The once-elegant ballroom had descended into a scene of pure pandemonium. The air was thick with the piercing sound of terrified screams as guests fled in all directions, the crack of shotguns ringing out overhead. Flickering flames had caught onto the ornate curtains and plush rugs, casting an eerie, orange glow over the chaotic tableau.
Discarded masks, their porcelain faces cracked or shattered, littered the floor amidst the scurrying feet of the panicked partygoers. A trail of blood dripped across the polished hardwood, leading to where a delicate champagne flute lay shattered, its contents spilled and mingling with the shards of glass. As the fleeing guests jostled and knocked the liquor bottles to the ground, their contents exploded outward in a shower of glass and alcohol, creating a chaotic scene.
The chaotic Venetian masquerade descended into pandemonium as Duri frantically forced his way through the ornate ballroom, ripping off the elegant masks of any unsuspecting revelers who crossed his path. His sole focus was on locating Vinny, the target of his single-minded pursuit. The opulent costumes and gilded decor blurred in his peripherals as he shoved past the bewildered partygoers, driven by an urgency that consumed his every thought.
Meanwhile, Omani was a whirlwind of rage as he tore across the perimeter, firing indiscriminately at any man who had dared stand in his way. A singular obsession, Akari consumed his mind. And he was willing to cut down anyone who impeded his path.
As Duri rounded a corner, Omani's shots whizzed by, missing the other man by mere centimeters in a near-miss. The once-festive atmosphere had descended into utter chaos, the air thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the panicked screams of the terrified guests caught in the crossfire of this deadly game of cat and mouse.
"Woah there, baby" Duri pushed Omani's gun down, grabbing his waist. "Are you okay? Oppa" He whispered into Omani's ear. He nodded, a frantic look in his eyes. "Have you found them?"
"Not even a scent," Omani gasped, grabbing his head, slapping his hand.
Duri stopped him, kissing his nose. "Hey, we will find her, and Vinny will pay, okay?" He roused his partner.
"We shouldn't have sent her in, not after last night" Omani's eyes began to mist. "We promised that she will have no more trauma, no heartache" he shook his head. "Now that bastard is gonna…" He couldn't finish his sentence without a lump forming in his throat.
Duri grabbed Omani's head, leaning his forehead against each other. "If he harms a fragment of her space, we will make his life a living hell," Duri growled deeply.
Two men forcefully shattered the window, causing Duri and Omani to pivot their heads with an unsettling sense of curiosity towards the unexpected intruders. "Starting with them" Duri pointed his gun towards the two men.
Omani shot one of them without a second thought. "That will be your fate if you don't talk," he said in his smooth velvet voice.
….
Akari's mind swirled to a stop as she emerged from her deep contemplation, her consciousness slowly returning to the physical world around her. She blinked her eyes open, greeted by the sight of the verdant garden that sprawled out before her.
The gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the vibrant foliage, causing a sheer white curtain nearby to flutter and dance in the wind. As Akari took a deep breath, the familiar, comforting scent of old books enveloped her senses, the musty aroma mingling with the verdant greenery. She felt herself sink further into the soft, plush fabrics that cradled her body, the supple textures caressing her skin and enveloping her in a soothing embrace.
"Look who is awake" Vinny stood over Akari with a genuine smile. "Are you hungry?" He spoke so casually.
Akari's heart raced as she strained to lift herself from the bed, only to be met with the cold, unyielding metal of handcuffs binding her wrists. She tugged and twisted at the restraints, but they refused to give, the sharp edges digging mercilessly into her skin.
Panic began to set in as she shifted her legs, finding them similarly trapped, the shackles around her ankles restricting her movement. Akari's breathing grew ragged as she fought against her bonds, the adrenaline coursing through her veins, yet the cuffs remained steadfast.
After several frantic moments, the exertion left her lightheaded, and she collapsed back onto the pillow, her head spinning. Vinny observed her struggle, an impassive expression on his face as he settled into one of the chairs, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Akari's ragged breathing.
