Author's note 

Hello, my lovely readers! I hope you're enjoying "My Captured Bride." I apologize for being late on updates lately. I will try to upload more frequently going forward. I know this is my first story, and there are many issues with grammar and writing. I hope I can improve my writing skills and depict the emotions of the main characters better in the future. I hope you'll vote and comment on the story, and have a good day or night! (Target; 60 votes)

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Laura cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence between them. "Why are you suddenly letting me go back to the hospital?" she asked. "I thought you didn't want me to go back." 

Ace exhaled, leaving her sandals under the bed, holding her hands, glaring right into her eyes, "When we married. I genuinely thought of letting you go back to the hospital to work but on our wedding night, you stabbed me with a knife." Ace exhaled sharply in disappointment. 

"I was so angry at you that I blurted out that night that I will never allow you to go back to the hospital but after that when I heard your conversation with your father I saw your passion regarding saving people as you have already saved someone for me so I thought." Ace gave a comfortable squeeze on her hand. 

"To give you something that you like to do. And, that is to save people." Ace gulped the lump of thick saliva down his throat which was stuck as he was speaking.   

Laura is starting to trust Ace, and it's all because of how he's been fulfilling his promise to give their marriage a chance. He's been much kinder to her recently, and she's feeling good, happy, and excited about her future. Laura is even thinking about giving their marriage a chance, too.

Ace is a different person when he wants to be. He's always been rude and condescending, but there was a change in him as he stood before her. It seemed as if an entirely new Ace was in front of her. His words stirred a mix of emotions within her, giving her a cold shiver and sparking a flame in her heart. 

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Laura's Pov 

My heart was racing with mixed emotions. There was a new feeling in my stomach, like a knot. Ace and I sat in complete silence. He was driving, and I was resting my head on my elbow and staring out the window at the city. The shops, malls, and showrooms gave way to the highway. The silence was deafening, and I was trying to process everything that was happening.

I couldn't believe that he was being so kind. A wave of emotions swept over me. I was nervous, happy, and excited about the things happening between us. I never thought he would let me go back to my work. I never even tried to convince him because I never would have imagined he would agree. I closed my eyes. Am I dreaming? The word circled my mind. I was afraid to open my eyes and find that it was a dream. I don't want this to be a dream. So, I did something that I never thought of doing. 

I opened my eyes, and exhaled sharply, giving my mind a wave of oxygen to calm my nerves from the emotions. "I am ready." I turned to face him and blurted out hurriedly.

"What?" He asked carelessly as if he hadn't paid attention to what I'd said.

"I am ready," I said again, glaring innocently at him. I couldn't believe it, but I'd said it. I was ready to give our marriage a chance. 

"For, what?" He questioned, glancing at me for a second and then back to the windshield as he was driving.

"For giving a chance to our marriage." I replied, as I blushed.

"What?" The moment he heard the words marriage and chance, he immediately pressed his foot on the brakes and stopped the car.

"Say, again?" He glared, widening his eyes open and a little smirk lingered at the edge of his lips.

"I am ready." I said, turning my face back to the window, blushing profusely.

I don't know what came over me, but I was suddenly ready to give my marriage to Ace a chance. It came out of nowhere, and I didn't even try to stop myself from saying it. I was embarrassed, thinking about what he would be thinking about me. I'm ready to give a chance to my own kidnapper. I'm so crazy to do that. But, I must accept, agreeing to give a chance had me feeling something different in my stomach like butterflies. 

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't see it coming when he turned my head, placing an index finger on my chin and pulling me closer to him. I was totally surprised by what happened. Before I knew what was going on, Ace leaned in and kissed me. His lips were soft and gentle, and I couldn't help but melt into the kiss. The kiss hardly lasted for a few seconds like a peck. But, I had a strange feeling all over my body, as if something was awakening inside of me. He finally pulled away, smiling as he started driving again. My heart was still beating a mile a minute. I didn't know what to make of this. 

I was in such shock. I opened my mouth wide in surprise, then I put my fingers to my lips. I buried my face in the window, trying to avoid him. It was so silent in the car, as if nothing had happened. He was completely relaxed, driving happily. It made me want to get out of the car as soon as possible and vanish from this situation. I can't believe he kissed me. I was smiling on my own. What just happened? 

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"We are here." Ace stopped the car as soon as we reached the hospital. He opened his seatbelt, got out of the car, and walked over to my side, opening the door for me

"Please, mam." Ace gestured to me to step out of the car, with a soft smile on his face. I grabbed my handbag and stepped out, but I had to wonder, why was he being so sweet to me? Opening the door for me, like seriously?

