Chapter 11
1714 Words
When I opened my eyes, everything felt
wrong.
The air was too still.
The light was too dim.
And the silence… the silence felt watched.
A sharp ache throbbed behind my skull as I pushed myself upright. My hands trembled. My breath hitched.
This wasn’t my room.
It wasn’t anywhere I recognized.
Then it hit me
I was captured last night. Captured because I was running from Adrian.
It’s always Adrian’s fault. From the moment I met him, my life has been one dramatic episode after another. I miss the days when “night chaos” meant scrolling through BTS edits while eating snacks. Now it feels like it’s been five years since I last fangirled in peace.
Honestly, being with Victor was never this dramatic.
I had peace.
Excuse me?
Did I really just think that?
I shook my head so hard my brain almost fell out.
Victor, the same man who almost ruined my life simply because I refused to warm his bed?
I must be insane.
Focus, Ava. Escape first. Breakdown later.
And Adrian…
When I see him again, I’m giving him a piece of my mind.
Imagine forgetting to confront the bastard who fired me!
Of everything, I could forget, HOW?!
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
I stood up from the bed. At least they gave me a comfortable one. Yay, kidnappers with manners.
I tried the door.
Would you look at that
They actually left it open.
“God is on my side today,” I whispered.
Or maybe he's just tired of my suffering.
Either way, I needed to escape. Alive.
For Mum. For Lily. For Sarah.
And for that son of a b***h who gave birth to me, I needed to live long enough to break him too.
I stepped into the hallway quietly, trying to make myself disappear into the shadows.
Then I heard voices.
“The boss said we should bring her to him as soon as she wakes up,” a man said.
“This is the first time he’s ordered something like that. I wonder what he’s thinking,” another replied.
“Too bad,” the first guy said again. “I really wanted to f**k her brains out.”
My breath froze in my lungs. My stomach twisted.
Do they talk like this about women all the time?
No. The other guy said this was the first time.
So I only needed to worry about myself.
Great.
Perfect.
Just lovely.
“Try that, and you’re dead today,” someone else snapped sharply.
I crept forward,
And then it happened.
My toe slammed into a doorframe.
Hard.
Pain shot up through my foot. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
God, I thought you were on my side today…?
I take it back. You hate me.
“Who’s there?” one of the men called.
Oh, so they were stupid.
If I was a thief, and they asked that question, do they think I’d just jump out and say:
“IT’S ME! THE THIEF! NICE TO MEET YOU!”
I pressed myself into the shadows as their footsteps approached.
My heart was in my throat.
I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to be dragged back. I didn’t…
Meow.
The men paused.
“Oh, it’s just Bella,” one said. “Why’s the cat even here?”
I nearly screamed in relief.
Bless you, Bella.
Bless your whole bloodline.
God doesn’t hate me after all; He just has a twisted sense of humor.
“Hold on, the girl should be awake by now. Go check on her, and I’ll keep watch here,” the one who seemed to be in charge said.
My heart started beating faster. The moment they realized I was no longer there, they were going to tighten security. And once that happened? Capture was guaranteed.
Dear sweet God, I have only loved You all my life. Please, spare me this time.
I really hope this isn’t my last prayer.
The moment I heard heavy footsteps running toward my direction, I knew I’d been caught. There was no other escape route from here.
“She’s gone!” one of the guys shouted.
“I knew it!”
“She wouldn’t have gone far. Search everywhere, including the kitchen!”
Was this guy for real? Why would I be thinking of food when I could literally die here?
Well… I hadn’t eaten in a while, so maybe let’s give him credit. At least he thought of something nice.
I heard footsteps coming closer, and without thinking, I bolted. The only thought in my head was that Sarah would kill me if I died. That sounds insane, but I know my best friend, she would actually kill me after my death. Imagine dying twice because your best friend didn’t approve of the first one.
I was weak, dragging my legs across the floor, my heartbeat loud enough to make me dizzy.
And just like that, they grabbed me.
Too slow. Again.
Curse these little legs of mine. I really need to grow them.
