As soon as the door opened, my eyes fell upon Ivan who was sitting in the leather chair behind a lavish russet table immersed in his laptop typing something vigorously. Ivan doesn't acknowledge my existence and continues typing away on his laptop.

I stay rooted in my pace waiting for him to acknowledge me but am met with only more silence.

"You called me?" I finally said as the silence becomes unbearable.

He finally removes his gaze from the screen and looks up at me "Come here," Hesitantly, I made my way around the table and over to him and stop next to him, leaving space between us.

"Sit" I look at the armchair beside him before I could make my way there he stops me.

"Not there here" He nonchalantly says as he pet on his lap. He can't be serious. My mouth flaps open like a fish to say something but decided against it since it is of no use.

I obliged having no other choice. He tightened his muscular limp around me and pulled me further into his chest more, my back pressing his chest. He picked his phone from the table and fetched me his phone.

"Order some clothes for you. Pick anything you like," I stared at him completely astounded by his answer, still processing the words I had just heard. I definitely didn't expect this.

"What?" I ask, forcing my eyes up to his

"Pick anything you like, princess." He explains. I look at the price of the dress my eye widen further. Oh my god, why is this dress so expensive.

"I can't," I said vigorously shaking my head.

"Why?" He asked almost confused

"It's too expensive," He let out a chuckle at this. The deep chuckle that boomed through his chest made me shudder.

"You don't have to worry about it"

"But-"

"Jasmin" I know this is an order and I have to oblige it.

I took a deep breath, slowly nodding "Okay"

As I order few clothes but, Ivan wasn't having it. At last, I ended up buying almost twenty thousand net worth of dressing. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible but Ivan didn't let me leave. The room is silent, neither of us is moving or speaking.

"Can I ask you something?" I said, unable to lock up the question anymore.

"Hmm" He hums in response or let say in the approval.

"Why am I here?"

"Because I want want to be" He comments casually as if we are having a conversation about the weather.

"Why?" I cleared my throat "Why did you kill my parent?" I asked, barely hearing the words myself. There is pin-drop silence in the office as I await his reply, but he did not give me any indication to answer.

"Ivan... Why did you will my parents?"

"I heard it the first time Princess. If I am not answering you then you should understand I'm not interested to answer it." My heart leaped a beat at his answer. It somehow sounded like a threat.

"B-But you said I could ask you anything"

"Yes, I did but I never said. I would answer each and every one of it," My hands yearn to thwack him in his mandible but I opposed knowing the consequences would be pretty and I would be one to get hurt at last.

"B-But this is not fair you can't keep me here and accept me to followed you like a pet dog,"

"Like if unfair princess...Has always been," His voice slightly hard. Annoyance and anger rush through me at his nonchalant attitude. It was infuriating.

"You are a horrible man," I said before I could stop myself. I don't know from where did I get the fearlessness from.

"I know," Was all he answered. There was no remorse, no emotion....nothing. How can someone be so ignorant? His hand rising to my neck, his thumb softly caressing the skin before applying the pressure. A sharp pain shot through the veins of my neck.

"Please" But he just ignores me

I tried to swallow the lump on my throat trying hard not to let the tears fall. No, Jasmin, you can't be this weak. We have talked about this "Please let me go. I'm tired I want to go" I said desperately. I just want to get away from this man before he would do something.

"Go" And he didn't need to tell me twice.

************

As was walking back to Ivan's room. The memories of my parents came back, it felt like someone has rubbed chilies on my wound. I instantly push those thoughts out of my head. I couldn't think about those things. Especially if I want to stay stable.

Nor this is time to think about it. I need to focus on my survivor. I need to be stronger, smarter, and more patient. I need a full-proof plan. I have to obey and cooperate with them till I can find my way out of this nightmare. I wish I could simply get out of this place but unfortunately, that is not possible. I loathe my circumstance.

"You're early," Sasha asks, interrupting my mini daydream and I bounce a bit because of how engrossed I was.

"Hmmm"

"Are you okay?" She muttered softly, I could hardly hear her. My face is buried in her shoulder before I could understand what was I doing. Sobs wracked my lips unable to control it.

"What happened honey?" Sasha asked and gently rubbed my back, in comfort as she coos me.

"Jasmin, what happened? Did Ivan do anything?" I didn't answer. I don't think I have to answer her so I don't and she doesn't press it. We stayed like that for a few moments before pulling away from each other,

"Help me cook?" She asked

"I don't know how to cook" I admit feeling a little embarrassed. I was hopeless when it came to cooking.

"It's okay Just help me cut the vegetables"

"O-okay" Sasha squeals, pulling me into a quick hug. The gesture makes me smile. I don't know why was she so happy.

