Rapine: Abducted by the Billionaire

by Charlotte Rose

  I just stand quietly by Derek as he makes his way around the room, talking with various high-profile individuals and their wives. The wives always smile sweetly and pretend to look interested in their husband’s chatter. The wives will sometimes chat me up, and we exchange compliments on our outfits. The women at these exclusive parties and events are all very artificial. It’s all very boring, but I put up with it for Derek. The lifestyle that I get to live is worth it.

  In the morning, on the day of Christmas, I wake up to find Derek beside me. I blink a few times and look at the clock; it’s 7:56 a.m. I cuddle up to Derek and lay on his chest. It’s very rare that I get to wake up to find him in bed. I cherish the moments that I get to spend with Derek, since he is such a busy man. After a while I am fully awake, and he slowly opens his eyes. I kiss him softly. He smiles.

  “Let’s have some breakfast,” he murmurs. “You’ll need energy to open all your presents.” He grins.

  “Sounds good,” I say sweetly.

  We get up, take a shower together, and go into the kitchen. The maid is feeding my puppy and has just finished laying out a large selection for breakfast on the dining room table. There is bacon, eggs, pancakes, French toast, waffles, fruit, yogurt, coffee and juice.

  We leisurely enjoy breakfast while we chat about our plans for the holidays and New Year’s Eve. Derek has decided to take me to Las Vegas for NYE. We will be staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. After NYE we are going to Whistler for a two-week skiing trip, then to Mount Trembulant for a week of skiing, then to Montreal, and finally to Toronto. Last year, we went to Aspen for NYE and a month-long skiing trip. I mentioned that I’ve never been to Canada and always wanted to see it, so Derek planned a trip to Canada this year.

  After breakfast, we go into the living room, and I begin opening up each present under the Christmas tree. There are hundreds of gift boxes and all of them are for me. Our maid brings us a pot of Tazo English Breakfast tea. My puppy lies beside me on the couch.

  I open my first gift; a gorgeous Goldvish white diamond cell phone. It looks like a piece of artwork rather than a cell phone.

  “Wow, I love it,” I say joyfully.

  Derek smiles.

  Second gift, Piaget Exceptional Piece collection watch, encrusted with white diamonds all over. It looks more like a beautiful diamond bracelet than a watch. Pure perfection.

  “Love it!” I squeak.

  Derek beams. Nothing makes him smile like watching me open presents.

  Next I unwrap a gift containing a Hermes Birkin Ginza Tanaka Bag. “Wow, beautiful, honey, I love it.” I kiss Derek softly on the lips.

  The gift opening continues for several hours. Most of the gifts are sparkly, super expensive, and limited editions. Once I get really tired, I tell Derek I will continue opening gifts in the evening.

  “That’s fine my darling,” says Derek.

  It’s 3:00 p.m. and we head out. Our private driver takes us to ice skating at Rockefeller Center. We hold hands, talk, and skate, while at times Derek stops to kiss me and warm me up in his arms. It’s fairly cold and my cheeks burn, but I remain brave because I enjoy skating, and it’s a rarity to spend quality time with Derek.

  At 6:00 p.m. we come back home, we both get changed as our maid prepares us some hot drinks. I put on a white Valentino dress, and he wears a black Givenchy suit.

  We sit in the living room, listening to classical music, sipping on hot chocolate, and petting the puppy as our private chef prepares us dinner. I think Derek has taken a liking to the puppy, and he chuckles as the puppy barks whenever one of us stops petting her.

  At 7:00 p.m., we sit at the dining room and have a lavish five-course dinner along with various wines Derek has selected from his collection for us to enjoy. Derek explains in detail about each wine we try with each course.

  After dinner at 9:27 p.m., we go back into the living room to continue opening my presents. Derek is seated beside me on the couch. He told me once that one of his favorite hobbies is spoiling me. I certainly can see that by the way he gazes at me with each gift I open. His expression is one of pure exhilaration when he sees I get especially ecstatic about a gift.

  At 11:00 p.m., I am finally finished opening each of my gifts. I am exhausted, but overjoyed by the sheer value of the gifts that I received. Each gift is worth a small fortune.

