"you're hurting my arm. Please, stop!" My voice trembled with pain as I pleaded.
His grip loosened slightly, and I saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. But just as quickly, his face hardened, shutting off any sign of remorse. He let go off me, getting up immediately, as though he was creating a distance between us to avoid the temptation of hurting me again
I bit down on the pain, fighting back tears as I pushed further. “Is this how you treat people? With violence and no regard for their well-being?”
His jaw clenched, and he turned his gaze away for a second before looking back at me. “Watch your tongue, Amelia. You’re lucky I even spared your life,” he retorted, his voice sharp with arrogance.
I straightened up, trying to look braver than I felt. "No matter what you do, you don’t scare me." I hated how false the words sounded in my own ears. Of course, he scared me. He was one of the most dangerous men in the world—anyone who wasn’t afraid of him would have to be out of their mind.
His eyes narrowed, his anger intensifying as he took a step closer to me. His very presence was suffocating, filling the room with an ominous tension.
"You’re testing my patience, Amelia," he warned, his voice low and dangerously calm. "Choose your words carefully, or you may find yourself in a much worse position."
I knew I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t stop myself. I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my voice. "The worst you can do is kill me, and I’m not scared of death. I have nothing to lose."
As soon as the words left my mouth, regret washed over me. My mother—my sick mother who was depending on me. What was I saying? I did have something to lose, something worth living for. But it was too late to take it back now.
Kai’s lips curled into a half-smile, a twisted mix of amusement and contempt. He began to circle me, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator assessing its prey.
“well, we’ll see how that goes” he said, his tone chillingly calm. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me to nurse the pain in my arm.
***********************
“Amelia… Amelia… You’ve been sleeping all day,” Bianca’s soft voice broke through my hazy consciousness.
“What?” I mumbled groggily, blinking to adjust to the light as I opened my eyes.
“How are you feeling today, dear?” she asked with a smile.
“I’m doing a lot better, thanks,” I replied, managing a small smile back. It had been over a week since I was kidnapped and brought to Kai’s mansion. Each day dragged by, the fear gnawing at me, but Bianca had been the one bright spot. She was friendly, and despite everything, I’d grown to like her.
“I’m glad you finished your food today,” Bianca commented, her eyes flicking to the empty plate on the nightstand.
“Of course I did. I don’t want him barging in here again to force-feed me,” I said, rolling my eyes. Bianca burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“He did what?” she asked between giggles, and I shrugged. It wasn’t funny to me, but I let her enjoy the moment.
As the laughter faded, I found myself studying her face. Bianca was beautiful—almost unreal. She looked like a character out of a webtoon, with her delicate features, striking grey eyes, and perfectly styled blonde hair.
“How old are you?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“I’m 25,” she answered easily. “How about you?”
“I’m 23.” I watched as she nodded, and another question bubbled up. “How long have you been working for Kai?”
“Eight years. I became his personal assistant after he turned 20 and took over his father’s mafia.” Bianca said it with such ease, like it was just another normal job. I couldn’t help but feel pity for her.
“It must’ve been hard,” I said, my voice softening. “All these years… working with someone like Kai. You’re so young—you should be living your life, having fun, not stuck in—”
“You’ve got it all wrong, Amelia,” Bianca interrupted kindly. “I’m not stuck. I’m not in bondage. Kai doesn’t force me to work for him. I’d rather be by his side and help him than go out and live a so-called ‘normal’ life. I’m comfortable where I am.”
I stared at her, stunned by her words. “But… he’s dangerous, Bianca. You’re just 25—you have so much ahead of you, don’t you want—”
“You’re judging him based on what you’ve heard, or maybe from how he treated you when you were brought here,” she said, cutting me off again. “But trust me, Kai isn’t the devil you think he is. He’s complicated, sure. But he has layers that most people never see. Sometimes the weight of the world can make people hard, but it doesn’t mean they’re evil.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was she brainwashed? “So… you’re telling me Kai has never hurt you? He’s never tortured you or treated you badly?”
“No, Amelia,” Bianca said firmly. “He’s never laid a hand on me. He’s tough, sure. He likes things to be done perfectly, but I understand that. He doesn’t raise his voice unless he’s really upset, and even then… it’s understandable. And for the record, you’re the first woman I’ve ever seen him hurt.”
I nodded, but inside, I was thinking something entirely different. Poor woman. She must be too scared to speak out. Maybe she’s being threatened and doesn’t even realize it. As I stared at her, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Bianca might think she was safe, but I wasn’t so sure.
 “You should come outside for a walk. It’ll help your leg heal faster,” Bianca said, switching topics.
“No need for that,” I muttered, pulling the blanket back up, intending to drift off again.
“That wasn’t my suggestion, it was Kai’s instruction,” Bianca clarified, and I hesitated. Kai's instruction? Reluctantly, I shifted, slowly swinging my legs off the bed as Bianca helped me stand. She led me out of the room and down a hallway until we reached the garden at the back of the mansion.
“This is… beautiful,” I whispered, looking around. It was my first time outside the room since being locked up here, and the garden seemed almost surreal, with flowers of every color and soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Bianca said with a little smile.
“Is it too much to ask to be left here alone?” I asked, looking at her hopefully. “I just want to enjoy the peace. I promise I won’t try to escape.”
Bianca paused, looking at me quietly before nodding. “As you wish, Amelia. But don’t do anything you’ll regret. Kai wouldn’t spare you if you tried to escape, and there are guards everywhere. I’ll be back later.”
