3
The car ride is quiet as we both stare out of the windows. I occasionally glance over to Xavier and each time I do somehow he instinctively knows because his gaze meets mine almost every single time. His hair is dark with a curl to it. He’s got a very defined and strong jawline. I can tell even though he’s wearing a suit, that he’s in shape. He’s younger than I thought he’d be, and very good-looking. The fact that thought crosses my mind at a time like this makes me sick to my stomach. Because he’s part of all of this. He’s the reason I’m here. He’s the reason I’m wearing this long dress with a matching hijab. It's sick people like him that are the reason so many young women and girls go missing.
“Have they hurt you?” He asks.
My gaze breaks from looking outside and my eyes peer into his. Have they hurt me? No, they’ve only abducted me and held me hostage for thirteen days in filthy unlivable conditions.
“No,” I say softly.
“Good.” He goes back to staring outside.
“Not physically.” I mustered up the courage to add. His light-brown eyes hold mine again and my heart races. I watch as he tilts his head and his eyes narrow as he takes me in. Was I not supposed to speak?
“Have they done something mentally to hurt you?” His expression doesn’t change as his eyes continue to hold mine.
“Well let me see, I’ve been abducted and held against my will for thirteen —” I pause correcting myself.
“Fourteen?” I hesitate again, trying to remember how many plates of food I had gotten. Nerves are making it hard for me to remember in this precise moment.
“Sixteen.” He interrupts me. His eyes still peering out the limo windows. Asshole .
“You’ve been with them for sixteen days and I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner.” His eyes bounce from outside back to mine yet again.
“You’re sorry? Why the hell are you sorry?” I ask, readjusting myself. I feel my body heating up from anger as I watch a tiny smirk smear across his face from my rather bold and courageous statement.
“I’ll explain things in time.” His eyes trail back out the window. Silence falls between us as we continue to sit there awkwardly in the limo. I feel like I’m in a movie. Everything about these circumstances feels absolutely surreal. I glance over to him again and his light-brown eyes catch my breath. When I break from his gaze I turn my attention back outside. Maybe when the time is right, I can make a run for it. If it wasn’t for this dress, I really think I would try it.
We’ve been driving for almost two hours. Neither of us have said another word. Two hours of silence. Two hours of wondering what the hell comes next. We make our way through a heavily-wooded area. I don’t see much of anything outside besides tall pine trees. Trees surround us in all directions as the limo makes its way up the twisting and turning roads.
“Champagne?” He asks, breaking the silence. I watch as he pours himself a glass slowly. The sound of the champagne fizz quickly fills the eerie silent limo. He holds out the glass to me.
“I’ve been drugged once already, no thank you. However, I’ll take the bottle.” My eyes hold his and his eyes squint as he tries to hold back a smile. He nods before passing me the champagne bottle. I take a swig of it before turning my attention back outside.
“I don’t care what they say,” he says, laughing softly.
“You’re already worth the twelve million,” he murmurs, biting his bottom lip. Twelve-million? He’s got to be joking.
“You did not pay twelve million dollars for me,” I say holding his stare.
“Actually I did.” He snaps back.
Another hour later, the limo pulls up to a stunning gate. My mind hasn’t strayed away from his last statement. Twelve million? There’s no way he paid twelve million dollars—for me. As the limo passes through the gate I notice the letter A engraved on the top of it. A massive letter A.
“Let’s go.” He says sternly.
He gets out of the limo and reaches out his hand to me. Our eyes hold once again as he now takes my hand in his. I swallow hard as I absorb my unfamiliar, but beautiful surroundings. The house is massive. I wouldn’t even put it in the category of houses, it’s a damn castle. I look up at the incredible stone that climbs all the way up the front of the house. It has a Tuscan-vibe.
“Right this way,” he dips his head to me then begins to lead me inside. The men stand guard outside as we make our way in. The door shuts loudly which startles me. “There are no guards allowed in the house.” He exhales.
“There has to be a space where I can just be— me.” He says, running his eyes up and down me yet again. He clears his throat before leading us into the extravagant kitchen. There is white marble everywhere, it’s almost blinding. If I’m being honest, it doesn’t have any coziness at all. Nothing about this place feels warm and inviting in any way.
