His last addiction

Chapter 3

Royal's POV

I turned over in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position, when the sound of my alarm interrupted my sleep. I stretched out my hand to grab my phone from the nightstand, but my fingers didn't touch any nightstand.

A dull ache pulsed behind my eyes as I slowly opened them. I pushed myself into a sitting position and blinked several times as I took in the room.

The room wasn't mine.

It was three times bigger than my apartment, with floor to ceiling windows that let the morning sunlight pour in.

I threw the duvet covering my body aside as panic replaced the lingering drowsiness in my head.

Everything from last night slowly came rushing back.

Eli leaving with the bartender after I told her I could get home by myself...

Me dancing...

That guy trying to touch me...

The fight...

Someone carrying me into what looked like an office inside the club...

Then a pair of gray eyes.

The man I bumped into at Luxe...

And later saw again at the club.

Does that mean I'm at his place?

I scanned the room, searching for where my alarm was coming from, and spotted my bag on the table. I walked over, sat on the chair beside it, and slipped on my sneakers.

I searched through my bag to see if anything was missing, but everything seemed to be intact.

Quietly, I tiptoed out of the room and gently closed the door behind me.

I looked down the hallway and walked slowly to the end. Taking the right turn, I came to a closed door.

Curiosity got the better of me.

I opened it and came face to face with a massive library.

I stepped inside and looked around.

"It's just a library. I don't think I'll be scolded for exploring," I muttered to myself.

The library was filled with hundreds of books, including several written in languages I couldn't recognize. From the little I explored, I picked up a few books, read their prologues, and eventually decided to borrow four of them.

I tightened my grip on the books against my chest as I stepped out of the library.

"Where's the exit?" I asked myself.

Every hallway looked exactly the same.

I took the left turn and spotted an elevator.

Finally.

I'll be out of here before whoever brought me here sees me.

I stepped inside and immediately noticed there were no labels on the buttons.

"Who builds an elevator without labels?"

I pressed a random button.

A few seconds later, the doors slid open.

I stepped out and came face-to-face with an indoor swimming pool.

"You've got to be kidding me... a swimming pool inside a house?" I whispered to myself.

Shaking my head, I turned around and got back into the elevator.

Balancing the books in one hand, I reached into my bag with the other and pulled out my phone.

I called Eli twice, but she didn't answer.

Where are you? I think I've been kidnapped.

I sent her a text instead.

The elevator dinged once more.

I stepped out, only to find a dead end.

The walls, however, were covered with framed photographs.

Each frame held the picture of a different man dressed in an expensive suit.

When I reached the last portrait, I immediately recognized him.

The man from yesterday.

I quickly turned around and stepped back into the elevator.

Please let this be the exit, I prayed silently.

The elevator doors opened again.

This time, I stepped into what looked like the living room.

To my right was a large entrance door.

Freedom.

"Finally," I breathed, releasing a sigh I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Good morning, Miss."

"Ah!"

I jumped in surprise and turned around to see a middle-aged woman smiling warmly at me.

"I didn't mean to scare you," she said apologetically.

"It's okay."

"I was just about to come to your room to wake you up. You already skipped breakfast, and it's almost time for lunch," the woman said kindly.

"Uhm... thank you..."

"Martha," she replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Martha, but you don't have to worry about me. I'll be on my way now."

Martha waved her hand dismissively.

"You should eat something first so you can take medicine for your hangover."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the disapproving look she gave me made me think twice.

"Okay."

"The dining room is this way."

I followed her, taking in the beautiful living room as we walked.

"This place is beautiful," I said.

"Mr. Cassian designed most of it himself," she replied proudly.

So his name is Cassian.

I had a feeling it was.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"He left very early this morning to take care of some business."

She pulled out a chair for me at the dining table.

"Wow... why is there so much food?" I asked, staring at the table.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I prepared different meals."

"You really didn't have to. I would've been happy with a sandwich and a cup of tea, but thank you."

"You're welcome."

I ate only as much as I could before calling Martha to let her know I was finished.

She walked out of what appeared to be the kitchen, drying her hands with a towel.

"Thank you for the food. I'll be on my way now."

"Of course, Miss."

"My name is Royal," I corrected gently. "Can I have your number? I borrowed some books from the library so I can let you know when I'd like to return them. I hope Mr. Cassian won't mind."

"Not at all, Miss Royal."

She smiled.

"Come. Let me see you out. The driver is already waiting."

"Mr. Cassian left strict instructions that you should be taken home by his driver."

"Okay."

Normally, I would've argued, but Martha seemed too kind for me to come across as rude.

"Please tell him I said thank you."

"You'll have to tell him yourself," she replied with a knowing smile.

"I won't be seeing him again," I said confidently.

"If you say so."

She opened the front door.

I stepped outside and waved goodbye before walking toward the driver, who was already holding the car door open for me.

"Thank you," I said as I got into the car.

"It's my duty, Miss."

I settled into my seat and looked out the window as the driver pulled away.

After driving for several minutes, the car stopped in front of a large gate, waiting patiently for it to open.

"Wow... this is crazy. Who builds a house this far away from the gate?" I asked.

"It happens," the driver replied with a small smile as he drove onto the main road.

Silence settled inside the car.

I opened one of the books I had borrowed from the library and began reading.

"We're here, Miss."

The driver's voice pulled me back to reality.

He had stopped in front of my apartment.

"Oh... thank you."

"It's my duty."

I made my way to my door and unlocked it.

"Home sweet home," I sighed.

I placed my bag and the books on the table before dropping onto the couch.

"What a day..."

Then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I never gave the driver my address.

How did he know where I lived?

I was certain I hadn't told Cassian—or anyone else—my address last night.

My phone rang.

I lazily reached for my bag and pulled it onto my lap before taking out my phone.

It was Eli.

I answered immediately.

"Hey! I missed your call and saw your message. Are you okay? Where are you?" she asked anxiously.

"I'm fine. I'm already home. I ran into the man I bumped into at Luxe at the club. I think he's the one who brought me home."

"Did he hurt you? Do we need to call the police?" she asked immediately.

"I'm okay, Eli. I'm home and safe. I just need to get some rest."

"Okay, girl. I'll let you rest."

"Bye."

"Bye. Take care of yourself."

She hung up.

I placed my phone on my chest and sighed loudly.