Chapter 4 “A Tangled Web Unraveled”

• Let out a groan of discomfort, Sabrina gingerly attempted to open her eyes, wincing from the pain that reverberated through her head. Shifting restlessly, she rolled onto her side, seeking solace in the embrace of sleep once more. However, an abrupt realization jolted her awake, causing her to snap upright with a start.
• A sharp pang pierced her skull, prompting her to instinctively cradle her head in her hands. Gradually, she found herself on her knees, perched on the edge of an inviting bed. Taking a few moments to alleviate the throbbing sensation by gently massaging her temples, she finally dared to open her eyes.
• To her astonishment, Sabrina found herself in a room that exuded an air of opulence and comfort far beyond the confines of her modest one-bedroom flat. Settling back down onto the bed, she gracefully folded her legs in the traditional Indian style, allowing her eyes to wander and absorb the surroundings of this spacious haven.
• Gently brushing aside a few stray strands of hair from her face, Sabrina's gaze inadvertently shifted towards her wrists, drawing her attention to the neatly wrapped bandages. Confusion etched across her features, she instinctively clasped her wrist, inadvertently applying pressure to the tender area, eliciting a hiss of pain. In that moment, a flood of memories rushed back, assaulting her consciousness—her harrowing kidnapping, the dehumanizing auction, and the disconcerting realization that someone had placed a bid on her.
• With her heart racing, Sabrina abruptly rose from the bed, her panic mounting as she surveyed the room in a frantic search for answers. Every corner, every object, seemed to hold clues to her current predicament. Her mind whirled with questions, and a deep-seated need to unravel the mystery of her situation fueled her desperate quest for understanding. In this state of heightened apprehension, Sabrina's determination to uncover the truth intensified, propelling her forward into an uncertain, yet resolute, exploration of her surroundings.
• As Sabrina continued her frantic search for answers, her eyes suddenly fell upon the mirror adorning the dressing table. What she saw left her utterly astounded—she was no longer clad in that wretched and indecent dress. Instead, she was draped in a luxurious silk night suit, consisting of a shirt and trousers that exuded elegance and comfort.
• Her gaze shifted towards her own reflection, and she couldn't help but be taken aback by what she saw. Gone was the smudged makeup and the dirt that had marred her face during her ordeal. Instead, her visage appeared fresh and untouched, as if she had undergone a rejuvenating shower. Compelled by curiosity, she approached the mirror, gently resting her hand against the cool surface as if seeking reassurance.
• A sense of disorientation washed over her as she tried to piece together the events that had transpired after the auction. However, a frustrating void filled her mind, leaving her unable to recall anything beyond that harrowing experience. The missing fragments of her memory only deepened the mystery surrounding her current circumstances, fueling her determination to unearth the truth behind her altered state.
• Overwhelmed by a flood of unanswered questions, Sabrina felt her headache intensify with every passing moment. The uncertainty of her whereabouts, the enigma surrounding her circumstances—each unanswered query fueled her mounting frustration. Her anxiety levels soared, threatening to consume her usual composed demeanor.
• (Sabrina was no stranger to managing her emotions, adept at concealing her fear behind a facade of anger. But in moments like these, when panic gripped her heart and threatened to overwhelm her, she found it increasingly challenging to maintain control. The anxiety seeping through her veins made it difficult to restrain herself, and on occasion, it appeared as though anger fueled her actions. Little did others know that it was fear, cleverly disguised, that lay beneath her facade.
• As her anxiety continued to surge, Sabrina wrestled with her internal turmoil, desperately seeking a sense of stability and answers to the myriad of questions that plagued her. Though she was accustomed to keeping her fears hidden, the weight of her current situation threatened to unravel the delicate balance she had carefully maintained.)
• In the grip of exasperation, Sabrina clutched her head, her fingers entwined in her hair as if seeking solace or release from her mounting frustration. Lost in her overwhelming emotions, she took a step backward, only to have her foot unexpectedly caught in the plush carpet beneath her.
• With an abrupt loss of balance, Sabrina found herself tumbling to the floor, her body crashing against the unforgiving surface. The impact sent a jolt of pain shooting through her wrist, the wounds sustained during her ordeal reigniting and beginning to bleed once more. A mixture of anguish and surprise escaped her lips in a sharp cry, echoing the anguish she felt both physically and emotionally in that moment. The vivid reminder of her wounds served as a harsh reality check, grounding her momentarily in the midst of her chaotic thoughts.
• As Sabrina attempted to gather herself from the floor, her ears were met with the sound of a stern, masculine voice. Startled, she glanced upwards, her eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before her. It was none other than the person she had encountered near her café.
• "You?" Sabrina managed to utter, her voice laced with astonishment. However, her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the person paid her no heed, reaching out towards her wounded wrist in a gesture of concern. But before he could make contact, an eruption of anger surged within Sabrina, prompting her to swiftly slap his hand away.
