5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

-Jared-

"Alison!" I bellowed as I stormed into the house, the doors flinging open and crashing against the wall. I disregarded the cacophony, heedless of any alarm it might cause Alison. All I needed was a response. But silence greeted me. Ignoring the absence of reply, I called out her name once more, hastening up the stairs to our bedroom. I moved with an urgency I had never known before, yet upon entering the room, I found it empty.

"Alison!" I screamed, the sound reverberating through the room. I meticulously searched every nook and cranny, but she remained elusive. Racing to our playroom yielded no results either.

"Alison!" My voice echoed through the house as I continued my frantic search, commanding others to do the same. Yet, amidst tearing the place apart, a sinking realization dawned that she was not here.

Returning to the entrance in frustration, I surveyed the scene before unleashing a primal roar that resonated throughout. I couldn't fathom it. I couldn't believe I had lost her. Someone had snatched away what was mine! A sudden chime diverted my attention, and I saw a notification on my phone from an unknown number. Without a message, a photo appeared, freezing my heart in my chest—that was Alison! The perpetrator had coerced her into baring herself to the camera, her disdain evident on her face.

"Motherfucker!" I erupted. Instead of directing my fury at a person, my phone bore the brunt as I hurled it against the wall. "Damn him! I'll tear him apart!"

No one dared approach me as I vented my rage, hurling nearby objects indiscriminately. Some scrambled to avoid sculptures, and pictures launched their way. My fury culminated in flipping a small table, its crash resounding through the room. Eventually, as my anger subsided, I took deep breaths, regaining composure.

I stood amidst the wreckage, determined to rectify the situation. I would retrieve Alison, just as I had before.

"What's the plan, boss?" Someone finally broke the silence.

I paused for a moment, trying to quell the tumult within me and foster clearer thinking. He sent that photo as a provocation, a deliberate attempt to goad me into action. Yet, rushing into this would be foolish.

"I need a new phone," I murmured, eliciting confusion from the group. "Then, I intend to make some calls."

"Calls?" someone echoed, while my gaze drifted to a distant corner where a portrait of Alison, painted by my own hand years ago, stood. In that moment, her enduring beauty and radiant smile served as my anchor.

"Yes, all those indebted to me will be contacted to repay their debts. My wife will not remain in the clutches of that fucker for long. Once she is rescued, his death will be slow and agonizing. Anyone associated with him will meet a similar fate. Do you understand?"

I turned to the assembled group, and they nodded in affirmation. We were a strong force, amplifying the gravity of the mistake I had made tonight. My overconfidence had led us to this, yet I remained resolute in my determination to rectify the situation and reclaim Alison.

Approaching my shattered phone, I retrieved it and issued further directives, ensuring a thorough search of the premises to eradicate any traces of lingering adversaries. While I doubted Louis would leave behind any evidence, it was best to be sure.

Ascending the stairs, I located a spare phone in my office and inserted the old SIM card before powering it on. Its sluggish start-up tested my patience, making me want to break it as well. But as soon as I could input my password, I did and swiftly set to work.

-Alison-

Watching the dawn approach failed to impart a sense of ease. Rather, it served as a stark reminder of the passing hours since my arrival in this... prison. Yet, I couldn't help but question whether "prison" was an apt description. Surveying my surroundings, I found nothing extraordinary about the bedroom. The doors were securely locked, as were the windows, impervious to any attempts at escape.

Still, matters could have been far worse. I had been provided with new clothing and food. I had anticipated enduring a repeat of past ordeals, yet apart from a solitary photograph, Louis had made no further demands. He had even presented himself to me, and I had realized just how ambitious the young man was. Yet he remained an enigma, leaving me to grapple with confusing emotions. What was going to happen to me? I wondered.

Though I now saw he had been bluffing, his assertion held true. Taking my chance with that one percent had been too daunting. I risked too much, and besides, he could probably have gotten me under control regardless. He wasn't alone.

