Chapter Nine

~09: Just the Beginning

I was speechless, unable to move or breathe. My breath hitched, and shivers ran down my spine. I knew the minute he started taking a few steps toward me, I was done for.

“You were saying something?” he asked, his voice laced with subtle anger, causing me to hit the wall —unable to move further away from him.

“Sir, I…” I stammered, my heart pounding like it could jump out of my chest at any given time. Before I could say another word, he was already standing right in front of me, his luminous green eyes piercing through the walls of my soul.

“Cat got your tongue?” he asked again, his gaze intense. My mind went blank; my body suddenly felt light.

“I’m sorry, sir. I—I will be in my room” I said, knowing fully well that it would infuriate him more. I mustered every bit of strength I had left in me to make my way past him. A strong, masculine arm grasped my wrist and pulled me so forcefully that my head hit the light switch, turning it off.

“How dare you?” his voice growled at me, his grip tightening. I stood there shaking, regretting why I had grumbled earlier.

“Sir Mason, I’m s...sorry, please, you’re hurting me.” His grip only tightened on my wrist.

“This is just the beginning.” His eyes blazed with something untamed before he dashed into his room.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I made the decision to call Mr. Noah the moment I got to my room.

“Mr. Noah?” I called over the phone. “Mia, my daughter! Good morning,” his cheerful tone instantly softened my heart.

“Mr. Noah... I—” I started sobbing. “Mia? Did you say something?” he asked, concerned.

“Mr. Noah, I miss you,” I said, tears streaming down my face. “I don’t think I—”

I sprang up from my bed, seeing my door barge open.

“Sir Mason?... Good morning, sir,” I greeted, my arms still aching from his grip the previous night.

“Sir, what—” He gripped my hand and dragged me down the stairs with him, pulling me outside into his car. Before I could speak, he locked the door and drove off.

I stared at the enigmatic young man in awe without uttering a word. We soon reached a large white house, bearing much resemblance to his own, though less opulent. He stopped the engine and, without sparing me a glance, got out and slammed the door shut. The thunk of the door startled me for a brief second before I took a deep breath.

“What!?” I tried to push the door open, but to no avail. “Sir Mason!?” I called out. “Sir, the door!” I yelled, but no one heard me, not a single soul could I see. Tears welled in my eyes as I sat there hopelessly.

“Huh?” I noticed a white envelope placed below the driver’s seat. I stretched to pick it up, wondering if it had fallen from Mr. Mason’s pocket. The click of the mansion door snapped the envelope out of my hand as I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

The loud thud of the car door was enough to spring me up from my pretense. I woke to see Sir Mason starting the car’s engine. To my right stood a tall, blonde-haired lady wrapped in a white loose robe in front of the building. She waved in our direction before we zoomed off.

I mustered the courage to look at him. My eyes traced his wrinkled white shirt —a red lip stain planted firmly on it, claiming the fabric.

“What are you looking at?” he voiced, instantly turning my gaze away from him. The car was silent. My hands tangled with the hem of my dress while I buried my face.

“Mr. Mason, I am deeply sorry for what I said yesterday. I really didn’t mean—”

I gulped hard as the car abruptly halted.

His muscular arm grasped my chin and turned my face toward his. "Sir—"

“Your voice…” he growled. “I despise it.”

Tears welled in my eyes.

“I hope I don’t have to repeat myself,” he said. I nodded my head, his grip tightening on my chin.

“Get out,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. I looked at him in awe and confusion, getting out of the car as he commanded. Without saying a word, he zoomed off, leaving me in the middle of the cold street.

“Mia!!” Chelsea exclaimed, ushering me in. I told her everything that had happened in the past few days.

“How could he be so wicked?” she asked, her voice laced with anger. “I don’t know, Chelsea,” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks as she engulfed me in her embrace.

“We need to do something. He’s definitely a psycho,” she said, patting my back. “I just want to get some rest,” I replied softly.

“Well, obviously, Mia, I’m not letting you return to that place today,” she said, making me chuckle slightly — as if she wasn’t working for his father.

She continued patting me as I drifted off into a short slumber.

~~~~~

“Bye, ma’am,” the cab driver flashed me a quick smile before zooming off.

Gently closing the door behind me, I walked into the house. It was already late, but thanks to the little strength I had left, I managed to make something to eat. I dished the hot bowl of rice and served it on the dining table before retiring to my room.

Going straight to the mirror, I took a deep sigh, digesting my reflection in shame. After taking a long, refreshing shower, I wrapped myself in a towel, preparing to change into my nightwear.

“Mr. Mason?” I froze at his sudden appearance in my room. “You don’t get to lock your room anymore. Am I clear?” he demanded, his voice brooking no room for argument.

I nodded, my head bowed, gripping the towel tightly to my body.

For a brief moment, there was silence and tension in the room as I felt his gaze linger on me. Before I could catch his glance, he was already standing before me—his height dominating mine, his intoxicating cologne surrounding me.

“Be ready by eight.” He threw a cloth at my face and walked out of my room as if he had never been there at all.