I glanced at him, utterly confused. Glancing back down, I studied the paper. It was a legitimate marriage license. This had to be a prank, it had to be. Before I could stop myself, I started laughing uncontrollably. After the onset of panic and fear, the relief of knowing it was a prank was just too much.
After a moment, I caught my breath. Feeling much more relaxed, I sat closer. Smiling at him, I spoke between laughs. “Okay, so, who put you up to this?” My mind was working overtime trying to think who in my life or my firm would pull such a trick. They really went all the way out on this one.
Over the last year, we have pulled many pranks on each other, but this one took the cake. I remember filling the sugar pot with salt. What a morning that was. Then there was the prank holiday one of the guys called in. Oh, and our Christmas party with the alcohol in the fruit punch, but this. Getting up, I sat down in the chair on this side of the table. “Well,” I continued, grinning. “Let’s hear it, then. Who was it?”
The man said nothing, but the sparkle in his eyes suddenly made my skin crawl. His hands were clenched tightly, his posture upright, and his tone not even slightly friendly as he spoke. “Who put me up to this?” His voice was silky, laced with venom.
Looking down at the contract again, I swallowed the lump pushing up in my throat. Was this a prank, or was it real? “No,” I mumbled as I pushed the paper back towards him. “I’m not signing that,” I added, shaking my head and rolling my eyes.
Locking eyes with him again, I could only hope he wasn’t the kind of man who would force me. His one hand moved like lightning as he ripped the mask from his face. I could see the anger in his expression as shock ran through me.
Why wear a mask if he was the one who took me? I was unsure why I felt surprised, but I did. I mean, I should have known, as he was the one who took me. Then the memories came flooding back. He was the man from the coffee shop and the one claiming to be lost at my house.
Had he been stalking me? Why? What have I done to him?
His green eyes now seemed to be ablaze as he ran a hand through his hair. “You know,” he huffed. His voice was a low growl. “I really like children; I wouldn’t want to see them get hurt or go missing. End up in the hands of someone who does not play nice with children, would you?”
I was lost; I had no idea what or who he was talking about. He rose sharply and started around the table as he continued. “All the misery because you refused to sign a simple piece of paper. A small thing that will resolve all issues and cease your obsession with me. If you refuse, they will suffer.”
Opening my mouth to snap back, I was caught off guard as he grabbed a brown envelope from one of the guards and chucked it at me. “Look at the child before you answer. Consider with care the little one living in the suburb just outside the city.” His tone was less scary and sounded more mocking.
My hands trembled as I opened the envelope. Could he be talking about my brother’s kid, my niece? With a racing heart and shaking hands, I pulled the photos out. As I glimpsed my niece, they dropped from my grasp, scattering to the table and floor.
Some showed her at school with friends. Others were of her playing in the garden at home, and even some photos of my family having supper. “What do you want?” I asked, hearing my voice cracking.
Fear settled deep into my bones. I would do anything to keep them safe. How did this man know their address? Who was he?
“It’s simple,” the man replied in a light tone. “As I said, just sign this.” He pulled the marriage license back to me. “If you don’t, your niece will be dead within seconds.”
My head felt like it was about to explode, and along with it, my heart. Picking up the pen, I reluctantly signed the license. I had barely put the pen down when he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to my feet.
“Well then, dear,” he huffs as he pulls me out the door and shoves me into his car. “What’s done is done.”
As the SUV pulls out and hits the road, I clear my throat. “Who are you?” I ask, my voice sounding less shaky as my nerves start to calm down.
He looked over at me, rolling his eyes, but didn’t open his mouth. How rude, I thought. Looking down at my lap, I folded my hands. I’m not sure what I have done or to whom to receive such a punishment.
We sat in silence for a while as he drove. But I had to know. “Just tell me your name!” I spat at him but didn’t look his way. When he didn’t respond, I turned in my seat to face him. Looking at him, I frowned. “What the hell is it with you? I just asked what your name is. It’s not like I asked for your pedigree.”
He started laughing but didn’t look at me. It was a soft sound, almost musical. But he was still rude. Feeling frustrated and angry, I folded my arms across my chest. Shifting back in my seat, I looked out the window.
I could feel my anger subside as the view changed and a mansion came into sight. My jaw dropped as the mesmerizingbeauty unfolded before my eyes. “Who the hell are you?” I asked. I hadn’t intended to speak again, but I couldn’t stop myself. I could hear the awe in my tone and felt disgusted by it.
It looked like something out of a fairy tale. The mansion towers over the walls up on the hill. Green woods and wildflowers spread everywhere I looked. The four corners of the mansion are slightly taller than the rest, like four towers. The way the sun hit the roof made it gleam, and for a moment, it looked like it was made of gold.
Why did my voice betray me? Glancing at him, he was still focused on the view before him. He didn’t look my way. But he seemed upset or angry suddenly. “What’s your problem?” I asked, feeling confused. One moment he was laughing, then the next he looked like he was ready to kill someone.
“You are not the one being kidnapped, held against your will, and being forced into a situation that you didn’t want, are you?” I asked, concerned. I was so focused on him that I had not realized we had pulled up to the mansion.
He suddenly stopped dead. I tumbled forward, slamming into the dashboard. “What the hell?” I shouted at him. Once again, he ignored me as he got out. He walked around the car and flung open my door. Grabbing me by the arm, he dragged me out.
“That hurts!” I huffed. I tried pulling away, trying to get out of his grip, but it tightened the more I struggled. Still, he said nothing. He glanced at me, frowned, and dragged me inside.
“You have no right to treat me like this!” I spat at him. “I don’t know who you are or what I’ve done to you!”
He slammed the front door closed behind us as he stopped. Pulling me closer, he firmly gripped both my shoulders, looking into my eyes. His eyes burned with anger. I suddenly feltunsafe. What did this man intend to do with me? Was he going to hit me or kill me?
Opening my mouth, I wanted to scream for help, but there was no sound coming out. Not that it would have done me any good. I was sure there was no one around to help me anyway.
