Danielle inserted her keycard into the lock and swung open the door to her suite. A plain white envelope lay on the floor of her room. She was terrified but she summoned the courage to pick it up. There was no name and No return address on the envelope

As She tore it open in an extremely careful manner as though she was detonating a bomb, she saw a single sheet of paper with the following words neatly handwritten therein

“ Everything here is not what it seems. You have signed away a lot more than money. Learn the real rules. Meet me at the 7th floor service entrance alone at midnight.”

It quickly dawned on that the note was similar to the one that she discarded earlier.

Her fingers trembled. She was curious as to Who was warning her? The note increased her pulse rate and heart beat. It also sparked some rays of hope within her . She was hopeful that probably someone inside the household saw the trapped situation she had entangled herself.

She slid the paper into her pocket, hoping to read it again later and take further necessary action. She dropped her bag on the floor, turned on the lamp, and pacing the living room. She could not make sense of the anonymous notes. Could it that help was coming her way or a set up aimed at entangling and keeping her trapped.

Before she could regain her composure, she heard a knock on the door.

“Ms. Harper, You are not permitted beyond the east wing after 9.00 pm.”, Thomas Reed said.

Danielle was surprised as She had only stepped into the foyer to close her door. Yet here he was reeling rules.

“I got this under my door,” she stammered, pulling out the note to show her.

He snatched it without a word and tore it to pieces and dropped it on the floor.

“Do not bring any unauthorized message into this home,” Thomas said, in a low tone. “Mr. Langford expects you to stay in your apartment after nine p.m.”

Danielle was gob smacked , but he had already turned and walked away before she could utter another word. She sank onto the couch with a heavy and grieving chest . The torn warning lay shredded at her feet.

The next morning Danielle was barely awake when the harsh sunlight permeated through the window. Danielle was hovering the room in her night wear as she was reflecting on the incidence that happened yesterday. The atmosphere was tense with many unanswered questions than answers.

The doorbell ran and it was . Anna, the chef, who entered with a tray of tea and a parfait.

“Good morning, Ms. Harper,” Anna greeted as she set down the tray.

Danielle managed to smile as said “Thank you.”

Anna paused then she fixed her gaze to the framed photo of Mia on the side table. She picked it up and said :

“Mr. Langford ordered that these family photos be removed, she said. She leaned forward and put the frame into a big bag and says “According to him, you do not need much distractions.”

Danielle stood up as she could not process what was going on.

Anna then told her that she was so sorry and that she was only acting on instructions.

The chef then headed towards the door and she gradually vanished from sight.

Later, Danielle sat at the glass dining table. She did not even touch the parfait that was given to her, as she had completely lost her appetite. For how long would she continue to live in chains, she imagined.

Her phone lay next to her. She tapped it and tried to call Mia but Permission was denied.

She curled into herself and began crying profusely. Her sister was recovering from a surgical procedure and Mr. Reed’s stringent rules were stripping her of every comfort and exercise of discretion. The money which was lifesaving , had landed her in chains.

A gentle knock on the door startled her. Without waiting for any response, Thomas entered the room without waiting. He had in his hands, a sealed hospital envelope.

“Your sister’s doctors need additional funds for her rehabilitation ,” he said, sliding the paperwork across the table to her direction. “ They need another fifteen thousand by today or her treatment will be stopped.”

Danielle was shocked as she asked “You knew about this?”

He did not provide any answer. Rather, he said to her “Get it settled”. Then he turned and suddenly left the room.

She stared at the envelope, hoping for it to vanish. Rather than vanishing, reality stared back at her which was a demand for the outrageous amount.

Danielle placed her forehead on the glass wall, as she was overshadowed in thoughts. She was wondering how and where she was going to raise such an outrageous amount of money within such a short notice. .

Suddenly Her phone buzzed and she saw a text on the screen from an unknown number, which read :

“You are not alone. Meet me Tonight at midnight at the Same place. Come if you dare.”

Danielle became agitated . Who was this? Was this text from a Friend or foe? Is this a message of hope or a trap by an enemy?

She looked away as the echo of Reed’s footsteps sounded outside her door and her heart was pounding so fast. she turned and ensured that the door was locked.

Danielle pressed her back against the door as she read the unknown number’s message for the umpteenth and it reinforced her desire to know the truth.”

And as the clock in the hall began its slow tick toward midnight, something in Danielle stirred curiousity borne out of desperation. There was urgent need for her to dare to break every rule and take risk everything for her sister and to regain her freedom.