His Unchained prisoner

Kidnapped

The word lodged in my chest before it reached my ears.

“Isn’t he back yet?”

My chest tightened. Why would he leave? And why didn’t he tell me?

Then guilt pierced into me, I had been home last night. If he’d gone looking for me, what if he’d needed me.

“He left yesterday,” she continued. “Some men came in a car. I asked him if everything was okay. He said it was.”

“They took him, in a car?” I asked again, my voice barely steady.

She nodded. “Yes, but he wasn't forced or anything.”

My fingers curled into my palm. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” I murmured, forcing a smile.

I turned and walked back into the house before she could say anything else.

I leaned against the door and drew in a shaky breath, then another. My dad was all I had. We weren’t just family, we were companions, survivors in the same small boat. If something happened to him…

“No,” I whispered. “He said it was fine.”

But why wasn’t he answering his phone?

I dialed again. Straight to voicemail.

“He’ll come back,” I told myself. “He always does.”

I clung to that thought as I went to my room and pulled out a clean pajama set. I needed to wash everything off, the last night, the alcohol, the mess in my head.

I pulled out my pajamas from the wardrobe, and rushed into the bathroom to turn on the shower. I wanted to clean myself inside out.

My legs were weak, my breaths quick and shallow, and suddenly Lorenzo’s image flashed into my head

A shiver ran through me as I groaned softly amidst the pattering of the shower. My face was burning hot with shame

“What is wrong with you?” I muttered, pressing my palm to the tiled wall.

My dad wasn’t home. This wasn’t the time to entertain such thoughts.

Get yourself together girl, I said to myself

I turned the water to cold, gasping as it shocked my system. The chill grounded me, dragged me back into myself.

Last night was over and that was all it was.

Lorenzo was nothing, just a complete stranger. A mistake fueled by heartbreak and too much alcohol. I wasn’t going to let him take up space in my life. Neither was Derick going to.

The thought of him still caused a dull ache, but I refused to sit in it. I dried off, changed into my pajamas, and returned to my room with a clearer head.

I opened my journal flipping through the next few months. My online studies were almost done.

I wasn't working anymore too, now I'd have plenty of free time to continue my love for painting. My initial plan was to use my part-time job earnings to get a better place for my dad when me and Derick get married.

I was such a fool for thinking what we had would lead to marriage.

My nose tingled. I blinked hard until the tears went back in.

“Forget him, Serenity,” I whispered. “Life goes on.”

I cleaned the house slowly, checking the time too often. Every minute my anxiety peaked and then the doorbell rang.

I bolted upright.

My heart raced as I rushed to the door and swung it open.

“Dad!”

Relief filled me so fast my knees nearly buckled. I threw my arms around him, holding him tight.

“Where did you go?” I sniffed. “You scared me.”

“Easy muffin,” he chuckled softly. “You’ll break these old bones.”

I pulled back, searching his face. He smiled but it was kind of distant.

“I’ll explain later,” he said, heading toward his room. “I need to rest.”

Something was wrong. I could feel it.

“I’ll make food,” I called after him.

“I’ve eaten,” he replied. “Just let me lie down.”

I didn’t push it. I swallowed my worry and went back to my room. After taking some painkillers, I lay down for what I thought would be a short nap.

When I woke up, it was already evening.

I felt better and my head was clearer. I changed into a loose T-shirt and trousers. As I fastened the button, my phone buzzed.

I had no friends, so who could it be?

I picked up the phone and checked my inbox. Derick?

"Can we meet?" It read.

I scrolled down.

Attached was a photo of us on our first anniversary

I hissed, pissed off, I felt like strangling him.. he's so stupid, after humiliating me in front of Rissa, how dare he.

He also sent a hotel address and a room number.

"Remember what we once shared. In case you change your mind, I'll be waiting for you here."

I blocked his number immediately, then wiped him from every corner of my social media.

Trash belonged in the past.

After grabbing my purse, I headed downstairs. Dad sat at the table, a cup trembling slightly in his hand.

“Hey, Dad.”

“You’re awake,” he said, gesturing to the chair beside him. “Sit.”

My stomach dropped.

He took a breath. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I listened as the words unfolded,

“I took out a loan and I have been unable to pay back. It's now overdue and they are asking for the money.”

“I blinked.. loan? When? For what? How much?” I asked all at once.

He rubbed his neck.

'I sent the money to your mom, she said she may consider coming back to me if I supported her business."

“You what?” I stood up frantically then breathed out to calm myself down.

“How much are we talking about?”

“Please promise you won't freak out?” He said

Freak out, I was already freaking out.

“I'm listening, dad.” I replied.

“Okay," he whispered. It was twenty five million dollars.

“What…?” I screamed

“Dad, we barely survive here and you loaned that amount for a woman who left with your daughter because your company went down?”

“Please I did it for love and I thought i'll be able to pay back soon.” he said slowly.

Love. That word shut me up.

“How long do you have left?“

“I was given seventy two hours or they'll take you and kill me.“

“Take me? Why?”

“It seems that they have been monitoring you too.”

Have you called her?.. I refused to call that woman my mother.

“She said she didn't have the money and she's struggling to pay up your sister's fees.”

“Struggling, you say?“ I heard all about her and the men she follows.

"You know what. F*ck them. I'll get the money and take us out of this mess."

In my mind, I wondered how I was going to get twenty five million dollars in seventy two hours.

I didn't say anything more and just walked back upstairs.

How was I going to pull this off, even if I sold everything it won't equate to that.

The only option was to beg them for more time.

After getting information from my dad, I set out to the location.

It was already looking like a downpour would happen anytime soon.

I walked into the street and saw the club my dad described. Of all places, this was the place he chose to borrow money?

Why would he do this, there were banks and more legit places to get funds

Before I even stepped into the front door, a black van sped toward me, screeching to a halt right in front of me, and two burly men got out.

They came after me

I turned to run, but they were faster, grabbing my arms from both sides and dragging me toward the van.

"Help......" I screamed, hoping someone would hear me.