Three Days Missing

I have been missing for three days and counting. I know this because there is a tiny, high window in here, and I kept myself awake since I been dragged down here. There have been many times I thought about something like this happening since I learned how powerful my father is and the millions he possesses.

Since birth, I have been followed by his bodyguards, I think of them as the secret service, my dad is not the United States president, but the world treats him as such. I know for sure they will be out looking for me. If my dad does not hear from me when he calls my phone at least three times a day, best believe one of the secret servicemen will be at my door or job checking in on me.

It is one reason I moved away for college; I needed to escape the suffocation of my father's wing. I love my father, but he did not give me enough room to grow as an individual.

I went to school in California, studied public relations, and graduated with my bachelor's degree. After graduating, I moved back to New York, the city I knew and loved growing up. I missed the city and the fast pace environment. I moved into my apartment I scraped every dollar, and saved up while working during school.

Of course, when I told my father I was moving back home, he was thrilled because he would be able to check on me as often as he wanted. He paid for my four years of college, making it easier to save up money when I moved back home.

25 and here I am, locked inside whatever this place is and scared of the unknown. There is a guy dressed in all black. I think his name is Monty. Monty and the rest of the scary guys who kidnapped me wear a phantom mask; I cannot see their faces. I tried to escape out the window in the dingy bathroom down the hall, but failed and in the process, I knocked one mask off but didn't see his face before another guy grabbed me and threw me in the room.

How the hell did I get here, and what did I do to deserve this kind of treatment! I am an introvert; I barely have friends unless you count Susanne, my next-door neighbor who is 29 and lives alone, just like me. Benny from the bookstore I usually spend most of my Sundays working, and then my doorman Alex, who does not talk much but is nice.

I am saying that I do not know many people, which I like to keep that way. I prefer keeping to myself. My mother used to tell me I was a beautiful free spirit, and she loved how kind I was.

Maybe if I start from the beginning, everything will be a little clearer to me:

On my way to my office party, my company hosts every year to bond as a stronger company. I usually do not go because I would rather be home enjoying a glass of wine and relaxing with a good book. On this day, something told me not to go to the party and leave my apartment. Whenever I get a strong gut feeling about something, I always listen to my intuition, and as far as I am concerned, it has never been wrong.

Unfortunately, I had to make an appearance tonight. Fiona Andrews, my boss, wouldn't stop bringing up the fact I haven't been to one, plus I needed files from my office for a meeting on Monday morning.

I stood inside my tiny average New York apartment bathroom, applying the finishing touches to my makeup. I exited the bathroom into my narrow hallway straight across into my bedroom to grab my dress and heels. I kept it simple with a black cocktail dress, and red bottom black pumps, and a red blazer for a pop of color.

I walk into my living room area to grab my purse and cell phone from the coffee table. I was about to exit when my phone started to ring. I answered without paying attention to the caller, I.D.

"Hello," I said while sitting on my barstool in front of my kitchen counter,

"Hey honey, I was just checking in on you," my father's voice boomed on the other end of the phone.

"Dad, I can't hear you. Are you at a party?" I covered my other ear to try to hear better.

The phone went dead on the other end.

I hung up and tried calling back, but it went straight to voicemail. The time was 7 pm and the party already started. I headed out the door, locking it behind me, and gave myself a cheerful pep talk heading towards the elevator.

As I am waiting for the elevator, I see a black shadow move down the hallway on my right.

"Susanne? Is that you?" I call out because she is usually heading to the apartment building's rooftop to "self-reflect and meditate" around this time. I sometimes join her, but tonight I had a party to get to.

The elevator dinged indicated it has arrived; I looked once more down the hall where I know I saw something or someone. Nothing appeared. I stepped onto the elevator heading down to the lobby.

As soon as the door dinged open, Susanne popped in front of me, waiting to get on the elevator. The navy blue v-cut knee-length dress was stunning on her caramel skin complexion. Susanne had this look to her that reminded me of my mother. It also reminded me I lost my heartbeat at the age of 6.

"Hey, I thought you were on the rooftop? "I asked as I step out of the elevator.

"No, I just came back from a date real nice guy, just moved here," she said. "And where are you going looking all fabulous darling!" she said, snapping her fingers in a zig-zag motion.

I giggled "office party tonight, have to make an appearance. Would you like to come along? I could use the company."

"Really? Well, I would love to! "she said, looping her arm with mine.

My phone started buzzing, and I knew my dad was calling me back.

"Hang on one sec. My dad is calling," I told Susanne while retrieving my phone from my purse.

"Hi honey, sorry my phone died earlier. What are you doing" he sounded tired, but that is expected when running a million-dollar company. He is an accountant, which means he helps others get rich, and in the process, he gets rich as well.

"I'm heading to my company party tonight," I mentioned.

"Oh really? Well, that's good, go out and have fun, sweetie" he sounded genuine.

"Hello, who is this, and what have you done with my father?" I asked with a slight giggle of disbelief.

