The Man in Black

I’m a regular college student. My life was going too smoothly—too quietly.

Until the day I met him.

He was standing there, dressed in black, like he didn’t belong to the noise around him.

I don’t know why, but I couldn’t stop looking at him. He was handsome… dangerously so. There was a strange thought in my mind, something dark and confusing, and then he disappeared from my sight. Soon, I forgot about him.

Or at least, I thought I did.

One night, everything changed.

I was kidnapped.

When I finally saw the kidnapper’s face, my fear vanished. My heart skipped.

It was him.

I don’t know why, but instead of screaming, I felt… happy. I hid it. I didn’t let him see. I didn’t understand why he brought here, to this silent, unknown place.

In a low voice, without thinking, I said,

“… You’re the man from before.....and you’re damn handsome.”

He froze. I realized what I had said and looked away, embarrassed.

“You think I’m handsome?” he asked.

“That’s not what I meant,” I replied quickly.

“Then why did you say it?”

So I asked him the only thing that mattered.

“Why did you kidnap me?”

His answer was soft. Too soft.

“Because I love you.”

My mind went blank. Somewhere deep inside, a dangerous truth whispered back—I loved him too.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because you saved me.”

I tried to remember. I couldn’t.

“When did I save you?”

He didn’t answer.

He only stepped back, opened a door, and left me alone…

in the dark.

...----------------...

Part 2: He Said He Loved Me

Before I talk about what he did to me, you need to know who I am. Don’t get bored. This matters.

…

Hey. My name is Ava. I’m twenty years old. I’m the only daughter of my parents, and I have one brother… but let’s just forget about him. I don’t really like him.

I’m doing a Bachelor of Science. Don’t ask me why I chose this degree. I hate studying.

The day before my exam, I studied all night, and somehow… I passed. Even now, I don’t know how.

My parents are very strict. You know—like typical novel parents.

I also have a weakness.

I like handsome men. Don’t ask me why. I just do.

Let me tell you about my best friend. Her name is Coco. I call her Coco because I like that name. She also likes hot men. She’s the biggest fan of BTS, the K-pop group.

Okay… boring introduction over.

…

Let’s come back to the present.

WTF. Why did he kidnap me? I’m not even a pretty girl.

I muttered, “If you’re going to keep me here, you could at least kidnap my best friend too. I’m getting bored.”

He didn’t answer.

Then he came closer.

“Hey, I want to go home,” I said.

(My inner thoughts: but I don’t want to go home.)

He brought food and said, “Baby girl, eat your food.”

(My inner thoughts: He just called me baby girl. Oh my God. Am I falling in love? What am I thinking? Focus. You are kidnapped.)

“Please eat,” he said softly. “I’m worried about you.”