The continual throbbing in my head is what really ultimately jolted me out of my deep sleep.

I gradually squint my eyes wide open, but my vision becomes fuzzy and my eyelids feel heavy as another faint light enters my field of vision, while I struggle to open my eyes.

Realizing I was sleeping on something exceedingly soft, a bed I recognized in my thoughts, led me to stand up, sit back on the headboard of the bed, and reflect on everything that had occurred since I left that man's house.

While I walked down a flight of stairs towards the range rover, I turned around to face Ms. Venttali and Sophia, who was holding a bag out for me.

"What exactly is this?" I inquired, puzzled.

"It's your clothing. They seem to have been dirty, therefore I made sure the maids washed and cleaned them so That I could give them to you before you left," Mrs. Venttali explained.

I peeked into the bag just in case and found my trouser and light blue Kurta (hip length garment) perfectly clean and fresh, as well as my dupatta (scarf).

"Thank you very much, I-I really don't know how to thank you all," I reply, beaming and holding the bag firmly.

"I sincerely appreciate your help, and I hope to repay the kindness someday," I remark, going to reach for one last bone-crushing hug with Sophia again and Mrs. Venttali.

"Hey, come on, quit with all the praises, that's enough for now," wined Sophia while we were stopped by the chauffeur named Gino, who told me I needed to get moving, who was supposed to take me back home.

I hurriedly bid my farewells and jumped inside the car. As the car sped out of the estate and towards the main city, I waved back at Sophia and Mrs. Venttali.

This quickly jolted me back to reality. That meant I'd have to face my family. Inform them of almost everything.

Oh my God, They're probably aware of everything at this point, considering it's already been four days. I don't really want to confront them, and I'm not sure I have the stamina to explain anything.

I'm certain Ami would indeed be disappointed with me; then again, I really wasn't capable of keeping our marriage from falling apart, despite my pledge to her that I'll never bring humiliation upon my family as a result of my actions.

But... but they can't entirely blame me because I wasn't the one who started it, not as if I didn't want this, but whatever. I shouldn't be too concerned because I'm not to blame. This is their fault entirely since they forced us into an unwanted relationship that neither one of us wished for.

What the hell, why am I yammering and getting anxious when I haven't done anything? I should just be relieved that I would finally be safe and away from this terrible relationship.

I'm grateful for Mrs. Vanelli's family's generosity. may Allah bless them with ease from any of their struggles in this life as well as the hereafter, yet, at the same time I'm genuinely afraid to go back home, I pondered.

I'm hoping my brothers don't do something wild after hearing this news. Abu isn't even here to help them deal with their rage; he's still in Pakistan. Abh toh sab aap par hai Allah, bus khair kar (It's all up to you, Allah, just do it well).

A phone ringing interrupts my line of thinking five minutes into our drive through the downtown streets. It was the driver who picked up the phone, attaching his EarPods to the phone.

"Are you sure, boss?" He answers after hearing whatever the person on the other end of the line has to say and then hangs up the phone. Mr. Venttali, I'm very sure that was their arrogant boss.

I recall my previous experiences with him, including the most recent encounter back in his office before I left. He gives me the chills whenever he glances at me as if he can see through my soul.

"Besharam admi (shameless guy) I tell myself this aloud. How can he honestly believe I'll ever imagine marrying him in the first place. I've already moved forward from this one relationship; I don't even want to worry about another. After suffering this torture over the previous two years, I'd prefer be single than with someone.

Him and I don't even have a match in the first place. We're from two very different worlds, no match at all. Crazy enough for him to even think that. If my brothers find out about this, I'm sure he won't survive a minute on this earth.

"Ugh," I exhaled gently as I gazed up at the beautiful sky and New York City's hectic traffic. "Well, it seems like I won't be getting home before sunset" I thought, when the car unexpectedly came to a halt, forcing my forehead to hit the driver's backrest.

"Ouch," I screamed, the pain from the force's hard strike reverberating through my temples. I look at the driver, both hands on my head, surprised, as I discover both the front and rear passengers' doors had been opened.

