ZAHRIA

Day fifteenth of being held captive.

I can't believe no one missed me enough to search for me.

That fucking hurts.

Maybe I am adopted. No wonder my parents aren't searching for me.

That hurts even more.

A random channel played on the TV but I paid no attention to it as my thoughts spiraled making my heart hurt.

I can eat three meals here, wear new clothes almost every day, shower whenever I want, roam the house, and watch TV. I am not being physically hurt. That's more than any privileges a typical hostage is allowed.

That doesn't mean I want to remain here.

Verena has Asael now. They love each other, I don't matter to her anymore.

No one loves me.

No one cares.

No one--

"What the fuck are you doing?" Arien growled, grabbing my forearm and pulling it away making me realise that I was scratching my hand causing the skin to redden.

I breathed heavily and avoided looking at him as I snatched my hand back and tucking my legs under me, I rested my chin on my knees, gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling window.

The couch dipped as he settled next to me and a moment later, his fingers touched my jaw as he grabbed it firmly and turned my face to him.

He scrutinized my face, eyes searching mine, brows pulling together. "What are you thinking?"

I didn't even have the energy to shout at him so I simply sighed and averted my eyes.

He squeezed my jaw. "Look. At. Me."

I clenched my jaw and refused to obey him.

"Zahria." He warned.

I think it's the first time he has addressed me by my name and it felt strange hearing him say that considering how it rolled off his tongue in his British accent. I liked it.

I felt compelled to lift my eyes to him. "What?" I asked dryly.

"What are you thinking?" He repeated his question, a little impatiently this time. "Why are you...sulking?"

I scoffed. "I don't know. Maybe it's because I have been kidnapped and forced to stay on this island. Or maybe it's because I can't contact my family or friends. You choose."

His eyes narrowed, lips pursing. "You have been here for fifteen days, everything caught up to you now?"

"Yeah, maybe I am getting fucking depressed. I swear I will make you pay for my therapy once I get out of here."

For a second he looked humoured before he schooled his expressions. "I need the real answer."

"Just leave me alone. I told you my answer."

His fingers tightened on my jaw. "No. Answer me."

I lifted my arms to shove him away but I found myself falling backwards on the couch instead as he pushed me.

Grabbing my wrists he held them together keeping them above my head as he climbed over me, pressing his body to mine.

My eyes widened at the feel of his warm body against mine and I squirmed. "Just because you are stronger than me doesn't give you the right to manhandle me, you psychopath."

He watched me with pursed lips as I continued to wriggle around, trying to break free.

His jaw ticked, pupils dilating and he hissed. "Stop."

And I was suddenly aware of something long and hard and hot pressed against my abdomen. My bare abdomen since my t-shirt had ridden up during all the manhandling.

Holy shit. He can't possibly be turned on right now.

"Oh God", I mumbled closing my eyes. "Get off me. You are such a pervert."

I ignored how heat gathered in between my thighs. Traitor!

"It's just a physical reaction, little bird. No need to get so flustered. Fucking you is the last thing on my mind."

"A pervert and an asshole," I stated as I opened my eyes and glared at him.

His hand finally left my jaw and he placed his palm beside my head, leaning closer. "Answer me and I'll release you."

"You have kidnapped me." I gritted my teeth. "And my family and friends don't miss me enough to search for me. It's been fifteen days, it's not that difficult to find me. It fucking hurts to know that I don't matter that much."

I blinked away the tears before they could fall and clenching my jaw, I looked away from him.

His weight disappeared from me and I quickly sat up, putting some distance between us.

A moment later, a phone was thrust in my face. My phone. I blinked in confusion as I noticed the messaging app opened on it.

Arien held it in front of my face and clicked on the message thread from my Mom where she messaged me every day asking about me, to which Arien replied on my behalf. She even mentioned calling me but Arien told her I was supposedly busy.

Next, he opened the message thread from my Dad where it was the same thing.

He backed out and opened the message thread from Verena.

The latest message was from this morning.

