CHAPTER 4. THE PARTY THAT TURNED TO A HUNT
I was still reeling on the floor when someone walked in. I only saw the strap of his boots as the person towered before me.
Nathan? I smelt him.
Am I in trouble? I thought.
I didn't expect him to walk into my room without me being invited to his chambers.
But yet, he didn’t walk into the room, he arrived, like he had been there all along, waiting for me to notice him.
“You’re lost in thought,” he said. His voice sounded so silk over steel as his hands dipped into his pockets.
“I’m fine,” I lied, cleaning my tears as I rose from the floor I was lying on.
His eyes drifted over me slowly and assessing.
“You’re not fine. And you’re terrible at lying.”
I staggered as I gripped a handle to gain my balance.
I’m fine sir.
“You clearly looked shattered. He corrected,stepping closer.
The scent of expensive cologne reached me first, very dark, warm and intoxicating.
“Look, thinking gets people hurt in this house, you'd better tell me the truth
He said as his eyes searched through mine but I shifted immediately trying to avoid his body contact,but he pulled more closer.
Sir, then maybe I should stop thinking because right now all I can feel is how close you are sir… I blurted at him.
His eyes roamed over me slowly, claiming each glance and never wanting to let go, yet lingering like a man deciding whether to keep the treasure he’d just unearthed.
“Your mother is sick, isn’t she?”
The words hit me like a slap. “How do you…? I asked curiously with my breath seizing my words
“I know everything about people under my roof,” Yours will not be different. He responded
His tone was cold, but his eyes… they flickered, just for a second, with something softer than his usual character.
“Why do you care? I whispered.
My voice sounded quieter than I meant it to be, while his breath struck mine and the heat of his body brushing through my soft skin as he drew more closer. At this point I noticed his built abs.
“Because I have a good use for you.”
Come here! He said.
As he made his way out, I followed him helplessly at the back.
:
:
When we got to the office, it was dim, warm, and suffocating in the way only expensive rooms could be.
He stayed standing, leaning against the edge of his desk, one hand wrapped lazily around a glass of amber liquid.
He took a sip and said, “Tomorrow night, there’s a party at the Dons’ estate.
It is a high-profile party where champagne costs more than a car. And where one flash of a camera can either make you royalty… or strip you bare.” He took another sip, this time slowly like he owns every drop, while his eyes never left mine.
I want you to watch over me at the rim. I want you to be in that party. He said unapologetically.
“My ex will be there and she’s engaged to a man I don't like”.
My heartbeat races, my fingers burning and nerves shaking.
“So?” I asked, expecting the worst trauma.
“So,” he drawled, setting the glass down.
“I want her to see me with someone,any one to let me pass and look good without her”. His gaze locked on me.
“And I want that person to be you.”
My breath caught.
“Me?”
He stood and stepped closer, slow and deliberate, until my back nearly brushed the wall.
“You’ll be my girlfriend for the night. I will make sure you're beautiful, dressed royal and impossible to ignore.”
Just for the night… He whispered into my breath as his lips drew near to mine, I felt a drip under me, my tummy trickled at the choice he made for the night.
“And why would I agree to that?” I asked, almost losing it at this point. My voice was defiant, but my pulse was betraying me.
“Because,” he said, lowering his head slightly close, his breath brushing my hair strands hanging behind my ears.
In exchange for this… I’ll pay for your mother’s hospital bills and treatment.
That includes every bill, and whatever it takes to keep her alive.”
I froze. My thoughts hampered for thirst of clarity in my head.
He’s dangerous and he is using me. But my mother. My mom needs to get her health back, at least she could breathe again. My mother should be alive,that is the reason for my stay here.
“This isn’t kindness,” he murmured, straightening his voice and being cold again.
“It's business”.
You give me what I want and I make sure you don’t bury your mother.”
For a long moment, I just stared at him. My heart was hitting so hard I wondered if he could hear it.
Finally, I nodded. “I’ll do it.”
His mouth curved into something that looks like a smile but giving a stern warning.
“Good! Tomorrow night, you’ll stop being a maid for just the night and act as mine.”
He pulled back from his gaze and shifted towards the desk at the centre of his room.
You may leave now. He ordered.
I left with my thoughts looking for answers in my head.
:
When I left his room, the piece of note felt heavier in my pocket as I walked back to my quarter, clutching the envelope like it was an oxygen.
When I pushed my door open, something felt wrong.
The bedspread was rumpled. The window latch was opened.
:
:
“Clara!” He called fiercely as I heard his footsteps storming into the kitchen with rage.
I rushed down to know what was the chaos.
Nathan stood in the doorway of the service hall. His jaw tight and eyes raging like a storm.
“What are you doing here?” His voice cut through the clatter of dishes Janie was arrying and the chatter of the other maids.
My spines shook and my legs wobbled as though the floor had turned to water beneath me.
Sir, I… I...(I stammered)
“What?” His voice rose as his face turned too deadly to look upon as he outbursted.
Is that what I asked you to do?
Go and get dressed! Now.”
The room fell into silence. Every pair of eyes swung toward me, then back to him.
I felt Janie’s stare as I wobbled in fear, her lips pressed thin, her chin lifted in smug disbelief. Janie, the one who always found a reason to linger near Nathan, even when polishing his silver shoes.
She stepped forward with her voice sugar-coated as she tried to mutter words to Nathan.
“Sir, she’s just not used to. She spoke, trying to lure him.
“Did I ask you to speak?” Nathan cut her off immediately and didn’t even look at her.
Janie’s cheeks flushed. She shot me a glare sharp enough to cut my spine. I didn’t need to read the words in her facial expression: It all showed…Why you?