Forbidden Desires

Midnight Trap

My hands were still shaking as I stared at the text message on my phone. The words burned into my eyes: Robert owns the marketing firm… He approved your application himself.

I couldn’t breathe. The room felt smaller, the walls closing in like a cage I had never noticed before. I threw the phone onto the bed and buried my face in my hands. Everything I had planned…my escape, my new life…was just another lie. Robert had built it all. Every door I tried to open, he had already locked.

Tears stung my eyes, but I wiped them away quickly. I can't fall apart now. Not here. Not while he was somewhere in this house, watching, waiting.

I stood up and walked the room, my bare feet cold against the wooden floor. I checked the time, it's 3:45 AM. I was unable to sleep. I needed answers to all the questions running through my head. I needed to know what Robert was hiding before I lost my mind completely.

Then my phone vibrated once more. This time I got a call from an unknown number.

I I stared at the screen a long while, my heart thumping out a mad rhythm against my ribs. Part of me wanted to ignore it. But another part…the desperate, angry part…answered.

“Hello?” I whispered, pressing the phone to my ear.

A woman’s voice came through, low and hurried. “Dionne Gedodia?”

“Yes…Who is this?”

“Forget about my name for now and listen to me. I know you want answers to your questions. If you want to know the truth about him… meet me tonight and remember to come home alone.”

My breath caught. But something flickered in my brain instantly. “Oh, madam,” I said. “You think I am a fool to trust you?” what if you are worse than him?”

“Can you remember the bloodstains on the stairs?” she said

My heart skipped for a moment. My brain flashed back to the bloodstains when I had just gotten back from college a few months ago.

“Do you know why your mom went on a business trip the same day?” she added. “Believe me, Dionne, I know everything… more than anyone else.”

Right now, I couldn't believe what's going on. It seems the world had just collapsed. I can't… God, I can't continue living like this. The man I thought I knew better than anyone… the same man… was the one someone else knew more about than I did. I think my life has become a total joke.

“At least tell me your name,” I demanded.

“Fine,” she said, if that would make you believe me. “I am Lena,” she stopped. “You need to act fast.”

My whole body was shivering like I have just gotten out of the cold rain. My fingers trembled around my phone. “Tell me what you know about him.”

I can't believe that the man who taught me how to write, how to do things properly, who sponsored my education, the man who was my guidance… now the same man I am trying to find out about his hidden secret.

“Not over the phone,” Lena said. “It's dangerous. There’s an old warehouse on the edge of town, near the abandoned train tracks. Make sure to come alone, as I said earlier, or I will disappear. And trust me…you need to hear this.”

“Why are you helping me?” I asked, suspicion thick in my voice. “When you know he is dangerous,” I added.

“Because I was like you once. I had once trusted the wrong man. And I don't want you to make the same mistake.” She paused. “He’s not who you think he is, Dionne. He’s more dangerous than you had imagined.”

The line went dead.

I stood there frozen, the phone was still pressed to my ear. My mind raced faster than a marathon runner. This could be a trap. Or it could be my only chance to escape. Suddenly, Robert’s face flashed in my mind… his gentle smile, his strong hands, the way he touched me every day, the way I always, the way he always looks at me. The blood on my breast. The way he licked it away like it was nothing.

I shivered. But I had to know, I have the right to know the truth before it's too late.

I quickly pulled on black jeans, a black hoodie, tied my hair back into a loose ponytail, and put on my trainers. I tiptoed down the stairs careful not to catch the third step, which had a tendency to squeak. Everything was still and silent.

Robert’s room door was closed. No light underneath.

I sneaked through the side door and my heart was thumping like crazy, I took one of the extra vehicles and drove out into the darkness.

I arrived at the warehouse, it was old with crumbling brick, surrounded by leafy weeds and rusted cars I parked behind a broken fence and waited, while checking my phone every few seconds.

A soft knock on my window made me jump.

There was a woman there in a dark coat, her skin was pale and worried on her face. I think it's Lena.

I opened the car's door for her. She sit beside me, scanning the area behind us.

“I thought you wouldn't come,” she said, breathing softly. “But good that you came. We don’t have much time. Come, let's go inside.”

We went inside the building.

“So tell me what do you know about Robert?” I asked, my voice trembling. “And what do you know about the bloodshot? Please tell me everything.”

Lena looked at me, her eyes full of pity. “First thing,” she said. “He's not alone in this game.” Secondly… He’s not just controlling your life. He’s…”

A loud crack broke the night.

Suddenly, she slumped backward and fell hard on the ground. She gasped, eyes wide with shock. I was shocked to see her fall unexpectedly.

Then I noticed blood on her chest. God, Lina was shot.

“Lena!!!!!!!” I screamed.

I bent beside her, resting her head on my thighs. My hand was trembling, I was shivering than I ever had. “Le… Lena… we need to go to the hospital.” I stammered.

“Run!” Lena choked out, blood bubbling from her lips. “He… he knows… everything…”

“No, Lena,” I said. “I won't leave you here and go. I am not that selfish.” I cried out. “You need to be saved.”

“Please…Di… Dionne,” she stammered, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Please leave from here. And please tell Mom that I love her.”

“Wh… what are you saying, Lena?” I stammered, I couldn't stop crying. It was my first time seeing her… But I felt like we're related somehow. “Who is your mom, and how can I find her?”