I had hoped he wouldn't notice I was in the room so quickly, giving me a few precious seconds to collect myself before the dinner started.

Leading up to the dinner, all I could think about was all the possible outcomes of this horrid encounter All the bloody, gory, unsavory outcomes. It did nothing to help my nerves, only increased them.

While I was getting dressed, getting my hair done, even when Tiffany and I were walking down here, possibilities of the future were flashing through my mind. I had no clue who this guy was and Tiffany gave no hints. I'm unsure if it was on purpose, but it's not high on the list of importance.

I quickly had to push all those thoughts away as I slowly walked to the small table for two.

He was standing with his hands on the top of the chair in front of him. I moved to the opposite of him but his voice stopped me.

"Sit."

Such a simple word made a bolt of nervousness travel through me. He gestured to the chair in front of him.

I made a quick glance at him, wanting nothing more than to sit in the chair opposite of him. Annoy him even the tiniest bit, show how little I cared about what he wanted.

But in a matter of seconds and without a word, I walked to the chair he wanted me to sit in.

I had to carefully pick my battles here and this was not one of them.

I sat down and he pushed my chair in before leisurely walking across from me and taking a seat.

He didn't immediately say anything so I took time to look around the room.

It had changed somewhat, some things obviously had been moved. The light gray sectional that once took up a majority of the space in the living room was gone, I presumed to fit the table, though the small thing could've fit perfectly with the couch still here.

The windows that were once covered with windows were clear from obstruction. The sky was dark, but many high rises seemed to be lit up with lights. I soon directed my gaze elsewhere since I couldn't see muchmy back was to the windows, which could've very well been planning on his part.

My eyes went all around the table, glancing at anything that spiked even a little of my interest.

"You look beautiful."

I lifted my gaze from the silverware I was absentmindedly staring at and looked at him. He matched my gaze as silence fell once again.

I tried not to react, keeping a blank expression on my face. I didn't want him to see how annoyed I was, but I also wasn't sure how bad his temper was. A girl a few months ago was killed because she scoffed at a guy who catcalled her. I saw the story a while on the news. It was awful to listen to, but it was important to know about. A mumble of displeasure could set this guy or any guy off and I definitely wasn't going to be on the receiving end.

Our silence and unofficial staring contest continued, to my displeasure. A small smirk made its way to his face and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. The years of having to deal with annoying professors and residents made it easy.

I shifted my eyes back to the silverware quickly seeing no benefit from our little contest. If he's anything like most men, he doesn't like to be challenged.

Seconds later he spoke again. "I'm glad you wore the necklace. It looks nice on you."

"Did I have a choice?" I challenged, playing with the ends of my dress

He chuckled softly his fingers drumming softly on the table. "No, you did not."

Him verifying what Tiffany had said only amplified how dangerous he was, but it also boosted my trust in Tiffany. I didn't completely trust her, he was still her boss, but at least this time she helped me, no matter how small it was.

"But you're not wearing the other jewelry I gave you. Why is that?"

I sighed softly, looking up at him. "I don't really wear jewelry."

"Except for social events and that ring you rarely take off, correct?"

My heart picked up at his words. I glanced at my hand, seeing the small ring he somehow noticed.

"You've done your research, huh?" I said almost spitefully

If he heard the malice in my voice he didn't let on. Instead, he took a sip of his water that was coincidentally in a wine glass.

"Yes, I have but we'll discuss that after dinner."

At his words, a waiter came in with two plates. They set one in front of me and him. They left, wordless.

I peered at my plate. It was steak with cubed potatoes and asparagus. It looked like a filet mignon, but I wasn't completely sure. I glanced at his plate and it had filet mignon too, but with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

I picked up my fork and looked back at my dish, wary of it. Wouldn't be surprised if he poisoned me. At least my last meal would be delicious.

I moved my food around with my fork, trying to check for dangerous toxins. If I was poison would I be a liquid or a powder? Color or colorless? Some have odors too.

"It wasn't poisoned, if that's what you're worried about." He said putting a forkful of potatoes in his mouth.

He continued eating as I continued staring at my plate. He wasn't looking at me but I could see a sly smirk appear on his face.

"The steak, it's medium well, just how you like it."

My grip on the fork tightened, but he seemed to take delight in the fact that he knew so much about me. And it only made it worse that they weren't significant and obvious things. They were small, easy to forget and hard to pick up. Only showed how much he knew and how long he apparently researched me.