“Water?” He opens the fridge.
“Yes please,” I say, still feeling the buzz from the champagne. “Thanks,” I say as he passes me a bottle of water. I take in my surroundings, trying to not be overwhelmed by this house and by this situation.
“What exactly are you hoping will happen here?” I ask as I place my water back on the counter. How can I not though? This entire thing is insane.
“Are you wanting to take my virginity and then keep me locked up here? Like a damn slave or something? Because this is a really fucked-up—” I pause as he takes my hand in his for the second time today. My heart pounds in my ears as I stare up into his caramel eyes.
“I don’t want anything from you.” He says and my shoulders instantly fall downwards. What ?
“Once they are all taken care of—you’ll be free to go.” I hear him say as he pours himself a glass of water.
“Once who is all taken care of? What are you talking about?” I furrow my brows. I watch as he shakes his head.
“Everyone involved in this operation.” He says softly. My face falls as my first thought goes to Emerson.
“You're going to kill every single person involved? You can’t possibly be serious.” I scoff at his serious tone.
“Yes. Every single person that had a part in hurting and exploiting these women has to die.” He says seriously as he shrugs his shoulders like it’s nothing. He talks about death like it’s nothing. I stare at him in awe that he’s really just said what he’s just said.
“And how exactly do you go about doing that?” I raise my eyebrows.
“I have my ways.” He narrows his eyes on me.
“And once you're done doing that, I can go home? No questions asked?”
“Yes, if that’s what you want.”
“What if I were to go home now? With one of your guards or something?”
“Those people would find you and kill you and your entire family within a day. I know how these people work, I’ve had first-hand experience with them.” He bites the side of his cheek. Awkward silence falls between us again.
“I assume you're tired. The past several days have been taxing on us all. Follow me and I’ll show you to your room.” He walks past me and up the spiral marble staircase. I take in everything as I follow him down the hallway. My eyes can’t help but trail up and down his muscular body. He’s tall, tan, and broad. I can see the outlines of his back muscles as he walks ahead of me. He said he would explain things in time. My mind goes on overdrive as I follow him. Various thoughts and scenarios rushed in and out of my mind. Could I run? Was he being serious about these people finding my family and killing all of us if I were to make it back home? My thoughts halt as we pause at a door.
“Here’s your room. I trust that you’ll have everything you need in there.” He says as he swings the doors open for me. My mouth unintentionally parts as I walk through the double-doors. My eyes trail instantly to the left side of the room and the huge king-sized bed that faces the fireplace near the bathroom. There are glass doors leading out to a balcony.
“Bathroom is through there.” He points to the door near the fireplace. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he dips his head as he closes the double-doors behind him. What in the absolute hell?
I walk towards the bathroom and see a white robe hanging on a golden hanger. I walk towards the bear-claw bathtub and turn it on before I make my way deeper into exploring this beautiful room. I open every drawer in the bathroom, hoping to find something I could use for defense. However, all I find are well-organized drawers for my basic needs. He’s thought of it all; toothbrush, toothpaste, tampons, pads, shampoo, conditioner, you name it and it’s here. Has he done this before? My heart falls as I replay his words; I saved you, princess .
My long dress falls to the floor and I carefully take off the hijab that’s still wrapped around my head. I fold it carefully and place it onto the countertop before I make my way into the bathtub. I slide down into the warmth of the water as my eyes fill with tears. I was kidnapped then saved, now what? What comes next? He said I could go back home after everyone was dead. I swallow hard. I think I know deep down I won’t ever be able to go back home. Not after this. I’ve seen his face and I know too much. I go underwater and the world that I’ve been thrown into suddenly disappears as I now imagine myself back home snuggling on the couch with my mother. I think it’s her laugh that saves me because it forces me to come back up for air.
────
“Good morning, Miss.” I hear someone say softly. I wake to the curtains being pulled back and I see an older woman smiling at me. She’s wearing a dress that falls just past her knees, her hair is long, dark with some gray strands, and straight.
