Chapter 2
1183 Words
"Hey... you still there?" Andrea's voice finally came through after several seconds of silence, his smooth tone breaking the stillness.
"Yeah, yeah… I hear you," I replied, fumbling to sound composed. "Umm… where’s the club?" The question felt heavier than it should have, like I was giving myself one last chance to back out of whatever this night was about to become.
"Umm…" Andrea dragged out the sound, his voice holding that teasing charm that somehow made me feel both nervous and curious. "I really can’t do all that directing shenanigans darling. How about you send me your location, and I’ll send a ride to come pick you up?"
I blinked at his response, stunned by the unexpected offer. A ride? To pick me up? Was this guy serious? That felt… extravagant, like something out of a movie. Who did that?
"Uh..emm…okayyy," I said hesitantly, still processing. "I'll…I’ll send you my location via text."
"Cool… I’m cool with that. I’ll have someone come pick you up at your location in thirty minutes, so get ready, princess. See you soon," he said and then ended the call.
I stood there, my phone clutched in my hand, staring at the blank screen as if it could explain what had just happened. The way he called me "princess" stuck in my mind leaving so much lingering in my imagination. I could almost see his smirk, that devilishly confident expression that seemed to be a permanent feature of his personality.
Turning to face my wardrobe, I muttered to myself, "What do I even wear?" My fingers tapped against my chin as I shuffled closer, scanning the rows of clothes that suddenly seemed dull and uninspiring.
Then, my eyes landed on it: the red dress. A gift from a friend ages ago, it was one of those outfits I’d never had the courage to wear. It was short, shorter than I remembered and hugged every curve, but it was undeniably the fanciest thing I owned.
"Perfect," I mumbled, pulling it out of the closet. The soft fabric felt luxurious as I held it and gazed at it, I couldn’t help but smile, imagining Andrea’s reaction when he sees me in this dress.
In a matter of minutes, I was dressed and staring at my reflection in the mirror. The dress clung to my body even more than it did when I last wore it, I couldn’t deny that it looked stunning. But stepping out of the house in this? That was a different story.
"Mom would definitely not like this," I muttered under my breath, pacing the room as I tried to figure out a way to leave unnoticed. Then it hit me. Grabbing my longest coat, I threw it on, the hem of the dress disappearing beneath the fabric. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it would do, I hope.
"Mom!" I called out, heading toward the front door.
"Emma…" she replied from somewhere in the building.
"I’m going for a stroll," I said, trying to keep my voice calm and casual. "I need some air. I might be out late, but don’t worry, I’ll be back." My hand rested on the door handle, ready to slip out before she could say more.
"What’s wrong?" Her voice came closer, and a moment later, she stepped into view. Concern lined her face as she studied me. "Are you okay, my dear?"
I froze for a moment, caught off guard. "Oh, Mom, I’m fine. I just… I just want to take a walk, clear my head," I lied, forcing a smile. But her narrowed gaze told me she wasn’t buying it.
"Alright, fine," I sighed, dropping the act. "I’ve got a night shift. But don’t worry…I’m fine."
Her expression softened, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "C’mon, dear. Why are you working so hard? Take it easy on yourself," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
"Mom… please," I said gently, reaching out to hold her hand. "I’m good. I chose this. I’m fine, okay? Trust me." My words were meant to reassure her, but they felt hollow. Ever since Dad passed, I’d learned to put on a brave face for her, even when it felt like I was crumbling inside.
She sighed deeply, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Stay safe, my love," she said softly.
"I will," I promised, though my chest felt heavy with guilt as I turned and walked out the door.
The night air was crisp, and I pulled my coat tighter around me as I made my way to the designated spot. Once there, I took off the coat. glancing back at the house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt "I’m sorry, Mom," I whispered, the weight of my deceit pressing down on me.
Minutes later, a sleek black BMW rolled up, its headlights cutting through the darkness. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I answered it without thinking.
"Hey, darling," Andrea’s voice greeted me warmly. "A BMW is at the spot. You’re there, right?"
"Yeah… I’m here," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.
"That’s your ride. I’ll see you in a bit. Ciao, ciao," he said before hanging up.
I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves as I approached the car. The driver’s door opened, and a man in a clean white shirt and black trousers stepped out. Without a word, he opened the back door for me.
"Good evening," I said softly, but he didn’t respond, his gaze didn’t even meet mine, and his movements were mechanical, almost like a human robot or so.
Stepping inside the car, I gripped my bag tightly, my fingers fiddled with the strap. The leather squeaked under the pressure as my mind spiraled. What if this was a k********g? Was I being reckless? I barely knew Andrea, and yet here I was, putting myself in a situation that screamed danger.
"Miss… are you cool back there?" The driver’s deep calm tone cut through my thoughts, startling me.
"Yeah, yeah… I’m fine," I said quickly, forcing a shaky laugh. "The aircon is a little intense, but I’m good."
He didn’t respond.
Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity, before the car finally slowed to a stop.
"We’re here," the driver announced.
Peering out the window, I saw nothing that resembled a club. The area had no single soul on the street, it was quiet, the kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
"Where is here?" I blurted out, my voice tinged with panic.
The driver chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down my spine.
"Please don’t hurt me," I pleaded, my voice trembling as my hands clenched together. "Please don’t kidnap me—I’m all my mom has. Please…"
"Relax," he said, his tone calm but not exactly reassuring. "This isn’t a k********g. This is the back entrance. Only a few people use this part."
He stepped out of the car, leaving me alone for a moment. I wasn’t convinced until the back door opened to reveal…
- Writer
