It had almost been a month since Christmas. We celebrated  New Year's at my dad's place. Before then, Christmas day was just calm for us. We first opened presents at midnight. It was tiring at first because we had stayed up after the Eve party Theresa hosted.

But later on, everyone became excited upon seeing their gifts. Jessie had given Caleb a pair of very little socks. It took him a while to get the message.

She was pregnant.

Everyone was so excited for them. Though, the twins didn't understand. Everyone had to explain to them in a way that was innocent kind off and it was so funny, especially when they asked what had happened for a baby to be in Jessie's stomach.

For New Year's we all headed out. We went to an amusement park and drove little cars, rode on Ferris wheels and ate a lot of cotton candy.

That was why I wasn't surprised when I found out I had put on some weight. Ansel couldn't stop teasing me about it so it became annoying.

Now, I resumed work mid-last week, and it was back to the daily routine, but now it was more stressful. I had three projects on my hands and I still sometimes wondered how.

Martina had given me a project to design an elementary school, but it was a long-term project so that kinda made it easier, but that didn't mean I had to abandon it.

The second was Olivia's, she was on maternity leave and I didn't know what I was thinking when I said I would do it.

The last was Kane's project. It was the only one I had gone halfway through and I was at least delighted about that. I had met up with Kane before I went for the holidays that was why I had gone somewhere.

It was Monday and I was heading to where Kane had decided we meet up. I wanted to show him how far I had gone. But one thing was on my mind. It was Ansel.

He was using my laptop one day when he saw the project I had titled, Kane McGery.

He immediately got angry and demanded where I had met him.

Flashback..........Riley's POV

I had just changed into my night robe and was using a towel to dry my hair when I noticed the way Ansel was looking at me, he looked angry.

"What's wrong?", I asked.
"How did you meet Kane McGery and why are you doing a house project for him?", he asked and I could tell he was trying to keep his anger in check but was slowly failing.

I decided to be calm with him. "We had met at a store and he offered for me to design his house.", I said.
"How did he know you're an interior designer?", he asked.

"He had seen me at a launch party of a hall I and my teammates had designed.", I said.
"That was what he told you and you believed. Riley! You believed.", he boomed.

"Yes that was what he told me, and how do you know him? Why are you even angry that I know him?", I asked coming closer to him.
"Because he's a crook, that's why Riley. He's a useless fellow who....."

"Hold up there.", I said raising a finger to him. "Has he ever been to jail?", I asked.
"Not yet.", he said.

"Yes, not yet. That means no. So what makes him a crook? And you haven't answered my question, how do you know him?", I asked looking straight into his eyes now we were inches apart.

For a moment he looked like he was hiding something, but the expression left his face as soon as it came.

"Riley, stay away from him. Call him and cancel the project.", he sighed.
"But..."
"No!", he said and calmed down. "Just call him and cancel it.", he said and left the room.

Present Day.

But I didn't cancel the project. I only called Kane and asked if he knew Ansel and he said he only knew Ansel as my husband and the famous billionaire. Nothing else.

After that call, I decided not to cancel the project. Ansel hadn't given me a valuable reason to do so. Plus, would I tell Kane I was no longer going to do his project because my husband didn't want me to?

That would be very unprofessional of me.

I arrived at the location Kane had sent me. I was about to call him when I came out of the car. I locked it and turned around.

As I did, I felt something hit the back of my head. The pain sent me to the floor and the last thing I remember was someone lifting me.

I woke up feeling a bit disoriented as my vision was blurry. But once it cleared, I realised I was seated on a chair. My arms were tied to the back and so were my legs. I wanted to scream but was stopped by the piece of cloth that was tied around my mouth.

I started struggling to get free when I heard footsteps. I looked up to see Allister. What was he doing here?

Then came Kane, and that was when realisation dawned on me. The smug faces they had was enough to let me know that they were the ones behind this.

"So the bitch has finally woken up.", Kane started. I struggled more.
"Oh, we're not gonna free you. We have you here for a reason.", Allister said. He looked different from the person I had met at Jamie's birthday party. He didn't sound like the friend I chatted with on the phone.

I guess people were right, character can indeed change a person's looks.

"Don't worry darling, we're just keeping you till your husband dearest pays us the money he owes us.", Kane crouched in front of me and my eyebrows knotted in confusion.

Ansel knew them and he even owed them money?

"Oh, you didn't know. Well we helped your husband to clean up something.", Kane started and I suddenly bore a mortified expression. Had Ansel killed someone and then asked them to dispose of the person's body?

"Calm down it's not like we killed someone.", Kane clarified and my tense shoulders dropped out of relief, but only a little bit. "We just made sure someone... On easy terms, we just did a job for him and he was supposed to be paying us every month, but for the past months now he hasn't paid, so we got tired and now we're holding you at ransom for twice the money he owes us.", Kane said and stood from his crouching position.

He came closer, way too close as his face was inches from mine. "Though I think I should triple the price, you are such a darling after all.", he said and the way he said it sent shivers down my spine.

He stroked my cheek but I turned away in disgust. Then, he forcefully held my cheek so I could look at him.

"You better co-operate with us because right now, we can do anything we want to you. Anything.", he said and tears welled up in my eyes but I couldn't let him see me cry so I blinked them away.

I didn't know how long I stayed there. I didn't even know what time it was because there wasn't any window there.

