Captive of Desire

Chapter 3

ARIA

The sound of the door unlocking woke me up. I couldn't believe I passed out from masked man's slap. My cheek throbbed painfully. I glanced out the window, it was dark, meaning I had passed out for the whole day.

I thought about my home, I thought about my parents, they were probably devastated when they woke up and couldn't find me. My heart ached for them.

I reeked of dirt, sweat and dried tears. I was still dressed in my long white night gown, which was no longer white.

The door swung wide open and masked man walked in with a tray in one hand and a gun in another. Except this time, he wasn't masked but I still couldn't make out his features because the room wasn't very bright.

He set the tray in my bed right beside my foot. In the tray was a bowl of unappetizing oats and a glass of water.

"Eat," he said sharply.

I glanced at the tray and looked away, I was starving but the oats looked horrible.

"Eat," he repeated.

"I'm not hungry," I said softly, I wasn't sure if he heard me. And just in that moment, my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.

"I'm not asking," he took a step forward and I shrieked in fear that he might hit me again.

I pulled the tray closer and took a spoon of the oats and as expected it was horrible and tasteless.

He sat on the chair at the edge of the room, hands folded and just stared at nothing.

So he was gonna watch me eat, great.

I forced the miserable oats down my stomach and gulped down the water to wash off the horrible taste that lingered.

"I'm done," I said quietly.

He stood to grab my tray and headed for the door before I could stop myself.

"Sir, c..can I please take a shower?..my hair stinks," I appealed. It was a silly request but I had a plan, I would do anything to leave this hell.

He paused to look at me, even though there wasn't much to look at since we were in the dark.

But without a word, he walked out of the room.

I sighed in defeat, it was worth a shot.

Minutes later, the door unlocked again and masked man stood at the door, he pushed the door further open as if signaling me to come along but I didn't move.

"Let's go,"

I blinked. I couldn't believe my ears.

He'd actually let me take a shower?

Maybe he was nice afterall.

His huge hand gripped my arm as he pulled me with him along the long hallway until we came to a stop at a crusty looking door.

"Be quick," was all he said.

In that moment, I was able to get a good look at him through the light above us. He had jet black hair, perfectly shaped brows and a skin as clear as milk. His eyes were a perfect mix of green and blue. He was breathtaking, yet undeniably dangerous.

He turned away and stood still, like he was guarding the door.

I walked in and almost fainted from the horrible state of the bathroom. Broken tiles and moldy walls. It had just one shower and a bottle of bathing soap. I just had to make do.

After the quick shower, I turned my night gown into a body towel which I just used to wrap round my body enough to shield my nakedness. I slowly opened the door and was met with masked man's back view. He was really tall and had broad shoulders. I felt like an ant being beside him.

"I'm done," I said.

Just as he was about to turn and face me, I bolted.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Bare feet slapped against the cold floor as adrenaline surged through me. I heard him groan and run after me.

Where I was running to? I had no idea, but I ran.

"Hey!" He called but I didn't stop.

I ran until I stopped at the end of the hallway which now split in two and I wasn't sure which way to go. But I couldn't stop running. Unfortunately, before I could make a choice on whether to go left or right, a masculine arm circled my waist and I was lifted and swung over a shoulder.

Great, I was so dead.

If he didn't kill me before, he was definitely going to kill me now.

I fought and kicked to get off his shoulders, my wet hair leaving droplets of water on him and plastering over my face, but he held firm.

We finally got back into the room and he threw me on the bed like I weighed nothing and glared at me, I whimpered in fear from his gaze.

He stepped closer and I flinched.

"Don't ever do that again," he warned, his green eyes boring into my hazel ones.

Tears streamed down my face as my body shook violently, partly from fear, partly from the cold.

"Put those on," he gestured towards some folded clothes on the chair. I hadn't even noticed them.

I grabbed them and he turned his back, giving me some privacy. I wondered why he hadn't punished me or hit me for trying to escape.

"Why are you keeping me here?" I asked after getting dressed in the ugly giant gray T shirt and baggy sweats.

No answer.

"Atleast tell me what I'm here for? I have no place to run to or anyone to call for help anyway so atleast tell me why I'm here!," I snapped, desperation seeping through me.

"What's your name?," he asked, calmer than before.

"Look my parents are probably looking for me right now and they are worried sick, I know we don't have much money but I promise, if you let me out , I'll get all the money I have for you, please just let me go," I begged.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, love" he said.

My stomach churned from disappointment and frustration. I wanted to scream, but that wasn't gonna get me anywhere.

"Get some sleep," he started walking towards the door before I spoke.

"My name is Aria". I whispered.