One powerful man clad all in black enters the front passenger seat, while another rushes into the seat exactly next to me, and my instinct kicks in just as I reach for the door handle to run, only to discover that the doors had child locks.

"Don't bother, it won't help," the person next me says when I turn to face him, and I was surprised to recognize him right away. It was the same guy from that... that party.

"Y-you?... Wait, w-what's going on?" I asked nervously for an explanation, looking at the driver in the rearview mirror, but rather heard the engine speed swiftly, making a sharp U turn.

"I apologize, but you cannot go; this is the boss's order," the same person Alex, I suppose, says. I shake my head, disagreeing with what he had just uttered while staring at him hesitantly.

"NO! "He can't force me, I have to go home right now," I argued when I noticed the guy in the front passenger seat holding a Syringe and Alex approaching me with a wet cloth.

"That's no longer your home. Your home should be where my boss is," Alex states clearly, attempting to cover my face with the cloth as I struggle back, pulling my face away and fighting for my life, but he's too strong for me.

"Stop that, Chodo mujhe (leave me alone)" I yelled at the top of my lungs as he manhandled me, leaving me helpless to strike back. Placing the handkerchief over my face, I gradually became aware that I was losing consciousness and falling asleep. I felt the needle of the syringe in my right upper forearm just a few moments later, before I blacked out.

"T-This isn't fair, he promised to let m-me g-go..." While I lost consciousness, I attempted to say something.

"Everything he said was a lie. How is this even conceivable?" I exclaim, a little frantically. I need to get out of here as soon as possible.

I struggled to get out of bed, and as I gazed wearily around the vast beautiful bedroom, I accidently knocked over a large vase of flowers. I wasn't even aware it was there since I was too preoccupied with getting out of here.

"Shit, ya Allah, please help (oh god)" As I stepped away from the glass, I mumbled to myself. I dashed for the door without a second thought. Surprisingly, there was no lock on the door.

I walked out of the room and down the corridor to the main lobby on the second floor. As I neared the stairs, I started rushing down them but came to a halt when I observed one of the bulging men walking up the stairs with a maid as he noticed me. I thought to myself, 'shit, run.'

"Ma'am, where are you going?" When he caught my eye, he inquired as I hurried up the steps.

"Stop!" He yelled as I tried to make another dash for it but couldn't since he was faster than me, however he caught up to me right away.

He dragged me back into the same room I was in before ordering the maid to keep an eye on me so I don't go out of her eyesight while he leaves to summon his boss.

Oh crap, I'm completely screwed now. Sitting on the bed, I considered all possible escape routes, but nothing came to me because I had no idea where I was in the first place. There's no way I'm getting out of here now. Shit, shit, shit!

"Do you have a phone I could borrow?" I inquired of the terrified maid who stood across from me.

"I'm sorry, but no. We're not permitted to have our phones on us while on duty, and even if we were, I wouldn't be able to give it to you because of Mr. Venttali," she explains.

As I arose from my bed with dread and walked more toward the window, I observed that were surrounded by trees, and far out in the distance, the sea was apparent to my eyes.

Where the hell was I? Where the hell has he brought me to? My train of thought was interrupted when I heard the door open and then saw none other than the pretentious jerk.

"Welcome to Chicago, bellissima (beautiful)," he says as he walks in with a large smile on his face with his arms wide open. Chicago? What the heck happened? How is this even possible? Was it his plan from the beginning to kidnap me and force me to marry him in another state? Is he out of his mind?

"You've finally chosen to grace me with your presence," he says as he stands in the middle of the room, and I throw him my dirtiest look yet.

"What the hell is this?" "I thought you said you'd let me leave, so what the heck is going on?" I tried to remain cool, but I couldn't because I was becoming enraged as hell. I should have been back home with my family by now, not in another state with this prick.

He rushes towards me, grasping my arms while murmuring, "Relax, sweetheart, calm down a bit," though I push him away. He orders for the maid to leave, as I yank his hands away from me firmly.