After a few seconds and deep but soft breaths, I cut through my steak and took a bite. It was good, well great actually, 5-star restaurant quality but I didn't want to express that to him. And it truly was medium well.

•~•

After about 30 minutes, the waiter came back to take our plates. During the whole dinner, the only sound one could hear was our utensils against the plates. He didn't try to start a conversation or make any side comments. I wasn't too upset by it though, if the rest of the dinner would be like this we could do this very night.

However, the very moment the waiter was no longer in sight, he started to speak.

"Naomi Vera. 24. Currently doing a residency at Vera Medical Hospital. Lives at home with father, mother and sister."

I tilt my head, curious as to what he was doing. It was a little worrisome he was listing facts of me off like it was common knowledge but I wasn't completely surprised. He looked like a person who'd have a person who'd stalk people for information.

I shrugged, trying to look unfazed. "Is that all you got?"

He seemed to take that as a challenge.

"Mother - Katherine Vera, Father - Edwin Vera, Sister - Sophie Vera." He paused and had the same sly smirk on his face.

"Sophie Vera. Goes to Noster Mere high school in the city."

I clenched my jaw, my fingers pressing together on my thigh, trying hard not say or do something we both would regret. He knows where Soph goes to school? Thats halfway impossible to find out, unless someone's been following her. Or there's a spy in her school, though I believe the former more. Still, if he's had someone follow her, like he has for me, they know more information than anyone would like to share.

"14. Minor. Too bad."

"Is there a point to this?" I asked, quickly understanding his insinuation. "Or are you just a disgusting pervert?"

He hummed and leaned back in his chair, getting more comfortable. "Your father is a business man, no?"

I shrugged, folding my arms in front of me. "Don't you already know?"

His smiled widened and he went on.

"I do and I also know that your father has amassed a fortune with the private hospital he owns and the pharmaceutical companies he invests in. He's now what, a multi-millionaire with a few dozen upgrades? Truly a remarkable feat. But he never could've done it alone."

I adjusted in my seat, getting ready for a long story.

"Your father was a small insignificant doctor when he met my father. They started as patient and doctor, but they soon somehow became friends and your father confessed how he longed to get more upgrades and add to a wealth he didn't need."

I had a feeling he did not like my father, but in reality who does?

"My father helped him: gave him tips in investing, recommended him to prospective clients, even loaned him money to build that stupid hospital. And he never asked for a penny back."

I could feel my hands start to clam up at his words. My father and his father were, partners? Associates? And at some point my father must've fucked it up. Like he always does and made an enemy out of a very important person, and his son. Its just like him to get me involved in a squabble that doesn't involve me at all.

"Years later, I took over my father's company and he tried the same thing with me. But I wasn't going to let history repeat itself. When I loaned him money I asked for it back, in interest, in a timely manner and he couldn't deliver."

"So you kidnapped me?" I said inserting my two-sense into his monologue. "Seems immature to bring a person who was ignorant of the situation into it for no reason."

He chuckled and moved the hair out of his face. "Oh I didn't bring you into this."

I scrunched my eyebrows together, confused as to what he was getting at. He didn't bring me into this? If he's telling the truth then he had to have been alluding to my father, but how? How did he bring me into their squabble?

He raised his eyebrow, giving me a few seconds to ponder on what he said. It seemed he was waiting for me to figure it out on my own, but all the answers I came up with didn't make sense to me.

Finally, he continued. "I told him that I needed my money. I truly didn't care in what form he gave it to me."

I started to shake my head, still not understanding, until I remembered a conversation father had with someone on the phone.

"Ill get you your money."

"What the fuck do you want?"

"What do I look like, a human trafficker?"

All those words came rushing back, filling in the blanks my brain couldn't solve. My heart sunk down to my stomach so fast I think I got nauseated from it. I covered my mouth, really thinking I was going to throw up the food I just had. I took deep breaths to get rid of the overwhelming feeling, thinking over all the events leading to this moment.

Did my father really sell me? To some fucking psycho to pay off debt? 24 years of life wasted and given away to this motherfucker.

"Come on your father is a slime ball, it's not that unbelievable."

I tried to ignore him, even though he wasn't wrong with the first statement. My father is a slime ball, but I never thought he would do something like this. I don't think anyone would want to think that their own family would sell them to pay off a debt. How fickle was I to him?

