Warning: My Boyfriend Will Kidnap Me

A week ago, I got a text message warning me not to leave the house on the last day of December. I thought it was some kind of prank, but on that day, I received the same message again, along with a photo of me tied up. A chill ran down my spine because the clothes I was wearing in the photo were exactly what I had on, ready to head out. As I was getting ready to leave for a New Year's Eve date with my boyfriend, my phone suddenly rang. When I checked it, it was the same message as before. I brushed it off and joked with my boyfriend that someone was trying to prank me, warning me not to go out or I'd be kidn*pped. Seriously, in this day and age, who even does that? It's just ridiculous. My boyfriend loudly asked who sent it. His reaction startled me, and realizing he was a bit out of line, he explained he was just worried I wouldn't come to see him since it had been so long. I smiled, satisfied. It really had been a while, almost half a year. Quickly, I put on my shoes and was about to open the door when that eerie ringtone sounded again. Picking up the phone, I broke out in a cold sweat— It was a photo of me, tied up. What on earth was going on? Fear gripped me as I hurriedly dialed the number, "Who are you?" The only response was a series of ragged breaths. "What's with the photo?" When I asked the second question, the caller hung up. I crumpled to the floor, feeling utterly powerless. Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room. It was rhythmic, persistent. It felt like it would never stop unless I opened the door... Trying to stay calm, I peered through the peephole and saw my boyfriend's face. Remembering the photo, my hand hesitated on the door handle. I had accidentally turned off my phone, which explained why he was so anxious to come up. But... should I open the door? I turned my phone back on, deciding I definitely wasn't going out today, and messaged him saying I felt a bit sleepy and we should meet tomorrow. Just after sending it, the phone rang. I hesitated before answering, and my boyfriend's hoarse voice asked what happened and why my phone was off. I fibbed a little: "My phone died. No big deal. Let's just meet tomorrow. I'm super tired today." He paused for a moment: "But I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone at home. How about I stay with you, and we can celebrate New Year's here?" After saying that, he asked me to open the door for him. I hesitated for a long time, remembering the message only warned me not to go out, not to let anyone in. Besides, he was my boyfriend, not a stranger. After a long pause and a deep breath, I finally opened the door with a click. He came in, bringing the chill from outside with him. Watching him pick up the things I had dropped, I began to recall everything from the first message to now. What I once brushed off as coincidence now felt like a sinister, premeditated plan! After receiving the first warning text, two days later, I was nearly hit by an out-of-control car. I got a scrape on my leg from dodging it, but the car sped off without stopping. I chalked it up to bad luck and took a cab to the hospital. Just as I got out of the cab, a flowerpot fell right in front of me. If the driver hadn't called me back to say I forgot my phone, delaying me by a few seconds, that pot would have landed squarely on my head. But that wasn't the end of it. That night, as I reached the entrance of my complex, a man wearing a hat and mask blocked my way. His eyes were fierce, and he approached me with a knife. I thought it was a robbery, but thankfully, the security guard at the entrance called the police, and I was safe. As I replayed these scenes in my mind, a deep sadness settled in. Was this beautiful, smart, and charming woman really going to meet her end at such a young age? I wasn't even married yet, hadn't even started living the dream! Who on earth wanted me dead? Could I be the long-lost heiress of a billionaire, abandoned in the mortal realm? Is there an adopted daughter so sick of me that she wants me dead? But that seems unlikely. Whenever I'm out with my dad, people always say we look like we were cut from the same mold. Besides, I haven't made any enemies, have I? Who on earth is it, trapping me in this tiny space, too scared to move? Just as my mind was spiraling into wild speculation, my phone screen lit up again. My heart stopped for a moment before I exhaled a long sigh of relief and picked it up to check... Seriously? Someone I haven't heard from in forever wants me to play some game with them? Who the heck plays games on New Year's Eve? Ridiculous. Maybe being at home with my boyfriend nearby was what gave me a sense of security. I started talking to him about all the strange things that had been happening. His face grew more and more serious, and there was something in his eyes I couldn't quite read. I opened those two messages again and showed them to him, hoping to glean some information. But for some inexplicable reason, the images refused to open. It was chilling, and I didn't dare dwell on it. "If you can't get through by calling, what about texting?" He studied me for a moment before suggesting it, then handed me the phone. I thought it over and decided to give it a try, so I typed out a message and sent it. But there was no response. Seeing my disappointment, he reassured me that everything would be fine. I just nodded, too drained to say anything more. By the time night had settled in, we were both worn out. After a quick wash, we crawled into bed. He fell asleep almost immediately, but I lay there, growing more alert by the minute. Then, a message popped up, and this time, I truly felt what it meant to be plunged into an icy abyss. "Beware of the man beside you." I stared at the message repeatedly, then got up and quietly left the room. At some point, my boyfriend had turned, now facing the direction I was heading.