The moment Bianca was out of sight, I let out a sigh of relief. “Sorry, Bianca, but I’ll have to break that promise,” I muttered, limping toward the far end of the garden where a maze sprawled out, its entrance hidden by thick hedges.
The maze was bigger than I’d expected, its pathways winding endlessly. I pressed on, determined, though my leg ached with each step. After what felt like an eternity, I finally stumbled upon a tall concrete fence at the edge of the maze. I quickly spotted a flowerpot nearby to use as a step up.
Just as I was about to climb, a deep voice cut through the silence, making me freeze.
“That plant is quite expensive. Find something else to step on.”
I spun around, my heart pounding as I took in the figure seated casually in a small patio tucked into the maze’s corner. Kai. He sat there, calm and watchful, his gun resting on the table beside him.
“Fu—” I stopped myself, feeling the heat rise in my face. I’d been so sure he was away on a trip to Europe, just as Bianca had said.
“Come here,” he ordered, his voice cool but commanding. Slowly, I limped over, every nerve in my body on high alert.
“Sit,” he said, though there was only one chair—and he was sitting on it.
“Where? There’s nowhere to sit.” I kept my tone even, but he just stared, unbothered.
“Right. On the floor. Got it.” I began to lower myself when he grabbed my arm, pulling me onto his lap.
“Are you always this dumb?” he muttered, almost to himself, but I could hear the edge in his voice.
“I’d prefer to stand,” I said, my body tense. The position was uncomfortable, and my heart pounded as I tried to ignore how close we were.
“Relax. I just want to check your wound. Besides, you’ll be dead soon anyway, so this is the least of your problems,” he murmured, trailing his hand slowly up my thigh until it rested over the healing gash. His hand was cold against my skin, sending an involuntary shiver through me. The short dress I was wearing had ridden up, and I tugged it down instinctively, which only earned a sharp stare from him.
“don’t act like a saint, you know you’re not” he muttered, his gaze never wavering. I forced myself to look back at him, trying to hold his gaze, though it was difficult to ignore the intensity of those eyes.
“what do you mean by that?” I managed to ask, though my voice sounded smaller than I’d intended.
Kai’s eyes narrowed slightly, a strange look crossing his face. “Doesn’t this feel familiar, Jolie?” His voice was low, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it.
I stiffened. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammered, looking away. How did he know? I was sure I’d kept my identity hidden. The mask, the careful misdirections—I’d made no mistakes, or so I thought.
But now, looking at him, I realized he knew exactly who I was.
“There are so many things I could’ve done to you that night,” Kai murmured, his cold fingers slipping deeper between my thighs, sending an involuntary shiver through me. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperate to hide just how much his touch was affecting me. This reaction was foreign—I’d given countless lap dances, numbing myself to any feeling. But here I was, on Kai’s lap, wrestling with emotions I hadn’t felt in years.
“Why… why didn’t you?” I heard myself ask, voice shaky. Immediately, I regretted it. It sounded needy, almost like I was inviting him in. His lips curved into a slow smirk as he pulled my dress back down, covering my thighs. I forced myself to meet his gaze, hoping he couldn’t see how unsteady I felt. His eyes, sharp and unnervingly beautiful, held mine without wavering, drawing me in despite my better judgment.
“You’re the most daring person I’ve met. People don’t usually look me in the eyes like that,” he said, his stare hard and calculating.
“What’s so special about your eyes that I shouldn’t look?” I challenged, letting my gaze linger as if daring him to blink first. But his patience snapped, and his hand closed around my throat, his grip firm but not choking.
“Careful,” I warned, keeping my voice steady as I placed my hand on his and slowly pushed it away. “You hurt me, and you might never see your money again. I know that’s the only reason I’m still breathing.”
Kai’s expression darkened, but he let go, looking slightly taken aback. “You’ll die the most painful death after I get what’s mine, I promise. I never break a promise.”
I forced myself to smile as I stood. “Doesn’t matter how I die. Either way, it’ll happen.” But I had a plan. “I’ve got things to do, Kai. So, unfortunately for you, I’m not ready to die just yet.” I lifted the gun I had taken from the table, pointing it directly at his face. He barely flinched.
“So, you’re going to shoot?” he asked, his tone flat and emotionless.
“No,” I replied, hands wrapped around the gun, determined to hold my ground. “I don’t shoot handsome young men without a good reason. Just let me go, and we won’t have to find out what happens next.”
Kai shook his head, a mocking glint in his eyes. “You don’t even look like you’d know how to pull the trigger, not with the way you’re holding it.” He stood, taking slow steps toward me.
“Stay back, or I’ll shoot!” I shouted, stepping back as my hands trembled, the gun wavering in my grip.
“Why so scared?” he mocked, still approaching. “This is your big chance to kill me and get away. But if I take that gun, I’ll be the one to use it.” His voice was maddeningly calm, shrugging as if my threat was trivial.
“What’s your problem? Just let me go!” I snapped, my back hitting the garden wall as he closed in.
“Easy,” he whispered, his face inches from mine. “Just pull the trigger. I’ll even give you ten seconds.”
My breath hitched as he counted down, closing the gap between us until the muzzle of the gun was pressed against his chest.
“Five… four… three… two…” His words cut off as I gritted my teeth, squeezed my eyes shut, and pulled the trigger.
The gunshot shattered the silence.