CHAPTER 4

"Are you serious?"

Estella quickly recognized his furious tone, but she knew he was merely suppressing his emotions for her own sake. She is unable to talk and must maintain her stance. Forever.

She glanced aside and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to go home."

She gently moved the man away from her before she stepped away from the kitchen. She attempted to stand up straight, but she failed. She winced in discomfort. Her wound is still not healing well. She is aware of the discomfort caused by her wound.

"Do you think I'll simply let you go? You wrecked my life."

Estella sighed and raised her head upwards. "Mr. Hudson, I told you that you can do anything to me, hurt me if you don't want to send me away. I want you to punish me for the things I've done!"

The young man laughed out loud and moved closer to her. "Are you sure? Are you kidding me? Who is the source of your evilness? You appear to be too afraid to say anything."

She took a swallow. She attempted to keep her voice steady, so she wouldn't have to hunch over to talk. "No one ordered it; I'm just upset, which is why I did it to you." She lied, again.

"Liar!" yelled Lucius, enraged.

Irritation, rage, and hatred can all be seen on his face. She wants to reveal everything, but she's terrified and concerned about her family. She doesn't want to put her mother and siblings in jeopardy because of the financial blunders she's made.

"How much do you need just to speak?" Lucius asked bitterly, and for a little period, it seemed to emerge from the kitchen as if something had already been planned.

Estella's face furrowed as Lucius reappeared, holding a substantial sum of money. Lucius approached her while carrying the money and placed it on her lap. She had a couple of thousand pesos in her hand. Because she doesn't have a huge hand, part of the money slid on the cold floor.

Her brows furrowed in disgust, and she hurled the money, scattering it on the floor. "I ain't no fucking gold digger! I do not need your filthy money!" Estela yelled, rage visible in her eyes.

"Then what fucking do you want?" While shouting, Lucius asked.

"Please..." Her tears began to fall from frustration, and she felt nothing but exhaustion, psychologically and emotionally, as if she were already suffocating.

She was aware that what she had done was wrong, and she was also aware of the consequences of her actions. She regrets what she has done, but how? Thoughts are battling in her head. Her mother would die if she did not take the offer. However, she now regrets everything since she ruined an actor's reputation.

Her apologies mean nothing to Lucius; he wants to know the truth, but she's terrified no one would trust her since she lied once. Even if she tells the truth, she will be unable to defend herself and her family from danger.

"Don't cry in front of me," Lucius said as he walked away. She ultimately lost sight of him and was left alone in the kitchen. Instead of eating, she sought shelter for the meals to keep flies at bay. She used to be quite hungry, but after a fight with Lucius, she lost her appetite.

***

Lucius exhaled a frustrated sigh; he had consented before because he didn't want to watch ladies weep. He just cannot stand to look at women crying because of pain. This is also the reason he couldn't tell his mother about his father's dark secret of cheating. Watching his mother cry pains his heart. Nothing upsets him more than witnessing his mother cry because of his father's infidelity. Her mother was pure and beautiful. He couldn't stand it when he sees her crying and thinking that she is not enough.

He diminishes women's tears. Every person he met in different bars was merely a one-night stand. There are no strings or attachments allowed. He has no sentiments for any of the women he has slept with. It's only for entertainment purposes.

He took out his smartphone and phoned his manager's number while he sat on the sofa. He hasn't spoken anything yet, since he hasn't gotten any information from Estella. He was aware that she was terrified. Lucius could sense the fear in her heart.

'How are you, Lucius?' Did you manage to locate her?' His boss inquired.

'Yes, no information yet, but I can handle her,' he responded. He was aware that his manager would investigate his problem, which is why he insisted on his assistance.

'Anyway, there's an assembly here at the studio next week that you have to attend.'

The call has ended...

He suspects SKYRIM Entertainment is behind it; they're furious with him and Black Dream Entertainment, who leaked claims about them. They also make illegal transactions within the building.

He understands who is behind everything. Yuan Devegas, the president of SKYRIM Entertainment, was his friend in the past. When one of their friends died, they parted ways. Lucius had no idea that his friend would kill herself because of him.

He stood up and returned to the kitchen, hoping Estella would settle down and begin to eat. Lucius wandered his eyes as soon as he walked in. He looked at the covered food on the table without even taking a nibble.

She didn't eat anything.

He took the tray and piled the leftover food on top of it. 'What happened to the woman?' He asked himself. His unit is so large that he believes he didn't spot her leaving.

