Chapter 2 SANTIANO RAFAEL DEVEREAUX

I panicked, a dash of fear stabbing my chest as I looked around the room I was in.

I could see a hoarde of his underlyings surrounding the whole room like a ritual was about to happen. He was sitting at the center, directly opposite me.

At every corner stood a guard. Each one had a different stance, but the look in their eyes was the same as if they were telling a story— a short line about an escape under their watch being impossible.

I was sitting on a chair, arms tied together, but I could feel the laxness of the rope I was bound in.

Was this a deliberate action? That, I do not know and all I could do was wonder and assume. What these people were, what had happened before I regained consciousness and what had become of my darling Dylan.

“Hello, Vanessa Hudgens.” He spoke, his voice as smooth as fresh snow, as rich as finely brewed coffee and it sounded like deep waves.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, the devil had uttered my words.

“Let me guess, you're about to say, who are you and the next question is…” he paused, tilting his head a little towards one of the guards who seemed to be his right hand man. “Why?” He finished with a chuckle.

I could feel a kick in my stomach as he said those words. I couldn't discern if it was how lovely and manly he sounded that made my inside churn, or perhaps, it was irritation.

I hoped it was the latter because I couldn't imagine myself pleasuring at the voice of my abductor.

I struggled with the rope I was bound in, making an attempt to force myself out of it, but despite its laxness, my moves were hopeless.

“What are you people and why are you doing this to me?” I shouted, biting my lips hard. I wasn't about to show this man they were quivering.

He got up from where he had been sitting, taking slow strides towards me, he replied,

“A favor, Mi cha,’’ His sinister voice floated into the air as he walked around me in circles.

The aura he exuded kept me on my toes. I was uneasy, gravely terrified as he moved. I wasn't sure what he wanted with me or what he could do to me.

I was totally clueless as to what to do, how to compose myself to react to his words. And what does he mean by a favor?

This man had just ruined my entire life, my wedding, everything!

“You've j-just ruined my-y life, what do you mean by doing me a favor?” I stuttered heavily, my throat heavy from all the burden.

He finally settled in front of me, snatching my chin up to make me look into his eyes which had turned blank with terror, my back arched a little, obeying his call.

I could feel his breath on my skin, the fragrance of his skin melting into mine as he moved his face closer to mine.

My heart was going on a jolly ride, but it was not a funfair. I was sinking in a paradoxical ship and the dock was nowhere near sight.

I could see a different emotion in his eyes as he looked into my teary pupils, but my mind was clouded with my own emotions enough to give time to interpret what he was feeling.

“Believe me when I say whatever has happened is to give you the life you desire— a new life.”

“A new life?” I spat in disbelief. “You bastards have taken my life away from me. Dylan. You have taken him away from me. He was my everything… he was my life!” I yelled.

With disgust in his eyes, he finally let go of my chin aggressively, my neck snapping to the side a little that I felt my head might have actually dislocated from its joint.

“Ahn!” I moaned softly at the sharp pain.

His hands crawled into his pockets, stepping away from me while casting a luxurious view of his firm, bold back for me to dazzle upon.

His shoulders were indeed broad.

I could tell he was angry and it was right after I had mentioned Dylan. Everything happening now had to do with Dylan, but I didn't understand why it was happening.

I needed to know what and who I was dealing with and what would be my fate going forward.

“The chefs make exquisite meals. Dinner is at 8pm.” He said with his back still turned against me.

I couldn't believe my ears when he uttered those words that I could barely grasp the gasp that escaped my mouth.

“And what makes you think I'd want to sit at the same table and have dinner with you?”

He turned around, the anger in his eyes already vanished.

“I wasn't asking for your opinion, Vanessa.” He said with a sleek smile on his face.

I was visibly irritated, angry and appalled by such audacity he seemed to be wearing like a crown.

“I will not be a subject to whatever business you are after. Is it money you want? Fortune? Take them all and get me back to my family.”

“Behave, Vanessa. I want nothing from you other than a simple dinner tonight.. and maybe tell you a story about your…” He paused, deliberately avoiding eye contact with me as if he was about to drop a sarcastic bomb. “Dylan?”

After that, he let out a horrible laugh and I tried to follow, struggling with the ropes again as huge lumps formed in my throat.

I wanted to curse him, I really could have done that, but my words were too heavy to fall out of my mouth.

“What have you done to him?” I silently wept.

He turned at one of his men, ignoring my question like I never asked.

“Have the maids clean her up to get rid of the scent of that bastard she was going to get married to.”

Before he walked out of the door with some of his men tailing after him, he gave me his trump card.

“The name is Santiano Rafael Devereaux.”