"No use struggling" Vinny looked at his nails, moving his kimono over his lap. "You are very secure. Don't you feel safe?" Vinny patiently smiles at her, but she doesn't answer him. "still not much of a talker" he stared at her for a moment before rapidly standing up. "No worries, I will get you some food, you need your strength and I need your attention" he left the room in a rush.
As Vinny disappeared from view, Akari's eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for any means of escape. Her gaze settled on a piece of wire protruding from the intricate art installation on the wall.
Akari's heart raced with a glimmer of hope as she contemplated reaching for the wire, imagining how she might use it to pick the lock on her restraints. However, the fleeting moment of opportunity was shattered when the sound of Vinny's approaching footsteps reached her ears. Akari quickly lulled her features, banishing any trace of desperation from her expression as Vinny re-entered the room, flanked by a couple of servers carrying trays laden with food. In an instant, Akari's survival instincts kicked into high gear. She knew that her only chance of escaping this nightmare lay in her ability to charm and manipulate Vinny.
Server waited for instructions when Vinny realized Akari was still on her side. "Oh, hold on," he smiled. Vinny leaned over Akari's body, confidently adjusting the chains that secured the cuffs and repositioning them until Akari was lying on her back. "There we go," Vinny gestured to the server to spread the trays on the bed before relieving the food laid for her.
Vinny raised his hand. "Thank you, dismissed," the server dashed out of the room. "Let me make it more comfortable" he pressed a button, and the bed began to fold up. "That's better" he clapped his hands, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I got all your favorites, not pleasing to the eye, but it has a dash of nostalgia"
Akari found herself captivated by the delightful feast laid out before her. There were wors with toast generously coated in flavorful oils, fat cakes filled with either mince or chicken mayo, koeksusters, and a variety of other delicious treats. The infusion of nostalgia in each bite evoked a symphony of memories that made Akari's stomach growl with anticipation.
"I see someone is excited," Vinny chuckled, with such humanity behind his eyes. "Where to start.
"How Will I eat?" Akari's voice made Vinny jump. He stared at her darkly. "I can't use my hands" she shook her cuffed wrist.
Vinny swallowed deeply, like her voice woken by something in him. "I will feed you" he shifted on the bed, moving closer.
Vinny held the decadent pastry in his hand, its soft, pillowy exterior giving way to reveal the savory filling within. The cake, oozing with a rich, melted cheese that clung to its surface, was the perfect complement to the spiced mincemeat nestled at its core.
As Vinny brought the indulgent morsel to Akari's waiting lips, her tongue darted out, delicately tracing the curve of her bottom lip in anticipation. The simple gesture sent a jolt of electricity through Vinny's body. Akari's mouth opened slightly, allowing Vinny to gently place the cake between her parted lips. Her teeth sank into the soft dough, the cheese pulling away in long, luscious strands as she expertly maneuvered it with her tongue.
Vinny watched, transfixed, as Akari savored each bite, her eyes fluttering closed as a soft, guttural moan escaped her lips, the sound music to Vinny's ears as he slowly pulled the cake away, eager to watch her reaction to the decadent treat.
"Remember when I used to find you?" Vinny suddenly said in a gentle voice. "On those warm summer nights by the lily pad pond" he shook his head at the memory, Akari stared at him with wide eyes. "You had just escaped, like you always do" he tilted his head towards her. "you were one wall away from the outside but you couldn't take that step" he voice so distant, caught on that memory.
"How do you know that?" Tears started to form in Akari's eyes.
Vinny continued in his memories. "I would grab as much food as I could but you didn't eat, not yet." he didn't even look at her. "You just cried and cried, allowing me to hold you. I loved holding you." He looked deeply into Akari's eyes. "But when the sun rose, your tears were gone"
"Who are you?" Akari whimpered at the memory she had blocked out of her mind.
"I remember you, honey bee…" Vinny looked intently at Akari. "Do you remember me?"