Her gaze drifted towards the snow-covered trees and ground, and she narrowed her eyes to spot any other human besides her but like always she found none. It was the sixth day of her stay in this house and she realised she was in the middle of nowhere, definitely miles away from where she lived before.

She couldn't help but tremble, not only at the biting cold but also because of the terror that coursed through her body. She didn't have any escape. She was going to suffer and eventually die in this unknown land because he was the only one who could let her go and that surely wasn't anytime soon.

He had kept his promise and stayed away but that was crushing her. Sadness ate her from within and guilt like no other engulfed her everytime she recalled the look on his face.

He looked wounded and she didn't know what to believe anymore. If she wasn't here for sex, why would he bring her to his house? Then again, he could have taken advantage of her when she was drunk and unconscious, it would have been so much easier for him but he hadn't.

She wanted him to leave her alone but now that he left, she couldn't decipher why she felt so disappointed. And the lonely days made her feel even guiltier.

Sighing, she shut the window and drew the drapes before climbing on the bed and pulling the thick blankets all the way up her head. She rubbed her palms together to generate heat and pressed them to her reddened cheeks. Her nose was already freezing and her fever was as strong as yesterday.

Lisa had provided the meds along with her meals but she couldn't eat the food without feeling burdened and selfish. She had blamed him and now she was enjoying his money. It wasn't right.

A knock resonated around her and she peeked through the covers to see Lisa enter with a lunch tray. She sat up and smiled which Lisa returned with a small smile of her own. "Someone's here to see you."

"Who?" Uneasiness washed over her at the thought of meeting another stranger.

"Sir's friend. Don't worry, he just wants to speak to you." Lisa must have noticed the look on her face, for she tried to assure her before leaving but that did nothing to ease the tension growing in the pit of Anaya's stomach. She didn't know anyone here, so what did he want to talk?

She nodded slowly to no one in particular and watched a man, no older than twenty-five walk inside the room. He was dressed in khaki pants and buttoned up blue shirt and she found herself staring up at his handsome face but what surprised her was, she didn't feel anything for him when he smiled down at her.

"I'm Nick Hayden, that dickhead's best friend."

She wanted to smile back but her heart dropped at the mention of the stranger. "Hello, I'm Anaya Bloomfield."

He nodded and looked at her intently which had her fidget and squirm uncomfortably.

"I don't know what happened because he refuses to tell me but I think it has something to do with you," he finally spoke, slicing the awkward air which had started to suffocate Anaya, but his tone wasn't accusing or blaming. He sounded curious, worried in fact.

She opened her mouth, closing it again when she didn't know how to answer him.

"He has locked himself in his room for five days straight, which is definitely not good for his health."

"Oh," A horrified gasp escaped her lips at the revelation.

"Look, you don't have to tell me anything but please speak to him," Nick said, his eyes somewhat pleading, and then he left her alone, softly closing the door behind him.

Anaya was speechless. Had she known the guy was this sensitive, she would have been more careful with her words. What if he harmed himself in any way?

She jumped out of the bed and rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower. She slipped into a pair of blue jeans and black full sleeve shirt above her undergarments, which did nothing to provide her any warmth and she groaned when she realised she didn't own too many warm clothes.

She took a deep breath and walked out of the room, ignoring the guards stationed outside the door as she began to walk away in the opposite direction. Her eyes wandered around the empty, dimly lit corridors as she tried to locate his room. Finally she stopped in front of a closed door, feeling her heart skip a beat or two. She could sense his presence inside, she knew he was in there even though the idea sounded insane to her own ears.

She raised her hand in the air but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She felt like this was a bad decision. Shaking off the feeling, she knocked three times on the door.

"Go away, Anaya."

She froze, her stomach clenching at the mention of her name. He knows... His voice sounded gruff and raspy which sent jolts of tingles through her body.

"Did Nick tell you I was—" She was cut short when the door was pulled open, almost breaking it off its hinges.

Startled, she stepped back, gulping the lump down her throat as he pinned her with a hard glare. "How do you know Nicholas?"

"He came to my room earlier. He wanted me to speak to you," she sputtered, biting her bottom lip in nervousness.

"That is why you are here?"

"Uh...yes."

"You don't have to do this."

He walked back into his room and her eyes widened in panic as she watched him close the door. Frantic and helpless, she slid her hand through the little space to keep it open, not realising the consequences until it was too late when he slammed the door on her hand. She cried out, her eyes watering at the sharp pain that shot through her wrist to her fingers.

Cursing under his breath, he instantly pulled the door wide open to free her hand. The skin was turning a horrible purple-black and her fingers had started to bleed.

"I'm so sorry." He grasped her arm and she yelped as the throbbing increased. He gave her an apologetic look and led her inside his room.

She sat on his bed, her hand cradled against her chest as she blew at the torn skin. "I think- I think it's broken."

He rummaged around and grabbed the icebox before rushing to her side. She clenched her eyes shut when he immersed her fingers into it. Heat surged across her nerves at the slow caress of his fingers, and she felt her body hum in response. She let out a noise that sounded strange to her own ears when the sensation became tingly but before she could comprehend it, it was gone. Her eyes fluttered open to see a hint of amber dust like thing close into her skin and repair the tissue. She blinked in surprise, flexing her fingers to find it perfectly fine. Everything looked as it was, no trace of injury.

Impossible...

"H-how did y-you do—"

He planted a kiss on her forehead and wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb. She went silent, her question forgotten as a sigh left her lips despite herself but before she could enjoy his warmth, he stiffened and jumped back, like he did something he shouldn't have done. "You should leave."

And she agreed with him.

Then why did this hurt so much?

She swallowed hard and looked around his room, finding it identical to hers, only his was a lot messier. Files and papers were scattered everywhere and empty bottles of alcohol was gathered in a corner. That brought her attention back to him and she noticed the slight scruff that adorned his chin.

She instinctively reached for him and ran her hand across his chin, feeling the roughness of it tickle her fingers. His head snapped towards her and heat rushed to her cheeks when his eyes met hers.

Why did this feel so right?

"I'm sorry. My accusation was uncalled for." She found herself apologising to him.

"I shouldn't have kidnapped you. That was a dick move on my part."

She couldn't help but smile slightly as she nodded her head in agreement. "What did you mean exactly when you said I'm yours?"

He froze momentarily, then let out a breath. "Will you believe me if I said you're my soulmate?"

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