Chapter 5

Mirabelle's POV

The three plane tickets were a physical weight in my pocket. I decided to get the tickets this evening instead of tomorrow morning.

I walked back to my apartment building, the evening air cool, as my mind was a list of tasks; pack light, call Aunt Elise again, wake up early, get to the airport.

I turned onto the corner of my street, my lips in a warm smile, but my feet stopped moving the moment my gaze landed on my house.

Two sleek black cars were parked in front of my building.

“Oh! No….no,no!” my eyes went wide, as a chill ran down my spine.

My feet pounded the pavement, as I took the stairs two at a time.

I took a deep breath, my hands shaking as I pushed the door open.

“What!” My eyes went wide, my gaze fixed on the scene in front of me. It was a painting of a happy family, but the colors were all off.

My mother was on the sofa, smiling; a real, warm smile. She held a cup of tea, Nathaniel sat in the armchair, leaning forward, his eyes wide.

Theo sat on the other old chair. His expensive suit against our worn fabric, his posture relaxed.

He held a cup of tea too, looking like a normal man.

“Mira! You are back. Look who surprised us.” My mother's smile grew, her gaze fixed towards Theo.

Theo turned his head, his green eyes met mine. They were calm…friendly. There was no trace of the cold threat from his office.

“Hello, Mira,” he said, his voice warm.

My feet were stuck to the tile floor, as I stood at the doorway, my bag hung from my shoulder.

“Don’t just stand there,” my mother said, as she chuckled.

“Come in, close the door. You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend. And such a gentleman.”

“I…I was going to,” my brain scrambled for words.

“Well, he explained everything.” She patted the sofa next to her.

“Sit, he brought the most wonderful pastries, from that place on the Boulevard Saint-Germain.”

I walked in slowly,as I put my bag down. I didn't sit, instead my eyes went fixed on Theo.

“What are you doing here?” I finally found words to say, as my brows were creased together.

“Mirabelle! Manners. He wanted to meet us and it's a good thing. I was starting to worry you would never bring a man home. My mom tutted, but her smile never left her face.

“Please, it is my fault. I should have insisted on a proper introduction sooner. Mirabelle is… private. I admire that,” Theo said, smiling warmly at my mom.

“He has a private jet, Mira! A real one,” Nathaniel spoke up.

“Nat! My mother scolded gently, but she was still smiling.

“It’s true,” Theo said, as he looked at Nathaniel. “Perhaps you would like to see it sometime.”

“Really?”

“If it’s alright with your mother,” he said, his gaze drifting to my mom.

“You're too kind, Theo,” my mother blushed….like she actually blushed!

I felt sick, this was a performance. He had them under a spell, I had to break it, but how?

“Mom, we need to talk about our trip,” I said, my voice was too loud.

“Trip?” Theo asked, his tone was light, as his brows were furrowed together.

“Yes, the surprise for my mother. We are going to London to visit Aunt Elise tomorrow,” my gaze were fixed on him, my eyes daring him.

“London?” he said, as he took a slow sip of his tea. “That sounds lovely, but I'm afraid I must interfere with your plans, selfishly.”

“What do you mean?” My mother looked between us.

Theo leaned forward, as he rested his elbows on his knees. His expression was earnest, a mask of perfect sincerity.

“I have been trying to convince Mirabelle to stay with me at my home for a while,” he said, as he sighed, his eyes drifting to me.

“My work has been demanding, and I miss her. I thought, with her family’s blessing, she might agree, "Just for two months.”

“Stay with you?” My mother's hand flew to her chest.

“In the guest room, of course.” He said this with such a polite voice. “I want to do this properly, but I need time with her.”

“Ohh don't worry about the trip, I have a private Island, and I would love for you and Nathaniel to be my guests there. A proper holiday, as an apology for stealing your daughter now,” his voice was calm, each word he said looked genuine but I know better than to believe.

My mother was speechless, Nathaniel looked like he had won the lottery.

“We have tickets…for tomorrow. We can't just cancel,” I found my voice.

