Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Romance

                                                                                 PROLOGUE

Alissa jogged, in the nearby park where she always went. It’s the same for today only it’s a little late. In her sports wear and a bottle of water in her small red bag clicked around her waist, she ran in the quiet park. 

The fog in this morning was heavy, blocking her sights until she could only navigate the route through her memory. Counting her footsteps like she always did, she didn’t notice someone was following her.

But when she did, a chunk of rock knocked her down onto the ground before she could even open her mouth to let out a scream, then she saw him, her captor who had now crouched down in front of her, her eyes blinked to focus but failed to do so.

“Help ...” and that’s the only word made out of her mouth before he slammed that rock onto her head again, putting her into an unwakable sleep...  

CHAPTER 1

Drake was sitting by his working desk when the phone rang. Picking it up he spoke.

“Hello, Drake speaking, who’s this?”

“Drake, so you’re at your office.” It’s Alissa.

“Yes dear, why? Anything happened?”

“No, just, why didn’t you wake me up?” someone knocked on his office glass door, and he looked up, grabbing the phone by his left hand, he gestured the lady outside to come in, and when she did, Drake pressed his finger against his lips, telling her to stay quiet, and she nodded , taking a seat at the brown leather couch.

“You are tired, and it’s Saturday, so I thought you deserve a good rest.”  Drake continued. There was a long pause at the other side of the phone.

“Okay then, stay safe Drake, goodbye.”

“You too, good—“ the line went dead before he could bid her goodbye. 

She is mad at me for not waking her up....that’s ridiculous. 

He set back the phone, and turned his chair to face the lady, Claire who was enjoying the scenery his office’s huge window gave, the great view of the outstretched new York city. 

“So, what are you gonna tell me Claire?” he smiled at his secretary. She turned away from the window and stood up, taking the documents along she walked towards him.

“These are the data that you requested, and this is the surveys they did and,” Drake stood and strode to her side, sliding his hand and locked around her waist. He pulled her close to him, whispering beside her ear.

“Honey, you know that’s not what I want to hear.” Claire giggled, and replied.” We’re in the office Drake, we can’t. “

“Haven’t I told you?”

“What?”

 “There’s only both of us here in the office today.”


CHAPTER 2

After packing her things and stuffing her water bottle into her waist bag, Alissa  head out. She was tired but she didn’t expect that she would miss the alarm. 

How come he heard it and I didn’t ? And he wasn’t that kind of person who’ll turn off the alarm and set out for work. ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY.

Still she wasn’t bothered by any of these, their marriage was great, but short-lived. There’s always something for them to argue or quarrel about, it had been years since they had sex, he didn’t initiate anything after she came back from a week holidays in Japan. And things just started to get messy after that.

She sighed and locked the door. Fumbled her pockets for her car keys beside her car, she realised that it had been forgotten in the house. Frustrated, she turned away and decided to jog to the park. It looked deserted when she reached there. The weather wasn’t nice yesterday, it rained all night which caused this thick fog to linger. 

Not even hesitating, she started to jog, taking the usual route. Unable to see her path clearly,  she navigate her directions solely through her memory, thinking about her lunch at the same time.

Not knowing that there would be no more shopping for her today after heading right into lifeless park.

And the man who was hiding within the fog, waiting for her behind the second turn.


CHAPTER 3
Pain shot through her head when she regained consciousness. She blinked, shifting her sore body and realised that she was bounded with ropes and was gagged. She groaned and yelled but her voice was all muffled by that piece of clothe stuffed in her mouth.
She was hungry, thirsty, her throat burned whenever she breath.

When her eyes adjusted to her surroundings, all she could see was darkness. She was lying on a bed which smelled of dead mouse or something worst, her hands were tight on the upper bed post , and her head spun whenever a little movements were made. 

Shit, where am I! Why am I --- 

Then she remembered, the jogging route, the fog, the assault, That Man. Who was that ? 

Thinking hard, trying to remember his face, Alissa got nothing.  Then the door cracked opened, little light shone through the gap, others was blocked by a huge figure, a man wearing casual clothes and a mask covering half of his face. His eyes found hers and turned his back towards her to shut the door and flicked open the light.

“I can see you’re awake. “ he was carrying a tray full of bowls and a bottle, Alissa’s bottle, and walked slowly forward, approaching the bed. Alissa body tensed, as he set the tray down onto the small table beside the bed.

He was tall, huge and muscular, short dark brown hair and emerald coloured eyes.
“How's your head feeling? “ he asked and received a kicked from Alissa who was screaming on the bed.

“So it’s healing.” The man stated and immediately she vomited, her stomach gave up, fluids splattered all over her upper body and bed, dirtying the floor. Her stomach heaved but there’s nothing more for her puke, the clothe in her mouth now stink.

The man stopped his movements and went for the dirtied clothe put in her mouth, taking it out, Alissa gasped a lung full of air in, coughing as her throat hurt after puking. 

“Here, drink.” He gave her the bottle, and put the tip on her lips, she didn’t resist and drank, the man looked pleased but he then took away her bottle and put it back onto the tray. 

“Please let me go.” Alissa pleaded, tears welded from her eyes.

“No.”

“Please...I can give you money if that’s what you want! I won’t tell anyone about you—“

“NO.” He pulled the wet bedding away from all four corners and pulled it out beneath her and threw it onto the ground. Then he reached for her clothes.

“Wait! What’re you trying to do!”

