9: Rule #1 No Other Man

Oh my God.

I thought Mr. Beaumont had shoot one of the three men, so I looked at them to see who was the unlucky one, but I didn’t see any blood in them. They stood all fine but the look in their faces let me know how terrified they were at the moment.

Then my eyes drifted back to Mr. Beaumont. His eyes are darker than the night and his sharp gaze could kill. He advanced calmly and the three men took a step backward as if they sensed how dangerous this man is. Well, even without the gun Mr. Beaumont looks dangerous enough to scare a group of big shits, but now that he has that black pistol in his hand, he looks ten times more lethal than his usual self so I can’t blame these three assholes.

“What are you doing?” Mr. Beaumont asked so calmly and silently that it sounded strangely more dangerous.

I swallowed hard. The look in Mr. Beaumont’s face can’t really be taken as joke.

“I’m asking you,” he added, staring at the three viciously. “What are you doing to her.”

“We are… we a-are just…”

“You are just what?” Mr. Beaumont raised his brow as he pointed the pistol to the bigger man’s face. “How dare you touch her with your filthy hands.”

My lips parted when the next moment, the man was already on his knees, hands were clasped as he begged for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry, Sir! I wasn’t on my usual state because of alcohol! Please, forgive me! I didn’t mean to harm her!”

“You didn’t mean it? But I saw that goddamn hand of your gripping her wrist tightly and was about to hit her. And you tell me that kind of bullshit? Don’t you dare outwit me.”

“No, I dare not, Sir!”

Mr. Beaumont looked at me that almost made me step back. “Get in.”

But maybe because of shock, I couldn’t move right away and it took me a few moments to process what he wants me to do.

“I said get in.”

I almost jumped when he spoke again even though he didn’t raise his voice. It’s just, the calmness of the way he speaks is enough to scare anyone. Unfortunately, I wasn’t an exception.

Before he decided to aim the gun to me, I hurried to the car and went inside. I saw Charlie was the one driving but like me, he looked like he’s feeling discomfort. Mr. Beaumont’s stunt must have scared him too.

I thought we would wait for Mr. Beaumont but I was surprised when Charlie turned the engine on and drove the car away.

“Wait, Charlie. What about Mr. Beau—I mean Adam? Aren’t we supposed to wait for him?”

“The order was from him, Miss Analiese. Before he went out, he told me to send you home first.”

But what about him? What about those people? I wasn’t scared that he might hurt himself because that is unlikely to happen, but I was scared that he might end up doing something bad to those men. It’s not that I don’t want them to be punished for harassing me, but if they would be punished, I want it to be done in legal way and not through violence. Because to be honest, the air Mr. Beaumont had the whole time he was holding that gun, he looked like he’s capable of killing a person without batting an eye. He looked that ruthless and violent to me.

“What will he do to them?” I asked Charlie while looking at him at the rearview mirror. He refused to look back at me.

“I don’t know, ma’am,” he replied quietly I doubt if he really has no idea.

We arrived at Mr. Beaumont’s place and I went straight to my room even I was told by a maid that the dinner was served. I was starving a while ago but I can’t feel anything now. I just decided to take a bath and take my time on the tub. It was such a long day and I couldn’t help but think deeply. Did Mr. Beaumont search for me? If he did, it must be because he felt that he was responsible of me. But what bothered me was the thought of him with his gun and those men. He already fired once, would he do it again? Most importantly, could he kill a person?

Those questions filled my head. At the end, I decided to retire for the night. I went out of the bathroom with my pajamas while drying my hair with a towel. But I didn’t expect to see who was sitting on my bed, waiting for me.

I stopped on my track and stared at Mr. Beaumont. He’s not wearing his suit now and his tie is kind of loose. His legs are spread apart, his left hand is on his knee, revealing his wrist and the silver Rolex in it, while his other hand is resting on his thigh.

“Why are you—”

He cut me off. “What were you thinking, huh?”

I bit my lower lip. I couldn’t answer.

“What were you thinking, Analiese? Or should I call you…” he trailed off and his eyes grew darker. “Katherine?”

My jaw dropped and the towel I was holding fell on the floor.

He stood and walked towards me. I trembled and closed my eyes when I felt him so close behind me. So he knew all this time. He’s just playing innocent.

“You are not her,” he whispered, his voice cold and so lethal. “But I will put up with your scheme. The only thing you need to do is to obey me.” His fingertips then ran from my back down to my waist that sent shivers down my spine.

I stepped away and faced him with all the courage I got.

“When did you know?”

“Even before you played the role,” he answered quickly. “I know Analiese has gone missing. I know Mr. Racini’s plans and I decided to play along. There’s nothing to lose, anyway.”

So it turns out that we deceived each other, huh?

I sucked on my breath and ran my fingers through my hair. I picked up the towel and sat on the bed, silently trying to be composed despite the situation. To be honest, I don’t know what to do now. If Mr. Racini will know about this, that means I would lose the job. But then, Mr. Beaumont said that he will put up with my scheme, right?

“I need this job. I need money,” I admitted. There’s no use in acting like a scared kitten. And the heck I care about my pride. I don’t need to be a woman of dignity in front of this evil man. Who knows he killed those men earlier. That means he’s just as dangerous as he looks like. I know it’s possible that he might hurt me considering how I fooled him, but I had to risk regardless. Like I said, I need money. I’m willing to go through hell along with him if that’s what it takes.

“I said I will put up with your scheme, didn’t I?”

“What should I do, then?”

Yes, that’s right, Katherine. Negotiate.

One corner of his pursed lips raised. “Simple. Just do as I say.”

It’s just like he’s saying that I got no choice but choose between the two: be his puppet or quit. And I definitely can’t quit no matter what. So if he really wants to play this game, then I will play with him even if I would look like I’m the loser between us.

“Deal,” I said head-on.

There was something that flickered on his eyes. I’m not sure if it was amusement or what. But before I could decipher what it was, it quickly disappeared. His eyes went back to its darkest shade again.

“But first,” he stepped forward, putting his one hand on his pocket. “What were you thinking earlier? Charlie said you just finished looking into a museum but you just disappeared. Where have you been exactly?”

I sighed. I hate to admit it, but I guess I have no choice. “I wasn’t familiar with the streets. I got lost.”

“Why did you leave the car on the first place?” His eyes narrowed, looking at me sharply.

“I saw someone familiar and I followed him. I wasn’t sure, though. But before I could confirm it, I lost him. I got… lost too.”

“Him.” He smirked but there was no humor in it. He even looked like he’s pissed. “Him, huh? Who is it? Your man?”

My eyes widened. “No! Of course not!” God, he made it sound so malicious.

“Let’s be clear, Katherine.” The way he said my name gave me shivers. His voice was so cold, velvety and dark, yet so manly and appealing.

“Rule number one: You can’t see other men. Even if you are not Analiese, you still have the face of my fiancée. I don’t want you to stain my reputation. Do you understand that? So no other man, Katherine,” he muttered the last words with a darker face.