[3]

Beatrice stumbled due to the tug and pull of Sam, which was quite strong. No matter how many times she tripped, the man continued to drag her. The girl refused to even whimper in pain. She swallowed it all and tightly sealed her lips. She couldn't let the man know that he had won. Despite the increasing agony that made her body tremble.

Her chest was injured, she knew. The spreading heat also refused to dissipate. The pain was unbearable. If left untreated, Beatrice could get an infection. Especially since she had no idea what kind of object that damn man had used.

Meanwhile, Sam walked arrogantly, harboring his anger. His encounter with Flown Discotheque had worsened his mood. Especially seeing Beatrice challenging him earlier. He would give her a fitting punishment for this insolent and stubborn girl.

In an instant, Beatrice was pushed into a forcibly opened room. The people guarding the door immediately closed it again and stood guard. Once Beatrice realized that this room was very different from before, an unsettling feeling started to take over. But Beatrice remained Beatrice. She wouldn't let fear consume her.

Had the pulling on Beatrice's body stopped? Not yet. Sam was still roughly dragging the girl with long hair until the edge of the large bed. Once again, with great anger, he pushed Beatrice, causing her to almost fall in the middle of the bed. Surprisingly, the girl didn't look at Sam with a fearful gaze. Instead, those dark eyes continued to challenge Sam. Although what he usually did was enough to make his prisoners whimper and beg for mercy.

But Beatrice was different.

Damn it, Sam felt challenged to subdue Beatrice.

"What do you want?" Beatrice asked as soon as she realized she was lying on the bed. For a split second, she felt dizzy from the impact on the bed. She quickly scooted back. "Get out, you bastard!"

"This is my house," Sam said with a thin grin. He also began to undress himself. This instantly startled Beatrice.

"Get out!" Beatrice shouted loudly.

"This is my room," Sam continued to approach.

The girl started to tremble. The look in her eyes was no longer as brave as before. It wasn't until Beatrice was right in front of him that Sam stopped. Unable to move any further because the girl's back was pressed against the headboard, Sam trapped her. Sam's eyes moved wildly, enjoying every bit of fear that had now taken over Beatrice.

The girl's hand, which he had previously gripped tightly, left a reddened mark. Beatrice used it to firmly grasp the top of her open shirt. One of her hands tried to hold Sam back from getting too close. Her face no longer gazed at the man who was now chuckling in satisfaction.

"You were so good at insulting me earlier, challenging my gaze, being stubborn," Sam said, narrowing the distance until the tip of his nose was right at the curve of Beatrice's white neck. Unconsciously, Sam growled in restraint. The sweet aroma emanating from Beatrice's body only further fueled his desire. He deliberately inhaled the area of Beatrice's neck slowly. "Now?" Sam asked as quietly as possible. "Has it disappeared?"

What Sam didn't expect was that the palm of Beatrice's hand landed squarely on his face. Instantly, Sam loosened his grip slightly. It wasn't because his cheek suddenly felt pain, but he didn't expect Beatrice to still possess such great courage. He gently touched the mark left by the slap. Sam chuckled in amusement.

Because of that, Beatrice managed to escape. She quickly got off the plush bed. Running towards the door, she tried to open it. Even though she knew it was futile, Beatrice didn't give up. Who knows, maybe someone kind-hearted would help her among this pack of wolves.

"Open the door!" Beatrice shouted again. "OPEN!"

Sam chose to sit on the edge of the bed. The shirt he had taken off was left crumpled on the floor. He had no intention of putting it back on. He needed something to calm his emotions. Maybe... a shower?

"Just scream to your heart's content, little one. No one will hear you."

Beatrice turned and sneered at Sam.

"I'll tell you the way out, how about that?" Sam rubbed the tip of his nose. He stood with his hands in his pockets, walking slowly towards Beatrice, who stared at him sharply. Sam continued to close the distance until he stood in front of the girl.

"Stay away from me!" Beatrice hissed with dislike.

"I'm feeling better, just so you know, even though I'm dizzy," Sam gently stroked Beatrice's face. "The balcony of this room leads directly to the exit. You're free to use it. I want to take a shower." He approached Beatrice even closer. Intentionally. Staring at Beatrice from this close distance was truly enjoyable.

"Go away," she whispered softly.

Beatrice didn't immediately believe, but seeing Sam's serious expression from earlier, she simply pushed him aside. Her mind was filled with questions: did Sam really just set her free like that? But this was her chance, right? She wouldn't waste it. Beatrice hastened her steps towards the balcony, no longer looking back to see if Sam was still there.

However,

"If you dare to jump from the balcony, you're as good as dead," Sam laughed loudly. Beatrice's movement of opening the balcony door stopped abruptly. The wind blowing against her face was strong. Beatrice wasn't foolish enough to not realize she was in a high place. Didn't she notice how many steps she had climbed earlier?

Damn it! Beatrice, for heaven's sake! Couldn't she think clearly?

"Do you want to jump, or do you want to take a shower with me?"

"You bastard!"

Sam burst into laughter, but his steps widened towards Beatrice, who was now glaring at him. He wanted to teach Beatrice a little lesson. The girl was getting closer to the edge of the balcony.

Her long-disheveled hair was being blown by the wind. Didn't Sam care? The more he pressed on Beatrice, the more she knew that death was very close to her.

"Go away!" Beatrice said as she felt her back touch the balcony railing.

"How many times do I have to emphasize that this is my house?" Sam took one step forward. Beatrice wouldn't dare to do something foolish. The look in her eyes clearly conveyed that.

"Don't come any closer!" Beatrice gripped the edge of the balcony tightly. She closed her eyes tightly, ignoring everything spinning in her head. "Or I'll jump!"

