Touch Of A Burning Flame

Penelope’s Pov  “Sh*t my head hurts…” I mumbled as soon as I regained consciousness. But I couldn't see anything. It's all dark. I was blindfolded by something. What is the meaning of this? “Manager? Krissha?” I called for my manager and my personal assistant. Where am I? I couldn't breath properly, and my whole body was tense. I tried to move, but my body was strangled by a rope or something. But even though I couldn't see anything, I knew I was lying on something soft, a bed. What is happening? Then slowly, it dawned on me. I remembered that I was on my way to my award show, when the driver didn't follow the route that led to where I should be. I asked him multiple times, and that was the loudest heartbeat I had. I was freaking scared because I knew that something's not right with the driver. He wasn't responding and he was wearing a cap as if he's hiding his face on me! I tried to find my phone on my purse to ask for help but for all the worst times, I forgot that I gave it to my assistant earlier! “W-who are you?!” I remembered asking him that, but he still didn't respond on me. Then the next thing happened, I tried to jump out of the car, I was so desperate and scared. But luckily, the doors we're all locked! I heard the man laughed. I was stunned for a bit especially that it was sounded familiar but I have no time to think about it. I saw my shoes and came up with an idea. The man cursed when he saw me breaking the shield with my stilettos. I panicked when he stopped the car in the side of the rail road. “F*ck!” He cursed when he tried to reach at me but I hit his face with my six inches stiletto. I tried to run but he just easily pulled me back. He then put something on my mouth. It has a strong smell that instantly made me dizzy. It made my vision and other senses blurry as well until everything went black. That's the only thing that I can remember. Wait.. Panic stretched within me when I realized my situation. Am I kidnapped? No, no, no! This can't be! Why today? I have a grand event today! This can't be happening! This shouldn't be happening! “Relax, Penelope. You have to calm down in this kind of situation. You're pessimistic person. You know that.” I uttered in a gritted teeth. Who might be has the motive to do this to me? Is this a plot from someone who hates and envious on me from the showbiz industry? Who is then? Is he an artist? Producer? What the heck is his motive?! Why he has to do this kind of cheap thing?! I stiffened. Don't tell me…they are planning to kill me?! Damn it! They should let me get on stage first and get my reward! My tears welled up when I realized that I won’t be able to get it now. And I don't think I can get another one. Damn! Whoever he or she that planned this all out, I will make damn sure that they will pay for this! My thoughts were interrupted and my breath hitched when I heard a distant thud on the hard floor. My heart jumped. A sound of a creak in the door followed by a heavy stomp enveloped my ears. Someone is coming, and he is coming from behind me. “You're awake…” A low and threatening voice spoke. I felt a movement on the bed. He sat beside me. That made me feel uneasy and uncomfortable since I was still wearing my long slit gown. “W-Who are you?!” I shouted. My voice was laced with fear. All the more that I couldn’t see him with those blindfold. It was like I was blind and there's no more terrifying on it. A blew of a hot air before a whisper that was straight to my ear, made me screech. “Do you want to know?” He asked that sent shivers down my spine. I shouted and rolled myself away from his side like a worm. “W-Why are you doing this? Did someone pay you? I-I can double or triple its price, just let me be!” I said it in a devastated and desperate voice while panting. But what if the mastermind behind this only wants me dead? What should I do then? No! I'm just starting to break through in my career! I have been through a lot For it! So I must not die here! “Who pays you?” I repeated when he didn’t answer me. “T-Tell me and name the price.” A bark of laughter echoed in the corner of the room. My lips trembled. “I have my own money, Eris. You can't buy me.” My lips parted and my mind crumpled when I heard my real name from him. I never told anyone about it. Not even once. I changed my name, and I changed my identity for my career. I live my life, resetting everything and engraving my past. So how in hell does he know my name? Who is he? What is he up to? “W-Who are you?” My skin jumped when I felt something brushing against my exposed shoulder and arms. “D-Don’t touch me!” I said in a shaky voice. He breathed a chuckle again, like it was entertaining for him to see me almost faint in fear. “I heard you're a nominee for best actress? How suits you…” He said it with full sarcasm and irritation. “W-what the f*ck is wrong with you?! What do you want?!” Who is this man? Why he sounded like he hates me? Where is he coming from to do this to me?! “H-How do you know my name?” I asked when an old face appeared in my head. I heard his smirk before he moved again. This time, I could feel his hot breath on my cheeks. “H-How do you know my name? Do I k-know you?” I cried. I couldn't think straight. My heart raced and my ribcage tightened. “Does it really so hard to not even remember the voice of your fiance, huh? Eris? Or let's just say, Penelope?” My tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. And my lips parted. "W-what are you saying…" But then he untangled my blindfold. I slowly opened my eyes with blurry vision, adjusting from the lights. The first thing I saw was my vague red gown and my hands and feet in a rope. I cleared the lump from my throat As everything started to become clear. A thud in my chest before I slowly peered at him. My eyes widened. The dark, almost greenish eyes greeted me. My eyes narrowed when I see unfamilliar face instead. The man has a symmetrical shape Of face, pointed nose, define jaw. He has a the tanned skin too, A long shoulder length hair and a small cut on his right cheek. That I'd never saw from my ex fiance. More than that, his expanse and muscled body won't betray my eyes. This man looks so tough, defined and rough to be my ex fiancé. It's impossible. I chuckled a bit but I suppressed it immediately when his face darkened. I coughed, fakely. “I don't know how you get that info and why are you trying to deceive me. But you can't fool me mister. I know my ex fiancé’s face. He is thin, small and ugly. It's impossible that…” my words halted when he stared at me with nothing but seething coldness. "Long time no see, then." He said.