  Derek invites me to put the gifts away in my walk in closet as he heads toward the bedroom.

  “Wait honey,” I say sweetly. He stops and turns back toward me. “I got you a gift,” I explain.

  He shoots me a shocked expression, “Oh no need to,” he says politely but coldly.

  I hand it to him. He looks bemused. He unwraps the gift methodically, to reveal a Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega.

  “I didn’t know what else to get you but I know you love watches,” I whisper.

  “I love it,” he says unconvincingly as he takes off his black Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon watch and puts on the watch I got him. He glances at it, pulls me in closer to him, and kisses me softly on the lips. He leans in, places his lips on my ear and whispers, “The most important gift is right here with me.” He holds me in his arms and hugs me tightly.

  We walk hand-in-hand into the bedroom together.

  “You being mine is the best gift,” he says quietly.

  “Well I’m all yours,” I reassure him.

  In the morning, we both wake up at 11:35 a.m., and we cuddle in each other arms. Our maid brings us breakfast in bed. We drink civet coffee and eat toasted bagels with an omelet.

  Derek has booked the flight to Las Vegas for tomorrow, so I get up and start packing, as does Derek. The maid helps me find the outfits and jewelry that I’d like to bring to Las Vegas. I pick the dresses with the most sparkles and most expensive jewelry I have. Las Vegas is all about sparkle, glitz, and glamour. Tanya calls me in the middle of my packing, and I take her call.

  “You know what my husband got me?” she squeaks over the phone.

  She doesn’t allow for a response.

  “I got an Ashera! The world’s most exclusive kitty! She’s beautiful!” Tanya proudly declares.

  “Wow, Tanya sweetie, that’s great!” I reply cheerfully. “But you know what they say about men that get their wife a pet?”

  “I know, I know, but I love this kitty so much!” she says ecstatically. “Who’s to say, my husband wants me to practice taking care of something before we have a baby?”

  Tanya also tells me she got an Apple iPhone Princess Plus, which if I recall is worth $120,000. She continues on listing all the expensive gifts she got from her husband.

  After she’s done bragging, she finally turns her attention to me and asks me what I got. I name a few of the most expensive and exclusive items I received and tell her I have to return to packing.

  Once I have packed, I go looking for Derek. I don’t find him in his walk in closet so I search for him around the penthouse. I search every room, and finally find him in his home office, talking on the phone.

  “I don’t care what he says, this matter has gone too far,” Derek says belligerently.

  When Derek spots me, he says, “Just keep an eye out. I won’t discuss this any further,” he says callously, and then hangs up.

  “Hello, Cheryl, are you packed and ready?” his tone is instantly soft and tender.

  “Yes sweetie. I am ready,” I respond sweetly. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes everything is under control,” he says calmly but his crimson face displays emotions of irritation and fury.

  “Are you sure? You don’t look too happy,” I comment.

  “Well if you must know, that Julian is really starting to get beneath my skin. He has been clandestinely watching you and me.”

  I give him a wide-eyed look. “Really, when?”

  “Here and there for a while now, but that’s not imperative for you to know,” he says petulantly, looking distracted.

  I feel incredibly anxious all of a sudden.


  Derek then directs his focus on me intently. “I’m here to protect you and I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says with conviction.

  I smile and say, “I know honey,” although I am not sure. I have a strong feeling of angst.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Las Vegas, day four. Derek goes all out for NYE and spares no expense. Las Vegas is the place to spend extravagant amounts of money and actually look normal doing it. He is wearing a black Brioni Vanquish II suit and I am wearing an above the knee, sparkly white Ralph and Russo dress encrusted with Swarovski crystals and the Piaget Exceptional Piece diamond watch I got for Christmas from Derek.

  We have dinner at miX, on the top floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. We’ve already been to Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, Joël Robuchon in the MGM Grand and Le Cirque and Picasso in the Bellagio, but at this restaurant, I am impressed. We are seated at a reserved table and are treated like royalty by the waiting staff that all seem to know Derek very well.

