Here's the thing about being stubborn: it runs in the family.

My arms were tied up at the back and damn it– I'm lying if I say it didn't hurt like a bitch. My head hurts for some reason and the bruises that I got from struggling to get away from them is starting to pain me.

And I'm also starting to regret ever coming back here. I should've listened to my father. But how could I when he's deliberately trying to push me to my limits every day. I just had to get away, I had no choice. I had to leave.

I gritted my teeth. I won't be surprised if he was the one who planned all this again. He always does this when things don't go his way. Just dare these assholes to try and touch me maliciously, I will kick them with my Louboutins.

My last words to him were over my dead body. Well, my father really does have his way with words and where could I possibly get the same talent if it wasn't for him? But did he really take it seriously? Surely not? His plan wouldn't work if I'm dead. Right? Of course, it wouldn't. He needed me. He tends to act impulsively when things don't go the way he wanted. Like, kidnap me until I give up and play the obedient daughter card again.

God, this place is a mess. My subconscious mind said. No, you're a mess. And you smell dirty. Thank Heavens, I'm pretty.

I sighed, trying to see through the darkness. I could hear them laughing. I would find it particularly funny how they couldn't think of somewhere else to hide me other than an old, rusty warehouse if I wasn't physically hurt. How cliche.

Damn it, these better not leave scars. I hate bruises.

"Excuse me! Can I have a glass of water? I'm so close to dehydrating over here?" I shouted. Obviously, they didn't care how uncomfortable this chair and these ropes are around my body, I was hoping they could at least offer me something to drink.

After all, the ransom would make them well. A little payback would be nice, right?

They stopped laughing. A lanky guy came up to me with a curious expression. "Gising ka na?"

I blinked. "No, dumbass. I'm sleep-talking."

"'Di ka man lang ba natatakot na baka kung anong gawin namin sayo-"

"What?" I cut him off. "You think this is my first time getting kidnapped?" Pathetic.

"I'm thirsty. Go out and fetch me a water. I want it crystallized. I don't drink the kind of water you're all drinking. Who knows what dirty particles are swimming in it." The thought alone makes me want to vomit.

"Anong nangyayari dito?" A big guy with a mustache and big tummy suddenly walked up. Great. I only needed a glass of water. I didn't ask for a getting-to-know-the-kidnappers scene. Could this get any more cliche?

I groaned.

"Boss, humihingi ng tubig. Nauuhaw daw. Gusto daw niya 'yung tubig na may crystal. Sa'n tayo kukuha ng ganun?"

"Pwede lumayas ka hangga't nakakapagtimpi pa ko. Baka ikaw ang mabaril ko ng wala sa oras."

The lanky guy left while scratching his head. I guess, he was the stupid one among the bad guys.

The big guy got himself situated in front of me. He smirked, crossing his arms.

I stared. Is he trying to intimidate me? Well, if he is, he needed to up his game.

He took his phone out if his pocket and called someone. Not even a second later, someone answered.

"Boss, nakuha na namin siya. Totoo nga 'yung sinabi niyo, kakaiba pala talaga 'to. Hindi man lang natakot, ni hindi nga naiyak boss." A pause. "Oo, boss. Wala kaming tinira sa mga bodyguard niya. Wala ring nakakita samin kasi sinakto namin na dumaan sila sa kakahuyan. Buti na nga lang at tulog siya kaya tahimik naisagawa ang plano." He said with pride, trying to appease his boss.

He checked his watch. "'Yung sasakyan hinulog namin sa isang bangin. Maga-alas dos na ng madaling araw at hanggang ngayon, wala naman kaming narinig na mga ingay mula sa mga nakatira malapit dito kaya mukhang wala namang nakatunog. Di bale, papa-rondahan ko sa mga tao ko."

He looked at me. "Mukhang napadami po kasi ata 'yung chloroform kaya ngayon lang po siya nagising. Halos magda-dalawang araw siya walang malay."

My eyes couldn't get any wider. Two days? I was drugged for two days! Meaning I didn't shower for two days! My god! This means the weird smell didn't come from this warehouse, it came from me. I'm contaminated with specks of dirt and bacteria that's probably crawling all over my sexy body. I don't even want to see myself right now.

He starting glancing all over my body and slightly grimaced. "H-Hindi po. Wala po siyang galos. Ni isang maliit na sugat boss, wala. H-Hindi po siya nakapalag kaya w-wala pong-" Lying filthy bastard.

He knew I scored one when I kicked right where the sun doesn't shine and made a fight, explains the bruises I'm sporting right now. I even kicked one in the face. I hope he's blind now. My heels are extremely high. . .

"O-Opo, boss. Sige po. Hihintayin ka po namin."

I was cut off when I heard him cut his call and started walking away. Wait, what? "That's it?"

He dared raise his eyebrows at me.

"You didn't even ask my dad how long was I going to stay here?" He frowned. "What? Did you all want to keep me here until I decide to do what he wants? Well, guess what! We can stay here for as long as you want but I'm not going back there! Not again, not ever! Screw all of you and your dirty warehouse! Tell my father to marry Judeas and fuck him and his illegal shit! Alliance be damned! Fuck my father, fuck Judeas, fuck this stinky place and fuck all of you!"

