Chapter 9: Vivian

"This is beautiful," Sienna said to me, her eyes roaming the woods.

I strolled alongside her, my blue jean jacket a stylish contrast to my patterned gown. Together with the other models, we explored the beauty of the island. Our laughs and chatter echoed through the green, lush forest, filling the air like birdsong.

We processed in our numbers, weaving through the trees, following winding paths, and climbing algae-covered bridges that blended seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the songs of tropical birds.

"I know, right?" I replied amidst chuckles. "I've always wanted to go on adventures like this, you know…see the world, live my life to the fullest…." I paused, inhaling the magnificent fragrance that enveloped me, and let out a sigh of pure delight.

"Me, too," she said. "Adventures like this are oftentimes more adventurous when you're with your partner." She wiggled her brows at me with a mischievous smile.

"You naughty girl," I said to her, laughing.

"What?" She shrugged defensively. "I'm serious, and you know that it's true."

"Well, I can't really say that I do," came my reply.

"You haven't done crazy adventures with your partner before?" She plucked a flower and inhaled its scent. "Hmm. Sweet." She handed it to me. "Here. Smell this."

"Thanks."

I accepted it, bringing the flora to my nose, and all my senses were lifted in awe. It really had a very sweet smell, as she said.

"So, back to my question," Sienna said, noticing that I had paused. She could probably tell I was skeptical about my reply. "Hey, if it's any consolation, I've never done so, either."

It was a consolation to hear that.

"Maybe you both can plan it better and make it work. I'm positive that he'll do it for you," she added.

Sienna had clearly concluded in her mind that I had a partner. It was funny, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"He?" I squinted at her.

"Ohh, crap!" She made a face as though she'd realized her mistake. "Sorry…I assumed…. Hold on a second, is it a she ?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"No. That's not—" I paused, letting out a sigh. "That's not what I meant. I'm not into girls, and there isn't a he, either," I explained.

Sienna paused in her tracks and faced me while the other girls continued ahead.

"Wait a fucking minute." Her eyes lit up, sparkling with amusement. "Are you telling me that you, Vivian Kennedy—one of the hottest girls I know—are single?" Disbelief clouded her tone.

I chuckled. "It would seem so."

"How long?'

"Way too long—since high school, I guess. I don't know…."

"Shut up!" she teased, playfully punching my arm.

I laughed. "I'm serious."

"See, right there, that's why I don't believe you." She gestured at the smile on my face.

"Why, because I'm laughing about it?"

"Exactly!" she exclaimed and studied me, cocking her head as though she was trying to figure something out.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, squinting.

She stepped closer to me and checked to see if anyone was listening; they were up ahead, chattering and laughing.

"So, are you trying to tell me that you've…you know." She cleared her throat. "You've never…."

"Are you asking me if I've never fucked before?" I helped her out.

"I wasn't going to say it like that, but yes."

I exhaled sharply, a little bit embarrassed as my silence and facial expressions revealed my answer.

"Unbelievable." Her head rose, and her jaw almost dropped.

"Go ahead, make fun of me," I declared, picking up my tracks.

She followed up behind me.

"And why would I do that?" She caught up with me. "You're beautiful and sexy. So, since you're still a virgin, it's simply because you choose to be."

I faced her and smiled.

"I just…I just want my first time to be memorable, you know. I want it to be with someone I'm attracted to—someone with years of experience who knows exactly how to satisfy a woman and please me."

She glanced at me and didn't say anything.

"I'm living in a fantasy world, aren't I?" I asked.

"Not necessarily, no," she replied. "You're a woman who knows what she wants. A woman wants the best for herself, and there's nothing wrong with that, as long you know where to draw the line."

"I know," I responded. "I just don't think that it's the right time yet, and I don't want to give it up for just any shitty experience."

Sienna nodded. "I understand you, baby girl, I do."

I contemplated whether or not to reveal the thoughts that had been occupying my mind lately. My silence was loud, and Sienna, being a smart one, could tell that there was something more I wanted to say. Her gaze narrowed slightly, a subtle urge for me to spill whatever was lingering.

"Okay…I'm listening," she drawled with a cheeky smirk.

