Emerging from the suffocating confines of the never-ending meeting, Gia hurriedly retreated to her sanctuary. Every fiber of her being yearned for the solace of her bed, craving respite from the draining encounter. The discussion had dragged on, filled with Jules' relentless self-defense, each word a painful reminder of his callous behavior towards her.

As the day drew to a close, a hollow agreement was reached, a fragile truce hanging in the air. They would all strive for a semblance of civility, yet the bitter reality remained—no one from YoLo modeling agency would participate in the upcoming campaign. It was a disappointing outcome, but for Gia, it proved to be the lesser of two evils. People changed, promises shattered like shards of glass. Jules could whisper sweet assurances today and plunge into treachery tomorrow. Who could truly discern his intentions?

The shrill ring of the phone pierced through Gia's exhaustion, eliciting a weary grunt from her lips. Today, she despised phone calls more than ever. The disputes between her and Jules had somehow caught the attention of the media, leaking like venomous whispers into the public domain. How could they have known? The identity of the informant remained an enigma, a puzzle without a solution. She slid her finger across the screen, swiftly declining the call without even a glimpse at the caller ID.

A few moments later, a notification chimed, a single sound that held the potential to disrupt her fragile peace.

<Unknown>
Now you dare to dismiss me, jellybean?

She stumbled over her words for a moment, uncertain of how to respond.

<Me>
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today...

<Unknown>
I know just the remedy to brighten your day...

<Me>
Seriously? Is that all you ever think about? Just lust?

<Unknown>
And yet, you secretly crave every part of it...

Her throat feels dry as she bites her lips, a mix of frustration and fear coursing through her veins. She knows she's trapped in his grip now.

<Me>
This is so wrong! You're abusing me!

<Unknown>
Go ahead, call the police. But you know they won't do anything...

<Me>
I'm not afraid of you! And all my friends know about this! They'll stand up for me!

<Unknown>
Do as you wish, but don't say I didn't warn you...

"Uff!"

The bad day turns into the worst. Gia has reached her breaking point. She's determined to catch this jerk, but every time she faces him, a sense of hopelessness overwhelms her.

Maybe he was right. No! Stop it, Gia! You're only considering giving in because you're terrified he might harm your loved ones. You never enjoy it! Never!

She tightly shuts her eyes, overwhelmed by self-disgust. No matter what, deep down, it's still rape. It happens without consent. She grabs her phone, searching for the right number. Gia is just about to dial the police station when another message comes in.

This time, it's a picture of a woman, holding a baby at the playground. Her heart pounds in her chest.

<Unknown>
What a lovely stroller! Imagine a truck crushing it to pieces...

Her eyes well up with tears, a mixture of anger and despair.

<Me>
Leave my family alone, you despicable creep!!!

<Unknown>
You know the drill, jellybean...

<Me>
What do you want?!

<Unknown>
Put on the gift I gave you. The first one.

<Me>
I threw that away...

<Unknown>
Never mind, I enjoy seeing you without it even more...

<Me>
Stop it!

<Unknown>
You never asked me to stop before. Why now? We have to finish the game, jellybean...

<Me>
Until when?

<Unknown>
UNTIL YOU ARE MINE!

<Me>
You sick, twisted bastard!

<Unknown>
Enough talking! Listen to my instructions or be prepared to lose Uyana and Lilac...

***

Gia POV

I glance at my phone, feeling a mixture of anticipation and unease.

Then I survey my surroundings, my eyes darting back and forth.

Back to my phone, checking the message one more time.

And back to my sight, taking in the desolate scene before me.

According to the location given, this is the right place. The address, the landmark. Everything aligns with the instructions I received.

The problem is, it's an imposing structure, like a forbidding warehouse. It stands adjacent to the harbor, devoid of any signs of human presence except for the chauffeured car that brought me here. The air is heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant sounds of the harbor and the crashing waves. Even the harbor seems deserted.

I tighten my grip on my bag, summoning every ounce of courage within me, and stride confidently towards the entrance. My eyes are drawn to a device positioned next to the door. I know exactly what it is.