Theo’s gaze drifted to me, his green eyes held a warning now just for me. It was a flicker of the real man beneath the act.

“Of course you can, I'll handle the refund. Consider it my first apology,” he turned back to my mother.

“Ma’am, I know this is sudden, but I care for your daughter. I want to protect her, my home is secure and she will want for nothing.”

And this trip for you and Nathaniel… the island is very private, very safe. You can relax, you both work so hard.”

“Mirabelle told me how much you love jasmine. I took the liberty of having some sent to the island for your terrace.”

I felt my whole body stiffened, how did he know what my mom likes. He was using their fatigue, their dreams of a break. He was weaponizing kindness.

“Mira…this is…what do you want?” My mother looked at me, her eyes were soft.

I wanted to scream, I wanted to grab her and Nathaniel and run out the door. But Theo’s men were downstairs.

The tickets in my pocket were useless now. He had checkmated me in three moves. He made my escape look like a childish tantrum. He offered my family a fantasy they could not refuse.

The Jerk gaze was on me, his lips in a soft smile.

My flaw was stubbornness, it made me fight. But right now, it would get them killed. I saw it in his eyes, the calm was a lie, the threat was real.

“I…I want what's best for everyone.” I forced my lips into a smile, it felt like cracking ice.

“Then it is settled. You will stay with Theo for a while, and we'll have a holiday!” She looked at Theo. “Are you sure it is no trouble?” my mother beamed, she thought I was being romantic.

“No trouble at all,” he stood up. He was so tall that he dominated our small room.

“In fact, my driver can take you to the island tomorrow. Everything is prepared. You just need to pack a few things,” he said, his gaze drifting to Nathaniel.

“Tomorrow?” I said.

“Yes.” he walked over to me, as he took my hand, his grip firm.

“You will come with me tonight, I have a car downstairs. You can pack a bag now,” his eyes dimmed, it was not a request.

“My baby, I am so happy for you,” my mother stood, as she hugged me.

“He is wonderful, and so handsome,” she said whispering in my ear.

I hugged her back and the scent of her shampoo filled my nostrils. I was saying goodbye, I was handing myself over unknown to her.

I'll go pack,” I said, pulling away, not able to hold my tears again.

I went to my room, as I closed the door, my whole body trembling. I heard the low murmur of his voice in the living room, as my mother chuckled.

I shoved some clothes into a bag without even looking, and took some other things. I took the three paper tickets from my pocket, as I tore them into tiny pieces, as it fell into my wastebasket.

There was a soft knock, then the door opened. Theo stepped inside, as he closed the door behind him.

The polite mask was gone, his face was calm, and empty. His green eyes assessed my room, he saw the small bed, the novels on the shelf, and the torn tickets in the bin.

“That was a stupid plan,” his baritone voice cold, quiet.

The room fell silent for a brief moment.

“You'll not try that again,” it was not a question, it was more like a command.

“You lied to them,” I said, my voice cracking, as tears threatened to fall, but I won't show him any weakness.

“I gave them a better story. Your story was weak, it would've caused them pain. My story gives them joy…for now.”

“Is that all?” He stepped closer, as he took the bag from my hand.

“Yes.”

“Good. Say goodbye to your family, be convincing.”

I walked back to the living room. Nathaniel hugged me.

“Be good, call me,” my mother said, as she kissed me.

“I will, mom,” I said, my lips in a warm smile, but it was all a lie.

“When we come back, we'll visit you guys,” my mom said, as she smiled at us.

Theo took my bag, as he offered my mother his hand. “Thank you for your trust, ma'am. They'll pick you up at nine tomorrow.”

We left the house, the man with the scar stood by the car, as he opened the car.

I got in, Theo beside me.

The car pulled away, as I watched my apartment building, my old life shrink and vanish into the night. In the dark reflection of the window, I saw Theo’s eyes lift from his phone to watch me. Not with triumph, but with the calm, satisfied look of a collector examining a newly acquired piece.

I had entered the devil’s trap, and I had just locked the door behind me myself.