Chapter 4

Barefooted, I silently followed him as we made our way downstairs. We had been on the top floor down to the living room, then to the private dining area exclusively for two persons only. If they could afford a place like this, he was most likely to be a billionaire.

“Are you allergy with something?” he suddenly asked.

“Huh?” As I cleared my throat, I added, “I don’t have any. Why?”

I had been stuttering everytime I would response to his questions. I just couldn’t calm myself in front of him. His dark aura feared the hell out of me and I couldn’t imagine what could he possibly do to me once I pissed him off.

I breathed as I waited for his answer.

“Okay.” End of the conversation.

The dining room should carry a happy vibe interwoven with the aroma of our meal, but all I could feel was awkwardness.

Thalem sat at the end of the table and I was just on his right as I was escorted there by a maid. I wanted to refuse and stay a little far from him, but I thought about what would happen to me if I complain.

I would die. Instantly.

I held my breath and tried not to look at him, but I always found myself taking a glance at him. Gladly, all his attention were on his plate.

The maids started to serve the food one by one. There were a lot of different dish that I couldn’t even choose what I was going to eat first. It was as if I was in a fine dining with a... kidnapper.

I swallowed and patiently waited for a sign that I could move from sitting beside him. I was literally frozen on my seat.

It wasn’t what I was expecting as they kidnapped me. It was really different and it made me confuse.

Gathering all my strength to ask him just to be cut off even before I finished my first word, my heart went racing right of the bat.

“Just eat. I don’t want any conversation while eating,” he cut in as he started to place the table napkin on his lap.

“Sure,” I answered and nodded like a child being scolded by a mother.

Strict. Jerk. Badass.

Not even a single word came out from my mouth. I didn’t dare to speak when I saw a gun just lying at the other side of the table near him!

I lost my appetite over the situation. I wanted to go home and rest. As I thought about it, I unconsciously held my swollen cheek. It was still damn hurting!

I glanced sideward to see Thalem. He was focused on his food for him to notice me. While a lot of things were on my mind the whole dinner, this man was too calm as if he didn’t make any crime. They kidnapped me, for what? To experience a luxury life here? To eat like I was in a fine dining? To witness how rich they were? Still confused, I took the last slice of beef steak on my plate.

“Go to the living room once you’re done.”

The sound of spoon and fork dropped on the plate rang my ears. I finally came back to my senses when Thalem left the dining table. I didn’t even notice that he was done with his food because I was actually lost with my thoughts.

As soon as he lost in my sight, I looked behind to see those six maids lined up in silence.

“Madam,” I whispered, pertaining to the old lady that I guess the head, “where am I?”

She bowed her head before she gave me an answer.

“I’m sorry, young lady, but we are not allowed to talk to any guest in this mansion.”

I was trying to fish some information, but I failed. I sighed as I stood up.

“Thank you.”

I left the area and looked for Thalem. The house was really fascinating, but I never had a time to enjoy its beauty because I was here unannounced. It would never be possible.

Few more steps and I found him sitting on the couch in the living room playing a gun with his hands. 

He lifted his head and our eyes met. I guess my presence was too strong now for him to notice me as though I was still twenty meters away from where he was sitting. I didn’t even make any sound for him to look at my direction. Or was he actually waiting for me?

“Come over here,” he said softly.

I was hesitant at first, not because of the weapon, but because he was half naked. I didn’t notice it until he asked me to come closer. I swallowed as my feet got stuck and allowing me not to move. Damn! His stares were killing me!

“Eris, come over here.”

“Yes.” I stuttered.

My name being voiced out by him gave me chills. And when he gave me his death glare for the third time, I almost run towards and sat beside him. I guess he would never fail me to startle with his death glares.

I cleared my throat, but he was back being busy with his gun. Until my eyes landed on his well-shaped body. His muscles... fvck!

I looked away as I slowly sat just few inches away from him. Then I looked around and noticed that the mansion was silent. I couldn’t see anyone roaming around. Sleeping hours, I guess?

“Men are on their stations outside the mansion while Dominique will be gone for a quite long time. We are the only ones inside this house,” he mentioned, answering all what was inside my head. 

After almost killing me with his welcome greetings earlier, he was now out of the house for too long?

Thalem gave me a sideway glance, making me notice more his perfect nose line.

“Put this on your cheek. This might help,” he added, throwing an ice bag on my lap.

“Ah. Thanks,” I mumbled as I gently put the ice bag on my swollen cheek. And his eyes now were back to his weapon. He was cleaning it. 

I took a deep breath. Without any hesitation, I asked, “Are you going to kill me?” 

I knew it was the second time I asked him that question as I was desperate to know the reason why they abducted me.

His eyes turned a few shades darker and I bolted when I heard the gun suddenly clanked. I didn’t even notice that he assembled the gun way too fast.

“Don’t worry, I don’t kill innocent people,” he answered which left me more confused.

“Then why did you kidnap me?” I asked.

He put the gun on the table before he stood up, and went to the near bar counter of the mansion. His broad back greeted my eyes as he walked.

“Stop asking,” he mentioned.

My shoulders stooped. I complained, “I want to know! I want to know why did you guys brought me here.”

“Just stop asking, Eris. Stop wasting your time asking me why.”

“Why? I... I need a reason!”

“Just how dare you to ask me?” 

That shut me up and I even jumped at my feet. His voice were loud and clear that it started making me feel scared amd nervous. Shoot. I pissed him off.

He added, “It’s not like a relationship that when someone broke up with you, you would demand for a reason why did he break up with you!”