li

e my current situation. He gave me a chuckle, a light, warm sound that eased some of my anxiety, before assisting me in getting into the passenger seat of his car with a gentle touch, making sure I felt comfortable. He took my bag from my hands with surprising gentleness and placed it carefully in the back seat, ensuring it was secure as if it contained something precious. After th

of amusement and seriousness that added to the strange tension in the air. He was driving so slowly that it felt like he was moving at a snail's pace! I glanced out the window, watching the world pass by in a blur of colors. He leaned slightly to my side, as if to emphasize his point, and I felt a rush of warmth at his proximity. Seriously, I felt

re a virgin, I bet," he made the remark completely out of the blue, catching me completely off guard. The shock of his words sent my heart racing, and as if he were about to assault me, I threw myself against the door

king to me? You know I'm not a bad person, don't you? I would never touch you, much less rape you or do anything else inappropriate to you. Now I have an offens

r had a conversation with anyone outside of the orphanage." The weight of my admission hung heavy in the air. Even though he whisper

not my intention to make you feel bad by accusing you of anything. I apologize. I am just scared." My heart r

and gently pulled my hand toward him to shake it. "Celine, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please trust me." Despite my unease, my response was a nod and "Okay, nic

onversation with a single guy, right?" His question made my cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I covered my ear with a strand of my hair, looking down at my lap to hide

o were standing on the street corner. They appeared to be mobsters because they were dressed in all black, their postures intimidating, looking around like they owned the place, blocking the road as if it were their territory. I had seen this type of thing

f my stomach. I made sure to keep a close eye on both him and them, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. After he rolled down his window, a man walked up to Lucas and handed him something to hold, his demeanor casual yet predatory. After that, Lucas rea

s playing out before me. The man arched his brows and made a disturbing offer, "Give her to me, and I will give you a lot." My heart dropped at his words, and a wave

ughtfully before looking at me and smirking while saying, "No, she's safe with me." The other guy let out a sigh, his expression revealing frustration and annoyance. "Okay, dude. Imagine that you had the option to sell her at any t

few blocks of our destination, just as he was about to exit the car, he turned to me and said, "I told you to have faith in me. Nothing to be afraid of. You're under my

uy? I saw several of them carrying firearms in their hands." The thought of thos

of your mind. If you bring up their existence, you put yourself in danger and could even lose your life. Okay? That's for

y, I didn't see anything. I promise." I tried to convince myself that I could forget

warmth spread through me. "God bless you. And rest assured that I will look after you. I promise you." His kindness was comforting, yet there was something unsettling about him to me, a dissonance that I couldn

own section of town, with graffiti-covered walls and dilapidated buildings surrounding us, a stark contrast to the life I had known in the orphanage. On the other hand, it didn't bother me too much. The extravagant homes and lavish lifestyles I had only ever seen in movies took some getting used to for me, and I felt a strange sense of relie

. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was an expense associated with everything in life, and I wa

ere old, worn, and broken, creaking under our weight. He even stopped in the middle of the path and warned me to "watch out, the broken stairs

there was a cozy feel to the place that took me by surprise, making me feel a little more at home. The fact that he turned the lights on and locked t

chuckle, trying to ease my ner

ee separate rooms in this building. One for each of us, with the remaining space being left unoccupied. Anything you want to do can be do

nice." It was satisfying, a far cry from the cramped q

ate your help. But I do want to cover the cost of the room. Now, tell me how much money that set you back. Please." I wan

that I could look directly into his eyes, which held an intensity that made my

on and alarm wash over me. What could he possibly mean by that? The implicatio