Chapter 3: The First Rule

Ethan’s POV

It was 5:00 pm and I was resting in my room thinking Adrian is off to work, when I found him walking in my room making me startled. 

"Aren't you supposed to come at 7:00 pm?", I blurted my thoughts loudly.

"Is it?", he cocks his brows at me. "I thought I was a free king, and I can change my schedule as per my wants", he mocks. 

"I was stupid to even ask that... Aghhh!", I facepalm myself regretting that my thoughts were too loud.

"Sorry", I mumble, getting on my legs. "You better be!", he replies sternly.

Looking down at my feet, I nod my head obediently.

"Go and get a quick shower. I'm waiting!", he orders. 

My eyes squint in confusion but abiding by his command I go for a shower. As I shampoo in my head, my hands seem to slow down. I wonder why he asked for such a command. But brushing the thoughts off, I get my business done fast. 

"Don't forget he is sitting right outside in your room", my subconscious reminds me and I gulp.

Completing my shower, I dry the washroom first before stepping out only to find the scary man walking through my closet. 

Fuck... He scared the shit out of me!, I sigh deeply, calming my racing heart.

"Why don't you have any nice suits?", he growls and I shudder faintly. "I...I-", I stammer, not sure what to respond.

"Leave it... Walk to my room now", he commands and leaves.

Sighing I follow the lead. 

God knows what up with this man!

Adrian gave me Armani in deep blue, with the same colour pants and black shirt. I dressed without a single complaint and then he adorned my hand with Audemars Piguet luxurious watch costing millions. My heart skips a beat at its beauty, as the silver black combination of it seems to flutter my heart. He then puts some diamond adorned cufflinks on my sleeves and a mid thick platinum chain on my neck.

"I don't even look like it's me!", I gasp at my appearance. 

He then completes it by offering me $9000 dollar shoes of Tom Ford. 

“Now,” he adjusts my collar, his fingers brushing my throat, “You look worthy enough to stand beside me", he says, with a satisfactory smile. But his words seem to prick my heart. 

Am I really that broke, that I don't even deserve to be on his side?!, with the stinging pain I walk out of his room.

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The drive was utterly silent as I sat there in the back seat beside Adrian. He was busy looking at something on his iPad while I gazed outside the window. It has been a week since I was caged in Blackwood Mansion, however it was less pressurising as Adrian thankfully asked me to use the room on the second last corner of the  hallway.

"We are going to an exclusive party, with all the elite people of the society being present", he says, breaking my trance. "Make sure you follow our first rule: Obedience and Distance from everyone", he firmly asks with a stretch on the last line.

"Okay!", I replied, looking at his handsome face which was glowing through the light of the screen. 

"Also...", he tears up his eyes from the screen to glance at me. 

"Don't try to be too friendly with others, or comfortable...", he sternly informs me. "Whatever you usually do to win people, don't try here", he adds.

My face paled at his comments, his words harsh and rude.

"What do you mean?", I ask, my chest tightening. I swallow the tears threatening to rise.

Why does he always make me feel like I've done something wrong?

"Oh c'mon? Cut the crap!", he sneers. "We're here!"

"Just behave in the party!", he grits and leaves, fixing his coat.

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Walking beside him, I match his steps while my heart quietly aches. My stomach twists into knots, yet I force a smile, refusing to show anyone including him how hurt I feel.

I just want this night to end soon, I pray to my God.

Pasting a big smile, as we walk inside, a big ballroom adorning with crystal chandeliers comes to our view.  Men and Women dressed in expensive clothes filled the hall, their laughter mingling with the soft music in the background.

"It's a charity gala!," Adrian informs, resting his hand on my back . "Stay close", he whispers.

I nodded silently as he guided me through the crowd to meet several powerful people like his business partners, investors and politicians whose names I've only seen in the news.

"This my partner, Ethan", he introduces me to them, sending jitters through my veins though I know the reality. 

"Finally, the butterfly seems to settle on a flower", one of them jokes and I force a small smile.

As they talked and exchanged words, I stood there with a forced smile, nodding and trying to look a part of their conversation. When a man walks to Adrian and informs, "The mayor is here, and is looking for you."

He nods at that person, and excuses himself from everyone. But before leaving, he shot a glare at me and whispered, "Don't wander."

Sighing, I walk to the corner near the champagne table, pretending to enjoy but wonder when he'll come back and we can go home. 

"First time?", someone asks from the side, making me startled.

I turn my head to find a guy of my age holding a glass of wine in his hand, he seems friendly.

"Is it that obvious?", I ask. "A little", he chuckles and I laugh along.

The conversation between us went smooth and easy, as we joked about the overall atmosphere and the ridiculously expensive suited people. For the first time, I seem to find someone who was not making me uncomfortable or made me feel I don't belong here.

"You gotta be kidding me, I hate this kind of party!", he mumbles, rolling his eyes.

The relaxation in air between us, made me laugh openly, the one which comes from the chest or stomach instead of forced politeness.

He shares how his dad dragged him to the party by threatening to stop his pocket money. We were indulged in his music band convo when I sensed a strong gaze doing holes in the back of my head. I turned to find Adrian with his dark and unreadable gaze looking at me.

What did I do now?, I wonder.