For a second, Sabrina was disoriented.
The world tilted, then stilled, like a cara losing focus before snapping back in.
She didn’t understand what was going on—what she was doing sitting in a car with a driver, why she was suddenly wondering what the man wanted, what he ant by saying her family was on the way to being ridden by poverty.
The words replayed in her head, jarring and unreal. What did he even know about them? How did he even know? And what, exactly, was happening on the socials while her life seed to be unraveling in real ti?
Her hand reached for her bag automatically, muscle mory taking over before thought could intervene.
When she realized—again—that the bag was gone, lost sowhere between running for her life and flying into this cab, another curse tore from her lips, sharper this ti, louder.
Loud enough to make the driver smile.
That smile drew Sabrina up short.
"What is funny?" she snapped, her voice brittle.
"Your face," the driver said easily, still smiling, his fingers lifting in a small, almost lazy gesture toward the red-stained paste crusted along her cheek and collarbone.
"Are you that annoyed your phone is gone?"
Sabrina’s brows furrowed, confusion colliding with irritation. "Who are you?"
Instinct scread at her then. Her hand flew to the door handle—but it didn’t budge. She pulled again, harder. Nothing.
Panic slamd into her chest.
"What the hell!" she scread, yanking at the handle again. "Let out of here!"
The man laughed, a deep, amused sound, and turned fully in his seat to look at her as she struggled, frantic now, breath coming too fast.
"Oh, this will be fun..."
Sabrina’s mouth opened, but no sound ca out. The fear surged when she saw his gaze travel over her, slow and assessing. Her stomach twisted violently.
"Don’t do that!" she finally scread when he licked his lips.
"Oh, don’t worry..." The man waved her off dismissively, as though she were being ridiculous. "I’m not doing anything like that. You’re too dirty—and I don’t want to stain myself with tomato paste."
That—absurdly—cald her.
Her lungs drew in a shaky breath. She wasn’t going to be raped. This wasn’t karma for trying to do the sa to her cousin.
A short, hysterical laugh burst from her lips before she could stop it. Then she frowned when she noticed the man watching her, one brow raised, clearly amused.
"So," she said hoarsely, forcing steadiness back into her voice, "what do you want? Who are you?"
The man shrugged and leaned forward, reaching into the space between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. He picked up a stray can and flexed it once in his hand.
Sabrina shrank back instinctively, her spine pressing into the seat. Her frantic eyes caught the label.
Pepper spray.
Her heart slamd violently against her ribs. What insane company made a can this big? For what purpose?
"What... what are you doing?" Her voice quaked. Her hand flew to the window, striking it hard, again and again, trying to make noise.
Even as she did it, she knew it was futile.
The high gate and towering fence separating the mansion from the outside world lood just beyond the glass. No one was going to hear her scream—not here. Not now.
The man laughed again, clearly enjoying himself. "Doing what my boss told to do."
Her head snapped toward him. "Boss?"
"Did you think I was your savior?" he continued, chuckling darkly. "I don’t think you’ll have any in this place... in this city, at least. Your na is soiled—and so is your family."
Sabrina frowned, dread crawling up her spine. "What about my family?"
The man shrugged again, casual, as though he were discussing the weather. "Well, your act made people dig. You know how reporters can be. Turns out your father’s company is drowning in debt. It’s all over the news now. And if he can’t make a turnaround soon enough, he’ll be blacklisted out of the industry."
He paused, then added almost cheerfully, "I’d say kudos to the reporters."
Sabrina couldn’t breathe.
Her mind reeled, struggling to process the words. Why were things falling apart like this? When had this even happened? How could everything go from bad to worse in the space of a few hours?
Her hand reached for her phone again, pure habit, and she froze midway before letting out a strangled curse.
"Give up," the man said lightly. "You won’t get your phone again. Next ti, you’ll think before you threaten my boss."
Boss.
The word echoed in her head. Confused, Sabrina opened her mouth to ask who he ant—but she never got the chance.
The first blast of pepper spray hit her face.
From frying pan to fire, her mind scread wildly as pain exploded across her skin.
She scread too, a raw, piercing sound, as her eyes burned viciously—especially where the spray struck directly. She punched at the window, at the air, at him, flailing blindly, but all she succeeded in doing was earning more spray.
Again. And again.
She scread until her voice cracked and went hoarse, bowing her head, hands clawing uselessly at her face and hair while the burning intensified.
Her lungs seized as she inhaled, coughing violently, her nose and throat on fire, eyes swelling, tears streaming uncontrollably.
If she didn’t get out, she was going to die.
"Please..." she muttered weakly.
She barely registered the sounds that followed—the driver’s door opening, then hers. Rough hands grabbed her, dragging her out into the open air.
"Courtesy of Es Newman," the man said coldly. "Next ti, don’t threaten soone higher than you."
Shock rooted Sabrina in place even after the car sped away.
Es.
Es had done this to her. She had sent the n with the tomatoes—of that Sabrina was certain. She had taken her phone too.
Sabrina dragged herself forward, crawling when she realized no one was coming for her. She couldn’t reach her family. And even if soone passed by this private street—which was unlikely—she doubted they would help her.
If the driver was right, her family house was about to be sward by reporters.
That thought pushed her onward.
The reporters might be crazy enough to co here. Es might even send them.
Rage joined the pain, fueling her movent. She gritted her teeth, eyes streaming with tears caused by pepper and fury alike, sneezes wracking her body. She had to get to the gate.
How dare Es?
She grunted with every movent, sobbing in relief when she finally reached the gate. The burning on her skin scread for release, but instead she picked up a stone from the ground and struck the tal gate with it.
Once. Twice.
Footsteps approached.
"It’s Sabrina," she called out hoarsely before anyone could speak.
Then her strength gave out, and she collapsed hard onto the ground.
Reviews
All reviews (0)