I hesitated for a moment before replying. "Recently, I've really been warming to the idea of having a cock inside me, but I still haven't seen the right guy—I'm picky, I know."

"If you've been warming to the idea of finally getting laid, then there's a man you envision it with."

Truer words had never been spoken, and I felt a pang of embarrassment since the object of my desire was the one man my cousin had warned me against: Daniil.

It was worse now because Daniil somehow had gotten wind of my attraction to him, and that was bad—terrible. Recently, his stares made me feel like he could see right through my facade, into the depths of my longing. I felt exposed because this older man could read me like an open book.

I gave Sienna a wry laugh and kept this part to myself. I wasn't ready to let anyone in on this little secret of mine just yet. She was a smart girl, and she got the message, not prying anymore.

"Come on, let's catch up with the others. I'd hate for us to get lost," she said, grabbing my hand.

"My best friend, Ty, would say that being separated from the group during a jungle hike is the intro of a horror movie." I laughed.

"He sounds like a fun guy," she said as we rushed to rejoin the other girls.

"He is."

We burst out of the lush forest and were greeted by the sight of the ocean.

"Come on!" Sienna said to me, racing the other girls to the shore.

I smiled and joined them as we all laughed, giggling. We ran along the pristine white beach, feeling the warm sun on our skin and the gentle breeze in our hair as our feet treaded through the sand.

Ocean currents overlapped themselves, tickling our feet as we played by the shore, taking photos to capture moments and selfies to hold on to.

Sienna doused me with water, and I feigned annoyance at the sudden move.

"Oh, it's on!" I exclaimed softly, my grin betraying my imaginary indignation. I splashed her back with a laugh.

She shrieked at my attack, hiding her face behind her hands. Soon, we embarked on a playful water battle.

We spent the next few minutes playing like children, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

I felt like I'd entered a state of pure euphoria, where nothing but happiness filled my heart. I wished with all my might that this feeling would never fade, that I could stay in this carefree bubble forever. No Daniil, no worries, no fears, no complicated thoughts—just the simple joy of living.

I was like a ten-year-old girl again, with nothing on my mind except the thrill of playtime. It was a beautiful, liberating feeling, and I never wanted it to end.

Not long after, I realized I was parched and needed a drink, stat!

"Hey, I'll be back, alright?" I said to Sienna, leaving the shore.

"Where're you going?" she asked, pausing the game she was playing with the other girls.

"I'm thirsty," I replied, still taking backward steps.

"Do you need me to come with you?"

My guardian angel. How thoughtful .

"Nah. I got it." I smiled.

"Okay, just don't wander too far, alright?"

She was looking out for me like I was her younger sister, and it felt nice to be cared for. Sienna reminded me a lot of Ashely.

"Aye," came my response as I turned around and left.

The further away I went, the more distant their voices became, and I was all by myself. A part of me was afraid for obvious reasons: I was a young girl, a stranger on an island, and alone. But at the same time, I was confident that I would be fine. The sort of scenarios running through my mind only happened in movies or in Tyler's head.

A voice whispered in my ear, Are you sure about that?

I was quick to dismiss it.

I wandered down a narrow path, with only the sound of chirping birds and squirrels keeping my company. Up ahead, a small shop stood lazily and seemed to have some drinks in it on display, a sign listing off goods and prices.

"Hi," I greeted the shop owner, halting in front of the shop.

"Welcome, my dear," he replied with a smile. "What would you like to have?"

He was an elderly man, maybe in his mid-fifties, with white hair and a white beard. Around his neck were some beads, which cascaded down to his chest atop his white shirt.

"Something to drink, please," I replied, glancing around and wondering why this shop was set up where there was no activity.

He didn't wait to take my order and started preparing a drink himself.

"You're one of the tourists on the island, aren't you?" he asked.

"Errh, yes." I glanced around again, not liking the eerie vibes I was getting from the place, but it was too late to slink away now.

"Here." He handed me a glass, and I gave him the listed payment; all the drinks bore the same price. "This is our island's specialty, made from a secret blend of herbs and fruits. It's a must-try! I guarantee that you'll love it!"

He was very convincing, even though I was initially skeptical about trying it. I glanced at him as I brought the glass to my lips.

"Go ahead."