• The room seemed to crackle with tension as Sabrina's fury mingled with her shock, creating a charged atmosphere between the two. The unexpected turn of events left her both bewildered and infuriated, her actions driven by a mix of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
• "Don't you dare lay a finger on me, you wretched man! Are you the one who won me in that despicable auction?" Sabrina's voice reverberated through the room, laced with a mixture of rage and defiance. She stood tall, directly confronting the man, refusing to let her fear consume her. Deep within her heart, fear gnawed at her, but she masked it with a brilliant display of strength and resolve.
• Her words echoed with the weight of accusation, demanding an answer that she felt she deserved. The room seemed to shrink as their gazes locked, an unspoken battle of wills taking place between them. Sabrina's carefully constructed facade of bravery and defiance shielded her vulnerability, yet the flicker of fear remained hidden beneath her fierce demeanor.
• "Relax, I'll explain everything, but first, let me tend to your wounds," the man insisted, attempting to approach Sabrina once more. But before he could make contact, Sabrina swiftly retaliated with a tight slap across his face.
• "I've made it clear already: don't you even think about laying a finger on me," Sabrina warned through clenched teeth, further fueling the man's anger. In a fit of rage, he forcefully grabbed her other hand and forcefully propelled her towards the bed.
• Sabrina struggled to utter a response, but her words were abruptly silenced by the man's furious and thunderous voice.
• "That's it! I've had it with your immature behavior. Shut your mouth and cooperate, or I'll go as far as taping it shut and restraining you to the bed," the man declared ruthlessly, seizing the first aid box from the dressing table drawer.
• With a firm grip, he forcefully guided Sabrina to sit on the bed, ensuring she was properly positioned. He firmly grasped her other hand, the one with the bleeding wrist.
• Sabrina attempted to slap his hand away, but the boy bellowed, "That's it! Enough!" His enraged outburst sent shivers of fear down Sabrina's spine, instantly silencing her. The intense glare she received from the boy kept her subdued and quiet.
• As Sabrina sat there, silent tears streamed down her face, the man diligently changed her bandage. Once he finished tending to her wound, he turned his gaze towards her, noticing the tears in her eyes. Letting out a sigh, he couldn't help but feel a pang of compassion.
• "Listen, you'll eventually learn the whole story, but for now, it's crucial that you get some rest. And, um, I apologize for raising my voice," the man said with a gentle tone. Sabrina remained silent, avoiding any eye contact, while tenderly cradling her injured wrist against her chest.
• Observing her lack of response, the man rose from the bed and headed towards the dressing table to stow away the first aid box. Seizing the opportunity, Sabrina swiftly grabbed a nearby flower vase, preparing to launch an attack.
• Raising the vase high, she aimed to strike him from behind. However, just as she was about to execute her plan, the man abruptly turned around, catching her off guard. Before he could intervene, Sabrina instinctively raised her hand, ready to strike him.
• The man swiftly raised his hand to shield himself, but another hand suddenly intervened, tightly gripping Sabrina's hand.
• "Don't even think about making this mistake again," a man with a distinct British accent warned. Sabrina turned her head abruptly, startled by the presence of a well-built British man who had seized her hand along with the vase.
• Fear gripped her as she observed the imposing figure before her. With a mixture of green and blue in his eyes, she felt a sense of numbness overwhelm her. His face displayed anger, which further intensified her apprehension.
• With a sharp motion, he snatched the vase from Sabrina's hand, causing her to stumble backward, yet managing to maintain her balance.
• "Thank goodness you came to my rescue," Person A expressed their gratitude to the British man. Sabrina cast her gaze downward, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
• "I... I... I... I want to go," Sabrina managed to stammer, her words trembling slightly. The British man simply looked at her with piercing eyes.
• "I'm sorry, but you can't leave," Person A interjected, causing tears to well up in Sabrina's eyes. However, she fought hard to hold them back, refusing to let anyone perceive her as weak.
• "I haven't done anything to either of you, so why the hell am I being held here?" Sabrina's voice rang out loudly, fueled by anger and frustration. She felt increasingly intimidated by the unwavering gaze of the British man, who remained silent in response to her outburst.
• In a deep, husky, and slightly menacing tone, the British man responded, "Speaking in a loud and disrespectful manner will get you nowhere, little sparrow." Sabrina couldn't help but shiver in fear upon hearing his voice. He seemed to be peering deep into her eyes, as if attempting to penetrate her very soul.
• "And I admire those who feign bravery by masking their fear with anger," the British man whispered, leaning closer to her ear with a smirk adorning his face. Sabrina's eyes widened in shock and fear. He was the first person in her entire life who seemed to have discovered this secret she had been hiding.
• "To be continued…"