When I stopped spitting curses, he frowned harder.

"Miss, sino bang may sabing tatay mo ang nagpa-kidnap sayo?"

My heart stopped. I felt all my blood rushed south. Fuck, who the hell kidnapped me then?

He smirked. But this time, it irked me.

I am beyond confused now. Who would try kidnapping me except my father? Surely not one of his enemies. They might hate my father but only because they were scared of him. They wouldn't dare try and use me against him. After all, with all his madness and evilness, I am still his daughter. And hurting me, for them, is like hurting him. This is beginning to look a lot like something that's far from being the norms of kidnapping in my dictionary.

I never liked changes only new arrivals, new collections. . .

I glared. "Who's your boss?"

"Miss, kilala namin ang tatay mo at wala kaming planong gamitin ka laban sa kanya pero hindi siya boss namin kaya walang papel at kapangyarihan ang tatay mo dito."

"Then, what the hell do you want from me? Is it money? I can give you money. More than you could ask for. . ."

"Miss, okay na kami sa binibigay samin. Mas mahal namin buhay namin kesa sa inaalok mo."

"What the fuck do you want then?" I am so frustrated and slightly scared now. Fuck, what are they going to do me?

He sighed rather impatiently. "Wala kaming kailangan sayo. Hindi din namin alam kung bakit ka niya pinadukot samin pero kahit na anong tanungin mo, wala kaming maisasagot sayo. Pare-parehas tayong walang alam dito. Basta ginagawa lang namin trabaho namin."

Then he called the lanky guy again. "Bumili ka ng first kit sa bayan. Tangina, napakadami pala niyang sugat! Dalawang araw siyang walang malay ni hindi niyo man lang napansin? Gusto mong tayo ang malintikan?" He reached for his pocket. "Bilisin mo! Ilang araw na lang at pupunta na si boss dito. Kailangan wala ng galos 'yan pagbalik ko!"

The lanky guy scratched his head again. "Eh boss, pa'no kung pagbalik mo 'di pa magaling sugat niya?"

"Dasalan mo! Basta ikaw na bahala! Bantayan mo 'yung anim. Siguraduhin mong 'di sila tatanga-tanga sa pagbantay sa labas. Kukuha lang ako ng iba pa nating mga gamit."

He gave me one last look and went out.

* * *

It was in the middle of the night when a noise woke me up. Tied and helpless, all I could do was listen and wait for that something to come up at me.

Is it a ghost? God, I hope not.

I gulped when I heard footsteps. It's getting louder and that means it's getting nearer. And what's even scarier is that I can feel that it's walking towards me.

Why is everyone coming at me? I thought my life was an action-packed story, I didn't sign up for a horror one. I was starting to sweat a little and it's not my most favorite thing in the world, next to sale of course. I think they're rather disgusting– the latter, I mean. Anyway. . .

Why is it so dark in here? I can't see anything but the moonlight. That lanky guy didn't even bother giving me a blanket to stop myself from shivering from the cold. He just turned off the light and went out. I can't wait to get out of here and shower.

Shit! It's that footsteps noise again.

"Who's there?" I shouted at no one.

It echoed. And as much as I hated admitting it, my voice sounded a little scary and eerie. God!

"Whoever you are, don't show yourself to me! I'm not a fan of surprises!"

It's getting louder! Oh my god! Did I just provoke a ghost? It's coming to me! Oh my god! It's going to eat me! Before I scream so loud, a hand covered my mouth.

My eyes widened and I tried my hardest to struggle. I heard a grunt when I tried wiggling myself out from the chair.

"Miss, miss! 'Wag kang maingay! Hindi ako kalaban! Hindi ako kalaban!" He whispered.

Wait- what? I calmed myself down! It's not a ghost! It's a savior! My lifesaver!

He removed his hands and made its way to my front. I couldn't see his face because it's too dark but even so, "Thank you! Thank you! Please, get me out of here! I've been tied here for four days already! I'm so dirty and they wouldn't take my money! I don't know why I'm here! Please, I want to go home! I'll give you money when you help me!"

He was already trying to reach for the ropes while I explain.

"Miss, buti na lang at pakielamero ako. Ilang gabi ko na kasing napapansing bukas ang ilaw dito. Bakante at wala ng nagpupunta dito ilang taon na kaya nakakapagtaka na isang araw bigla na lang may naglalagi dito. Kinukulit na ako ng asawa ko dahil baka raw kung ano nang nangyayari dito."

He managed to untie my hands and now he's working to cut the ropes on my feet.

"Sumilip ako kaninang hapon at nakita kitang nakagapos. Hinintay ko talagang makaalis yung mga nagbabantay sayo bago ako pumasok."

My heart was pounding so hard. I'm finally free. When he was done, he helped me get up. I was about to thank him when we heard the gate open. We froze.

"Ma'am?" It was Juan. The lanky one.

