Chapter Seven

"Just how do you plan on getting everything my father owns?" I asked.

"Very simple, my dear. When he phoned me today, he was of course willing to give me whatever I wanted, in exchange for you unharmed. So, I told him I wanted him to sign everything over to me; his company, his house, his entire fortune. After I have that all-in writing, you're free to go."

That was insane! Was my father really willing to lose everything he has worked so hard to build, for me? A large part of me hoped the answer was yes, but I felt ashamed for causing him to lose basically his life. I may be wealthy due to luck, but he wasn't. My father built himself from the ground up, made a name out of his talents. Now, it was all going to disappear.

"Why are you doing this? What did my father do to you?"

Lucien shook his head. "Those are questions for your father, I want him to tell you what he did to me. Other than that, there isn't anything else I can reveal to you. Your father said he has some things he needs to sort out, and I will hear back from him soon. Let's hope for both our cases, he does so immediately." With that, Lucien left the room, leaving me to mull over everything.

***

The next day flew by, I had no sense of time. Before I knew it, everyone was being summoned for dinner, as requested by Marion that we all eat together for at least dinner. Ashton had come by once to give me food, and more books and magazines to read from, since I had already gone through all the old ones. I complained about having nothing to do, and he said he would talk to Lucien about possibly getting my cellphone back, but there was no promise of the service working too well.

I had a feeling that meant if he did grant me that one luxury, he was going to mess with my connection and cell service, so I can't do anything except play phone games. It was something, at the very least. Better than the reading material they were giving me. I wasn't surprised when Ashton returned around dinner time, empty-handed.

He claimed Lucien said no to my phone, but granted another supposed privilege.

"Where are we going?" I asked Ashton, as he led me down the stairs and the opposite way of the dining room and kitchen. We continued to walk deeper into the unknown part of the manor, until we stopped at door, large wooden doors.

"You asked earlier what I liked to do, and this is it. You'll find our passions are similar," he said, and pushed open the doors, revealing a lavish library, stocked to the ceiling with shelves upon shelves of books. I wandered into the room, losing myself in the endless names of authors, my vision blurring with the colors of spines. It was like something straight out of Beauty and the Beast.

"This is amazing," I whispered. Ashton smiled lightly.

"Lucien said you couldn't have your cellphone, but he did understand your boredom, so he is allowing you access to this room, with my supervision of course. This room is yours for the evening." He gestured his arms around the vast room, a slight look of wonder in his eyes too.

"You said this was also your passion. Does that mean you love to read, too?" I asked, absentmindedly scanning the books. Ashton nodded, not saying anything, and took a seat on a lounge chair, his eyes never leaving mine.

"We should probably take the time to make sure we know enough of each other, to fool my persistent mother." He sneered the last part.

"Has something else happened?" I asked, catching on to his slightly frustrated tone.

He let out a deep breath. "My mother has insisted we have a party this weekend, for whatever reason, she rarely ever needs one. The party isn't the problem; I have survived through years of my mother's meaningless parties. The problem is you."

"Me? What did I do?" As if I was being blamed for any of this. I was the one who was kidnapped, and now being held against her will!

"You didn't do anything, it's your presence here, and how involved my mother is. If everything goes smoothly with your father, you may be gone before the party. My mother will notice if you suddenly up and leave, she will want to know why. Then, there is explaining why she won't ever see you again after that," Ashton whispered. I played it off as my ears mishearing his tone, but I swore he sounded somber when he said that.

I walked over to the couch opposite of Ashton, and thought everything over. We stayed like that in silence, trying to think of a way out. I thought over the events that have led up to now, wondering how I ever got myself caught up in something like this. My father had always warned me that something like this might happen, since we were always known to be a wealthy family. But I never imagined anything like the time I have spent with Ashton and his demented family.

Besides Lucien, they didn't seem like bad people. To me, he, his brother and Lucas all seemed like puppets, under strict orders of their puppeteer, Lucien. Other than that, I had been shown nothing but respect and kindness since arriving. Even after I had tried to escape in the woods, they made me breakfast! And an amazing one. I almost felt like I owed them, though I knew very well I owed them nothing. Something in me still wanted to help.

I came to a dangerous conclusion.

