DANGER ZONE

Isabella’s POV

I opened my eyes, to an unfamiliar ceiling above me. I was in a large, dimly lit room, and I couldn't remember how I got there. The last thing I remembered was a sharp pain in my neck. I wasn't sure where I was or what had happened to me.

As my senses returned, I remembered that some men had come to my house and taken me away. I couldn't recall their faces, but I remembered the terror I felt when they grabbed me. And then I remembered the pain in my neck before everything went dark. I sat up, my heart pounding in my chest. I was in a strange house, and I didn't know where I was. I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I had to get out of there, but I didn't know where to go or what to do.

I stood up, my legs shaking underneath me. I took a step forward, and my eyes fell on a man sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He was staring at me with a smirk on his face. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I didn't know who he was or what he wanted from me. But I knew that I was in danger. The man stood up and started walking towards me, his eyes never leaving mine.

Despite my fear, I couldn't help but notice that the man was striking. He had dark hair and piercing green eyes, he was tall and muscular, and dressed in a dark suit, He looked like he was someone of importance. But his eyes were cold, and they sent a chill down my spine. I backed away from him, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

The man's smile sent a shiver down my spine. It was a smile of pure malice, and it made me feel sick to my stomach. He didn't say anything, but he kept walking towards me. I pressed myself against the wall, my hands shaking as I tried to stay calm. But my heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to pass out. I had to do something, but I didn't know what.

“Staring is impolite." the man said, his voice soft and smooth. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. I didn't want to talk to this man, but I knew I had to say something. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling. "I didn't mean to stare." The man's smile widened, and he took another step towards me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

“Why are you keeping me here against my will? I need to go home, let me go or I’ll call the cops” I managed to say trying to sound confident.

"You're in no position to ask me questions, I decide what to do with you, and did you say the cops?” He laughed and became serious again “I bet you don’t know who you’re talking to." He said, his tone stern. "I'm in control here, and you will do as I say." I felt a surge of panic as I realized that this man was dangerous. I had to get out of here, but I didn't know how.

“Please let me go,” I said as I looked at him in his eyes.

He took another step towards me, and I could feel my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. I was frozen with fear, unable to move, I began to panic.

“What a smart mouth we’ve got here huh, Listen, I don’t repeat myself,” he said grabbing me by my neck.

“From now on, you belong to me and you’ll have to do whatever I say without questions, Is that understood” I nodded while shivering in fear “Words,” he said glaring at me “Yes” I managed to say.

"You have an hour to get ready," the man said, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Be on your best behavior tonight, if you want to see your father alive.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room leaving me alone and trembling. I stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. I knew I had to find a way to escape, but I had no idea how to do it. I was trapped, and I didn't know what to do.

I took a deep breath to calm myself after he left. I shouldn’t let him know that I’m scared of him.

I rushed to the door trying to turn the handle, but it was locked. I jiggled the handle, over and over again, my heart pounding. I was trapped, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I started to cry, my hands trembling. I felt like I was going to be sick. I had to find a way out, I looked around the room, searching for any possible escape route. But there was nothing.

My thoughts turned to Dad. I wondered if he was okay and if the men who had taken me had done anything to him. I felt a surge of worry and panic as I imagined the worst. I had to find a way to get to Dad, to make sure he was okay. But I was trapped in this room.

As I paced around the room, I began to notice the details of my surroundings for the first time. The walls were painted a soft blue, and the furniture was ornate and expensive. A vase of flowers sat on a table, and the scent of lavender filled the air. I was struck by how beautiful the room was, despite the situation I was in. I found myself drawn to the window, and I looked out at the view.

As I looked out the window, I heard the door click, and I whirled around to see a woman standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a simple black dress, and her hair was pulled back in a neat bun. She gave me a small smile. "I've brought you some food," she said, her voice soft and kind. I looked at the tray of food in her hands, and my stomach rumbled. I hadn't realized how hungry I was.

I hesitated, what if the food was poisoned? What if this was all a trap? The woman must have seen the doubt on my face because she spoke again. "I promise, it's not poisoned," she said, her voice gentle. "I would never do anything to harm you, if not the boss won’t spare me. You must be hungry." She set the tray down on the table, and I stared at the food. I was so hungry, but I was still afraid.

