Monday, 10:35 AM

"Hello darling, good morning. I know you must be startled. Forgive me. But this was the only way. They wouldn't let me close to you, and you deserved to be loved. Not the way they do, the greedy for money scumbags that surround you and pretend to love you. No. You deserve true love. Like I do. Now that we are together, no one will separate us, ever."

Namitha was too scared to attempt to do or say anything. The last thing she remembered was her running back to her apartment building when someone grabbed her from behind. And now she was opening her eyes in a strange dark place that was as scary as her worst nightmare. 

She had been advised, that in case something bad happened, she had to keep her cool. A cool head always came up with better solutions. But that was easier said than done. The man who sat in front of her, with a small smile on his face was terrifying. She knew it was impossibly difficult but her survival instinct was stronger. She was going to do her best to get out of this situation. 

"I don't like to see you tied up like this, so I am going to untie you just a little bit. Please don't scream or attempt anything like that," Min Yeok said, trying to sound as endearing as he could. He was truly hurting seeing her scared and in pain. 

Namitha nodded in reply, and Min Yeok untied the cloth on her mouth. She could speak now, and she knew she had to be careful with her words. 

"I don't know who you are. I am sorry. I know that I should know you, but I really don't," she said, carefully choosing her words. 

"It's okay. I know it's not your fault. It's them. They always stood in the way. Never let you know me. But they are no longer here, no longer in the way. We can get to know each other perfectly now," Min Yeok softly replied, his smile showing clearly his happiness at her understanding. 

"Good, good," Namitha answered. She knew she had to tread carefully. But she had to know her boundaries, and so she decided to push a little hard to find them. "My name is Namitha," she started, laughing a fake laugh as she said her own name. "I'm sure you know that. Sorry. Can you tell me your name?"

Min Yeok could sense easily that the laugh was fake. But her question had been just what he wanted to hear. He wasn't sure what to make of her, so decided to follow the happiness of his heart and answer her question. 

"My name is Min Yeok. The one who loves you the most," Min answered. 

"That's a nice name. Min Yeok. I knew a guy from school whose name was Min Yeok. He was a smart guy. I'm sure you are too."

As soon as she spoke, she knew she had made a mistake. She never should have said what she did. The change in his expression confirmed it for her. She had been advised to try and make a personal connection with the kidnapper, but she had overreached. 

"Why do you lie? I know everything. There never was a Min Yeok in your school. You never knew any Min Yeok in your entire life. You don't trust me do you? You still believe them over me, don't you?" 

Min was angry. This wasn't supposed to be. Why would she believe those liars over him? But he also knew, expecting her to realise the truth so easily was also overly ambitious. It would take time. And he had all the time in the world. However long it took, he would for her to realise the truth. 

"I am sorry, but I must tie you up again. I have to go out, to work. I will return as soon as I can," he said, once again tying her with the cloth over her mouth. He knew she would be in too much pain, so he gave her an injection that would leave her unconscious until he returned. She needed the rest. 

Namitha wanted to put up a fight. But before she could do anything, she was tied up and the needle was in her arm. She could feel strength leaving her immediately, completely lost to the world a minute later.