Gini's initial shock and disbelief had slowly given way to a grim acceptance of her situation. Trapped in Jonah's room, shackled to the ceiling, she spent her days in a monotonous routine. Jonah had meticulously planned her captivity, giving her just enough chain length to move around the room and use the bathroom. The chain's restrictions were a constant reminder of her helplessness, and her lack of proper clothing—just Jonah's oversized shirts—only added to her discomfort.
Jonah was a far cry from the playful, mischievous man she had once known. He now seemed cold, calculating, and disturbingly meticulous. He prepared all her meals himself, serving them in disposable containers, a precaution he took after her initial violent outburst when she had thrown the breakfast tray across the room. The food was always well-prepared, but it felt like another layer of control he held over her.
As the days passed, Gini found herself growing increasingly frustrated with her situation. She couldn't understand why no one had come looking for her, especially after her last conversation with Mark from the house management company. It was strange, and it filled her with a creeping sense of dread. She wanted answers, but she couldn't bring herself to confront Jonah, fearing what he might do if provoked.
One day, after taking a bath—an awkward process given the chain and her limited clothing—she emerged to find Jonah already in the room, as usual. He was sitting in his armchair, reading a book. This had become his usual spot, a place where he could watch her while maintaining a veneer of normalcy. The sight of him engrossed in his book, so calm and collected, made her skin crawl.
"Get me one too," Gini muttered, her voice low but carrying a note of desperation.
Jonah looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What?" he asked, his tone sickeningly sweet.
"A book!" Gini snapped, frustration boiling over. "I have nothing to do all day but stare at the ceiling."
Jonah chuckled at her outburst, a sound that sent a pang through Gini's heart. It was the same laugh he had before everything had gone so wrong, a sound that had once been comforting but now felt mocking. "You give and take, Shortcake. If you want a book, give me something in exchange."
Gini's stomach twisted at his words. The implication was clear, and she felt a wave of nausea. "What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Jonah leaned back in his chair, regarding her with an infuriatingly amused expression. "Guess yourself. What do you think I want?"
Gini felt her face flush with humiliation. She knew what he wanted, and the thought made her skin crawl. But she was desperate, bored out of her mind, and sick of feeling powerless. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and slowly made her way towards him. Each step felt like a betrayal of herself, but she couldn't see any other way. As she reached him, she hesitated for a moment before leaning down and pressing her lips to his.
For a moment, Jonah seemed taken aback. Then, his expression shifted to one of amusement. He reached up, his hand cupping her neck, and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Gini felt a shudder run through her as he dragged her back to the bed. He pushed her down, his hands roaming over her body, exploring and claiming territories she wasn't willing to offer.
Gini tried to remain passive, to endure, but as Jonah's touches became more aggressive, she couldn't help but melt. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of her control, and she felt a surge of panic. Just as she thought she couldn't bear it any longer, Jonah abruptly pulled away. He stood over her, breathing heavily, his expression a mix of satisfaction and something darker.
He wiped his lower lip with the back of his hand, a smirk playing on his lips. "Enjoy your breakfast, Shortcake," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.
Gini watched him leave, her body shaking with a mixture of anger, shame, and relief. She felt filthy, degraded, and hot. As the door clicked shut behind him, she lay there, staring up at the ceiling, tears welling up in her eyes. She hated him. She hated him for what he had done to her, for turning her life into a nightmare. But more than that, she hated herself for being unable to resist, for succumbing to his demands.
The hours passed in a blur of emotions. Gini felt like a hollow shell, her mind numb with shock. She couldn't believe she had let things go this far, that she had kissed him just to get a book. It felt like she had sold a piece of her soul, and the book felt like a paltry compensation.
That evening, Jonah returned with a book. He placed it on the bedside table without a word, then left the room, closing the door behind him. Gini stared at the book for a long time, unable to bring herself to touch it.
Eventually, she picked it up, flipping through the pages without really seeing the words. She couldn't focus, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She had to get out of here, had to find a way to break free from Jonah's control. But how? The chain was strong, the door was always locked, and Jonah was always nearby. The hopelessness of her situation felt crushing.
Gini spent the next few days in a daze. She barely ate, barely slept. The book lay forgotten on the bedside table, a symbol of her humiliation. Jonah continued to bring her meals, continued to watch her with that infuriatingly calm expression. He acted as if nothing had happened, as if their relationship was normal. It made her skin crawl, made her want to scream and cry and lash out all at once.
But she held back. She knew she had to keep her emotions in check, had to bide her time. She couldn't afford to provoke Jonah, couldn't risk pushing him over the edge. She had to play along, had to pretend that everything was fine, that she was resigned to her fate.
All the while, her mind worked feverishly, searching for a way out. She studied the room, the chain, the door, every detail she could think of. She had to find a weakness, had to find a way to escape. She couldn't let Jonah win. She couldn't let him keep her here forever.