Don’t Lay a Finger on Her

Elizabeth’s POV

Stifling a yawn, I head downstairs, running my eyes quickly, over the numerous doors in the hallway.

I wonder which room belongs to Ethan. The one next to mine?

Wait, why am I even concerned? Shaking sense back into my head, I hop down the stairs.

The maids are up already. Wow.

I presume most of them don’t know who I am since I got here very late last night. However, the kinds of looks I’m receiving right now are making me think otherwise.

I think they’ve all been informed about me. Ignoring the gazes, I help myself into the kitchen—it’s easy to locate, it doesn't even have a door.

“Good morning, Lizzy.” Moana smiles politely as soon as I walk in.

I hear her giving instructions to the cook and I return her smile with a sweet one. “Morning, Moana.”

I’m glad she isn’t referring to me as ‘ma’am’. Nice.

“Let me help you with that.” She collects the tray from my hand and moves to drop it in the sink.

“Did you sleep well, Lizzy?” She pulls back to read my face.

“You bet, I did.” I’m grinning from ear to ear.

I really did enjoy my sleep. The bed’s soft and smooth…

I see her mouth move again but I don’t hear what she’s saying ‘cause something else catches my attention. A sound.

My ears perk up to be sure I heard what I think I just heard, and I hear it, again.

Damn.

“Is someone leaving?” I ask curiously, pulling my forehead into a frown.

It’s the sound of a car revving…

Please, God, let it not be what I’m thinking.

“Oh, that’s Mr. Ethan—”

Immediately I hear the name ‘Ethan’, I don’t wait to hear Moana finish her sentence. My heart skips a bit and I rush out of the kitchen.

It’s exactly what I think it is.

How can someone be so wicked and self-centred? He’s going to leave me all by myself, in this huge house—with strangers. Damn!

I rush outside through the front door and stand in the driveway. My chest heaves uncontrollably from shortage of breath and I fold my arms across my chest.

I tap my foot on the ground agitatedly, waiting as the black Maybach draws nearer and nearer.

I see the confused expression on the chauffeur’s face through the windscreen, and I smirk at him.

‘Soon enough, you’ll know what’s up.’

Slowly, he let the car stop a few inches in front of me.

I look away from him and plant my gaze on the pervert sitting in the back seat. He’s looking directly at me with a smug grin on his face. I glare at him.

‘You wait till I slap that stupid look off your face, stupid pervert.’

While exchanging complicated looks with Ethan, a troop of unfamiliar bodyguards suddenly highlight from nowhere and begin marching fiercely towards me. Damn.

Of course, they’re coming to hurt me for disrupting their boss’ movement.

I plant my gaze on one among them, the one in front who seems like the leader. He’s the one that threw me into the trunk last night—I recognize him. Stupid.

But he, unlike the rest charging at me, changes direction. He steps close to the car and holds open the backseat’s door.

Terrified, I look away from the oncoming battalion and throw a glance at Ethan. Shrugging his overcoat, he steps out of the car, rather leisurely. Like he can’t be bothered by anything whatsoever.

I must add, he looks super cute. His hair clings to his face, hanging low over his ears.

“Don’t lay a finger on her.” He warns sternly.

The bodyguards stop in their tracks, a few inches from me, as soon as they hear his order.

To say I’m shocked is an understatement. I literally don’t expect him to stop them.

I thought he'd be so angry and tell them to beat me or lock me up in a dark room, somewhere—you know—without food or water. Like it’s done in novels and movies.

But…

“Leave us.” I hear his magnetic, pleasant voice again and get drifted away from my thoughts.

The bodyguards bob their heads politely at him and return to their various posts. Even the chauffeur steps out of the vehicle and walks a distance away from us.

And now, I’m left all alone with the pervert.

Smirking, he leans his frail body against the car. “Good morning, damsel.” He throws me a sideways smile.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

Wait, what? Did that just come from me? Damn, I don’t mean for it to come out so bluntly. But since it’s out of my mouth already…

“Out, to—”

“You’re not going anywhere!” I shift my weight from my right leg to the other one, a stern glare plastered on my face.

“You think you can kidnap me, lock me up in this stupid big house, and run away?—impossible!”

Damn, my voice’ so loud. This man will throw me out for sure. I squeal inwardly.

However… Surprisingly, Ethan simply chuckles, “I’m not running away, Spitfire. I’m going to work. I would have loved to take you along with me but you aren’t dressed up. You haven’t even had your bath yet.” He smiles sweetly at me.

Is this a prank or something? Why is he smiling? Plus, who wants to go to work with him?

“What do you do for a living?” I get tempted to ask.

He chuckles, “I’m a businessman.”

Hmm, liar. “That’s exactly what they say.”

I watch his eyebrows draw together. “Who’s THEY?”

“Thieves. Armed robbers, people who run illegal businesses, men who peddle drugs… they refer to themselves as ‘businessmen’.” I snap at him, making quotes gestures in the air.

Ethan draws his head back and runs his eyes over my face for a few seconds before he bursts into laughter.

What’s so funny?

After catching his breath, “do you think I’m one of those men?” he inquires.