I was just enjoying my 19th birthday in the comfy restaurant,my friends were the one who threw the surprise party after our class ended.They decorated the reserved room of the resturant with fairy lights,they were glowing warmly against the dark wood panels.Everyone's cheeks were flushed,styled hairs were messy from dancing together,still everyone dazzled with the glitter that fell from the spray,I tried to know how I looked through the glass mirror that separated the room to regular visitors,this is when i felt someone was watching me from afar but I seem to develop weak vision,all i could notice that he was a tall,broad shoulder man, wearing a loose sky blue shirt with a white pant,he probably got a light hair i could guess through shining on the dim light.I averted my gaze quickly.
"I guess it's enough for today.We should return"
Everyone agreed with Jia & we quit ourselves to the parking,i could felt his gaze following my every move as i was leaving the restaurant through the corridor,i felt self alertness of perfection that wanted me to walk properly but my legs wobbled with nervousness that i wanted to hide,anyway i left without looking back to not fuel any of his assumptions if he have.
I had tried to told myself that it was a simple flirt from a random flirty guy as it's a city of low crime rate,it's rare for someone to do anything wrong to me when i haven't done anything in special,there are other girls too,I am not extreamly special to be figured out like that, anyway i will just hide my face while on the way back home.
So,i took the situation lightly when he was not just watching.I was failed to recognise what the waitress recognised from afar in that chaotic hall.The man's gaze was evaluating,like someone memorizing a puzzle piece he had been searching for.
Two tall men with black suit sat either side of him silently,hands folded in front while scanning the crowd. But he was scanning me.His gaze didn't shift even when people passed in front of him. The corner of his jaw tightened as if some realization struck him,his eyes following every move i did before living the restaurant.
Her forehead was sweaty when she noticed the determination in his gaze,she had complained earlier but the manager told her to mind her own business,she was poor enough to handle if anything goes wrong,still she followed us to parking after placing the tray at the customer's table.
"Excuse me!Miss! Please listen!"
I turned.
"He seems dangerous,kindly take care of yourself."
"Well,if it's not laila,the mad girl"
My eyebrows furrowed with confusion at Jia's playful voice that drew a hurt on the face of beautiful looking blonde girl.
"I'm serious,he would hurt her."
"Please, don't accuse anyone directly & stop scaring random people who might be sensitive."
"Thanks for the concern, I'll be careful." I interfered.Layla smiled & left before the guard could drag her inside.The guard stopped it's steps as she walked inside confidently.
I knew I'm always too kind that eventually stop drawing a boundary that is needed,I had been reminded by lot of closed ones,still i guess,i need more practice.
"Don't take her seriously,it can't be her own trap either,she is not that bad."Jia sighed.
"Who is she,Jia." Still,I was relaxed after i realised this beautiful maiden has a weird mind,still i felt little guilty for her hurtness on her face,there might be definitely some reason for her to wanting someone's attention as she didn't stopped when getting known as a weird girl,her face hadn't anger so she was harmless overall.
"She stays by rent in their own house after she got a stepmom,she was well during childhood but started causing nuiscence after her highschool,though she's pitiful still she tried to steal before."Jia sighed.
I nodded,i unlocked my cycle with others and started riding back home.As we rode,the air felt cooler, it's the winter's calling.
They all burst into laughter again, starting to pedal away from the lounge street, the faint smell of food and music fading behind them. Their chatter drifted along the quiet lanes.
"You saw that guy with the weird mustache?"
"Which one?"
"The one who kept dropping his drink?"
"Oh my god yeah! I thought he'd faint!"
They noticed everyone but not the blue shirt guy?I spoke finally,"You must have noticed the blue shirt guy right?"
"No,have you developed a crush finally!"
"Nah,i knew you will say that but i thought he was staring at everyone which was concerning"
"Not everyone! We would have noticed!Come on you are falling in love or turning slowly like Layla!"
Laughter echoed along with the horns of vehicles.Our cycles rolled easily over the smooth road,the sun slowly sinking, washing the sky with shades of soft pink and fading gold.
Soon we reached the main junction where I had to part,after 500 meter I'll reach my home.Jia raised her left eyebrow,pointing left.
"I'm going! Text me when you reach."
"Yeah, me too."Anisha turned right.
I flashed a smile and waved. "Okay, bye! Get home safely!"
"Bye!"
"Bye-eee!"
The voices faded.I continued straight faster.Well built houses lined both sides.During this time i love my Orange hair that shines & matches with the sun.
The moment felt comforting quiet, calm from the stark contrast unaware chaos that was bound to follow.
Then,a car shot out from the narrow turn ahead and screeched to a stop right in front of me.
My brakes squealed. I jerked backward on instinct, stopping my cycle barely a heartbeat before colliding with the black SUV.
"What the..?"
The driver's door opened first. A tall man stepped out. Another from the passenger side. And another from the back.
