Devastatingly handsome.... Impossibly distant.
I stopped at the threshold arms crossed.
"Did you have to?" I growled
"Have to what?"
"Threaten the staff just to make me come down here?" I replied
"I don't make threats, I state conditions. Dinner is non negotiable. Every evening you'll be briefed on the events you're expected to adhere to." He stated calmly.
"And if I don't?"
"Then someone loses their job." He replied.
He gestured towards the chair across him.
"Sit….. Eat..."
I wanted nothing more than to slap that stupid smirk off his face but I know that'll be the end of me. With a clenched jaw I moved to the chair letting my gaze linger on his profile before sitting.
I sat there staring at the options..... They all looked tasty but I had no appetite.
"Not hungry?" He asked
"You should be grateful for the food, considering you've lost other privileges." He added.
"I lost my job because of you, I don't need you reminding me every chance you get." I bit back
"That was a necessary correction."he replied with a clipped tone.
"If you think I'll let you treat me like this you don't know me at all" I yelled.
"Oh I know perfectly well. The spoiled stubborn daughter of a family that's brought nothing but ruin. You think you can walk into this marriage and do as you please." He replied calmly.
"And you think you can keep punishing me for something I had no part in? Whatever you're trying to settle, this is between you and the proprietor, not me." I added
" it became your reality the moment you signed that contract. You'll play the obedient wife and follow my rules."
"It's the least you can do for all I've ..... sacrifice for your family."he continued
"So that's it. This is a cage….. you'll keep me here stripping away everything untill I become exactly what you want." I whispered
He stands up excusing himself and walking out.
The moment the door closed my hands trembled in my lap and my lips quivered before the sob finally escaped. The tears fell harder than I meant them to, the untouched food on my plate suddenly looking grotesque….. mocking….
I bent forward, face in my hand as I cried silently.
"What did they do to him?" I thought deeply.
"What did they do to make him hate me so much?
"I never asked for this life, never wanted it and now I've lost everything.
The sound of footsteps coming hitched my breath. I sat upright wiping at my cheek but it was too late, he walked in backlit by the hallway light, pausing as his eyes took me in.
Tears streaked down my face, lashes wet....
His eyes widen in panic but then his expression changes back to his usual stoic gaze. He crosses his arms as he watches me with an unreadable expression.
"I want you in my office by 7 am tomorrow."he spoke.
"For what?"
"You'll resume as my assistant. You'll be briefed when you get there." He continued
"No...I…..I didn't train for that…. You can't be serious right now."
"My job....i….. please don't do this to me. That's all I have.... It's…. Please don't take it away from me." I pleaded
"Be at the office by 7am and I don't tolerate lateness.... Your designated driver will be waiting." He replied coldly.
His eyes flicked to mine again, gaze unreadable, intense then he turned walking away.