"No, don't go. Stay!" I instruct the maid before she comes to a halt, afraid and shaking. I don't want to be alone in a room with this man, especially after seeing what he attempted the last time.

When he noticed my terrified demeanor from being alone with him, he flashed me a wicked grin before turning to face the maid and started yelling at her again, "did you not fucking hear me the first time?... Fucking leave!"

I flinched out of fear because of his rising voice and rage. That frightened the crap out of me as his pale face went a little crimson and his neck veins sprang out owing to the rage within his appearance. I fell utterly mute, unable to utter any word. That second, all of my confidence vanished.

The maid bolted from the room and he refocused his attention on me. He grabbed my arm and pushed me up against him while I struggled to break away due to our close contact. This is so haram (forbidden), I reasoned.

"Listen to me and listen carefully, we'll be married, we'll be husband and wife in an hour, so I strongly recommend you change your attitude as well as agree happily to allow this whole process to go smoothly, if not I could seek the hard way and trust me you won't like those evil thoughts I have in mind for you," he growls, his gaze piercing mine.

I couldn't speak, so I glanced down, unable to sustain eye contact with his green ones, I kept my gaze down at his chest, too terrified to say a word anymore.

Gradually regaining strength, I finally managed to say, "I can't marry you," I spit out, trying not to enrage him again as I tried to explain my rationale. He isn't even Muslim, therefore marrying him would be absolutely against my beliefs and would be invalid.

"Yes, you can," he responded, tightening his grasp on my upper arm, which was beginning to hurt as a result of his firm grip. "Why aren't you trying to understand that since I am a Muslim, I cannot marry someone of a different faith? ... It will be considered as haram (forbidden)." I tried to explain, hoping that it would stop him from ever thinking about marrying me, but boy was I wrong.

"If that's the issue, I can change it. I'm willing to accept anything, even if it means converting to have you," he continues as I gasp, staring up at his forest-green eyes, taken away by what he just said. Does he think this is some sort of a joke?

"Do you think this is going to be that simple? You think you'll convert and be able to marry me just because you want me. That is not how it works; you must be completely dedicated to Islam and its principles and strive to be the greatest Muslim you can be. Most importantly, you can't just go about changing your religion because of a specific someone," I explain irritably.

"Enough!" he growls, abruptly putting an end to my useless rant. "I'm willing to go to any length to have you... You should be glad that I am doing you a favor by marrying you while also respecting your dignity. Otherwise, God alone knows what I would have done to you by now "As I stare up at him, uncomfortable in this awkward position, he continues.

"I-I don't care, I'm still not marrying you," I say, stuttering, looking down, unable to bear witness to his rage, which I could already see erupting from his physique. I'm really sick and tired of this marriage notion at this point, and I would just like to be independent. I want to live my life peacefully, without anybody meddling, as well as to live according to my own standards.

"Well, then, you have no option but to stay. You're staying with me, and I don't mind if I tarnish your honor or decency "he states, shoving me aside and marching to the door to leave, though he stops and turns back to face me.

"I do have one deal for you if you want, and I'll give you some time to think about it... Marry me," he says, forcing me to look up to face him, then adds, "...but only for six months... I'll let you go then," he adds dejectedly, "and now the choice is yours. ... I can have you the proper way as my wife for your sake, or I can have you the wrong way without any of this marital nonsense. It doesn't matter to me, as you may have figured by now" He says this with his brow wrinkled.

"And one more thing, Zara, don't you dare to fucking attempt to escape or I swear to God I'll tie you up to that bed," he says, his booming voice frightening me out of my wits.

"And believe me, I'm not kidding. I suggest that you relax since you have a decision to make that will take some time. We'll be spending a lot of time together... just me and you" he says with a sneer, placing his hands in his pockets, he continues, as my fury builds with every word he says.

As he exits the room, he summons the maid back in, directing her to keep a watch on me. Before he left, I hurried up to him. I grasp his arm and implore him, "Why are you doing this to me?" "What did I ever do to you?" I sobbed uncontrollably while clutching his arm. I couldn't take it anymore.

