100.

It was sixth day, Taliya was feeling the weight of her situation pressing down on her, yet she refused to let it crush her spirit. She stood by the window, arms crossed, glaring at the endless expanse of water surrounding the island. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape, of finding some way to outsmart Faraz and get back to safety.

Faraz’s voice cut through her thoughts as he entered the room. “Enjoying the view?”

She didn’t turn, keeping her gaze fixed on the ocean. “I’ve seen better.”

He chuckled softly, his tone almost amused. “You’re a feisty one, I’ll give you that.”

“I’m not interested in your compliments.” Her voice was steady, but her fists were clenched tightly.

Faraz stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. “Tell me, Taliya. Why do you think Murad hasn’t come for you yet?”

Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to respond, her voice unwavering. “I know he’s coming. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Interesting,” he murmured, almost as if speaking to himself. “Such blind faith. Do you really think he values you that much?”

She turned to face him, anger flaring in her eyes.

“You don’t know anything about him.”

Faraz’s smile faded, his expression hardening.

“I know more than you think. I know he’s selfish, arrogant, willing to use anyone to get what he wants.”

“That’s rich coming from you.” Taliya’s voice was sharp, laced with venom.

“At least he doesn’t kidnap innocent people to make a point.”

“Innocent?” He laughed, a bitter sound that echoed in the quiet room.

“Oh, Taliya, you’re far from innocent in this. Whether you realize it or not, you’re just as much a pawn as I am.”

“I’m not your pawn.” She took a step closer, her chin lifted defiantly. “And if you think keeping me here will make any difference, you’re a fool.”

Faraz’s eyes flashed with something she couldn’t quite place—a mixture of frustration and something darker. “You’re quick to pass judgment, Taliya. But in time, you’ll see that there are no heroes or villains in this story. Only people, each trying to survive.”

She shook her head, refusing to let his words get to her. “I know who I am. And I know who Murad is. Nothing you say will change that.”

Faraz sighed, rubbing his temples as if exasperated. “You’re stubborn. I’ll give you that. But stubbornness won’t save you.”

“Neither will your twisted logic,” she shot back, her voice unwavering.

They stood there, locked in a battle of wills, each refusing to back down. For a brief moment, Faraz’s mask slipped, and she saw something vulnerable beneath the hardness of his gaze—a flicker of regret, of something he’d buried deep inside.

But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by the same steely resolve.

“Very well,” he said quietly, stepping back. “Have it your way, Taliya. But remember this: the line between loyalty and foolishness is very thin. Don’t make the mistake of finding out too late.”

With that, he left, his footsteps echoing down the empty hall. Taliya was left alone, her resolve even stronger despite the doubts he’d tried to plant. She would not let him win. Not now, not ever.

Taliya let out a long sigh, stretching her arms as she leaned back on the couch. Every day had been an endless string of tense exchanges and mind games, and she was exhausted from having the same intense, mind-numbing conversations over and over again. Today, she needed a break—a small escape from the endless worry. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten much.

Rising to her feet, she wandered into the small kitchen area, hoping to find something simple to snack on. She opened the cupboard and paused, spotting a tin of cookies nestled on the top shelf. Her eyes lit up as she reached for it, popping open the lid to reveal a stash of beautifully made, inviting cookies. Without hesitation, she took a bite, savoring the unexpected sweetness and comforting crunch.

“These… are delicious,” she mumbled to herself between bites, already reaching for a second and then a third. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d tasted anything so decadent, and soon enough, she had polished off the entire tin.

But as she settled back on the couch, Taliya started to feel… different. Her body was warming up, a sudden flush creeping up her neck and spreading across her cheeks. She dismissed it at first, thinking maybe it was the sugar, or that she had eaten too much too quickly. But the feeling only intensified. Her skin felt overly sensitive, and a strange heat began to pulse within her, making her squirm uncomfortably.

A thought dawned on her, almost too ridiculous to entertain. No… those couldn’t have been…

But as her body’s response grew stronger, an overwhelming realization hit her. The cookies hadn’t just been sweet. They had been laced with something far more potent—something she had only heard about in passing. An aphrodisiac.

“Oh… no,” she murmured, feeling her face turn scarlet as the heat within her intensified. Her heart began to pound erratically, and she looked around the room, trying to gather her thoughts, but her mind was hazy, a confusing mix of embarrassment, surprise, and a newfound, foreign desire.

“Great. Just great,” she muttered to herself, trying to focus on anything else. She fanned her face, desperate to cool down, but nothing seemed to work. The air itself felt thick, pressing down on her, making her more acutely aware of everything around her—and of how her body was reacting.

Taliya pressed her hands against her cheeks, willing herself to calm down. But the rush of sensations didn’t fade; if anything, they seemed to grow stronger. This is a nightmare, she thought, fighting back a frustrated laugh. Who keeps cookies like that lying around?

She stumbled toward the door, deciding that fresh air might help her clear her mind and break the hold of whatever she had ingested. But her legs felt shaky, and her thoughts were a whirl of confusion and embarrassment. This was not the kind of “escape” she had been hoping for.