THE THREAT

~FIA~

“Mr Barrett” I called out with shock, wondering if this hot man was stalking me as a smirk played on his lips.

“Are you stalking me?” Summoning courage I asked as he took giant steps towards me.

"Why would I?" His breath was on my face as he asked.

"I just want to make sure my wife doesn't run or do anything nasty to herself when she's still in debt." He said to me, making me shift uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry for what I've done to your car." I immediately apologized, but knowing Barrett, the apology wasn't anything to him.

I would have rather faced the shame from my family than getting married and signing a contract with this ruthless man.

He held my cheek in his hands, bringing my face closer to his lips, while he whispered.

"This is a trap I've set and you'd fall deeper into it." Leaving me confused while he walked to stare at the damage of the car.

"What have you done?" He yelled, seething with anger as he turned to face me.

All the colors disappeared from my face, I was trying to run away from this guy, but our paths kept crossing.

"Are you intentionally trying to get on my nerves lady?" He asked pissed, closing his eyes as the sight of me disgusted him.

"No, I'm sorry Barrett." I pleaded.

"Look at what you've done to my car,"

"This is my favorite, it's a Bugatti Chiron, and you can never get this in your broke life," He said with so much pettiness.

I was one of the most influential ladies in L.A., but look how I was reduced.

"You're toying with me." He accused.

"24 hours is over, why didn't you call like you had promised to?" He asked, but I couldn't tell him I was trying to run away.

"I..., well, my ... The thing is... I..., my card is blocked." I said with a stutter.

"Are you lying to a 4-year-old?" He asked as I immediately shook my head.

"You don't have the money miss Fia," He accused, staring intently at me. I couldn't lie anymore, he already knew about it as I gave a nod.

"Good, you will be coming with me." He said, holding my hand firmly.

"Where are we going?" I asked in fear as he didn't give me a response.

"I'll do anything for you, just don't take me to the station," I begged.

"Next time, make sure you think before making a promise," He said, pulling out his phone as he dialed his driver.

"Please sir, I will do anything to pay you back."

"Do you accept to be my puppet?" He suddenly asked, knowing I didn't have an option other than accepting it.

"As far as it's housekeeping, I'll do the dishes, cook, and entertain you, I can also be your P.A., and work from home," I said, regretting every word.

"Are you good in bed?" He asked as I decided to act like I didn't know what he was talking about, giving a quick nod, the wind making my hair go into my face as I brushed it away while he just stared at me.

"I mean sex," I gulped nervously.

"Why do you ask?"

"To satisfy me of course," He answered, his eyes going to my breast that were struggling to be free from Kayla's dress.

"Let's go," He said walking towards the car his driver had brought.

"Return this car to Kayla, I'm taking my wife home," he added when a call came into his phone.

"Any news about the lady from last night?" I heard him ask, desperation on his face as a wave of jealousy hit me.

"You need to find her as soon as you can," He said to whoever it was.

"Yes, just the necklace." He added as my hands immediately went to my neck, my heart skipping, where was my necklace? Did I leave it at Kayla's house? Despite it looking old, it was the last thing Dad gave me before he passed, how could I have misplaced it?

We soon arrived at his house and I was shocked to see the massive building sitting out there. Was this a palace?

We drove in and met his 15 housekeepers standing outside with their luggage.

"Sir, we will take our leave now." They said with a bow as he gave a nod.

"Why are you sending them away?" I found myself asking.

"I don't need them anymore, I have you." He said as my eyelids battered in shock.

"You can't do that, I can't clean this mansion," I said as he stared at me.

"You have no say here, you're my puppet, a maid, a debtor, and a wife, you'd do whatever I tell you to." He said making me gulp hard saliva as we walked into the house.

A week in Barrett's house was like a year in hell as the days ran slowly. I haven't gotten a word from my family.

They had completely cut me out of their lives, and didn't care of my survival, Dad's will was yet to be read. None apart from Kayla cared if I was alive or not, and Barrett wasn't helping matters.

He kept me locked in this house, barely letting me go out at all.

He didn't let me go to my favorite spot or see Kayla.

I was rather always cleaning, doing laundry or just seated watching him.

Kayla had become a little free with people.

Yesterday, she called, asking if I wanted to go shopping with her and I immediately said yes, forgetting I was living with a demon.

The last time Kayla and I went shopping we were kids, it would be nice to recreate new memories, but when I brought it to Barrett, he went ahead and seized my phone.

"You don't have time for that, you're here to work." He ordered.

I stood, staring at the pool, my mind void of thoughts when the sudden sound of the gate buzzer startled me. We hardly had visitors, who must it be? I pondered making my way to the front door.

I opened the gate and met fresh flowers and a delivery guy.

"Wrong address," I said, turning to shut the door when he said.

"Aren't you Fia Denzel?"

"Yes," I replied, turning to face him as he handed me a small envelope.

My brow furrowed in confusion.

"I didn't order flowers,"

"Says here they're from a Walter, no last name." the driver explained.

"Just need you to sign here, please."

My heart skipped at the mention of that name. I didn't know who Walter was, or was he the guy I had a nightstand with? I thought as I immediately brushed that thought off my mind. I decided to bury that night and move on with my life.

But why would this Walter be sending me flowers?

I scribbled my signature, as the driver headed back to his van.

Once he was out of sight, I hurried inside, the envelope clutched tightly in my hand as I sat on the sofa, I opened the card to know the content of the message.

"Fia, I know you don't know me but I do and I hope you can forgive me for what I'm about to do to you. This would be the only time I'd be kind to you, It's not your fault, but you're so unfortunate getting married to someone like Barrett. You're beautiful and don't deserve the pain you will soon receive, Hate, Walter." It read as I stared with a confused and panicked face. Did I just receive a threat message?

"Who is Walter and what does Barrett have with him?" I thought as he walked into the room. Speaking of the devil, I immediately hid the letter.

"Hi." I greeted him, but was surprised he didn't head straight to his room as usual, but just turned to look

at me with a straight face.

"Your friend Kayla has been shot by some strange men, she's in a critical condition." He said dropping the bombshell on me.