Since that day, Hayden never laid hands on me again. We haven’t had sex since and he hasn’t shown any interest in coming within close contact with me. I looked up at the blank ceiling of the room and wondered if we would live our lives in a loop like this until we died. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen. I knew that I had to talk to him, but I just couldn’t do it. Taking the first step forward was always the hardest and I was being such a coward for avoiding it. On the fifth day, I woke up with renewed motivation to turn things around. It was time that I acted like I realized that moping around isn’t going to change anything. I’m going to make the most of today and when Hayden joins me for dinner tonight, I’ll talk to him. For the first time since I’ve been locked up in this suite, I made my way to the art studio with the intent to start working on some art. The door to the art studio made a clicking sound when I turned the doorknob. I couldn’t help smiling to myself at the sig
To my surprise, I enjoyed the creation process immensely. I was adding the final touches right before sunset. The paint may not completely dry in time but as long as Hayden doesn’t touch it, it should be completely fine. I took a few steps back to admire the painting from various angles. It’s passable. Nothing fancy but definitely passable given the time constraint. With a nod of my head, I told myself that I would be satisfied with this for now and promised to do better next time. Fortunately, I had some time to spare before Hayden got back and the maids came in to set up the dinner table. That meant that I could wash up all the sweat and paint on me. After a relaxing shower, I got dressed and sat at the dining table while I waited for Hayden to arrive. He should be here anytime now…After Auntie and the maids left the room after setting up the dining table for us, I was all alone in the room again and it was drearily quiet. I couldn’t stop glancing over at the door because I knew t
From the tone of his voice, I knew that he felt sorry for me. I appreciated that but that didn’t help open this door! “Luka! Open the door! Please! Please open the door…” I wailed while crying. My whole body shook with the strength of my own sobs. My voice cracked and I found it hard to breathe; however, that didn’t keep me from beating my hands against the door. Luka didn’t respond but I knew that he was still standing there in front of the door. “Luka…please…” I begged. Luka just said that he’s not sure if Hayden can make it to see me tomorrow. Doesn’t that mean that he’s hurt badly? He’s going to be stuck in the hospital, right? “I’ll let Hayden know that you wish to see him,” Luka said flatly. “Wait! Luka! Luka!” I yelled loudly. Luka didn’t reply again, and I knew that he was no longer on the other side of the door. Although I knew that Luka had left, I continued to bang on the door as more tears streamed down my cheek. Why is this happening now of all times?! After scre
The room was completely dark because I had closed the curtains completely. My eyes couldn’t make out anything in the darkness. The sound of my harsh breathing filled the room as I panted and struggled to recover from my shock. “You’re as loud as always…” a low voice whispered from the foot of my bed. “…Hayden?” I called out his name in disbelief.It better be Hayden and not some ghost…“Don’t scream my name when I’m already sitting so close,” Hayden replied calmly.I felt the mattress shift underneath me slightly as Hayden moved closer to me on the bed. It was dark and I couldn’t make out anything but his silhouette.“Are you really here?” I asked just to make sure that I wasn’t seeing and hearing things. “I’m here,” he replied firmly. He’s really here…wow.Before I could say anything, Hayden began talking first and the first thing he asked me was…“Did you eat dinner properly?” he asked. Seriously, is that what he’s worried about at a time like this?“…No…” I admitted truthfully
“Why did you sneak out? You should go back to the hospital. We can get one of the men to drive you back, right?” I suggested quickly. “Calm down, Malissa. You’re giving me a headache worst than any injury that I have on my body,” Hayden said as he frowned disapprovingly at me. “You should go back to the hospital,” I said firmly. “I’m not going. I drove back here myself, I’m fine…” Hayden said stubbornly. He drove here? After a car accident, he drove back here himself? I didn’t know what else to say. I rest my case here. Now that we’re talking, I might as well ask him about the situation outside. Luka mentioned that peace is being disturbed and I wondered if that was true. I wanted to know if that was why Hayden is keeping me locked up in here like this. “Hayden. Luka told me that it’s not safe for me to go outside. He said that the gangs are fighting. Is that true?” I asked while trying my best to pick my words carefully. It took a lot of effort to get those words out; however,
I nodded my head when I had made my decision. Hayden reached his hand towards me and patted the top of my head gently. I flinched when I saw the bandages around some of his fingers and closed my eyes. “Luka was telling the truth. Although I told him not to say anything I guess he went ahead and told you anyways. It’s not safe outside right now and since we’ve been seen together often lately, I figured that it would be safer to keep you here. Needless to say, I’m also keeping you away from Ethan and his influence,” Hayden admitted straightforwardly. “What about you? Luka mentioned that it wasn’t very safe for you too…” I asked, recalling Luka’s words. “He said that? Don’t worry about me. It’s safe enough for me…” Hayden said casually. “I see. Please stay safe…” I said with worry. “Starting from tomorrow, I’ll allow you to go outside these rooms as long as you stay in the mansion. Ask Auntie to give you a tour of the mansion. She will let you know of the parts that are off-limits.
Slowly, I reached out my hand and ran my fingers gently through his blond hair while Hayden continued to rest with his eyes closed. The way the corners of his lips curled upwards a little made me feel that he liked it when I did this. “Would you be happier if you could paint more?” Hayden spoke up softly with his eyes still closed. “I guess. Probably,” I replied thoughtfully. “Do you have like a website or something where people can view your portfolio online?” Hayden asked. “Honestly, I haven’t gotten around to setting anything like that up. I know that I should though…” I said as I pursed my lips together in thought. Unknowingly, my hand had stopped stroking his hair and Hayden stirred before opening his eyes. “You should make a website so everyone can see your work…” Hayden said resolutely. “I guess you’re right. I’ll work on it soon…” I replied. “Not good enough. You have all the time in the world now. Start today,” Hayden replied strictly. The way he said it made me feel
“Get your hand off my mouth!” the boss screamed once he managed to yank Hayden’s hand away. “Calm down…” Hayden said. “You of all people don’t have the right to say that to me!” the boss continued yelling. “Stop screaming…” Hayden muttered. “I’m going to scream until you understand what the fuck you’ve done! Have you seen this? Have you seen this!?” the boss shouted as he shoved a piece of paper in Hayden’s face. Hayden took the paper from his father’s hand and scanned the printed text with his eyes. He had a look of surprise on his face for a brief moment before his eyes narrowed and his face darkened evidently. “Why would he do this…?” Hayden asked in wonder. “Ethan is evil. He’s doing this all on purpose to screw with everyone’s head. He returned home beaten up so imagine how pissed of the Silvas are about it right now. Then this morning, he sent a fucking letter of apology straight to my office for getting into a fight with my son. Guess who the Silvas are pissed off at rig