4

I don't know how long I stayed there, but every single minute, my heart swells restive.

I heard light footsteps coming in my direction, alerting my perception. I tense up and uncurl my back. The lock on my door wriggled and the door creaked open. My body further tensed when I saw a man with honey brown hair, olive skin, and wide grey eyes enter the room. I immediately knew this was the man whose name I had yet to find out.

"Let go, you haven't eaten anything", I nodded, before pulling myself out of bed.

He gave me a sly grin, eyes looking at me up and down. "Nice dress". I suddenly realized that I was only wearing a T-shirt. I averted my eyes away, as a mortifying flush took over my features. I know I must have looked funny. The T-shirt had literally consumed me. It was so gigantic. It looks more like an oversized dress than a T-shirt.

I quickly scurried after him, careful to keep an arm's distance between us.

"What is your name?" He abruptly stops at my words, and I manage to stop centimeters before running into him. I looked up at him to find him already staring at me with his eyebrows arched.

"It's okay-y if you don't-t want to answer,"

"David," he says, making me look back at him.

"Huh?"

He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "My name... it's David," he says and continues to walk.

Upon entering the dining room, I spotted the Dean sitting on one of the chairs, a scowl evident on his features.

He bears a noticeable similitude to David, but David's features appeared more grown-up. Like David, he has honey brown hair and wide grey eyes, but his one is darker. Anyone could tell they were brothers. They looked alike but not exactly alike. I hope I'm making sense.

Dean's eyes zeroed on me and a smirk made its way to his lips as he eyed me from head to toe as David did, but with Dean...he seemed to bring the next degree of vexation and just the aura around him tended to scream gloomily.

Bastard! I pinched my lips to keep me from calling him.

He sends me a wink, sending frightful chills throughout my body. What with this man? I don't think I will ever know nor do I want to know if I am being honest. After my encounter with him, I just would prefer to stay away from him.

On the other hand, Ivan is cooking something. I guess it's pasta. He works so smoothly and expertly in the kitchen as he has been doing it for years.

"Princess, take a seat, the food is almost ready," Ivan said, as he didn't even turn towards me. God, how did he know I was here? Nonetheless, I do as he says.

"So, Jasmin, how do you like your new home sweetheart?" Deans asked suddenly.

Home? This isn't home, it is a prison. I wanted to scream at him but I knew I couldn't. Not when I know they will kill me without any hesitation or an iota of remorse. I don't know how to respond. Or if I even want to. So, I chose not to answer and Dean let out a short chuckle.

"Not talking are we now?" Nobody knows how much I want to wipe out that stupid smirk on his face.

"Dean leaves her alone," Ivan says in a calm tone.

"Oh! I was just having a friendly conversation with her," I let about a snort mentality. Friendly my ass.

Before anyone could say anything, a woman entered the room. She was dressed in a pink blouse and skinny jeans. Her thick blonde hair is thrown up into a messy bun. She didn't look a day older than twenty-five. My dark blue orbs meet with bright hazel orbs. 

Her eyes soothed me in a perplexing manner. Suddenly, a big smile appeared on her lips. I immediately looked away. I felt like I was exposed, doing something inappropriate.

Ivan takes the seat in the chair beside David and Ivan takes the seat directly across from me. Ivan passed me a plate filled with pasta. I look at the food suspiciously.

"Don't worry, it's not positioned" Ivan replied, reading my mind.

Reluctantly, I grabbed the fork and poked some of the pasta, bringing it into my mouth before putting it inside and slowly chewing it. The buttery and rich consistency of the milk, butter, and cheese along with the herbs flattered one another flawlessly.

I had to block the moan that wanted to escape from my lips. It was so delicious. Actually, delicious would be an understatement to describe this pasta. It was heavenly. This was no doubt one of the best pasta I have ever had.

"I take it as the food was of your liking."

"Yes.. it was delicious" I murmured, knowing that there was no point in being dishonest. Nor do I think he would tolerate 'No' as an answer. The rest of the lunch went in silence.

"We will be in the office. Sasha, accompany her and make sure she gets everything she needs". Ivan orders the woman named Sasha.

"Okay Ivan, don't worry about her. I'll look after her," Soon all the men were gone.

"Sasha," She practically chirped as she held out a hand for me to hold. I hesitated for a little but eventually wrapped my fingers around hers as I didn't want to come off impolite. "Jasmin," I replied.

"Please, can you help me get out of here? They killed my parents and have kept me here against my will," I cried out without thinking anything.

Sasha's face became gentle. "I wish I could help you but I am powerless like you are,"

"Did-" I just hope it's not what I am thinking it is "-Did they kidnap you too?"

"No" I can hear the hesitation in her tone. "They did not. I decided to stay here"

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. "But I can't stay here, I want to go home," I could hardly collect myself not to start crying.

