Chapter 3
839 Words
Kayla woke up feeling starving, but she didn't have any other option than to stay hungry till morning, She hurriedly pulled off her dress and had her bath. Her heart was pounding so hard -it hurt. She had sustained an injury earlier when she was struggling to let go of Derrick's grip.
She had always known fear - fear of her father, of the unknown, of the life she had been forced into. But this time it was totally different.
Derrick Smith was no ordinary captor. He was bent on frustrating her and making her believe that she has always and will always be his.
And that terrified her more than any threat could ever. She became restless and felt a feeling of helplessness.
Would he always keep her forever? She thought to herself.
**********
The next morning, there was a sudden knock at the door which frightened her. Before she could respond the door squeaked open and a man stepped inside, different from the ones Derrick sent to her.
He was carrying a tray of food, and she crossed her arms. “ What is your name?”
The man arched a brow as if she’d surprised him. “Xiao”
His expression was neutral, his posture relaxed. But there was a sharpness to him-like a blade hidden beneath silk
How long have you been working for him?
More than a decade now
“Wow how come I haven't been seeing you around? Do you enjoy working for him?”
She asked
Xiao scoffed, “I don't think it matters to you.”
“That’s not an answer”
He didn't blink - almost amused, “I think you should focus on your meal, Kayla”.
“Wait, you know my name, but your boss doesn't how come?”
His lips twitched slightly. Let's say it's from the contract description. And with that, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him
Kayla exhaled, dragging a shaky hand through her hair.
Her eyes flicked to the balcony doors.
Her pulse spiked. A way out.
She rushed forward, pushing them open.
The night air kissed her skin as she stepped out, gripping the cool iron railing. The garden stretched below, the stone walls towering beyond it.
Could she climb down? Make a run for it?
Her nails dug into her palm. She had to try.
But as she peered down… her breath caught.
A single figure stood below, leaning casually against a pillar.
Derrick. Again.
His hands were in his pockets, his head tilted back slightly, as if he’d been waiting for her.
The second their eyes met, his lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.
"Good girl," he murmured, voice drifting up into the night. "I was wondering how long it would take before you tried.”
Kayla's stomach dropped.
Her grip tightened on the railing, her heart slamming against her ribs.
His voice was smooth, taunting. "Run, pretty one. See how far you get.”
The night air was sharp against Serena’s skin, but the cold did nothing to quell the fire burning inside her.
Alessio stood below, waiting, his smirk dripping with amusement. He was a man who had never lost a game.
And tonight, she was his favorite plaything.
Her nails dug into the iron railing.,
"Run, pretty one. See how far you get.”
The words slithered through her bones, wrapping around her like a steel chain.
He wanted her to try.
He wanted to chase her.
Kayla's breath came fast and uneven. She should have been terrified. And she was. But beneath the fear, something else simmered.
A reckless, dangerous kind of rage.
She wouldn’t let him win.
Not tonight.
Her fingers curled tighter. “Go to hell, Derrick,” she hissed.
Derrick's chuckle was dark, indulgent. “Already there, princess.” He took a slow step forward, just enough for the moonlight to catch the cruel edge of his jaw. “And now, so are you.”
Serena exhaled sharply.
She could still jump. Try to outrun him.
But then what?
Guards patrolled the property. The walls were too high. She wouldn’t make it.
And worse?
If she ran and failed, she’d be showing him exactly what he wanted to see.
That she was already breaking.
Serena turned on her heel, stepping back into her room. Slamming the balcony doors shut.
She didn’t need to look down to know Alessio was still watching. Still smiling.
Because she hadn’t run.
And that meant, in his mind, he’d already won.
Kayla paced the length of the room, seething.
Her hands shook, but she refused to let herself fall apart.
"Think, Kayla."
She needed a plan.
Running blindly into the dark would only get her caught. If she was going to escape, she needed patience. Strategy.
She needed to learn his world before she could leave it.
Her jaw clenched.
Fine.
If Derrick thought he was in control, he was wrong.
She would play his game. Learn his weaknesses. And when he least expected it?
- Writer