“I’m sorry ma’am but you’ll have to eat, the boss ordered you to be brought here and you can’t leave without his permission, you’ll just have to be obedient if you want to leave here soon, that’s all I can say”.

The woman's words hung in the air, and I felt torn. I was starving, but I was also scared. I knew that if I disobeyed the boss, there would be consequences. I didn't know what those consequences would be, but I didn't want to find out. The woman was still standing there, waiting for me to make a decision.

I reached for a piece of bread and took a small bite. The woman watched me, a look of relief on her face. "Thank you," she said giving me a phone and my eyes widened. "We'll need to get you ready for the event, so we should start now." She gestured to the door, where I could see three people waiting. I took a deep breath and followed the woman out of the room. I felt nervous and scared, but I knew I had no choice.

“Please give me a moment, I’ll be right behind you,” I told her and she nodded leaving the room.

I quickly sat on the bed dialing Dad's number but he wasn’t picking up.

I tried calling Liam my only friend and he picked up on the first ring. “Hello,” he said as soon as he picked up the call. “Liam” I managed to say between tears “Bella! Is that you?”

I couldn’t answer him as the door to my room flung open and Moreno came in. He quickly took the phone from me and smashed it against the wall. I got up from the bed shaking, scared of what he was going to do to me.

“How dare you” he growled and I shook in fear “You dare call your little boyfriend huh? I told you that you’re mine and you can’t escape from me, Just one test and you already failed,” he said standing in front of me weighing me with his eyes.

He brought out a gun I didn’t notice he had with him and sat on the bed, this was the second time I was seeing a gun in real life.

“Strip” he commanded. Was he crazy or a psychopath? There’s no way in hell I was going to strip for him.

I watched as he stood up, towering over me as he approached. My heart was pounding as I scrambled backward, only to find myself trapped against the wall. I felt a rush of panic as he loomed closer, his eyes fixed on me. I knew I had no choice but to face him, and I braced myself for whatever was to come.

“Open your mouth” he commanded cocking his gun. Is he going to kill me?

I slowly opened my mouth and he forcefully put the gun in my mouth, I felt like I was going to gag.

“Suck it whore, before I blow your brains out,” he said. I couldn’t do it, I cried helplessly. “Now strip and don’t let me repeat myself,” he said sitting back on the bed.

As I stood there, frozen in fear, I couldn't help but close my eyes and wish for a miracle. I wanted so desperately for this all to be a bad dream, but it felt so real. I could feel the wall against my back, and I could smell his cologne. I knew this was happening, and I had to find a way to survive this. I just had to do what he wanted as I had no other choice.

My eyes fluttered open, and I saw him sitting on the bed, staring at me intently. I felt his gaze burning into me, and I knew I had to say something. But I couldn't find the words. I tried to speak, but my voice was frozen in my throat. I felt trapped, like a butterfly caught in a net. And he was the one holding the net.

“What are you waiting for? go on! I’m not a very patient man” he said looking at me with disgust.

His tone was harsh, and it made me shrink back in fear. I was terrified of what he might do if I didn’t do as he said. I tried to think of the right words, the ones that would keep me safe. But all I could think of was how to escape, how to get away from this man who made me feel so small and helpless.

I tugged at my jeans and pulled them down slowly, I was left with the shirt I was wearing that barely covered my butt. I looked back at him and he was looking at me intently. I held the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head slowly, I was left with just my bra and panties.

He got up slowly looking at me with lust. “From now on, you wear only red underwear, is that clear?” I stared at him unable to answer “Isabella!” He shouted and held me by my neck. “Yes, yes” I managed to say. “It’s master for you, don’t forget I own you” I quickly nodded. He looked at me one more time before leaving the room.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt so ashamed. I couldn't believe that I had let myself get into this situation. I felt like a failure like I had let myself down. I knew that I had to find a way to get out of this, but I didn't know how. I just wanted to go home, to be somewhere safe and away from this man. I just wanted to be free.

