Chapter 4

SELENA'S POV

Sitting in the bottom part of the cell where the most notorious were being kept I played with the chains bound to my feet and sang as the shackles clanged to themselves. Eleanor wouldn't know what has happened to me while trying to make ends meet for the two of us and that is what matters most to me.

In my heart I made silent prayers to the moon goddess just maybe she would come to my rescue this time. My back resting on the faded walls. Just then I heard the rustling of keys on the lock from the prison gates. The wailing from the other prisoners didn't give me a chance to listen to the steps to know exactly where they were headed until I saw the large pair of boots peering through the under door of the cell I was locked in. My heart began to race fast and in no time the iron door snapped open to reveal the two hefty guards standing before me. They both didn't say a word as they walked in, they searched my face for a while before taking off the chains on my legs. They helped me up while I followed them in a single file. One in front and another behind me. The cuffs on my wrist sent a screeching pain down my marrows.

We walked through the large hallway leading out through to the palace. As we reached the large entrance, the door split open in two parts paving way for us to pass. As I entered the magnificent living room I could smell the tension from afar. Cassian stood by the side of the large piano by the side. His white shirt pressing hard against his muscular body.

The top bottom left unbothered to expose a good part of his chest. On the left was his daughter, the one who had called me mum and the sole beginning of the problem I got into today. Her face lit up the moment she saw me walk in but ignored it to focus on her rude, ruthless father. The guards made me stand in front of Cassian, his eyes deep and blue, but dead and cold like he was going to rip me off for ruining his good moment with the lady a few hours ago.

“Look who we have here?The lady who can't keep her mouth shut”. He bawled the words at me rudely. I narrowed my eyes at him, unfazed by his daring and intimidating looks.

“I didn't do anything”. I snorted without wasting time.

“You're gonna be mom right?” the little girl spoke, her voice sent cold shivers to my spine. This time the attempt to ignore her was unbearable but I managed to smile at her unsure of what exactly her father wanted and why he had suddenly decided to call me back.

“Uhm! Sisi, let me handle this my way okay. Go to your room”. His tone was and from the way he spoke to her I could tell he doesn't joke with her for anything in the world. Sisi stamped her feet on the marble floor, brows furrowed and her jaws bumped like freshly baked bread with yeast. She stormed off without uttering any word. After waiting for his daughter to disappear through the stairs he took a few steps closer. His posture exuding superiority, his broad shoulders squared yet there were no words.

I backed off a bit. His face was a mask of pure hatred that couldn't hide, his huge feature twisted in a snarl of disgust as he focused his gaze on me. My eyes dropped, unable to hold the gaze.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked my words slowly but firmly. His chest puffed out like he would dare me to challenge his decisions again.

“You want to work for me right? Isn't that why you are here?” He spoke in a broken tone, cold and brooding.

“Yes—that’s why I am here”. I answered like I was being questioned in a court by a judge.

“Good then! You have the job”. He said his expression was unreadable. My eyes flickered with joy and excitement. At least I can now raise the money for my sister's tuition and as for his cruel nature, well I could deal with that later.

“So…when do I start?” I asked him as he walked off to the wall close to the book shelf.

“Today. Matter of fact your duty begins now”.

“Now? I was confused and excited all at once. A few minutes ago he was just about sending me to my grave and now he wants me to begin work with immediate effect and no interview whatsoever, what changed? My heart raced through the questions as I stood there until his loud voice got me jerking back to reality.

“You are to resume today and your stuff would be moved to my room when you bring them tomorrow”. He said without a single smile on his face.

My eyes popped at once. “Wait! What do you mean by "my things would be moved to your room, what business have I got there?” Despite my trembling voice, my query was infused with a sense of fearlessness and that's the very reason he wants to punish me by keeping me in his room or so I thought.

He stopped on his tracks, head tilted and shoulders squaring with pride and arrogance. “This is my house and wherever I decide you stay, you stay”. His finger stabbed the air as he spoke, laying emphasis on his words. Projecting confidence in my demeanor, I growled.

“None of that will happen, you hear me. Being your personal slut isn't part of my job description”. He swiveled to face me with exasperated his tongue sharp and his words biting deep into my marrows.

“You are clearly not my type. I would rather be with a whore or better still a dog than touch something as dirty and disgusting as you”. The words stumbled from his mouth like a harsh whip.

I froze!