Yet, being locked in this room did bring a tiny sense of relief, because at least I knew Jared was alive and not a prisoner. Now, I just needed to figure out how to get out of here and back home to Jared. However, as I gazed out into the world beyond my little prison, I heard a lock turn. I looked over my shoulder, and the door opened, revealing Louis, still dressed impeccably.

"Good morning," he greeted.

I offered no response, maintaining a defensive stance with arms crossed, observing him intently.

"Did you manage to get any sleep?" he inquired.

"I believe we both know I won't be closing my eyes for as long as I remain here," I retorted.

He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, I believe you're right."

"How did you accomplish it?" I pressed.

"Accomplish what?" He feigned ignorance.

"Make it seem so real that Jared was hurt," I instructed.

"AI is a wonderful thing, don't you think?"

"Right," I murmured. "I should have known."

"But you did know," he countered. "You simply love him too much to gamble with his life. Admirable, I must admit."

"I thought we disgusted you," I retorted.

"Oh, you do, but I can appreciate loyalty. It's a rarity these days," he acknowledged, and unfortunately, I couldn't disagree. The world seemed to be in a perpetual state of conflict.

"Now, how about some breakfast?"

"I hope that's not code for anything sexual," I snapped.

"No, just breakfast," he assured.

"Poisoned?" I queried.

"No."

"Drugged?"

"No."

"I'm still declining," I stated, turning away and hearing him sigh.

"You'll need your strength if you're going to escape," he reminded me, almost as if he could read my mind.

"I'm not getting out of here. But my husband will find me. He always does," I asserted.

"Come now. You're resilient. You'll try," he insisted.

"I'm also patient," I countered.

"Yes, but even patient people need food," he reasoned.

"I'd rather drink acid than eat with you."

He chuckled, but I couldn't shake the suspicion that he might tamper with my food. I had been drugged before when I was kept as a slave, a pawn in the power games of two influential families. Perhaps Louis didn't desire me himself, but that didn't mean he wouldn't use me against others.

"You know, when I made it sound like an offer, it was just me being polite. I think we both know I'm not offering. I'm commanding," he stated.

I sighed, letting my head drop forward. It seemed futile to hope he would leave me alone. He was reveling in this situation too much. So, I acquiesced to his demands. Turning back to him, I saw the smirk on his lips, then nodded.

"Let's go."

He held out his hand, indicating that I should leave the room. Steeling myself, I stepped forward, prepared to confront whatever awaited. If I could survive this ordeal once, I could do it again, I reminded myself, as I exited the room.

I hadn't had much opportunity to survey the surroundings upon my late arrival last night. Yet, as we traversed the hallway and descended the stairs, I observed the ordinary appearance of the place, akin to any other home. Though undoubtedly more spacious than the average middle-class abode, there was nothing about it that screamed "killer".

Louis took the lead as we descended the stairs, guiding us toward the dining room. The tantalizing aroma of breakfast reached me, stirring the hunger in my stomach. Despite my ravenous state, I couldn't ignore the nagging suspicion that the meal might be tainted.

Upon entering the room, my eyes beheld the lavish spread laid out before us. It looked utterly delectable, yet I remained wary, knowing better than to let my guard down.

Louis and I took our seats at the table, facing each other. He grinned at me, a smile tinged with a sense of authority, but he underestimated my husband. They had all made that mistake in the past, and they had all met their demise. Even Astrid…

"Eat," he urged, extending his hands and motioning toward the food.

I remained motionless, prompting Louis to chuckle. "Very well, I'll go first."

He reached for a morsel of food and raised it to his mouth, taking a bite. Following suit, I mirrored his actions, sampling only what he ate. The first taste was heavenly, but I restrained myself, mindful of the potential risks. We dined in silence, yet I could sense his gaze fixed on me throughout the meal.

Once he finished, he reclined in his seat, indulging in an early drink. It made me wonder if he battled his own demons. Refraining from probing, I reached for a glass of water, taking a sip. I avoided eating until I was full. If the food had been tampered with, I didn't want to ingest too much.

"So," I began.

"So," he echoed.

"What happens next?"

"I believe that would be lunch," he quipped.

Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I forced a strained smile, drawing upon years of maintaining a fa?ade to mask my apprehension.

