Chapter 10
Rosalie
Silas was true to his word. He made us popcorn and brought a few other snacks and drinks for us to watch a movie together.
I wore the silk pajamas that he gave me a few days ago, with the new fuzzy socks he gave me today.
While I missed my apartment, Silas was good to me.
As fucked up as it was, why would I want to leave when he gave me everything I asked for and more?
I stood beside him, drifting my gaze to the TV when I heard my name come up.
It was the news. A stern-faced woman with coiffed hair, reporting the latest news.
“...and in other news, the search continues for Rosalie Beaumont, a local college student who has been missing for almost two weeks now, leaving without a trace. The police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ms. Beaumont, and…”
Silas’s face paled. He frantically grabbed the remote, his hands trembling. He changed the channel. The news anchor’s face disappeared, replaced by a barrage of advertisements as he hastily clicked through the channels.
How is it they’re allegedly looking for me yet no one has found me? Are they actually looking for me?
Slowly, I sat down beside him.
He landed on the movie channel. A classic romantic comedy that just started.
The opening scene showed two characters meeting, their eyes locking across a crowded room, the air crackling with unspoken possibilities.
He cleared his throat, attempting to project an air of normalcy.
“That looks… good,” he forced a smile. “What do you think?”
I turned to look at him, slightly frowning for a moment. “Yeah, this is fine,” I pulled the blanket over us and offered to share part of it with him.
“Did you have a good day?” he asked hesitantly.
“Uhm… I guess so.” My tone mimicked his.
Had I really been down here that long, and no one had come to find me? It was like the police weren’t actually even looking… maybe Silas was right… no one cares about me the way he does.
Silas lifted his arm, wrapping it around me. He pulled me closer, and placed the bowl of popcorn onto our laps. “Mm.” He paused, his eyes lingering on mine. “Well, my day is better now that I am able to spend the rest of it with you.” His smile reached his cheeks.
Does he really mean that?
I couldn’t help but smile at how sweet his words were.
He sounded so sincere, so genuine, and I truly believed that he was.
I studied his features for a moment. The snakebite piercings, his chocolate eyes, and rich chestnut curls, the scent of his cologne.
He wasn’t just sweet; he was easy on the eyes.
Maybe I have read too many dark romances…
I shouldn’t be into my kidnapper, but honestly, how can I not be when he is so attractive and considerate.
He didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do except—the fact he wouldn’t let me leave.
But he never touched me, not without consent.
Silas really did seem to care about me. Perhaps he was sincere when he said he only wanted to protect me.
I pushed my thoughts aside. Reaching for some popcorn at the same time he did, our hands touched.
His fingers lingered on mine. We both froze, briefly staring at one another.
I then grabbed a couple of pieces, lifting them to my lips without uttering a word.
I turned back to the TV to watch the movie, but I could feel his eyes lingering on my own.
Silas leaned over, grabbing a chocolate off the plate. “Want one?” he asked.
“Sure,” I lifted my hand to take the chocolate. Instead, he held it to my lips.
His eyes softened. “Open your mouth,” he whispered.
I hesitated, slowly parting my lips as he placed the chocolate onto my tongue. “Good girl,” he cooed.
I nearly choked. Carefully, I chewed and then swallowed, turning back towards the movie. My heart skipped a beat; it was the little things he did that I simply couldn’t overlook.
Why did I like that?
He did things I liked, things I really, really liked. Things like the fictional love interests did in the books I read, that I never spoke of out loud.
Silas lifted his hand that was wrapped around my shoulder, gently toying with my curls as we watched the movie.
I smiled occasionally. Even giggling a time or two because we were watching a romantic comedy after all.
The night carried on, and when that movie ended, we watched the next one that played right after.
Though this time it wasn’t a romantic comedy, it was Jurassic Park.
My eyes were getting heavy. Silas was warm, and I found myself leaning into his touch. Resting my head against his shoulder.
“Are you getting tired?” he whispered in my ear.
I slowly nodded.
He wrapped his other arm around me. “You’ll be more comfortable in my lap.”
I yawned in response.
He placed a pillow in his lap, guiding me to lie down. I curled onto my side, facing the TV. Mindlessly watching the movie, Silas kept one arm draped over me, caressing my arm. The other continued to play with my curls.
Silas was right, I was more comfortable like this. I wouldn’t admit it, but I loved the way he held me in his embrace. As if I was the most precious thing in the world.
Is this what true love actually feels like? Or is the lack of sunshine and fresh air making me delusional?
I didn’t want to fall asleep yet, but Silas’s touch was so soothing that I felt myself drift off in his embrace against my wishes.
Maybe this really wasn’t all that bad after all…