He caught up with the woman who was staring out the window; he had assumed she had left. She was simply admiring the little garden he had created close to the living room. To grab her attention, he coughed. "Hey, lady, eat up. I don't want you to faint from hunger again."

She didn't turn to face him right away, and he watched her wipe the tears from the glass's reflection. He realizes he caused the woman to cry and feels bad about it.

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry..." she murmured, her voice low and frigid.

"Would you please join me? Let's get some food. I swear I won't make you speak the truth. "

In this case, if he speaks calmly, the girl may not be terrified of him. He will not compel the girl to tell the truth. She may be bombarded with emotions and fear. She needs more time to express herself and the truth.

Damn! Woman, don't cry in front of me.

He murmured this while staring at her.

The girl ultimately approached him. "You're not angry? You should be outraged, and you should be relieved that I didn't eat-"

"How come you always act like you're the victim?"

He tries to remain calm, but Estella's attitude irritates and annoys him. She's playing the victim, and he's playing the villain.

"Lucius-"

"Shut up and follow me to the kitchen," he commanded.

He assumed the girl would not follow him. Estella sat in the chair in front of him. He will be with the girl initially until she feels comfortable with him before asking her about the truth. Lucius will not waste his time missing the opportunity to take revenge on his former friend. Even though they have memories of the past, he decided to ruin him, too, after he ruined him.

They were both dumbfounded while they ate together, and a terrible quiet descended over the room. Both of their gazes were fixed on the food they were eating. Estella feels uneasy with the scenario, and Lucius wants to ask questions.

He must be privy to every detail of their conversation. His throat was itching to ask questions and discover the truth, but he restrained himself. He pledged to be silent throughout that period.

To break the stillness, Lucius cleared his throat. "Hmm... Is it okay if I ask a question? It's fine if you don't want to."

Estella eventually lifted to allow her to see him. "I understand you have a lot of questions. I don't know anymore what to do," Estella said after finishing the meal on the plate and drinking the water from the glass. "Or to say, but I'm truly sorry; perhaps you don't understand since you're wealthy; you can employ me as your maid and punish me," she added.

He nodded and rolled his eyes because of her reply. "You relax after you eat. That's exactly what I want you to do. "

Her eyes opened in surprise. "R-Rest? Nevertheless, I'm not a visitor here, and I'm so sorry for what I've done to you that you should punish me. You can call the cops to imprison me..."

He sighed at how terrible her reasons and replies were. "Shut up and rest."

He stood with the plate he had used once, his back to the woman, and was ready to move towards the sink when she said.

"Wait!" exclaimed the girl.

He made a little turn to face the girl. "What? Do you need anything? "

"I'll do the dishes. Then I'll rest as you desire. " Estella volunteered to do the dishes.

"Are you sure?" he said, his attention fixed on the girl's thigh. The wound is still open. "You may be exhausted as a result of what happened; you should rest-"

"I am not handicapped. I'm sure I can do it," she insisted.

Estella sighed and slumped her shoulders as she groaned from exhaustion. She was hoping he wouldn't ask about what happened again since she was terrified of the consequences if she told the truth. No one will defend her or her family.

She had no idea what Lucius was up to, and suddenly he became calm, even though he had recently become enraged with her.

Instead of overthinking, she just focused her concentration on washing dishes. She struggled to rise after cleaning the dishes. Straighten up and walk, although she grimaced in pain with each step.

"Damn it!" she exclaimed, feeling as though the wound was being ripped apart.

"See? It's your source of pride. I assumed you'd be able to manage it. " Lucius questioned her, his arms folded and his back against the wall.

She felt embarrassed, but she looked at the young guy. He stopped and tried to walk normally, even though he thought she was going to faint from the pain. When she approached the wall, she stopped and rested first. She stared at the young man, who was also staring at her as if he was happy to watch her struggle.

When she tries to take another step forward. Estella let out a loud yell as she felt arms around her waist and was surprised to see Lucius carrying her in bridal style. As it began to walk, she held her breath.

"What the hell! What are you taking me to? I can handle myself! Let me go! " Estella yelled, but the man seemed unconcerned.

He ignores her, instead of seeing that the man's arms are becoming increasingly tense while carrying her. She was really weary of shouting, but she couldn't take her gaze away from his lovely face. She can't take her eyes away from his deep and lovely eyes, as if she's been entranced; she's not sure why, but her hand wants to touch his face.

Estella buried her hand and pushed herself not to gaze at the young man, since she may have flirted with his natural good features. Until they arrive in Lucius' room. He carefully placed her in his bed.

"Is this where I'll sleep?" Estella asked.

