Hostage

The Talk

Kimberly's POV

"We need to talk."

I looked up from my laptop and then pulled off the huge dorky glasses I had on. Those were not my four favourite words. The last time I heard those words used together, I ended up as collateral to some rich Russian man she acquired a loan from. I bit my lip.

Two days had passed since the incident at the Monroe's party and this was the first sentence she had said to me.

"Good morning to you too Mum."

Anyone would sense the sarcasm in my voice, anyone but Gloria Hastings. She took that as a good sign and then grabbed the chair across mine.

"I'm really sorry about that night Kim." she started. "I'm sorry I let things get so out of control. But you have to admit, that was some f*****g good wine." She smiled.

My mother was a con-man. She had lived two third of her life lying and deceiving people. Once, she had talked a senator into believing she was a surgeon who had worked with the CIA . The poor man had employed her, hoping she would in some way, help him fight this cancer he was trying to hide from his family for a longer period . Mum had injected him with water for two whole months. Took what he paid her, stole what she could... And then we ran

I was just sixteen back then but I ran like my life depended on it because it did. Sometimes, I couldn't tell when she was telling the truth from when she wasn't. But right now, the way she was grinning from ear to ear, even a fool would know she wasn't sorry.

I sighed.

"But I fixed it." She continued. "I fixed it all. We would never have to run again Kim." She grabbed my hand. I was so confused.

What had she done this time?

"We're gonna be rich, you would never want anything again, as long as you do what I-"

"No!" I snapped, cutting her off right in the middle of her sentence. I couldn't let her finish. I didn't want to. Her smile fell.

"You didn't even hear what I was going to say-" she started.

"I don't want to." I shut my laptop. "I don't want to do this anymore, mum. I am tired of running. When are you going to stop this? "

"This would be the last time, I promise you. If you just-"

"You said that last time." I brushed some loose strands of hair away from my face and then sighed. "You promised to change. I can't believe I fell for it."

Silence

"Mr. Monroe has agreed to help us." She said after a minute. "I talked to him Kimmy. I told him about you, about your dreams. He is very interested in your future and so he has agreed to help us. " She continued." He'll pay off our debts, settle the bills, you could go back to college, become the doctor you've always wanted to be-"

"And why would he do that?" I faked a smile. "I'm sure it's not because he's some generous billionaire looking for ways to waste money."

"Like I said, Mr. Monroe is very interested in you." She started. I rolled my eyes but that didn't stop her from talking. "He wants to get to know you better. He just-" She paused. "Wants you." she finished.

I took a deep breath and then scoffed. My eyes stung. I exhaled.

I couldn't believe my ears but there was no way I was going to cry.

"I'm never going to be enough for you Mum, am I?" I stood up. She opened her mouth like she was going to say something but she didn't utter a single word. "I thought so too."

I made a move for the door and then halted. I turned to face her.

"Do you remember what I said to you when we moved here?" I exhaled. "I said that this would be the last time. Any more mistakes and you're on your own. That I wouldn't run with you anymore. Do you remember? "

Silence

"I meant it."

And then I walked away. She was never going to change.

I knew that now.

__________________________________________

"Thanks for letting me stay here." I wriggled my fingers and then sighed.

"You know you're always welcome Kim." I watched Izzy pull her hair into a messy ponytail. She settled beside me. "How're you feeling?"

I managed a smile.

"I've been better."

Isabel Grayson had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She was a six feet, blue eyed blonde who could easily pass for a model. I envied her. Everything about her seemed perfect. Eyes as blue as the ocean, a petit little nose and cupid lips that didn't need gloss to shine. She kinda reminded me of Paris Hilton.

Izzy had been my best friend since forever. Middle school, high school, and even college-ish. We spent every single day of our lives together. We had graduated high school with huge expectations. She wanted to be a pilot, and I, a doctor. She had always been the type to throw herself at adventure. She slouched.

"Gloria needs a whipping." She joked. I chuckled a little, sincerely this time.

"She does." I thrust my head backwards and then ran my hands through my hair. "I just can't believe her. I have done everything Izzy. Everything." My voice broke." But it's never enough." I paused. "I'm never going to be enough."

"Hey-" She pulled me into a warm embrace. "It's going to be okay." She continued. "Tell you what?" she asked after she let me go. "How about I get dressed and we go over to your place and talk some sense into your mother?"

I chuckled.

"I didn't go round the world with you to watch you get sold out to some man Kim." She stared down at me. "I'm not about to let that happen." She paused and then exhaled. "Even if he is a Monroe and getting married to him means you get to have all you ever wanted. Money, a name that commands respect, a castle to live in-"she was drifting away without even realizing. It was like she was beginning of imagine her own words. "A king sized bed, maids to serve you breakfast in bed every morning, a limo to ride in-" she paused " But who cares right?" she sighed.

I cared.

It was all I ever wanted and she knew that. But selling myself to a guy I barely even knew had never been the plan.

She looked at me for a while.

"You're not having second thoughts about this are you, Kim? "

I whirled around quickly

"No, why would I?" I felt my cheeks flush. She grinned and for a moment, I thought I saw a glint of mischief in her smile but it went away quickly.

"Good." She paused. "Cause I have a better idea."

__________________________________________

Jase' POV

I moaned.

My head hurt like crazy and I felt like I was going to die. I turned to lie on my side as images from the night of the party invaded my thoughts.

I had jumped.

Was I dead?

I moaned again and then inhaled. It smelt so familiar. Like a...

"Thank God!" Someone exclaimed.

Hospital.

"He's awake." The voice continued. I recognized the voice instantly. Light, soft. Roxanne Monroe Olsen. My sister. I opened my eyes slowly, squinting from the bright ray of light that hit me. My head hurt when I tried to move it. She exchanged a few more words with the other person in the room before he finally said:

"I'll send in some nurses to run a few more tests, make sure everything's okay."

"Thanks Doc."

"Anytime."

The door shut few seconds later and then she came running towards me.

"Jase!" She had concern written all over her face. "Thank Goodness you're okay." She continued. "How're you feeling? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Can you hear me? Do you remember who you are? "she was talking so fast. The last question was the only thing I was certain I heard.

"Roxi." I muttered softly, my voice lighter than I had meant for it to be. " You're here."

"Of course I'm here." She held my hand. "Why wouldn't I be?" She was getting teary eyed already. "You have no idea how terrified I was when I got a call from the hospital, I-" She let a tear drop roll from her eye as I tried to sit up.

Hospital.

I let out a sigh of relief.

I wasn't dead yet.

"I told you everything was going to be okay." Another tear drop fell. And then another. "I said we'd handle it. Why didn't you listen?" She paused. "I don't understand you." She exhaled. "What were you thinking? How could you be so inconsiderate? Why?" She cleaned her tears away with the back of her hand.

"Uhm-" I thought for a moment. "Attractive fish?"

It was meant to be a joke, but the look she shot me, I realised that yet was not a guarantee.