Chapter 5: Strip Down

Ethan’s POV

It's been two days since that kissing incident occurred, it had no feelings like before but pure dominance which left me disgusted. Thankfully, my fever got high and I didn't have to face him much but today I feel good and decided to help Mrs. Rosamand for his dinner. 

"You should rest... ", he insists. "No, it's okay... after going out I feel good", I reply softly and she lets me do my work.

Today was my half day off of the month, and I was allowed to go out as per our contract. "It's been 6:00 pm, sir will be coming soon", Nicolas gives me a heads up and I fasten my speed.  

By 6:30 pm I was done preparing for his dinner and walked to the living room. It was 15 mins left for his arrival so I rested on the couch for the time being, straightening my back and reading a magazine. Soon the screeching sound of tires reaches my ears and I stand in attention. The devil walks inside in long strides but this time while yelling at someone on the call. His eyes were dilated and he walked straight into his room while I hesitated to follow him behind but anyways did.

As I entered his room, I found his blazer lying on the floor while his tie was on the bed. His nose was flaring and forehead wrinkled with frustration as he rolled his sleeves up and unbuttons his shirt's initial buttons. "How the hell is it still pending?" he screams at the person on the other side and I flinch. "Why wasn't I informed earlier?", he demands, walking to and fro.

He looks like a scary beast...

Gulping, I pick his things up and neatly keep them at their place. I then walk to pour some water on the glass when he yells again and I accidentally drop the water on the table. I peek at him to catch his glance, but he seems engrossed. I quickly ran to bring a duster and wipe it off, as a raging bull can attack me as well.

"I need you to fix it right now", he orders. "I don't care if you sleep all night or not... but it should be completed", he growls.

I lose my balance and fall on the chair beside me, only to realize his increasing voice is making me tremble though it's not directed to me. I look at my hands and find my fingers shaking too. I tried to press on it and calm myself but it was not stopping. 

"Why are you sweating so profusely?", he asks, glancing at the AC which was on. "I...I'm fine", I stutter, wiping my face as I stand up.

"I wasn't yelling at you", he says, stepping close to the table. "I know...", I reply in a low voice,  avoiding meeting his gaze.

"Does the loud voice affect you?", he asks, I gulp. 

"Um... no!", I try to act dismissive. "It's just that I'm not used to it", mumbling I gaze up with a faint smile toward him.

He stares at me for a little longer than usual, his brows wriggled but without a single word he walks past me to the washroom, probably to get a shower.

Thank God!, I sigh heavily, inhaling the fresh air again. 

________________________

After waiting for almost an hour and preparing his cheat meal as per his order I wait for him downstairs but he doesn't seem to show up. Feeling worried I walked upstairs again to check on him.

"As his mind is still disturbed with the previous call or he got one", I talk to myself as I go to his room. "Adrian.... Adrian...", I call for his name after two knocks.

There was no response or any voice, hence turning the knob I went inside the room to find him sitting on the recliner with his arms spread over the head rest while his head was resting backward. His face is unreadable but his muscles seem stressed.

"It must be really important, he looks too stressed", I feel pity for him.

“Ad…..”

“Lock the door and come here”, he orders.

Gulping I hesitantly do as asked and walk toward him, my body slightly nervous as I literally drag myself in front of him. Did I do something again?

“Where did you go today?”, he asks in a stern voice. My throat seems to dry up as the overall silence felt overwhelming. “I–I…”, I stammer.

“Why do you seem so nervous?”, he asks inquisitively, his eyes finally grazing at me. 

His intriguing gaze sends chills down my spine, as if he knows where I was and what I was doing but wants to know the truth from me. 

“Say…”, he ushers to speak, his eyes preying at me.

“Why is it taking so long?”, he asks, bowing a little forward, his fingers intertwined as his elbows rest on his lap. 

“I-I went to h—”, gathering all my courage I tried to tell him the truth.

“The hotel!”, he snaps, making me flinch at my place. I shook my head in No, trying to clarify his misconception when in two strides he reached me. “To meet Mr. Ryan, Mayor's son!”, he says, as if presenting the evidence.

I gasp, for a second I was terrified and confused but then light struck me. He is speaking about the guy I met at the party. 

“I just bumped into him… and he took me..”, he cut me off again, with his evil mockery smile.

What's wrong with him? Why is he not letting me finish?

“Great!”, he claps his hands loudly, circling around my petite body. “So he randomly met you and offered to take you to the hotel, and you agreed?”, he asks, tilting his head scarily with a scowl on his face.

“We…”

“We???”, he cocks his brows at me. I sigh frustratingly.

“Strip! …..”, he commands. 

My eyes ball out, hearing his indecent and shocking words. Is he even in his senses? What…

“Strip down already before I tear off those pieces of clothes”, he growls in a low voice, looking straight in my eyes.