist. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was trapped in a gilded cage, with no escape. 

The stare continued, people assuming we were a couple. Little did they know I was trapped in this charade. 

His charade.

Bryan's hand covered mine, his touch sending shivers down my spine. 

And I forced a smile for the onlookers.