Narrator-
Liliana found herself waking up to the sound of running water. She refused to open her eyes and simply hummed softly as she turned from her back, and onto her right side, as she snuggled deeper into the warm sheets and greedily breathed in the light scent of the cologne she had often fantasized about. Liliana's lips formed a thin smile as she believed that she was once again having a dream where Mr. Cavalier was the star, and as she did so, she ran her legs over the form mattress which adjusted to the weird shape her body had settled on. Liliana had almost drifted back to sleep when her subconscious screeched louder than a speeding Ferrari tires forced to a halt.
Lili's eyes snapped open as she sat up quicker than she should have, causing her head to spin, and a tugging pressure was applied to her wrists, and Liliana realized both her wrists were tied to the best post. The ties that banded around her wrists allowed for enough motion in the bed, but as soon as she pulled farther than her limit, the ties pulled back. Liliana's eyes looked around the strange room frantically, as her breathing began to accelerate. She laid on a king bed, which was positioned at the center of the further wall. To her left were floor to ceiling windows, and two glass doors that led to what appears to be a balcony. The room had minimal amount of furniture, and ample amount of space, with a color combination of white, light and dark grey.
The glass windows were covered with sheer white curtains which did nothing to keep the sunlight of the room. There was a small sitting area in the far corner, with a love seat and coffee table facing a television stand. Facing the bed was a door that Lili assumed led to the bathroom, because the running shower seem to be coming from there. A door to Lili's far right was closed, and the door that Lili assumed led out of the room was also closed. After taking a breath to calm herself, Liliana tried to remove the fabric band that made her prisoner to the bed, except when she surveyed the band closer, Liliana quickly realized that the fabric simply covered a pair of metal handcuffs.
Liliana could feel her panic settling in by the second. There was no doubt in her mind that she was in Mr. Cavalier's room. But how did she get here? Liliana tried to retrace her steps yesterday, except, her memory of the past 24 hours were in foggy snippets. She remembered having a heated argument with Mr. Cavalier in Quebec, then she remembers flying home. Carlos picked her up at the airport, then he led her home... then... then...
Liliana squinted her eyes as she shook her head when a splitting headache made birth in her brain. Lili sighed, then she tried again. She remembers arriving home, Carlos asked, to come inside, Lili refused... he had his hand on her neck, against the car... he tried to do something... bad... but then Frantz came in... there was blood... a lot of blood, enough to dirty his clean white dress shirt... then Liliana couldn't breathe... she couldn't breathe!
Frantz's dark eyes looked her way. Made her feel guilty. She couldn't breathe and he just kept on staring. His dark eyes were punishing her. His heavy gaze was scrutinizing her, and when she had run out of oxygen, it was all black.
"Glad to see you're awake." Frantz's voice suddenly pierced Lili's mind, causing her to shriek and practically jump out of her skin. Frantz studied her with a raised eyebrow, while he was dressed in a simple white shirt and grey joggers, making Lili gulp harder than she should have.
Liliana shook her head, snapping out of her daze as she shook her bound wrists as and said, "seriously?"
"Yes seriously. It was meant to keep you from going, as they say, 'bat shit crazy '." Frantz stated, as though it was obvious.
"Why am I here?" Liliana asked, her voice harsh and unfriendly.
"Thought I'd keep an eye on you overnight, make sure you're okay." Frantz replied, as he shrugged casually, then pulled a stool next to the bed and sat down, simply staring at Lili.
Liliana looked at Frantz as if waiting for him to say something, and he did the same.
"Well as you can see, I'm fine." Liliana shrugged, and Frantz simply replied, "yes".
"So?" Liliana asked, raising an eyebrow.
"So... what?" Frantz asked, clueless.
"So let me go!" Liliana replied, her words coming out in a tantrum.
"No." Frantz took no time in replying.
"NO?!" Liliana boomed before she could stop herself.
"No," Frantz confirmed, then he stood up and began heading for the door, "I'm going to get breakfast." Then with that, he walked out before Lili could say another word.
