Chapter 4

Alexa woke up with a heavy feeling, her whole body was in pain. And when she opened her eyes… She saw an unfamiliar environment. 

‘Where am I? What’s this place?’ She turned her head to the source of light. The room had big picturesque windows that covered the portion of the room from floor to ceiling, showing her a panoramic view of the gardens outside. The room was decorated with a warm brown theme where the sheets covering her were cream-colored, and the duvet was chocolate brown, like a vanilla sundae. It made her hungry. When her eyes veered to the left, she got frightened and pulled the blankets closer to shield her. A man was sleeping in a chair alongside her, holding her left hand. She immediately pulled the hand he was holding, and this awakened him.

‘Stop! Don’t be frightened.’ He called in a soothing voice.

Trembling, Alexa hugged her knees and crawled towards the corner of the bed, ignoring the pain she felt over her body. 

“I won’t hurt you,” Ethan raised his two hands, acting like he was surrendering. He smiled, reassuring her he would do nothing to her.

“Who are you?” She winced in pain as she clutched her side. Ethan stood up to assist her.

“Don’t…” Alexa stopped him from coming closer. 

“Where am I, and who are you?” She asked.

“I’m Ethan Reed, and you are in my house.” He said.

“We found you in the middle of the street 5 nights ago, unconscious.” Alexa looked at him with a frown, trying to remember what had happened.

And it all came rushing back. She remembered her father handing her over to Max, who tried to force himself on her. How she tried to escape and was on the street when she saw the car coming towards her, then she fainted.

Alexa began to cry and sob when she remembered all the pain under her father’s hands… ‘I will always remember your cruelty.’’

Ethan saw the young lady clenching her hands, and her eyes full of tears and anger. He took the box of tissue and handed it to her.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

“I’m Alexa… Alexa Morgan.” 

“What happened to you? Do you remember?” asking about the night they picked her up.

Alexa shook her head and said nothing. Ethan slowly nodded as he tried to look her in the eye.

“Okay, tell me when you’re ready. Perhaps I could help you.” He smiled, showing off his white teeth.

‘If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out for myself.’ He thought.

When he saw her trying to get out of bed, he hurries to her side. He lends his hand to help her stand up. “Your wounds are still fresh. You should stay in bed.” He said. She winces in pain and sits back down. 

“Let me ask the servants to make food for you. Someone will come to help you if you need to use the bathroom or change your clothes.” Ethan said. He noticed the bruises along her arms and around her neck. Alexa tried to cover herself when she noticed Ethan staring at her body. ‘Why is he looking at me that way? Is he a pervert?’ She forgot all the wounds and scrapes she got from that night. Ethan smirked and walked out of the room.

Alexa winced in pain as she adjusted herself on the bed. She looked around the room. The accent wall behind the bed caught her eye it was made of dark stained wood, nailed together to create this vertical wall that resembled a corrugated roof. The King-size bed in the middle of the room looked huge enough to fit at least ten people. But she knew it was very comfortable when she was lying on it.

Alexa remembered the scene that night, which made her shudder. “I want to take revenge. I will make sure Max and my father will pay for what they did.” She said to herself while wiping her tears away.

‘Should I tell him? Maybe he can help me take my revenge on that pig. But is he capable of helping me? Max could get back to him. I don’t want anyone to get involved with my misery. But what if he can help me?’

“Argghh… what will I do?” Alexa hit her forehead with the top of her fist, trying to jog her brain, but her actions just aggravated her injuries, so she laid back down to rest. 

On the side of the door…

Ethan was on the phone with Austin as soon as he walked out of his room. 

“Hello,”

“Where are you?” Ethan asked.

“In my house. Why?”

“Come over. I need you to do something.” Ethan said. On the other line, Austin was confused, but then he remembered maybe it was about that girl they picked up.

Austin had gone home because of exhaustion. Ethan hadn’t stopped ordering him around since that night, and now, Ethan was asking him to come over again. ‘I’m his right hand and best friend, but I have more work than his secretary.’ He thought. ‘If you weren’t my friend, I would have left you a long time ago.’

“Alright, Be there in an hour.” He replied before Ethan dropped the call.

Ethan called the two servants he had assigned to Alexa, Ina, and Maxime. They will serve Alexa from this day onwards. “Her name is Alexa, and she is awake. Tend to her needs, help her eat, and she might need help to use the bathroom. Call me when you are done.” Ethan commanded.

“Yes, Sir, we will do our best,” Ina said seductively and smiled sweetly at him. But Ethan didn’t bother and walked towards the living room. Maxime went inside the room, while Ina went to the kitchen to get Alexa’s food.

Austin arrives an hour later. “What do you want me to do?”

“I got her name. Alexa Morgan. Investigate what happened to her,” Austin frowned as he thought, ‘Ethan could have conveyed this information on the phone. Why did he have to call me here?’

“Is that the girl we picked up? Did she tell you what happened to her? Who she is?” Austin asked rapidly, which had Ethan glaring at him.

“Is she awake?”

“Alright, chill, dude.” Austin raised his hands, surrendering.

“Investigate what happened to her that night. And find out who tried to harm her. I need names and places where to find them.” Ethan said.

Austin felt shivers down his spine as he looked at the rage in Ethan’s eyes. Somehow, he understood where Ethan was coming from. So he nodded in agreement.

“Alright, I will find out what happened to her, and I will be back with the details.” He said before leaving.