“Mr. Almasi is waiting for you downstairs, breakfast is ready,” She nods her head and heads for the door.
“I don’t —” I pause as she turns around holding my stare.
“I don’t have any clean clothes,” I say softly and she chuckles as she heads towards the bathroom.
“Mr. Almasi sent this for you this morning.” She holds a satin dress up and my face falls.
“I’m not wearing that, what even is it?” I turn my face up.
“It’s a—” She pauses as she holds my stare then looks back at the thin sheer fabric.
“Well, I’m not sure exactly what it is.” She laughs and I do too.
“What’s your name?” I smile over to her.
“Farrah.” She smiles back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Farrah,” I say as I get out of bed. I tighten the thin white cotton robe that I slept in last night and head for the door.
“Miss?” Farrah says which stops me in my tracks.
“Be careful.”
I nod my head before I turn back around and head towards the stairs. Truth is I feel like I have nothing left to lose. I run my hand down the marble handrail as I take in my surroundings. With each step I take my heart thumps hard, warning me to be cautious. Warning me to be on my best behavior.
As I get to the last step, I hear plates in the other room. I tighten my robe as I follow the noise coming from the kitchen. I see him sitting at the table reading a newspaper, he’s got coffee steaming near him as he reads intently.
“Good morning,” I say, correcting my posture. His caramel eyes meet mine then trail up and down my body quickly.
“The clothes I sent up were no good?”
“I —” I hesitate.
“I didn’t want to wear that, it wasn’t—”
“Wasn’t what?” He breaks his gaze from the newspaper again, peering his eyes into mine.
“Appropriate. It looked like lingerie.” I scoff and he raises his eyebrows as he tries to hold back a laugh.
“Well, it probably was knowing her.” He says before he sips his coffee.
“Knowing who?” I snap back and he shakes his head.
“Never you mind. Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” I say and he points to the chair across from him. As I sit, he stands and makes his way into the kitchen. I watch him make me a plate of food; eggs, strawberries, and toast.
“Vegetable juice?” He lifts a glass of dark green liquid.
“Sure,” I say as my eyes trail all over his house. I rub my shoulders as goosebumps fill my arms under this thin robe. My nipples harden as I try to cross my arms covering them. Moments later he brings me my plate of food and my vegetable drink.
“Thank you.” I try not to act like a pig, but I haven’t seen food this good since before I was taken. I sink my teeth into the strawberries and close my eyes. When I open them I swallow hard as I see him staring at me hard. He shakes his head annoyed as he turns his attention back to the newspaper.
“So, what—” I pause as I finish chewing my food. His eyes are still moving side-to-side as he reads the newspaper.
“What happens now?”
“I already told you what happens next. We wait for the men involved to be—” He says, but I raise my hand up interrupting him.
“Stop, please don’t say it again,” I say as I stare down at my plate. I hear him fold the newspaper, however, I keep my eyes still on my plate. I don’t want to imagine anyone dying. Being here is hard enough.
“Do you know how many women these men have raped and killed?” He swallows hard, setting the paper on the table.
“One-hundred and seventy-two.” His eyes make their way into mine.
“You would have been, one-hundred and seventy-three if it weren’t for—” He pauses as his voice breaks away. I watch as he closes his eyes and shakes his head. He exhales hard as his thumb taps the table loudly.
“They know your name, Lina, they know everything about you. If you were to magically reappear back home, unharmed—it would set off so many alarms you have no idea. Putting me in jeopardy as well.” He exhales hard.
“Enough!” I stand from the table and as I do the robe slides down revealing the upper-part of my breast. His eyes drop down to it then quickly back up to my eyes. He swallows hard then clears his throat.
“I get it, you saved me. I still don’t know why — but thank you.” I hold his stare. I watch his eyes glisten as they hold mine. Something happened to him. I can feel it. I can sense it. He’ll tell me when he’s ready I suppose, but until then I have no idea how I am supposed to act. These past few weeks have made me completely exhausted, too exhausted to even think or feel normally. I’ll keep myself guarded for as long as I have to. I’ll do whatever I have to because at the end of all of this — I’ll either be home or killed trying to get there.