"78 cents is your change, enjoy your meal." I retrieved the change along with my food from the cashier.
"I need to stop working so late." I reminded myself as I set off walking to the nearest bus stop.
A heavy sigh left me when I glanced up at the black, cloudy sky.
"A beauty like you will do quite nicely." An unknown voice said from the shadows before a sharp pain exploded in my neck as I sank into oblivion.
***
"You were the most amazing audience I've ever had," the man said. He had a slight accent, but I couldn't tell where from.
I was still trying to wake up, to escape the foggy sleep state. "What's going on?" I said, trying to move my arm. The handcuffs jangled as they bit into my wrists. My arms were pulled uncomfortably behind my back, and my ankles were bound to the chair. "Why am I tied up like this?"
"Don't be afraid," the man took a step closer. I could only see his shoes, and the edge of his pants. They were expensive-looking. His whole outfit was, in fact.
"Why am I tied up?!" I yelled. It seemed ridiculous, the way he had answered my question with nonsense.
"You don't need to shout, Chelsea."
My heart sped up at his use of my name. How did he know my name? Who was he? Where was I? The room was bare except for the chair I was sitting on, a small table next to me, and a lamp that was the only source of light. The light was dim, casting odd shadows across the walls.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I said.
"You can call me Dr. Voronov," the man said. He didn't move closer to me, but spoke calmly, soothingly.
"Dr. Voronov." The name didn't ring a bell. "Am I in Russia?"
He laughed. "No. But you will come to think of Russia as home."
"Are you some sort of terrorist?"
He stepped closer to me. I could see the smile on his face. He didn't look evil, or crazy, or anything, really, except handsome.
"Don't worry about those things. Let's start our date over. You've had a very stressful week, haven't you?"
I blinked. I was still feeling drowsy. And what was he talking about? "A date?!" I said. "This is not a date."
"Of course it is," he said, looking down at me with his hands in his pockets. "Our first date. Isn't that right, Chelsea?"
I struggled against the handcuffs. I'd been kidnapped! But the more I tugged, the tighter the handcuffs dug into my skin. "There is no way! I have a boyfriend and he is not you!"
"Now, now. That's no way to behave on a date." He sighed, taking his phone out his pocket, "We will have to work on your attitude."
"No, we won't," I snapped, tugging at the handcuffs again; despite knowing I was trapped ignored the pain shooting through my wrists.
"Gorgeous but has trouble listening, I see. We'll have to fix that too, won't we," he murmured as he scribbled something into his phone. "Truly a shame you know? Such a beautiful woman like yourself wasting her talents in pursuit of academics." His voice dripping with insincerity. "But don't worry, love, when we're together all those wasted years of college life will be over and forgotten in my home, forever." His words lulled into each other, punctuating every word.
Shivers crept down my body hearing those last two words. Even in my high strung situation, his commanding voice had this pervading effect on my thoughts. I fought to not respond. And failed, utterly, blushing crimson before he could see my cheeks flare with color. The lemony fragrance wafting into my nose just made my dizzy mind feel light-headed, intoxicating. This can't be happening. He shouldn't affect me like this; he's a kidnapper! He's my enemy. A man that was by nature, non-alluring, hostile in fact.
"Now Chelsea," His tall body crossed towards me, smooth powerful hands pushing into my shoulders. Those sturdy yet soft touches shocked me at first before I hissed and jolted at the sensation. His fingers massaged deep into my tense muscles, and I couldn't help but relax, even if it was just a little. "Let's not play coy, you and I are a couple. It's okay, I'm here. Everything's fine."
"Nngh-no...we're not a couple..." I moaned, his fingertips digging deep into my shoulder blades, loosening my tense muscles, "Get off me...this is insane. You're insane."
"Hush, Chelsea." Dr. Voronov's lips brushed against my cheek, and my whole body froze at the touch. A tingling sensation shot through me, a spark igniting in my loins, making them swell and ache. I didn't understand how he could do this to me, but somehow, just the faintest kiss from him could make me melt, and the thought terrified me.
"No, no...this isn't real. You're a kidnapper. You're crazy. Why would I ever want to be with you?" I said, my voice growing frantic as his lips began trailing down my neck.
"Oh honey, I have no idea what you talking about. We are out on a date right now. Do you remember?" He asked, his voice so calm and sure.