THE CHALLENGE

Alexis

As quiet as a mouse, this room was closed and I was suffocating inside. My chest was burning like a coal mine but I pretended to be unaffected. This place doesn't seem to be ventilated either, except for the vents for the air conditioner. They were working perfectly, however, I was sweating.

As I started to breathe heavily, Stefan stood closer to me. This closeness made me take a few steps back. I do love people around me but I love my personal space more than anything. I glared at him and he stared back at me. There was mischief lingering in his eyes and I was aware that he was not upto anything good.

"Mr Donovan, I asked you to give me the list of your books and your syllabus. I need to work on your schedule." I said while hyperventilating cleanly. 

He noticed my anxiousness and scuffed. "So, you are not getting it, right?" He knitted his eyes at me.

I stood in confusion and cluelessly watched his face. "What do you mean? What is it that I don't get? You haven't told me anything either." 

Oh boy, this brat is wasting my time. I don't know if he is a bit interested in passing his exams. Doesn't look like that with his attitude high up on his nose, he was interested at all. 

"Stop wasting your time and leave. You are not supposed to be here but I am giving you an opportunity to leave this place." He gritted his teeth.

I frowned at me and responded, "I worked my ass off to brag about this job. I willingly resigned from my previous job and I got selected from several candidates, what made you think I will leave because you said so? I won't!" I was hell serious and I won't let him disrespect me any further.

He chuckled and stood in front of me, "you are not the only one who showed this attitude in the beginning and later ran out of this place. The best of the best won't be able to make me teach these subjects, what made you think you can?" 

I smirked at him and wanted to laugh, but kept it to myself for later, "that's the difference between us, Mr Donovan. I believe in my abilities. I have worked so hard to reach here, I won't leave unless I try and give up. But don't you worry. That won't ever happen. Now please, don't waste time and give me the details I have asked you several times." 

His gaze narrowed at me, "stubborn!!! Are you trying to challenge me? Well, I would like to bait on it." 

I stood blankly and consumed what he just said? Challenge? What challenge? I am here to teach him. But if that would be the only way to teach him, I am willing to take the risk.

"Consider what suits you, Stefan Donovan! Challenge or not, I am going to bend you over my rules." I raised my hands and pointed to him.

"Mere human!!! How dare you say such words? I will show you who is the boss here…" He yelled and grabbed my arm.

Suddenly, I felt a hit and burning sensation over the area he touched me. I cried and noticed burnt marks over my skin where he grabbed my arm. He was cursing when I noticed him rubbing his hands over an ice pack that he took out from the deep freezer. His whole hand was burnt and his eyes were red in aggression. There was a fire inside of him and his eyes glowed with a burning red aura.

My heart stopped working and I felt like fainting. I gasped for air and thought to escape. When I ran to reach the main door, Stefan was standing there. My jaw hung open to see him there. How did he manage to reach before me? And what was with those eyes? My hands were shaking and the mark was burning again. I felt the pain and tears poured out. Suddenly, a loud bang on the door and it opened forcefully. 

There stood two figures at the door while glaring at Stefan. 

"What is happening here?" A dominant voice yelled loudly.

The voice was so intense that I shuddered down to my spine. That man looked similar to Stefan and behind was Stefan's grandmother, Anna Marie. Watching her face was such a relief. I stood up and dusted my clothes while a maid helped me take a seat on the couch, then she offered a glass of water. I accepted the offering and gulped it down in one sip. I was sweating profusely and my heart was racing like thousands of horses running over a hill.

"Mother! Can you take care of the new teacher while I discuss the matter with Stefan." The man said with a powerful demeanor.

"Of course, dear." 

"You!!! Follow me…" the man ordered Stefan.

"But father!!!" He tried to explain something when the man turned and threw daggers at him with his intensified gaze.

"Shut up! I said follow me and don't dare to interrupt." 

Stefan nodded his head and followed his father's lead. Meanwhile Anna Marie sat beside me and held my hand firmly. I was hesitant to ask her about what happened right now. It was too much for me to consume. That aura, those dangerous red eyes like a devil. Who was he exactly?

"Dear. Are you okay?" She was concerned but I was too lost to respond.

She looked sad but understood my situation, "I am really sorry about what happened here. I know my grandson is notorious but he would cross his limits, I never imagined. I apologise on his behalf." 

I turned to face her and shook my head, "no! You don't have to apologise and it's not your fault. If my elder is apologising to me when they are not at fault, that's embarrassingly disheartening for me. Please, don't do this again." 

"I know you have many questions in your mind. But I am afraid I could spill any beans." She was depressed.

"Yes! I have plenty of them but first of all, who is he? He doesn't seem to be a normal human. The way his eyes glowed with brilliant red, he wasn't an ordinary human. Who is he?" I wanted answers.

"He is my grandson, no matter what… as I said earlier, I can't answer you." She said with a low trembling voice.

I was troubled when I didn't get any answers, "ma'am, I really respect you. You took my side in front of your own grandson, even when I was just a stranger to you. But, I deserve to know. At least, who am I going to deal with?"

I have every right to know everything. 

She was utterly silent and I was irritated with that attitude.

"It's okay! I understand that you are bound by some rules but I am not. I can't work with someone who can't keep transparency in any relationship, whether personal or professional." I stood from the couch and was about to leave when she stopped me.

"Dear Alexis, please, stay! You are my only hope. You can change him." She uttered slowly.

"I am sorry but I didn't adopt your grandson. I came here as a tutor in this place. I don't know why you are expecting of me but I can't keep anything like this." I replied politely and turned to leave.

"I am requesting you, Alexis!" She pleaded and it was really sad to see an old lady requesting me for such a thing.

I turned around and asked her, "Give me one reason? I don't know what he is and what danger I will encounter. Why would I risk my life? I need money but I am not greedy, Ma'am." 

"I have no reason to stop you and make you stay but all I have is a hope. My son, he is a demon king and grandson, a demon prince. They have a demon gene in their blood. That's why he acted like that." 

"What?" I sounded fake but I knew it wasn't because I saw that from my own eyes.

Suddenly, I remembered Aunt Sol's words and I realised my mistake. River poured from my eyes and I didn't bother to stay in that room. No matter how much she called me back, I didn't look at her once and rushed back to the apartment.

I had enough!!!