Chapter 20

“A substitute?” I can't help but ask him, and he responds immediately.

"Hmm, a substitute," Rizzo says with a nod. "Gallagher uses a substitute for you, and uses the darkness to hide you in the crowd," he confirms, continuing to fill in the gaps of information for me. “While they both went out thinking we’ll chase them while someone will hide you from me.” He continued as the stunned expression on my face widened; I hadn't even considered it in this light.

I’m still processing this as Rizzo's voice reverberated again, and he even clapped this time. He's clapping, and the amused grin on his face has reached his eyes, giving me a sense of familiarity as I look at him.

“A good plan, indeed. Almost perfect, even.” he stopped his hand and said, with a sly glint in his eyes, "But it won't work on me. Gallagher miscalculated this time. I wonder how his face is right now.”

So, ever since we went to that party, Zach has had this plan in place in case Rizzo ever comes looking for me. And he didn't even tell me about it, leaving me in the dark the entire time, is that why he didn't want me to talk and only stand beside him?

"Then why does he need to bring me to the party?" I weakly uttered, I hate that I’m being swayed by this stranger to doubt Zach’s intentions.

I just want to know, there's so much I want to know. I’ll start with this one. I leaned on the headrest, not breaking eye contact with him.

My body suddenly felt so weak, and I am not sure if this is a side effect of the medicine they used for me to be unconscious.

"Simple, isn't it safer to keep you by his side than to leave you alone if he suspects I'm coming for you?" Rizzo casually answers once more as if telling me that he will only pay a visit and not tokidnap me.

He is so nonchalant about it that I, as the victim, have the impression that everything is normal. This seriously fuck up. He is insane, and I am even more so for conversing with him in this manner.

“Then why do you want to kidnap me? As a hostage? What?” I finally snap this time and ask him the most important question.

Why is he even coming for me? As a hostage because Zach is his enemy? What is his purpose? I only met him a week ago, and now my life has taken such a drastic turn that I'm not sure if it's still real or a dream.

“Did I already tell you?” he replied in a deep voice, without a hint of playfulness in his tone..

“What?” I ask him back while frowning. He didn't tell me any reason at all.

"That you are mine," he answers so naturally that I almost believed it if I didn't know the truth.

My brows furrowed, and I sat up straight, glaring at him.

“Are you crazy?” I yelled, annoyed by what he was saying. He must be, as calling another wife his is evidence that something is wrong with his mind.

At my shout, the man doesn't even flinch or bat an eyelid and remains in his position, although the change in his expression is evident in my eyes.

The amusement in his eyes had faded, replaced by a more indifferent expression that I couldn't quite read.

"Yes, I am," he said, his eyes darkening as he stared at me. “I’ve always been insane.”

I can’t respond immediately, the look on his face became so unbearable in my eyes that I had to shift my gaze away. I'm not sure why his expressions have such an impact on me.

For a few moments, silence descended on us. Neither of us said anything. For one thing, even though I am calm about everything I have witnessed thus far, being in this situation will still mess with my mind.

"What will you do to me?" After a while, I ask him again, not looking up and only lowering my head as I fiddle with my gown, which I'm still wearing.

I'm not sure what my future life will be like. Will I be imprisoned in this room until Zach finally thinks of rescuing me? There are many thoughts running through my head, but this is the only one I can express to him.

Now that I’m here, what will he do to me?

"Do you think I'll do something like force you to satisfy my desires?" A dangerous, deep voice reached my ears, completely different from his earlier tone.

I lifted my head to look at him and nearly froze when I saw his face and the darkened expression on his face. He appears to be extremely offended by my question.

Nonetheless, despite this, I force myself to say whatever is on my mind. I need to get our relationship right, I am here because he kidnapped me, and he is just my kidnapper, nothing else.

I took a deep breath and answered him, almost stumbling as the words left my mouth. "It's not impossible," I said, tightening my grip on my dress. I don't know if it's because I'm also affected by what I said or because I'm scared that he might really do something like that to me.

His expression changes visibly and he clenches his jaw, clearly upset by what I said.

His brows wrinkled as he stood from his seat, then loosened his tie even more as if to control his raging emotions, which I can sense even though he was still a little distance away from me.

I bit my lower lip and gripped my gown so tightly that the fabric almost tore.

After a few moments of silence as he returned his gaze to me, what came out of his lips was not the answer to my question, but something entirely different. As if he doesn't hear what I'm saying.

"Someone will come here later to help you change your clothes and whatever else you need. You can either stay here or explore the mansion," he said, lacking of emotions and his expression still remained dark.

He never once mentions what will happen to me from now on. He's acting as if he has no idea what's going on as if I'm there on vacation rather than as a hostage.

My lips tremble as I look at him, his eyes lacing the usual luster they had while he was talking to me, and I wonder why I feel hurt seeing those eyes, am I not used to it because I only see him being playful with me?

He stood in front of me, as if expecting me to say something. In the end, nothing came out of my lips at all. I'm just staring at him, my eyes filled with questions I'm not sure how to ask.

“You can go to any part of the mansion if you feel stuffy in this room,” as he said those words, with one last look, he turned away from me and left the room.

The room became silent in an instant, becoming even more deafening as time passed. I don’t know how many minutes passed while I remained in my position.

Rizzo might not have explicitly said it, but I already understood what he was trying to say. I can go to any part of the mansion but going out is not even an option.

I sigh and lean on the headboard and look at the ceiling. The elegant design of the room not even making me feel at ease. So, I can understand. This whole mansion, however big it may be, is still my prison.

Staring at the ceiling, Rizzo’s expression flashed in my mind after I said that it was not impossible if he wanted to force his desire on me. Thinking logically, there is nothing wrong with what I said at all.

I’m here being locked up because of him, and he is obsessed with me, isn’t he? What else can he do to me, if not that? Am I only here as a display?

Why am I feeling guilty? I am not supposed to be feeling this way, as I am the victim here. I let out another heavy sigh and shut my eyes.

We only met twice, and this is already what happened in our second meeting. Do we really know each other before, after all? Then... why can't I remember him?