Liliana looked around, hoping to find something to help free her of the restraints, but eventually gave up when her wrists started to burn from the friction caused by her forceful tugging.
A few moments later, Mr. Cavalier walked back into the bedroom, pushing a small cart that carried two trays that held the contents of a very beautiful and hearty breakfast.
Frantz placed Liliana's tray before her, and he sat day and ate from the other tray that sat on the couch.
Liliana looked down at her tray which contained two large pancakes, a small bowl of fruit, and a glass of orange juice. Lili opened her mouth to reject the food, when her stomach growled loudly, daring her to decline the food her body was suddenly craving.
Liliana gulped awkwardly, her face flushing red. If Mr. Cavalier heard her stomach growl like a big bear, he didn't comment.
"Thank you." Lili muttered quietly instead, and Frantz simply nodded his head, his three large pancakes diminishing with every large bite he took.
Frantz was already done by the time Liliana was on her second pancake. Mr. Cavalier drank his juice and was done with his fruit in minutes, leaving Liliana to feel very awkward about eating, while his eyes studied her.
"I- can't eat if you're looking at me." Liliana admitted, and Frantz shrugged then stood up, and headed to the sitting area, opening his laptop and typing away. Liliana smiled softly at his actions but made no comment. Lili was bidding her time, she had to earn his trust so he could untie her and hopefully let her go.
Just as Liliana prepared to drink her juice, Liliana gasped causing Frantz to look her way as she said, "my mom-"
"I already spoke to her, and she is aware that you are with me." Frantz reassured before Liliana lost her mind. But instead of calming her, Liliana felt her eyes pop out of their sockets as her mouth fell to the floor.
Frantz looked an eyebrow raised in question, signaling to Lili that he couldn't read her mind.
"You spoke to my mom?" Liliana asked, surprised and slightly worried, if not embarrassed.
"Yes. Lovely woman." Frantz replied, casually, then he nodded, before he focused back on his laptop. But Lili just couldn't believe it.
"You..." Liliana pointed skeptically, "spoke to my mom." She stated, rather than asked,.
"Yes." Frantz replied, unsure why Liliana couldn't believe him.
"Oh this is just great..." Liliana muttered under her breath, then she looked at Frantz sharply as she asked, "did you tell her about... you know..." Liliana trailed off, her embarrassment and shame swallowing her body like a suffocating envelope.
"No." Frantz answered, then he took a deep breath and asked, "Why didn't you say anything Lili? I mean how long has he been assaulting you?" Frantz wanted to know, because he was sure that it wasn't the first time Carlos touched Liliana inappropriately and without her consent.
Liliana suddenly felt her guard shoot up straight like a flying arrow, forming a wall around her heart. She gulped and breathed stiffly, losing her appetite as she said, "that is none of your concern Mr. Cavalier. My life is none of your business." Lili couldn't trust him. She didn't want to trust him.
Frantz sighed unbelievably, then shook his head as he said, "Liliana let me help you." He was not ready to give up. But he couldn't help but think, did he repulse Lili so much that she was willing to refuse his help?
"Why am I here Frantz?" Liliana snapped before she could stop herself. She didn't want to be here, alone, with him, nothing good was going to come of this. Liliana knew this.
"I just want to help you-" Frantz admitted, trying to sound as honest as possible, needing Lili to believe him, because he was being honest.
"I am not one of your charities Frantz!" Liliana cut before she could stop herself, "I can take care of myself. I don't need your help." Lili pushed bitterly, cutting him and stopping him from saying anything else. She didn't need his help. She didn't want his help.
Frantz leveled his eyes with Liliana, then licked his bottom lip as he nodded "Suit yourself Ms. Chavez." Frantz replied, his tone clipped. He stood from the sitting area and headed towards the bed. Liliana kept her eyes on his every move, and when he reached the bed, he grabbed her tray as well as his own, then he disappeared with the cart. Frantz returned a few moments later. He approached the bed in haste, catching Lili by surprise as he began removing her cuffs silently, and Liliana was too grateful to finally rub her wrists, that she did not realize that Mr. Cavalier exited the bedroom, locking the door behind him, leaving her alone.