Chapter Four

                             Two girls were attending to her. One was touching her hair while the other one was asking her questions. When was her last time she had visited the salon? Which brand did she prefer and which suited her skin? 

       Once they were finished, she glanced at her reflection in the gargantuan mirror wall in front of her. Her light brown hair was beautifully highlighted and they felt incredibly soft to the touch and damn pretty. Her creamy complexion looked more radiant than ever. Her nails gleamed a striking blood red. She smiled at the two girls who did this brilliant job. 

            “ It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She smiled, momentarily forgetting that she wasn’t kidnapped from her friend’s house. 

       However, her mind quickly went back to him. Her head flooded with questions. Who was he? Why was he pampering her and what was the deal with guns? Nothing seemed to add up.

       “You are welcome, ma’am. It’s an honour that you liked our work. “ The beautician smiled and pulled her out of her thoughts. 

       She began to ponder the possibility of escaping the salon. She was also dreading.

        ‘ He can sell me into a brothel, force himself on me, Or even kill me. ‘ she thought, shuddering at the notion.

         It was incredibly embarrassing for her to recall a moment from last night when she had thrown herself at him. Although she couldn’t remember the entire evening with him, they spent together. She distinctly remembered waking up in the ring of his arms. Her brain and heart were orchestrating her to flee away. She was educated. She had the potential for any career. If he could not find her in her family’s house, he would surely dismiss her from his mind. 

       His man was guarding the door. She could see his back through the glass door. She could coax him. At least, she thought to try it once. She couldn’t overpower the apprehension and guilt from last night. Her gaze was fixed on the man who remained completely stilled. He was looking like a terminal figure like other statues. She had no idea where his eyes were behind the dark glasses. Her heart started to pound in her chest.

       Suddenly, his phone rang in his pocket. He retrieved it and hoisted it up. He stepped outside of the glass door. She let out a sharp exhale, feeling relieved. This was her opportunity to escape whatever he had planned for her. Gathering her all the courage, she drew on her feet. She felt goose bumps in fear. She cautiously opened the door. Her gaze fixed on him. His back was turned on the door. She stepped out and ran as fast as she could, without looking back. It was a live or die situation for her. She wanted to live.

      The tranquillity was broken by what sounded like several gunshots. Panic erupted as people started to shout in terror, “ Gunshots! Gunshots!” She could hear from some people and fear was visible in their voices. 

        She put her trembling hands on her ears and rushed toward the elevator. Suddenly, she felt a force push against her back. Two iron hands gripped her around the belly, crawling from her back. She gasped, unbelievably recognizing his touch and cologne. Her back was pressed hard against his stone-hard chest. She looked shocked, her eyes widened. She stilled for a short second. She struggled against him, trying to pry his hands away. This macho man failed her. She felt powerless in his hold. Her feet lifted off the ground, and panic set in. Her heart drummed in her ears.

      “You really shouldn’t be doing this.” His saccharine tone filled her ears, yet his words held a warning. He whirled her to face him like she was a doll, so light in his grasp. His emerald eyes stared at her bitterly. 

       “Please, just let me go home.” She pleaded, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.

      “Stop crying.” He snapped gritting his teeth, slamming his fist against the metal wall of the elevator. She flinched in fear, terrified that she might be his next target. A scream escaped her lips.

        With both forearms pressed against his chest, she tried to push him away. Her tearful gaze dropped to the floor. She bit her tongue continuously to stop her tears, realizing she couldn’t push him away. He put her down on her feet and forcibly gripped her wrist. The elevator dinged and the door slid open. He pulled her with him, looking as if he might explode with rage. She looked back. There was a dent where he had punched the wall. Astonishingly, her head snapped back at him with an open mouth. 

          He’s incredibly strong, she thought. 

          He shoved her into his car, “ Do you want me to use chloroform to put you under control. I’m not going to fuc**** hurt you. Just have Lunch with me like a flighty and decent girlfriend. Then you can take your fine a** back to your blo**y dollhouse.” He said coldly, almost shouting. 

         Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. His harsh words cut deep. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her heart plummeted. He fisted his hand as he glared at her. He picked her up and placed her on his lap. She squealed but made no move to resist him, “ Control your fu****g tears, Roselyn. “ he said in a whisper. 

         ‘ How does he know my name? How? He’s so rude!’ she thought.

        She was astonished as she looked at him. Her tears automatically stopped, “ H h..” Her words got dead in her mouth.

       He grinned and hurtled his head back against the seat. His eyes closed, while he traced circles on her wrist with his thumb.

      “ Well! Don’t try to entice me with your open mouth. Last night, you willingly gave yourself. I don’t believe it. Um, I doubt, you’ll do it willingly now. “ He said hoarsely, glancing at her from under his thick lashes. 

        ‘ Does he love to snap? ‘

        Her eyes widened in shock. Instantly she tightly shut her mouth. She got up from his lap. He tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her back, and he shook his head, “ You can’t escape from me. You’re mine, till the end of this world. “ He said, his beautiful eyes promising her. 

        Her heart fluttered, sending jolts down her body. She mostly sat in disbelief, anxious about what he would do next. His words were puzzling her. 

