I turn to the door. Try the handle.
It doesn't budge.
I try again. Harder. Nothing.
"Biometric lock," he says from behind me. "Only approved individuals can open it."
I pound on the door with my fist. "HEY! ANYBODY! HELP!"
Silence.
"They won't come," he says. "They have instructions."
I turn back to face him. My heart is racing so fast I feel dizzy. "You can't keep me here. People will look for me. My coworkers saw me leave for break. They'll notice I didn't come back. The police will—"
"I called your manager. Family emergency. You needed to leave immediately. She was very understanding. Extended your time off through the New Year."
The room tilts again. "You... you called my work?"
"I'm thorough."
"You're insane."
"I prefer 'detail-oriented.'"
My legs give out. I slide down the wall until I'm sitting on the floor, knees pulled to my chest. This can't be happening. This cannot be happening.
He's still sitting in his chair, watching me. Not threatening. Not advancing. Just... watching.
Like I'm something interesting he found.
"Why?" My voice breaks. "Why are you doing this?"
He's quiet for a long moment. Then: "I need a date for Christmas."
I blink. "What?"
"My mother told my extended family I'm bringing a girlfriend to their Christmas gathering. She lied. But now I have four days to produce one, or humiliate her in front of the family." He pauses. "You're going to be that girlfriend."
"You kidnapped me... because you need adate."
"A fake girlfriend, specifically. For five days. December twenty-first through December twenty-sixth. Severny Harbor. The family estate is quite comfortable."
"You. Kidnapped. Me. For a DATE."
"Well, when you say it like that, it sounds unreasonable."
"BECAUSE IT IS UNREASONABLE!"
"I disagree. You were available. You're age-appropriate. My mother would approve of you." He pauses. "And I want you."
The words hang in the air.
"What?"
"I've wanted you since the first time you smiled at me. I've spent months imagining what you'd look like in my home, in my life, what you'd sound like when you say my name. Whether you'd taste as sweet as you look." His voice is matter-of-fact. Calm. Like he's discussing the weather. "This situation gave me an excuse to stop restraining myself."
I can't breathe.