"I know honey.. trust me I know" I glanced at her and saw worry plastered all over her features. I know she felt bad for me, but sympathy is not what I want. What I want is help which I am not getting from her and she just made it crystal clear to me.

"They are not so bad to trust me. They won't hurt you unless you give them a reason to" everything she voiced. I very much doubt it, but I can't contradict that it did soothe some of my worries.

"So, what do you want to do? Do you want to watch anything?"

"Actually I want to go back to the room. I just want some time alone. I hope you don't mind," I declined, trying to be as polite as possible.

It's not like I don't like her company, but all I need is time for myself. A lot was going through my mind. I need to free my mind of all the things that have happened. It still felt like I was still in epilepsy. All I could hope was that I would wake up from it very soon.

"I can understand how you're feeling. No need to be sorry," She claps her hand on mine before giving me a reassuring squeeze. A sweet smile plastered on her face. Unable to resist the smile, I gave one of my own.

"If you need anything I'm here, okay feel free to ask"

"What about cleaning?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I'll do it."

"But-"

"Jasmin," I nodded in agreement, wishing her goodbye. I turned and walked out of the kitchen.

************

For the rest of the day, I stayed in the room. I even had my dinner in the room. I was just about to get into bed when the door swung open, and to my surprise, Ivan stepped inside the room. My brows furrowed in confusion. What is he doing here?

"W- what are you d-doing here?" I finally stammered out, embarrassment clear in my voice.

"It's my room" was his answer.

"Umm...Hmm... Where is my room then?"

"You are going to stay here with me," he answered nonchalantly.

"What? But why?" I can't share a room with him.

"I can't have you escape" I really didn't like his short answer.

"But-" I began to complain, but he cut me off instantly.

"I wasn't a question," It was my clue to shut up now. I had no other choice but to agree with him. Even though I didn't respond to him in words, I am sure he took my silence as an acceptance. I doubt he will care about what I think or want.

He padded into the bathroom to clean himself up before he re-entered the bedroom with only low waist blue sweatpants and no shirt. I really had to try hard not to ogle at his toned body.

I stopped breathing when he came and stood in front of me. He bends down slightly, leaning over me. His face is only inches away from mine, his gentle breath hitting my face. I had to force myself to remain calm.

He wraps something around my ankle. I looked at the long metal chain that was locked around my left leg, which he connected to the headpost. It took everything within me not to panic.

"What is t-this? Why di-did you c-chain me-me?" I shuttered

"Making sure you can't escape from here" His assertion had tears of vulnerability gnawing my eyes, forcing me to avoid looking at him.

He grabs my chin between his thumb and forefinger and forces me to look back at him. "No need to be, upset princess. It was never my intention to hurt you or make you cry. I will unlock it the first thing in the morning," I weakly nodded my head. I knew I had no point arguing about it. He will shut me up again and, worse, he will hurt me.

He laid on the bed next to me and wrapped his hand around my waist and drew me closer to his side.

"What are you doing?"

Reaching over, he grabbed my left hand before pressing a tender kiss on my knuckles. "Relax, I just want to hold you" What the hell is wrong with this man? Why is he acting like we are on a honeymoon?

"Bu-"

"Shhh! Sleep princess. I'm very tired," And I had no option other than to follow him.

************

It's been five days since the horrible day. All I do is eat and sleep. Today is just another day locked up and another day just doing basically nothing. I hate this more than anything, but there is nothing that I can do about it.

I decided to take a short nap. The lack of rest now, took hold of me, making me drowsy to the point I could barely keep my eyes open. I had woken up early in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep after that. To be honest, I have hardly slept these days.

The moment my body lay on the bed, my eyes sagged. But before I could fully fall asleep. The bedroom door opened, making me alert as I shot up into the sitting position.

"Oh my god... You scared me," I said, with a hand over my rapidly racing heart.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you", Sasha apologized.

"Did you need anything," I said, ignoring her precious comment.

"Ivan wants you in his office," My eyebrows scrunched together. Why would he call me into his office?

"What but why?" I asked her, nervousness apparent in my voice.

"I have no idea, but I am sure he just has something to talk about with you,"

I pull my very tired body out of the comfortable bed. Wordlessly, I followed Sasha's pace. The route to Ivan's office was brief. In no time, we were outside his office.

"Don't worry, you'll be okay," She said as she took notice of my pale expression. I wordlessly nodded. She pulls me into an embrace, taking me in bewilderment. It takes me a few seconds to wrap my limbs around her.

"Ivan must be waiting," She murmurs into my ear before we draw away from the hug. With another word, she walks away, leaving me there alone and scared.

Taking a deep breath, I curled up my fingers into a fist before hesitantly knocking against the door. I waited for a minute before hearing a small "come in" from the other end. Grabbing the knob, I twisted it before pushing the door open.