The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting soft gold across the room.
Ray stirred, reaching out instinctively forher
His hand touched only cold sheets.
His eyes fluttered open slowly, still wrapped in the warmth of the night before — the rhythm of her breath against his chest, the whispers they exchanged, the silence that said everything words never could.
But now… she was gone.
"Milicent?" he called, sitting up.
No answer.
He scanned the room — her slippers were still by the door, her hairband still resting on the nightstand. The air felt off. Too quiet. Too still.
His heart sank.
Something was wrong.
he was certain he heard her step out saying she wanted to go grab a drink just before dawn — she wanted to get a warm drink for Ray from the kitchen before he woke up. Something sweet to make the morning perfect.
MILICENT hadn't even gotten far.
The hallway was dark, the lights flickering.
Then — a hard batton hit behind her.
She barely turned before a cloth was pressed hard against her mouth. The chemical scent hit her instantly — chloroform.
Panic surged through her as she kicked, muffled a scream, arms flailing. But the arms were strong, practiced — and merciless.
The last thing she saw before darkness swallowed her was a pair of cold brown eyes,
and she blanked out.
Milicent awoke with her wrists tied, her head throbbing. A dusty lightbulb swung above her in a dim, abandoned warehouse.
Her ankles were bound. Her lips dry. Fear crawled up her spine.
She blinked hard, trying to focus.
Then she heard it — laughter.
Jasmine.
Dressed in black, leaning casually against a table, sipping iced coffee like this was a tea party.
"Well, look who's finally awake," Jasmine purred.
Behind her, Ryder emerged from the shadows, a crooked smirk on his lips, his jacket slung lazily over his shoulder.
Milicent's heart shattered. " sir Ryder…? Why…"
He chuckled darkly. "Don't act innocent. You think I didn't know you were spying on me for my father? I saw the cameras. I heard your whispers. You ratted me out."
Jasmine rolled her eyes. "And as for me," she said, circling Milicent slowly, "you've been a thorn in my side from day one. The poor girl who stole my spotlight. My trophy. My respect. You made me look like a joke."
She stopped, face inches from Milicent's.
"Now we'll see who's laughing."
Milicent tried to speak — but the gag in her mouth silenced everything.
Ryder stepped forward, his expression more bitter than angry now. "We're not gonna kill you. That'd be too easy. But we're going to make sure you're out of our way for good. Emotionally. Physically. Publicly."
Jasmine nodded. "Consider this… reputation correction."
The two exchanged a nod, and Jasmine pulled out her phone — ready to film whatever came next.
Ray swiftly got off the bed, and checked the kitchen but she wasn't there
He asked a janitor at the balcony. No one had seen her.
His hand trembled
Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong.
By noon, she hadn't come back Ray was at his father's office.
and asked for the security footage on a flash drive.
His father's expression darkened with every passing second of the footage. When he saw Ryder's face clear in the frame trying to abduct her , he slammed a fist into the desk.
"My own son…" he muttered. "And Jasmine? That spoiled brat's ,
Ray's voice cracked. "We need to find her, Dad. We don't know what they're doing to her."
"I'll handle it." His father's tone dropped. "But you — go check the CCTV feed from the old district warehouse. Ryder's always hiding there."
Ray was out the door before his father finished speaking.
--------------------------------------------
The ropes cut into her skin. Her throat was dry. Hours had passed — or was it more?
Jasmine had grown tired of mocking. She sat texting, looking bored. Ryder had stepped outside to smoke, pacing like a restless animal.
Milicent's eyes scanned the room — her hands were raw from struggling, but the knot behind her back was loosening.
One strand gave way.
Just a little more…
Ryder's voice filtered in through the door. "You sure no one followed us?"
"I'm not an idiot," Jasmine snapped. "I covered the trail."
Milicent tugged hard — pain split through her wrist — but the knot snapped free.
She didn't wait.
With one hand free, she untied her ankles, then grabbed a rusted metal pole beside the wall.
Just as Jasmine turned—
CRACK!
The pole hit the ground next to Jasmine, not her head — but it was enough.
Jasmine screamed.
Milicent bolted.
as presumed by Dad
Ray arrived just in time.
He saw her sprinting out of the warehouse barefoot, tears on her face, hair wild, a metal pole still in one hand.
"Milicent!" he yelled, jumping out of the car.
She collapsed into his arms.
Behind them, Ryder burst out, but Ray's fist met his jaw in a clean, brutal hit.
Ryder hit the ground hard.
"You abducted our Chef"
Police cars were already on their way — his father had made sure of it.
Ray wrapped his arms around Milicent tightly, burying his face in her hair.
"You're safe now," he whispered. "I've got you."
And for the first time that day… she allowed herself to cry.
Not from fear.
But because she finally felt safe!!