Captivated By My Captor

Midnight awakening

(Elena POV )

Sleep refused to return after the nightmare.

I lay still for a long moment, my fingers clenched the bedsheet, my chest rising unevenly. My heart was still racing, echoes of gunfire and falling from the cliff. Slowly I force myself upright. The movement sent a dull ache through my spine, indicating my weak and fragile condition.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cold floor seeped into my bare feet, grounding me.

Good. You're awake. Stay sharp.

The room was quite. Moonlight spilled in through the window, painting the white walls in silver. My eyes moved automatically, scanning the roomwith trained precision. Curtains. IV stand. Monitor. Ceiling light. Smoke detector.

I tilted my head slightly, studying angles, shadow, blinds spot .

No visible cameras.

That didn't mean there were none.

I crossed the room slowly, each steps measured, listening to the soft rustle of fabric against my skin, the faint hum of machine. I paused near the door, pressing my ear against it. No footsteps. No guards.

Suspicious.

The window came next. I leaned forward, gripping the sil, and looked down.

Third floor.

My jaw tightened. Even at full strength, that jump would've been risky. In my current state? Impossible. My fingers curled slowly into fists.

I exhaled sharply. Bad idea. Don't be stupid. You're not invincible.

Think Elena

I glanced at my reflection in the glass . Pale skin. Hollow eyes. A white gown hanging loosely at my shoulder. I looked nothing like I used to be .

Weak - but alive.

Frustration simmered in my chest as I returned to the bed and sat down heavily. My hand trembled slightly as I rested them on my knees.

"I need to escape ", I muttered to myself. " Too much is unfinished".

The mission.

The man behind it.

And the betrayal that need to be reported.

I closed my eyes briefly, forcing myself to breathe. In. Out.Think.

The door opened softly

"You're awake", a gentle voice said.

I looked up instantly.

Anna stood there, her expression caution but warm. My gaze lingered on her face, searching - measuring sincerity, danger, lies.

"Hm", I said softly.

She stepped closer." You slept all day I thought you might wake up at night".

I didn't answered right away. Instead, I watched her hands, the way she stood - relaxed, unguarded. Not trained.

" Are you hungry?", she asked.

"Yes", I said after a beat. " Very".

She smiled and left. When she returned with a tray, the smell of plain porridge filled the room. I didn't complain. I'd eaten worse in the field.

I ate slowly, deliberately, even though my stomach protested. I was aware of my gaze on me the entire time.

"Where exactly is this place?" I asked casually, without looking up.

Silence.

I lifted my eyes to her face As expected she said nothing.

I nodded faintly. Thought so .

Then, more firmly "Can you arrange a meeting with your employer? I have questions."

She hesitated, her fingers tightened around the tray. "He isn't home yet. He'll return early morning."

"Then tell him I want to see him "

Anna nodded. "I will"

When she left, exhaustion finally crashed over me. My body felt heavier than before, every muscle aching from the smallest movement. I lay back down, staring at the ceiling.

Rest now, I told myself. Tomorrow, I move.

.............

Meanwhile

Anna had barely turned the cornor when she saw Max entering the house with a man beside him.

" Sir", she said respectfully, lowering her head. "You're back. Would you like dinner ?"

"No", the man replied coolly."I already ate".

She hesitated. "sir ....the woman asked to meet you".

His steps slowed.

He turned.

Under the soft glow of the chandelier, his presence dominated the space- tall , composed , dark eyes with quiet authority. His black hair was neatly styled, his expression unreadable, almost like carved from stone.

" Hm ", he said coldly. "Noted ".

Without another glance, he continued to walk upstairs.

Max remained behind, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Anything unusual while I was gone?", he asked.

"No sir", she replied." She only woke up recently. Slept all afternoon."

Max nodded but didn't looked convinced

A woman who survived a cliff fall.... she's not ordinary. he thought

I'll keep my eye on her

He turned and walked away already planning his next move.

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