"Grilled cheese?" Jaime asked skeptically as I sat down with a plate stacked high with cheesy deliciousness. "What are you? Five?"

"I'm feeling particularly childish today. Besides, grilled cheeses are simple." I quipped, starting on my first grilled cheese. "My mom used to make them all the time when I was sick. It always made me feel better. Even when I found out she made them with mayo." I added quietly, a small smile forming on my face.

He still eyed me curiously as I finished my last bite and grabbed another. I scooted the plate closer to him, nodding my head towards the abundance of grilled cheeses. Definitely made way too many. I was only halfway through the second and I wasn't even sure if I could finish it. 

Jaime picked up a sandwich and sniffed it before taking a bite. His eyes widened before slipping closed as he chewed. I watched him as he took another bite without opening his eyes. And another. Until he polished off the rest of his grilled cheese. When he did open his eyes, my fingers were laced beneath my chin, waiting for him to say something.

If I had grilled cheeses like this when I was five, I probably would keep making them too." He reached for the last one, eyes hungry. His child-like grin prompted a laugh from me as I grabbed the empty plate. I set it in the sink along with the pan from the stove and rummaged under the sink for some dish soap. When I stood back up, I found Jaime with his elbows propped on the counter, staring at me, his grey eyes warm. 

I tried to shake off his stare as I washed the dishes, but heat creeped up my neck anyway, his eyes never faltering. I dried my hands on a paper towel, but there wasn't a trash can in sight. Jaime caught my eye and pointed to a cabinet on my left. I opened it, throwing my wadded paper towel in the trash can hidden there. "Thanks," I said sheepishly. 

He led me through a living room with three couches -who needed three couches- and up a set of stairs. My eyes lingered on the front doors I walked through almost a week ago, and my footsteps faltered for only a second. I wasn't sure if Jaime noticed. When we stopped at a closed door, I figured it must've been mine.

"Tell me your secret." Jaime stretched an arm across the door, eyes burning into mine. The gold in his eyes shining from the hall light. I leaned toward him, lost in his eyes and determined to count each speck. I didn't think he was talking about my secret recipe for grilled cheeses. 

A shrill ringing broke my train of thought. Jaime pulled his phone from his back pocket and brought it to his ear.

"What?" He barked at the person on the other end. Jaime paused before answering, "She's with me. I've got it handled."

I didn't hear the rest of the conversation. His words were like a bucket of ice water, and I was harshly reminded of my place here. I'm constantly watched, monitored, at all times. Something to be handled.

What am I doing? My pulse raced and I panicked as my chest tightened, making it harder to breathe. Breathe, I needed room to breathe. I took a step back from Jaime, but it wasn't enough. Ducking under his arm, I flung the door open. I heard his footsteps as he followed me and the concern in his voice when he said my name. I couldn't talk. I was still struggling to breathe. The last thing I needed was him to be here. 

My palms started sweating when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I jumped at his touch and, without looking at him, darted into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I could still feel Jaime's presence right outside the door. "Go away. Please." I don't know how he heard me, I could barely hear myself, but after a few seconds I heard his footsteps leave and the bedroom door shut.

Deep breaths, I reminded myself. I closed my eyes, leaning against the door. In. Out. In. Out. Slowly, my breathing evened out and my heart stopped thundering in my chest. One by one my muscles relaxed as my legs finally gave out from under me. I slid down the door and onto the cold tile floor. I opened my eyes once the worst part was over and stared blankly at the wall, forcing all thoughts out of my mind. I don't know how long I stayed on the bathroom floor, but when I finally left, Jaime was gone and a note rested on my pillow.

'Dinner's at 6. Be ready.'

*****

"Why did I have a feeling that you wouldn't be ready?"

I glared at Jaime from across the room. He was dressed in a white button-down tucked into a pair of navy dress pants. "That time already?" I asked sarcastically, glancing down at my wrist which definitely did not have a watch on it. All I wanted to do was lay in bed and rest, but it seemed Jaime had other plans.

"Get up." Jaime ordered, running a hand through his already tousled hair in annoyance.

"I'm not going." I mumbled, not moving. His long legs crossed the room in two strides, jerking me up and out of bed.

"I will drag you down there if I have to." He gritted through clenched teeth.

I dug my heels into the plush rug. "Why? Why is dinner so important? What's the point?" I demanded.

Jaime scowled and leaned down so that his face was dangerously close to mine. "Get this through your thick skull, while you are in this house, you will abide by my rules. That means attending dinners from here on out."

How is this the same guy? I met his steely gaze, anger blossoming in my chest. "You get this through your thick skull, you cocky, arrogant bastard. I did not ask to be here. I am not going to follow your stupid rules. So whatever you're planning on doing with me, just get it over with. I'm sick of your games."

We were locked in a mental battle, daring the other to break first. Eventually, Jaime sighed in frustration and let go of my arm. He didn't move away though.

"We got off on the wrong foot. Let's just start over."

"Start over?" Deep down, I knew he was just trying to extend an olive branch, but instead the words spiked my anger even more. I jabbed my finger into his chest, and something inside of me snapped. "You kidnapped me. Did I think you were cute when you walked into the diner? Sure. But then you acted like a complete asshole. Then I almost died in an alley while I was taking out the trash. Then you drugged me and I have been treated like a prisoner ever since. And you want to start over? There is nothing to start over!" 

I didn't realize I had stepped so close to him during my rant until my heaving chest was almost touching his. Jaime's face showed a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I blinked and took a step back, mentally shaking my head. I don't know what came over me. I wasn't one to normally lash out, but for some reason this man gets under my skin.

"If you go to dinner and behave, I will let you out of this room." He offered when my breathing returned to normal.

My eyes flickered to his face, trying to decipher if he was lying. "You'll leave the door unlocked?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes. 

"Yes."

"I can roam wherever I please?"

"Within limits."

It didn't take long for me to contemplate his proposal. Being able to wander around the house and grounds would give me an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the house and probably form another escape plan. Also, I could finally do something other than lay in bed.

"Fine." 

"Fine?" Jaime raised an eyebrow as he studied me.

"I'll go to your dinner."

"And behave?"

"Yeah. Yeah." I headed for the door, but Jaime's voice stopped me.

"Not so fast. You have to change."

I looked down at my t-shirt and jeans. "What's wrong with this?"

"Dinner is more of a formal affair." I didn't like the way his eyes danced with amusement.