Trapped with the Ruthless CEO

Chapter 1

Thelma’s POV

New York didn’t feel real.

Not yet.

The buildings were too tall, the streets too busy, the noise too constant. Everything moved so fast, like the city didn’t have time for people like me, people who arrived with nothing but a suitcase and hope that things would somehow work out.

I tightened my grip on my bag as I stepped out of the airport and into the cold air.

This was it.

No going back.

I raised my hand and flagged down a cab.

“Where to?” the driver asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

“Somewhere cheap,” I said, shifting slightly in my seat. “A hotel… nothing fancy.”

He nodded like he understood.

“Yeah, I got you.”

I leaned back, letting out a slow breath as the car pulled into traffic. For the first time since I left, I allowed myself to relax just a little.

Maybe this could work.

Maybe I could really start over.

Twenty minutes later, the car jerked suddenly.

Then stopped.

I frowned, sitting up. “What happened?”

The driver sighed, turning the key again. The engine coughed… then died.

“Damn,” he muttered. He tried again. Nothing.

My stomach tightened.

“Is it bad?”

He scratched his head. “Yeah… I don’t think I can fix this right now.”

I blinked. “So… what do I do?”

He pointed down the road. “Hotel’s not far. Just keep walking straight, take a turn, you’ll see it.”

I hesitated.

The street looked… quieter than I expected.

Too quiet.

But I didn’t have many options.

“Okay,” I said softly. “Thank you.”

I paid him, grabbed my suitcase, and stepped out.

The air felt colder now.

Or maybe it was just me.

I started walking.

At first, everything seemed fine. Just a normal street. A few cars passing. Distant sounds of the city still alive somewhere beyond.

But then…

I took a wrong turn.

I didn’t realize it at first.

Until the street got narrower.

Darker.

Quieter.

My steps slowed.

“This doesn’t look right…” I murmured, glancing around.

Tall walls. No people. No lights except a flickering one above.

An alley.

My heart started beating faster.

I turned to go back

Then I heard it.

Engines.

Loud.

Getting closer.

My breath hitched.

No.

No, no, no…

I moved quickly, trying to walk faster without looking like I was panicking.

Please don’t see me…

The sound grew louder.

Then

They turned into the alley.

Bikes.

Three of them.

My stomach dropped.

They slowed.

Then stopped.

Right in front of me.

“Well, well…” one of them said, pulling off his helmet slightly. “What do we have here?”

My fingers tightened around my bag.

“I’m just passing through,” I said quickly, my voice shaky despite my effort to stay calm.

Another one laughed.

“In a place like this?” he said. “You lost, sweetheart?”

I didn’t answer.

Didn’t move.

My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it.

“Relax,” the first one said, stepping closer. “We can help you out.”

The way he said it made my skin crawl.

“I don’t need help,” I said, backing up slowly. “I just need to go.”

They circled me.

Like predators.

“Why the rush?” one of them smirked. “Come hang out with us.”

“Yeah,” another added. “We’ll take you somewhere nice.”

My chest tightened.

“No….”

A hand grabbed my wrist.

I froze.

“Let go of me,” I said, my voice breaking.

He laughed.

“Or what?”

Something inside me snapped.

I drove my knee up hard

Straight into him.

He cursed loudly, doubling over as his grip loosened.

I didn’t wait.

I ran.

Pain shot through my body immediately.

My legs protested. My ribs ached. Every step reminded me of the beating I had just escaped.

But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

“Get her!” someone shouted behind me.

Footsteps.

Fast.

Too fast.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed myself harder.

“Please…” I whispered. “Please…”

I could hear them getting closer.

Closer.

Then

Light.

The main road.

Relief flooded me as I stumbled forward

And tripped.

My body hit the ground hard.

A loud screech cut through the air.

A car.

Brakes.

Too close.

Before I could move they were on me.

Hands grabbing.

Voices shouting.

“Hold her!”

“No….please….” I cried, struggling, kicking, trying to get free.

Then something pressed against my nose.

A cloth.

A sharp, strange smell filled my lungs.

My movements slowed.

“No…” I whispered weakly.

The world started spinning.

Their voices became distant.

Fading.

Everything faded

I unwillingly welcomed the darkness and let it consume me.