"Why, and where do you wish to go?"

"But, it appears that this is your room-"

"Sleep. Don't say anything. " He insisted.

"O-okay. Thank you." At that moment, Estella was speechless. Why is Lucius letting her sleep in his room, especially in his bed?

The young man remained silent. He exited the room and shut the door. Her gaze darted across the entire room as soon as the young man exited. A flat white ceiling combined with a black tint in each corner of the wall. Colors that are pleasing to the eyes and do not bore them. She likes it when it's not too bright or too dark.

I miss my family and hope they are well.

She considers the impact of her actions. If her family realized what she had done, they would forsake her. A tear trickled from her sorrowful eyes, and he quickly brushed it away before turning black.

***

"Hey, bro! What's up?"

Lucius was caught off guard by his friend's unexpected appearance. Kian with Sandra-his cousin. These two were married only a week ago. He believes they returned home after their honeymoon.

"Has anything happened yet?" He humorously asked of the two.

Sandra giggled, smirking. "Tsk, I'm still not ready! I also stated that you will not have a nephew as long as you do not have a girlfriend!"

He laughed, even more, when he heard what he said. "Why? I'd rather have a nephew than a girlfriend." They both chuckled at the same moment.

"You have to do it now since we don't have a plan yet. But don't worry! As long as you don't have a girlfriend, there will be no baby! Period!" Sandra jokingly said. Lucius has several cousins, but Sandra is his favorite.

While cooking in the kitchen, he heard a shout from his room, and Estella appeared in his thoughts. As he entered the room, he noticed Sandra and Kian staring at Estella, who is now covered with a blanket since she is maybe shy.

"Oh my goodness! You fooled me!"

"She's not my girlfriend," he says flatly.

Sandra arched her brow. "Are you kidding me? Why is she in your room? You've never brought a lady into your room," Sandra pointed out.

"Hello, Lucius' girlfriend!" Sandra greeted Estella.

"Sweetie, the deal is over. We can make out later," Kian remarked to his wife, winking.

"Sandra, Kian, please come out. She needs to rest for a moment," Lucius said to the two.

"Rest? Oh my! Did you two-"

"Is that what you're learning from your husband, Sandra?" Lucius asked in an angry tone. He's getting pissed at that time.

"Hey! Why am I impacted?" Kian asked. As the two of them exited the room, Lucius carefully closed the door, locking it. He had forgotten that the two enjoyed roaming around his condo.

"Who is that lady? Is she a girlfriend of yours?"Sandra asked again, but Lucius didn't respond. "Hey! Answer me, your mother needs to know, so she'll be happy."

He shivered, and he was losing tolerance for his cousin. "How many times should I tell you that she's not my girlfriend?"

Kian approached him and patted his shoulder. "That's simple. Tell us. How did she end up in your room? "

Lucius said, "It's a long story."

"Then make it brief," Kian said in a flash.

"If you don't share the story, yes. You should expect to hear from your mother that you took a woman home to your condo." Sandra challenged him.

"You're blackmailing me, huh?" She said to her cousin.

"Well, as I tell her, there is nothing to blame. I'm sure it'll be entertaining once it gets going at your unit. " It even mocked him by smiling at him.

"Whatever," he said, knowing that no matter what he did or asked, his immature relatives would not always listen to him. "Anyway, I have some work to do. You may go home and start flirting."

As the two idiots continued to tease him, he pushed them away. They both gave off the same vibes: immature and annoying. Actually, he dislikes it when people play tricks on him. Lucius' time for jokes is limited.

He headed to his room to look at the woman, but as he was about to open the door when the ringing of his cell phone stopped him. When he opened his inbox and saw a text message from an unknown number.

'Take care buddy'

His eyes brightened as he immediately remembered his friend Yuan, whom they used to call a buddy when they were still friends. Until now, he has refused to quit, oblivious to the fact that he suffers every night because what happened would have been a dream.

Lucius believed it was a huge mistake to bring Estella inside his condo unit and trust her. What if Yuan exploited her to permanently ruin him? Why did he allow it to remain in his home? He should have evicted her. But the more he frees the girl, the less he has a defense against Yuan; he must hold her until the truth is out.

When he opened the door to the room Estella was in. He noticed the woman was sleeping again, but she was in pain every time she tried to move. Something inside Lucius feels pity for the woman; he can't let her die in agony. She was simply weeping and frightened again. He was aware that she was under threat. If something awful occurs to Estella, he may become insane. It is because of him; he has only guilt in his thoughts, his whole life, and suffering every night is enough for him. He's going insane.