**I own you , your body and soul.**

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**Alex**

It was 2:00 PM. I stood up immediately, grabbing my files and documents, and walked down the lobby toward Kara's office. I had promised Ara I would have lunch with her after much persuasion, and she finally agreed. Frankly, I was still in awe at her refusal to talk to anyone about what was bothering her. She seemed off, closed off from the world. I think she's in real pain and has been avoiding everyone. I hoped she would open up to me.

"Hello, Ms. Alex," Gwen waved at me as I passed by her office. I returned her greeting with a smile. Gwen was my second-best friend after Ara. She had always been the nicest to me, especially when others taunted me for the color of my skin and how curly my hair was. She would tell me how much she loved and cherished the color of my skin and even wished her hair was as curly and shiny as mine. 

"Going somewhere, Alex?" she asked, looking down at the files in my hand. 

"Yeah, I have a lunch date with Araya," I replied.

She nodded slightly in understanding, making an "okay" gesture. She knew who Araya was, having visited the office almost every single day before her disappearance.

"I haven't seen her around… I hope she's alright," Gwen added.

"Yeah, she's fine," I said immediately, though I wasn't sure myself. "You're welcome to join us if you want."

"No, thank you," Gwen replied with a smile. "But I think you two really need this conversation. You sound like you need to talk."

I smiled back, nodded, and strolled down the office toward the restaurant. 

An hour had passed since I arrived, and I hadn't seen a glimpse of Araya yet. I knew in my gut that she wouldn't stand me up, but I couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. Araya wasn't the type to do that. I held my faith strong. She would come.

"Ms. Alex, you're here," the waiter, Mr. Jones, greeted me with a smile as I entered the restaurant. He led me to the best seat by the window, which was my favorite. I sat down, feeling a slight stir in my emotions. 

"What will you be having today?" he asked. "I recommend our silk strawberry pie with a smoothie—your favorite."

"Okay, I'll have that. But can you also add bacon and egg grilled cheese and baked fried pancakes? I'm expecting a friend," I said with a smile.

Mr. Jones nodded and hurried off. Moments later, he returned with a tray containing my dessert and Ara's favorites. I watched as he served them with such careful attention, his actions done with great gusto. The famous silk pie, along with Ara's favorite dishes, sat in front of me in all their delicious glory. I picked up my phone and texted Ara again. 

"Thank you," I said to Mr. Jones, who nodded and walked away, leaving me alone at the table. 

I glanced at my watch impatiently for what felt like the tenth time that evening. I repressed the urge to dial Ara's number again. She'd be here soon. 

"Alex!"

I looked up, my eyes meeting Ara's. She wore a silk sundress, and from the sunglasses she wore and how pale she looked, I knew instantly that she had been crying for days. 

"Ara…" I whispered, my heart leaping with relief that she hadn't stood me up. 

"Yeah, I did, Alex," she blubbered, a hint of pain in her voice.

I rushed toward her and threw my arms around her, feeling the soreness in her voice. Her eyes moved curiously toward the table, then back at me. She mumbled something under her breath before pulling away from the hug.

"Are you okay, Ara? What's wrong?" I asked softly.

She stared down at the plates of food, her discomfort palpable. I could tell she wasn't ready to talk about it, so I tried another approach. 

"Do you want some?" I asked, drawing a chair out. "Come sit down. It's your favorite."

She muttered a quiet thank you as she sat. For a moment, my heart sank when I saw her devouring the meal like she hadn't eaten in days. In an instant, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of her face, my heart aching for her. Right now, she looked like a lost child. 

"Do you want to talk about it now, Ara?" I asked gently. "You can't hide it forever, and you can't shut out everyone. You need to trust us. We're here for you, no matter what. We'll always be by your side."

She had dropped her fork and was listening to me carefully, her eyes downcast. I could see the struggle in her, but she said nothing. 

"I'm fine, Alex," she snapped suddenly. "I told you, and I will keep telling everyone, I'm okay. I don't need your sympathy, and I don't need anyone's pity. I'm strong enough to take care of myself!" 

She stood up, fury in her eyes. I blocked her path before she could leave, frustration boiling inside me.

