ELIANA SILVER

The entire gathering is silent for a moment. As I watch Raymond's face turn cold, I realize my awful mistake.

No one in the legal business world knew who was behind the Black silver cartel.

Opening my mouth and screaming this in an event where important dignitaries are present is a mistake.

Detrimental for him, though. After my initial shock, I can't care less.

He's brought it upon himself. There were other ways to handle my father's debt.

Kidnapping me as collateral was just stupid.

Raymond gives a signal to one of his men and in an instant, I'm whooshed off the floor and carried off to the car outside.

The guard dumps me inside the black audi and locks the door.

I wait inside, heaving and panting. For a while, I'm left to my own devices, even dozing off once.

Then the other backseat door flies open, startling me. It's Raymond.

His demeanor is cold; that ever present mocking smile of his is gone. He stares at me and I glare back.

"Tarnished your image, didn't I? Did you think I'd just comply? Sign a pretty little document and everything will be-"

Raymond does not let me finish and in one quick movement, my neck is in his large palm.

I grab the seat in front of me, wheeze out some air.

"You have no idea what you've just done, brat..." he hisses, eyes cold. Every cell in my body has come to a halt.

I struggle against his large hand, scratching and pulling but to no avail.

He closes it tighter, making me see stars for a second.

"You stupid brat. You're useless father owes me and to keep the deal you must behave. Act out of line again and I'll show you exactly what happens when you mess with me."

I nod as quickly as I can, showing that I understand. My airways are getting congested with carbon dioxide; I'm starting to feel faint.

At the last second, he releases me and signals his driver to come into the car.

I'm only just regaining my senses when he takes his cell into his hands. "Yes. Damage control- as quickly as possible."

The person on the other end mumbles something that makes him irritated. "I don't care what the f**k you have to do. Get it done."

He hangs up and we're left with only my awkward breathing and the soft sound of the engine purring.

"Don't make me regret sparing your father's life, girl." He says after a while.

It's a warning.

I sniffle and look out the window before he can see my tears fall.

The reality is setting in- I've been deceiving myself all along.

As we zoom past the cloudy city of London, my mind starts to shatter. I can't live as before. For these three months, I've become a property of this kidnapper to use as he wished.

I wonder how Father is doing now...

I shut my eyes as the night's rain begins to fall, covering London in it's every wet glory.

My consciousness drifts off just as a warm, cedar scented suit covers my body.

***

When I wake up, a maid is standing in the corner. She looks heavily annoyed.

Once she sees I am awake, she sighs under her breath.

"Good morning, miss. The boss ordered that I should help you get ready for the day. His sister is visiting today."

Before I can even get adjusted to whatever she's saying, the maid whips the curtains apart- exposing me to the harsh sunlight.

I wince but she does not appear to care.

"Please miss, step out of bed so you can get ready."

I'm not even understanding anything. She's moving fast, arranging clothes and picking out jewelry to go with.

"The boss has also asked that you sign that contract to secure the agreement. I will bring up breakfast now. Please get ready to avoid delays."

The maid speaks in a robotic tone, as if she can't be bothered with me at all.

I manage to get out of bed, mumbling to myself and trying to recall the events from yesterday.

Oh that's right, I called Raymond Silver a mafia don in front of forty f**king reporters. 

Real nice; what a way to treat a man who holds your life in his hands.

I sigh and freshen up wondering what on earth I'd be needed for with this his sister's visit. Didn't men hide their mistresses? How is this of any use now...

The contract is sitting on the bedside table, beckoning me to accept my fate.

What was the need trying to ignore my situation? I am Raymond's play toy now. Intimacy included or not...

I take the pen and sign all the pages without any hesitation. I don't bother rereading anything. 

It wouldn't change the fact that my father owed a lump sum and I was his very precious collateral.

Sighing, I continue getting ready.

I have just finished dragging on the casual denim dress the maid picked out when she comes back in.

"Breakfast will have to hold. The guest is here."

The grumpy maid helps me finish up with my hair and jewelry before accompanying me down the grand halls and then downstairs.

A tall woman with an imposing presence is standing in the middle of the living room. Her dark hair matches her brother's. The only difference are her very dark eyes compared to Raymond's grey ones.

"Eliana Silver, your employer's sister." The woman says in a curt, sharp voice. To her PA standing nervously at her side, she whispers very loudly.

"I do hope she's a healthy one. The last was just...awful. Such a pig."

Employer? The last?

Before I can even get a word out, the sound of crisp dress shoes cut through.

"Ah, dear brother. I've met your vessel. She'll do. Have you had her tested? Father and mother would never agree if she's carry STIs or something."

Huh?...

Eliana gives me a once-over and pops her gum before she air kisses her brother.

"Where'd you find a surrogate in this dreadful city?"

I look sharply at my kidnapper, hoping I'm mishearing things.

He doesn't look at me. 

Instead he smiles at his sister.

"We had a deal."

My heart crashes...

What documents did I sign?