Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Dominic’s POV

With her arms clasped, the girl sat on the bed's edge, her lips pressing down in a firm line.

With her defiance, she held a stronghold on me, her blue eyes twinkling like she wanted to annihilate me.

"I'm not some slave." Her voice cracked slightly.

Her voice hinted that her fear was not the same as that of any other captive.

My eyes were unreadable as I stared at her. 

Despite being as captive as she presumed she still showed fearless behaviour.

She had a small physique which matched her stubbornness. She was probably in her early twenties.

“You're not going to treat me like a slave,”

"I'm not required to chain you," I replied, my tone being colder than intended. The person in question remained silent.

Her face shook in anger, and she silently spoke a series of curses, calling me whatever different names.

“What are you going to do? Keep me locked in here? This is bullying and kidnapping.

You are only doing this because you know I can't do anything in return because you can overpower me.”

She said this with a bit of hesitation. Her words barely registered. Instead, I was focused on examining her.

I couldn't wrap my head around the familiarity of her. She brought back things which were just flickering memories.

Then I turned around and left the room. After she began to curse at me, I ignored her and left.

Despite the dim lighting in my hallway, the wall sconces were softly reflecting off of the polished ceramic floors. 

When I went out of the door, my security personnel stood by and secured the door.

I commanded him to stay in place when he tried to follow me. "Keep an eye on her," I said quietly.

We exchanged glances and he nodded.

I walked down the hall, my footsteps echoing in the silence. 

Her face created memories in my head. Ones that I had tried to forget but failed.

They were probably the same age or close to.

Upon entering, I was met with a familiar voice that was filled with irritation.

This time, you've done it right, " Selena snapped, her arms crossed, and she leaned on my desk.

"Selena," I said but she knelt at me.

"I heard you brought in a blonde.," she said, her voice filled with contempt. 

"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention. A blonde who has blue eyes."

"What's the matter with you, Dominic?"

I sighed silently as I closed the door behind me, but my irritation persisted inside. 

"Selena, this is not the right moment." --

"Not the right time? The time has come," she exclaimed, her voice shaking.

"I'm not sure how many more girls you intend to bring here, just to find her.

You just end up hurting yourself when you fail to find her every time.

How many times are you going to be hurt? You're missing the girl you never knew. It was just an encounter.*

I felt a tug on my nerves when she spoke, and I brought my fist to the desk. 

The room was filled with the sound of a sharp crack, and Selena fell silent as her tirade faded away.

I growled, my voice ringing hollow. 

“I don't bring her here for that reason. She's here for another reason.”

“What other reason, Dominic?” She persisted.

“Not for her. I can assure you that.".

Her mouth widened to defend herself, but she had a different perspective.

Taking in the air, I held my breath. "I received the girl as collateral. 

Her father’s debt is due and she'll remain in this place until it's paid. That's all this is.”

Selena lowered an eyebrow, with doubts all over her face.

“Selena,” I called her name, moving closer.

“You can't keep questioning me like this simply because we've been friends since childhood.

I can do what I want. You don't have the right to question me. I only give you some privileges because we've been friends for a long time.”

The tone tinged with guilt as she looked on with a small part. "Sorry, it's just..." She replied. “I'm tired, Dominic. I'm tired of your weary obsession with pursuing some ghost.”

With my eyes fixed on her, I leaned against the desk and let go of any thoughts that crossed my mind.

I knew she wasn't a ghost.

For over 12 years, the memory of that day was as vivid as if it had been yesterday.

At a young age, I was a boy who experienced smoky scenes around the world. 

The kids were screaming, their heavy boots waving in the middle of the forest as we played in the park.

Upon my arrival, I came across a girl of my age with blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes.

She was absolutely gorgeous! A daisy chain was being worn by her while she sat near a stream, singing mellow.

When she saw me, she didn't run or scream like the other kids who observed my father's men. 

Instead, she smiled and leaned over to the ground.'

With a gentle voice, she asked, "Are you missing?".

I nodded, unable to speak. She had led me back to the trail with her hand and kindness.

I brought a small bead from my pocket and put it in her hand, hoping for her to be my friend.

Before I could have another moment with her, my father's men dragged me pulling me over to the car.

I was unaware of her name until the men dragged me away, her image becoming indelibly familiar to me.

All I could think of was a small, delicate rose with one thorn tattoo on the back of her neck.

I never saw her again after that. I've always wondered where she was and how she was doing

I was transported to the present moment by Selena's cockiness. "Dominic?".

With a screeching voice, I said to Selena, "Keep going forward. See how it ends.”

“I'm sorry.” She apologised.

I polished, concealing my emotions. "It's all good," I said softly.

"You're not," she muttered, her voice becoming gentler.

"This has been a long time. It's not my intention to cause you any harm. "

I didn't respond. There was nothing to say.

I heard a loud knock at the entrance, and my guard entered. 

"The traitor has been apprehended," he declared.

I stood up and pushed back from the desk, I made my way towards the door.

“Dominic, be careful,” I didn't turn back to Selena, who spoke with a worried tone.