My arm reaches out lazily searching the large unoccupied space next to me. I wake with the usual uneasy feeling his lack of presence brings and I hoist myself up, the moonlight pouring in lighting up the otherwise dark room. I rest my head back down, curl up under the duvet and try to fall back asleep, but after what feels like a lifetime and lots of fighting with my pillow I get up.
Deciding a cup of hot tea might help, I make my way out of the bedroom and into the hallway. The lights in the house are shining bright and cause me to squint. Feeling a slight chill I wrap my arms around my slender frame, pulling his oversized grey t-shirt closer to my body attempting to retain some of my warmth.
I smile to myself as I pad my way down the grand staircase, the thick red carpet warm beneath my bare feet. Normally I'm not allowed to wear his clothes but as a special reward for my good behaviour he dug out an old t-shirt. I take the loose collar in my hand and lift it to my nose inhaling his scent.
At the bottom of the staircase my eyes are drawn to two large suitcases with a black holdall resting on top. Excitement courses through me and I practically skip my way to the kitchen. The clock on the wall tells me its 01:45am. I do the maths in my head and a small squeal escapes my lips, in a little over 10 hours Alex is taking me to his villa in the South of France.
I make my cup of tea and hold the cup of in my hands allowing the warmth to radiate through me. Alex's t-shirt barely skims the tops of my thighs so I decide to head back to bed drink in hand and wait for Alex to return. Knowing Alex he is in his office finishing off some last minute paperwork or replying to important emails before our time in the sun.
I start climbing the staircase when suddenly I hear a faint noise that stops my ascent. The sound came from the opposite direction of Alex's office and with my interest piqued I make my way through the large house to find the origin of the noise blowing on my tea as I go.
Idly I wonder about the suitcases as I head in the direction of the noise, I know Alex will have packed everything we could need but I wonder if he has packed any of the things that can bring me immense pleasure or glorious pain. I feel a familiar pull between my thighs and suddenly I am very eager to find Alex.
Continuing my exploration I recognise the noise is coming from the library so I make a right and as I approach the open archway that leads into the library I freeze rooted to the spot. My eyes are seeing but my brain is not believing. A tightness forms thick in my throat.
A middle aged blonde man is bound with rope to a chair, his mouth gagged and his face covered in blood mixed with tears. A tall man towers menacingly above him with his hands placed on the arms of the chair. His raven hair, tousled and wavy frame his piercing blue eyes, his mouth set in a grim line. His pale skin highlighted by his black jeans and t-shirt are lightly covered in blood.
I feel a lead cannonball fall deep into the pit of my stomach. I become acutely aware none of the men in the room have noticed me and I know I should silently leave but no matter how much I will my legs to move, they refuse.
Leaning closer into the bound man's face he starts speaking, his voice low and deadly.
"You disappoint me David, truly. Your attempts to block my company takeover have been a real nuisance, but I am confident that you are now seeing things from my point of view" The man sinisterly grins and attempts to wipe some of the blood from his hands on to his t-shirt. "But to be sure I want you to listen carefully".
The bound man angrily stares into the cold blue eyes above him. "If you do not do as I have asked, if you refuse to make the call, my men who are parked outside the dorms at Maddison's University are going to get out of their car and enter your daughter's dorm. They are going to drag her out of bed, throw her in the boot and bring her here".