Verena: Okay, you are acting weird now. No calls in the past two weeks and your messages also sound very...off. What's wrong??? If you don't tell me, I am flying over there. You better be alive, Ria.

To that, Arien had replied by making some excuses and apologising which caused her to worry even more.

Verena: Enough. Something's definitely wrong. It's my birthday, Ria. You never forget that and you didn't even wish me by now which means something's wrong.

Zahria (Arien): Sorry! I totally forgot. Happy Birthday Babe!! ❤️❤️ I am so sorry. I'll call you as soon as possible.

I tried to snatch the phone from Arien but he held it away.

"It's her birthday!" I hissed. "I have to call her at least. I literally forgot because of your stupid ass. I didn't even buy her a gift."

He ignored what I said and spoke gently, "No one has been searching for you because I have replied to their messages till now. They don't think you have been kidnapped. Although they are still worried, they could detect it from just the messages, so everyone does care. You do matter."

His gentle tone surprised me and my heart skipped a beat.

He's right. It made me realise how stupid my thinking was. They do care. I was just overthinking.

I stared at him, my expression softening. I'm glad he told me that. Or else I would have spent all day being depressed about it.

"Oh."

He hummed and was about to pocket my phone when I grabbed his wrist. "Wait!"

"Let me call Verena. It's her birthday. Please."

He watched me without blinking.

"C'mon, let me talk to her." I pleaded with my best puppy eyes.

His eyes dropped down to my lips which were in a pout, his jaw ticking.

"Please." I battered my eyelashes at him.

He rolled his eyes and looked away, cursing under his breath.

A few seconds later, he took out my phone, unlocked it, dialled Verena's number, put it on speakerphone and held it in between us.

He was not taking any risks. He wanted to hear everything.

I sighed. Better than nothing.

Verena picked up on the fifth ring. "Ria!"

Hearing her voice brought a sad smile to my face. "I am so sorry, Ver. Happiest birthday, baby."

"Nope. Don't baby me. I am so angry at you. I have a feeling you are lying to me, so, tell me what's wrong, right now."

I shot a glare at Arien who was busy scrolling through his phone, pretending not to listen to us.

"Um... nothing. It's just I was visiting Dad's company these days, seeing how things work--"

"Zahria. Don't lie."

"I am not lying!"

"Yes, you are. You only said you didn't want to be the CEO and a mother instead. A stay-at-home wife. So, why the sudden change?"

Verena never judged me for my decision but my cheeks flushed since Arien heard every word and he turned his head to me, arching his brow at me.

"No." I corrected her. "I mean...I am not sure actually. Maybe I will work for a while before getting married."

"Oh..." She still sounded unsure.

"Forget all that. Tell me what did you do today."

"Oh, I had lots and lots of birthday sex." I could imagine her grinning.

Arien's face grimaced and he shook his head still scrolling through his phone.

I face-palmed myself. "Ver, I didn't need to know that."

"What's wrong with it?" Her voice pitched higher. "Also! Guess what Asael gifted me?"

"Umm...I don't know. A jewellery?"

"Ria, he bought me a fucking island and named it after me. I only mentioned about it to him jokingly and he did it in real."

I almost choked on my breath. Yes, we are rich but gifting a whole ass island for a birthday. God.

"An island? Seriously?"

"Yes, he is insane. He said we could go there for our honeymoon. He also gave me a diamond and emerald earrings and he is taking me out for dinner tonight."

"Oh God, I am going to die because of all the cheesiness."

"I know right." She sounded so happy and in love. "He is the best."

"Yeah. Now, tell me, what do you want from me?"

"Whatever you want to gift me, do it in person. I already have lots of gifts right now."

"Okay, what else did you get?"

"Arien sent me a diamond bracelet, it's very beautiful and elegant."

It was my turn to arch my brow at Arien who also glanced at me at the same time and rolled his eyes.

We talked for a few more minutes after which we hung up and Arien pocketed the phone.

Arien got up, looking down at me for a long moment before he playfully flicked my forehead. "Don't overthink now."