بين قلبين ونار

Grace's POV

“Here is your order. Two plates of chicken and streak, and a bottle of red wine” I dropped the tray on the table of the man and his secretary who was busy reciting like a robot the rest of their meetings for the rest of the day.

The man wasn't even concerned about his secretary and his words, he was focused on me with a wide grin on his face, I shook my head,

“Come on, Grace, I'm not done ordering. Did I mention that I want a lady wrapped in uniform as well?” He asked and I let out a soft laugh.

“Oh Mr. Marcus, can you stop being so cheesy” I laughed as I walked back to the kitchen.

Not minding that he was in a restaurant, he called out loudly, causing people to look his way,

“Grace, I love you. Give me a chance. I promise to take care of you. C'mon babe, I'll make your dreams come true. You'll work in an office with good A.C and no more in a restaurant. Baby, give me a chance” but as always, I didn't spare him a look as I made my way back inside the kitchen.

He had a grin on his face the last time I checked on him before disappearing into the kitchen.

That's Mr. Marcus, alright, he can be very annoying but funny when he wants to be. He is a well-known businessman in this area, he comes to Danny's Restaurant whenever it is his lunch break. Although the workers around think I'm the reason why.

“Is that Mr. Marcus?” One of the workers, Jasmine, asked. I nodded with a smile and she chuckled.

“Why don't you just give that man a chance?” Another worker, Claire, asked and I rolled my eyes,

“Do you know his age? He is old enough to be my father”

“Besides, I'm not ready for that right now” I added, but Claire scoffed,

“Will you ever be ready for it? Church girl,” They had all given me a nickname, calling me a church girl. Not like I mind, I am a church girl.

“Everyone knows you will never be ready. I'm only being a good friend here. Mr. Marcus always asks—”

The ringtone of my phone interrupted her speech, which gladdens my heart. I was quick to answer the call but was yelled at to leave the kitchen and I did. Picking calls in the kitchen is not allowed, so I went to the storeroom.

“Grace Daniels on the line,” I said, immediately I was out of the kitchen.

“That's good, now Grace Daniel, you'll do everything I ask you to, else your sister will breathe no more” the caller said calmly.

“Who is this?” I asked with furrowed brows. Is this a joke?

His voice was raspy but firm. I gulped down the lump in my throat, trying not to believe the words that spilled out of his mouth.

“That shouldn't be your question. Or don't you want to speak to your sister?” He didn't wait for my reply before I heard the cry of Caroline. And my heart went racing.

“Grace, there's a gun pointed at my head. Help me, sister, help me!”

“Caroline! Caroline!” I called but could only hear her scream as he had already taken the phone from her.

My body trembled as cold sweat broke out. Fear crawled at my chest threatening to overwhelm My composture. My breathing was becoming faster and shorter as I asked,

“Who is this?” Tears were rushing down my eyes now. Nothing else matters to me any more than my little sister, as I prayed for her to be fine.

Caroline is the only one I have left as a family. Father left after mother died, and I don't know where the man went to. All he did was drop a letter saying we could move to a particular neighborhood in New York, so we don't have to pay rent.

I had to drop out of school to take care of Caroline. Picking up multiple jobs, I just wanted Caroline to have the best life, a life I never ever dreamt of having since my mother died.

“That's not the question, Grace, you're smart enough not to ask that. The question is what do I want” he let out a chuckle while I tried not to let my legs fail me. I held on to the shelf.

“What do you want?” I asked and I heard him say,

“That's it. I want you to do a little favor for me. Walk out of that damn restaurant and do not tell anybody any shit" And in a sing- song manner he added,

"I'm watching you"

I came out of the store room and tried to walk out of the restaurant with my shaky legs. The phone was still on my ear and I almost jerked when I heard him say,

“Smile Grace,”

I forced out a smile as I walked past everyone. No matter how loud they called, my focus was on the door. As I made my way out, I also heard the call of Mr. Marcus, but I ignored him as well.

The cold breeze greeted me, causing me to literally shiver.

“Please,” I swallowed after making sure no one would hear, “Can you let Caroline go? I'll do whatever it is that you want” I cleaned my sweaty palm on my skirt, but he replied like he didn't hear me.

“Get out of there. Make your way to the nearest hair salon” I swallowed as tears fell down my cheeks.

“And wipe those damn tears, if someone suspects anything, you'll see your sister's dead body” he threatened, and I was quick to wipe my cheeks dry with my palm.

Getting into the hair salon, the man asked me to pass the phone to the hairdresser, and I did. I sat there with my palms on my face. I tried not to share any tears as I wondered how they had gotten Caroline.

When he was done, the lady handed me back my phone before giving instructions to some other ladies. I checked to see that he had ended the call.

“Your husband must love you a lot,” she said to me. I swear, I felt anger gushing through my veins at her words, but I remained mute.

For a good three hours, I remained mute as I watched them give me a makeover and even changed my outfit into a short blue gown. I didn't say a thing to them because they were only following instructions, but I really wanted to ask why this gown. It was too exposing and I didn't feel comfortable wearing it.

When the woman was done, I looked in the mirror to see a different Grace Daniels, and I gulped. That moment, my phone rang, and I picked up the call immediately,

“Go out, there's a car waiting for you”

Without paying, I walked out of the shop and saw a black Range Rover in front of the shop. I stepped in and heard more instructions from him,

“Do not say a word to the driver. He knows where to take you” The call ended. I didn't even dare speak to the driver, I don't know if he was with them or just following instructions as well. Fear had long gripped me.

The drive was around thirty minutes before he called and asked me to step down. I did as instructed and looked around to see the name of where I was.

Club XL

“What—”

“Go in, there's a man in there….”

My heart began to beat rapidly. I have never in my twenty-one years of existence been to a club before. What am I doing here? Don't all kidnappers ask for money as ransom? I wondered. His next words caused me to freeze on the spot,

“Seduce him then fuck him”