"So, what do you want to eat," She asked

"Anything is okay with me,"

"Hmmm...How about some steak? Now that I think I'm actually craving it," She said

"Actually I am vegetarian" Yes I have never had meat in my entire life.

"Ohh, Then we will cook something else"

"Why don't we cook steak for you and we can cook something else for me" I replied.

"Ya great idea" A smile tugs at my lips. She's beautiful, both inside and out. Some people are just born with everything.

We both walk inside the kitchen and immediately sprung into our respective works as I being chopping the vegetables, while she began to cook steak.

"I think he is attracted to you" Sasha blurts out of the blue. And I tense.

"Why would you say that?" I ask as I continued to chop the broccoli.

"The way he looks at you is different." She replies as she flips the meat as the pan begins to sizzle as the raw side of the meat comes in contact with the hot oil.

"It's nothing like that. I'm sure he is just planning how to kill me. So, he is taking his time," I try to laugh it out but she doesn't cackle. After that nobody tries to initiate the conversation.

************

"Why are you not having steak little bird," David suddenly asks in the middle of the dinner.

"I am vegetarian,"

"For real?" I nodded my head in response. Is it that hard to believe that I am a vegetarian "Wow I can't believe people can live only eating grasses" Grasses?

"Stop David. Stop troubling the poor little girl," Sasha scolds David, who just ignores her comment and goes back to his food.

On the other hand, I can see Ivan watching me out of the corner of my eye. I ignore him wanting nothing to do with him and continue eating my food as if I don't notice him staring at me.

*********

I walk inside the bathroom and take a quick warm shower to relax my muscles before walking back into the bedroom. I change into one of Ivan's T-shirts and a boxer before slipping inside the covers.

Switching on the TV I being on some random movies. I watch for almost an hour and a half before my eyes flickering to the clock. I see that it's twenty minutes past ten and there's no sign of Ivan. Not that I am complaining, it's just he is usually back by this time.

Not long after Ivan walks inside the room. The bedroom door was snap open and Ivan sauntered in, shutting it softly behind him before his gaze landed on me. Quickly breaking my gaze from him, I go back to the TV screen. Even though my gaze is at the screen I can't seem to concentrate on it. Out of my peripheral vision to see Ivan coming towards me.

"Princess," I frown slightly at the nickname but chose to ignore it. I just keep my lips in a fine line, don't bother replying to it, and keep watching the movie. I don't want to spoil my mood then it already is.

"How long do you plan to ignore me for?" He asks almost sounding frustrate.

I didn't want to respond to him but I can't avoid him forever. "I'm not ignoring you," I eventually say but I refuse to meet his gaze, choosing to stare at the hands instead.

Ivan sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Look at me when I'm talking to you" He sighs, his tone a little calmer.

"Look you are not allowed to ignore me. Okay?" I refuse to look at him, instead of staring up at the ceiling

"Okay"

There's a lot I want to say in return but sealed my lips and nodded my head instead. I might be a coward but I am not stupid. I have told it before and I'm saying it again.

He slides into the bed and switches off the side lamp, his arms reaching around my waist to pull me closer like he always does. He has wried kind of obsession to keep me in his arms every night. Despite the tiredness I feel, I couldn't sleep. I toss and turn in the bed, feeling restless. I knew I wasn't going to fell asleep now.

I turn towards Ivan. His lips slightly parted. He was breathing softly, deeply. His chest rising and falling in rhythm. He looked peaceful without any evilness on his face.

'Will I ever be able to leave from here?' I can't help but question myself.

My heart sinks at the thought of not being able to leave this place. I don't know how much longer I can handle it. I feel so mentally exhausted from everything. I have always been shy and faint-hearted. I have always admired Jenny, she was everything I can never be I can only wish to be like her.

My eyes sting from tears, but I don't let them fall. I take a few deep breaths to get myself together. Pushing the comforter off my body, I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and pull my body up into a sitting position.

Suddenly my eyes fell on something laying on the floor. My eyes widen when I realize it was the key to my chain. Ivan must have dropped it while changing his clothes. This can be my chance to get away from her but what if Ivan found out?

I hold back a shudder even thinking about it. But this is not the time to think about the outcome it's time for action. I don't think I will ever get this chance again. I carefully got off the bed and grabbed the key.

I slowly push the key inside the lock and twist it. As I do so I immediately heard the small click of the locks indicating the lock has been undone.

I grasped the doorknob and twist it. I gently pushed it open trying not to make any noise. I can't effort to make a single mistake. The door makes a small creak but nothing loud to wake Ivan. I peek outside just in case if anyone roaming outside. But fortunately, I see no one in vision.