Dear God, don’t you love your child? I don’t want to die twice.
“Hey little lady, there’s no way you could outrun us. We’re the best in the country,” one of them bragged as I struggled.
The best in the country, my foot. These bastards have marshmallows for brains.
Actually, marshmallows are too sweet for this comparison, so it’s an insult to marshmallows.
I couldn’t say that out loud because I still wanted to know which i***t kidnapped me before they killed me.
They dragged me inside, and only then did I notice the mansion.
A full-blown, “if you don’t take off your shoes the rug will sue you” mansion.
Whoever kidnapped me had serious money.
The marble floor was cold under my feet, and a chandelier big enough to house a small village hung overhead.
I stared in awe. I hope the owner is just as fine as this house, otherwise it’s a waste of resources.
“Boss, we brought her,” one of the guys said.
We were in a huge living room, but I couldn’t see anyone.
Aren’t gang leaders supposed to be terrifying?
Maybe I’ve watched too many mafia movies.
Get a grip, Ava. Please.
“Handle my guest with care. She’s very precious to me,” a familiar voice said behind me.
A familiar voice I deeply regretted ever hearing in my entire life.
I should’ve known that this bastard who ruined my life wasn’t done messing it up.
When he walked in, the aura he gave off was terrifying. His jaw was tight, and his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
How were these men not scared of him?
Well, I didn’t care.
This time, I wouldn’t let him off the hook.
The moment they released me, I rushed him. Being small had its advantages, I dodged their hands and slapped Adrian with everything in me.
“How dare you! Haven’t I had enough? Just because my life crossed paths with you once, does that mean I have to suffer till I die?” I shouted.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, remembering Victor’s insults and that stupid notice I saw right after having the best s*x of my life.
“Crossed paths once? Oh no, sweetheart, it’s more than that. You took my virginity. You think I’ll just let you go?” he said, smiling.
“Only a fool would believe that. There’s no way someone who’s never done anything before would be that good in…”
Oh God, was I seriously about to compliment him?
“Go on, admit it. I was good, wasn’t I?” he said, stepping closer.
I backed away instantly.
“You want more, don’t you? I can give you that,” he smirked.
“I would rather stay locked up for life than sleep with the man who ruined my existence,” I spat.
“What are…”
His phone rang, interrupting him.
Important call. Of course.
“I’ll be right back,” he said and walked out.
Walked. Out.
On me.
Again.
I snapped.
I launched myself at him, grabbing his hair and biting him as hard as I could.
His men rushed over, but I clung to him like a demon sent to deliver justice.
“I want my life back!” I screamed, still pulling.
I wasn’t always like this. I used to be timid, but after everything I’d gone through, I was done being quiet.
They finally separated us.
He looked like a hungry rat.
I was satisfied.
“Miss Collins, what the hell!” he yelled, checking himself.
Oh he can still talk? I should’ve gone for his mouth first.
“Let her go,” he ordered.
They obeyed instantly.
A bunch of obedient dogs.
And he thinks I won’t attack again?
The moment they stepped away, I jumped at him again.
“I worked so hard for that job! Give it back! That job was the only stable thing I had left. Losing it felt like losing myself.” I shouted, pulling at his stupidly beautiful lips.
Shame. I would’ve kissed them in another life.
“Wait…wait…hold on,” he said, lifting his hands like I was some wild animal.
I didn’t jump again. Something in his eyes had changed.
Confusion.
“What do you mean give you back your job? Are you saying you no longer work at my company?”
Was he… serious?
“Don’t play dumb. You fired me the day we slept together. And now you’re pretending you cared if I got hurt?”
“Do I look like a dog who would fire someone I slept with? I had absolutely no idea about this.”
Well he does look like someone who will fire me after sleeping with me twice cause that's how I have imagined him so far.
He looked… sincere. He really didn’t know.
“This is interesting,” he said slowly, and a dark smirk curved his lips.
“Someone touched what’s mine. I’m going to enjoy destroying them.”
At this point, even though I was the victim, I genuinely felt sorry for whoever fired me.
He looked ready to hunt.
- Writer
