Chapter 2 Proposal

I woke up to an icy cold water splashed across my face, the shock jolting me into a panic. My heart raced and I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the disorientation as I coughed violently, gasping for air while my eyes darted around my surroundings only to realize that I was in a location unknown to me. The figure before me loomed large, a man with a bucket in hand, a smirk creeping across his face.

"What's going on?" I exclaimed and in that moment, the realization hit me like a punch to the gut-I was tied to a chair, my wrists bound tightly behind me. Desperation surged through me as I thrashed against the restraints, my mind racing. "Why did you tie me up?" I yelled, my voice trembling with fear and anger.

"You saw something you weren't supposed to see," he replied, his tone dripping with indifference. I opened my mouth to retort, but the memories came rushing back-Jose, the dark alley, the men, the terrible truth I had uncovered. My breath caught in my throat as I realized the danger I was in.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't..." Before I could finish, he cut me off, his voice booming, "Shut up!" The force of his words made me flinch back into the chair, my heart racing. I gulped heavily, fully aware that crying or begging would do me no good in this situation.

Abruptly I fell silent and he smirked, clearly pleased by my compliance. In that moment my mind raced faster than ever, I knew that it would be bad for me, and from the way he was looking at me, I could already feel the pressure of being utterly helpless. I gulped heavily before speaking "What are you gonna do with me?" I finally managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his shadow looming over me. "You're gonna find out soon." His eyes narrowed, and I could sense the danger in his words.

"Wa... what do you mean?"

He scoffed "I said you will soon find out so just hold on!" He lashed out

"Please," I said, desperation creeping into my voice, "I won't tell anyone. Just let me go." But deep down, I knew that pleading might only provoke him further and it did because he lashed out at me growling "Shut the fuck up, just shut up!" I was taken aback by his words but I expected that from him, after all his stern gaze clearly told me that he wasn't willing to let go of me that easily.

I went silent, and he turned back to the other men, speaking a language I wasn't familiar with, but I guessed it was Spanish. As they conversed, he walked back to me and growled, "Looks like your fate is near."

My heart dropped and I couldn't help but ask "Are you gonna kill me?"

"My boss makes the decisions," he replied coolly.

My voice trembled as I spoke, "Who is the boss?" Just then, a gust of wind picked up, hitting me like a wave.

My breath went numb as I saw three cars racing toward us, their engines roaring like wild beasts. They screeched to a halt, and as the driver stepped out, he opened the passenger's door and a man stepped out; he must be the boss.

I gulped, taking in his striking features as he walked towards me. His hair was a deep black, cropped short on the sides but long enough on top to fall messily across his forehead, giving him an effortlessly stylish look. His ocean-blue eyes seemed to pierce through the dim light, holding a depth that was both captivating and intimidating. His face was perfectly chiseled, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that made him look like he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.

He wore a tailored black tux that hugged his frame perfectly, hinting at the incredible physique hidden beneath the fabric. The way he carried himself made it clear he was not just any man; he was someone important, someone to be reckoned with, and maybe someone I needed to fear.

As he approached me, the air around us felt charged, and I could hardly breathe, caught in a whirlwind of emotions that left me both terrified and inexplicably drawn to him. His gaze was unwavering, and asked, "You must be Nala."

"H... how do you know my name?" I stammered my heart racing.

He didn't respond immediately as his gaze stuck on me but I quickly lowered my gaze. I didn't want to do that, I wanted to look up at him, but for some reason, I felt a wave of intimidation wash over me, making it hard to meet his gaze directly. There was something about him that radiated an intense energy, a powerful aura that both frightened and intrigued me.

He scoffed as lifted my chin to make me face him. "I know everything, and I know you came here to meet Jose, right?"

My eyes bulged as I looked at him in shock, no one knew I was here to meet Jose so how did he know? Taken aback I asked, "How did you know that?"

He didn't bother responding as he leaned in closer, his smirk widening. "You're not supposed to be here, Nala, but I must admit, I'm so glad you are."

What does he mean by that?

My heart was pounding in my chest, and I couldn't find the words. All I could manage to say was, "Huh?"

He smirked at me and said, "You're lovely. I would like to marry you, Nala," completely out of the blue.

I stared at him in shock, my mind racing to process what he just said. He wants to marry me?

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, he cut me off, his tone darkening. "Don't think you have the power to say no because it's not a question but a statement. I will marry you, but if you don't want that, then my men will have to kill you." There was a cold seriousness in his voice, leaving no doubt that he meant every word.