CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ess sat in subdued silence near the end of a massive dining table. The enormous dining room could quite possibly have been more accurately described as a banquet hall. The chandeliers and decorative moldings were rather gothic and the furnishings excessively elaborate. The seating looked as though it could accommodate thirty or more guests, yet Ess's place had been set very close to Angoli's so that she remained within detainment range of her captor.

Occasionally, he reached his hand towards her with the intent of an intimate touch, and each time, Ess recoiled from it. She tried to keep her disdain for the man as indiscernible as she could, for fear of causing another of his heated episodes, but complete physical apathy could not be consistently maintained. Each time she rejected his advancement, his brow furrowed over the offence, but it quickly smoothed out again as he chose to forget about it and continue with his meal.

Ess didn't touch anything on her plate. It had been several hours since she last ate, and the dish proved to be a particular favorite of hers (she couldn't help but imagine that it was most likely intentional); but the situation did not allow for her stomach to accept even a mouthful of bread or a handful of grapes for digestion.

"I had thought that your hair would be curly, just as Max's works have all portrayed." Ess looked up from her plate in reaction to the unexpected observation, and noticed that the admiration visible in Angoli's eyes seemed tinged with the smallest degree of disappointment.

Did this statement expect a reply? "I've never liked my curls. I have my hair chemically straightened." She tried to sound matter-of-fact, but the words came out mousy and somewhat apologetic.

"Ah," he smiled and picked up his fork to continue his meal. "Well, we will just have to let them grow out, then."

Ess knew that this time no answer was required. She felt taken aback by such an assertion. He obviously felt that he had the right to make such decisions regarding her physical appearance. This assumedly inherent privilege to control her like she was simply a pet finally opened the well of detestation that had been collecting deep inside her over the past few days. She said nothing for fear of the consequences, but she let that well of hate set to boil, willing it to ultimately concoct itself into courage.

Angoli urged her to eat once again, so she picked up her fork, but only managed to move a few morsels around on the plate. The unrelenting man only ignored her impassiveness. Noticing her unhappiness didn't suit his wishes for the enjoyment of her company. He saw only what he wanted to see, and that excluded Ess's revulsion over the uncomfortable situation he forced her into.

Eventually he placed his napkin over his plate, and chose to break the silence once more. "I was thinking that we should go away for awhile."

Ess stiffened at this. He intended to take her further away from any rescue? It would be all the more difficult to escape him if they traveled to some unfamiliar place with absolutely no one that might be able to help her. She still held a small hope in Max's promise to come for her, but leaving this place would make the likeliness of that happening dwindle more than ever.

Angoli didn't miss her rigid response. "My pet, I think it would be best, to clear us from any unwanted disturbances. And," he attempted to take her hand, but she moved it to her lap, "it will give us an opportunity to get to know one another better; to get used to each other." His patience appeared to be wavering a little at her continued reserve.

Just how long did he intend to keep her as his prisoner? This did not simply sound like some madman's psychotic spree. He imagined that a long-term relationship would form. What did he expect to do? Brainwash her? Mold her into some lifestyle and turn her into something she wasn't? She shivered; another reaction that did not go unnoticed.

He shifted in his seat, and leaned towards her, invading her space. Though Ess sunk as far into her chair as she could, she was unable to avoid his closeness. His face did not leave the intimate proximity of hers, and she felt him studying her with a covetous gaze. "I thought that, since it will be your first time traveling, you might like to choose the destination. Someplace outside of this country is your only restriction." He smiled at her as though he had just bestowed a remarkable gift upon her.

Part of her nearly sought excitement at the thought of finally traveling. It had been a dream of hers for so long; but now the very idea became tainted by the circumstances. Her desire to see the world fleeted from the longing she felt for her regular old life.

"I don't have a passport." If she could think of nothing else, the lack of passport had to be one setback she had on her side.

"Oh, don't worry," his smile radiated the diverted condescension he felt. "I have taken care of that little detail. You don't think I just sat here pining for you the entire time, do you? I made plans, cut through red tape and removed the bothersome roadblocks. Besides, I have connections. It's all been attended to. Just make your choice. Where do you wish to go?"

"I don't wish to go anywhere with you. I just want to go home." Ess's words burst forth as a daring demand. She felt her courage finally rising. "My home," she clarified so there could be no misinterpretation of her meaning.

Angoli, of course, didn't respond well to this audacity. His chair overturned as he leapt to his feet, and grabbed Ess's arm, pulling her out of her own seat. Again, her face came within inches of his, but this time his expression was different. The predator glare in his eyes revealed a readiness to go in for the kill.

Unexpectedly, the remainder of Ess's courage fell into place. This man's advantage was in his ability to intimidate. A mental switch flipped in her head, and she knew she had to hold her ground. She met his glowering stare with a defiant look of her own.

It only took a moment before Ess witnessed a falter in his eyes. Her boldness caught him off guard. However, the momentary stumble of his dominance made him all the angrier. Where he lost the grip on his intimidation, he gained it in his physical force.

With a bruise impacting grasp on her arm, Angoli dragged Ess from the dining room and pulled her up the stairs. When they reached the room that had been designated to her, he hurled her through the door. She landed hard on her knees and palms. The door slammed shut behind her with all of the might Angoli could demonstrate in his anger, and he locked her in.

When he shouted through the door, Ess felt grateful for the thick wooden barrier that held back the full force of his enraged words. "I will come back for you in a few hours. You will be packed and ready to go or you will see the full extent of my anger." He beat his fist on the door to emphasize his threat.

Ess sat on the floor where she had landed, taking a moment to regain herself. She no longer felt afraid. The courage that had turned itself on in her head could not be shut off now. She would not let it.

Now, she had to think. The fear no longer clouded her brain, so she could plan and prepare. She could get out of this. There had to be a way. This Angoli could not be completely infallible in his designs.

Ess needed time; she needed opportunity and quick logic. If only she could lock herself in while she contemplated, but the only item in the room large enough to block the door would be the bed. That gigantic wooden edifact could not be moved by her alone.