Selena's POV:

I don't want to be clingy, but dancing with him meant a lot to me. All I could think about was him. I could feel his eyes on me as I looked around to find any distraction. Seriously if he kept doing that, I'd claw his eyes out. I can't stop blushing though. I was under his control. I couldn't concentrate on anything else but him. It's like he 'super-glued' me with him. Gosh, if it continues any longer, I might puke. Or, probably worse, faint in his arms.

"Did I tell you one basic rule you have to follow?"
"Um, no, I guess."
"It's to maintain an eye contact with your partner."

I gulped. I can't do that. I just can't. I can't. I can't, okay. I simply cannot! No, I can't. I can't! Try. Try it. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

I managed to look into his eyes. Whoa, they are- LIGHT GRAY?!

"Omph!"

I tripped over. He caught me like before. My hand was on his chest and his hands were gripping my waist. We stared at each other like there was no end to it. Do we have to end up in situations like these?

"Sorry."

I pulled him away. This was getting awkward for me.

"It's my fault."
"Mind explaining?"
"I, uh-
"See."

He shied away from me. I was about to reply back when I saw him. The person I thought might come. He was giving me a pissed look and was signalling me to come to him. It was my call. If I didn't move, they all will be in big trouble. What should I do.

Jacob must've sensed my discomfort. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"What's wrong?"
"I- I need to go."

I let go of his hand and moved back.

"Why?"
"I'm sorry, Jake. I just need to. I'll be back."

I scurried to the old spot, where tortures await. I got to admit, I missed being there. He was shouting my name and I knew he was following me. I tried different routes to confuse him and I was successful. Finally losing him in the way, I walked towards a tree and got rid of the dress. I kicked my heels and walked barefoot. Don't get me wrong, I already had my jeans and shirt on. I always do that in case of emergency. Better safe than sorry.

"Well, well, well. Look who's here. Our old prisoner, Selena Lockhart. I hate to say it out loud, but I missed you. Especially, your screams."
"Great minds think alike, don't they, Banners?"
"Ooh, stubborn as ever, I see. Tie her up!"

Two men stepped forward and pulled me to the tree. The third tightened the rope around me. I let out a deep breath. They can't assign me a mission now. This must be something important. They must me looking for some answers, and it seems like I'm the only one who can provide them.

"So, let's start talking, shall we?"
"Oh? And here I was thinking that you would be whipping me off."
"Save that for later, sweetheart. Tell me, do you know what was precious to your mother? Anything about it?"
"Only that our lives were precious to her."
"Except for that."
"Money. Food."
"Besides that?"
"Why bother asking me if you know the answer?"
"Silence!"

He slapped me on my face.

"Now, answer me in 'yes' or 'no'. Did she have a bracelet that she always kept clipped to her wrist?"

I tried hard to remember it. I mostly couldn't remember everything about her, but I tried to sieve through every memory I've got of her. I wonder why he asked about the bracelet. What was so special about it?

"Yes."
"Was it made up of silver?"
"No."
"Platinum?"
"Yes."
"Did it have diamonds on it?"
"Yes."

Now, I believed in Nathan fully. It was all fake. She had enough money. Even if she hadn't, she could've sold it and fed us. It might be possible that it was so special to her, but she was a sacrificing woman. It can be something that she had to return one day. But why would she wear it all the time? Won't it fall? What if she'd lost it?

"Did she have it on when you saw her the last time?"
"Yes."
"Do you know whose it was?"

Of course, it was my mother's, you big slug!

"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"I'll hit you if the answer's wrong."

I kept quiet.

"Are you sure?"

No answer.

"Are you?!"

To be honest, I wasn't. Judging by the tone of his voice, it was like he knew it wasn't hers.

"That's it. Give me that, Simon!"

He snatched the cow whip from the Wantor who he referred to as 'Simon' and hit me hard. It stung a lot, but I never yelped.

"Answer me this time. Do you know whose it was?"

I wasn't sure about it. It could be the property of one of the female of the organization. Then again, Nathan told me that.

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't have told you, Banners. Stop wasting your precious time on me. I don't know."
"Wrong answer!"

He slapped me on my face, whipped me twice and kicked me on my stomach.

"TELL ME THE TRUTH!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"

I screamed with the same amount of venom in his voice. He motioned for someone to come and and I understood it in an instant. None other than his son, Tristan Banners was here to deal with me. A devilishly handsome boy, only the problem was he was bad. But no, it's not a problem for those girls who automatically faint at the sight of his signature grin or his mocking brow. If he did smile, that is. It's a theory for me.

"Hello Tristan."
"Hello."

He bowed slightly to me.

"I guess formalities are in order."
"Oh? And I thought his highness was the deal here."

He turned around to face his daddy precious but straightaway landed a perfect punch on my jaw. That area must've been bruised, because it's burning with bright flames here. HELLO! I am a human too. It hurts. I spat blood from my face after that. I guess traditions don't change that easily.

"I need the answer."

He pointed his pocket knife on my throat. Just a little more pressure and a cute looking scar would be camouflaging my throat. Note the sarcasm, please.

"Now."

I gulped. Now I know where this was going. This is not good. Not good at all.

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Word count: 1099