5

As soon as the door opened, my eyes fell upon Ivan who was sitting in the expensive leather chair behind a lavish russet table immersed in his laptop typing something vigorously. Ivan doesn't acknowledge my existence and continues typing away on his laptop.

I stay rooted at my pace waiting for him to acknowledge me, but I'm met with only stillness.

"You called me?" I finally said as the silence became unbearable. He finally removes his gaze from the screen and looks up at me. 

"Come here," Hesitantly, I made my way around the table and over to him and stopped next to him, leaving space between us.

"Sit". I looked at the armchair beside him before I could make my way there. He stopped me.

"Not there here" he nonchalantly says as he pats his lap. My mouth flaps open like a fish.

He can't be serious. 

I wanted to oppose, to say something, but decided against it since it is of no use. I obliged, not having another choice. 

He tightened his muscled forearms around me and pulled me further into his chest more, my back pressing his chest. He then picked his phone from the desk and fetched me his phone.

"Order some clothes for you. Pick anything you like," I stared at him, completely astounded by his statement, still processing his words in my head. I definitely didn't expect this.

"What?" I asked, forcing my eyes up to meet him.

"Pick anything you like, princess." He repeated. I looked at the price of the dress and my eyes widened further. 

Oh my god, why is this dress so expensive?

"I can't," I said vigorously, shaking my head.

"Why?" He asked, almost confused.

"It's too expensive," He let out a chuckle at this. The deep chuckle that boomed through his chest made me shudder.

"You don't have to worry about it"

"But-"

"Jasmin." I know this is an order and I have to oblige it.

I took a deep breath, slowly nodding "Okay"

As I ordered a few clothes, Ivan didn't have them. In the end, I ended up buying almost twenty thousand net worth of clothing. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible but Ivan didn't let me leave. The room is silent, neither of us is moving or speaking.

"Can I ask you something?" I said, unable to ask the question anymore.

"Hmm", he hums in response or, let's say, in approval.

"W-Why am I-I here?"

"Because I want to be", he comments casually, as if we are having a conversation about the weather.

"Why?" I cleared my throat. "Why did you kill my parents?" I asked, barely hearing the words myself. There was pin-drop silence in the office as I awaited his reply, but he did not give me any indication to answer.

"Ivan... Why did you kill my parents?"

"I heard it for the first time, Princess. If I am not answering you, then you should understand I'm not interested in answering it." My heart leaped a beat at his answer. It somehow sounded like a threat.

"B-But you said I could ask you anything."

"Yes, I did, but I never said. I would answer each and every one of them," My hands yearn to thwack him in his mandible, but I opposed, knowing the consequences would be pretty and I would be one to get hurt at last.

"B-But it is not fair. You can't keep me here and accept me to follow you like a pet dog."

"Life is unfair princess...Has always been," His voice slightly hard. Annoyance and anger rushed through me at his nonchalant attitude. It was infuriating.

"You are a horrible man," I said before I could stop myself. I don't know where I got the fearlessness from, but part of me was glad I got it and another, well, not really.

"I know," was all he answered. There was no remorse, no emotion....nothing. How can someone be so ignorant? His hand rose to my neck, his thumb softly caressing the skin before applying the pressure. A sharp pain shot through the veins of my neck.

"Please". But he just ignores me.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, trying hard not to let the tears fall. 

No, Jasmin, you can't be this weak. We have talked about this. 

"Please let me go. I'm tired, I want to go" I said desperately. I just want to get away from this man before he does something.

"Go" And he didn't need to tell me twice.

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

As I was walking back to Ivan's room, the memories of my parents came back. It felt like someone had rubbed salt and chilies on my wound. I instantly push those thoughts out of my head. I couldn't think about those things. Especially if I want to stay stable.

Nor this is time to think about it. I need to focus on my survival. I need to be stronger, smarter, and more patient. I need a full-proof plan. I have to obey and cooperate with them till I can find my way out of this nightmare. I wish I could simply get out of this place, but unfortunately, that is not possible. I loathe my circumstances.

"You're early," Sasha inquired, disrupting my mini-daydream, and I bounced a bit because of how engrossed I was.

"Hmmm"

"Are you okay?" She muttered softly, I could hardly hear her. My face was buried in her shoulder before I could understand what I was doing. Sobs wracked my lips, unable to control it.

"What happened honey?" Sasha asked and gently rubbed my back, in comfort as she cooed me.

"Jasmin, what happened? Did Ivan do anything?" I didn't answer. I don't think I have to answer her, so I don't and she doesn't press it. We stayed like that for a few moments before pulling away from each other.

"Help me cook?" She asked, changing the topic, which I was grateful for.

"I don't know how to cook" I admit feeling a little embarrassed. I was hopeless when it came to cooking.