"Do you think you can cover it up by being stubborn?" I demanded, my voice raised. She froze, her body trembling. 

"Everyone is worried about you. Do you think we have no right to care, Ara? Don't tell me you've decided to take this path! Do you know how much you're hurting the people around you by acting this way?" I added, my anger barely contained. "We care about you—me, your sister, Emma, everyone. But you're pushing us away. Why? Tell me why you've shut yourself off from everyone. I can't take it anymore! No matter how much I try to control myself, I can't help but wonder what happened to you. Please, Araya, tell me…"

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. I crossed my arms, determined to stand my ground. "I've made my decision, and I won't let anyone know what's really going on. As long as everyone's safe, that's all that matters." 

She shook her head, her expression firm. "I'm not hiding anything, Alex. But for your safety—and Ashley's—I can do anything. Thanks for the food. Excuse my manners." 

With that, she pushed past me, walking away before I could stop her. She wouldn't share what was hurting her, no matter how much I pleaded.

---

**Dragons**

"What do we do about it, boss?" Jack asked over the phone, his voice tense. 

I frowned, my patience wearing thin. "Do anything, Jack. But find that girl. And if you don't, I'll have your head." I hung up the phone, my temper flaring. 

It was time to return to the mansion. I could feel the tension building—Jack was slacking off, and I had to take control. Why was I always involved in everything? 

I grabbed a flower vase and threw it across the room, shattering it into pieces. I needed something to relieve my anger—something I had been yearning for the past three weeks. My "sex doll."

As I walked out of the room, I heard the sound of crying. It was Emma, consoling someone. 

"Why did she do this to me, Emma? She's being selfish. I hate seeing her cry. She shut herself off, but…" 

I stopped in my tracks, hearing Emma's voice again. "She didn't say why she's acting this way."

"No, Emma," another voice responded, "she didn't. And I'm sick and tired of watching my sister become a shadow of herself."

I frowned as I walked closer, hearing the faint sobs from behind the door. 

Emma pulled the girl into a hug. "Don't cry, Ash. I'm sure Ara has her reasons. Maybe she'll come around."

"Tell you what, Emma," Ash said, pulling away from the hug, "I shouldn't have yelled at her. I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted," Emma said with a smile. "Next time, control your temper, or I'll hit you very hard."

They shared a moment of warmth, and I rolled my eyes, shaking my head at their bond. 

I walked out through the back door into the cold winter of Bainbridge. 

---

**Araya**

The doorbell rang for the fifth time, but I didn't respond. I was sure it was either Alex, coming back to scold me for being stubborn, or Ash, who had just written me off. 

I crossed my arms, huffing in frustration as the doorbell rang again. I signed in annoyance, got up from my bed, and opened the door.

"Missed me, honey?" The voice sent a chill down my spine.

Fear gripped my throat, and my heart pounded in my chest. My body trembled as I looked up to see the man who had been haunting my nightmares. 

"Aren't you happy to see me?" he smirked devilishly.

I froze, staring at him, unable to say a word. His smirk only grew wider as he took slow, predatory steps toward me.

"Come closer to me," he commanded, his voice cold. 

I took a step back, but he stopped. 

"Or do you want me to finish what I started before? Right here and now?"

My heart stopped. 

I felt a cold sweat break out as I looked at him, realizing what

 he was about to do. 

"I told you to come here," he said sternly, his eyes dark with intent.

I gulped, knowing exactly where this was going. He took another step toward me, grabbing me roughly by the arm.

His smirk widened, and I felt my stomach drop. 

"I want you, sex doll, and I'll have you right here, right now."

As the reality of the situation hit me, I turned pale. I was pregnant with his child, and he didn't even know it. What would happen to my baby? 

He forced the straps of my dress down and began moving his hands over me. My body trembled, but I couldn't stop him. 

"Don't do this to me, please," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

He ignored my plea, his hands moving lower, as he leaned in to kiss my neck. "Don't I still own you?" he sneered.

I wanted to scream, to

tell him I was pregnant, but the words wouldn't come. All I could do was let my tears fall, silent and helpless.

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