"Listen, I'm serious. You're young and responsible and your own person. I guess I'm saying I won't be so hard on you," he stated.

"Dad, thanks, that means a lot. You finally see I'm a big girl now," I smiled, walking out the doors to join Susanne outside.

"you're welcome, sweetie, now how about I send one of the security guards to take you to and from the party? "I would have declined before, but tonight I accepted the offer, plus both Susanne and I are in heels, and walking would've been wrong.

"Sure, that's fine, but dad, please just send one. I don't need two or three of them. Plus, I'm with my friend Susanne, don't want to scare her off," I pleaded.

"Okay, I'll send Jerry and no one else. Oh, by the way, I met with a nice young lady today, who says they know you." He mentioned as I stood outside.

"really? Who?" Curious as to who this lady was.

"oh, I forgot the name. It was earlier in the day today. I just got home from a client house party, so I'll send Jerry to your apartment now. He should be there in ten minutes."

10 pm rolls around. Susanne and I were conversing by the buffet table while all my coworkers were on the dance floor.

"Well, this dance floor looks a hot mess. I think we must be the only ones sober," said Susanne as she judged the behavior of my drunk coworkers.

I laughed while sipping my drink. I noticed Susanne making eye contact with my coworker, Robert Lawson. He was a decent guy, handsome too. You could say he was the bachelor of the office. Every woman wanted him.

"I see you locked eyes with Robert," I whispered to Susanne.

"he is pretty cute; what's his story?" she asked, keeping eye contact with Robert.

"Not much to tell" taking a sip of my drink, I noticed Alicia walked in.

Alicia Jermain, most people in the office, call her A.J., I had a couple of other choice words, not the friendly kind.

She was rude towards people in the office, including me. I remember my first year working here, and she was the sweetest person. We had lunch a few times, and she could make you laugh.

Anyway, after my first year at the office, I started putting in more hours, trying to save up for a brownstone in NYC, still trying to save after 3 years.

I put in so many hours, I didn't realize I was on my boss, radar for a big account.

Alicia wanted that account and thought I was out to steal it from her. Which I was not. I was doing my job, something she doesn't know-how. After all, I see primarily interns doing most of it for her. Filing, running up and down the office for her, and sending them on unnecessary errands, she could do herself.

Fiona mentioned me getting the account in a meeting, and Alicia was furious. However, the client backed out last minute for some odd reason, but I feel Alicia had something to do with it once I heard her good friend worked at the clients' company. After that, Alicia started competing against me for everything, accounts, Fiona's attention, and I was not even competing in the first place. There was something off about her and her obsession to be front and center.

However, me being me and avoiding conflict, I kept my distance from her.

"Well, looks like someone beat me to it," Susanne uttered under her breath. I saw Alicia talking to Robert and was not surprised. After all, whatever Alicia wants, she gets.

Susanne sat her cup down to put her medium-length brown hair into a ponytail.

"You ready to get out of here?" She asked. Why did Susanne look tense and scared for some odd reason? Or was the alcohol getting to her? I didn't say anything and pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

"Yes, I think I had enough partying for one night. I got to grab some files from my office, meet you outside," I told her...

Now you're all caught up on how I made it into this hell hole. I went to my office, had my back turned for a few seconds, and out of nowhere, I felt a hard metal object hit my head, and before I knew it, I was engulfed in darkness...

Being down here for three days, I couldn't eat or sleep, my nerves were terrible, and the bruises on my once clear melanin skin hurt.

I heard a commotion in the hall as I started to doze off. There was yelling, I wasn't able to make out who it was, but I heard a female voice.

"She does not belong here! She thinks she is the queen, and the world revolves around her. No, not tonight. Her black ass is out of here!" I know damn well that was not the voice I thought it was.

Instantly my body went into fight mode, knowing I had to defend myself. I pray I make it out alive and well.

I looked around and started making out weapons I could use in my defense. I made out a rusted-looking hook on the wall, a chair in the corner, and my silver metal tray; they bring what they think is food.

The door opened, and I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Susanne? what the hell is going on" anger was the only way I could use to describe my feelings.

" I would prefer you not speak to my sister, Susanne; leave us before I throw you in here as well," Alicia stated through tight lips. Susanne looked terrified and mouthed. Im sorry, before one of the guys wearing a phantom masked escorted her down the hall.

"It is hard being the older sister sometimes, especially if your sibling is trying to hide from you. It's a shame I had to threaten the bitch and drag her down here too. Anyway, let us get down to business. If you give me what I want, I won't kill your father, lovely man, by the way, I was happy to meet him the other day in his office. So, do we have an understanding?"

My blood was boiling, and I instantly saw red. Before I knew it, I was charging at Alicia, and we were on the ground fighting. I was on top of her, going back to back with punches to the face.

Alicia managed to grab my hair and fling me off of her. She stood up and started dragging me by my hair without hesitation.

" You stupid bitch!" she emphasized with so much anger. I was able to loop my leg around her leg and drop her to the floor. I ran towards the chair in the corner of the room, and with my back turned, I heard a gun go off...