CHAPTER FIVE: THE MASKED BILLIONAIRE
A piercing pain stabbed at Haera's neck, yanking her out of unconsciousness. "Ouch... my neck," she groaned, her voice hoarse. Disoriented, she blinked rapidly as her surroundings gradually came into focus. The ceiling above her was intricately designed, unlike anything in her own room. A subtle floral fragrance lingered in the air, but the room itself was cold, unfamiliar, and luxurious—too luxurious.
As the haze cleared from her mind, dread curled in her stomach. She wasn't home. She wasn't even anywhere familiar. Panic rushed through her veins.
"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
In an instant, fragmented memories surged through her head. The struggle... the sting on her neck... darkness. Her eyes widened in horror.
"Oh no... I've been kidnapped!"
Bolting upright, she scanned the room, noting the massive windows and elegant furnishings. She stumbled toward the window—it wasn't locked. For a moment, hope flickered in her chest. But when she looked outside, it quickly died. The view revealed vast gardens and high walls surrounding the estate. More frighteningly, she was on the highest floor of a mansion that could rival any palace.
She backed away from the window, panic flooding her veins.
"I have to get out of here. Today. Now."
Her heart pounding, Haera crept toward the door, trying not to make a sound. With trembling fingers, she twisted the knob. To her surprise, it turned easily. The hallway outside was silent. She stepped out, tiptoeing past ornate sculptures and massive paintings as she searched for the exit.
Luck seemed to be on her side. She found the main door and slipped through it, the fresh outdoor air slapping her face like a wake-up call. Relief flooded her. She broke into a sprint, desperate to put as much distance between herself and that house as possible.
A woman passed by, carrying groceries. Haera hurried to her, panting.
"Please! I need help. I've been kidnapped. Please help me get to the police."
The woman gasped and nodded quickly. "Come with me, child. It's dangerous out here. I'll keep you safe first, then we'll call the police."
Tears welled in Haera's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, following the woman without question. Her guard lowered just a little.
The woman led her into a warm-looking cottage at the edge of the estate. Inside, she handed Haera a glass of chilled juice. Gratefully, Haera drank it in one gulp.
But within seconds, her vision began to tilt. Her knees wobbled.
"What... what did you..." she slurred.
The woman gave her a cold, mirthless smile. "You can never escape him."
Darkness swallowed Haera once again.
---
She awoke to the same ceiling.
"No," she choked. "No! I escaped. I ran out! How am I back here?!"
Tears pricked her eyes, and she clutched the bedsheets with trembling hands. Before she could process her despair, the door opened.
A man entered. His presence filled the room instantly.
He was tall, lean, and powerful. Dressed in a dark, tailored suit, he moved with silent authority. A smooth black mask covered the upper half of his face, but even that couldn't hide his allure. His chest was broad, his posture impeccable, and his voice, when he finally spoke, rumbled like thunder.
"So you tried to run."
Haera's heart pounded.
"Don't come near me!" she shouted, stepping back. "I don't care who you are. I'm Haera Park, heiress to the Park Empire. My mother will tear this place down brick by brick to find me!"
The man tilted his head, amused.
"You hide behind a mask because you're afraid of being exposed. You think wearing it protects your cowardice."
His body stilled.
"If I take off this mask, and you realize what you've done... you'll never leave this house again."
She narrowed her eyes. "Try me."
With one slow, deliberate motion, he removed the mask.
Haera gasped.
Standing before her was Ethan Kang—the youngest billionaire tycoon in the country. The face that had graced every business magazine cover. The name that sent waves across the stock market. A legend. A myth. A man whispered about in reverence and fear.
"Y-you... you're Ethan Kang?"
He smirked.
"So you recognize me."
"You're the one they call ruthless. Cold-blooded. A man with a heart of stone. So the rumors were true. You kidnapped me... because I saw something I shouldn't have. You're protecting your secrets."
Her voice rose in fury. "You're no better than a criminal! You can hide behind your empire and money, but you can't stop the truth. I will ruin you if I get the chance!"
Ethan surged forward, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her so close she could feel the heat of his body.
"Try it," he hissed. "Just try. Not even your mother could protect you from me. No army would dare come against me. And the police? They answer to me."
Haera struggled in his grip, tears of frustration brimming in her eyes.
"You're a monster!"
He slammed his hand against the wall beside her, making her flinch.
"And don't you dare hit me again," he said through gritted teeth. "Or next time, you'll wish I was a monster."
He shoved her back onto the bed. As he turned to leave, he noticed her hand still caught in his.
"What? Going to cut it off and feed it to your dogs?" she snapped.
He released her instantly and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
---
In his own room, Ethan stood before his massive window, fingers raking through his damp, unstyled hair.
His thoughts were a mess.
No one had ever spoken to him the way she did. No one had dared.
At 15, he lost everything—his parents, his childhood, his peace. By 18, he had raised the Kang Corporation from the ashes to become number one in the nation. Now, at 23, he was the richest man alive. People bowed before him. Governments negotiated with him. But her?
Haera Park challenged him.
"How can one woman be this annoying?" he muttered. "And... why can't I stop thinking about her?"
He clenched his jaw and turned away from the window.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
---
End of Chapter Hook:
Will Ethan's walls finally crumble beneath the fire in Haera's eyes, or will he tighten his grip before love has the chance to bloom? Stay tuned for Chapter Six, where tension ignites and emotions unravel.