"I meant regarding Jared," I clarified.

"What do you think?"

"I know I'm the bait. I know you'll want to drive him insane with searching for me, and when the opportunity arises, you'll strike," I asserted.

"Perceptive," he praised.

"No, I've been through this once already. Do you know what happened to those who kidnapped me and those who aided them?" I questioned, as Louis continued to smile. "They're all dead. Do you know who killed them?"

"I'm guessing your husband," he mocked.

"Yes."

"He had help."

"Yes, and then he eliminated those who assisted him, leaving no room for betrayal. He killed his other wife. He killed their unborn child. Just so he could be with me."

"Don't you find that disturbing?" he inquired.

"Jared has his own way of expressing love," I stated. "It terrifies me and excites me beyond comprehension. But one thing I know for certain is that he will always come find me. Or he'll follow me in death."

"God, you speak like a tragic Romeo and Juliet story," he remarked.

"Perhaps it makes sense after all."

"Only for the unhinged," he said.

"I'll gladly be seen as unhinged, as long as I have Jared beside me."

He shook his head, deeming us absolute lunatics, but I remained unfazed. I had unwavering faith in Jared, and I always would.

"You've signed your own death warrant. Do you realize that?" I challenged.

"I think you underestimate me, just as your husband did. And look where that got him," Louis countered.

"No, I'm not underestimating you. I think you're quite clever and slippery."

"Oh?"

"But you're making the same mistake, because Jared is Jared," I emphasized.

"Does that mean something?" he inquired.

"It means my husband is the kind of person you can't adequately describe with words. It gives you every reason to fear him."

"As I said, your loyalty is admirable, but the rest just makes me want to gag," he admitted. "No wonder you had so many who didn't want you two together."

"That had nothing to do with our love for each other. It was about their plans for who we should love and spend our lives with. Jared freed me, and in return, I showed him what it meant to be cared for, to have someone who would never leave his side."

"Weren't you enemies at one point?" he inquired.

"To some extent, yes, but deep down, I always loved him."

"You're quite something, Alison. So few women are loyal these days."

"You speak as if you know every woman out there. Many of us are quite loyal," I countered.

"You're all liars and cheaters."

"Did someone break your heart?" I teased, and Louis narrowed his eyes, betraying a hint of vulnerability. "Ah, I see. Jealous of Jared?"

"Absolutely not. You might have a pretty face and most likely a good pussy to fuck, but that's all you're worth. The rest makes my skin crawl."

I smiled, leaning forward and resting my arms on the table. "I think you're lying to yourself. It may seem intimidating, but who doesn't want the attention of an obsessed person? You'd be everything they think about. You'd never be alone. It's a security you can't find elsewhere."

"Until they kill you in your sleep and hang your head on their wall."

"Yes, it rarely ends in a happily ever after like Jared and me, but there's an indescribable connection between us, and that's why you should be afraid."

"Me?" he scoffed.

"Yes, you."

"You have no idea what you're talking about," he retorted.

"I do, because like every beautiful love story, the hero comes for his princess."

"I think we both know he's not a hero, and you're no innocent maiden in need of rescuing."

"No, you're right, but I never said he was a hero. He's the villain, but that's the beauty of it, because the villain will go further for the princess than the hero ever would. A hero has morals he won't compromise. Jared would burn the world to get to me, and when he catches you, even if I'm no longer alive, he'll make your death agonizingly slow. He'll probably make you watch as he tortures your family in front of you."

"I don't care about them."

"Whatever Jared has in store for you, be afraid."

"He'll never win," Louis stated before downing his drink and rising from his seat. "This will remain your prison. You can't escape. You're being watched. There's nowhere you can go that I won't be able to find you."

"What?" I whispered, confused by his sudden departure.

"You can try to run, but know that I will punish you for it, and it won't be like how your husband punishes you. Don't tempt me to unleash my anger, Alison. It would be tragic to mar such beautiful skin, don't you think?"

Stunned, I blinked as he left, taking his glass with him. I half-expected someone to come and take me back to the room, but no one appeared.