Aria sat stiffly in the backseat of the sleek black car, her hands clasped tightly together on her lap. Her mind was spinning, and her heart pounded so loud she could hear it in her ears.
The world outside passed by in a blur of neon lights and unfamiliar streets, but she couldn't focus on anything.
Then—
"Why are you sitting in the back seat?"
The deep, authoritative voice made her jump.
Enzo was staring at her through the rearview mirror, his dark eyes unreadable.
Aria blinked, confused.
Was there something wrong with sitting in the back?
Before she could even process what was happening, Enzo stepped out of the car and walked over to her side.
He opened the door.
"Come to the front," he said.
She hesitated for a second, then quickly scrambled out like a lost child trying to find steady ground.
Her small hands clutched the fabric of her dress as she nervously walked to the front seat, moving as if she were stepping on fragile ice.
Once she settled in, she placed her hands on her lap and lowered her gaze, her lips trembling.
The air was thick with silence.
What was coming next?
Would he scold her?
Would he change his mind and send her back?
She had no idea.
Enzo didn't say another word.
He simply started the car and began driving, his focus on the road.
The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating.
Arriving at the Unknown
The ride felt like it lasted forever, but eventually, they arrived.
Enzo pulled up in front of a towering building with floor-to-ceiling glass windows reflecting the city lights.
Aria swallowed hard.
She had never seen a place like this before.
Her old home—no, Liana's home—had been nothing compared to this.
Enzo stepped out first and opened the door for her again.
She hesitated before following him, stepping carefully onto the pavement like a child lost in a foreign land.
She barely noticed when another figure approached them—until it was too late.
Crash.
She hadn't been paying attention.
She collided straight into someone's chest.
Aria stumbled backward, panic flashing through her body—
But before she could fall, strong arms caught her.
Her heart stopped.
Her eyes darted up, and she realized she had crashed into him.
Enzo.
He held her effortlessly, his grip steady, as if this wasn't the first time he had caught someone falling.
Aria froze.
Her breath hitched as she realized how close they were.
His sharp features were only inches away. His scent—a mix of expensive cologne and something darker, something dangerous—filled her nose.
For a brief second, time stopped.
Then—
"Relax, girl."
His voice was deep, smooth, yet unreadable.
Aria swallowed, suddenly aware of everything.
Her hands clenched into fists.
She quickly stepped back, her face burning.
Embarrassment? Fear? She wasn't sure.
But whatever it was, she didn't like it.
She lowered her gaze and stepped behind him as if he had attacked her, moving like a timid animal hiding from a predator.
Enzo sighed but didn't comment.
He simply turned and began walking.
Aria followed.
She didn't know what else to do.
Whenever he walked, she walked.
Whenever he stopped, she stopped.
And eventually, they reached their destination.
Trapped in a Cage
The apartment was massive.
Aria's eyes widened as she took in the space—modern, elegant, and filled with dark tones that screamed luxury.
There was a massive living room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, an open-concept kitchen, and a hallway leading to rooms she had never seen before.
It was beautiful.
But it was also unfamiliar.
And terrifying.
"This is where you'll be staying," Enzo said, his tone unreadable.
Aria barely nodded.
She could barely breathe.
Her hands trembled as she took small, hesitant steps inside, as if she had just entered a lion's den.
Enzo walked ahead, showing her each room.
"That's the kitchen," he said. "Don't touch anything you don't know how to use."
He walked further.
"This is the bathroom. If you need anything, ask."
And then—
He stopped in front of a door.
"And this is your room."
Aria's breath caught.
Her room?
So she wasn't sleeping in the same room as him?
Relief flooded her chest.
Maybe… maybe this wouldn't be as terrifying as she thought.
She quickly stepped forward, wanting to get inside as fast as possible—
But then, Enzo's voice made her freeze.
"One more thing."
She turned back slowly.
His dark eyes met hers, cold and sharp.
"Don't even dare to go outside."
His voice was low, dangerous.
Her stomach dropped.
She nodded quickly.
And without another word, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
Finally.
She was alone.
But was she really free?
No.
Because this wasn't a home.
It was a prison.
And she had just been locked inside.