Chapter 71: Anything I want
1215words
'What are you doing here?" I asked, flitting toward him.
'Does this place look like your room?" Mr. Nathan retorted.
'You didn't send those hoodlums, did you?" I queried, highly anticipating his reply.
'What do you think?" he asked, sitting on the bed and taking off his shoes.
'No, I don't believe this. You wouldn't stoop so low as to do such an act," I tried to convince myself.
'I see the guys have been treating you nicely. I like your new look," he said as his lips quirked up.
Realizing I was wearing just a tank top and shorts, I quickly hugged myself, moving back from him.
'You're losing your mind, pervert," I scorned.
'Come on, we have a business deal to seal," he said, patting the space beside him on the bed.
'I want no business with you. Let me out of here."
'That's the major reason you are here. Why is it hard for you to understand the fact that you can't quit without my permission? It's my rule, and no one flouts it," he said, standing up and walking closer.
'Stay back! Not an inch closer. I'm going to kill you," I warned, moving back to the wall.
He stopped and sighed. 'Do you think I want you? Quit daydreaming and come over," he declared.
'What did I ever do to you? I'll pay for your clothes if that's what you want. Just let me go, please," I begged.
He went to a locker beside the bed and brought out a paper and pen. He sat back on the bed, scribbling something on it.
'It's your turn to sign," he said.
'I don't want to. Let me go, please," I cried.
'I won't repeat myself, Scarlett. Don't make me angry."
'I'm not signing anything. You can kill me if you want," I called his bluff. He looked at me and chuckled.
'Do you think I can't?" he asked. 'How do you want to die? By a bullet, a stab, or strangulation?"
'Oh, dear God!" I let out a loud shriek.
'Are you signing or not?"
I couldn't say no. I dared not say it. Even though I hate my life, death is what I fear most. I shuffled closer to him. He handed the pen to my trembling hand, and I signed the paper without reading anything written on it. He collected it from me with a satisfactory smile on his face.
'Can you let me go now?" I asked.
'You've just signed to work for me for a year and to do whatever I ask you to do. For the next twelve months, you're mine, Scarlett. Any disobedience will cost you your life." His words twisted my stomach.
I dropped to my knees. 'Please, Mr. Nathan. You can't do this to me. I'm not going to survive it, please," I begged.
'Do I look like I care?" he cocked his head. That perfect angle made my heart skip a beat. 'Enough of this. I heard you haven't eaten since you were brought here. Should I feed you?" he asked. I shook my head.
'Can you let me go home, please?"
'What is wrong with you, Scarlett?" he snapped. 'Why are you pissing me off? Am I hurting you? Why are you eager to go home?"
'I'm sorry," I apologized.
'For your information, we're going to the office together in the morning," he declared. I looked at what I was wearing, then at him.
'Don't worry about your clothes. I certainly wouldn't let you go into my office looking like that. You'll get new clothes."
***
I was in the office the following day with Mr. Nathan. We hadn't spoken to each other since we arrived.
My life is a mess now. The interview changed everything. Since I met Mr. Nathan, my life has been crumbling—from a cheating boyfriend to learning the truth about those I was living with, and now this. How can I possibly work with a man who makes me feel so strange? He no longer seems like the cool guy, yet I can't explain what his presence does to me. Either my heart skips a beat, or I get lost staring at him.
'Scarlett?" he suddenly called, making me gasp. 'Prepare yourself for a presentation in an hour," he said.
'What? What presentation?" I was taken aback.
'I didn't say you're presenting. You're just going to back me up," he declared. I let out a deep breath.
Just then, someone knocked. Our eyes flicked to the door.
'Come on in," Mr. Nathan permitted, and Angelo walked in.
'Hi, beautiful," Angelo waved at me.
'Hi, Angelo. You're welcome," I responded.
As usual, he bantered with Mr. Nathan before coming back to me. He sat opposite me.
'How have you been? Why do you look pale? Have you been crying?" he asked. I looked at Mr. Nathan. Our eyes met.
'It's nothing, Angelo. I'm just a bit tired, but I'll be fine," I said, feigning a smile.
'Don't let a grumpy man overwork you, okay?" he said, glancing at Mr. Nathan. 'One more thing. Can I take you out tomorrow night? I'll be leaving in two days," he asked.
'She'll be busy," Mr. Nathan interjected.
'Tomorrow is the weekend, Nathan. Tell me, Scarlett, where would you prefer to go?" Angelo asked.
'Anywhere of your choice. I'm fine with it," I accepted.
'I'll give you a call before coming to pick you up. Is that okay?"
'Sure. I'll be waiting," I smiled.
'Take care of yourself," he said and left.
In the blink of an eye, Mr. Nathan was seated in front of me.
'You're not going out with him, are you?" he asked, more like demanding.
'You can't tell me who I can or can't go out with, Mr. Nathan," I said boldly.
'Have you forgotten you're meant to do what I say?" he reminded me.
'To hell with your orders. I've never, and I will never, owe my life and freedom to anyone—not even you. Do your worst, even if it means killing me. I won't ever be a slave to your detention."
'Fine. I'm taking you out tomorrow. If you're so desperate to go out, I will. Cancel whatever outing you have with Angelo," he declared.
'I'd rather die than go out with you."
'What's your problem, Scarlett? Why are you acting so stubborn?"
'I should be asking you that. Why are you acting indifferently? Why do you so desire to work with an ugly lady, let alone go out with her? Do you want to be ridiculed by society?" I questioned angrily.
'I don't care what anyone says or does. Besides, I didn't mean to call you ugly. You pushed me. I'm sorry," he apologized calmly.
It just doesn't sit well with me how his words melt my heart every time. He makes me feel things even Juan never made me feel when we were together.
'Moreover, I've told you never to listen to what anyone says about you. You shouldn't have listened to mine either. You're not ugly, Scarlett. You're the best version of yourself. You're beautiful. Always remember that," he said, leaving me even more speechless. I felt my heart racing in my chest.
Just then, someone barged in, making me gasp.
