Chapter 3 – Valeria Hartmann
"Vickyyyy!" I shouted while running down the stairs. "I'm going for my morning jog!"
From the kitchen, my sister answered lazily, "Okay, but come to the company after!"
"Yeah, yeah," I replied with a wide smile. "I will."
Of course, I wouldn't.
Victoria laughed softly. "It's late anyway. I'm taking a shower and heading to work."
"Sure, sis. Take care," I said sweetly.
She smiled back, completely unaware of my perfectly planned escape from work.
After breakfast, I slipped into one of my favorite jogging outfits — soft pink, simple, cute… yet dangerously flattering. Running always helped clear my head. It made me feel light, free, alive.
And today, I needed that freedom.
I opened the massive front door of the mansion when Elena, one of the maids, called out behind me, "Miss Hartmann! Your father said you must go to the company after your jog!"
"Yes, yes, of course!" I shouted back.
But absolutely not.
I put my earphones on, turned the volume up, and started running. The view surrounding our mansion was breathtaking — endless green fields, quiet empty roads, and a small lake hidden between the trees. That lake was my favorite place.
Everything felt calm.
Perfect.
Peaceful.
Until I noticed it.
A black car.
At first, I ignored it. Rich families always had security cars around. But something about this one felt… different.
I slowed down.
The car slowed down.
I stopped completely.
The car stopped.
I blinked once.
Then twice.
Slowly, I started walking.
The car rolled forward. Slowly. Casually. Matching my pace.
My lips parted.
Then curved upward.
My heart skipped — not from fear.
From excitement.
"…No way," I whispered, eyes sparkling. "Is this finally my dark romance moment?"
A slow grin spread across my face.
I quickly opened my phone, checking my reflection. Slightly messy blonde hair. Pink outfit hugging my body perfectly. Cheeks flushed from running.
Yeah.
I looked hot.
I laughed softly. "Honestly, I'd kidnap me too."
Then logic tried to interfere.
Wait.
Why would anyone kidnap me?
If someone wanted money or power, they'd take Victoria — the perfect CEO, the golden daughter, the pride of the family.
Not me.
The spoiled sister who avoids work like the plague.
Maybe I was imagining things.
Or maybe I had read way too many dark romance novels.
Either way… I was kind of hoping I wasn't wrong.
I turned toward the lake, picking up my pace.
Then —
The black car suddenly accelerated, pulling up beside me.
The back door flew open.
Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me off the ground.
"Oh!" I gasped, more surprised than scared.
For a split second, time slowed.
Wind brushed against my face. My heart pounded wildly — not in fear, but in pure adrenaline.
Another hand covered my mouth, pressing a cloth against my lips.
A strange, sweet scent filled my lungs.
My vision blurred.
My body relaxed.
And darkness slowly claimed me.
---
Vlad POV
"Good job, Alex."
Alex smirked, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. "She was ridiculously easy. Didn't even try to fight."
I chuckled. "Of course. She must've been terrified."
Or so I thought.
Thirty minutes into the drive, something shifted in the back seat.
A soft movement.
Then —
A quiet hum.
I frowned, glancing into the rearview mirror.
The girl…
…was awake.
But instead of crying, screaming, or begging…
She was playing with a strand of her blonde hair.
Smiling.
Just…
Smiling at us.
My stomach tightened.
"What the hell…" I muttered.
I slowly turned to Alex, eyes widening. "Did you hit her head too hard?"
Alex frowned. "No. I didn't."
I stared back at the mirror.
She met my gaze.
And winked.
Both of us froze.
This girl wasn't afraid.
She was enjoying this.
And that…
That scared me more than any scream ever could.
Author Note :
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