Markie kept her dark blue eyes on Roman. She had expected some sort of reaction but he just stood there looking expressionless. She had chosen to do this out in public because a part of him scared her. Something she hadn't told him about. It was best to pretend everything was as normal as it could be despite what she had just said.

"Roman, say something," she said.
"What do you want me to say? You just broke up with me," he said.

She swallowed nervously and pushed a strand of her long, caramel brown hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry. It's not you," she said.
"Don't go there. Just tell me why," he said.
"I'm just not in love with you. It felt new and exciting at first but I can't see myself with you for the rest of my life. It's only been a few months. It's best we end it now instead of fooling ourselves into thinking there's a future," she said.

To her surprise he nodded and gave her a sad smile. He accepted it. She had been a ball of anxiety all day leading up to this moment and it went that easy. Maybe the fear she felt around him was misplaced. It didn't matter. After tonight she would never see him again.

"You're right," he said.

She blew out her breath and gave him a little smile. She was right. She knew that. She was just happy he accepted it that easy.

"At least let me give you a ride home," he said.
"That's okay. I'll walk," she said.
"Markie, let me give you a ride home," he said more determined. "It's the last time I'll see you. Let me take you home and say goodbye there."

She felt the fear sneaking up on her again. The tone had shifted in his voice and she didn't like it. She had no reason to fear him. He hadn't done or said anything wrong. It was just a feeling. The way he sometimes talked. That weird look in his eyes that she had seen a few times. The fact that no windows in his house opened without a key. It weirdly felt like a prison despite the beautiful atmosphere. Something cold and dark seemed to be lurking in the corners of that house and she didn't want to get to know it.

Arguing with him would be pointless at this point. He was good at getting his way with his words alone. That tone and that look in his eyes. She could do it. Just one last time in his car and then she would be rid of him forever.

"Okay," she nodded. "You can take me home."
"Thank you," he said.

They got into his car and he started driving. They sat there in silence until he drove past a road he was supposed to turn down to get to her home.

"You missed the turn," she said.
"I know," he said.

She turned her head and looked at him. His eyes were firmly planted on the road but she could see the scary look in them. Something was about to go down and she didn't like it one bit.

"Roman, please. Pull over. I wanna get out," she said.

He didn't answer. Instead he started driving faster and ran a red light. Her heart started pounding in her chest. The fear she had felt around him had been real, and in this moment she had no idea what to do. He drove to his house and parked in the driveway. Before she could even get the seat belt off, he was out of the car and over on her side. He opened the door, grabbed her, and pulled her outside.

"Stop!" She begged. "Roman, fucking stop! Let me go!"

The front door opened and a man was standing there. She had never met this man before but he was clearly expecting her to be dragged into the house the way Roman was dragging her. He dragged her to his homemade library and her heart stopped beating for a moment. There was a bed in there and the wall to the bathroom next door had been torn down.

"You know the windows won't open. I blocked the bathroom door too since this bathroom is now yours. You can shower all you want," he said. "I knew you were gonna do this, Markie. I fucking knew it which is why I had to go to these extremes in order to be with you. You should have learned to behave instead of trying to run away. We're meant to be together, damn it!"

She turned and looked at him. He was crazy. He was going to keep her there against her will.

"You can't do this to me," she said.
"Sure I can," he smirked. "Wise man, fill her in while I go cool off."

Roman left the room and the other man closed the door and blocked her only escape.

"My name is Paul Heyman and I'm a private doctor for special people," he said.
"You mean rich and shady people," she said.
"If that's the term you prefer," he said. "I am here to make sure you're alright."
"I'm not fucking alright. I've just been kidnapped, asshole," she said.

He took a few steps forward and held out his hands.

"You won't get bored in here. There's enough books to entertain you for a long time," he said.
"How long?" She asked. "When will I be let out? Will I ever be let out?"

He reached a hand forward to pat her shoulder but she took a step back to avoid him touching her. He put on a creepy smile and held his hands together.

"You're his princess," he said. "Just do as he says and you'll be fine. Eventually you'll see this is the right thing for you. This is the man you're supposed to love and be with. He has the means to take good care of you so let him."
"Fuck you!" She growled.
"In time you'll see it's the right call," he said. "I'll leave you to it. Get some sleep and embrace tomorrow as the first day of the rest of your life. You'll be happy with him. You'll see."

He left the room and she heard the door being locked. She ran to it and tried opening it but nothing happened. She started pounding on it while screaming Roman's name. Roman looked at the door and chuckled.

"She'll never be able to break down the door. Pure steel," Roman said.
"Let her scream it out tonight. I'm sure she'll have a fresh attitude tomorrow," Paul said.
"Thank you," Roman said. "I'll call you if I'm in need of your service."