              ‘ He can’t be serious. ‘

       He climbed out of his car. Her wrist was sweating where he had clinched it. He tugged her out of the car, revealing a five-star hotel. Her family visited here occasionally, and if not, then once in a year every Christmas. She looked at him. He ran his hand on the rumples. He glanced back at her with a soft smile. 

       “Did you understand what I just said?” He politely asked. 

       She nodded at him in a blink. She believed he knew more than her name. She fancied this brunch would end as soon as possible. 

       He still held her wrist. He was actually behaving like a decent boyfriend which she didn’t get to have ever. She swore he had a serious anger issue, just a little pinch he might explode, or destroy you. 

       He had reserved a private space with large windows. He must be a billionaire. He could easily get anyone, capable of attracting anyone. Perchance, his anger issue couldn’t hook his choice. 

       He didn’t budge until she finished her food. He held her hand. Her stomach clenched. She ignored the feelings his touch gave her every time. He strolled down toward the parking lot. He stopped near his car. 

       “ Who are yo-u?” She dared to ask. She could hear her own breathing, her heart pounding in her chest. 

       “ Why does it matter? “ he asked, taking a long stride closer to her. 

       She was scared of him. But she couldn’t show it on her face, giving him the upper hand. 

       ‘Your fear could be someone’s power.’ She recalled her brother’s words in her head.

       She squinted at him, noticing his face gleamed with a beautiful smile. He advanced another step toward her. He held her upper arm and opened the door for her. She got in, and he made his way around the car and climbed behind the wheel. She buckled her seat belt. 

       ‘Finally, I’m going home. No more encounters with him.’

       “ Did you enjoy your meal?” He asked. From his friendly tone, it felt to her as if they had been dating each other for several years.

       “ Y yes, Thank you. “ She said as she kept watching out of the window. He was honouring his promise. They were on their way back home. It brought her a sense of relief. Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the silence. She glanced at him. 

        He is extraordinarily handsome, she thought. 

        He cleared his throat, directing his gaze out of the window and back on the road. She quickly averted her gaze before he could catch her staring. Instead, she focused on her hands resting in the lap. She was expecting red lines on her wrist, fortunately, there were none. He parked the car in front of the P&F residence. His armed man opened the door for her. Her abductor climbed down the car and rounded it. He dismissed his guard.

      The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. Swallowing, she stepped down. Her eyes praised what they saw. He took her into the house as it was her first step in. He released her hand at some distance. She ran inside her room without looking back. 

        “Ana! Isha! “ She shouted joyfully, she was thrilled to be home, as she entered the room. She forgot all the time spent with him, looking at her friend’s face but only for a second. 

       “ Rose, are you alright? We were worried about you. “ Ana asked, embracing her warmly. 

       “ I’m fine.” She replied, assuring her, wrapping her arms around her.

        Isha stood up from the bed and joined in the hug, “ We missed you.” She said loudly. They fought and argued but their love for one another was undeniable.  

        She stepped away from them and gazed back at him. He made her heart race. He was speaking with his guard. 

       “ He was here the whole time pointing his gun at us. Luckily, our parents didn’t show up.“ Ana said with a grimace. 

       “ He didn’t even allow me to go to the bathroom. “ Isha mopped. 

       “ Well! You should take the chance while he’s occupied with him. “ Ana murmured, suggesting. She looked at her longer. “ What did he do to you? “ Ana mumbled.

       “ You’re looking pretty and your hair! It’s just awesome.” Isha said a little loud. Both touched her hair and nodded at each other in approval. 

       “ Ladies! “ he said as he cleared his throat. Her body stiffened and she glanced at him with wide eyes, “I’ll make one thing clear. If any of you try to harm her, or put any stupid questions. Believe me! I’ll chop your bones.” He threatened them. 

        She saw them trembling, “We love her.” Ana cowardly replied. 

        “We won’t hurt her.” Isha completed. 

        “You! “ He pointed his finger at Isha, his jaw tightened. “ She’s not your doll anymore. “ 

        “G g g got it. She’s my sister,” she said speedily, stammering, looking at him in terror.

        He turned back to her and they stepped away from her in fright. He caressed her cheek. She looked into his eyes with parted lips. One corner of his lips lifted up. 

        He ambled out of the room. She let out a deep breath. Once he was out of sight, she glanced back at them. They were still staring at the empty doorway where he had been. 

       “He has gone.” She said with a sense of relief. 

       “ Yes, what..... “ Isha opened her mouth to ask her but immediately stopped herself. 

       “You don’t want him to chop your bones. “ Ana smirked, reminding her. 

        “ Yes! Let’s swim since we can’t ask her anything. It’s useless to get excited.” Isha contorted her face. 

        “You need to pee, I guess. “ Ana chuckled, reminding her. 

        “Oh, “ Isha exclaimed as she ran to the washroom. 

        She was in the centre of the bedroom. Isha made excuses to their parents that it would be a night out at Ana’s room. She closed her eyes hoping she’d forget this day as a nightmare as well as last night too. It seemed almost hard to erase this day.

       It was nearly impossible she knew it deep down. One nightstand, gunshots, his angry look, charming smile, his attractive features, and a glint of amusement in his beautiful emerald eyes were fresh in her mind, it was impossible to forget.