After a long time, Allister came in with a plate of food. He slowly untied the cloth around my mouth and came to sit in front of me.

"How do you expect me to eat, if my hands are tied," I said harshly.
"I'm gonna feed you that's how.", he said.
"Well I'm not hungry.", I said and turned my head away from the food.

We stayed there for a while until he sighed and went around to free my hands.

"There. I'm just sparing you 'cause your husband's not coming anytime soon. I'm sure he doesn't even know you're gone yet.", he said.

"You don't have to pretend like you care, I know you don't.", I spat.
"I don't, I'm just showing you some compassion which you aren't appreciating.", he said.

"A man with compassion wouldn't kidnap and tie a woman to a chair because her husband owes him some money.", I said.
"Yeah, for rich people like you, thirty-five thousand dollars is some money.", he said putting 'some money' in air quotes.

"Don't do anything stupid, I'll be back soon, and you should be done by then.", he said and left, slamming the door before locking it.

I had to find a way out of this place. I ate the food and when I was almost done, I started feeling sleepy.

Darn! They must have put sleeping pills in it.

///////////////////////

I woke up with a pain in my arms. They were tied once again and there was also a cloth around my mouth. I looked up to see Kane with a disgusting smile.

My eyes immediately shot open. Had they done whatever they had wanted with me?

"Don't worry, we didn't do anything. After you slept off we just tied you up.", he said, but it didn't sound convincing. "Despite what I said, we are respectable men who just want their thirty-five thousand dollars, or in this case, double the price."

He stood and picked up a phone which I recognised was mine.
"It's time to put your husband out of his misery.", he said and put the phone to his ear. He must be calling Ansel.

"It isn't Riley. Instead, it's Kane speaking.", he started. "Yes hope you still remember me though...Yes, we have her but don't think we're gonna give her to you like that after all you owe us.", he paused.

"No. Now the price has increased...Yes, times two. Either pay it tomorrow or she's the one who's gonna be leaving this city.", he paused and then came towards me.

He removed the cloth forcefully and put the phone close to my ear.
"Ansel?", I said.
"Riley? Riley! How are you? Did they do anything to you?", he asked and that was it, I started crying.

"Ansel. Come and take me from here please.", I begged as the sobs fell freely. I missed him and I just wanted to hug him and rest in his comforting arms.

Before I could hear Ansel's next statement, Kane took away the phone and I just cried more.

"I'll send you the location and the amount, and I trust that you're wise enough not to involve the police. Bring the money and we'll give her to you.", he said and hung up.

He came towards me but didn't put the cloth back in my mouth. He held my cheek forcefully, this time it hurt.

"I do pity you because once your husband brings the money, there's no way in hell that we're gonna send you back to him.", he said and I looked at him with confusion.

Ansel was gonna pay him and he still wouldn't let me go. Then he left, once again slamming the door before locking it.

Ansel was right. Why hadn't I listened to him? Why did I have to come here when he had told me to cancel the project? I should have just listened. I thought as I continued to cry.

I had been awake for a long time now. My eyes were aching from all the crying. I still didn't know whether it was night or day and I was very weak.

It soon became quiet but it didn't last for long as the silence was interrupted. I heard gunshots. Was Ansel here with the police? The door opened and Allister came in. He untied me from the chair but still tied my arms. He untied my legs and yanked me up.

"Ansel is here isn't he?", I asked.
"You just shut up.", he said and yanked me forcefully. He dragged me out and from where I was I caught sight of Ansel who was downstairs.

"Ansel!!!", I screamed and he looked up to see me. He looked kinda relieved at first. Next thing, Allister slapped me, hard. It hurt so much, it brought tears to my eyes, which fell freely.

Allister dragged me away. We went down a staircase. I was reluctant at first but when I almost fell he slapped me again.

"You better speed up or I'm gonna keep hitting you.", he said and continued pulling me and this time, I had to keep up.

We came out and the brightness of the sun made me shut my eyes forcefully. Because my eyes were closed I stumbled on something but he forcefully held me up digging his nails into my skin in the process.

"Ouch!", I said as he pushed me into the back seat, the one behind the driver's seat.
"Shut up.", he said and started driving.

"Where are you taking me?", I asked.
"Somewhere. This plan has already gone down the drain. I'm probably gonna sell you off.", he said.

"What!! You... you can't do that.", I said.
"Watch me.", he said.

Soon, I heard a siren. I turned back to see a police car chasing us. He must have seen it too 'cause he cursed loudly. The driver fired a shot and I ducked but I noticed he had shot at the tire.

The car slowed at a junction and he came out and yanked me out. The driver came out, it was Ansel.

"Let her go.", he shouted. Then Allister held me in front of him and pressed the gun at the side of my head. I froze.

"Drop the gun.",?Allister said.
"You don't have to do this.", Ansel said raising his hands above his head.

"I said drop the....", Allister was cut short by a gunshot. I stilled and then Allister let go of me before he fell to the floor.

Realising I was free, I ran to hug Ansel and sobbed into his shoulder as he held me tight.

I missed him so much and I was glad to be back in his arms.

I don't know if this chapter kept you on the edge of your seat but it kept me on the edge of my seat. This is the first of a kind for me. I have never written a chapter like this before and I hope you guys were as tense as I was cause that would mean you guys loved it.

I would love to know your comments on this chapter so please comment, or rate it even.

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The Sparkling Authoress
Mis-A
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