Christabella had been locked in the same room for nearly two days. At least her captor was generous enough to send in meals, though the silence that surrounded her was heavier than hunger itself. She could not shake the gnawing suspicion that Christian Hampson was behind this. The last thing she remembered was being cornered by his security guards when she tried to follow him. It made sense that he had ordered them to bring her here.
But why?
"Fine, I followed his car. So what? I cannot be the first person to tail him, and I will not be the last. But what is his plan? What does he want with me?"
The questions circled her mind until her head hurt. She sat on the floor, folding her legs close and hugging her knees tightly, her forehead resting on them. Exhaustion eventually dragged her into sleep.
When she woke again, something was different. She was no longer curled up on the floor. She was lying on the bed, covered with a soft blanket that smelled faintly of sandalwood.
Her eyes flew open.
And met his.
Christian Hampson sat on a chair across from the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his dark gaze fixed on her. For a brief second, she saw something unexpected in those eyes not arrogance, not anger, but something tender, almost vulnerable.
It made her angrier.
"How dare you have me kidnapped, you lunatic." Her voice trembled, but she forced it to sound strong.
His lips curved into a slow smirk. "Technically, I did not kidnap you. If you were truly kidnapped, you would not be sitting here covered with a blanket, looking so cute and comfortable. Can you at least take a shower? It has been three days already. You smell like a rotten egg. Do not make it seem as though I did not take care of you."
Bella's fists clenched. If she argued, she would lose control. The only thing that mattered now was getting out.
"You know what, Christian? Please just let me go. My final exams begin in two days, and I am not prepared. I have fought so hard to keep my straight A grades, and I do not want that to change. Please, I am begging you." Her voice cracked as tears pressed at the back of her eyes.
He tilted his head, watching her carefully. "You still do not remember me, do you?"
Her heart skipped. "What?"
"This man is insane," she thought. "Is he seriously trying to change the subject?"
"Of course I know who you are. Everyone does. You are Christian Hampson, Europe's youngest billionaire. I am sorry for following you. You can keep my car, you can do whatever you want with it, but do not sabotage my admission. It is all I have ever wanted. Please, if my application comes before you, do not ruin it."
His expression was unreadable. Then, slowly, he said, "I will let you out. But on one condition."
Bella's stomach dropped. Is this about to turn into something worse?
She glared at him. "If you are trying to get me into your bed by forcing me with your so called condition, then forget it. I would rather die than sleep with you."
Christian leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Too late. You are already in my bed, baby."
Her whole body stiffened. "Do not you dare call me baby."
"Does the word make you that uncomfortable, baby?" he teased again, his smirk deepening.
"You are nothing but a misogynistic jerk," Bella spat, jumping up from the bed and running to the door.
"It is locked." He lifted the key, letting it dangle between his fingers.
Bella lunged at him with all the fury in her body, but she missed and fell back onto the bed. Christian's laughter filled the room, low and rich, vibrating against her ears.
"Napuno," Bella hissed, rolling her eyes, the insult sharp in her tone.
Christian's smirk faded into something darker. "Why are you fighting so hard to get away? You should know you can never win against me."
"I hate you," Bella snapped. "I hate you with every part of me. dangsin-i silh-eoyo"
His eyes narrowed. "Speak in a language I understand."
"I said I hate you. That is what it meant, you lunatic."
Without warning, he surged forward, grabbing her and pinning her down on the bed. He straddled her stomach, pressing her wrists above her head with frightening strength. Bella shut her eyes, her body trembling with fear.
"Do not you dare say you hate me again," he growled, his face inches from hers. "You do not deserve to use those words. If you ever say them again, you will not like what I do to you."
Terror clawed at her chest, but she refused to let him see her break. "Let go of me, you cold blooded brute. I hate you, and there is nothing you can do about it."
His eyes burned with fire. "You will learn to love me. You belong to me. You have been mine for the past six years, and now it is your turn to love me back."
Her heart froze. "I am not your property," she hissed, ramming her head forward and knocking against his. He grunted and released her.
She scrambled toward the door, but it was still locked. Panic rose like a tide. "Help! Somebody help me! Christian Hampson is a monster! He is a serial killer!"
"Shut up, Ella!" His roar silenced her for a moment. "You will hate what I do if you keep screaming."
She turned, her chin lifted in defiance. "What will you do? I am curious."
His eyes were fire. "If you know what is good for you, keep your mouth shut and listen."
Bella's pulse hammered in her throat. Arguing was useless. For once, she stayed quiet.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked softly.
"I did not kidnap you. I only wanted to talk," Christian said.
"Talk? About what?" She glared at him, every nerve on edge.
He picked up a paper from the bedside table and handed it to her. "Sign this."
"What is it?"
"An agreement that you will not tell anyone you were here. Ever."
"And why would I do that?" she shot back.
His jaw tightened. "Because I do not want to be dragged into some ridiculous scandal involving you."
Bella tore the paper in half, her eyes blazing. "You do not need my signature for that. I will not tell anyone. But not because you threatened me. Because I want nothing to do with you."
His gaze hardened. "If I ever hear a whisper of this from anyone, I will destroy you."
"Is that a threat?" she asked with a bitter smile.
He did not reply. He simply unlocked the door and let her go.
Two months passed.
Her mother never suspected where she had been. She assumed Bella was staying at Bianca's house. Bianca, of course, knew the truth, but had chosen to keep silent, something Bella still struggled to understand.
Now graduation was only two days away. Bella was bubbling with excitement. She was set to graduate with a first class degree in International Tourism, something she had worked so hard to achieve.
And against all odds, her dream was still alive.
Her acceptance letter to Hampson Aviation School had arrived the previous morning.
Despite everything, Christian had not sabotaged her. For once, he had surprised her.
And Bella could not help the strange mix of gratitude and confusion that stirred in her heart.