I took a sip, and my face turned to a grimace, but in a heartbeat, my expression changed, loosening. It was a bit sour at first, but as it went down my throat, it gradually became very sweet and tasty.

"Hmm. What's in it?" I asked out of curiosity.

He smiled. "That's the secret, my dear. It's never shared."

That's not creepy at all.

I frowned, trying to hide my discomfort. "Well, it tastes a bit weird, but it does have a cooling effect."

"See, I told you."

I took another sip and glanced at the shop owner.

"Is this street always this…shady?" The slight pause came when I groped for the right adjective.

He laughed and leaned in. "Ahh, don't worry about it. It's pretty common on this island. You'll get used to it." He winked.

Raising my eyebrows, I said, "Okay…thanks for the clarity, I guess."

"Anytime," he replied.

I finished my drink and decided to join the other girls; besides, I'd quenched my thirst already.

"You take care now," he said as I started to walk away.

I turned to him, and the look on his face rattled me—his brows lowered over his eyes, lips thin and void of any clear emotion. I couldn't seem to understand the expression he wore, so that was what alarmed me.

I left in silence, hurrying to regroup with the others. This place was already giving me the creeps.

It didn't take me long to locate them, and I felt a wind of relief blow across my face. Sienna waved at me, beckoning me to come join them.

It wasn't long after we continued playing that I started to feel uneasy in my stomach. At first, I thought that it was nothing serious and that it would pass, but it didn't. With each passing second, I felt my skin burning hotter, like I was coming down with a fever or something. I was feeling sick.

"You okay?" Sienna asked, noticing my discomfort.

"Yeah," I replied, feeling the heat on my forehead with the back of my hand. "I guess I just need to lay my head and rest for a while." I sighed. "I'll be back on the ship. You guys have fun."

Sienna frowned for a moment, eventually nodding. "Alright. Just be careful."

I gave a subtle nod and left them, managing to push myself as I headed back to the ship. The more steps I took, the weaker I became. I was beginning to get dampened with my own sweat. My eyes were heavy, and so was my head, and in my ears, there was a constant ringing that forced my hands to clasp over them.

What's happening to me?

It was like my entire body was shutting down, and before I knew it, I fell to the ground, a numbness overtaking me as the forest swirled around me.

Before my eyes shut, I saw, with blurry vision, two hefty men approaching me from a distance. They were speaking to each other, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. However, I was able to catch a single line.

"This one is pretty; we'll make some good money on her…."

His voice echoed in my head.

I tried to think, but my brain, too, seemed to have shut down. My attempts to keep my eyes open were futile as they finally slipped shut, and I slowly drifted into unconsciousness.

_______________

Wincing at my headache, I regained consciousness in a luxurious room decorated with state-of-the-art furniture, my surroundings still a bit fuzzy as my head continued to pound. This wasn't my cabin; I was sure of that.

Where am I? What happened to me?

That instant, I remembered my experience in the woods and how sick I felt. I recalled falling to the ground with those menacing men approaching.

This one is pretty; we'll make some good money on her….

The man's voice resounded in my head, and then, it hit me.

Oh, my God! I've been kidnapped!

That was the only logical explanation, given how things had turned out.

But wait. Why would I be kidnapped and kept on a comfy bed in a room like this?

"You're awake. Good," a voice spoke beside me, causing me to almost jump out of my skin.

Terrified, I turned to the speaker, thinking that I recognized that voice. It was Daniil's. There he was, seated in a chair like he'd been watching me while I was unconscious.

Did he kidnap me? This sick bastard has got some nerve. Which also makes him dangerous. Oh, my God, I'm in trouble.

He smirked. "Rule number one when visiting islands as a guest: Never accept local drinks if you're a girl who's all by herself."

I knew it. That shop owner drugged me; he spiked my drink. But why? Did Daniil put him up to it?

"No, I didn't put him up to it," he replied to my thoughts as though he could hear them.

My brows rose in disbelief.

"You're probably thinking that I had something to do with it. I didn't."

"Would you blame me if I thought so? You sent your men to threaten those poor guys back at the pool just to show how powerful you are. What's to say this wasn't another power show-off?" I asked, my stomach curling as I slipped my trembling hands under my thighs.