My mother taught me to be polite as my voice always appears commanding when I'm just a little girl,but was that word 'what the..' really triggering enough?
"Uhm.. I'm sorry.. I'll be leaving,just watch out next time."
Still they didn't stop.Their gaze was unwavering.My pulse spiked & i turned my cycle slightly, ready to pedal away quickly.
Bang!
The sound cracked through the road. My cycle jolted violently,my rear tire exploded, wobbling under me.A gasp left from my throat as i felt that I'm losing balance.I jumped off and abandoned my cycle entirely.
Panic arose yet i ran clutching my bag that was almost slipped out from the shoulder,i slipped it out completely opening the zip in a hurry to found the knife i always keep for self defence but with panic my fingers weren't clutching anything.I didn't look back.It would have made me nervous.
Heavy footsteps followed, rapid, closing in fast & finally someone grabbed my arm and hauled her to a stop.
"No..no..no..Let me go!" I cried, stumbling over the uneven edge of the road.I guess i would have trusted Layla's word,there is always a 50 percent probability of her being genuine or be a trap.
Another hand clamped over my mouth.My scream of plead & help suffocated halfway out.
Then something thick dark rough cloth covered my vision,a chemical smell was pulled over my face as i struggld to inhale.
_____________
Everything was dark.I could heard few voices that my brain failed to trace.I felt pain in my arms.I opened my eyes and thought that I'm on my bed until i realised the furniture and ceiling aren't familiar.
My hands twitched, but they wouldn't move.The second I tried lifting my head, something tugged sharply at my wrists.
I tilted my head to know where am I exactly when I saw him sat infront of me.Shining chestnut hair with white t shirt.Red shaved cheeks.Brown lips probably due to smoking.He was telling something to the people stood behind him as he laughed softly.Back to them was an iron bar gate, behind it was a scissor gate,on the either side of the gate,there seem to be a parallel path to my room which was darker,may be there are no bulbs.
Who is he?
"Where am I?" My voice was huskier due to drowsiness.
I suddenly remembered I was dragged by few men & the situation where I was in implied that they succeeded in Kidnapping me.The neurotics stopped working slowly as i felt fear getting developed like a turtle's move.
I saw i had sat on a chair, my arms were tied behind me, rope digging into my skin. My ankles were bound to the chair legs, the rough wood pressing into my calves.
I still had my dress on that was on the party.A long,white,bishop sleeve,wrap skirt jumpsuit with a blue embroidery at the squared neckline.A weak bulb flickered overhead, casting shadows across the old stone walls.
Is he the main kidnapper? Why he kidnapped me?
A face almost too beautiful.. too perfect..to belong in a place like this.
He stopped laughing,his soft expression,turned serious then very stern that I was not expecting.I noticed his warm honey brown eyes,if it's not for the stern expression it would have enchanted me.
He cross folded his hands,tilting his head slightly as he studied me like I was some rare object he'd acquired.
"What's your name?"
The voice was very stern as well.I n
"A-Aayla"
My voice was shaken.
"I am..Why… why am I here?"
I realised i forgot to speak properly as well.
"Because," he said softly, "I want you here."
"That doesn't… that doesn't make sense. Why? What did I do?"
"I don't owe you an answer," he murmured.
"Please at least tell me.At least let me know."
"You'll learn when I decide."
Fear crawled down my spine,the uncertainty always made me anxious.
He rose slowly, his shadow stretching over me.
"But if you behave," he said dangerous words with a smooth voice, "if you're a good girl… I'll move you out of this dungeon. To my house. Where you'll stay with comfort."He started to turn his back.. he's leaving soon.
My lips trembled.
"I..I'll be good. Please… I'll listen."
He turned his head with a smirk,i looked away unable to meet his eyes,just why I need to have an eye contact to a random young man.
"Good," he whispered almost like a praise. "That's what I wanted to hear."
He told the tall men behind him to untie me.He continued to watch me, studying every twitch in my face, every breath as these men followed his orders.
Then he smiled faintly.I was little suspicious about what lay behind the generosity.Just then,he spoke,
"To see if you truly mean it…" he turned toward the door, "I'll leave you here alone for a while.The washroom is on your left side."
I noticed the washroom was so dirty and dry.
"We will check on you later."
"What you mean..are there no person here to ask for any need?"
"You are all alone Aayla."
"No..please.. please..this place is so dark"
"You'll stay and I'll learn how loyal you really are."
The door clicked shut.
And the moment his footsteps faded, my whole body began to shake with fear of what might come next.I certainly couldn't expect generosity from a kidnapper who was smiling, that's what psychopaths do.Yet,I felt a small,treacherous excitement.What if he had kidnapped me because of some animosity towards my father or a misunderstanding,and for that,he might not be a bad person.No,i should not feel like that,he is dangerous.