Chapter 6

My chest rose and fell rapidly as I breathed, the tension in the office felt like an unexpected weight pressing down on me. Mark's words left me stunned; he wanted me. He'd said it firmly, leaving no room for rebuttal. 

"I…" my tongue tangled in knots, "I need time to think about this," I said and my voice trembled, I didn't dare raise my head to meet Mark's gaze. 

"Whatever you say," Mark said with a dismissive wave of his hand, looking confident. "I expect an answer by tomorrow," Mark said, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint as his eyes swept over me and I could even feel a trace of want. 

My face flushed under his stare."Yes," I nodded and I got to my feet, "I'll be leaving, thank you." I turned around immediately to leave. 

"Wait," Mark said, stopping me just as I was about to open the door, he smiled as he got to his feet. "I'll see you off." 

My heart raced and I tried to maintain a neutral expression as he approached me, "You don't have to, Mark." 

"Sure I do," Mark shrugged off my protests and opened the door for me, his eyes holding an unknown emotion. "Ladies first," a small smile tugged at his lips. 

I held his gaze for a moment before walking out. I sensed Mark's eyes on me, tracing the curve of my body, my breathing hastened and I quickened my pace.  

Before long we were back at the reception, the receptionist's behavior was better now, her eyes which were initially filled with disdain were now composed and calm. 

"Thank you," I said, turning to Mark. I was about to leave but Mark stopped me. 

"Wait," Mark's face was a mask of calm. "Apologize to her now," Mark ordered, his tone cold and authoritative. 

My brows shot up in surprise, "Mark, you don't have to," I whispered, even as a warm feeling sprouted up within me. The receptionist's eyes widened, she glanced at me with complicated eyes. 

"Are you…" Mark had just started speaking when the receptionist interrupted him. 

"I'm sorry for my behavior earlier, Miss…" the receptionist paused awkwardly. 

"Miss Chloe," Mark added, his expression turning colder. 

"Miss Chloe, such mistakes won't happen again, I apologize." The receptionist shuddered slightly as Mark's eyes swept over her. 

"It's alright," I reassured her with a smile, "No need to apologize further…. It's alright," I repeated in a lower tone to Mark who was still glaring at her. 

"It's not okay," Mark shook his head, his intense gaze bored into me, "If anyone can behave the way she did to you, who's going to have any respect left for me?" 

I furrowed my brows at his words, "How does your receptionist's behavior to me have anything to do with you?" My eyes clouded as I tried to understand Mark's line of thought. 

Mark stared at me and his lips curled up, "They need to learn that aside from me, they have to respect you, my woman," Mark's voice was soft but they carried an air of unmistakable possession.

I fell silent, stunned and struggling to process his words. "Hahaha," I chuckled drily, trying to break the tension. "I haven't made up my mind yet, Mark." 

Mark simply smiled without saying anything, he looked unconcerned. As I left the building I could still sense Mark's eyes on me, would anything remain the same? I wondered as Mark's proposition echoed in my mind; I had a decision to make. 

As I walked in I met Rachel in the kitchen, preparing to go out. Her eyes scanned me as I walked in. "How'd it go, Chloe?" Her voice sounded hopeful. 

"It…" I hesitated, I noticed Rachel's expression dimming a little. "It was fine," I lied, "I met with Mark and he said he'll get back to me, there's hope," I said, forcing a smile.    

Rachel's face brightened, she closed in on me and hugged me "That's great, Chloe. You deserve it." 

I nodded, "I hope it works out," I picked up my bag from the counter. 

"I'll be back in a while," Rachel called behind me, "I'll go pick the kids from school then we'll have an omelet for dinner." Rachel had turned to leave, but I stopped her.

"Rachel," I waited till she turned around, "Thank you," I said softly, I smiled with my eyes fixed on her. Rachel smiled too, she nodded and left without another word.

A pang of guilt shot through me as I stared behind her, I couldn't just tell her that Mark had asked me to be his secretary and also his… I broke off the thought and my face flushed as his words earlier echoed in my mind; 'They have to respect you, my woman' 

But what did Mark really want? I wondered as I went into my room, I slipped out of the gown I wore and changed into more comfortable clothes. 

My eyes clouded over as memories of the relationship between me and Mark resurfaced. We'd been cool, not really friends, I hadn't had any dealings with him since he was Vincent's junior brother. Even now, I couldn't recall any instance where Mark had shown interest in me. 

I sighed in frustration, perhaps I'd been too preoccupied with Vincent to notice any signs from Mark. What was I going to do? I rubbed my temples trying to clear my foggy mind. I could feel my thoughts bounce back after hitting the walls of the room, as though my thoughts were constricted. 

I got to my feet deciding to take a walk in the woods, I made sure to leave a note for Rachel so she'd know where I'd gone.

The woods were dark and quiet except for the faint chirping of crickets in the underbrush. The tall trees formed a canopy above, filtering the sunlight. 

I'd spent countless hours in these woods as a child, exploring and roaming. It'd been my shelter and refuge, I thought, staring at the familiar trails. I shook my head as memories came flooding back. 

My father, mother and brother, Forlan, had died in a boat accident. I remembered how I'd begged to go along that morning, but Father refused, saying I was too young. After the incident, I was shunned and mistreated by the pack. I closed my eyes, not wanting to delve into those memories. 

Vincent had been the only spark in my life since then, I laughed bitterly with self-reproach, but the thing I didn't know about sparks was, that one could get burned.

A snapping twig startled me out of my reverie. I turned around, heart in my throat but, no one was there. Must've been a squirrel or something I thought, exhaling a breath of air. I walked down a trail I knew by heart and the rich, earthy scent filled my nostrils.

Soon I arrived at the spot, it was the biggest tree in the woods, its roots extended in all directions for hundreds of meters before they sank into the soil. At the base, the roots formed a nook, just large enough to sit. I often came here to think, I'd sit and imagine myself on a throne.

Another snapping twig made the hairs at the back of my neck stand on edge, I sensed his presence before he spoke.

"Chloe," Vincent's voice shattered the silence in the surroundings. 

I turned around and stared into Vincent's dark eyes, my heart raced as I glanced around furtively, we were all alone here. 

"What… what do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling and I tried to keep my expression neutral as I stared at him. 

"You don't have to be afraid, Chloe," Vincent's eyes darkened, "I'm not here to hurt you." 

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why should I trust anything you say?" My heart ached as I stared at him, the memory of how he'd tried to force himself on me was still fresh in my mind. 

Vincent's eyes flashed with anger and he sighed, "I'm sorry for what I did, Chloe. I am," Vincent took a step forward and I took a step back, he paused, staring at me. He raised his hands and slowly backed away. "Can we just talk about this?" Vincent's expression softened, "I want you back, Chloe." 

My eyes widened slightly, but I remained calm. "What do you want to talk about?" My tone became colder as I spoke, "You've done enough harm Vincent, you tried to force…" my voice broke and I looked away, I didn't want him to see my tears. I dabbed my eyes, "You tried to force yourself on me, you've shown me that you don't care, why should I believe you?" 

Vincent's eyes changed, his expression hardening, "You think you can speak to me however you want after all I've done for you?" Vincent's face contorted in anger as he roared. "You're mine, and you have no choice," Vincent suddenly rushed up to me.

My heart jumped up to my throat, "Vince…" my words were cut off as Vincent tackled me and a sharp pain exploded at the base of my skull as I fell to the ground. "Stop, please, don't do…" My vision blurred and my consciousness began to fade. 

I could vaguely see Vincent's silhouette looming over me, I heard faint sounds and roars as my consciousness faded, and everything went black.