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CHAPTER 03

CHAPTER 03

It was very early when Veronica was woken up. Two men, probably the same as the previous night, entered the room startling her.

"You see, cutie, we do not intend to hurt you, for that to happen you just have to behave and do everything we ask," - one of them explained approaching. They were wearing masks of a black fabric on their face.

She would no longer need to wear blindfolds which would help her to better observe her environment, or not.

"You may have already noticed because we are treating you like a princess here" - one of them said showing her around. "Then, as soon as your father pays the ransom, we'll release you and everyone can move on with their lives."

The second man seemed to be more friendly, but Veronica didn't want to get her hopes up, she had been kidn*pped and knew that the less she got involved or said the better it would be for her.

"Nobody mentioned she was so beautiful." - the troglodyte with the harsher but honeyed voice spoke full of malice.

"That doesn't matter to me or you. Don't forget that!" - the other kidnapper commented in a low tone and Veronica listened to everything without making a single movement.

"It was just a comment and I’m not crazy enough to touch the little girl. Somebody would get mad."

"Who?" Veronica thought curious. “There was a person behind it all that didn't want them to touch her, but who would it be?" she wondered mentally.

"I have no intention of upsetting anyone, I just want this to be settled soon, and I can go home." - she said trying to sound confident.

"That's how we want you, honey, sweet and calm."

Veronica was beginning to feel disgusted at that man she didn't even know the face of. She didn't use to judge people she did not know, but the voice of that guy caused her anxiety and chills by the sarcastic and mean tone in which he spoke.

We will call your father today to get him to provide the amount we are going to ask for as soon as possible. You will talk to him to let him know that everything is okay.

Veronica quickly got ready while the criminals was waiting for her right there. When she returned from the bathroom, she was carried up the stairs. On the way she had seen no sign of the woman who had been in her room the night before. She probably went to the grocery store or didn't live there. In the living room there was not much furniture. Just a big sofa and a small sideboard where the phone was placed. And finally, a TV on the wall and a small coffee table. As soon as she sat down they made the call.

One of the men was the first to talk to her father, he gave Mr. Paul the necessary information about the money. Veronica listened to what he said, but she really wanted to know how her father was at that moment. While the criminal spoke nonstop she kept her head down and her eyes fixed on a single spot. The man put her on the phone and Veronica felt a wrenching deep inside her, but she knew this feeling would not help, so she took a deep breath and tried to be as natural as possible. She wished she could talk softly to her father in order to calm him down, but the only words she could pronounce before they took the phone from her were that everything was fine and that he should be calm. The criminals didn't want her to talk to her father. Their only wish was that the businessman would listen to his daughter's voice and take immediate action on the requests they had made.

Then she was taken from the room by one of the criminals and the other was talking to Mr. Paul. The moment Veronica was left in the room she no longer was able to listen to the conversation. Would they have threatened her father or just made the usual request? She hoped they hadn't tormented him by implying they would kill her, because that would drive him out of his mind and his pressure had been high recently.

It was clear in her mind that their only purpose was the money, but she did not feel safe, moments such as those were followed by high levels of stress which could easily lead to something more dangerous. She knew that many kidnappings ended up tragically, not only because of the criminals' intentions, but because of their lack of preparation and cleverness. She would have to collaborate a lot because one of them seemed totally out of control in terms of emotions.

She slowly sat up on bed and remained still, doing the only thing she could at that moment, breathe.

After a few hours and no noise being heard by her, one of the men came to bring her lunch. The big, burly criminal with a malicious look on his face was wearing a mask, and she imagined a bad semblance that had given her a sense of fear.

"Here's your food, princess."

He put a nice-looking tray on the nightstand. In addition to the traditional rice and beans there was also a small amount of mashed potatoes, beef stew, salad, and fruit juice. He had been kind enough to bring her a slice of pudding for dessert. That could be a good sign that they wanted everything to end well. Veronica would hold on to that certainty to try to feel less tense.

"Thank you!" - She didn't have the slightest intention of bonding with him, but being polite could be useful.

"You are even more beautiful than in the pictures you know?"

Veronica watched the plate quietly without any bad or good reaction. He continued after noticing she was silent:

"Don't worry, girl, unless you force me which I would very much like, I will not be able to do anything to you."

"Thank goodness." - she thought.

"Now eat and rest."

The man was leaving when he turned quickly.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No, thanks!"

The moment she was alone in the room Veronica took the tray, she was starving. That would be her first meal of the day and she was not used to going so long without eating. After finishing, she leaned against the head of the bed thoughtfully. What could she do to fix the situation? Maybe it was just her job to stay calm, nothing more. She would try to follow that thought.