Ali sat on his bed trying to disinfect the large gash on his left shoulder, but it pained to move the other arm and the more he stretched the more it hurt. His maids were now off duty as the clock hit 2:40 AM.

His mind flashed through the memories of the night, of how much of a roller coaster it had been. Anaya had looked breathtaking in her dress, and he still couldn't get that out of his mind.

It was an attraction he hadn't experienced before, because it wasn't lusting as much as it was just fascination. He had met many powerful women in his life, women who feared nothing, women who took control. Yet, she drew him in the most.

She had managed to run right beneath his nose multiple times without a single ounce of fear of him, she constantly refused to listen to him, called him names, and whatnot. That was just part of it.

The way she was so delicate and fragile yet so fierce and courageous. He had yet to learn about her, and he had every intention to.

He wanted her to feel something for him- the only thing that was left to figure out was, what feeling did he want?

Fear, lust, or desire?

Anaya sat on the ottoman as Jameela sat next to her. Both of them in shock. They had sat there for a good ten minutes since they came in. Thankfully Ali had just left her and Amee alone and left.

"Is this where you've been?" Jameela asked.

"Yes," Anaya said.

"He didn't do anything to you did he?"

"No," Anaya replied.

Anaya was emotionless, more tired then she was sad. She wished her escape was successful, but at the same time, thankful that she at least got Amee out of her attempt.

Anaya got up and walked to the bathroom, looking at the mirror. Her hijab was all over the place, and her eyes were red and puffed. She needed a shower.

She grabbed a pair of clean clothes and put them on the bed.

"I'm sorry I brought you here as well," Anaya said to Jameela.

"Oh no, no, habibti. You don't know how hard these past few weeks have been. Such negative thoughts ran through my head, I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you." She said.

"I missed you Amee," Anaya said

"I must say. This man isn't as bad as I thought." Jameela said.

"What?"

"He kidnapped you. I know how these things work, I've seen them with my own eyes. They never treat you this kind-"

"Kind? Amee! He married me for profit, his men frightened me into answering their ques-"

"I know! I know! I am not justifying his actions. I am only saying I am glad he didn't do anything worse. You are too innocent for this disgusting world, but I know this world more than anything. And I'm telling you Anaya men in this business have no morals. They treat women like rags, using one, and throwing the other. And if it's their enemy? Allah knows the things they do. Trust me when I say this man is not half as bad as what he could've been. He didn't have to save me, but he did and I think it was for you." Jameela said.

"That doesn't change the fact that he is a bad man. He kidnapped me! but-" Anaya stopped.

"Why did he bring you along?" She thought out loud.

Anaya shook her head.

"Why are you defending him!" She said

"I am not! It's just that I think I know who he is. Ali. Ali Ahmed. I worked for his father before I worked for yours." She hesitated

"WHAT! why are you telling me this now! This- this is too much I-I can't." Anaya said getting up and grabbing her clothes.

She went into the bathroom and locked the door. This was so much to wrap her head around. This had to be a dream, she wanted to smack herself awake, but she knew it was real.

Anaya got into the shower, and as the water hit her she thought of Amee's words.

He didn't have to save her. But he did. And after he did, he brought Jameela with her. Why?

Amee was right. Though this was the worst thing that she could've gone through, or is still going through. It was still something to be grateful for. She had read books about kidnappings, about crime organizations- and everything they described was inhumane and the absolute worse of humanity.

Here, he gave her a room, clothes, and food.

"A kidnapping is a kidnapping Anaya. He could keep you here forever." She thought out loud, rinsing those thoughts away along with the water.

She changed and dried up and came outside, to see Jameela waiting.

"I'm sorry dear. I shouldn't have come up with this."

"It's okay, Amee. We'll talk about this later. Why don't you go take a shower?" Anaya smiled.

Jameela nodded and went on into the bathroom.

Anaya stood in the silence in the room, and her curiosity grew. She wanted answers. She wanted a confrontation.

He didn't have to come to save her, he can let her go now. Why isn't he?

Anaya looked at the unlocked doorknob and grabbed the scarf on the ottoman. She took a deep breath and went outside, walking upstairs. This rush of boldness was new to her, and she liked it but at the same time, it scared her. But she had nothing to lose, she needed answers.

She didn't know where his room was, so she looked around the giant hallway, and then she spotted two large doors right down the hall. She strode down and as she came in front of the door she took hold of the handle, twisting it and opening the door.

And there he was, his head turning to the entrance of his enormous room looking at the last person he expected to show up to his room at this time.

At this moment, Anaya realized how late it was at night, and also that he was shirtless, and that somehow his room was an entire apartment in itself.

"Can I help you?" He stood up walking towards Anaya. She quickly opened the door wider, just in case at any point in time she wanted to run.

"Why did you bring me back?" She said.

"You don't need to know."

"Yes, I absolutely do! If you're going to keep me here by force I deserve to know why!"

"I think you're forgetting that you were captured. You have no say in this darling." He said.

"I married you! I signed off whatever money you wanted, WHY did you bring me and Jameela back here, WHAT do you want?"

"Those people standing outside your house, do you know who they were?" He asked

"They're the Russo's. They are sex traffickers."

Anaya's breath hitched, and her heart began racing.

"So tell me. Do you still want to run off? Thinking this is a small pretty little world?"

Anaya was speechless, as she stood there staring at Ali.

"I told you to just listen to me." He added, turning around.

Anaya looked down at her feet, as she tried to come up with what to say.

"Thank you, for saving me from that, a-and b-bringing Amee." She whispered, but it was loud enough to make it to his ears.

The side of Ali's lips turned up into a sly smile.

"What was it that you said? I beg you, I will do anything?"

Oh no. Anaya thought.

Ali walked closer to Anaya, as she backed away until they both stopped at the lining of the door, Anaya's back leaned against it and Ali towering over her, dangerously close.

"I saved her just for that. So now for the rest of the week, you're going to do exactly what I say." He whispered.

"Start with this." He stood up straight, handing her the gauze he held in this hand.

He turned around, and Anaya's eyes landed on the gash, as she squealed and looked away.

"Quick."

Anaya tried not to look at the wound, and just tried to put the gauze on it.

"Wait. Disinfect it first." He said, handing her the whole kit.

Anaya rolled her eyes.

Why did you have to come up here? She thought.

She took the alcohol pad and swiped the cut, and her chest was pounding as her face turned beet red looking at his bareback.

She quickly took the gauze and covered the wound securing it with two pieces of tapes. As she pressed the tape to his skin, her body shrieked. As soon as the second tape was on, she sprinted out of the room before he even had time to turn around.

He heard the door close shut and turned around smiling to himself.