You came from a not so rich background with big dreams. You longed to be wealthy, to shop at malls, dine at fancy restaurants, wear designer clothes, and have a new outfit every day. But most of all, you yearned to explore the world beyond the confines of your home, where your parents had kept you sheltered, warning you about the cruelties of the world.
But one day, you finally mustered the courage to pack your bags and leave home without a future plan. It was a reckless decision. You stood out on the streets, suitcase in hand, the fanciest one your family owned, like the protagonist of a movie. But ̶Y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶o̶p̶y̶.
"Ma'am, wait!" A man's voice called out.
You turned to see two suited men rushing towards you. Panicked, you tried to flee, but they caught up and dragged you towards a sleek black car despite your protests.
"Where have you been? We've been searching everywhere for you since last night. Let's go home, ma'am. " One of them said, made you sit in the car and drove off.
That's how you found yourself thrust into a life of luxury.
They had mistaken you for someone else, a billionaire named Maria Franz, who looked identical to you. Her parents were dead and now you were the sole beneficiary of her vast wealth. Lucky, right? You seized the opportunity, thinking, why not? You could live this life by simply being someone else.
However, you were unaware that the real Maria had taken her own life to escape a monstrous entity that would now become your worst nightmare.
It was night time. Lights turned off. You stood at the balcony of your mansion, with a cup of expensive coffee cooling in your hands, the city lights glittering below like a sea of tiny stars; distant, meaningless.
Then the air behind you shifted. You felt a chill run down your spine before you even heard him. Then, a low, raspy voice grated close to your ear, slow and deliberate.
"Tick tock. Tick tock."
You spun. He was there, tall, wrapped in shadow, a silhouette that did not belong to the polite world. His eyes held you like a verdict. For a moment, the night sounded hollow.
"You’ve run out of time." He said, voice smooth as silk and sharp as a blade.
Your throat went dry. "W-what do you mean?" You managed.
He stepped forward without hurry and closed the distance.
He didn’t shout. He didn’t need to.
"Don’t play dumb," he said. "I gave you time to decide. Either you come to me willingly… or I will take you by force, Maria.
Panic rose in your throat. "Guards!" You shouted into the night. "Help!"
He laughed then, low and cold. "You think I didn’t prepare?" He murmured, leaning close enough that you smelled his cologne; sharp, metallic, expensive. Your so-called protectors? I had them dealt with hours ago. No one will answer."
"You were given a choice," he said slowly. "Decide. Walk to me, and I spare you pain. Resist, and I will make you regret every breath."