I’m Felix

Hazel

I've been sitting in bed for almost an hour, trying to figure out where I went wrong. Other than my nervousness, my story was solid. I kept it as close to the truth as possible, just to make it seem more believable.

How on earth did he manage to catch me? I haven't told anyone here about myself... Wait, wait—oh, no. I hit my head with my palms. Damn it, I told Sofia my real name. Could any of those men have overheard that? But how? There were no guards around at that time. So how? Or... could it be that the person who kidnapped me and sold me to them gave them all my information?

Oh, God, no... if that's true, my whole family could be in danger! But if they really do know everything about me, why is he asking me all these questions? If he already knows, then what is he up to? Is he playing some kind of mind game with me? Is he planning something even bigger? Jesus, please help me.

The bigger problem is, I have no idea how much he knows. He hasn't told me anything, and why the hell does it even matter to him if Reyansh is my boyfriend or not? Who the hell is he to ask me that?

He hasn't hurt me. He always talks to me gently, with a smile, and even saved me from those men. But the way he asked about Reyansh... with such an ugly, twisted expression, like I've cheated on him or like he's my boyfriend—how ridiculous is that?

"Jesus, I really don't know why, but I'm more scared of him than the kidnappers. I feel like everything is just a show, and unless I tell the truth, he won't let me go. That's what he said. But why? Why does he want to know the truth so badly?

I can't reveal my real identity to him. Right now, I'm in danger, but tomorrow, my entire family will be at risk. I have to stick to my lie for as long as I can, at least until he reveals something first.

I stand up from the bed, walk across the room, and open the door just a crack. Mimi, the Cerberus, is sleeping on the floor right outside the threshold, but her head snaps up as soon as she hears the door. Great. I hate dogs, but it's not that I don't like animals. I'm zoophobic, and they only seem cute to me as long as they're ten meters away.

I shut the door and head towards the windows. Both are locked. What now? I'm still debating what to try next when I hear footsteps approaching, fast. In the next moment, the door to the room bursts open, and Dino barges in. He doesn't pay any attention to me; he just grabs the gun that he had placed on the bedside bookshelf and the leather jacket off the recliner before running out.

"Jesus Christ, the gun was right in front of me, and I didn't even see it. And why the hell did he take the gun with him? Is he going to kill someone?

Shortly after, I hear the sound of some people running. Everything else goes silent.

Approximately two hours later, there's a knock at the door, and a gray-haired man with glasses enters, carrying a platter of food. He looks to be in his late thirties or early forties, has a nicely trimmed beard, and is wearing a pale-blue shirt with navy slacks.

I look at him. He seems less dangerous. Maybe he works here. Should I ask him for help? I could try, maybe it will work out.

"Change of plans," he says, approaching the bed. "dino had to leave,

so you are getting a room service."

i smileys extend my hand " hey I'm bella "

He places the platter on the nightstand, turns, and offers me his hand.

"I'm Felix."

I grab his fingers. "Please, let me get out of here. Please! Just hold the

dog and I'll be gone in a second."

"I'm sorry." He places his other hand over mine. "I can't do that. I'm just here as a small room cleaner. Even if I could, there are more than 200 guards here. Even if you get out of this room, escaping the ship would be impossible, and Mimi wouldn't let you leave. She only follows Dino's commands."

"Please! Help me. I'll hide and leave quietly. Boats come here, right? Please help me hide on one of the boats. I'll hide on the boat and leave from here. Please, if you need money, I'm ready to pay. Please, I'm begging you."

"You have no clothes. You don't even have shoes. And you spent the

night in delirium because of starvation and drugs ," he says softly. "You'd faint before

reaching the next room."

I let go of his hand and move back. It wasn't like I expected him to help

me escape, but I had to try.

"When is Dino getting back?" I ask. I will have to reason with him, obviously.

"I don't know. But I'll let him know you want to speak with him when he's back," he says, nodding toward the platter.

"I don't want to eat." My mood had soured, and I had lost my appetite, knowing that he couldn't help me either. I was on the verge of tears; my eyes were already filled with tears.

"Felix moved closer, took both my hands, and sat down on the bed. He said, 'You have to eat, Bella. Your condition isn't very good, and if you want to get out of here, you need to get better first. I'm sorry, but I can't help you right now. However, if there is a way to get out of here, I will let you know, okay?' He assured me.

'Now smile, Bella,' he said again, 'and eat this quickly.' He handed me the food plate."

I'm unsure if I should trust Felix or not, but he looks trustworthy. I give him a smile. But before I take my plate, a bullet hits Felix's hand, and blood splatters on my face. Felix moans in pain. Jesus, Felix got shot! Blood is dripping from his hand.

I turn my face towards where the bullet came from, and there's Dino standing with a gun. He has a murderous look on his face."