CHAPTER THREE. 

        “Nothing personal, it’s just business.” —Otto Berman. 

                     CHERRY. 

I stumbled as he pulled me like a little child. I was too shocked to react, the man I called my father just let him take me away. 

A black McLaren pulled up in front of the building and everyone was too occupied in their conversations to notice I was being kidnapped, isn't it what this is called taking me against my will is kidnapping? 

Right? 

A small voice at the back of my mind reminded me that my father had given him permission, I didn't even bring my purse. He let go of my hand and halted in front of the car. 

"Get in" He ordered before he opened the door. 

I should have screamed but I was in shock and my brain couldn't process anything at the moment, "Don't try anything stupid, Miss Markwells" He warned and I hopped in. 

Surprisingly he didn't get into the car, he just shut the door and the car drove off immediately taking me to an unknown destination. What if they are going to kill me or hold me hostage as leverage? 

Is Father just going to keep quiet about it? Will he even tell the police? 

All my life I had tried loving him and when I realized it wasn't worth it so I stopped, but I have always seen him as a father figure. 

He just stood there. 

A heavy lump settled in my throat. I shut my eyes, wishing it all went away. The pain and the betrayal hit me so hard that I couldn't stop the tears from escaping. 

I hate crying so much, the last time I cried was when I lost my mom. 

It made me feel weak and I decided never to feel so vulnerable, but I felt like a sheep on its way to the slaughterhouse. 

I quickly wiped my tears cursing myself for breaking, I just didn't know what to do right now but I had time to think. 

Think Cherry. 

What can I do so they will get tired of me? 

I can't just sit and wait for my father to come to my rescue. He won't even be bothered if I don't come back. The driver slowed down and I noticed we'd reached a massive gate. 

There was a loud beeping noise but it stopped as soon as the driver honked. God, what am I going to do now? 

He drove into the manor and I knew there was no going back now, I would face whatever was coming for me no matter what happened to me. 

I should have taken my purse. My friends wouldn't be able to help me in this situation but at least I would need them to encourage me to stay alive. I regret not following Oaklyn to her house, this wouldn't have happened to me if I listened to her. 

I should have stayed. I don't even know why I wanted to obey my father. I have always made it my life purpose to defile his rules, why did I obey him today? I didn't know what came over me. 

Maybe it was because he sounded serious and I was curious to find out what was the cause, so I can make it worse but instead... 

The car door opens and a man with a black suit gestures for me to come out. I faced reality and did what I knew how to do best, blend in. 

He held his hand out for me and I took it with a smile, "Hi there" He nodded, releasing my hand as soon as I stepped out of the car. 

My gaze finally strayed towards the gigantic gothic mansion and goosebumps circulated through my body. I have never seen such an intimidating large building with spooky vibes. 

What was I expecting? The guy is a Russo I'm pretty sure the ghosts of all the people he has killed haunt this house, "Da questa parte, mia signora" The man in the suit beckoned at me to follow him. 

My feet were rooted to the spot not because I didn't understand him, heck I speak Spanish so Italian sounds a bit similar, I was too scared to accept that I was going to be staying in this house. 

The building is full of gray, bricks and all with creepy weird green vines like snakes coiled around the walls. It looks as if no one lives here and I started contemplating running towards the gate, not minding the distance. 

Then I remembered that I didn't know where I was, and I was too lost in my pathetic thoughts to survey the road we were taking. 

Screw this! 

I gulped, still staring at the building wishing it would just collapse so I wouldn't have to go in, "This way my lady" The man said, jolting me out of my thoughts. I liked the fact that he switched to English. 

I looked at him to see the lines on his forehead, he must be tired of me already. Good. 

"So sorry I didn't know you were still here" I lied and he frowned at me buying the act. 

I'm going to irritate the shit out of these people. They will throw me out by tomorrow, he wasn't my target though. 

I followed him inside, complimenting the lifeless garden at the side of the lobby, "Nice flowers, do you water them?" 

"No, my lady"

I cringed at the title but before I could complain the door flew open, and a handsome blond-haired man stood before me. 

"Thank you, Gregory," He said in a masculine voice with a heavy Italian accent. 

What's with these hot men and deep voices? 

His eyes finally met mine and I saw a predator in those striking blue eyes, to my greatest surprise he flashed me a million-dollar smile. 

A grin if I should call it that and I felt so shocked I didn't know my mouth was opened, "I know I'm good-looking you don't have to react like you just saw a ghost" 

He's talking to me? 

My first thought was to call the cops but unfortunately, I didn't have my phone, "Um who told you that?" I fired back, refusing to be embarrassed. 

I have had enough for today. 

"Told me what?" He asked with a gesture for me to come in, I brushed past him ignoring how his shoulders tensed when I slightly touched him. 

"That you are good-looking" I replied taking in the interior decor, to my amazement it wasn't as bad as the outside, in fact, it was perfect but it lacked a lot of love and light. 

Brown tiles, wooden rails with crystal chandeliers, the walls are black and white it looks like a mafia's safe house, not a place to be held hostage. 

At least they didn't take me to an abandoned warehouse or some old asylum. 

"See something you don't like, Bellissimo?" He asked and I realized I was frowning. 

"I need to use the restroom" I replied unable to voice out my thoughts and honestly if I should say something then I would be designing something. 

He nodded and gestured for me to move on to the stairs which I did, not really grateful for the gentleman's act. If I'm being honest it makes me feel like he was using it as an advantage to stare at my ass. 

I stopped when I reached the top and he took the lead, halting in front of a brown door. "This is your key." He held out a key for me and I fought the urge to yell at him keeping the spoiled brat in me at bay. 

"Sorry? I'm not being kidnapped?" I had to ask because this dude was acting like an amateur, a sound I didn't know men like him were capable of escaped his mouth. 

"Of course not, Bellissimo" He snorted and pulled out my right hand hanging on my side, he shoved the key into my clenched fist shaking his head, probably calling me stupid inside his head 

but I was too shocked to care. 

"So this means I get a room?" 

"Yes. You get anything you want" He replied, staring hard at me. I knew that look but I wasn't in the mood to flirt. My head was spinning. 

"Do I get a maid too?"

"Lots of them"

"A car?" 

"I'm not sure for now, what else do you need?" 

"Can I leave?" I was pushing my luck but I had to try, he shook his head. 

"I'm afraid that's where we draw the line, it's not my place besides you will get used to it" He offered me a smile maybe to comfort me or some shit but I wasn't having any of it. 

"Are they others? Like me? You know kept here with little or no freedom" I didn't want the answer to that but I want him to know what I'm trying to say. 

If I can't leave then those things are useless, gee thanks for nothing dude. 

"You don't want to know that"

Like the hell I do. 

He left and I opened the door accepting my fate. 

I just hope I don't die before I survive this.