3- First Day In Hell

I didn’t know what he was planning to do but I can ensure it would be something I wouldn’t be able to forget for the rest of my life.

Just like our last meeting from five years ago. 

“Vincent? Where is he?” Papa asked, coming to me.

“He left.” I whispered, leaning against the counter.

“So early? Oh, he is a busy man after all. But it was great seeing him, wasn't it?” 

Papa grinned while saying this and I couldn’t tell him what his beloved was planning to do with me. 

I wonder who would they support then?

“Hmm.” 

Humming, I turned away, pressing my teeth hardly against each other to control myself from restricting the emotions.

“You go to Mom, The dinner will be ready soon.” I whispered.

Inhaling deeply, holding the knife, wanting to kill someone or myself with it. 

“Okay.” 

Beaming, Papa left me alone in my miserable thoughts.

Later at dinner, I remained silent while they continued to talk about the almighty Vincent, stinging my chest but choosing silence, I continued to eat my food.

“Ah, he had grown into a fine man. I thought he forgot us after entering business life but no. He had always been-” 

Before Mom could continue praising her so-called son, disregarding what I had been doing for them and it could invoke envy, I stood up.

“I am done. You can keep the dishes there for now. I will take them tomorrow.” I said coldly, tugging my hair behind my ear and rushing out of Mom’s room.

The next day, I could barely sleep at night, the restlessness didn’t allow me. I got a call from Linda too, informing me that I have to come to work now. 

My heart was thumping out of my chest, feet frozen in dread to confront him. Rubbing my cold hands together, I exhaled, gathering my energy and standing outside the Beckham empire once again.

“There goes nothing.” 

Muttering under my breath, I entered, greeted by a girl at the reception.

“Hey, Annalise, right? I am Jacey Atlas. The head of the finance department.” She asked sweetly, waving at me.

“Hey.” I replied sheepishly, waving back.

“I have heard from Linda about you a lot. I heard you are going to take her place for the time being. May God bless her.” She grinned. She was chirpy, the type of energy I need at the moment to help me shift my thoughts.

“Yeah, It’s nice to meet you.” I smiled feebly, chuckling too as I came closer.

“Why don’t I show you your cabin? You ran away yesterday, you must be intimidated by Boss, right?” She giggled, joking in a whisper.

“You can say…” I chuckled nervously, tugging my hair behind my ear.

“Come on, I will show you your cabin.” 

She offered and I was about to leave with her, truly serene in her presence until a dominant resonance halted my traces.

“I believe you have much more important work to do, Miss Atlas.” 

My heart skipped a beat with an inaudible gasp when I could sense his tall form hovering behind, sending daggers in my direction. I stood until his steps approached.

“Um, Good Morning, Sir.” 

We both turned and said to Vincent at the same time. He was standing in his assertive form, staring with displeasure in his green gaze.

“Leave. And you, come with me.” He ordered, walking past us. 

“Sorry. Good luck.” Jacey whispered and left me alone to obey his command without hesitance. 

My body suddenly felt weak and light-headed by the amount of stress by his mere aura which was crushing me. The silence between us was increasing my breaths. 

We entered his personal lift. Only for authorized persons.

Biting the inside of my cheek while glancing at him from the corner of my eyes, tensed in his superior presence. Due to lack of words and deadly silence, I could feel this is the longest ride of my entire life. 

Time was stopped as if floors were passing but the fiftieth one was nowhere near.

Fidgeting my fingers, I forced the lump in my throat, wondering what was going inside his atrocious mind. 

After a devilishly long ride, the door opened and I exhaled in relief, regaining my senses to walk properly and follow him to his office without questioning.

He opened his office bag, took out some files and his laptop along with some papers which he handed me, commanding without looking up.

“Sign them.” 

This authoritative tone showed he was not in the mood to hear any declination.

“Is it our contract?” I asked hesitantly, taking the papers.

“Yes.” Replying coldly, he closed the bag, put it aside.

Resting his hands in his pocket, he came closer. Each time his eyes lock with mine, it makes my heart race beyond control, worrying me.

“Sign them. Now.” He spoke up again, voice low but stern.

“Can I at least read them?” I asked, trembling feebly when I averted my gaze from his keen ones and affixed them on the papers.

“Make it quick.” 

He ordered, leaning against the table to forge the gesture of a handsome devil. 

Nodding, I began to check it but his predatory eyes observing my form left me unable to focus on anything. His intensity steals my ability to ponder.

But three things were clear.

One, I couldn’t leave until these six months were over.

Two, I must obey him under all circumstances.

And three, whatever happens between us is going to be kept confidential.

I had to pay him a million dollars if I broke any of these three conditions. 

That was when I understood; he had trapped me. 

I knew signing these papers means giving him the authority to toy with me, to take revenge however he wants.

I knew it all yet I feel utterly powerless.

“Are you done yet?” 

He asked, growing impatient by my lack of response, frown deepening.

“Yes, Sir.” 

I hummed weakly. I took out my pen, ready to sign them. 

Let’s just end his hatred of years once and for all.

‘Maybe then he will stop haunting my dreams too.’

I paused, I was hesitant. He could see my hands were trembling in fright which excited him that at least I was aware of what awaits.

“What happened?” He asked, arching a brow in amusement.

“Nothing.” 

I took a deep breath and signed the paper, bargaining my soul for the next six months.

The instant I signed, he snatched the papers and hovered which startled me to find him in my vicinity, enhancing my already overwhelmed state.

“Good.” Whispering seductively, he was right in front of me. 

Curling his lips in a smirk slowly, sinfully, leading down, eyes scanning me from top to bottom as my breath hitched.

Loving my reaction, he whispered the unwanted welcome, “Welcome to your first day in hell, Annalise.”

With widened eyes, a clasp traveled to my heart to find this extreme hatred in his beautiful orbs.

How quickly time changes…

I slowly lifted my gaze, moving back but when my eyes stopped at his toned chest, my back hit the table as I gasped, immediately locking my eyes with his in distress.

He smirked at my reaction and placed his hand across from me, at the table. 

Imprisoned in his arms, my breaths became heavy, unsure how to react.

“Get away.” 

I managed to breathe out when he invaded my personal space, eyes scanning my body darkly, all the way down and back to my eyes.

“Why? There’s no one here.” He retorted huskily.

Leaning down but curling closer I refrained, turning my head away in repulsion but it only knocked haunting intentions to his mind.

“You can’t do this to me.” I said firmly, putting my hand in between but he chuckled darkly at my attempt.

“You think anything can stop me from-” 

Pausing, he was closer to the point I could feel his minty breath on my face. My breath hitched as I pressed myself against the wall, pressing my palm over it to gain support.

“Coming closer?” 

Asking seductively in my ears, I could hear the sound of his haunting laugh which ceased the functioning of my body, inducing a deadly shiver by his powerful aura.

“Why don’t you try saying please?” He asked darkly and powerless at his dominance, I bore with those feelings and gave him a satisfactory response.

“Please…”

“Good. Now,” Clearing his throat, he pulled his hand back.

Turning his head away for a hot second before his dominance hit him with stronger force.

“Get out.” 

He ordered seriously and without a second thought, I ran away.