The Captive Heart

CHAPTER 6

*CHIARA*

"That fucker! How did i even believe his nonsense of letting me go after kneeling!". It's mid day now and the humiliation of kneeling and getting played by a sinfully attractive dangerous man is still burning a hole in my pride. I pace back and forth the luxurious room, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. Mr Massimo who claims to know me very well still decided to lock me in....Why would you do that or even kidnap someone you know? Which brings me to the award winning question, Do I know Massimo Scallise?

I racked my brain all afternoon and now I can feel a headache settling in. This is f****d up!

I stop pacing and rub my temples, trying to ward off the impending headache. My mind is a jumbled mess of questions and emotions, and I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my grip on reality.

Why can't I remember Massimo? He seems so convinced that we have a history together, but I don't have any recollection of him. It's like my mind is a complete blank slate when it comes to him.

I start to pace again, my frustration and anxiety building with each step. I need to remember something, anything, about Massimo. But the more I try to think, the more my mind seems to shut down. What's wrong with me? Is it because of the drugs? I've had too many doses of whatever Massimo injects me with these past few days and it could be the one blanking out my memories. What if I forget important things about my life ... No, I won't think of that.

I walk towards the bed and lower myself onto it, almost immediately I recalled Massimo's eyes being dark ...cold and scary. I have seen those eyes before. Where? Then I saw it, another memory. A boy who looked alot like...Massimo was leaning down towards me, his dark eyes were trained on me and his lips were moving but the memory I can't figure out what he is saying.

OMG! I feel like I've been punched in the gut. I do know Massimo. But how? And why can't I remember anything else about him? The memory of the boy who looks like Massimo is fuzzy, but it's definitely him. I can see the resemblance now that I think about it. The same piercing dark eyes, the same chiseled features.

I try to grasp at the memory, to hold onto it and see if I can recall anything else. But it's like trying to catch smoke , the harder I try, the more it slips through my fingers.

I'm so caught up in trying to remember that I don't even notice when the door opens. It's not until I hear Massimo's voice that I snap back to reality.

"Chiara," he says, his voice low and husky. "I see you're looking a little better. The rest seems to have done you some good."

I turn to face him, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. I'm angry, scared, and confused all at once. But most of all, I'm determined. I'm going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it takes.

"Massimo," I say, my voice steady. "I remember you. Or at least, I remember a boy who looks like you."

Massimo's expression doesn't change, but I can see a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Go on," he says, his voice neutral.

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I don't know what's going on, Massimo. I don't know why you're keeping me here or what you want from me. But I do know that I'm not going to play along with your games. I'm going to find out what's going on, and I'm going to get out of here."

Massimo raises an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm looking forward to it, Chiara," he says. "I'm looking forward to it."

He said that with an extremely creepy smile and I swallow in fear

I swallow hard, trying to push down the fear that's rising up inside me. Massimo's smile is unnerving, and I can tell that he's enjoying this game of cat and mouse.

"What do you want from me, Massimo?" I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.

Massimo's smile grows wider, and he takes a step closer to me. "Oh, Chiara," he says, his voice low and husky. "I want so many things from you. But most of all, I want you to remember."

"Remember what?" I ask, my heart racing with anticipation.

Massimo's eyes seem to bore into mine, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. "My claim, Chiara," he says, his voice dripping with menace. "You'll remember soon enough."

Suddenly, Massimo's phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket. He answers it, listening for a moment before responding.

"Yes, I know," he says. "I'll take care of it."

He hangs up the phone and turns back to me. "It seems we have a problem, Chiara," he says, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Your father is looking for you. Of course he is, It's his perfect daughter that is missing after all ."

My heart leaps with hope. Papa is looking for me? That means I might actually have a chance to escape and get away from this psycho.

But Massimo's next words dash my hopes.

"Don't get too excited, Chiara," he says, his voice dripping with malice. "I'll take care of him. And then...well, let's just say you'll be staying with me for a long time." My heart sinks, " You need to know that no one can rescue you from me, not your Papa or your Mama, not your weak little boyfriend...not even God. You are mine Chiara."

I feel a chill run down my spine as Massimo's words hang in the air. The way he says "You are mine" sends shivers down my spine. I try to push back the fear that's rising up inside me, but it's hard to shake off the feeling of being completely at his mercy.

I look into Massimo's eyes, trying to see if there's any hint of humanity left in him. But all I see is a cold, calculating gaze that makes my blood run cold.

"You're crazy," I spit, trying to keep my voice steady. "You think you can just keep me here and do whatever you want with me? I'll never let that happen."

Massimo chuckles, a low, menacing sound. "We'll see about that, Chiara," he says. "You're going to learn to obey me, to do exactly as I say. And if you don't...well, let's just say you won't like the consequences."

I feel a surge of adrenaline as I realize that I have to get out of here, no matter what it takes. This man is a total nut job, me knowing him or not does not matter. I'll do whatever I have to do to escape, to get away from this man and his twisted and his f****d up head.

But for now, I'm trapped. And Massimo knows it. He knows he has the upper hand, and I must change that. I can't just remain here and wait for him to do what he wants with me.

