Caught by the King

OWNED BY THE RUTHLESS KING

CHAPTER 3

I don't even know how long I was inside the car.

All I know is that the nervousness in my chest still doesn't stop. We were quiet as we drove along the dark road, and all I could hear was the rain—the repeated dripping of it on the roof of the car, like a reminder to the children that this is not a dream. All true. And I have nothing to lose.

The man next to me still had a firm grip on my arm. My hand is almost numb from the pain, but I don't have the strength to move. Even if I like it, my body doesn't seem to move at all out of sheer fear.

I looked out the window, expecting to see even a little light or human being but it was all darkness and rain pouring down on me. It's like there is no world outside. It's like I have nothing to go back for.

Suddenly, Lia comes to mind.

The last conversation we had earlier.

Text me when you get home, don't disappear.

I close my eyes tightly.

What if I can't go home?

‣Stop moving.

I gasped when I heard the cold voice of my next door neighbor. I didn't realize that I was trembling. I was instantly silent, never moving, never speaking.

Until the car stopped.

It was like someone had pulled my stomach down. I can't explain it, but I know there is no going back from the point of stopping.

Out. out

They pulled me out, and just as the door opened I was immediately struck by a cold wind and light from outside. I closed my eyes for a moment longer before looking ahead of me.

A big mansion.

She's not the kind of pretty just—the type you would admire. He's scary. Quietly. Clean. But there seems to be no life. It's like everything there is controlled, and you have no right to ask why.

Move.

They pushed me in, and as we walked inside I couldn't count how many times I swallowed. The size of the space, but the weight in feeling. It's like even when you take a breath, someone holds it back.

The boss is waiting.

Boss.

It's him again.

The guy I saw earlier. The one that's even scarier than everything I saw tonight.

They took me into a room, and as soon as I entered it, I saw her immediately. He was standing by the window, with his back to us, it was quiet but you could feel his presence right away. He's not moving, but he seems like the most dangerous one in the whole place.

2Boss, the other one said. She's here.

He didn't move immediately. He was silent, until he slowly turned to face her.

And that's when I saw his eyes again.

Straight at me.

I don't seem to have anything to stand for.

Leave us.

Without a second thought the men went out, and before I knew what was happening we were the only two left inside the room.

I was more nervous.

It turns out it's even scarier when he's alone.

He approached, slowly, as if in no hurry. But with each step he took, the air around him seemed to grow heavier. Until he stopped in front of me.

He's taller. Closer. And it's more intimidating.

Namo.

Straight. No emotion.

A-Ariana 20 my weak answer.

Full name.

I blinked for a moment before replying. Ariana Valez.

He was quiet. She just stared at me, as if checking whether I was lying. I couldn't stand the way he was staring at me, so I bent over.

You saw something you weren't supposed to.

That's not a question. He already knew.

I didn't mean to say that quickly. I didn't know that there was such a thing

Stop.

I was immediately silenced. It was like my voice had disappeared from just one of his words.

Do you think intentions matter in my world? he asked, his voice cold.

I can't answer. No matter what I say, nothing will change.

He slowly lifted my chin with his hand, and I was forced to look up at him. It's closer now. Clearer. And scarier.

2Look at me.

I don't know why, but I followed. I stared at him, even as I shivered.

And that's when I saw—he had no mercy. Everything that happened seemed normal to him. It's like the life that was lost earlier just isn't there.

People who see too much... He said softly, "Live long.

It was like my whole body suddenly went cold. I couldn't help it, my tears fell.

Please please please I almost whispered. I swear, I won't tell anyone about it.

He was silent again. Long time. It's like he was waiting for me to lie, but I can't add anything else.

Until I noticed—something had changed in his mind. Not angry, not pitying, but like she was interested.

Interesting.

I frowned. I don't understand.

He let go of me and stepped back a little. Most people beg differently, she said, as if thinking about something.

I don't know what that means, but it makes me more nervous.

Take her to the guest room.

I turned away from the door when someone entered immediately.

Boss? kill it.

She's not dying tonight.

My world seems to have stopped.

I'm not going to die? Not yet?

I don't know if I should be happy, because from the tone of his voice, it sounds like things are going to be worse next time.

As they pulled me out, he looked at me again. Straight. Cold. And with a unique depth.

You belong to me now.

I stiffened.

I can't answer. I can't move.

Because for an instant, it seemed like I lost everything - my freedom, my life, and myself.

And that's when I realized that I can never go back to how it was. Because from now on, I'm owned by the man I should be afraid of.

TO BE CONTINUED....

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