"It's okay. Just help me cut the vegetables."

"O-okay" Sasha squeals, pulling me into a quick hug. The gesture makes me smile. I don't know why she was so happy.

"So, what do you want to eat,". She asked

"Anything is okay with me."

"Hmmm...How about some steak? Now, I think I'm actually craving it," she said.

"Actually I am vegetarian." Yes, I have never had meat in my entire life.

"Ohh, then we will cook something else."

"Why don't we cook steak for you and we can cook something else for me?" I replied.

"Ya great idea" A smile tugs at my lips. She's beautiful, both inside and out. Some people are just born with everything.

We both walked inside the kitchen and immediately sprung into our respective works as I began chopping the vegetables, while she began to cook steak.

"I think he is attracted to you", Sasha blurts out of the blue. And I tensed.

"Why would you say that?" I asked, continuing to chop the broccoli.

"The way he looks at you is different." She replies as she flips the meat as the pan begins to sizzle as the raw side of the meat comes in contact with the hot oil.

"It's nothing like that. I'm sure he is just planning how to kill me. So, he is taking his time," I try to laugh it out but she doesn't cackle. After that, nobody tries to initiate the conversation.

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

"Why are you not having a steak little bird?" David suddenly asked in the middle of the dinner.

"I am vegetarian,"

"For real?" I nodded my head in response. Is it that hard to believe that I am a vegetarian? "Wow, I can't believe people can live only eating grass" grass?

"Stop David. Stop troubling the poor girl," Sasha scolds David, who just ignores her comment and goes back to his food.

On the other hand, I can see Ivan watching me out of the corner of my eye. I ignore him wanting nothing to do with him and continue eating my food as if I don't notice him staring at me.

*********

I walked inside the bathroom and took a quick warm shower to relax my muscles before walking back into the bedroom. I changed into one of Ivan's T-shirts and a boxer before slipping inside the covers.

Switching on the TV, I began watching some random movies. I watched for almost an hour and a half before my eyes flickered at the clock. I see that it's twenty minutes past ten and there's no sign of Ivan. Not that I am complaining, it's just he is usually back by this time.

Not long after, the bedroom door was snapped open and Ivan sauntered in, shutting it softly behind him before his gaze landed on me. Quickly breaking my gaze from him, I went back to the TV screen. Even though my gaze is on the screen, I can't seem to concentrate on it. Out of my peripheral vision to see Ivan coming towards me.

"Princess," I frowned slightly at the nickname, but chose to ignore it. I just keep my lips in a thin line, don't bother replying to it, and keep watching the movie. I don't want to spoil my mood as it already is.

"How long do you plan to ignore me?" He asks, almost sounding frustrated.

I didn't want to respond to him, but I couldn't avoid him forever. "I'm not ignoring you," I eventually said, but I refused to meet his gaze, choosing to stare at my hands instead. Ivan sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you", he ordered. His tone was a little calmer.

"Look, you are not allowed to ignore me. Okay?" 

"Okay"

There was a lot I wanted to say in return, but I sealed my lips and nodded my head instead. I might be a coward, but I am not stupid. I have said it before and I'm saying it again.

He slides into the bed and switches off the side lamp, his arms reaching around my waist to pull me closer like he always does. He has a weird kind of obsession to keep me in his arms every night. Despite the tiredness I felt, I couldn't sleep. I toss and turn in the bed, feeling restless. I knew I wasn't going to fall asleep now.

I turned towards Ivan. His lips slightly parted. He was breathing softly, deeply. His chest rose and fell in rhythm. He looked peaceful without any evilness on his face.

'Will I ever be able to leave here?' I can't help but question myself.

My heart sinks at the thought of not being able to leave this place. I don't know how much longer I can handle it. I feel so mentally exhausted from everything. 

I have always been shy and faint-hearted. Maybe this is the reason I have always admired Jenny, she was everything I could ever be. I can only wish to be like her.

My eyes sting from tears, but I don't let them fall. I take a few deep breaths to get myself together. Pushing the comforter off my body, I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and pull my body up into a sitting position.

Suddenly, my eyes fell on something sitting on the floor. My eyes widened when I realized it was the key to my chain. Ivan must have dropped it while changing his clothes. This could be my chance to get away from her, but what if Ivan found out?

I hold back a shudder even thinking about it. But this is not the time to think about the outcome, it's time for action. I don't think I will ever get this chance again. I carefully got off the bed and grabbed the key.

I slowly pushed the key inside the lock and twisted it. As I did so, I immediately heard the small click indicating the lock had been undone.

I grasped the doorknob and twisted it. I gently pushed it open, trying not to make any noise. I can't afford to make a single mistake. The door made a small crack but nothing loud to wake Ivan. I peek outside just in case anyone's roaming outside. But fortunately, I saw no one in my vision.