Appreciations

When Jennifer heard his question, her head almost evolved. She tried to find her balance, and her hands suddenly gripped the wooden dressing table behind her. Deep down in her heart, she heard this name too well. In her state, this name was taboo.

Why? Because those names belong to the other state's mafia group, the competitor of Lucas, and also the one who are not on good terms.

"Have you heard?" Javier once again asked which, the fierce Jennifer, slowly nodded her head. Her eyes searched for the answer in his eyes.

But she was still not able to figure out what the Johnson family had to do with it? 'Wait, don't tell me..'

Suddenly at the realization, Jennifer looked at Javier with her wide eyes the fear of known and unknown started creeping out in her small heart... The fierce anger of hers was totally replaced with the impact of shock and surprise.

"Y..You.. a..are from the Johnson family?"

"Obviously yes. Otherwise, tell me, why would I have kidnapped you and brought you here, Ms. Jennifer Taylor?" Javier raised his eyebrows and asked her.

Moreover, both the families have been at par with each other for so long that it has been almost ages. They never get together and to maintain the peace, they decided to never intervene in each other's work.

But that treaty didn't work for longer. She still remembers that when she was young, her mother always warned her that she should never make friends with other states.

When she was supposed to be the bride of Lucas, her parents specially asked her to hide well, from the eyes of his enemies. Unfortunately, his biggest enemy has caught his hand on her.

Jennifer gulped when her shoulders dropped in fear. Instead of feeling relaxed, she felt tension around the room. In her slow voice, she once again asked, "Y..you aren't kidding, are you?"

Javier looked at her, "Do I look like I'm kidding on this? I'm Javier Johnson, the son of the Johnson family. You can call me your kidnapper or Javier itself."

His introduction panicked her. She wasn't happy to be with a Johnson. Never! All she wishes to do is to leave this place safely. Looking around her, Jennifer felt her heartbeat increased.

If Lucas was a devil, they weren't less than any kind of demons. Both of them were using her as the bait to get their work done and she is here, stuck in between their enmity.

"I..I. want to go back to my parents. I don't want to live here.. please. I don't have anything to do with that Lucas. He is only marrying me out of respect and nothing else.." she tries to sound normal but Javier laughed.

His laugh sent chills down her spine and her face almost paled up hearing her words. "You think I'm a fool? We all know that Lucas Smith loves you with his life, Jennifer. Stop trying to make a fool and come, eat food here."

He sat on one side of the couch and started eating the food that he just prepared after taking a bath. He doesn't want her to die or get sick because of hunger.

But Jennifer had no plans. All she wished to do was to leave this place and go into her mother's arms. "Plea..se.."

At this moment, Javier looked above his face and his eyes now turned black cold. Jennifer unconsciously moved back until her back collided with the wall behind but she waited for him to respond to her questions.

Javier Johnson… was way crueler than Lucas. No one has a heart of their own, so how can she expect kindness and gentleness from their side?

Instead of answering back to her, Javier just stood up from his seat and walked near her, making her legs and breath stop at that point.

Just when he was an inch away from her, he stopped and lowered his face to see her. "Jennifer, you're supposed to be my hostage but I'm willing to treat you nicely because I know you have nothing for Lucas," Javier replied in his husky voice, which sounded more like seducing, rather than a fact.

"Do not try to think that I will spare you in any manner if you try to misbehave with me. My patience has a limit. I'm a Johnson but still, my enmity isn't with you but your fiance. So.."

He suddenly cupped her chin tightly where she almost felt her face would break into pieces if he used any more force on her small chin.

Her cherry lips were made into a small pout, and she knew that it was almost impossible for a mere girl like her to reason or, even argue with him.

Following his commands was on her alter list and she has to do then no matter what happens now.

Javier looked into her eyes, with his penetrated soul when he asked in a husky tone., "Have lunch with me now. Stop testing patience. Understood?"

"Unn.." all she could reply with her cupped chin. When he released it, she took a deep breath and touched her lips to check whether any bone was broken or not.

The grip was so strong which made her wonder if he had not left her at this moment, she knew her jaw was almost on the brink of breaking.

Taking his legs back to where the food was placed, he sat back to the chair and started eating it in silence. Just seeing his profile made her feel scared.

'He is dressed in normal house clothes yet I feel scared because of his deadly aura… uff..' she was tired of this but with no choice left in her hands, Jennifer too made her way to the table and sat carefully.

Looking at the dishes he made, she was quite stunned. Her hands were all covered in sweat. This wasn't any kind of normal lunch, but her tummy was empty for long.

Jennifer extended her hand to take the things in her place, with her shaky hand. Taking a bite of the food prepared by Javier, Jennifer closed her eyes and all she could feel was the appreciation for his cooking skills.

'At least I won't be left hungry. I can eat delicious food here..' with this though, she took a few more bites and ate without sparing him a glance.

While Javier just noticed how careful she ate but still the glimmer in her eyes that she liked it, there was no way he hadn't seen it. His heart just flourished on the realization.

"Is the food according to your taste and preference?" He broke the thick silence around them and she just nodded her head but that wasn't enough. He wishes to hear more of her voice.

"You do have a tongue and mouth to speak, Ms. Taylor." Jennifer lifted her eyes to look at him who was anticipating her reply. "It is good.." her feeble voice almost made him choke but he felt lucky. At least she replied without rebelling against him.

Soon after the food was finished and the plates were all left empty. Javier took her plates back into the tray and brought them to the kitchen, closing her room's door behind him with a THUD!

When Jennifer looked at the closed door, she smiled and a sigh escaped from her mouth in relief.

"I will have to find a way to escape… I can't be confined to this room and this island.."