Chapter 4 To his penthouse

“I couldn’t even explain to you how good it feels to look up across a room and see you stand there.”-unknown

Arabella POV

After 45 minutes of the ride that feel like forever, we finally arrived at his penthouse. He opened the door for me as he can sense my reluctance to leave the car. I have no choice but to follow him since I refused to let him know my home address. I won't let this guy know more about me. We just met twice and he is still a stranger. I don't even know his name and I'm not interested to know as well.

"We arrived," he spoke and stood near the door waiting for me to moves from the car. I looked at him without a smile on my face. I really don't know what his real intention is. He offered me his hand but I refused.

"I think maybe I can take a cab back home from here," I spoke as I stood beside him and he closed the door for me.

"Not as you wish," he said looking at me. I swear I hate this guy. Such a control freak and I don't even know if he is helping me or he add one more problem to my life.

He grabbed my wrist and signaled me to follow his step to his penthouse as he mentioned earlier. I tried to snatch my hand from his grip but it doesn't help at all. In fact, he tightens his grip on my wrist and turned to the front with a smile.

"Don't ever try,” he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes as a reply and without saying anything I obey his steps to his penthouse, pathetically. I know I don't have another choice but to follow him and I hope he won't do anything bad to me.

He pulled my hand until we finally reached his penthouse. I looked around at the house when the light was turned on. It is a nice place with black and white as the theme color. I was amused for a moment. It looked so tidy to be a man's house.

"Sit." I heard his voice commanded me to sit on the black couch. I turned my head and saw that he locked the door behind him. "What a devil," I cursed inaudibly. Still, I follow what he commanded and settle myself on the black shining coach. I saw he left to the kitchen and a moment later he appeared with two glasses of orange juice in his hand.

"Have a drink." He handed me one of the glasses. He sat across me. Our distances are separated by a black marble glass table that looks elegant in the living room.

"Thanks," I muttered and reached for the orange juice. I took a sip of my drink before start the conversation. "Why are you taking me here?"

"To keep you safe," he said and stared at me. The deep stare made my heartbeat abnormal for a moment. It went wild. Maybe due to the fact that we are alone in a stranger's house. My inner voice whispered.

"Why bother?" I tried to act calm and turned my gaze away from him.

"Maybe because I like you," he whispered some words which only can be heard by him.

"Pardon?" I look at him with a questioning look as I didn't catch his words. I heard the sound of him clearing his throat.

"I mean I can't let any violence happen in front of me and it happened for the second time. Ok, enough with me answering the question. Now is your turn, girl," he said while placing his drink on the glass table. "Tell me what happened? Who is that guy? Why he keeps chasing you and why you keep running away from him?"

"Are we at the police station now? Am I in the interrogation room now?" I refused to answer his tons of questions.

"To answer that question, no we are not in the police station and yes, I'm interrogating you now. So, please girl, answer my questions. All of it," he said looking into my eyes. I threw him an annoying look.

"What if I tell you that I'm not interested to answer your questions? All. Of. It." I muttered the last three words clearly hoping that he will get my point. I saw he smirked.

"Being stubborn is not a nice move, girl," he said shaking his head.

"Stubborn is my middle name," he laughed with my reply. Well, I never expect that answer to be that funny to him.

"Then let me tell you that persistent is my middle name," he said at the end of his laughter. I didn't say anything after that as I knew nothing will work out with this guy. I'm getting tired of the words.

He raised his eyebrows while staring at me waiting for my answer. My brain busy thinking about any idea to trick the man that sat in front of me, with his eyes fixed on me. I cleared my throat before make my sentence clear, "Before that, let's make a deal first."

"Deal?" He narrowed his eyes. I nodded as a reply.

"Let me go once I answer all your questions."

"Ok, deal." I never thought he will agree to me this fast with the so-called name Mr. Persistent.

"He...I mean that guy is my ex-boyfriend. We broke up recently but he disagrees with my decision so he keeps chasing me to get me back."

"If I may ask, why you guys broke up?"

"Pass, I'm not answering that," I hope he will stop asking about the reason which I don't want to reveal to a stranger.

"Are you hiding something?" I was taken aback by his question but I tried to calm myself to avoid any suspicion from him.

"No, I'm telling you the truth." I take a sip of the orange juice that I keep holding in my hand and tried to avoid looking at him.

"Ok, if you say so." I turned my sight to him when I heard his voice again after a short silence. There is a little happiness in me and I smiled without noticing it.

"Your smile looks beautiful." His words made me stop immediately. I'm not even realized that I smiled at him.

"So, you will let me go now?" I said pretending that I didn't hear what he said that almost make me blushed. I saw he smirked at my question.

"No." One word that made me looked at him with a questioning look.

"You are not being fair," my voice raised a bit louder than before. This guy is really testing my limit. Now I confirmed that being with him is trouble for me.

"I never play fair, girl." I look at him annoyed by his words while he just returned me a smirk. I hate this man, especially when he sends me a smirk which makes me want to punch him hard on the face.

........................................................