Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Kidnapped

Chapter 3

Ruby POV

Today's shift at the restaurant was a grueling test of endurance. Managing with one arm felt like trying to juggle a dozen fragile plates.

My injured arm throbbed, heavy as a log, every movement a painful reminder of last night's chaos.

"Ruby! Take this trolley to private booth eight. Maggie has some business to settle with the manager." Chef's voice cut through the clatter.

I forced a bright smile. "Sure, Chef!"

As I pushed the trolley toward the elevator, my body weak, I just needed to get through this shift.

At room eight, I adjusted my uniform, ensuring my bandaged arm remained hidden. A deep breath, and I knocked.

"Come in already!" A female's irritated voice pierced the air.

I entered, trolley wheels rolling smoothly. Then, my eyes locked onto him.

Seated, head tilted back, eyes closed was Mr. Ice.

My heart stuttered. "How could it be?" I whispered, fear creeping up my spine.

The female's sharp tone snapped me back. "Are you just going to stand there and stare?"

I pasted on a neutral expression. ‘Act normal, Ruby. It's just a coincidence.’

"Sorry, ma'am. Right away." I began setting the table, hands shaking slightly.

Mr. Ice's eyes remained closed, but I sensed his awareness. My skin prickled.

"Would you like me to serve you at the dining, miss?" I asked, trying to sound firm and composed, despite my racing heart.

"So dumb, tsk," the annoying woman snapped again, her voice dripping with disdain. "If I wanted to be served in the dining, I would be seated there, don't you think?" She carelessly dumped her leftover cigarette in the ashtray, her eyes flashing with irritation.

I gritted my teeth, fighting to hide my annoyance, and continued to set the table with trembling hands. My gaze drifted toward Mr. Ice, and I couldn't help but steal a peek. Even from afar, his masculine aura commanded attention.

As I turned to glance at him, our eyes interlocked, and I felt my heart plummet into my stomach. My mind raced with fear ‘Had I been discovered?’ My hands shook uncontrollably, and I accidentally splashed the expensive wine onto the woman's designer shoe.

"I…am so sorry…" I stammered, mortified, as I hastily grabbed a towel from the table to dab the red liquid off her pale, smooth skin.

"You lowlife!" the woman yelled, her face reddening with rage. "Do you know how much these babies cost?" She grasped my injured arm, her grip like a vice, and I couldn't help but whine in agony.

"I am so sorry, miss, I would dab out every ounce of moisture from..." My apology was cut short as a scorching slap seared my cheek, leaving a stinging sensation.

The resounding crack echoed through the room, and I felt my face ablaze with anger and humiliation.

"Even if you and your entire family enslaved themselves for their whole lives in this gutter restaurant, you wouldn't be able to afford a glance at these shoes!" she shrieked, her voice piercing.

My eyes welled up, but I refused to let tears fall.

"Keep her quiet, Ava," Mr. Ice ordered, his eyes still closed, his tone detached, as if the scene unfolding before him was of no consequence.

My heart hardened.

"Scram, bitch!" Ava spat.

I didn't wait for the offer to be revoked. I hastened out of the private booth, my heart racing.

"Ruby, wait!" someone called out.

I ignored the plea and rushed to the restroom, slamming the door shut behind me.

Gasping, I turned on the faucet and splashed water onto my burning cheeks and under my eyes.

My eyes rose to look at my reflection in the mirror, and the exhausted face staring back at me made my heart sink. My hands shook like leaves as I slowly raised the sleeves of my uniform to examine my wound. The bandage was stained with blood.

Luckily, it didn't get to stain my peach top uniform. I swiftly retrieved the bandage I had tucked away in my apron, my hands shaking and my whole body vibrating with anger as I replaced it with the stained one.

As I secured the new bandage, I let out a silent sigh of relief. "With everything that happened, I can only thank the heavens I wasn't recognized by him." A wry chuckle escaped my lips.

I rinsed my hands, the cool water a brief relief from the turmoil brewing inside me. Done attending to my injury, I moved towards the door, but my feet rooted to the spot as I sighted Mr. Ice leaning on the wall, smoking his cigarette a few feet away.

His presence was like a punch to my gut, knocking the wind out of me. 'What is he doing here?' my mind screamed, panic setting in.

Composing myself, I took a deep breath and moved to walk past him, trying to appear nonchalant despite my racing heart.

"How sure are you that you weren't recognized?" his cold voice reached me from behind, sending shivers down my spine.

I spun around, my eyes locking onto his, and found him inches away, his gaze piercing.

"If you're referring to the incident in your private booth, sir, I deeply apologize." My legs trembled beneath me, threatening to collapse.

"You're really slow to think you wouldn't be easily spotted with your fiery red hair flying around like a beacon," Mr. Ice sneered, his eyes glinting with amusement. He flicked his hair back, revealing chiseled features.

As he stepped closer, crushing his cigarette beneath his foot, I retreated. My heart pounded.

"I don't know what you're talking about, sir. Please excuse me," I lied, attempting to sound firm.

But before I could turn away, his hand snaked around my waist, spinning me back. His chest pressed against my back, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're the little redhead from last night," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

Every cell in my body vibrated with fear. I struggled to break free, but his grip was unyielding.

I opened my mouth to scream, but his calloused hand clamped down, silencing me.

"I'll be taking you for a little chat. Are you okay with that?" His calm tone belied the cold calculation in his piercing blue eyes.

Before I could respond, a sharp pain stabbed my neck. Darkness swooped in, and my body weakened.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter