[14]

It's been a week since Miya's life changed completely. In terms of her material needs and the facilities she has access to, Miya believes it's the same as it was when she was living her previous life. That said, there are a few things… Miya admits that what she receives now is far more luxurious.

The spacious three-story house is Miya's primary residence. We're not counting the servants because, as Miya sees it, their job is to take care of the house and make sure she gets what she needs. To be more precise, they were there to watch over and guard Miya. Just in case the girl ran away. But Miya would have to think long and hard if the intention and opportunity were there.

Damian Sawyer wasn't one to show mercy to those who disobeyed. The eyes, as dark as night, told Miya without a word. This guy was convincing, making Miya change her mind about running away from the house.

"No one's waiting for me anyway," Miya said as she took a sip of orange juice. The air was warm enough that even though she was sitting under a large umbrella, the sound of water gurgling was refreshing, and Desi was never far away. She was always asking what Miya wanted to do to just spend time in this house.

"Did you say something, Miss Miya?"

Miya's golden-brown eyes lifted slightly. She was still holding the straw in her mouth, taking sips of the orange juice now and then. "Nothing," she replied with a laugh. "Don't you think you're being a bit bored, Desi? Why don't you sit here? I get the feeling you're watching me 24/7."

"That's my job, Miss Miya."

Miya was taken aback but decided to remain silent. "I'd like to go swimming. No problem, right?" For Miya, being in this mansion was a mixed blessing. If the owner wasn't back, Miya could relax as much as she liked. No intimidation, no strange orders or requests, and not just face-to-face with Damian Sawyer, who is both handsome and vile. Or spending time in Damian's office, just sitting on the couch with Damian at work, thankfully with her cell phone at the ready with plenty of entertainment, even if it couldn't be used to text or talk to Tessa Monroe, the only person she knew. Her best friend.

Miya was pretty sure Tessa was wondering where she was.

"No problem, Miss. I'll get your new clothes and the dinner menu ready this time. Anything else I can do for you?"

Miya shook her head. One of the things she'd stuck to since day one was not wanting to be dependent on the people in this house. She didn't want to get too close to anyone, including Desi. It was a different story when she was intimate with Mrs. Bern or Hannah.

"I'm not a picky eater, Desi. Just serve whatever the head chef thinks is the best. I'll definitely finish it."

Desi gave a quick nod. He left Miya to warm up before jumping into the refreshing pool. From the start, the blonde-haired girl had planned to cool off in this spacious swimming pool. The water was clear and clean, and the weather was perfect for her to play in the pool right away. She took off her kimono and removed any remaining clothing.

As she stood on the steps leading down into the pool, Miya began to massage her feet. The water feels soothing on her feet, and without a moment's hesitation, Miya dives in. Miya swam with grace and ease, her movements reminiscent of a professional swimmer, until the water reached her waist.

She swam around the pool a few times. Every so often, she popped her head up to breathe. Then she swam back under the water, using all kinds of swimming techniques that she knew well. Miya's favorite was the backstroke. It feels really refreshing.

However, there was one thing that bothered Miya. While she was enjoying her juice, Miya noticed that there were a few people watching from around the pool. Guards in black, who Miya knew were patrolling the grounds, were seen walking around, ensuring everything was as it should be. The guards were still monitoring the area around the pool until Miya swam. On the other hand, they were facing the other way, as if to give Miya privacy. Right now?

"Where are they?" Miya asked, wiping her face with a towel. She took regular breaths. Her eyes also scanned the area to make sure everything was okay, including looking for Desi.

But...

"Oh, my gosh!"

Miya was in a bit of a daze. She felt a strong pull. Her body kept on going down to the bottom of the pool. Miya's eyes were stinging too much to be able to see clearly. Her legs felt heavy, and she could feel someone holding her ankles firmly and roughly. That is, until...

"Hah! Oh my!" she exclaimed, her chest feeling tight.

She took in a deep breath, eager for the oxygen that was in short supply. Her breathing became more rapid and irregular. Her eyes and nose were stinging a bit. She quickly gathered her thoughts to understand what was really going on.

"You... seem to be having some fun, don't you?"

Miya's eyes seemed to roll back in her head. "You want to kill me, Crazy Man?" The girl had no idea what kind of man she was dealing with. If Miya were to drown in the pool, she'd haunt the man who was acting up!

"You have a knack for cursing," Damian laughed. He quickly moved to pull Miya closer to him. "Do you know what you did today to upset me, Miya?"

The atmosphere felt far more suffocating than when she was forced to go down into the pool. Damian's voice was firm and unyielding, and his eyes were fixed on Miya with a cold, calculating gaze.

"But... "I didn't do anything," Miya replied promptly. What had originally seemed bold and full of confidence just disappeared, as if it had never been there at all.

Meanwhile, the man who'd trapped Miya innocently just stared at the girl in his arms with a look of wonder. He quickly realized that he shouldn't get carried away by Miya Ashton's beautifully shiny golden-brown bead. "You did it on purpose." Damian moved, guiding Miya back to where he wanted her—the edge of the pool. Damian found it easy because he was tall, and his feet were on the bottom of the pool. Miya, on the other hand, seemed a bit flustered by Damian's movements.

"Wait a minute! What are you doing?"

Miya tried her best to keep Damian's body from pushing her around. But how do you do that? While she was trying to balance her body in the pool. Instead of holding Damian's body, she held on to him.

Damian said simply, "Punishing you."

"But what did I do wrong?" Miya was really struggling to find the right words. Even though her body was cold from the water in the pool, it was much colder when the surface of her nearly exposed back touched the wall of the pool's edge. "Oh, my!" Miya was feeling a bit uneasy.

"It's your fault..." Damian took a quick look at Miya's face. Her lips were a little pale, probably from the cold. Her eyes, which had originally looked angry and unaccepting of Damian's behavior, began to look troubled, frightened, and discouraged. But Damian wasn't going to let go of his target just yet. The hand that had been holding Miya's waist lifted slowly and touched the girl's cheek gently. The girl felt a sudden, unexpected chill from the touch. The girl's slender body shuddered in his grasp.

"You just go with the flow, even if people are watching." Damian pressed Miya's cheek with one motion. This made the girl glare in disbelief. Damian gave Miya a little more pressure.

"I hate when my stuff gets attention from other people. That's what Miya Ashton said."

Oh my goodness! If there was a grim reaper around Miya, she thought she would have switched places with Damian. The man spoke in a calm but firm tone that made Miya's entire body stiffen. As if what she was doing was genuinely dangerous.

"Moreover, there's another thing…" His eyes, black as night, took another look at Miya's body. The gaze was flat, but it made Miya feel a mix of emotions. If only there were a way to be free, or at least turn back time, Miya would take it.

"You're wearing a bikini."

"Oh, goodness!" Miya let out a surprised intake of breath. It wasn't that she was running out of air, but dealing with Damian was draining.

"Can't you answer?" Damian looked annoyed. "Victor said you like to interrupt people. It's about arguing with anyone you don't like."

Miya swore at Victor! She really hates that man! "How...?" Ah, never mind. Miya decided to prepare for the challenges she would face later. After all, her life was already tied up in knots by Damian. What other choice did she have but to obey? Damian wanted her to talk, right? Then that's what he'll do. She stuttered a bit because the cold man was still pressing her cheek.

"I can't speak, sir," Miya said, grateful that she didn't have to. She could say it easily.

Damian let out a chuckle and released Miya's cheek with ease.

"Oh my!" Miya gave Damian's shoulder a good squeeze. She was a little nervous when Damian picked her up and sat her right on the edge of the pool. Damian was positioned between her legs. Oh my! Is there anything more embarrassing than this?

"Why are you wearing a bikini?" Damian's hands made their way down Miya's smooth thighs, on either side of him. He moved in a seductive way, teasing her and making her face even redder.

"I...," Miya bit her lower lip. "Could you please stop your hand, sir?"

"Are you giving me an order?" Damian gave Miya a sharp look. "I don't take orders from anyone, Baby Girl." Damian widened the space between Miya's thighs. "Just let me know and enjoy your punishment." The man pulled away the thin material covering the space between Miya's smooth thighs. She gasps in disbelief, but what she can't believe is when Damian shoves his face there.

He stuck out his tongue and made a mess of Miya.