Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE HOSTAGE'S DILEMMA : Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

MIAA relentless throb pulsates through my head, a dull ache that clings stubbornly, demanding my attention. I blink repeatedly, striving to regain my focus, and a tide of nausea crashes over me, threatening to overwhelm my senses. As the room gradually sharpens into view, its stark and unfamiliar contours start to take shape. To my surprise, the space gives out an air of wealth—far too fancy to be the mere lair of a common kidnapper. Whoever has taken me isn't a mere kidnapper, hinting that my captor might be someone of significant status or just as dangerous as Aaron.A sense of déjà vu claws at me. The first time I arrived in New York City, I experienced the same intense feeling of dread, as if I were completely lost and vulnerable. Except this is worse. Much worse. For some reason, Aaron felt safe and I never really felt utterly afraid of harm.My heart hammers against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat of panic. Where am I? How did I get here? The last thing I remember is rushing outsid

MIAThe dull throb behind my eyes is the first thing I register. I blink, slowly, the world coming into fuzzy focus. The room is unfamiliar, a plush bedroom bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight. My breath hitches. How did I get here?One minute I was in the car of the very people that abducted me and the next I’m here. My brain can’t even recall what happened in between. I remember seeing Aaron’s car. I remember the relief I felt when I saw him and that’s it.I yawn loudly and stretch my body, taking in the unfamiliar room. Then I see him. Aaron. He’s standing by the window, his back to me, a phone pressed to his ear. His silhouette is sharp against the bright light, his shoulders broad. Even from here, a sense of power radiates from him. He’s talking in low, calculated tones, the words not quite reaching me.I realize that I’m actually in his room. The one place my feet never crossed in the entire house. I take in the minimalist decorating and frown a little. For someone with

MIANat and I end up talking about the most random things. From random books she read in high school to a weird shaped sky I saw in Texas. I’m happy I decided to meet up with her because this is exactly what I need. Thoughts of my sister still clouds my mind but this is sufficient distraction. It’s already evening by the time we both realize we’ve spent a lot of time together. “I’m planning on going on an art trip next week. Wanna come along?” Nat asks and I begin to consider going but my problems weigh on me in seconds. A trip when my sister is missing? That’s absurd.“I think I’ll pass,” I chuckle, “I have work.”We both step out onto the bustling evening street. She gives me one last, weird pat on the shoulder and I smile before pulling her into a hug. She freezes and chokes on air before slightly patting my back. Maybe that’s why it was easy with her. She’s awkward, so amI.“Bye,” I say after pulling away. She waves at me and stuffs her hand into the pocket of her hoodie before

MIAI rush to him, burying my face in his back, wrapping my arms around his waist. The dam breaks. Sobs wrack my body, and tears soak my skin. I finally realized that I can’t do this alone. I can’t betray Aaron when my sister’s safety is uncertain. I don’t know why but I trust Aaron to keep my sister safe and that’s what I’m going to do."Please," I choke out, my voice muffled. "Please help me."He turns around and he tightens his grip on me as I don on his body. I hug him deeper and he mutters soothing words while patting my hair. This is reassuring. Exactly what I need now. Assurance that everything will be fine.Before I know it, I narrate everything that happened to him. From the moment I woke up in the place I was held hostage to the call from a few minutes ago. Aaron listens, his eyes intense. When I finish, he pulls me close, his hand warm and steady on my back.“Aaron, promise me you’ll get my sister back. She’s too young to.. she doesn’t understand anything. Heck, I barely u

MIADrew pulls the car up to the curb outside the towering glass of Laser. He doesn't even try to park a few blocks away as usual. What’s the point of hiding my identity anymore when the CEO aided my abduction.. Aaron refuses to let me set foot in a taxi after what happened last time. My heart still hammers a bit, remembering the cold fear. The thought that I could’ve been abducted yet again inside that taxi sends a shiver down my spine.That fear has a new, sharper edge. Mr Lynott.. The man I see almost every day, who gives me warm smiles in the hall, has a hand in it. It’s a chilling thought.“Hey,” Drew says, his voice a low rumble. He turns to me, his hand resting on the steering wheel. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let anyone do anything to you, Mia. Not again.”I look at him, really look at him. His eyes, usually so guarded, hold an intensity I haven’t seen before. There’s a raw emotion there, something that makes my breath catch. I try not to overthink it. My rela