He snickered and rose to his feet. "As much as I'd love to take the credit for this, I'm afraid you're wrong." He picked up a remote and turned on the TV on the wall.

It was CCTV footage of a few men tied up in a basement. I recognized two of them as the men who had approached me after I collapsed in the woods.

"These are the men that tried to kidnap and sell you," he said to me.

My heart skipped a beat, and the sickness in my stomach only grew.

"They belong to a local mafia, and their plan was to traffick you to a foreign mob. If I wasn't there in that nick of time, they would have succeeded, and you would have woken up in a different country, with no family and nowhere to go. You would have been in a company of girls whose bodies would be defiled every day to make money for the mob." He paused to savor the look of fear in my eyes. "Consider yourself lucky that I found you when I did."

I was quiet, still trying to process how close I had come to being a victim of human trafficking.

"You…you saved me?" I stuttered, my mind reeling.

"In a manner of speaking, yes." He revealed that mischievous grin I so much despised as he approached me. Daniil leaned close and asked a question that sent shivers down my spine. "I did save you from those men—from that fate. Now, who's going to save you from me?"

Terror overwhelmed me, causing me to break out in a cold sweat as I shifted to put as much space between Daniil and me as possible. I swallowed hard, but my throat suddenly felt clogged, like something was lodged there—making my breathing more ragged as my heart thrummed in my ears.

"You see, Vivian, I own you now."

I shook my head in an attempt to deny his claims, moving at an almost frantic speed as his amused eyes stayed trained on me.

"Now that I have you in my grasp, I will not let you go because I want you. I want your heart…and your body." He had paused slightly when his hand dared to go up my thigh, caressing it in a teasing manner that made my body tremble for completely different reasons. "You belong to me now."

"No, I don't," I managed to speak up, though my voice was weak. "I'm not a piece of property that you own, Daniil…. I am a person."

"A person that I want."

I scoffed in contempt at his arrogance. If I were in any other situation, it would be funny just how entitled he acted.

"And what if I don't want you?" I snapped, my heart picking up speed.

He caressed my hair, running fingers through and scratching my scalp. In a way, it was rather relaxing and enjoyable.

I tried to hide my pleasure, but he could see right through me.

"Ohh, I think you do, milaya ." He smirked, and all at once, he broke contact with me, walking a couple of paces away.

"You won't get away with this." I frowned. When I spoke again, my voice trembled despite my best efforts to remain calm. "My people will come looking for me, and they will find me."

He laughed wickedly, a hand braced on his waist.

"I admire your faith in the ability of your loved ones to find you, but I hate to break it to you; they won't."

My frown deepened, and my nails bit into my palms as I curled my fists tighter. "And why is that?"

"Because milaya …the world thinks that you're dead," he declared boldly.

My eyes widened, and after a moment of silence, I choked out, "What?"

He turned on the TV once more, and there was a newscaster reporting an incident with the boat I'd been on. The news said there had been a technical error, a malfunction that led to the ship's sinking. Luckily, everyone onboard escaped on safety boats except for one lady, a certain Vivian Kennedy.

Have you heard of the Titanic?

Tyler's words resounded in my head as I sat there, unable to fathom what I'd just heard.

"I had to sink that ship and make them believe you were still on board. Now, they're all looking for you, but in the wrong place," he explained. "You see, milaya ," he stepped closer to me, "when I want something, I do the unthinkable to get it."

"You psycho!" I cursed, red-hot anger now coursing through my veins.

He laughed lightly.

"You sank a ship full of people just to get one girl?" I asked, unable to hide my disbelief. "What if people had died? What if some couldn't make it out of the ship?"

"Collateral damage," he replied coldly.

Scoffing at his inhumanity, I shook my head.

"You're sick!" I declared, tears welling my eyes as I realized how much trouble I was in.

He was crazy, and he was obsessed with me.

My short-lived anger dissolved back into pure terror as I huddled in on myself, wrapping my arms around my body, almost as if I could ward off his advances.

"I am." He raised his brows casually. "And you will learn to love me just the way that I am." He ran his thumb over my lower lip.

"What are you going to do to me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Instead of answering, he merely looked into my eyes and dried my tears, the smirk never leaving his face.