Chapter 12- A Moment

IT HAS been a whole twenty-four hours since Tami had been in yet another large room alone. She got bored of skipping through channels, and all her meals came directly to her room. So she knew Raphael's intention was to keep her in this suite AGAIN, much like at his house at Grand Bahama.

She heard when he came in last night around ten p.m. When she snuck out and tried to get away, thinking he'd be too exhausted to check in on her, she had been mistaken. The door was locked from the inside. FROM THE INSIDE.

How did he manage to do that? In addition, all the windows would've been suicide to use as an escape route. They were about twelve stories up.

So, she had retreated back to her room and stayed there. As promised, Raphael got her the laptop, but she didn't use it. It rubbed her the wrong way to use something that she won't need after they leave. So, she left it by his door with a note telling him to return it.

Instead, she recorded her daily log on a piece of paper she found in a book, and decided that she'd transfer the information to the laptop back at Raphael's house when they get back there, IF she doesn't get freed by then.

***

Day 6

So there has been a change in setting. I am in a foreign country--Puerto Rico to be exact. This is Raphael's home. I know, because he would tell me stories about the country when we were younger back at camp.

At that time, I was always excited about visiting the island. But now when I finally got the opportunity, it doesn't feel the same.

Yet again, I'm locked in a room. Well to be exact, I was locked in a penthouse suite on the highest floor of Roseum Hotel. What any girl would dream of huh? Well not me. If it were other circumstances, I'd be beholding the view, relishing in those comfy looking couches and climbing onto anything that is taller than me. But I didn't feel like doing any of that, so I locked myself in the 'bedroom' and I haven't left since.

Stubborn. That's what I am. Who would blame me though? It has been six days being Raphael's captive, and I miss my family like crazy.

I admit, the thrill I felt yesterday when he drove me in his fast car, and took me onto his private jet was exhilarating. I forgot for a while that I was a victim and enjoyed the luxury. But as much as Raphael feels he has a chance with me, he will be disappointed.

New escape plan? Nada.

Not at this point. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up.

Fingers crossed.

***

"Tami?"

She yelped at the sound of Raphael's voice as she shoved her freshly finished daily log into her duffle bag, making a mental note to record it on the laptop if she gets the chance.

She grabbed the TV remote and switched it on as if she had been watching it all along as Raphael pushed through the door. She avoided him, something they both had gotten used to as he stood a few feet away from her.

He cleared his throat, as if asking for her attention, but she kept her eyes trained on the fictional characters.

"Why are you locked up in here like this? The view from the penthouse is marvelous. You can see the whole town all the way to the coast from here."

She avoided him, simply switching the TV to another channel as if he didn't speak.

"There's a larger TV in the living room area too" He tried again, wanting her to take advantage of the wondrous suite. She was the reason he had gotten it in the first place.

"I'm not interested" Came her monotone reply.

He sighed, feeling utterly defeated as he sat beside her on her huge bed. She scooted away a bit, which as always, hurt his feelings.

"I came to take you to lunch. Can I?" He asked, his voice gentle and pleading as his eyes.

The thought of being outside slightly enthused the curly haired woman. She finally turned to meet his eyes, and she was more than surprised by his attire. A crisp, expensive looking business suit was what he wore, and she acknowledged that he looked nothing less of a boss. The lightbulb then lit her brain at the realization.

"You're a CEO of a business aren't you? What business is it? Must be huge if you're this rich"

Conversation. This was a conversation, and Raphael liked it.

"Well yes I am, but not here in Puerto Rico. When my parents separated, they split the business in two separate franchises. I inherited my father's software franchise when he died. I still own that one a hundred percent. Our headquarters are there in Grand Bahama"

"Was that why you moved there?" She cocked her head to the side as her big brown eyes shone in pure curiosity. No contempt, no annoyance, just a familiar glow of Tami's questioning gaze.

"Yes and no. I could've stayed here and only fly to Léon Enterprise when I needed to, but Grand Bahama felt like home. It is where I have my happiest memories"

Tami's gaze fell when she recognized what he had meant. However, he didn't want to unnerve her, so he quickly changed the subject.

"My mother ran her business from here. But when she died, I sold it. Some paperwork got messed up in the process and so we're here"

"I didn't know you owned that company. And it's so obvious" She chuckled at the thought. "When I was an intern a couple years ago, the business I worked with used your product. It didn't occur to me until now"

He nodded, feeling proud of the moment. "We sell our services to hundreds of businesses worldwide. It's what we're known for. However, I let my Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer deal with the day to day operations. I only step in at board meetings and if there's an issue that the COO and CBO cant handle."

"That's a pretty easy job then huh?" She asked with a light chuckle, and he returned her smile with one of his rare ones.

"Not as you think. Most of the decisions still have to go through me, and checking monthly reports is not fun" He attempted a joke and he was indeed happy when she actually laughed.

"That's good for you Raphael. I haven't reached there just yet, but it's nice to know that you achieved your goals."

"Thank you" His heart welled at the thought that Tami admired what he did.

Even if it was only for this short while until her curiosity subsides and she remembers what he did, he held onto the moment. He decided to catch her in her light mood and eliminate any opportunity to upset her again.

"Will you take me up on the offer to go to lunch?"

Tami pondered on the thought for a while as her thoughts refocused. "Uh-sure. Just give me a second to change"

"What you're wearing is perfect," He provided, wanting to lessen any chance of her changing her mind.

She glanced down at her tank top and leggings with a slight frown. "Really?"

"Of course" He was sincere in his answer. To him, she looked beautiful in anything.

"Okay" She shrugged. "But you still need to give me a minute so I can put on a bra" The words slipped before she could hold them back, and Raphael certainly heard them.

Without realizing, his gaze fell to her full chest, seeing that they were indeed free of the strappy clothing. His gaze certainly affected Tami, as her buds hardened beneath the thin cloth, something that didn't go unnoticed by Raphael. His breath hitched and hers grew heavy, and they both felt stuck in time as they met eyes.

Raphael had always acknowledged her femininity, but being this close to her was almost maddening, especially when she was looking at him like that.

Tami was the first to break out of her trance, and Raphael jumped to his feet faster than the Flash himself.

"I'll just..."

"Yea" She finished as she disappeared into the bathroom.

What the hell just happened?