As I walked out of the room, I tried to look calm and composed, but I knew that I was anything but that. My heart was racing, and my mind was spinning. I followed the woman whom I had met earlier, and she led me to another room. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew that I had to be strong. I had to keep my head high and pretend that everything was okay. Even though I was scared, I knew that I had to be brave.

The room I was led into was luxurious and spacious, with a large tub in the center. The woman pointed to the tub and said, "Please get in. We need to make you look your best." I felt apprehensive, but I did as I was told. The water was warm and soothing, and I relaxed as the woman began to wash my hair. I closed my eyes, trying to clear my mind. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about what was to come.

The woman directed me to a chair after I was done, and I sat down, feeling exhausted. As the woman began to work on my hair and makeup, I closed my eyes and tried to relax. But I felt on edge like something bad was about to happen. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, and I couldn't shake it off.

When the woman was done, she spun the chair around so I could look in the mirror. I gasped. I barely recognized myself. My eyes were smoky and dramatic, and my lips were a deep red. My hair was perfectly curled, and I looked nothing like myself. I felt like a doll, and it made me feel uneasy. I didn't know who I was anymore. The woman gave me a reassuring smile. "You look lovely," she said. But I didn't feel lovely at all.

She handed me a dress, and I gasped when I saw it. It was a deep red strapless low-cut gown. It was beautiful, but it also made me feel uncomfortable. I wasn't used to wearing such revealing clothing, and I didn't feel like myself in it. I looked at the woman, unsure of what to do. "You have to wear this," she said firmly. "It's part of the plan." and I swallowed hard, knowing that I had no choice.

She handed me a small clutch and a pair of high heels, both in the same deep red as the dress. I slipped on the shoes, wincing as I felt the tight straps cut into my feet. The woman smiled and said, "You look perfect." I stood up, trying to get used to the heels. They were much higher than anything I had ever worn before, and I felt unsteady. I was starting to feel overwhelmed and out of my depth.

"Mr. Moreno will be here in five minutes," the woman said, looking at her watch. "You have to be ready." She gave me one last look over and nodded, apparently satisfied with my appearance. I felt like I was being prepared for something terrible, but I didn't know what it was. All I knew was that I had to go downstairs in five minutes, and I was terrified of what was to come.

As I stepped out of the room and started to descend the stairs, I was struck by the beauty of the house. It looked like a castle, with its high ceilings and ornate moldings. There were paintings on the walls, and the furniture was all antique and expensive-looking. I felt like I had stepped into a whole new world, one that was far different from my own. I shivered, knowing that I didn't belong here.

As I descended the stairs, my mind raced with thoughts and emotions. I knew that I had to stay calm, no matter what happened. I would try to talk to the boss. I would tell him that I didn't belong here and that I wanted to go home. I knew that there was a chance he wouldn't listen to me, but I had to try. And if he wouldn't listen, I would try to escape. I didn't know how I would do it, but I knew I had to try.

We approached the car, and the driver opened the door for me. I got in, and I expected Mr. Moreno to follow me. He got into the car on the other side, I sat down making sure to leave a space between us. The driver closed the door, and we were alone in the car. I could feel Mr. Moreno's gaze on me, but he didn't say a word. I felt a strange tension in the air, and I was unsure of what to do.

He turned to me and said, "Smile. We need to make a good impression tonight." His voice was firm, and I knew that he was serious. I took a deep breath and did my best to put on a cheerful expression. But inside, I was feeling anything but happy. I felt trapped, and I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.

“Don’t forget what’s at stake here, give people something to talk about and your dad pays for your mistake. Understood?” He said suddenly, I rolled my eyes at his words while looking out of the window.

“Look at me when I talk to you and fucking answer me” he suddenly said with so much authority that made me shiver. “I understand” I immediately replied looking at him.

I knew that my father's life was on the line here and that I had to play my part perfectly. But I also knew that something was off about this whole situation. I had a bad feeling, and I couldn't shake it. As the car pulled up to the venue, I felt a sense of dread. I steeled myself for whatever was to come. I just hoped that I would be able to get through the night without making any mistakes.

When the car doors opened, we were greeted by a sea of cameras and microphones. The reporters were clamoring for our attention, and I was taken aback by the sheer number of them.