"I can stay, at least until the party, regardless of what happened between my father and Lucien at the end of the week," I muttered. Ashton's head shot up so fast, I was surprised I didn't hear a crack. His blue eyes widened with a mix of shock and confusion.

"I can't ask that of you," he said defiantly, rising to his feet with his hands curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. "I don't know how you could even suggest that."

"What do you mean? I'm trying to help!" I cried, also standing up to cross the room and glare daggers at him. I was taken back when his eyes softened, and the tension disappeared from his face. He was looking at me, with a look of guilt. My mind froze when he lifted a hand, bringing it closer to my face. His fingers stopped an inch from my cheek, before his hand dropped back down to his side, and he fell back onto the couch.

"I kidnap you, hurt you, treat you like dirt. You owe me nothing, I can't let you offer your help."

"Well then, it seems you owe me something. If that's the case, I want you to let me help you, to pay back what you owe me. You can't say no to that," I said, crossing my arms stubbornly. Ashton looked up at me again, his eyes filled with emotion I couldn't understand, but it made my heart lunge in my chest, as if trying to escape.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked, so quietly, I barely heard him. I didn't really know the answer to that myself. I just knew I wanted to, my heart was telling me to.

"It's who I am, I guess. Something in me is telling me to help you, and I want to. Yes, you kidnapped me, locked me up and are holding me hostage," I paused, not entirely sure where I was going with what I was saying. "But you are nice people, at least you have been to me. I can't speak for any other people you have kidnapped, but I no longer feel as threatened or scared with you, as I did before. I feel, because of that, it's alright to help you."

Ashton stared at me, mouth hung open slightly. I chewed my lip anxiously, waiting for him to say anything, but he continued to gaze at me, mouth ajar. His arms came out suddenly, and wrapped around me, pulling me firmly against his chest. I sucked in a surprised yelp, freezing up.

"You are so sweet, Ava. I don't deserve it," he whispered in my ear, like it was a secret, though we were the only two in the room. His breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He tightened his arms around me, and I finally gave in. I let out the breath I was still holding, and allowed myself body to melt against his. I could feel how toned he was through his thin t-shirt, and how heated his skin was. The itch to run my hands down his chest and stomach, to even just feel his skin on mine, was all too much.

I had to grasp the back of his shirt, to keep the urge at bay. That small contact shook something in Ashton, and he pulled back like we were on fire. I guess he realized what was happened, even I had been a little distracted to the fact that I was hugging my kidnapper. What the hell is wrong with me?

"If you really want to help, did you have anything in mind," Ashton asked, clearing his throat a couple times, putting more distance between us. I went back to sit on the couch and tried to push out the still lingering urge to feel his skin.

"I can attend the party, so your mother doesn't suspect anything, and say I am returning home early in the morning to be with family and prepare before school."

Ashton nodded. "That still leaves us with explaining where you are after that. My mother hasn't made plans for leaving any time soon, and with each passing day she is here, my hopes that she will be called away dwindle down."

"We could break-up?" It felt weird to say that line so casually. "That is the only explanation I can think of, as to why you wouldn't see someone else's significant other ever again," I said, and tried to not sound as sarcastic as it meant.

"How do you propose we do that? Have a big fight and you leave?"

"Exactly, and we can do it at the party, so everyone in your family can see. I can even make a huge fool of myself, to ensure that you aren't ever going to see me again. That should convince your mother."

Ashton frowned, but didn't say anything. He just nodded, his eyes cast downward so I couldn't see their expression. I wanted to ask if there was something on his mind, but he stood up before I could, his eyes stone cold and face emotionless again.

"We should be heading back, there might be word from your father. I'll take you back to your room," he said, and briskly walked past me towards the door. I took a deep breath, giving the room one last look good-bye, before following behind him.

On the way back to my room, we ran into Marion.

"Oh, there you two are! I've been looking all over for you," she said and rushed up to us, a cheery smile on her face. I was almost a little intimidated by her. "Actually, I was looking for you, Ava."

"Me? O-oh, how can I help you?" I stammered, surprised she had been seeking me out, and a little nervous as to why.

"Well, a little birdie told me that someone has a birthday coming up soon! I thought it would be perfect, if we threw the party for you, to celebrate you entering womanhood." I cringed when she said 'womanhood'. How I the hell did she know about my birthday? Even I forgot about my birthday, and it's the day I was freaking born!