The Embrace of Darkness

A white gold bracelet wrapped around Aurielle's right arm. She didn't know why she obeyed a stranger's orders, who stalked her. Something told her that she had to obey if she didn't want anything happen to her. Most importantly, she was afraid that he would threaten his close friends.

She sounded pathetic now.

‘Trust me darling, I'm always near you’

And now she's paranoid if she's alone. It was as if he was always watching her, knowing her every move, knowing everything about her. Which he did know everything about her, because she saw several men dressed in black from head to toe near her, following her wherever she went.

Since when did they do that?

Why didn't she realizes he was being followed by them?

Should she call the police?

No.

That would be a bad choice. He would punish her if she did or worse kill her.

It was still working hours she should have worked now, but she decided to sit alone in the coffee shop and left her job.

Ice lattes and light dishes were served on her table, but she didn't touch them at all. She lost in her own thoughts.

She has high authority and power now, she should not let small things disturb her peace and work. But what is she doing now?

Sheesh.

She's an idiot, indeed.

She gasped when her phone suddenly rang—It's him. She knew she had to answer this call immediately, otherwise she would die.

"Yes?" She anwered sweetly

“Good, you learned to obey my orders” she could sense, the man was smiling wickedly now

"Oh please don't get me wrong, I just don't want to cause any more trouble"

He didn't answer this one, instead he changed the topic "Where are you?"

"Why do you ask?" oh, she was a brat

"Don't make me angry, kitten"

“You should know where I am and who I am with now, right?”

"My smart kitten" he praised

"I know, if I wasn't that smart, I would never be trusted in my positions now"

He chuckled, “How come? You were removed from your previous position if I have to remind you, angel”

Her red eyes widened in fear, she immediately rose from her seat. She was shaking and her eyes wildly looking for someone.

"Who—" her breath hitched, she tried to breathe but she couldn't — until she passed out with her head hitting the table and she passed out—didn't notice a man running towards her and shouting her name.

She smelled alcohol, she hated it. Then she found Adrian and Jason standing beside her as her eyes slowly opened. Their faces looked very worried.

"Aurie, what happened?"

"Are you alright?"

"Are you hurt?"

Her head is spinning "Shut up"

“Really? Did you have to tell us that after we waited patiently for eight hours?!” Jason snapped

Adrian gritted his teeth and barked, "Shut up, can't you see she's hurt!"

"What happened to you, El?" Elle was her childhood nickname that she hates now — that name remind her bad memories.

“No, I don't want to talk about it now — maybe later”

Silence.

Aurielle never acted like this, she acted like this when she was being bothered by her past.

"Would you like an apple, Aurie?" Adrian tried to lighten the mood. "You always cut apples for me from the first day woke up, would you like to eat?"

"Yes, I would love to, Ian"

Adrian smiled widely and Jason handed her a chocolate candy "You always like candy when you're sick, hon"

"Thank you, you're the best"

"So I'm not the best?" Adrian whined with his puppy eyes "Oh no someone's jealous" and of course Jason teased him

"Oh please no Ian, you two are the best I've ever had" she whispered softly with tears running down her cheeks.

Little do they know, someone hears them outside the door.

His face hardened with fists curled into a ball.

Adrian and Jason had left her room two hours ago, they couldn't look after her all day. So she was in her room, alone. It was so quiet, she barely heard footsteps or anything. She closed her eyes, tried to sleep but she failed so she just closed her eyes.

Several footsteps were heard in the corridor. She was sure it wasn't a doctor or a nurse. Their footsteps were heavy. She curl into blanket — her body became more colder.

The door opened and one of them entered her room, maybe it’s their boss?

"I scared you" a familiar voice whispered, as he come in "I know you are still awake, if you are so curious, why don't you open your eyes?"

She wants to, but she's afraid

"Don't be afraid, I will never hurt you, kitten" Aurielle opened her eyes, but then she remember that her room was completely dark.

"It's dark and I can't see you"

"But I can see you" his finger rubbed her bandaged temple "Does it hurt?"

She hesitated to answer, she sighed and gave him a "Yes" answer.

"I never wanted to hurt you" he says as he seat on the edge of her bed "Come here, I missed you"

She didn't do what he asked, she’s curious about him "who are you?"

“Your owner”

"I don't belong to you"

"Unfortunately, you're mine since that night. You belong to me now" he lifted her up and placed her on his lap — caged her in his arms. She was still weak to resist, so she let him do as he pleased.

He hugged her tightly — not wanting to let go. He placed several kisses on her head.

"Please stop it"

"Why?"

"Because I don't know you"

"So if you knew me, you would let me do unspeakable things to you?"

“I don't know” she shivered, “I don't know you, I only know your smell and your voice. Besides that, I don't know”

"I'll show you who I am, but after that you can’t never run away from me" he leaned down close enough for her to his breath on her neck "Now listen to me carefully, because the only thing you need to know is that I am your owner”

She whimpered as his lips brushed her neck and bit it slowly — he marked her. “So, I can still run away now?”

“No”

She laughed nervously "How can you claim me when I don't even know you?"

"Because I said so"

"So arrogant"

"Arrogant is my middle name, darling" he hissed in her ear and leaned down to her neck again — she groaned as he gave her another mark.

"I have to go now, I can't help myself when I'm with you" he sighed "I have a gift for you, as a reward for you who obey my orders"

She could feel something cold around her neck, what was this?

"It’s a necklace and don't ever take this necklace off either" He gave her an answer as if he could read her mind

"Yes"

“Good girl” he kissed her lips roughly and left her in her own thoughts

What's wrong with her?

How can she let a stranger claimed her and do inappropriate things to her?!