Chapter 3

I woke up with a sleepy groan, but my eyes widened in an instant as I remembered the date I had with Mark later that day. "OMG, I can't believe this is happening!" I screamed into my pillow, excitement coursing through my veins.

After finally calming down, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to take my bath. As I made my way downstairs, I spotted my mom at the kitchen counter, and my heart sank. Please don't let her be cooking again, I prayed silently. But as I got closer, I saw the stack of bills laid out on the table, and my heart skipped a beat.

My mom quickly tried to hide them, but I had already seen the overwhelming pile. "Don't worry, my love, I'll take care of it," she said, forcing a smile onto her face. But I knew better. My mom worked tirelessly as a clerk at a company that underpaid her, and we had been barely scraping by since my father's tragic death in a car accident.

I felt a pang of guilt and worry, knowing that our financial struggles weighed heavily on her shoulders. But I pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to ruin my excitement for the date. "I'll be fine, Mom," I said, trying to reassure her. "Just relax, okay?" But I knew she wouldn't. She never did.

"My mom's words cut through the air like a knife: 'I warmed up breakfast for you.' My heart sank, knowing that I was in for another culinary disaster. She walked away, leaving me alone with the congealed, unidentifiable meal. The stack of bills still lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of our struggles.

After forcing down the hideous breakfast, I retreated to my room to find an outfit for my date. I called Alisa on FaceTime, and we quickly got to work, scouring through my closet for the perfect combination. Finally, at exactly 2:00 pm, I spotted Mark's car pulling up to my driveway. 'OMG, he's here!!!' I squealed, my heart racing with excitement.

I took a deep breath, smoothing out my dress, and stepped out of my front door. Mark's eyes widened in awe as he took in my appearance. He stood at 5'7" with chiseled features, blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. Everything about him complemented me perfectly - my 5'5" frame, brown hair, and brown eyes. He smiled, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. For a moment, I wondered why I had ever resisted him.

As he walked towards me, his eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a spark of electricity run through my body. This was it - the moment of truth. Was I ready to take a chance on Mark, or would I let my fears hold me back?"

With a newfound sense of determination, I smiled back at Mark, feeling a sense of excitement and possibility. I wasn't going to let fear or doubts hold me back from getting to know him better. I took a deep breath, and we walked towards each other, the distance between us closing with each step.

As we met in the middle of the driveway, Mark's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "You look amazing," he said, his voice low and sincere. I blushed, feeling a sense of shyness wash over me, but I stood tall, ready to embrace whatever this date might bring.

"Thanks," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "You don't look so bad yourself." Mark chuckled, and we stood there for a moment, the tension between us palpable, but not uncomfortable.

Finally, Mark broke the silence, "Shall we go?" he asked, gesturing towards his car. I nodded, and we walked together, our shoulders almost touching, as we began our adventure.

Pouring over the menu, our conversation flowed effortlessly, like we'd known each other for years. Mark's easy smile and kind eyes put me at ease, and I found myself opening up to him in ways I never thought possible.

Nancy's Cake was a cozy haven, filled with the sweet scent of baked goods and the gentle hum of conversation. We settled into a quiet corner, surrounded by vintage decorations and plush armchairs, and began to chat.

As we sipped our coffee and savored Nancy's famous cupcakes, our talk turned from light and casual to deeper, more meaningful topics. We shared stories, laughter, and dreams, our connection growing stronger with each passing minute.

I was struck by Mark's kind and genuine nature, his passion for life, and his infectious enthusiasm. He listened intently, his eyes sparkling with interest, as I shared my own hopes and fears.

Time flew by, and before we knew it, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the cafe. ¡Mi corazón! My heart skipped a beat as I locked eyes with the man I never thought I'd see again. He was dressed in all black, his presence commanding attention, and his confident stride made it seem like he owned the place. The two men flanking him were also clad in black, their somber attire making them look like they were attending a funeral.

As they approached, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Our past encounters had left an indelible mark on me, and I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted now. Mark, sensing my unease, placed a reassuring hand on mine, but I barely registered it.

The adrik eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like I was drowning in their depths. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, and I knew that he was here on business, not pleasure. "Joy," he said, his deep voice sending a tremor through me. "It's been a while"

As soon as his eyes landed on our joined hands, his expression turned icy. "Separate. Now," he commanded, his voice dripping with an air of superiority.

I bristled at his tone, feeling a surge of indignation. Who was this guy to boss me around? I tightened my grip on Mark's hand, a silent refusal to back down.

"Mind your own business," I retorted, my voice firm and steady. My mind racing, I felt a surge of indignation at his tone. Who did he think he was, ordering me around like that? I tightened my grip on Mark's hand, a silent defiance against this adrik sudden intrusion.Mark's eyes flicked to mine, a questioning glance, but he didn't let go of my hand.

The man's face darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I'm making it my business," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Separate. Now."

I felt Mark's hand tense, his fingers intertwining with mine in a show of solidarity. "I don't think so," Mark said, his voice calm but firm. "We're on a date, and I won't let you interrupt us."

The air was thick with tension as the man's gaze lingered on our joined hands, his expression unreadable. I wondered what his problem was, and why he seemed so invested in us separating. Little did I know, this was only the beginning of a very complicated situation.

Laughter escaped his lips, a low, menacing sound that sent shivers down my spine. His smile grew wider, revealing perfectly straight teeth, but it only added to the unsettling aura surrounding him. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he took a step closer, his eyes glinting with an unnerving intensity.

"I'm here for you, Joy," he said, his voice dripping with an unspoken threat. "We have unfinished business."

Mark's grip on my hand tightened, a silent show of support, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. What did this guy want from me? And why did he seem to take pleasure in making me uncomfortable?

I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. The stranger's gaze seemed to bore into my soul, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. Suddenly, the cozy cafe felt like a trap, and I was desperate to escape.

As I rose from my seat, my voice escalated into a fierce cry, "I'll call the cops on you right now, Adrik! Who the hell do you think you are, barging in here and threatening us?" My heart raced with every word, my mind screaming with fear.

But as I frantically scanned the cafe, my blood ran cold. The tables were empty, the chairs stacked up like skeletal sentinels. The door was closed, the blinds drawn, casting a suffocating gloom over the room. Where had everyone gone? Were we trapped?

Adrik's smile grew, his eyes blazing with an unholy intensity. "You won't be calling anyone, Joy," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "We're in a...private meeting. And you, my dear, are the guest of honor."

Mark's grip on my hand tightened, but I could sense his fear, his uncertainty. I tried to step back, but my feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to escape.

Adrik began to circle us, his movements fluid, predatory. "You see, Joy, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. And now, finally, you're mine."

I tried to speak, but my voice was frozen in my throat. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with malevolence, as Adrik's presence closed in around us. I felt Mark's fear, his panic, but I couldn't respond, couldn't move.

Adrik's eyes locked onto mine, burning with an intensity that seemed to sear my soul. "You should have stayed hidden, Joy. Now, you'll never escape."