"Come again?" I said.

"You're live bait." Gregory repeated. "Look it won't be as bad as it sounds-"

"Oh, it won't? How will it be then?!"

"All we need to do is let him know that we have you, we tell him that he won't see you again until he gets the money back. I figured out that he still has most of it, he's been saving it to try and leave the country and start a new life, most likely with you."

"What if you're wrong?" I shouted. "What if he doesn't have any of the money, what happens to him and me for that matter?"

"No one has to get hurt." Ha assured me.

"People are going to figure out that I'm missing." I reminded him.

"Aurie, that has been taken care of to the fullest." He said. "I have an acquaintance who is a doctor; we have set it up to tell both your work and your landlord that you were in some terrible accident and that you are in critical condition at a nearby hospital."

"People might try and visit me, what happens when I'm not there?"

"The doctors and nurses on sight have been told that only family is allowed to visit you and that the most they can do is give anyone who is curious written updates on your condition."

"There are people who know I don't have any family though." I pointed out.

"Very true, but nonetheless the hospital is trained to follow their policies." He countered.

He has thought all this through. I thought nervously.

"How long have you been planning all of this?" I asked.

He got up from his chair and sighed. I watched him as he ran his fingers through his hair and gazed toward the window, the curtains were still closed and I realized I didn't even know what time it was. It must have been close to eleven or twelve when he took me.

"A few months." He said.

"What?" I said. I forgot I had even asked him the question.

"A few months." He repeated.

"Oh." I really didn't know how to respond to that.

"How are you feeling?" He asked sincerely. "I mean are you okay, I realize this is a lot to take in"

"I'm fine." I'm fine. I am always just fine. "I don't know if I believe you completely."

"What do you mean?" He asked, brows furrowed.

"I mean about Lu-Brian." I answered.

"Then you're a fool." He said bluntly.

"How dare you! You have no right to call me that!"

"No right? I have no right? That's a laugh." He said. "I am trying to help you here-"

"Oh bull you arrogant jerk, even if your story is true you're just out to get your money back!" I said.

Suddenly he was in front of me again his face just inches from mine. "I have no reason to lie to you. You must realize that what I am telling you is true I mean, it must make sense to you. Nothing he told you has added up has it? You were together a year, you never went to his work, never saw his parents, none of what he told you makes sense!"

No ,no, no, I will not believe it. I was breathing heavy again, it felt like there was not enough air in the world to satisfy my lungs.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine!" I repeated.

"Are you ever anything other than fine?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." He said, he stepped away again and looked back at the curtains, hands on his hips.

"Don't back out now, what exactly did you mean by that?"

"It seems every time someone asks you how you are, you are only ever just fine." He said.

"How exactly are you aware of this?" I interrogated.

"It wasn't anything to invasive into your life." He added. "I was just sent to look into you and make sure you weren't part of his scheme or anything."

"Look into me? You mean follow me." I accused.

"If you wish to put it that way yes." Gregory said, more to himself than me.

"You followed me! You jerk what the hell is wrong with you?"

"I already told you why I had to do it!" He said, defending himself.

"What all did you find out about me."

"Orphaned at a young age, parents died tragically in a car accident." He said. The hard breathing from me began to return, as well as tears that I refused to release. No tears, not one, I'm fine, just fine. "You were raised in a foster home in the west coast but moved here once you graduated high school. After making a life for yourself you were a loner for the most part." He said. "You wake up sometimes in the middle of the night to make yourself a fried egg sandwich, you have the TV on but spend your time looking out the window instead, and you like to listen to Dean Martin."

I don't know what happened to me but something reached inside of me and compelled me to stand up and place myself directly in front of him. I wound my arm back and hit him hard across the face.

His head snapped to one side, all sign of emotion drained from his face as he slowly moved back to look at me.

I reached around to hit him again but he grabbed my arm and pulled me against him. For what seemed like an eternity I stared into his coal black eyes. I suddenly felt warm inside, a sense of calm ran through me.

"Don't do that ever again." He warned. His words seemed cold and distant, but his eyes looked playful and a smirk began to appear on his face.

"Or what?" I challenged.

"Or else." He grinned. I couldn't help but smile back.

The moment between us seemed so-different. I forgot about everything else and just focused on the two of us standing so close.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

I scrunched up my face in a grimace. "I hate being asked that question."

"Why?"

"It just feels so invasive, my thoughts are silly, intimate, odd and-I don't know I just don't like to share them." I said. "I don't even keep a journal."

"I'm sorry if I offended you." He said softly.

"You didn't." I assured him.

"Good." We were quiet again. He still held my arm, and the rest of me for that matter, close to him.

I took the time to study the rest of his face. His high cheekbones, the shape of his full lips, and his perfect skin. Just then I heard a loud buzzing.

He swore silently under his breath and pulled out a cell phone from his pocket.

"You should try and get some rest." He said. "I'll be right outside so don't try anything."

He opened the door, it was still night time I realized. He stepped outside, but not before pulling the curtains open just a crack.

"So I can keep an eye on you." He told me over his shoulder.

I shrugged him off and pulled back the covers on the bed. It was soft and warm. I rest my head onto the pillow and noticed a small clock on the nightstand. Red numbers showed me that it was half passed two in the morning. I yawned not realizing how tired I had been, then I slowly shut my eyes.