Mr. Unknown had once bestowed upon me a choker, adorned with a platinum locket. He claimed it was a symbol of my submission to him. I retrieve the choker from my bag, remembering his instructions to bring certain items. The choker is one of them.

My heart races as I take a deep breath, readying myself for what lies ahead.

I cautiously bring the locket closer to the device, watching as it swiftly detects the code and grants me access to the building. With nervous anticipation, I step inside, feeling a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Contrary to its imposing exterior, the interior of the warehouse is divided into smaller sections, resembling stores within the larger space. It's a labyrinth of storage areas and enigmatic corridors. I pause occasionally, unsure of which path to follow, until I spot a figure approaching me from a distance. The person wears a mask—a distinctive animal mask.

A wolf.

He nonchalantly walks past me, but not without subtly pointing towards the alley beside me. It's a cryptic gesture, but I understand it as a directional clue. I turn right and venture deeper into the warehouse, the darkness engulfing me, akin to navigating through a hauntingly disorienting maze.

As I progress, the lights overhead transition to an ominous shade of red when I pass by an alley on my left. I deduce that this must be the designated path. Resolute, I choose to walk down the crimson-lit alley, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The atmosphere is palpably eerie, intensifying the sense of foreboding.

Eventually, I encounter a woman standing in the middle of the dimly illuminated space. She holds something in her hand, her voice dripping with a seductive sweetness as she greets me.

"Welcome. Please place your belongings in this basket," she instructs, her words sending a shiver down my spine. Reluctantly, I place my bag in the basket, intending to retrieve my phone. But as I attempt to reach for it, she swiftly grabs my hand, her grip firm.

"No cell phone, please," she insists, her eyes locking onto mine.

"But..." I begin to protest, only for her to deftly whisk the basket away from my grasp.

"Wear this. Only this," she commands, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Confused and intrigued, I observe as she presents me with a piece of delicate lace, held within her palm. I accept the lace, my fingers tracing its intricate pattern, before obediently tying it around my eyes. The darkness engulfs me completely, heightening my senses and plunging me into a realm of uncertainty.

"You need to wear this," the woman insists, her voice laced with authority.

"I already did!" I protest, my frustration evident.

"ONLY this," she emphasizes, her words sending a chill down my spine. The gravity of the situation dawns on me, causing my heart to momentarily cease its rhythm.

"I need to..." I begin to voice my objections, but the woman nods knowingly, her expression unwavering. A cold sweat breaks out across my body, and a sense of unease settles deep within me.

"I can help you..." she offers, her voice filled with a tempting promise.

"No need..." I quickly discard my blouse, my hands moving with a mixture of haste and trepidation. Piece by piece, my clothing falls away until the only garment left on my body is the pair of lingerie Mr. Unknown had given me.

With a purposeful stride, the woman steps behind me, attaching something to my back. I feel her gentle grip on my hair, pulling it back into a ponytail.

"I'll guide you. Please, follow me," she instructs, taking hold of my hand and leading me along the crimson-lit corridor. My vision obscured by the lace blindfold, I am left with no choice but to place my trust in her.

"Master," she addresses someone, her voice respectful and deferential. Through the small openings in the lace, I catch a glimpse of a figure rising from the bed. Shirtless and wearing a mask—an animal mask.

A lion.

"You may leave," the masked man dismisses the woman. She bows gracefully before quietly exiting the room, leaving us alone in the brightly lit space. The contrast to my modest studio apartment is stark, and a tremor runs through my body, a mixture of anticipation, fear, and a surge of conflicting emotions.

This is the moment I have been waiting for—to finally lay eyes on the man who has made my life a living hell. The desire to capture him and put an end to his reign of torment consumes me. Yet, beneath it all, there is an undeniable undercurrent of nervousness, uncertainty, and a twisted thirst for the very thing I despise.

I stand at the precipice, torn between the urge to seek justice and the allure of forbidden desires that beckon me deeper into the unknown.

Finally, my heart makes a choice.

A choice that finalize my destiny for tonight!