Chapter 20

*Laurie*

My breath caught, and I turned to face him fully. His gaze flicked to me, catching my eyes for just a beat too long. There was something magnetic in that look… something damn dangerous.

I clenched my fists on my lap, fighting the urge to react. "And what exactly do you want me to learn?" I coldly asked.

His lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Everything. The world, your emotions, your weaknesses. And maybe, just maybe, you'll realize that the things you think you control... are really just illusions."

His words were nerve-racking, and yet, there was a strange appeal to them. An allure in the idea that Theron knew something about me that I didn’t.

"You really think I'm just a puppet to you?" I asked.

"I think you’re a woman who hasn’t yet learned how to pull her own strings. Sometimes, a foolish woman."

I couldn’t stop the bitterness that crept into my voice. "Maybe I don’t need to pull any strings," I snapped. "Maybe I like being free."

He chuckled darkly, and I felt a strange thrill run down my spine. "Free?" he repeated, almost amused. "There’s no such thing as freedom, Cookie, not in this world. You’ll see. Eventually."

"Perhaps that's why you're absolutely lonely. With this attitude of yours, you must have lots of enemies and people who want your life. It's like walking on a thin needle whilst living.”

His lips curled devilishly “Tsk! Lonely you say?” He laughed.

“I can be anything but lonely"

I did not want to accept but I took back my words in my heart. Indeed a man like Theron couldn't lack a companion. Only, finding a loyal one might be hard but not too hard.

“Do you think no one is after your life? Do you really think that you're free just because you think you're? This mindset of yours is the reason why you'll always get stuck in life. And always get used and be at the mercy of others.”

“I beg your pardon!!”

His words shocked me.

"If by any chance someone is after my life then it's because of you.” I wasn't gonna buy that statement from him.

Yes, I might have been a bit too soft and have gotten used by Zane but…

"Dumb!!”

There was a moment of silence.

"It's better to have me as a nobody in your life than to have me as your enemy… the enemy of my enemy can never be my friend.”

I leaned back in my seat, eyes narrowed. He had this way of making me feel small, and insignificant, as if I were just another pawn in a game I hadn’t agreed to play. But I wasn’t ready to give him the satisfaction of showing him how much it bothered me. If I said I was happy, it's the biggest lie.

"Where are we going, Theron?" I asked again, my voice quieter now. The question had slipped out before I even realized it.

His eyes flicked over to me, with his dreadful smirk never leaving his face. "I told you," he said, "Somewhere."

The car rolled to a stop in front of a sprawling, brightly lit amusement park.

The neon signs flickered in the dark, casting colorful glows across the night.

Even though it was well past ten, the park was buzzing with life. Couples, groups of friends, children running past with cotton candy, the sounds of laughter and excitement filling the air.

I stared at the entrance, confused. An amusement park? Is this the “somewhere”?

Theron, however, was already out of the car before I had time to process the idea. He stood by my door, his tall frame a sharp silhouette against the light.

"Come," he said.

I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my dress, glancing down at the delicate material. The idea of stepping into this chaos in a designer gown didn’t sit well with me.

Theron caught my hesitation. One brow arched, amused. "You’re not going in there to play if you don't want to," he said, his voice laced with teasing. "Don’t worry."

I pouted at him and he blinked without saying a word.

Damn asshole!!

As we entered the park, the staff immediately bowed in respect when they saw Theron. The fear that replaced their calm look almost took me out. Why are people always so scared of him?

He gave them a nod, like an emperor in his own kingdom.

"Give her coins to play," he ordered.

“And. I know you like to wander about. Play if you want. Remember, you have to be good, Cookie. I'll be back to accompany you before midnight. Okay?”

I blinked at him, completely thrown off by his words. What did he mean, “be good”? “I like to wander about”? But before I could ask, he turned on his heel and walked away, disappearing through a side entrance that I didn’t even notice before.

"Theron!" I called, but his figure was already vanishing into the shadows.

The staff, now looking more nervous than ever, approached me with a basket of coins. They handed them to me like I was some princess handing her jewels.

Their eyes lingered on me for a moment, and I could feel their curiosity.

“Madam, please!" A petite lady gently said. She looked to be a college freshman.

Recalling the tons of maids from the mansion, I smiled and accepted the basket. I wouldn't want someone else to suffer from my defiance.

I wasn’t even sure what I was supposed to do here. This wasn’t a place where a woman like me was supposed to be right? Especially one dressed like me.

The sounds of children laughing and the flashing lights of the rides gave the whole scene an eerie edge.

“Madam, are you confused about what to play?" The same lady asked. She had blonde hair with a small face. The big black polo top and the long Maroon trousers, which seemed to be their uniform, did well in hiding her shape.

“Maybe!" I curtly responded.

She nodded and said… “Do you wish for any recommendation? The boss usually takes time whenever he attends meetings. You might want to keep yourself busy…”

“Athena!!" Someone from the other three people snapped.

The sudden snap from one of the other staff members made Athena jolt slightly, her eyes wide with surprise and mild panic. It was clear that the others didn’t want her discussing Theron, and I understood that now. I could feel their eyes on me.

"Don’t worry," I said softly, offering Athena a small smile to ease her tension. "I won’t ask anything else."

She breathed a sigh of relief, and she nodded quickly as though eager to continue helping. But there was something about the atmosphere that felt off, as though everyone around me was walking on eggshells, careful not to upset the invisible lines drawn by Theron.

"Madam," Athena began, her voice more tentative now, "If you’re unsure about the games, perhaps it might be better if you… change into something more comfortable. Maybe your dress…"

Oh heavens! Somebody finally understood my awkwardness.

Heck, I wasn't going to show it.

I raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. "Comfortable?"

"Yes, Madam," she responded with a hint of hesitation. "There’s a sportswear section if you wish to change. It’s not far from here."