  After dinner, we head through the Cosmopolitan Hotel towards the Marquee Nightclub. Derek seems to know everyone, as we are greeted left and right by various men dressed in high-end suits.

  Once we reach the club, we bypass the very long line and are greeted by the doorman who nods his head in respect and shakes Derek’s hand.

  As soon as we get inside the club, we are ushered to our reserved VIP table. The crowd in the club is dressed to the nines. Nearly everyone we walk by freezes and stares at us as we walk past the multitudes of partygoers. It must be Derek’s good looks and his expensive suit and my sparkling dress.

  At our table we have a bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1995, which according to Derek, it is the most expensive champagne, a bottle of Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani, the most expensive bottled water, and we also have La Madeline Au Truffles.

  Derek has invited four of his acquaintances to hang with us at our reserved table, whom all happen to be younger than Derek. Three of them have girlfriends, and the other man is married. I’ve never met these men before. They greet Derek and then they politely greet me. They each shake my hand politely while sweeping their glance down and then back up my body with an admiring eye. They mention their names but it just flies by me because I know I may never see them again. Derek seems to have thousands of wealthy acquaintances, and I am almost always meeting new ones.

  The three girlfriends are blondes, and the wife is a brunette. They are all exceptionally well dressed, and look like models. We girls sit close to each other and chat graciously, observing and complimenting each other’s outfits, while the men energetically talk among themselves, a few feet away. The women are keenly interested in my jewelry, and seem impressed and rather intimidated by the way I am decked out.

  Throughout the entire evening, Derek keeps an eye out, continually scanning the club and glancing at me, monitoring my safety. He is the chief of our group and relentlessly ensures everyone is content. He orders everyone the drinks of his or her choice. The alcohol is freely flowing, and everyone is rapidly intoxicated.

  We girls nibble on the delicious chocolates and sip on our drinks, while Derek’s acquaintances swiftly down one drink after another. NYE in Las Vegas is the one justification for alcoholic conduct. However, Derek doesn’t drink as much and remains on high alert.

  Derek orders us all several rounds of shots: B-52, Fuck Me Up, and Virgin Pussy. Derek’s friends joke about wanting more Virgin Pussy. The girls roll their eyes at their men. These guys are beyond wasted. Tomorrow, they will be getting VIP room service of IV therapy and maybe some shots of oxygen from the Hangover Heaven clinic to cure their major hangovers.

  As the girls and I get more and more inebriated, we become very affable with each other. We all rise and dance together like the closest of friends. It’s remarkable how alcohol makes people more sociable than they usually are with people they don’t know well.

  I continually notice Derek looking over at me, and he looks pleased when he detects that I am having a good time. I just smile at him, and he smiles right back.

  At 12:00 a.m., Derek pops open the champagne bottle and pours us each a glass as we all cheer and holler at full volume. We all raise our glasses and wish each other a Happy New Year. We girls hug and kiss each other on the cheeks, wishing each other the best. There is merriment and laughter as we continue to party and sip on our champagne.

  As I am dancing with the girls, I spot a familiar dark figure from the corner of my eye among the crowd in the club. I turn to look and see nothing, and blink a few times just to make sure. It must be the alcohol.

  I glance over at Derek, who is talking and laughing stridently amongst his male acquaintances. He looks so carefree and youthful.

  The girls and I dance the night away, and at 4:00 a.m. my legs are throbbing and I can barely stand. I have to struggle to keep my eyes open. I stumble over to Derek and mutter that I want to go to bed.

  I say my goodbyes to the girls, and they pout and frown, trying to get me to stay longer. I hug each girl, and Derek notifies his friends that he will be back.

  Derek takes a hold of my hand and guides me to the elevator. Once on our floor, I stagger through the hallway toward our hotel room, holding onto Derek for support, until we finally reach our room.

  Derek walks me through our opulent West End Penthouse and into the bedroom. He gets me undressed, and once I crawl under the sheets, he makes sure I am completely covered and comfortable. I slam my eyes shut. I am so sleepy. I feel Derek kiss me on the forehead and then he leaves.

