Two: Huge Misunderstanding

The man started dragging me to the elevator.

"Hey, what are you doing? Let me go!" I was trying to free myself from his grip but to no avail. He was far stronger than I am. He was acting like he didn’t hear my protests at all. 

He punched the keys on the elevator and basically dragged me inside when it opened.

"What the! Let me go!" I yelled at him. 

I tried to get out of the elevator but he was quick to pull me back inside. He was able to close the doors before I could even try to escape one more time to do it. 

"Are you aware that this is harassment?" My voice echoed in the four walls of the elevator carriage. 

He basically ignored me, acting like he didn't hear anything I said. 

I was starting to panic but I tried to calm myself down. I need to think straight.

He then dragged me out of the elevator the moment it stopped and the door opened. I realized that there was no point in fighting, so I just let him drag me through the hallway. He's way too strong for me. I just went with the flow while my mind was racing to find ways to escape. I need to find the perfect time to do it. 

"James. I'm on my way to my room. Meet me there." He was talking to someone on the phone. 

The thought that he was calling for some backup made me even more nervous. Damn! Am I going to get gang raped tonight? 

I was fighting the urge to scream. I would have done that earlier if I hadn't realized that no one would hear me even if I did. The hallways were empty. The rooms must be empty, as well. Everyone was downstairs at the event.

As far as I know, the whole hotel was booked by the delegates of the ongoing conference. And everyone’s at the event right now, so there would be no use even if I screamed my heart out. It will only trigger my abductor. 

And who knows what he was capable of doing if I triggered him more! The possibilities were giving me goosebumps. I don't wanna get gang raped (or worse, die) tonight. 

I have to think of other ways to escape! And I have to do it fast! 

He stopped right in front of a room, pulled out a key card from his pocket, and swiped it at the door’s lock. The moment the door unlocked with a beep, he pushed it open and dragged me inside the room.

Then he basically threw me onto the waiting couch before he turned around and combed his hair with his own fingers. He looked mad. Like really mad. 

"This is kidnapping," I told him. 

I tried to remain composed even if my heart was basically hammering against my chest already.  I don't want to show him that I'm scared. 

He turned around to face me. Then, with long, fast strides, he approached me.

"So, who is it this time, huh? My grandma? My mom? My dad? Or is it the media?" He planted both of his hands on the backrest of the couch I was sitting on, each on my opposing side, giving me no room to escape. “Who the fuck sent you here?” 

He was basically hovering over me. He was leaning so close to me that I could already smell his minty breath. It was as intoxicating as his expensive-smelling cologne. 

Crazy, I know. Why would I think about those things? I'm in danger, for Pete's sake! The last thing my mind should be entertaining right now are thoughts on how strong this man's effect on me is. 

I need to escape! I need to get away from here! 

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said as firmly as I could, trying to get those crazy thoughts away from my mind.

To my relief, he took his hand from the backrest of the couch and moved back a little, just enough to  give me space to breathe again.

"Give me your phone," he commanded. 

"What?" I could feel my brows meet at the center. 

"Hand me your phone!" He repeated.

"I have no phone," I said.

"And you actually think I would believe that?" He was basically towering over me. I felt so small in front of him. 

"I don't have my phone with me. I'm on duty, I wasn't supposed to bring my phone with me," I explained.

He just glared at me before he started touching me nonchalantly. He was feeling my pockets, looking for, I dunno, perhaps a phone or a camera he thought I was trying to hide in my clothes or something. 

I automatically pushed him away. "Hey! This is straight up harassment!" 

He stopped right away and stared at me for a few seconds. He huffed, still looking so mad. 

"I don't know what you're thinking right now. But believe me, you got the wrong person. This is pure harassment, but I'll let this pass if you let me go. Now!" I stood up and marched towards the door.

But he was quick to grab my arm to stop me from leaving. He spun me around to face him.

With my height of 5 feet and 6 inches, I was basically looking up at him. And one thing I’ve noticed is the fact that if he looks good from afar, he is even more attractive up close. 

I silently reprimanded myself for thinking that way. What the fuck was I thinking? How can I still appreciate the man who was basically harassing me right now? 

I mean, he’s good-looking, alright. But now is definitely not the right time to focus on that. 

"I'm gonna give you one last chance," he whispered a few inches away from my face. "Who's paying for you to follow me? And how much do you get from this? I'll pay you double."

I chuckled. "Are you kidding me?"

"Triple." 

Oh, god. He’s serious. 

I rolled my eyes to hide the intimidation I felt inside. "What are you talking about? Why would I follow you? I don't even know you."

He held my gaze as if weighing the truth in my words. 

He smiled smugly. "Do you actually think I would believe that?" He sounded as if he was mocking me.

I had to roll my eyes again before I met his gaze. "Why? Am I supposed to know you?" 

"Don't give me that bullshit. Every single citizen of the Philippines knows me."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't! I have no friggin’ idea who you are. Let me go while I am still asking nicely. Because I'm telling you, I'll have you rot in jail if you don’t let me leave this room right now. This is kidnapping and sexual harassment, if you are not aware!” I stood my ground. 

He looked like he was about to say something when the door to the room swung open. That prompted both of us to look in that direction in unison. I saw another man walk in. 

This must be James, the “backup” my abductor had called earlier.

He's good-looking, as well. It was the first thing that I noticed the moment he stepped in. I couldn't help it. It's impossible not to notice it right away. He doesn't look like a criminal or anything. But still, looks can be deceiving. I shouldn't let my guard down. 

This James guy is more of the tall, moreno, and handsome type. While the other guy (the one who dragged me here) was fair-skinned. He could actually pass for a Chinese or a Korean. 

"What happened, Louie? What's the problem?" the second man asked as soon as he entered the room.

Louie, I repeated the name in my brain. So this man’s name is Louie, huh? I stored the new-found information in my brain for future use. 

That’s when the other guy noticed my presence. He looked surprised to see another person in the room.

"Who is she?" James asked while looking in my direction.

"That's for you to find out," Louie said to him. "I need to know who sent her here,” he added before he spun around and went directly out of the door. 

Now I was left alone with James. And for the first time since I got dragged into this room, I felt like I could breathe again. This James guy felt less dangerous and intimidating. I actually felt like I could trust him. 

He looked at me from head to foot before he heaved a deep sigh. And then he reached for something from his suit's inner pocket. It was a checkbook, I realized.

"Okay, how much do you want?" he asked as he took a pen out of his pocket, too. 

What? What a pair of weird people! Why are they offering to pay me?

***