Vanessa's povI glanced around in confusion, trying to process what he asked me. "Sir?" The question sounded too weird. It wasn't even related to what we were talking about."Don't think, just answer." He spoke, his breath tickling my neck as he whispered those words into my ears."I- I don't know, sir," I stammered because I wasn't understanding why he was suddenly tormenting me. He left me abandoned yesterday, and since the service there was bad, I had to walk all the way home, using GPS."Vanessa!" He snapped me out of my trance, and I flinched.My stomach tied itself into knots, and a sheen of sweat broke out on my forehead. He had been circling me, building the anxiety I felt."Answer me, Vanessa Colton." His voice sounded hoarse as he stood behind me and trailed his fingers down the back of my neck. Goosebumps devoured my arms and neck, and my eyes fluttered shut on their own accord. "Sir, I-" it came out like a moan, and I gulped; heat spread up my neck and set my cheeks abla
The question echoed in my head, putting me in a deep state of confusion. His gaze burnt my skin, causing me to lower my head."Can't you respond, cat got your tongue?" He asked, causing my head to move in his direction, and my eyes went straight to meet his grey orbs."You are, sir." I shivered on the spot as cold beads of sweat trailed down my head. My fingers folded against each other, and I felt a fat lump sitting in my throat. "You got us on the news." His hardened tone was now soft, but his glare made my skin to crawl. "I-" "Do not utter a word. You can not defend yourself." He rested his back against the pillow and picked up the remote, surfing through channels. "We are on every damn channel, Vanessa!" His eyes widened, and I could tell all hell broke loose as he spoke through gritted teeth."You were in need of medical attention, I couldn't let you die." "So you wanted me dead?" Tension hovered over us, thickening the air in the room."It's-It's not like-" I stammered; my
"Where to, ma'am?" The cab driver asked without sparing me a glance the moment I boarded the cab."Lola's décor," I replied, getting comfortable as the driver started his car and set off for the road while I got lost in my reel of thoughts. I didn't understand what was going on. In the space of two weeks, my life had turned into a living nightmare. My job was taking a lot from me, and if it wasn't for the paycheck, I would have resigned.Ever since last night, Cole had become cruel to me with no attom of mercy, and it was annoying that I couldn't pay back because he was my boss."We're here, ma'am." The driver's words made me aware that I had reached my destination.How long had I been lost in my thoughts?"Wait here, you'll take me to the market." I smiled before throwing my gaze out of the window to see a smiling Shelly. Immediately I dropped down, she walked to me. "Baby girl-" Shelly paused, eyeing my entire body. "What's wrong?" I inquired, taking a gander of my body. Seeing
Another task?! I screamed inwardly, shooting stare daggers at him. "What? Can't handle it?" He teased with the upward tilt of his mouth. I dropped the basket on the table beside his bed, and with a sudden burst of courage, a smirk played at the corners of lips as I engaged him in an intense stare. "Trust me, my boss, before you was crazier than you are, and she didn't dare cross my path," I said through gritted teeth.Two can play this game. I thought to myself.He released his facial muscles and slightly enlarged his eyes for a millisecond."Is that a threat, and are you calling me crazy?" He glanced at me with a smirk now plastered on his face. "No, just telling you what I can do." I smiled even in my weak state."Good. I knew you were hardworking, that was why I employed you." He went back to eating his chicken, and I frowned."You'll pick up Snow from school and watch her the whole day till I'm discharged, which is probably in the evening. Also, you'll help with the arrangeme
"Yes, Daddy." Slowly, Snow's smile died down, and her excitement faded away."Umm…" "Your dad is at the office. He asked us both to come pick you up because he's busy," the driver spoke, and I sighed at his words"Is that true?" She moved closer to me; her eyes pleaded for an answer."Yes, darling." I smiled to hide the tension I was in.I knew Cole's little girl was smart, and she would figure everything out if I didn't act well enough, so I smiled and asked her to get into the car."Where are we going? Are we going to meet Daddy?" She asked with a smile."We're going home darling, your dad will come back soon." I drew her, placing her head on my stomach. "How was school today?" I asked while playing with her fingers."Fine, I learned a lot." She grinned, and I nodded."What's for lunch?" She smiled, and it made me even more bothered. What if Cole isn't discharged today? What will I do? I asked myself in my head. I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, "Lunch is a surprise."
"Snow, that was a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to -" I paused, taking in a deep breath and exhaled to calm down. "When you are all grown up, you'll understand." I rubbed her hair gently, but she was still wearing her frown."I'll tell Daddy you're disobeying his orders." She crossed her hands across her chest.Was I that stinky that this little child wanted me to go bath? I asked myself in my head, sniffing the air. "Daddy tells me to always freshen up after a long journey before we eat," She explained, and I nodded slowly."I will not eat unless you have your bath," She stated, and I gulped. She needed to eat before her Cole's arrival. I had no choice but to accept her proposal. "Okay. I'll bathe, but you will have to wait for him in the room." "Deal." She rushed into the bathroom.As soon as I heard the shower had been turned on, I rested my back on the pillow, and I drifted into sleep."Butterfly, butterfly." A small pair of hands rubbed gently on my stomach. I peeled my ey
"Butterfly." She hugged me once I entered her room and shut the door behind us by stretching her hands."I'm sorry about what the chef did," She muttered, and I hugged her."It's fine, Snow. There's no need to apologise, but… there's a need for you to eat," I explained to her, and she nodded."I have something in my cupboard, some leftover snacks I hide when dad's not looking." She grinned but then frowned her face."He wants me eating healthy." She spoke as she rushed to the cupboard, which was close to her bed."We have chips, cookies, ummm… sweets." She smiled, scratching her head as she moved to sit on the bed."Hmm, I should have kept more." She frowned at the thought of how little her snacks were"It's fine. I'm okay, I ate with your dad in the office," I lied."Really? Does that mean you're getting married to Daddy?" She brought back the topic I didn't even want to hear."Umm… You should have your chips." I pressed my lips into a thin line and moved to take a seat beside her on
"Clothes?" I shivered as I spoke,"Umm..." I was lost for words and didn't know what to say."Dad, I gave her your clothes. She had a bath and..." "It's okay, darling." He kissed his daughter, walking up the stairs.As he moved on the stairs, he paused and without looking at me, he asked me to meet him in his study after he was done taking his bath. "Wait for me in the living room that is up. I'll call you," He ordered before disappearing into the hallway.It was like I felt a blow in my stomach and I couldn't stop myself from over-thinking."Yes-yes, sir," I stammered, gazing at the driver who gave me a look that said, 'it's gonna be alright.'I nodded and gulped before slowly going up the stairs to wait for him. I didn't care what was going to happen, I was tired of everything-the punishments, the embarrassment, and just everything.***When I got into the study after his call, he was already seated behind his desk."Sir..." I spoke when I entered the office, but his hands indicat