Anastasia

Chapter 1: Taken

"This came for you again," my friend says as she gives me an envelope.

Taking it from her, I open it with an excited grin and I'm not surprised at all.

There's almost a hundred bucks inside.

"Someone has a secret admirer," she sings, giving me a wink and I laugh.

For the past few weeks, someone has been giving me a large tip and I still don't know what I did.

Have I been such a good waitress to receive this kind of generosity?

"Do you know who it is?"

I look up at her and shake my head. "I have no idea."

Every other day, it's always given to me in an envelope.

At the back, a name is written — DB.

This person, whoever it was, just kept giving me these tips without introducing themselves. As far as I know, most people like getting recognition for doing a good deed.

I would have liked to thank them, or ask why I was getting too much. I have never felt this kind of treatment before.

But somehow, it makes me feel special.

Despite everything, I needed this money.

My father is sick and I need enough money to pay for his medication. He needs me and I'm the only one left to take care of him.

I will always be grateful to my secret admirer.

Whoever he is.

"You know what, it's getting late. I need to go home," I finally say as I look up at my friend.

She's smiling down at me. Sometimes, I feel like she feels pity for me, knowing my situation.

I'm considered the youngest waitress working here and she knows how much I need the money.

"Sure. You take care on your way home," she replies sincerely.

With a nod, I quickly put the envelope in my bag and begin to prepare myself to go home.

I remember the first time I got a big tip. It was a few weeks ago and it was from a man that came to our restaurant and sat at the far side of the room.

Now, I never knew him nor did I see his face.

But it seemed like he was a shy guy.

But then he kept visiting the restaurant again and again.

I never really got the chance to talk to him. For me, he looked like a nice guy yet he never offered to talk to me.

One thing I know for sure is that he always wears black and he's so tall.

I have a feeling that it's him who's giving me these tips all along.

Thanks to him though, my father is now getting better.

Finally, I'm now walking down the street on my way home.

The darkness at night never really bothered me. I'm used to it.

But it's only this time that I feel so conscious. It feels like someone's watching me.

My heart's beating fast inside my chest as I try to quicken my pace.

But then, I felt it in an instant.

I start walking towards a corner when large hands suddenly grab my waist and I slam against a hard chest.

Instinctively, I push against him but he keeps his strong arms around me, keeping me locked and unable to escape.

"Don't scream," I hear his deep voice whisper in my ear.

A shiver runs down my spine as he keeps my head pressed against his heaving chest. I can practically hear him growling.

When I try to look up, I saw nothing.

The darkness shadows over his face and his eyes are dark and cold.

"Please, let me go," I beg, my voice breaking.

He growls, "No."

I shook just from the tone of his voice.

Light tears gather in my eyes and swiftly roll down my face uncontrollably.

I can feel his warmth. I can feel his breathing.

Once he notice I'm crying, he stops and rubs my back.

Is that supposed to comfort me in some way?

I shouldn't be this weak. Why am I crying?

I have to fight him.

Without thinking, I push him hard with all my strength.

He's like a brick wall. He doesn't stumble back nor move. He's just surprised and I used that to my advantage.

I turn around quickly and run away.

I reach about a few meters down the street when I feel strong arms wrapping around my waist again and I slam back against his chest.

"Wrong move, baby doll," he states, his deep voice rumbling into my ear.

He tightens his grip around my waist and lifts me up.

I yelp. "Let go of me!"

Not paying attention to me, he takes me towards the other side of the street. I start to panic.

He's going to r**e me! He's going to r**e me!

I scream and a deep rumble growls through his chest.

Keeping an arm tightly around my waist, he places me on the ground and opens the door to a black car that I didn't even notice.

He easily places me inside the car and follows after. I can't help but notice he looks too big inside the car.

Not to mention he's so tall.

I try to open the door at my side but it's locked.

Someone else must be driving because the car starts to run and I look at my captor.

It's dark here and I still can't see his face from this angle.

He must look like a savage beast.

Hugging myself, I ask, "What do you want from me?"

His hand reaches out and touches my hair.

I slap it away as I glare at his face.

"I want nothing from you, baby doll," he answers. "I want you."

I begin to feel scared.

Scared of him.

Scared of what he might do to me.

Will he r**e me?

Will he kill me then throw my corpse somewhere unknown and leave me?

What will my father think of this? Oh, no.

He must have been worried by now just thinking about where I am.

Tears begin to pool in my eyes and I start crying silently.

Hands suddenly wrap around my waist and I'm being placed on my captor's lap.

I can't process what's going on and can't think of anything else.

I keep my head low, not looking at him.

I can't.

He caresses my hair and rubs my back as I bury my face into the crook of his neck.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he assures me over and over again.