  I sense Derek come in a few hours later, and he holds me close as we sleep.

  When I awake, Derek is no longer in bed. I assume he is at the hotel pool or gym as he has every morning since we’ve got to Las Vegas. I call Derek’s cell while still lying in bed. No answer.

  I get out of bed and nearly topple over. My head is throbbing with an excruciating migraine and I feel nauseated as my body strives to detox the excessive amounts of alcohol from last night.

  Somehow I manage to get showered, dressed, fix my hair as best I can, while also throwing up several times in the process.

  Derek still hasn’t responded so I text him and let him know that I’m going downstairs to the concierge to ask for an Advil, and that I’ll come back upstairs and wait for him in our hotel room. Derek always insists that I go downstairs to the concierge to make requests rather than calling anyone up into our hotel room when I am alone to ensure my safety. He trusts no one. I take one last look in the mirror by the door, grab my purse, and exit the hotel room.

  As I make my way at a sluggish pace through the hallway headed for the elevator, I instinctively feel someone walking behind me, but I resist turning around. I continue my stroll toward the elevator, until I feel someone right behind me. I automatically twirl around and am face-to-face with Julian. I get a chill through my spine and I freeze in shock.

  Julian notices my alarmed reaction and immediately responds, “Hello, Cheryl, sorry to frighten you.”

  I’m feeling very woozy and my migraine feels beyond agonizing and the surprise of seeing this man overcomes me like a blow of a fist in my stomach so I hastily lean against the wall to steady myself.

  “Are you okay?” Julian asks, looking and sounding genuinely concerned.

  “Yes, I am fine, I just need an Advil,” I blurt out.

  “I can get you one. I have some in my hotel room.” He points to his hotel room door on the left, a few feet further down the hall.

  “Really?” I ask quietly.

  “Yes,” he calmly assures me.

  My head feels hazy, and suddenly I am awfully faint so I remain leaning against the wall to thwart myself from collapsing.

  “I’ll go get you one if you like,” he says chivalrously.

  “That would be great,” I respond absentmindedly.

  He disappears into his hotel room, and I wait, leaning against the wall. Regardless of my condition, I start to feel apprehensive, and decide I need to make an escape.

  J
ulian emerges from his hotel room, before I have a chance to move from my position. He hands me a bottle of water and an unopened container of Advil as I try to steady myself against the wall.

  My decision-making skills are not at their sharpest, but it is apparent that the Advil and water have not been tampered with. I really want to take the Advil as soon as possible to relieve my brutal migraine.

  I stand there like a fool, holding the bottle of water in one hand and the Advil in the other hand, the alcohol blocking my clear thinking ability and swift motion. As I stand there analyzing the bottles, I glance up and Julian, who is gazing at me with a raised brow.

  My attention is quickly directed from his face to his wrist. I glance at his watch, a very exquisite, complicated watch. He notices and says, “Oldest watchmaker in the world. It’s a Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers. You like it?” he asks.

  ‘Yes it’s nice.” I mutter, while turning my attention back to the bottles and finally opening the bottle of water.

  Suddenly, I feel weak and dark specks distort my vision. I close my eyes and I feel my knees weaken, but just before I collapse, I feel Julian take a hold of me and pull me into his arms.

  “You must be dehydrated,” Julian says with concern in his voice as he puts my mouth to the bottle of water and tips the bottle, drizzling cool, refreshing water down my throat.

  After a while, once I feel I am able to stabilize myself and stand on my own again without his support, I open my eyes. Abruptly but gently, Julian takes a hold of my shoulders and guides me into his hotel room. I let him direct me as I remain inattentive and hazy-minded. He closes the door and locks it behind him.

  I stand in his room feeling awkward and frail, at last it dawns on me that I made a huge mistake. My mouth and throat dry up. Panic chokes me.

  Oh, fuck, he’s got me.

  His lips switch into a broad, triumphant smile, and his eyes flicker with euphoria.

  “Finally I have you alone,” he says quietly and takes a step toward me. I back away, and he takes another step toward me, his eyes never departing from mine.