"You've done a lot," he adds, removing my hands from his arm and lifting my chin up to face him. "More than you think you have," he finishes, perplexing me even more. What on earth was he saying? I had no clue what he was talking about or what he meant.

"Exactly what do you mean?" I asked, expecting to get an answer. But he didn't, and I was left to ponder on my own. I collapsed on the floor, bawling my eyes out. Immediately brushing away my tears, I considered attempting to figure out how to get out of here. I can't stay here any longer; there must be a way for me to get out of this hell hole. I should focus on it for the time being; I can't give up so easily.

This guy has held me here for about a week now. He hasn't shown up since our last encounter, which leaves me glad. It's better if I did not see him. I, too, have yet to respond to him. He informed me through the housemaid that he'd be visiting shortly to receive my response, to which I paid little attention since I was too concentrated on getting the heck out of here.

So far in these few days, I've been able to gain a fair sense of the estate's surroundings because he's permitted me to wander around freely, with the exception of crossing his estate's premises.

There's really no way out for me because there are security guards stationed across the estate. Which then leaves me with just one option: contact my family from here and notify them of my circumstances.

But how am I going to accomplish that when I don't even have a phone to contact anyone, unless I beg one of the cleaners or staff here? This is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated, damn. I had overestimated him, I thought as I strolled through the estate's vast corridors to the patio outdoors.

I was walking quickly back and forth outside on the patio beside the pool, thinking of ways to escape, when I unintentionally banged against a hard wall, agony coursing through my head from the hard contact. I rubbed my forehead and glanced up to find the same person who had brought me here by force, whose name I guessed was Alex, as well as another guy.

Is... is kambakkht admi ki wajah se yeh sab kuch hua hai. kaash ke main waha se na nikal aati aur Azan aur Hamdan bhai ko call kar leti ke mujhe waha se leejaye, kum as kum yeh masala toh nahin partha (everything happened because of this unfortunate man. I just wish I hadn't left and instead contacted Azaan or Hamdan bhai to pick me up from there; at the very least, I wouldn't have landed up in this situation.)

"What are you doing here?" he interrupted my thoughts. Not having a clue, I glanced down, trying to think of anything to say yet my mind was utterly blank.

"If you don't have anything to do, I recommend you go back to your room, where the fuck is Charlotte?" he inquired, seeking around for the maid called Charlotte who had been ordered to care after me. What the hell is his problem? I expected him to be decent, but he clearly wasn't, thus I rolled my eyes mentally.

"Why? .... What's the issue? ... If he hasn't mentioned anything about my strolling around the estate, what's your problem then?" I challenged him, irritably, as my heart began to rush just as I dared to speak back to one of his men while clearly seeing the revolver in his waistband.

He won't waste time emptying the bullets in my skull for having the nerve to respond to him and in that manner, I reasoned. Oh crap, what have I done? Zara, how can you be so stupid? I facepalmed myself mentally.

Though, to my surprise, he merely stood there staring coldly at me, refusing to budge to remove the revolver from his belt and instead sighed, shaking his head and telling the guy behind him to summon the maid.

As I moved my attention and toward the table at the end of the opposite end of the patio, I spotted a phone on the table among other documents, which I assumed belonged to the other guy as Alex had his in his hands.

Alex kept frozen to his spot, making sure I didn't move an inch from where I was while I pleaded to Allah to create a way for me to grab the phone and flee. That is until I heard Alex's phone unexpectedly ring. He picks up the phone in a moment but turns to the side towards the shrubs to talk with whoever is at the other line, making sure to turn around again and keep a close eye on me.

I frantically began to figure out methods to grab the phone then just go, but I couldn't since I suspected the other guy was on his way back. Without thinking, I pretended to stroll all around the patio several times, moving near to the table so That I could take the phone without ever being caught.

When I came close enough, I peeked back to see whether he was looking, however to my fortune, he wasn't. I hurriedly picked up the phone, stuffed it into my bra as quickly as I could. I then worked my way out of there and back to where I was when Charlotte and the other guy arrived.