ANA:
I could feel the song of the night—the hum of silence, the watchfulness of the moonlight outside. And I couldn't stop thinking about—him.
Is he okay? Is he hurt?
Is he... dead?
I have no answers. Though I haven't seen him in two weeks, I always feel eyes on me. Maybe it's just in my head, maybe it's real. And for some twisted reason, that feeling is a relief. It's the only way I know he's still out there, still alive.
Why do I want to know that?
Because I'll make him pay for what he and his family have done.
Just then, my phone lit up with a message. It was from David.
"Don't worry, I'm right outside your house."
This was it. The plan was set in motion. Rumors of my supposed "accident" had been planted online, a carefully crafted story. I know he'll take the bait. He'll come for me.
Earlier, David looked at me from across his desk, uncertain.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, hesitating. I could tell he wasn't comfortable using me as bait, but I was ready. I'd become the pawn, if that's what it took.
For days, I had tried to believe that beneath his psychopathy, there was some twisted sense of truth, a vengeful purpose behind his actions. But what about his lies? The manipulation? Making me the key to his twisted games?
I won't let him play me anymore.
"Yes, I'm sure," I replied firmly. "The only way to catch him is to draw him to me. I know he'll come. I'm his obsession, his... object of desire," I said, though the word burned. I know now it was only desire, nothing more. There were no real feelings involved, at least not from him."When he hears I'm in danger or hurt, he won't be able to resist. That's his weakness, Dave. Me. That's how we'll catch him, punish him." My voice hardened, "And I... I'll finally get my revenge."
I waited. David had paid a few local reporters to spread the rumor, so by now, he should have heard. But why wasn't he here yet?
It was one in the morning, and he still hadn't shown up. Frustrated, I dialed David's number. He picked up almost immediately.
"I don't think he'll come tonight," I said, unable to hide my disappointment. And honestly, I wasn't sure why if it. was because we couldn't catch him... or because he hadn't come despite knowing I am hurt?
"Maybe," David replied, his voice steady. "But don't underestimate him, A. He might show up when we least expect it."
"Hmm," I murmured. "But it's late, you should get some sleep."
"How can I, when a beautiful woman like you is in danger?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
I laughed. "Don't worry about me, I have a whole house full of guards." Though deep down, I knew it wouldn't make much of a difference if he really wanted to get to me.
"Alright," David said after a pause. "But... is the camera still on by your table?"
"Yes."
"And the gun?"
I sighed, gripping it a little tighter. The same gun I'd used to shoot him. "It's right here."
"Good," he said. "Take care—and remember, I'm only a call away."
I ended the call with a faint smile and turned, resigning myself to sleep. Tonight's plan was a flop.
After going through my usual nighttime routine, I finally settled into bed. Just as my eyes drifted shut, the lights cut out. My heart raced, and before I could even scream, a cloth pressed against my mouth. The sharp, sickly-sweet smell filled my nose, and then... darkness.
I awoke to the sweet, intoxicating scent of jasmine—my favorite. For a moment, I felt like I was lying in a garden, surrounded by delicate blooms. But wait, something wasn't right.
I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place.
As I opened my eyes, the soft fragrance clashed with the reality around me: a cold, dark space, like a twisted echo of the gardens I'd known in childhood. Where am I?
The moon shone bright allowing me to see that I wasn't in a room but a real garden. From the shadows, a figure emerged—like Lucifer himself. Tall, dark, radiating a devilish aura. A mask veiled his eyes and part of his face, concealing just enough to make him more terrifying. This was someone you'd instinctively want to flee from.
It was him.
He was alive.
Through the moonlight, I squinted, trying to see him clearly. It was him. Shirtless, with cargo pants slung low on his hips and a bandage wrapped around his chest—right where I...
"You..." I breathed, caught between relief and dread.
"Yes, Estrellita. Me," he replied, his voice a low, dark thrill. He prowled closer, stopping inches from my face, his hands braced on either side of the chair where my wrists were bound. His scent invaded my senses, dizzying me for a second before I snapped back, instinct screaming at me to escape. I tried to move, but that's when I realized—my wrists were tied. Then I saw the gun. The same gun I had used to shoot him. It sat casually in his pocket, as if he wanted me to know that he knew. He had known everything from the start.
Fuck.
I struggled against my restraints, every attempt futile, as he stood there right in front of me with that smug grin I wanted to punch right off his face—but couldn't.
"Why the hell am I here?" I snarled, barely containing my rage.
He only chuckled, pulling back as he straightened, giving me a view of his maddeningly perfect physique. Broad shoulders, the flex of his muscles with every subtle movement, his biceps, and those abs... Devilishly handsome didn't even begin to cover it.
"You're here because I want you here, Estrellita," he replied nonchalantly. "Because you owe me."
"I don't owe you anything!" I spat, fury igniting every inch of me. "If anything, it's you who owes me! Because you lied to me!" My voice cracked, and tears burned hot in my eyes. "I thought... I thought you were helping me. For some twisted reason, I believed in you... But you lied!"
He stood in silence, his unreadable expression only confirming everything.
"Had it not been for that anonymous tip—the video—I'd never have known the truth. The truth about your father..." My voice wavered. "It was your father who killed my mom."
This time, his expression changed. A flash of fury darkened his face, his eyes burning with hellfire.
"You don't know a thing about my family, Estrellita," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"I don't need to!" I screamed, the tears breaking free. I wasn't sure if it was from fear, betrayal, or raw hurt. "You've fooled me enough, and I won't let you do it anymore!"
He just chuckled. "You think escaping me is that easy, baby? Hmm?" His voice dripped with dark amusement, and I stared at him, dumbfounded. "I own you, my Estrellita, and soon enough, you'll realize I'm the sanctuary you've been searching for. Once you know the truth, you'll be begging me to make you mine."
I gritted my teeth. "Over my dead body."
He chuckled again, a slow, menacing sound. Then, striding towards me, leaned down, with haunting eyes and—surprisingly—untied my hands.
He drew the gun and pressed it beneath my chin, making my heart almost stop."If you think you can escape, here's your chance," he said, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity. I frowned, trying to understand his game. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Run. If I catch you... There's no escape."
I hesitated only a second before bolting, running as fast as I could.