Chapter 1

Lucas Grant stood in the shadows, his voice sharp as ice. "From today, you are mine. You can't escape."

I blinked and looked around the basement that was decorated as well as a five-star hotel suite. An oversized soft bed, a whole wall of snacks, a top home theater, and the latest gaming console stood before me.

Then I moved my gaze back to his handsome face, which was etched with madness and obsession. My heart started to pound uncontrollably.

My god, was this heaven? Room and board, and I didn't even have to work or socialize? Was this even real?!

*****

I woke to an unfamiliar crystal chandelier and a crisp, woody scent in the air. I sat up with a jolt.

Whoa, that was intense.

Everything I saw screamed "expensive": a cashmere rug so soft one could sink into it, a giant projection screen taking up almost an entire wall, and a massive shelf crammed with chips, chocolates, candies, and sodas from all over the world.

My eyes went wide.

Footsteps echoed from the shadows. I turned my head and saw Lucas.

He wore a black silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing his collarbones. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his charming, deep-set eyes were icy, gloomy, and crazy.

I knew that face well. For three years, I had known her online as "Faye," my "bestie." We had complained about work, shared silly daily stuff, and squealed over fictional yandere characters together.

A week ago, we met in person. The supposed sweet girl had turned out to be this six-foot-two-inch-tall guy. Back then, I was so embarrassed I could've died. But compared to what was happening now, that was nothing.

"You're awake?" Lucas asked. His voice was low, with a barely noticeable rasp.

I nodded, clutching the blanket, trying my best to play the frightened little bunny. I had to act. I couldn't let him see how thrilled I was inside.

He walked toward me step by step. His tall figure loomed over me, radiating intense pressure. "Sophie Lane," he said my name as if savoring it. "From today, you are mine."

He leaned down slightly, his cool fingertips brushing my cheek. "This is your cage. You can't escape."

I gave a little shiver on cue, my eyes widening as if I was about to faint from fear. But inside, fireworks were already going off.

A cage? Oh my god, this wasn't a cage. This was a top-tier retirement home for a socially anxious, lazy person like me.

No rush-hour subway, no boss's sour face, no office gossip, and I didn't even have to pick up my own takeout. What a dream life!

Lucas seemed satisfied with my "fear." The madness in his eyes receded slightly, replaced by a twisted sense of satisfaction.

He straightened up and turned toward the open-plan kitchen. "You must be hungry. I made you something to eat."

I watched him expertly open the fridge and tie on an apron. His long, slender fingers, worthy of a hand model, started preparing the food. His knife skills were impeccable, his movements elegant.

Wait, was this right? Not only was the kidnapper handsome, but he also cooked?

Soon, the rich aroma of tomato meat sauce spaghetti filled the air. He carried an elegant white plate to the bedside and handed it to me. "Eat."

It was a command paired with the most thoughtful action. I took the plate and looked at the spaghetti, garnished with basil leaves and plated like it was from a Michelin-starred restaurant. I swallowed hard.

This wasn't a kidnapping. This was being pampered.

I picked up my fork, twirled a small amount, and cautiously put it in my mouth. The tangy tomato and savory meat sauce exploded on my tongue. It was so good!

So good I almost forgot I was a "hostage." I wolfed it down, oblivious to Lucas standing there, watching me with intense, nervous hope.

I didn't stop until I had licked the plate clean.

I put down the plate, savoring the last bite, and let out a small satisfied burp. When I looked up, I met Lucas's deep blue eyes.

He stood straight, hands slightly clenched, jaw tight, like a giant dog awaiting judgment.

Was he nervous? My mind raced through all the yandere stories I had read. The obsessive male lead usually suffered from a lack of security. He craved being needed and craved validation.

As a long-time yandere enthusiast, I knew exactly how to "tame" them. It was time to give the first reward.

I lifted my face and gave him what I hoped was my most harmless, sweetest smile. "Thank you." I made my voice deliberately soft and sticky. "Your spaghetti is the best I've ever had."

Lucas's body went stiff. His always-gloomy eyes flickered with a brief flash of surprise. Then a faint red color spread rapidly from his earlobes.

He spun around abruptly, his back to me. His voice was still cold but carried a hint of barely concealed panic. "Shut up and eat."

Oh, he was blushing. How cute. I was in a great mood, hugging the blanket and rolling around on the bed.

Then my phone rang, jarringly loud in the quiet room. The screen flashed "Boss." My smile froze. A wave of instinctive disgust and fear washed over me.

The dreaded phone call. The ringtone was especially piercing in the silent room. I fumbled to hit mute like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

But a large hand was faster and picked up my phone. Lucas turned around, his blush gone, replaced by icy cold. He looked at the name and frowned deeply. "Who?"

"Uh... it's my boss," I whispered. The gloom in his eyes thickened like ink.

He answered on speaker. The boss's shrill voice blared. "Sophie! Where are you? Emergency project today! You want to get fired? Get back here now!"

My scalp tingled. I instinctively wanted to apologize. But Lucas spoke first. His voice was calm but carried a bone-chilling coldness. "She quit."

A beat of silence. "Who the hell is this? Quit? I didn't approve that! Put Sophie on the line!"

Lucas let out a soft laugh with no warmth in it.

"You won't see her again. Don't call this number again. Or else..."

He didn't finish, but the chilling menace that seeped through the speaker made even the boss go quiet.

A few seconds later, Lucas hung up. Then, right in front of me, he blocked the number and deleted it. Smooth as silk. The world fell silent.

I stared at him, completely stunned.

What was this? This was an anti-harassment human shield. My eyes literally sparkled as I looked at him.