3. The Master

The car entered through a tall gate made of steel. Beatrice could see from inside how high the wall was. And she couldn’t help but tremble as she saw men in black suits holding long guns. What would they need it for? 

‘You’ll be okay, Beatrice. This is for your father,’ she thought to herself. Beatrice had been trying to calm herself down. Her hands keep on trembling and she keeps on breathing hard because her heartbeats are fast. The car was cold but she could feel herself sweating. She was not crying anymore but the more she was getting near the stranger's house, the more her fears grew. ‘It will be done soon. You just need the money.’ 

Beatrice closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her father teaches her to take deep and long breaths. He said that it will help her calm and it was true. Every time Beatrice felt scared, or stressed, she closed her eyes and took a long deep breath. She does it until she calms down. Beatrice felt that the car stopped so she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the fountain on her left side. It has a greek angel statue in the center that was holding a pitcher. The water comes out from there. 

“Miss,” the man called her. 

Beatrice looked at her left side. The door was already open so she went out from there. The night was cold and the moon was dazzling in the sky. But Beatrice couldn’t feel the beauty of the night because of the men in front of the door. They were also holding long guns and looking intently at the surroundings. As if they were ready anytime if someone attacked them. 

“Follow me, Miss,” the man said again. 

Beatrice nodded. The man walked inside the enormous door. The first thing Beatrice saw was the big chandelier hanging on the ceiling. Yes, they had a chandelier in their house but not like this. It was like a set of diamonds hanging! Also, the place was bright but something felt odd. She cannot see any maids inside. Is it because it was nearly midnight? 

They walk on the big staircase. Beatrice couldn’t help but be amazed at the gold design of the handrails. It looked like the master of this mansion had an eye on art too. The wall had paintings hanging. It was legit paintings and not only pictures when Beatrice checked it. She stopped walking when they reached the top floor. There was a big painting of a woman with blonde hair. Her blue eyes were shining even though it was only on the painting. But something felt wrong. The woman looked like her. 

“Master Bruce created that art,” the man said while looking at the art too. Beatrice almost gasped and looked at him. He smiled at her. “Sorry to rattle you, Miss. But we don’t have time to look at the paintings tonight. Your father needs you, right?” 

“Ahh. Y-Yes. I’m sorry.” 

He nodded. “Very well. Please follow me and don’t stop.” He bowed and started walking again. 

Beatrice looked at the painting again. Was this woman the reason why Mister Bruce wanted to marry her? She shook her head and followed the butler again. They then stopped in front of the big door again. The man opened it and stood on the side only while pointing his hand inside. 

“Please enter, Miss. The master is waiting for you inside.” 

“You are not coming?”

“I will if the master calls me.” 

Beatrice nodded. She peeked inside. She could smell the stinging scent of paint inside so she covered her nose. She walked inside and the man immediately closed the door. 

Thug! Thug! 

Beatrice's heart throbbed again. There was no one inside. She just saw a canvas at the center of the room and things used for painting on the floor. She realized that it was a studio room. There were finished paintings hanging on the wall and some on the side wall. Beatrice could say that this man had an extreme talent for painting. Everything was beautiful in her eyes. Suddenly, she forgot what was the reason she was in the mansion. She went near one painting of a woman again. She doesn’t have any clothes but it was beautiful. It doesn’t look embarrassing for her.

“Miss Lichter?” 

Beatrice almost jumped when she heard a deep voice. She immediately looked behind her only to see a man standing near the canvass wearing nothing at all. Beatrice shouted and turned her back again. She couldn’t have a chance to see his face because she panicked seeing his body. 

“What are you doing, you pervert?! Where are your clothes?!” she said, panicking. It was the first time seeing a man without any clothes. Was he out of his mind?! He was expecting her but he went out without any clothes?! Beatrice tried to calm down herself and closed her eyes. But the first thing she saw was the long and big thing hanging on his center. She heard him laugh and just added more of her agitation. ‘Is he happy showing his ‘thing’ to me?! Crazy!’

“You don’t need to be scared, Miss Lichter. You are here because you are accepting my proposal, right?” Mr. Bruce said. 

Beatrice opened her eyes again. She couldn’t look back at him so she just nodded her head. “Y-Yes. I am.” 

“But I heard you’re not accepting it? Why the change of heart?” 

Beatrice tightened her fist. “D-Didn’t my mother already tell you about it?” she asked back. She doesn’t have the heart to talk with him. She wanted it to be fast and done already. She doesn’t want to be left alone with this psycho man in a room. Especially if he doesn’t wear anything. Mr. Bruce didn’t answer her. Beatrice was feeling frustrated only and thought that she was being toyed with by the man. But she almost stopped breathing and her body froze when he touched her arms. She couldn’t move and look at him because she was worried to see his body again. “W-What are you doing?” 

“But I want to hear it from you, Beatrice,” he whispered in Beatrice's ears. 

Beatrice gulp. She could feel the hair on her nape standing because of the warm breath hitting her skin. “G-Go away!” She tried to remove his hand from her and step forward. But the man turned her around instead and locked his hands on her body. Beatrice's eyes widened when she felt his hard thing on her tummy. She tried to resist but the man pulled her closer to his body. Feeling it more even. 

That time, Beatrice felt like cold water was poured on her. No. Was this place getting hotter or was her body reacting to that thing sticking on her tummy?