"Go ahead. It's not my concern. If you die, your corpse could become food for my pet dog," Sam replied nonchalantly. "Take a look at the height of this balcony."

Swearing by anything, Beatrice felt dizzy looking down. The distance was immense. If she dared to jump from this balcony, it was guaranteed that she would die on the spot.

Beatrice trembled because Sam refused to keep his distance even by an inch. He cornered her further and made her feel more trapped. She even felt the surface of Sam's chest gently colliding with her own, which was inadequately covered.

The girl also noticed when Sam's gaze started to focus on her exposed and wounded chest. Immediately, Beatrice covered herself by pulling her shirt.

Sam chuckled softly. "I've tasted it earlier. The marks are still there."

"You're truly despicable," Beatrice said quietly. "Bastards like you shouldn't exist in this world!"

In an instant, Beatrice's face was in Sam's tight grip. He deliberately tilted it slightly so that their eyes met.

"Watch your words!" Sam didn't immediately release Beatrice because, after that, he planted a deep and rough kiss on her. He didn't give Beatrice even the slightest breath during this demanding kiss.

Until he felt a small blow to his chest. It came from Beatrice. Actually, he didn't want to stop, but the punches kept coming. Eventually, Sam gave in. It clearly left Beatrice gasping for breath. The wet and swollen marks that Sam left were clearly visible on Beatrice's lips.

"That's what you'll get if you keep insulting me."

Beatrice breathing. Being forcibly kissed and under Sam's pressure made her feel so low. She briefly glanced at the man who was now looking at her with disdain. The girl chose to bow her head while suppressing all the turmoil raging in her heart.

Beatrice could never imagine the days she would spend here. It could be... she immediately shook her head, dismissing the dark thoughts she would have to endure.

"It's good if you understand," Sam said, observing Beatrice's slight shake of the head. "Come with me."

The girl lifted her eyes, watching Sam's retreating back.

"Or do you want to jump?"

Beatrice suppressed a growl, her hands clenched tightly. "Where are we going?" she dared to ask. It made Sam's steps halt. The man turned around, giving her a cunning look and a sly grin.

"To take a shower. I told you earlier, right? We're going to shower."

***

Beatrice stood still like a statue. Her eyes couldn't believe what had just happened. It all felt like a dream. She touched her slightly sore chest, wrapped in bandages and dressed in much better clothes than before.

Not even an hour had passed since she experienced the shocking event. She was extremely surprised, to say the least.

Beatrice didn't dare to refute what Sam said about "taking a shower." She had resigned herself to the possibility... Oh, my God! Beatrice was very careful with herself. She didn't want anyone else to touch her before the wedding. How foolish of Beatrice. What could she hope for now? She was a guarantor of a debt that couldn't be repaid. In other words, she was being sold, right?

That man had even touched her lips and chest.

The girl shook her head vigorously as she continued to follow Sam into the bathroom. Beatrice was surprised by the fairly large room equipped with a bathtub. The room had glass walls, with a large shower on one side. It resembled most bathrooms designed for the upper-middle class.

Sam was really taking a shower.

He paid no attention to Beatrice, who stood there with her head down, facing the door. It would drive Beatrice crazy if she paid attention to how the muscular man with many tattoos on his back was being drenched by the torrent of the shower. For Beatrice, this bathroom was considered luxurious. There was a large sink with a big mirror and several bottles of soap and typical men's accessories.

Beatrice forgot that Sam was a thug disguised as a loan shark, who surely had a lot of money. It was only natural for him to have a big house like this.

As the shower stopped, Beatrice felt her heart skip a beat. She couldn't imagine what was about to happen...

"Come here," Sam ordered.

Oh, God! Could Beatrice just end her life right now?

"I told you to come here!"

Trembling, Beatrice turned around, her gaze still fixed on the cold marble floor. She took calculated steps until she felt weightless.

"ARGH!" She didn't expect Sam to lift her up and place her on the sink. His eyes focused directly on Beatrice's exposed chest. "What do you want?" Beatrice asked, realizing where his gaze was directed once again.

Damn perverted thug!!! Beatrice cursed silently in her mind.

"Open it," Sam commanded, refusing any opposition.

Beatrice still felt shocked.

"Are you going to open it, or should I?" Sam asked impatiently.

Without hesitation, Beatrice unbuttoned her shirt. She felt incredibly embarrassed as the shirt slipped off, leaving her only in her bra.

"If this wound isn't treated soon, you could get sick," Sam said, looking at Beatrice sharply and cynically.

"Don't stare at me like that," Sam said with a chuckle. "I'm the one who did it, and I'm responsible. Just relax, alright?"

The girl turned her face away in displeasure. She thought Sam had left her alone when she heard his footsteps moving away. But he returned, carrying a first aid kit. Sam carefully treated Beatrice's burn wounds. Every movement was gentle and nothing was done roughly.

Sam's face appeared more humane this time. His thick hair was also slightly wet, catching Beatrice's attention.

"To be honest, I really wanted to sleep with you, Beatrice," Sam concluded the treatment of her wounds. "But I know you must be in pain because of this mark."

"You're the one who made me like this!"

Sam laughed. "True. I did it on purpose."

Beatrice desperately wanted to muster the determination to give Sam a powerful punch to his head. "What do you really want?"

"You," Sam casually replied. "I only want you."

They didn't break eye contact. One filled with hatred, the other with interest.

"One day, you'll know why this mark belongs only to certain people."

That's it.

Afterwards, Sam simply left. Leaving Beatrice alone in that large room. Even when Beatrice stepped out of the bathroom, Sam's presence was nowhere to be found. All that remained was a new set of clothes and some delicious-looking food. It left Beatrice with a huge question in her mind.

Why?