I sighed. At least we got the dumb one, not the big guy. This I could take. I did learn judo for situations like this. It didn't take minutes when he appeared right in front of us. I took a step and readied myself to attack him. I was sure I could take him. He was weak compared to the other one. He was weak compared to me.

But then again, he wasn't too weak to pull a trigger.

As fast as I could blink, something splattered on my face and a loud thud dropped on the ground.

I couldn't breathe.

"Sabi na nga ba may tao eh." He yawned. "Sige na, Ma'am. Upo ka na ulit. Ako na bahala." He said. "Teka, kukuha lang ako ng pangtali sayo."

I couldn't move. I've seen a lot of deaths right in front of my eyes what with my father's choice of business but I still couldn't believe how someone could take someone's life so easily. Like, it's something close to breathing- or even yawning.

Juan. Juan was the stupid one, right? He joked about the water I asked him to get. He asked how he could heal me in no time. He tended to my bruises every waking day as if I was fragile. And he killed an innocent man right in front of me like it was nothing. Who would've thought?

He could shoot me right now if he wanted to and I wouldn't mind. Because right now, I am truly scared of what's going to happen to me. What else is there for them to do with me except killing me?

He came back with another rope and led me like a paper doll to the chair. I let him. I stopped caring the moment the old man stopped breathing.

"Ma'am, 'wag kang malikot ha? Bilin sakin na pagbalik ni boss wala kang galos. Magaling na 'yung mga sugat mo. Ayaw kong malintikan." He said while tying my hands.

He moved around me as if a dead body isn't bleeding at my feet. I felt the blood on my feet. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I bit my lip as tears started to pool my eyes.

"Ma'am, 'yung sapatos mo." He left for a bit and came back with a handkerchief. He kneeled and grabbed my feet. He unclipped the stilettos and started cleaning the blood.

I closed my eyes. I refuse to look at him.

"Ma'am, malapit na daw dumating si boss. Kaya konting hintay na lang." I felt his stare. "Matulog ka na ulit. Ta-trabahuhin ko lang 'to."

I blinked.

Only when he dug a hole and kicked the body like it was nothing did I realize I was crying. I cried silently the whole night. I cried that all he ever did was try and save me. I cried because his family was waiting for his return that's not happening. I cried because, for the first time, I didn't know what to do.

But I refuse to look at Juan who managed to feign innocence at the fact that I was crying. There's no way I'm letting him see me looking at him with defeat in my eyes.

No way.

He sighed when he was done. One last look and he left. The gate closing echoed.

I was never thankful to be alone. . .

Someone as inhumane and does worse things like what Juan did would be an incarnate farther down below and I was not anticipating meeting him. Not even a bit.

I have to get out of here before their boss gets here. But how? That one brave person who genuinely wanted to help me was now buried right under my feet.

Please, please... someone help me.

* * *

And my prayer was answered on the eighth day.

Around 9 am when Rudy - the big guy - and Juan decided to drown themselves from drinking as a celebration. Along with the other men - who were guarding the whole warehouse outside but left already - leaving dumb and dumber alone with me, again. They were practically shoving bottle after bottle right through their throat and not a single drip did I waste to wish for them to choke. They have been at it since then and judging by the sunlight, the sun would set again in no time.

I was staring right ahead of the open gates. The only sound that could be heard was their loud snore.

If someone were to save me, this would be a perfect time really.

When suddenly, I heard a voice.

"Uy! Ang gandang motor! Ayos! Tiba-tiba ako dito."

I opened my mouth to scream for help when my eyes wander to my kidnappers who were asleep. Would I dare? Yes! Fuck this! I don't care!

"Help! Please! Somebody help me!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Someone peeked at the gates and I saw him. His eyes widened when he saw me. I was breathing so hard. I looked at the kidnappers who didn't even move an inch. They were so far gone.

He sneaked in trying to not make a sound. His long legs clad in dark jeans moved like a tiger on a mission. The sun shined on him dramatically making my heart actually hurt from the thought of being saved by him. Thank God!

He reached me and as fast as he can, untied me using only his bare hands. His muscles tensed at every move. Every second passed, I looked out for Rudy and Juan just in case. I didn't want a repeat of. . .

His black hair was messy and sweat was starting to form onto his body. He was tanned and he looked strong. Someone who could surely take them when they wake up. But I hope they don't and never will.

I can't help but feel hurt when I remembered the old man who tried to help me the first time. The thought made me cry again. I was shaking.

Please, let him save me. . .

He looked up at me when he was finished untying my feet. He held my hand and I've never felt safer.

"'Wag kang mag-alala. Itatakas kita."

And we ran. We never looked back. He started the motor, I hopped on and we fled. I tightened my arms around his waist, afraid to let go. I was free again.

Finally.

Then the thought that all of this was too easy suddenly bothered me, but only for a second. Who cares? I'm safe now!

"Thank you," I whispered to his back. It was so soft, I didn't think he heard but when he replied, I was even more grateful. I'm not used to owing someone but tonight, he's an exception. "Thank you so much."

He glanced at me. "Ligtas ka na."