"Between you and his money, he obviously picked the thing that was worth less."

I felt a squeeze in my chest at his words. This really did show how little my father cared for me. I never liked him and I'm unsure if he ever liked me, but I wouldn't sell him to pay something off. It was low, hell level low, but it was even lower for this asshole to accept. How dare he blame my father for all of this, when he still accepted. The buyer is just as worse as the seller.

"And who the hell are you again? What makes you so high and mighty? You're not much better than him. You still bought someone. Human trafficking and kidnapping are still illegal."

He shook his head. "Not for me."

I was little stunned from his words. He had the upgrades that allowed him to break those laws and all the laws legally "better" than them. Most millionaires who didn't have the upgrade to break a certain law broke it anyway, hoping no one would realize they weren't exempt.

But him, he made sure he was fully covered.

Still, not many had the upgrade for kidnapping, I was unsure if my father did. I looked at the man in front of me, curious as to who he was. Who was I up against? Who did I have to outsmart to get out of here?

I leaned back in my chair, folded my hands and placed them on my stomach. "Who are you?" I inquired, asking the same question from the morning in the bedroom. He didn't answer me then but I had a feeling he'd answer me now.

He readjusted in his seat too, resting his arm on the armrest.

"Right, you don't know who I am. You're a well educated girl, you don't watch the news?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, looking over his features trying to remember where I may have seen him from. "Guess you're not that memorable."

He chuckled, not looking fazed by my obvious insult. "Maybe not. But maybe my last name will ring a bell?"

"Maybe."

He hummed, tilting his head and waiting a few seconds before speaking.

"Griffiths."

The name marinated in my mind for a few seconds before something came to mind. My eyes wandered around the room trying to remember the event.

I think I was watching the news, something I rarely did since I normally read vital news articles on my phone. The newscasters were talking about how the government had to add more upgrades for some multi-billionaires due to their extravagant wealth. They didn't show any pictures but they listed the names of some of the billionaires who were waiting for the new upgrades.

I remember some of the names, something Andrews, Peter something, Maria Santos and the youngest on the list

Griffiths

Matthew Griffiths

At the revelation, I looked up at Griffiths, but he wasn't in his seat. Thats when I felt cold hands on my shoulders. I jumped at the touch and the coldness, it was practically permeating my dress.

"You remember me now?"

I nodded softly, trying to slow my beating heart. How could I possibly forget who he was? I never really paid attention to the names of the ultra rich who were untouchable by the law, they were all scum in my opinion. But Matthew Griffiths . . . was the worst.

He's the youngest billionaire in the country and one of the people in the nation with the most upgrades. He has dozens of upgrades that allow him to harass, assault, stalk, rape and even kill anyone he wants. He'll even get an upgrade for third degree murder at the end of the year, as if manslaughter wasn't enough.

He's dangerous, worse than any thief, gunman or vandal. All of them can be prosecuted, he can't.

"If only I could see the look on your face, right now." He said with a dark chuckle

I could feel my throat tighten, the headache from earlier in the day coming back. God, I'm going to fucking faint.

He leaned down to my right ear softly whispering into it. "And now, I own you. I can do whatever I want with you. You're completely vulnerable to my whim. Isn't that nice?"

I scrunched my nose, turning to the side to get away from his voice and the uncomfortable sensation it caused.

I tried to move from the seat but his grip tightened. He pressed his fingers into my shoulder causing discomfort to arise from my upper back. I bit my lip, hoping that pain would distract me from the pain Matthew was causing.

He signed and seemed to look around before he spoke. "You know, this was fun. We should do it again sometime. Maybe tomorrow? Same time?"

He didn't wait for me to speak before he continued. "No a little earlier, maybe 8 o'clock? No, 8:30 would be best. Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at 8:30pm for dinner."

He leaned down again, not as close to my ear before but close enough for me to hear him while he was whispering. "And don't be late, Naomi."

With that he released his grip on my shoulder and strolled out of the room. I heard his shoes tap against the floor as he went up the stairs, leaving me alone in my chair.

My head gravitated to my hands, having to resist the urge to cry from frustration. I'm trapped in a house with one of the people who have the most upgrades. He has no qualms inflicting pain, especially to me, and effectively owns me.

That psychopath is going to kill me if I stay in this house.

•~•

Thanks for reading,
NN😊