Chapter 4

By morning, warm sunlight came softly through the big glass windows, making long lines of bright light across the large bedroom. The room was quiet, peaceful, and smelled a little like something clean and fancy—like new sheets with a light smell of lavender.

Dave Sun moved under the thick blankets on the big bed.

At first, he didn't open his eyes.

His body felt very relaxed, held by a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. The bed under him was very soft, fitting his tired body perfectly, like it was made just for comfort.

For a few moments, he stayed half-asleep, drifting easily between dreams and being awake.

His mind held onto the nice warmth of the bed.

Then, slowly, his eyes opened.

Bright sunlight was there.

Dave blinked a few times, looking a little bit through the bright light as he tried to see better. His eyes looked up at the ceiling, which was high and nicely decorated with simple but pretty designs.

For a moment, he felt confused.

This was not right.

The last thing he remembered was the cold ground next to the metal gate… the sound of engines… rough hands grabbing him…

Dave suddenly sat up.

It was slow at first, his body still feeling heavy from being tired, but as he sat up on the bed, his eyes got wide with not believing.

The room around him looked like something from a fancy magazine.

The bed itself was huge, covered with smooth white sheets and soft pillows. A thick rug covered the shiny floor, so soft it looked like clouds.

Nice furniture was placed neatly around the room. A long dark drawer cabinet was against one wall, and a neat desk was near the windows. A tall shelf stood nearby, filled with books placed carefully.

But it was the windows that he really noticed.

They went from the floor almost to the ceiling, showing a beautiful view of Kings City.

The tops of the buildings looked shiny in the morning sun. Glass buildings reflected light everywhere, and far-off streets were busy with life.

Dave stared at the view, not able to speak from shock.

‘Where… am I?’

His eyes slowly looked down at his own body.

He knew right away that something was wrong.

The clothes he wore the night before were gone.

Instead, he now had on a clean white shirt and loose cotton pants. The cloth felt soft and expensive on his skin.

Even stranger, the dull pain in his body from the robbery had gone away.

Dave looked down at his arms and saw small bandages covering the marks he got when he was attacked.

Someone had fixed his hurts.

A feeling of confusion came over him.

"Good morning."

The voice came from nearby.

Dave's head turned quickly toward the sound.

His heart jumped very fast.

A man sat calmly in a chair next to the bed.

Ryan Blood leaned back a little in the nice chair, one leg crossed over the other, looking relaxed like he had been sitting there for a long time.

He was dressed simply but perfectly in dark pants and a well-fitting black shirt, the sleeves rolled up a bit to show strong arms. His dark hair was neat, his sharp face calm and steady.

But it was his eyes that Dave looked at the most.

Those cold, steady eyes watched him carefully, showing quiet interest.

Dave’s chest felt tight.

Memories rushed back into his mind all at once.

The black cars.

The men pulling him.

The needle.

"You…" Dave whispered, his voice rough.

Ryan gave a small nod.

"Ryan Blood," he said smoothly. "It seems we met in a not-so-good way last night."

Dave stared at him, his face showing he couldn't believe it.

"What is this place?" he asked, his voice getting a little louder. "Where am I?"

Ryan put his hands together loosely in his lap.

"My home," he said calmly.

Dave's confusion quickly turned into anger.

"Your home?" he asked again. "Why am I here? You took me!"

Ryan tilted his head a little, like he was thinking about what Dave said.

"I like to think of it as… saving you," he said after a moment.

Dave stared at him.

"Saving me?" he asked, not believing.

Ryan moved his hand like he was casually pointing to the bandages on Dave's arms.

"You were hurt. Alone. Sleeping on the street outside my building. I just brought you somewhere safer."

Dave swung his legs toward the edge of the bed.

"I didn't ask for your help," he said sharply. "And you can't just take people like that!"

He got ready to stand.

The moment his foot touched the floor, a sharp metal sound was heard in the room.

Clink.

Dave froze.

Slowly, he looked down.

A cold metal chain was wrapped tightly around his ankle.

The other end went to the bed frame, locked tightly in place.

For several seconds, Dave could only stare at it.

His mind struggled to understand what he was seeing.

Then the shock hit him fully.

"What… is this?" he whispered.

Ryan watched him quietly.

Dave suddenly pulled at the chain.

The metal made a loud noise, but it didn't move.

Panic filled his chest.

"What the hell is this?!" he shouted, pulling at the chain harder. “Why am I chained to your bed?”

The bed frame barely moved.

Ryan stayed sitting, watching him with calm patience.

When Dave finally stopped struggling, breathing hard, Ryan spoke again.

"You belong here now."

The words seemed to hang in the air like something heavy and dangerous.

Dave looked up at him, not believing his words. "Hell no," he said right away.

Ryan's face stayed calm.

"You don't understand," he said quietly. "This is not a choice for you to make."

Dave's anger grew.

"I'm not your prisoner!" he shouted. "You can't just chain someone up and decide they are yours!"

Ryan stood up slowly from his chair.

He walked to the window, his tall body seen against the bright city view behind him.

For a moment, he just looked out at the view.

Kings City stretched out below them like forever.

Then he spoke again.

"You arrived in this city yesterday," Ryan said calmly. "You had no job. No place to sleep. No one to protect you."

Dave squeezed his hands into fists.

"That's not your business."

Ryan turned a little, his eyes meeting Dave’s again. "But now it is."

Dave felt a chill go down his spine.

Ryan walked back toward the bed, stopping a short distance away.

"You can live here comfortably," he continued. "You will have food, clothes, safety… anything you need."

Dave gave a bitter laugh. "Except freedom."

Ryan didn't deny it. "Yes," he said simply.

Dave shook his head in disbelief. "You're crazy."

A small smile touched Ryan's lips. "Maybe."

The calm in his voice only made Dave angrier.

"Let me go," Dave demanded. "You can't keep me here forever."

Ryan's face softened a little, but the power in his eyes never left. "That depends on you."

Dave frowned. "What does that mean?"

Ryan leaned a little against the edge of the bed.

"It means," he said quietly, "that your freedom depends on when you finally accept your place here."

Dave stared at him. "And what place is that?"

Ryan's eyes didn't move. "My life romantic partner."

The word seemed to make a sound in the quiet room.

Dave blinked, confused.

"Your… what?"

Ryan's voice stayed steady.

"My lover. My future partner. The one who will stay with me forever."

Dave felt like the ground had vanished from under him. "This is wild. I'm not staying here."

Ryan reached into his pocket and calmly took out a small key.

The soft metal sound of it turning between his fingers caught Dave's attention.

"This chain," Ryan said, holding up the key for a moment, "can be taken off, only when I decide."

Dave watched the key with worry.

"But until then," Ryan continued, putting it back in his pocket, "you will be here and only do my biddings."