Capturing The Little Belle

Chapter 8

Belle's eyes fluttered open slowly as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the car's mirrors. She had been so utterly exhausted that she had drifted into an uneasy slumber, completely unaware of the journey's destination. The car continued to glide forward, and as Belle gradually emerged from her drowsiness, she couldn't help but be captivated by the breathtaking scenery outside.

The road stretched before them in a perfect circle, as if leading to some hidden hilltop paradise. It was a stark contrast to the miniature world she had known before. These cars, these roads, and these awe-inspiring views were entirely foreign to her. For a fleeting moment, she forgot about Ashton sitting beside her, lost in the surreal beauty unfolding before her eyes. However, when she did remember, she turned to look at him.

As Belle's gaze met Ashton's piercing, grey eyes, she felt a shiver run down her spine. He appeared calm and collected, yet there was an undeniable aura of danger about him. His presence felt menacing to the young girl who remained oblivious to the unfolding events. Why had this enigmatic stranger compelled her to accompany him, and why did he regard her with such familiarity? Everything was a tangled mess, and clarity seemed elusive.

Belle was jolted from her thoughts when the guard's voice reverberated through the car. She peered outside and saw that they had arrived at an imposing black gate, which swung open with an eerie swiftness. The cars proceeded down a long, winding path that led deeper into the mysterious and beautiful estate. As they ventured further, an enormous mansion came into view, every aspect of it cloaked in black. It was undeniably beautiful, yet it emitted an unsettling aura as if something within it was profoundly amiss.

The cars gradually slowed down and aligned themselves, each passing through the entrance gate in succession. Belle, still entranced by the surroundings, momentarily forgot that their car had stopped just before the main gate, and the door was now being opened for the imposing stranger to exit.

Questions raced through Belle's mind as she watched the way he was received. It was evident that this place was his domain, vast and inescapable. The imposing walls, the boundaries, the colossal mansion, and the sprawling lands beyond all seemed to belong to him. It felt as though he ruled over a city, and he was its mayor.

The bossy man stepped out of the car, and Belle felt an unexpected sense of relief wash over her as if a heavy, oppressive atmosphere had lifted. The men surrounding him welcomed him with the utmost reverence, treating him as if he were a prince.

" Stupids............, " Belle couldn't help but think to herself, " Welcoming him as if he had conquered the world. " She couldn't deny the extraordinary aura he seemed to exude, but she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but resentment. After all, he had kidnapped her, preventing her from bidding a proper farewell to her beloved aunt.

Her friend had suffered, and their separation had been merciless. Every action, every word from that fateful encounter was etched vividly in her memory, fueling her determination to find a way to bring this man down, no matter the cost.

The door on Belle's side was forcibly swung open, revealing the man she had attempted to attack earlier. His eyes bore into her with a frigid, threatening intensity.

" Come out.........., " he commanded in a harsh and dismissive tone. Belle remained rooted to her spot, unwilling to comply.

In an instant, the man seized her arm with a grip that felt like an iron vice, pulling her out of the car with an intensity that left her arm marked with a fiery redness.

" Ahhh..., " Belle winced, pain shooting through her as she was manhandled. Her wrists were unceremoniously bound together with handcuffs, and she was compelled to move forward under the man's unrelenting force.

Belle's gaze darted toward the bossy man, who seemed entirely oblivious to the fact that he had brought her along. He was engrossed in a discussion as he strode purposefully toward the mansion's entrance, leaving Belle at the mercy of this unsettling man. She was shrouded in uncertainty, completely unaware of where they were taking her and what sinister intentions lay ahead.

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Ashton had never felt so tumultuous within the confines of his car. Her mere presence stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him, an intoxicating blend of guilt and fury.

She, so youthful, so enchanting, so bold and fearless. What on earth was he to do with her? He had never felt more vulnerable in his life. His mission was to shatter Jackson from the inside, to inflict upon him the very torment Ashton had endured for years. Nothing else, not stolen property nor any other possession, had ever affected Jackson as profoundly as the absence of his daughter.

For her, Ashton was deprived of his family, his rightful claim. Fate had cruelly casted the young boy onto the unforgiving streets. The wounds ran deep, and Ashton couldn't simply forget and forgive.

Suddenly, Ashton felt a delicate touch on his arm, diverting him from his turbulent thoughts. It was Belle, using him as a comforting anchor to drift into slumber. Her head rested on his arm, her eyes gently closed, and her lips softly parted, as if to speak some whispered secret.

Ashton leaned in closer to catch those elusive words. " Aunt..., " she murmured, repeating the word that escaped her lips.

Hearing it, a surge of anger coursed through Ashton. " Damn that old shit..., " he muttered in frustration. His gaze lingered upon her heavenly countenance; she was indeed a princess, and he couldn't deny it. A strand of her hair brushed against her cheek, and Ashton's fingers instinctively reached out to tuck it behind her ear. Her skin was remarkably soft, and his fingers began to caress her cheek, driven by an inexplicable impulse. He acted without thinking, caught in her enchanting aura.

The blaring car horn jolted him from his trance, and he was nearly shocked at his own actions. Why had he been providing her solace in her slumber and tenderly caressing her? It was all so foreign, so unfamiliar.

" She's just a girl, Ashton. You've never taken an interest in anyone like her before..., " he reminded himself, attempting to withdraw his arm. His abrupt movement nudged Belle aside, and she blinked momentarily before slipping back into her dreams. The entire journey had been exhausting and stifling, but despite her ragged clothes and dirt-covered appearance, there was an undeniable radiance about her. Her skin and hair, though obscured by grime, retained their luster. Her long, thick eyelashes, dainty nose, and plump, inviting lips were nothing short of beautiful. After years of keeping her hidden, she was finally before him, blossoming into a captivating young woman.

Ashton gazed at her with an intensity that transported him back in time, reminiscing about the moment when he had lurked in the shadows of a hospital corridor, secretly observing Jackson cradling the newborn in his arms. Chaos reigned in the hospital, and Ashton's clothes were stained with the blood of his parents. He had been there to exact revenge on Jackson, clutching a small knife, concealed in the shadows.

However, Jackson's henchmen had spotted him, and a frenzied pursuit ensued through the hospital. Ashton, a mere boy at the time, devoid of resources and family, had fled as fast as his legs could carry him, escaping the hospital and taking refuge in the nearby streets. Their home had fallen into Jackson's clutches, and the adjoining wall between Jackson's and Knight's houses was the only thing that separated them. Jackson had laid claim to the entire property, intending to demolish the wall and merge the two buildings into a grand villa. He knew that Ashton posed a significant threat to his business and ownership, which is why he had ordered Ashton's demise, along with Knight and Catherine, Ashton's mother.

Ashton's phone vibrated in his lap, snapping him out of his profound journey through the past. They were now just a few kilometres away from the city, their destination looming ahead. He was exhausted from the ceaseless ruminations, but now that the girl was with him and would reside in his domain, everything seemed to carry less stress and a newfound sense of conspiracy.