“Stay quiet woman, you need new clothes” His voice was solid, and he talked with a calming effects. But all Alissa knew right know was not to believe anyone, especially a guy who had abducted her in the park, a psychopath. 

“Help!! Help!!” She started to scream and the man’s hand went for her mouth, covering her mouth which earned him a bite. Growling, his other hand reached behind and grabbed the sleeping gas bottle put in his back pocket, raising his hand their eyes met.

Alissa’s pleads were all muffled by his huge hand, she kept shaking her head, begging him to stop  but all she saw was that cold face of his, his unwavering eyes starring right into hers which were now full Of tears.  

“ I thought I’ve told you to stay quiet.”

And with that he sprayed it right at her tears-covered face.


CHAPTER 4

Cuddling on the messy bed in Claire’s house, Drake pulled the blanket to cover both of their exposed body parts.

“It’s sure good to work on Saturday.” Drake said, which made Claire giggled. 

“Wouldn’t Alissa be looking for you now?” Claire trailed her fingertips along his jawline.

“Don’t think so, please my dear, don’t talk about her when there’s only us in the room.” Drake leaned down and kissed Claire on the cheek, then moved his lips to her neck which she craned left.

“But Drake, I know it’s weird to say this, but I think she might have known our relationship.” Drake didn’t seem to mind that statement as he kept on kissing and nipping her nape.

“That, is impossible.” 

“But, just what if – “ he shut her mouth with a kiss, and when he broke away from her, she was already staring at him with lust.

“Let’s go for round two, baby.”


CHAPTER 5

He watched her from afar, the door shutting her away from him was slightly open, revealing her still body, her chest heaving and dropped as she breath. He wouldn’t had kidnapped, no, borrow her from her husband at the first place if his brain wasn’t messing up with him. 

You fool, shutting her in your house is a CRIME! 
He yelled at his mind.

But you know you need her, don’t you.

No! I can find other women, to finished this.

Then why keep her? 

I....

Admit it.

And with that he shut his mind off, he stared at the mopped floor, and jerked his head up when  huge muffling sound came out from the room. She was struggling .

Then he heard her sobs. He couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t comfort her as his mind had urged him to, he couldn’t hug her as he himself wanted to. As he was different. And he knew it since the day his family died. Leaving him to roam alone in this lonely world full of everything but his species.

He was not a human. He was a leopard. 

CHAPTER 6

Alissa’s eyes were swollen as a result of her crying, and her hands screamed in pain as the rope was tightly secured around her hands. She couldn’t even relax her arms muscles which was now sore as it was overly tensed. 

The smell of the gas he used on her just now still lingered in this room, but the door was ajar, and she could see him sitting outside, watching her with cautious eyes. 

Those emerald eyes, I would have thought that it is beautiful if he wasn’t a kidnappist.
Then he stood up, taking something along as he strode in. He stopped at the door, leaning against the frame. Then she saw what he was grabbing in his hand, a t-shirt.

“How’s your head now?” he asked.

“Better if you hadn’t hit me with a fucking stone.” She muttered, which he didn’t seem to mind. He threw that shirt towards her and it landed right in front of her face, blocking her sight.

“Hey!” Alissa shifted but her body wasn’t totally recover from that gas he gave her.

“Stay still woman. I don’t wanna hurt you, I’m just gonna untie your hands. “ he said, and a long pause followed as he waited for her to digest whatever he had told her. 

“You’re going to release me?” she asked hopefully.

“No. Just to let you change. “ her heart dropped when she heard his reply, she should have known better that would let her go. 

“You hear me?” slowly Alissa nodded, thinking that she might be able to attack him once he untie her.

“Promise me you won’t attack. Or else I’ll be the one to change your clothes.” He said, again shattering her fragile hope, nodding as she mourn for her short-lasted plan.
Suppressing his smile, he started undoing the ties. 

“There, now change, 1 minute.” She sat straight up and looked at the clean shirt he gave her, it’s too big for her but at least better than her smelly ones. Grabbing the corner of her shirt, she suddenly realised something. Immediately she turned to look at him.

“Any problem?” 

“Turn around.”

“Just take it off and put mine on, there’s nothing for me to look at. And apart from that, stop planning on running away, it’s no use.” 

“I was NOT! “ Alissa blushed as her thought was again being read. As fast as she could manage, she took off her shirt and put on his. The fabric brushed against her skin gave her warmth, that made her remember. Remembered Drake. 


“Hey, you cold?” he came and sat beside me, his smile hung on his lips. 

“A little, but I’m fine.” I shook my head but he didn’t leave. He took off his jacket and put it on me, shielding the wind as I stood at the balcony in her bikini. They’re in Hawaii, enjoying their honeymoon right after the marry ceremony.

“Stop lying dear, you’re trembling. Now, better?” his smiles broaden when I nodded. 

“I love you dear, I really do.” He then hugged me from behind, turning my head I giggled thinking that I was the luckiest woman in the world. 


Now, a miserable woman who had everything but love... the flashbacks brought back bad memories of Drake and her, she loved him that time, but now, she felt nothing towards him. 

“Good, sleep.” Then he turned.

“WAIT! “ without warning, she lounged at him, her hand grabbed a corner of his mask, and with all of her might, she pulled it away from his face, revealing his face.

He was dumbstruck , his movements halted, giving her time to observe his face.

“Such, gorgeous...” she blurted, he was good looking, nothing artificial but natural. His nose, his lips, his everything, so nicely arranged, not even a flaw was seen . 

“What the hell are you doing!” snatching back his mask, he covered his face with it again just before she glimpsed him blushing.