ANNABELLE'S POV
“Now, start talking,” he ordered and sat on the sofa with his legs crossed and gosh!! he looked heavenly, it was as if this man came out from a fantasy world.
Instead of speaking as he ordered, I was drooling over him in admiration of his facial features which was the only good thing about this man.
“It looks like you can't get enough of me, do you want more?” He asked and my cheeks went all red, and I turned away, clearing my throat.
"I was only trying to pay rapt attention" I mumbled incoherently, rubbing my sweaty palms together.
Even with my eyes off him, I could feel his piercing gaze on my soul.
I sighed deeply. "Is he still waiting for an answer? I can't possibly tell him the truth" I wondered to myself, trying to help myself out of the awkward situation I was in.
"Belle" His cold voice sounded and I froze. Not everyone can call me Belle.
I turned my head slowly and threw him a hard glare. "We're not close to an acquaintance, Mr. Dickson. Miss. Villarreal is enough for you" I declared boldly, but my heart was beating erratically.
Mark let out a shrill laughter. "You're so bold" He said and rose on his feet, placing his stunning fingers in his pocket. He strolled to the other side of the living room and picked up a glass ball on the table.
I heard a throaty chuckle escape his lips. "Miss. Villarreal, huh? Do you know what it means to keep me on hold? If you had answered my questions, this would have been avoided."
My blood ran cold as I swallowed hard in despair. "What are you talking about?" I queried, finding it absurd that I was still sitting. I stood up and looked around, observing the surroundings to be certain I hadn't missed out on something.
My head snapped to him and I exhaled heavily, knowing it would be dangerous if I remain silent. "Mr. Dickson, I'm sorry, but I can't answer your questions. It's my personal life and I'm not willing to share it with you" I declared, my breath hitched.
"Is that so?" He asked, and smiled eeriely.
I chose to remain silent, resigning my to fate. No one knew what was going on in that coconut head of his. If only he could read my thoughts, then my head will be off my neck by now.
"Okay. If you're not comfortable answering my questions, you should find it appealing to continue with your job, right?" His mischievous voice echoed in my eardrums, making me swallow the lump in my throat.
"Of course, I'll do my job diligently" I replied, hiding my fear.
Mark's smile broadened. "Good. You'll be cleaning the basement today" He revealed nonchalantly.
My eyes widened in shock as the scene of my last visit to the place of hell replayed in my head. "What? I can't go there again!" I spat, my hands trembling.
"We had an agreement" Mark shot back, walking up to me.
"An agreement that can take me to my early grave" I scowled, cold sweat trickling down my spine. I took a step back and shook my head vigorously.
"I can't"
Mark shrugged without a care in the word. "Then you can say goodbye to your life and also your son" He retorted, and I froze in despair. My baby was the most important person in my life. I couldn't bear to see him hurt.
Even as I stepped away from him, he kept approaching me. As I struggled to remain sane, I didn't realize he had reached him until his hot breath hit my face, making me shudder in great trepidation.
I was in a daze. He grabbed my hands tightly and smirked. "Can't resist me, huh? You're so easy to seduce" He hollered bluntly, and I shook my head, snapping out of my dazed state.
I eyed him with disdain. "You think you're capable enough to seduce me? I can tell you fantasize a lot" I scoffed in disgust, spitting on his face.
Mark dug out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face with much elegance. "You love overstepping your boundaries" He snarled and tossed the handkerchief.
"Don't forget to thrash that"
Before I could utter a word, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bedroom I had zoned out as a restricted area. My heart thumped wildly against my chest as we got closer to the place. I was on the verge of crawling on my knees and begging him with everrh ounce of strength in me, but my pride resisted. Up till now, I never knew I was this stubborn.
I couldn't hear my heart beat the moment we stood before the door. He opened it and strutted in, dragging me behind him.
"Brace yourself" I heard him say and he unlocked the door leading to the basement with a key I was seeing for the first time.
Surprisingly, he pulled me forward and pushed me ahead of him. "You know the way to the basement, Miss. Villarreal. I'll leave the rest to you. If you need anything, my men are lined up there to attend to you" He stated icily, his eyes fixed on the darkness.
I was shakened by the sight of the darkness alone. "I don't think...." I tried to protest, but he cut me off.
"Get to work now. Don't make me change my mind" He snarled, and looked away, snapping his fingers. Two men dressed in black appeared and bowed in respect.
A smile of triumph was plastered on Mark's lips as he looked at me. "Escort Miss. Villarreal here to the torture room. She'll be cleaning up the mess."
"Alright, Lord" they replied in unison, and turned to me.
"Come with us, ma'am"
They stood behind me and urged me to move. Left with no choice, I complied till we got there. The men pushed the door opened and the strong stench of blood hit me hard. Instantly, the door behind me was shut, and my heart jumped into my mouth.
With a deep breath, I walked in. My eyes zoomed in on two disfigured figures lying on the ground. Curiousity got the best of me and I took a step further into the room. I felt something slippery beneath my shoes. I dug out my phone and switched on the light.
"Arrrghh!!!" I screamed in fear, my eyes fixed on the gruesome sight before my feet. Two bodies butchered like animals.