“Behave! No one here can save you from me,” he said with his lips very close to my ear. Did he know I was planning to ask someone for help? I felt his warm breath on my face. He moved back smiling at me sweetly, I took his outstretched hand and got out of the car. “Remember to smile and stay close to me,” he said

Mr. Moreno put a hand on my arm, and his grip was firm. He led me towards the entrance, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I had never been in a situation like this before, and I felt completely out of my element.

The noise of the reporters was overwhelming. I could hear their questions, but they were all jumbled together and I couldn't make out a single word. I felt like I was in a daze, and I could only focus on Mr. Moreno's hand on my arm. I clung to that touch, using it to ground myself in the chaos. We made our way to the door, and I felt a sense of relief as we stepped inside.

I knew that I had to appear strong and confident, even though I was feeling anything but confident. Mr. Moreno was towering over me, and I felt like a child next to him. I straightened my spine and held my head high, doing my best to look like I belonged there. But inside, I was shaking like a leaf. I had never been so scared in my life.

The hall was decorated with rich fabrics and luxurious furnishings. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the walls were covered in paintings. I felt completely out of place like an imposter who had snuck into a world that they didn't belong in. I wanted to turn and run, but I knew that it was too late for that and I had to see this through to the end.

As I looked around, I saw that many of the women in the room were giving me dirty looks. They were dressed in expensive gowns, and their jewelry sparkled under the chandeliers. I tried to remain calm, but I felt like I was about to burst into tears. Mr. Moreno seemed oblivious to the tension in the room, and he was talking to people like everything was normal.

I couldn’t help but admire the waitstaff. They all looked so composed, like they had been trained to have a perfect smile. Their smiles seemed to be frozen in place, never wavering or changing. I wondered how they were able to maintain such composure, to keep such a perfect smile.

We were led to a table, and I took a seat next to Mr. Moreno. As I looked around, I saw that there were many different tables, and each one had an auctioneer standing next to it. I realized that this was some kind of charity auction, and I felt even more out of place. I had never been to anything like this before.

I reached for a glass of champagne, hoping that it would help to settle my nerves. I took a small sip, and I immediately felt a warm sensation spreading through my body. I could feel the tension in my shoulders start to loosen. I took another sip, and I began to feel like I could get through this. But then I heard the auctioneer clear his throat, and I knew that the real test was about to begin.

I heard the auctioneer's voice start to drone on, but I tuned him out. I was more interested in watching the other people in the room. I saw them chatting and laughing, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of envy. They seemed so carefree, and they didn't seem to have a care in the world.

I felt Mr. Moreno's hand on my leg, and I immediately tensed up. I looked at him, and he gave me a warning look. I knew that I had to play along, but I was terrified of what he might do if I disobeyed him. I tried to focus on the auction, but I felt his hand on my leg like a hot brand. I couldn't help but squirm in my seat, desperate to get away from him. But I knew that I couldn't move, or else he would know that I was disobeying him.

I kept taking sips of my champagne, trying to maintain my composure. I tried to block out everything around me, focusing only on the taste of the drink. I could feel the alcohol start to take effect, and I began to feel a little lightheaded. But I knew that I couldn't let myself get too drunk, or I would be in even more trouble. I had to find a balance, staying sober enough to be presentable but buzzed enough to get through the night.

Suddenly, Mr. Moreno stood up. He looked at me and said, "It's time." I felt a jolt of fear, and I felt my heart start to race. I followed him out of the room, my mind spinning. I had no idea what he had planned, but I knew that it was something I wouldn't like. I felt a sense of dread as we made our way through the crowd. I had no idea what would happen next.

He took my hand and led me out of the building, towards his car. I was still confused, but I didn't want to ask any questions. I could tell that he was tense, and I didn't want to make him angrier. I followed him as he led me outside, into the cool night air. I looked up at the sky, and I saw the stars twinkling above us.

As we got into the car, I made sure to sit as far away from him as possible. I didn't want to be near him, I didn't want to be in the same space as him. I wanted to escape, to run as far away from him as possible. But I knew that I couldn't do that, not yet. I just had to be patient, to wait for the right moment. And so, I sat there, as still and silent as possible, and I waited.