Alton sat in his office chair, worry etched on his face. He had just arrived, fresh from the FBI headquarters, where he had updated them on Mariana's abduction after witnessing the gruesome scene at the crime site. The brutal killings had left him deeply apprehensive, fearing what they might do to Mariana. He was acutely aware of their capabilities. He had reported to the police about the tracking device he had discreetly placed in the necklace he had given her, which she likely still wore. Mariana was unaware of the device, a precaution he had taken in case of an emergency. He would do anything to get her back. He loved her deeply, and he would sacrifice all his wealth for her if they demanded a ransom.
He wiped his face with a sad sigh, his right hand moving while his left hand nervously tapped the ballpoint pen he was holding. He rested his right elbow on the edge of his desk, above the stack of papers he needed to sign.
No words could express the sadness, anger, and worry that consumed him. He felt useless, wishing he could have been there to save Mariana. He couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of helplessness that had gripped him.
"Shit!" he roared, throwing the papers across the room in a fit of rage. They landed in a crumpled heap on the floor, leaving his office in disarray. He was furious and sick with worry, imagining what Mariana might be going through. His fiancée had been kidnapped, and all he could do was wait for her safe return. He felt his helplessness acutely, his heart aching with worry.
Mariana tried to turn on the television but couldn't find the remote control. The small clock on the wall indicated it was 8:45 PM. She was surprised to find a well-stocked refrigerator. She hadn't eaten much, unable to relax completely, knowing she was caught in a terrible situation. She sat on the sofa, clutching her heart necklace, her thoughts drifting to Alton.
"He must be so worried," she said to herself, her voice laced with despair. It was clear how deeply Alton loved her. She realized she had been unfair to him, unable to reciprocate his love, even though he was the most perfect man a woman could ask for. If she were to die, she would regret not giving him the love he deserved.
After a minute of reminiscing, she heard the sound of a car approaching. She straightened herself, taking a deep breath, her heart pounding with apprehension.
The man entered the house. He glanced at her sitting on the sofa, removed his jacket, hung it on the small chair near the sofa, and walked towards her.
She held her head high, noticing the paper bags he carried. He gave her a brief look and placed the bags beside her. Mariana caught a whiff of his alluring scent as he passed close by. She usually disliked men's perfumes, but she had to admit, he smelled good. It was an odd thought, considering her life was in danger.
"Get the dress. The things you need are in there. You can use the other room," he said.
Mariana appreciated his manners. He was kind, but it was too early to judge. Perhaps he was hiding his darker side, making her trust him. She picked up the paper bags and stood.
"Thank you... How's your wound? I'm sorry about what I did. I was just so nervous, and I didn't mean it," she said, her voice cracking slightly. She was naturally talkative and couldn't help but speak. She wanted to acknowledge his good deed, to make him believe she was comfortable. The man clearly heard her words but pretended not to. He walked straight to the kitchen without looking at her. He was enigmatic, a puzzle she couldn't solve.
Mariana kept her eyes on him as he walked away. This man was hiding something. She was deeply suspicious.
She turned and walked towards the unlocked room, entering and locking the door immediately. The room was clean, including the bed. She placed the paper bags on the bed and sat down. She removed her heels, realizing her feet ached. She had almost forgotten she was wearing them and a formal outfit.
She unpacked the paper bags, discovering a white sleeveless dress that looked like an evening gown, though she knew it was cheap. The black sandals caught her eye, with interlocking straps and wrap-around ankle straps. They weren't bad, except for the almost-gown dress. She smirked. She also saw the underwear he had bought, and she could have laughed if Alton had done this for her. The other paper bag contained toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and shampoo. Her curiosity grew, wondering what was going on in the man's head and why he was doing these things. She was baffled by his true intentions and determined to uncover them. She was too afraid to take a bath in this cryptic man's house, so she just brushed her teeth and washed her face. Everything she did was rushed, her fear of the man suddenly entering the room and killing her gnawing at her. But, based on the way he looked at her, she didn't think he was a bad guy. The way she saw his eyes, she realized he was hiding something. This man was inexplicable. She was eager to learn his secret plans.
She removed her clothes, and then she noticed the large cut on the back of her long-sleeved shirt and the numerous rips in her pants. Maybe that was why he had bought her a new dress, because he hated seeing her looking like a beggar. After changing, she saw the small mirror on the wall and couldn't resist checking herself out. The dress wasn't bad, and the sandals looked surprisingly good on her.
Mariana stopped what she was doing when she saw the mark of the slap the evil masked man had given her hours ago. She looked at herself in the mirror and touched the gray mark on her left cheek.
She jumped when someone knocked on the door. She hesitated to open it, unsure what he wanted. She was alarmed, fearing he might rape her or torture her. Terror flooded her mind. The knocking continued, and she didn't know what to do, but she bravely opened the door, her heart pounding. She was being overly dramatic, her imagination turning simple things into terrifying scenarios.
Mariana met the man's gaze and calmed down. He didn't seem to have any bad intentions. He was carrying a cold compress and held it out to her. Mariana stared at him strangely, his eyes captivating her, mesmerizing her. She thought she would panic, but she felt strangely relaxed and safe.
The man focused on her beautiful, goddess-like face. He had no bad intentions; he just wanted to help her fade the bruise on her cheek. Mariana had been worried about it, and she was grateful for the solution. The man examined her, from her hair down to her feet. His intense gaze made her embarrassed and anxious. She awkwardly took the cold compress from him.
"Thank you. I actually like the dress and sandals. I'm going to pay you when I'm home. Don't worry," she said, her voice slightly lowered. She felt a surge of gratitude, and she was sure of it.
The man didn't say anything and looked away. He walked away, disappearing from her sight. Yes, he always did that, walked away, and she was used to it. He left her completely curious, wondering why he was so kind to her. Something wasn't right, she suspected again.
She closed the door and walked directly to the mirror. She carefully pressed the cold compress to her face, feeling a sense of relief as it touched her skin.
Mariana couldn't believe she was impressed by his looks. He was tall, and his charming hazel eyes seemed to bewitch her. His stylish haircut made him even more appealing, and his body was like a dream come true for any woman. She had to admit, the tattoo on his waist looked cool and made him undeniably hot.
Mariana shook her head, trying to clear her mind. These thoughts were inappropriate, especially considering she was being held captive. It was wrong to be infatuated with someone who had dangerous plans for her. She wished she could appreciate Alton's features the way she had noticed this man's. Alton was a handsome man, but she had never thought of him that way. The truth was, she had never really appreciated a guy before, not even once.
Mariana was perplexed by her own actions. Perhaps this man was truly a good guy, and that's why she felt so different around him.
Whatever his unknown plans, she would find them out soon. She wasn't easily manipulated, not going to fall for his tricks.
***