His Possession

Chapter 33

His Possession.

Lyla Atelo.

I wanted to defy him. Everything he said, I wanted him to take it all back. I wanted him to change his mind— I wanted to change him... for me.

I was really pathetic, I know.

"Actually," I sidestepped him and went back to the sofa, relishing the shock on his face. "I didn't just come here to drop the food. There are other pressing matters I would like to discuss with you."

His jaw clenched in anger. "The night is getting darker, Lyla. You need to leave and never come here again."

"I've noted that part." I waved my hand dismissively. "But since you've kindly given me your driver for the night, then I guess I'm all covered and safe. You needn't worry about that, right?" I smiled sweetly, ignoring the insistent vibrations of my phone.

The idea had come immediately, and I thought of the best way to talk about it without raising suspicion. Mrs. Michelle's face flashed in my mind.

Sage stared at me for a few seconds after ruminating what I had said before waving off Mr. Taylor. He sat down beside me, his leg bopping in frustration. I did a little happy dance in my head that I was able to elicit this kind of frustration in him.

"You better speak fast, or I wouldn't mind calling the guards to carry you out." His voice was cold but strained as he said the last part.

Something at the back of my mind told me he wouldn't let anyone lay a single finger on me. If he wanted me out, he would be the one to carry me out. But still... I was humbled at the thought that he could throw me out of his house if he wanted to. No questions asked.

"Do you really fund the school?" I asked after a while.

He looked surprised, but the expression was gone as soon as it came. "What do you mean?"

"Everyone fears you and all, so I was wondering if you play so much of a big part in funding the school."

He looked at me carefully before replying. "I'm sure you already knew about that. What exactly is your question?"

I took a deep breath, hoping I wasn't caught as soon as I delved deeper into the conversation.

"Between you and the principal, who holds the highest power in the school."

He thought for a while before replying. "Michelle is a direct descendant of the school's founder, that is why she runs the school. But she is terrible at managing the funds of the school that is why parents fund the school."

"And I hear your family doubles the payment of everyone combined. That means you hold the most stakes in school?"

"What are you driving at, Lyla?" His eyes narrowed as they stared at me. "Do you need help? Is anyone bothering you in school?"

My mind drifted to Sara and her mother. Apart from both of them, my time in the school was actually fun. It was great to teach different students and also learn from them.

I shook my head immediately. "No. I'm just curious. That's all."

But his eyes told me he didn't believe me. He sat up and stared at me seriously for the first time this evening.

"I have given strict instructions to Michelle concerning you."

My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened at that. "What do you mean? What instructions?"

"You are solely under my protection." He said it with a hint of possessiveness in his voice. "Anyone who tries to hurt you, or even breathes negatively towards your way will be let go from the school immediately. I don't care if that means the expulsion of all the students in the school, or relieving all the staff in the school. You're not supposed to be touched."

I didn't know if I should be grateful, or scared. Why did he keep sending mixed signals? He wanted me to be protected, but still called me a stranger.

"I... I don't know what to say..."

His frown lines deepened. "After that incident with you drowning, no one was able to find out who pushed you inside. And you have refused to tell me the students that were around you at the time. To make matters worse, there were no security cameras in that area."

"There were..." I said absentmindedly. "They were just broken off."

He leaned forward almost immediately. "You lied."

"What?"

"You lied that you didn't know who they were." It was like he was trying to keep his anger under control. "Just like you're lying that no one is bothering you."

"I'm not lying." I immediately countered him.

His lips curled. "Your voice shakes when you lie. Sweat coats your forehead when you're thinking of a lie... And your eyes... Those beautiful eyes," he breathed, "they twitch when you lie, Lyla."

The atmosphere had gotten intense all of a sudden. How was he able to control the environment really fast?

"I can only think of a few people who would dare to go against me in that school." He closed his eyes and breathed out, leaning back into the sofa. "And Lyla... I swear to God... If you don't tell me who is bothering you in school, I will turn the whole school upside down just to get the person. And you should know I'm not messing around. Save me the stress. Save the people you like the stress."

His eyes were still closed and he had gone back to talking slowly, but his words were lethal. And I didn't doubt him one bit.

"There are only three people who could bully you... Michelle, her daughter, and Elijah." He continued. "I will strike Elijah out because he doesn't have the balls to go against something I've marked as mine. So tell me... Between the mother and the daughter, who is it?"

He was talking like I was already in his possession. As if belonged to him. It was annoying, and at the same time extremely captivating.

"I don't belong to you! I'm not something you mark." I replied with indignation.

He still didn't open his eyes. "Michelle or Sara, Lyla? I won't ask again."