"Don't do these things, I'll get used to it." I spoke, blushing. Ace smiled and said, "I can't help it. I want to keep doing these things for you." I got out of the car and he closed the door behind me. This is not what I expected when I married Ace at gunpoint. He's been so kind to me recently and now it's like he's actually trying to court me. I can't deny that I'm enjoying it. Even though I'm still not sure if I can trust him, I'm starting to feel something for him. I just hope he's being genuine.  

I was absolutely staring at him shamelessly. I can't explain it, but there was something about him today that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was like this strange, magnetic pull that I couldn't ignore. There was this small voice inside my head telling me to turn around, go back home, and stay with him for the whole day. Something inside me was erupting like goosebumps, and I don't understand what it means. I'm trying to figure out why I'm feeling this way. Is it possible that I'm actually falling for my kidnapper? 

I noticed it was not only me staring at him shamelessly but he too was doing the same thing. He was definitely giving me the competition. We both were busy as if we were waiting to see who would break the silence first, who would stop staring at the other. And in no time a man came running towards me and hugged me with such force that I took a few steps back due to his weight. My eyes were glued to Ace's and Ace's eyes were glued to the man who hugged me. But his expression had changed. It was as if he had flipped a switch, from happy to angry in a matter of seconds.

"Oh my god, I missed you. You don't know how happy I am to see you here." The man who hugged me spoke excitedly, squeezing me under his body.

My thoughts about Ace were interrupted by a man's voice. Suddenly, I realized who the man was. His name was Ryan, a colleague of mine at the hospital. Then, I remembered his voice, face, and also the fact that he slept with Dr. Katie got a chance to join the operation room with her. Ace was staring at Ryan with a hostile expression, and I could feel the tension in the air. I immediately pushed Ryan away, breaking the hug, and said, "Ryan?"

"Where the hell were you? I thought you were not coming back to the hospital." Ryan scolded me. 

"I was...." I stared at Ace who was glaring at me with lots of questions on his mind and he seemed a little upset. 

"I took leave for a few days." I lied to Ryan. 

"That's fine, as long as you are here now. But, please, promise me don't take leaves from now on." He gave me a comfortable squeeze on my shoulders. 

Ace walked towards my back and grabbed Ryan's both hands in a swift and removed them in air  harshly, giving him a tight smile. 

"Who is he?" Ryan asked, checking Ace out for a few minutes. 

"He is my..." and then I locked eyes with Ace. He had a face full of mixed emotions, with irritation and upsetness being the most prominent. I don't know why he was so worked up. I continued, "He is my husband," and smiled at Ace. I had already given him a chance, and I had every right to call him my husband.

Ace blushed, holding his smile effortlessly and held my gaze. I am so liking this whole marriage thing.

"You got married? Then what about Tony?" Ryan asked in surprise. 

I scowled at Ryan to make him stop. Why did he bring Tony into it? I mean, I know Tony is my first love, and he ran away without a word. He promised he'd come back, but I never saw him again. And after a few years, I married Ace and I am starting something good between us. I don't want to think about Tony as I have already moved on. 

"Has Tony not come back yet? I thought you would marry him but you moved on. If I had known, I would have definitely tried on you." Ryan spoke teasingly. 

I was so happy to be back at the hospital that I almost forgot about Ryan, who is a jerk. But then I saw, Ace watching me like a hawk. He's been so sweet to me lately, but now he was glaring. And he was so calm that it was freaking me out. I am done. I am so done. Ace would definitely kill me. 

I wanted to tell Ryan to stop, but Ace interrupted. "Why don't you go get ready for your shift?" He said to Ryan, not taking his eyes off me.

"I will meet you inside." Ryan felt Ace, an angry gaze towards him, so he decided to go back inside, leaving me with Ace. 

 Ryan, don't leave me here with Ace! I'm starting to think this whole "marriage thing" is a bad idea. At least take me with you!

I mean, Ace has been a perfect husband so far, but now he seems pissed off and that scares me. I don't want to be here when he snaps! There are too many questions in the air. Who was Tony? Why is Ryan being so flirty? I can't stand the tension. I don't know what to do. I just wish Ryan would take me with him. 

"I should also go get ready for my shift," I said with a nervous laugh, avoiding eye contact. I started to walk away, but Ace stopped me. He grabbed my wrist forcefully, and I was forced to turn around and face him. I didn't know what to do. I was scared of what he would do. 

I blurted out the first thing that came into my mind, "I'll explain everything. I promise, trust me."  tried to calm Ace down, but it was no use. He just gave a sarcastic scoff and dropped my hand. 

He turned and walked towards his side of the door. He opened the car door, stopped for a moment and glanced at me, "I am waiting." He said sitting inside in the car. 

To be continued....