I steel myself for what's to come, knowing that I have to be strong if I'm going to survive this. I'll play along with Massimo's games, for now. But I'll be waiting for my chance to escape, to take back control of my life.

I go out of the walk in closet after gearing myself up. I put on a black leggings and a simple top, there are no sneakers or footwear that would aid my movement well so i decide to go barefoot. It's been 2 days since my last encounter with Massimo and I have been bidding my time. There are no chances of me escaping through this room and it has to be the main door.

I took my time to understand the routine of how the door gets opened and how the maids come in and I set my plans in motion.

I stand by the door, listening carefully to the sound of footsteps outside. I've been waiting for this moment for what feels like an eternity. The maid is due to arrive with my food in a few seconds, and I've planned my escape around this routine.

As the key turns in the lock, I take a deep breath and prepare myself then quickly step back before the door opens. The door opens, and the maid steps inside with a tray of food. I smile at her, trying to appear calm and non-threatening.

"Hello," I say, trying to sound friendly. "Thank you for bringing me food."

The maid smiles back at me, but her eyes are wary. My weird smile must be ringing danger alarms in her head but that wouldn't matter, she would be down soon

As she sets the tray down on the table, I make my move. Just as she straightens to face me, I send my best punch to her face and she falls to the ground...unconscious. She wouldn't be for long though, I step forward and make a grab for the door handle and slip out of the room, pulling the door shut behind me.

I find myself in a long, illuminated corridor that looks befitting of a castle, How rich is this guy exactly? I planned my escape for night time when I wouldn't be easily seen but I'm beginning to think that was a bad idea. The silence is deafening and I fear that I would bump into someone, or worse, Massimo while making this very unfamiliar turns. With no idea where I am or where I'm going, I keep moving until I find a stair that goes downwards. I peep down a bit and once I confirmed the coast was clear, I ran down. I find myself in a luxurious living room, it is massive and I get confused on where to go, But I know I have to keep moving. I start to run, my bare feet pounding the cold floor. I keep running, my heart pounding in my chest. I'm finally taking control of my life, and I'm not going to let anyone stop me.

I ran into a door and find myself in a massive kitchen. I slow down, trying to catch my breath as I take in my surroundings. The kitchen is enormous, with sleek, modern appliances and a large island in the center of the room. I spot a door on the far side of the kitchen, which looks like it might lead outside.

I start to move towards the door, my heart still racing with excitement and fear. I can hear the sound of footsteps echoing through the hallway above me, and I know I need to move fast.

As I reach the door, I try the handle, hoping it's unlocked. To my relief, it opens easily, and I slip outside into the cool night air.

I find myself in a large courtyard, surrounded by high walls and ornate fountains. The sound of footsteps is louder now but I don't see anyone nor do I see any signs of movement even though the steps sound very close. Am i hearing things?

I start to run, my bare feet pounding the cold stone floor. I can see a large gate in the distance, and I make a beeline for it.

As I approach the gate, I can hear the sound of voices shouting behind me and I know I'm running out of time.

I reach the gate and try to open it, but it's locked. I start to panic, looking around frantically for a way out.

That's when I see it , a small door hidden behind a nearby fountain. It's slightly ajar, and I can see a sliver of moonlight coming from the other side.

Without hesitation, I slip through the door and find myself in a narrow, winding path. I start to run, my heart poundingin my chest.

I'm not sure where I am or where I'm going, but I know I need to keep moving.

I pump my arms as I run, the winding path twisting and turning through the darkness. I can hear the sounds of pursuit behind me, the shouts and footsteps growing fainter with each step. I don't dare look back, fearing what I might see.

The path begins to slope upward, and I find myself climbing a steep hill. My legs burn with fatigue and my feet must be badly cut right now, but I push on, driven by the desire to escape.

As I crest the hill, I see a glimmer of light in the distance. I stumble toward it, my legs trembling with exhaustion. I'm sweaty and my hair stuck to my face but I push myself further. I look around my surroundings and find that I'm in what looks like a forest.....but I saw a light earlier... I look up and few feets away from me is ... Massimo. He is holding a flashlight and ju standi there like he had been waiting for me. I scream and try to scramble up from the ground but I feel him roughly pull me up by my hair.

I cry out in pain as Massimo's grip on my hair tightens. He spins me around to face him, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Where do you think you are going , Chiara," he growls, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can escape me? To go back to your little boyfriend?"

I try to struggle, but Massimo's grip is too strong. He pulls me closer, his face inches from mine. He lets me go and before I can catch myself, I feel the sharp sting on my face and cry out... he hit me! He grabs my hair and pulls me to him again

"You're mine, Chiara," he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. "You'll never escape me."

I feel a wave of fear wash over me and I look up at him, trying to read his expression. But all I see is a cold, calculating gaze that makes my blood run cold.

"What do you want from me, Massimo?" I cry clawing at his arms, trying to make him slacken his hold but he doesn't budge

Massimo's smile grows wider, and he pulls me closer.

"Oh, Chiara," he says, his voice dripping with menace. "I want everything from you."

And then I feel chunks of my hair fall out as he drags me with it along the forest floor back to his hell hole .