His Commanding Presence

Chapter 9: His Commanding Presence

Samantha POV……

“Uhm… wh….” I couldn’t form a proper word. Staring into Adrian’s piercing eyes was killing me.

He didn’t speak, but his silence screamed louder than words.

“Uhmm… it’s not what you think, Adrian. I didn’t know he was here, and when I came in and saw him, I decided to leave.” My lips quivered, my hands shaking uncontrollably no matter how hard I tried to stop them.

“Yeah… she’s right,” Steven cut in quickly, stepping out of the bathroom. “She came in to use the toilet, but when she saw me, she walked out.”

“Yes… he’s right,” I nodded stiffly.

Adrian remained silent, his gaze shifting between Steven and me, slowly and carefully.

I lowered my head, panic crashing into me. What if he heard everything? What if he saw through our lies? Damn it.

“What happened to your makeup?” Adrian finally asked. “And what happened to your face?” My heart shattered into pieces as I digested his question. I preferred his silence.

“Uhmm… my makeup?” I stammered stupidly, touching my face as if a lie would magically appear. “I… I got tired of it and decided to wash it off.”

The words barely left my mouth before I realized how stupid they sounded. I had just walked out of the bathroom, how could I have washed it off already? I mentally cursed myself.

“Samantha.” He called my name slowly but dangerously. My tension increased.

I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. I was sure I’d wet myself if I did.

“Look at me when I’m speaking to you, babe.” My legs trembled as I slowly raised my head. His gaze pierced deeper this time, sending my heart into full panic.

“Steven,” Adrian said, turning to his brother. “What happened to your face? Why is it so red?”

At that moment, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

“Oh… uh… I hit my face on the wall by mistake,” Steven replied.

Idiot. Who would ever believe that?

Adrian stared at him for a while before letting out a soft chuckle…one I couldn’t read. Amusement? Suspicion?

“You hit your face?” Adrian repeated simply.

“Do you know how long I’ve been standing out here?” His gaze swept over both of us.

My heart spiraled. How long has he been standing? Dahm!

After a long pause, he spoke again. “You can go, Steven.”

Steven didn’t wait twice. He walked away quickly, almost running.

I turned to leave too, anything to escape, but his voice stopped me cold.

“I’m not done with you, Samantha.” My heart slammed violently against my chest.

“You…” I slowly turned back. “What… do you… want?” my heart was dropping.

“Samantha.” He said my name again, taking slow, calculated steps toward me. Fear rooted me to the spot.

With every step he took forward, I stepped back…until—

“Freeze, Samantha.” My body obeyed instantly even if my mind kept screaming, “Run Samantha! Run!”

He closed the distance between us, his presence suffocating. “What did I tell you, Samantha?” His husky breath brushed my neck.

I couldn’t answer. I knew what he meant, but I couldn’t say it.

“Don’t keep me hanging,” he warned, his eyes shifting from calm to dangerously agitated. That was what I feared the most.

“You… told me to—” My voice broke. “Please… don’t hurt me. Don’t kill me. I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down my face as I shook violently. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“I’m sorry… I am.” My knees gave way, hitting the floor in surrender.

“Samantha!” He grabbed my arms roughly, yanking me up. “Don’t you dare play the pity card with me.”

His eyes were empty and colder.

“You think I’m moved by tears?” He dragged me toward a corner. “I am not.”

“I, Adrian Wolfe, am not moved by cheap tears. So don’t try to be smart with me.”

My breath caught in my throat as he grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.

Silence sat between us for a while and his eyes studied me, “It won’t be funny if I find out the real connection between you and my brother,” he said slowly, his anger thickening. “Trust me….this is not an empty threat.” He released me harshly.

My heart pounded uncontrollably. His words echoed endlessly in my head.

“Look at me.” I swallowed hard, meeting his eyes.

“You will return to your room and stay there. I don’t want to see you outside until they leave.” I nodded immediately.

“Wait!” he stopped me when I was halfway gone. I turned back in panic, wondering what it was this time around. “Wait in my room. I changed my mind.”

I stared at him, surprised, but I couldn’t ask a question. I dared not.

I simply nodded obediently and walked away. I could feel his eyes piercing into me as I walked off. They were definitely piercing deep, and it made me extremely uneasy.

I stood in front of his door, my heartbeat suddenly increasing. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t stop it. It felt like there was a lurking danger waiting for me inside.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “Stop overthinking things and go in,” I comforted myself.

Slowly, I grabbed the doorknob and pulled the door open. The strong scent of his room hit me immediately, making it feel like he was right behind me. This was exactly how he scented, like heaven.

Taking a final gulp, I walked into the room and shut the door behind me. I stood there for a while, unsure of what to do, whether I should sit down or keep standing.

My legs ached, so I found a seat and rested my back. The bump sat prettily in front of me, making it look like I was truly pregnant. I even tricked myself for a second.

I hissed, praying for the family to leave immediately so I could take it off. It was tight and very uncomfortable.

I stretched my back and tried to strengthen my legs when my eyes fell on something strange, a door standing silently in the corner of his room. It looked like a separate apartment on its own.

Inside the room were five different doors, obviously leading to different places, but this particular one stood out. It was a different color, a different design, and surrounded by cobwebs, like it hadn’t been opened for ages. Above the door was a bold inscription that read:

DO NOT ENTER

“Do not enter?” That alone increased my curiosity.

I found myself standing up and walking toward the door. What could be in here? My mind raced.

A few steps toward it, the main door cracked open, revealing Adrian. He looked like he had been running for a long time. His face was drenched with sweat, and he was panting heavily.

He rushed forward and slammed the door shut. “Don’t you dare go in there.” He blocked the door.