It was an ordinary day. Ordinary-being the key word. It was Thursday and I was at the local deli ordering my usual. A turkey sandwich with cheese and lettuce. A treat for myself since it was payday.
"No tomato or mayo, JD?"
I look at Chuck, the owner who always teased me. I smile at him.
"No, thank you."
He finishes my order and I pay him. I sit down and unwrap heaven. Well plain heaven, but still it was heaven to me. I lift it to my mouth to take a bite and notice a man beside me. I try not to stare but I get an uneasy feeling. I discreetly wrap the sandwich trying to make a quiet exit. I could always eat in the car. I'm about to get up and walk out and my ears are pierced with the words.
"Nobody move. This is a hold up!"
The place goes quiet and I groan. Not out of fear. More out of annoyance. It is lunchtime, I was starving and the mystery guy with the sunglasses and baseball cap was ruining my hour.
He walks over to Chuck and demands him to open the register. He obliges and stuffs the money into the bag that is handed to him. I look on in disbelief. I'm in a dream. I'm going to wake up to my alarm and this is all going to end. I realize it isn't when I feel a hand grab my arm. It's his hand and I struggle.
"What are you doing?" I demand, but he is insistent as he pulls me towards him.
"Keep quiet and you won't get hurt."
He forces me out the door. I desperately reach for my sandwich that is left on the table, but no luck. I'm out the door more angry than afraid. he leads me to a black suv and pushes me inside. He looks at me surprised when I rant on how he ruined my lunch. Any normal person would be begging for their life. I was begging for a sandwich. I'm still complaining as he starts the car, turns up the radio-I'm assuming to drown me out, and drives away.
We finally arrive at his destination. An apartment complex. I'm still complaining about my sandwich. He turns off the, takes off his sunglasses and looks at me annoyed.
"You done yet?"
I stare at his intense blue eyes and sigh.
"You know you ruined my lunch."
"And I'm supposed to be concerned?"
He gets out of the suv, walks over to my side and opens the door.
"Get out."
"I think I'll stay here."
"It wasn't a request. I was ordering you. Now get out."
He grabs my arm and pulls me out towards him.
"Walk with me if you want nothing to happen."
I decide it was best to pay attention if I ever wanted to see another turkey sandwich again.
I walk with him to the door. He takes out his key and unlocks it. He pulls me inside. He walks over to the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. He takes out some items and throws them on the counter.
"Here, maybe this will shut you up for a few minutes."
I walk over and take a closer look. Turkey breast, American cheese and a head of lettuce. I look at him.
"The bread is behind you."
"This isn't from Chuck's Deli."
He mocks me.
"This isn't from Chucks. Will you just be quiet and eat? You should be thanking me that I'm permitting you in the first place."
I take out the bread and begin slapping pieces of meat on it. I make my sandwich and take a bite. With a mouth full of food I ask
"You got anything to drink?"
He opens the refrigerator again and throws me a can of diet soda.
"Diet?" I ask.
"Drink it or die of thirst."
I open the can and take a gulp. I finish my lunch. He waits patiently. As soon as I take the last bite he grabs my plate and places it in the sink. He points to a chair in the living room.
"Sit down."
"I like to stand."
"It wasn't a request."
I sigh, walk over and sit. He takes rope out of the kitchen drawer and walks over. I jump up.
"Oh no. You are not tying me up."
"I need to go out and you need to stay here."
"No you need to let me go so I can get back to work. You know what a job is, don't you or is this what you do for a living?"
"You don't need to worry about what I do. All you need to worry is about staying alive."
He takes my hand and leads me to the window.
"See that car out there?"
I nod.
"Well they are after me and anyone associated with me."
I'm to exhausted to get upset.
"Great, so that means."
I plop down in the chair. He takes out the rope.
"You know you don't have to do that. I'm not going anywhere."
I hear him snicker and he smiles.
"I wasn't trying to be funny."
I don't realize that he is tying me to the chair as the conversation is going on.
He finishes and walks to the door.
"Wait a minute. What if I have to go to the bathroom?"
"Cross your legs." He walks out and locks the door behind him.
> I sit there for what seems like hours and begin to think. It was the only thing I could do since I was tied up. His face is embedded in my mind, especially his eyes. I know I've seen him before. The deli? No. On the street? I don't think so, and then it finally dawns on me. He was a customer that came in the store I worked at. I think more about the snicker and smile he did earlier. I remember him and I know now he took me for a reason. I wait patiently for him to walk through the door so I can reveal what I know. I was far from being afraid. I was annoyed more than anything. He finally walks in and smiles at me. I glare at him as he walks over and unties me. I sit there motionless.
"I thought you might have to go." He nods towards the bathroom.
"You were in the store last week" I blurt out.
"I'm in a lot of stores."
"Cut the crap. You know what I mean."
He ignores me and pulls me up.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
He pushes me toward the bathroom.
"Do your business and we'll talk."
I stand there for a minute. I was dying. I had to go. But I didn't like being told what to do. He places his hands on my shoulders and whispers.
"Go or I will talk about everything water related."
That's all I need to hear as I hurry inside and slam the door.
"Make sure you wash your hands." I hear him call from behind it.
I finish and walk out.
"Sit." He orders as he points to the couch. I walk over and sit down and he sits beside me. Complete silence. I turn to him and ask.
"So are you going to tell me?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Who are you and why am I here?" I ask frustrated.
"You know that car outside?"
"The one from earlier."
"Yes. Well I am in some trouble with them. Let's just say it was a business deal that went wrong."
"Drugs."
He shakes his head.
"Not that. Will you please listen?"
I look at him.
"The only way I can survive is if I'm married or pretend to be in my case."
I stare in disbelief.
"So, you're saying you took me so you could pretend I was your wife."
He looks at me.
I am still in shock trying to process what I just heard.
"I've been watching you a lot, JD.
My ears sting hearing him say my name. He takes his shirt and I stare at his chest. I clear my throat. He notices the tension.
"I'm sorry. It's a little stuffy in here. I'll put it back on."
"It's fine." I stammer.
He changes the subject.
"So, what does JD stand for?"
"You really want to know?"
"Yes I do."
"It stands for Jacqueline Danielle."
He smiles at me. I am not amused.
"I hate my name, so I've always gone by JD.
"Well Jacqueline Danielle I think you have a beautiful name."
He then does something that takes me by surprise. He pulls me towards him and kisses me. He lets go, gets up and walks into his bedroom. I hear the door shut as I sit on the couch feeling unsure on what to do.
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