Chapter 1

Theodore

The room was dark, only mahogany furniture everywhere. Be it the large four poster bed, the huge bench, the shelf in the middle of the room which was decorated with tons of his toys, or the hardwood floor. It was complemented by dark, rich, navy blue furnishings. The heavy curtains, the silk sheets, the heavy comforter, everything was navy blue.

A woman was tied there, in the middle of the room. And his predatory gaze was ready to start the torment. The belt was raised in the air and landed on the ample rear behind of the woman.

She wanted to scream, but couldn’t. Every hit left a beautiful red mark on her skin, and it gave Theo a distinct satisfaction. It felt like cold water on a burning wound. His hand didn’t stop, and after 20 strikes, even he was panting.

The skin on her behind was a pattern of zigzag, and Theodore undid the fly, covered himself with the rubber and entered her without a warning.

“I love you, Master.” She gasped and Theodore stilled.

The words felt like acid to Theodore’s ears. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself down, and then he pulled out without a second thought.

He untied her, took away the clamps without even soothing the piercing pain, and turned his back to her.

“Get dressed.” His dangerous and dark voice made her shiver, and she hurriedly ran to the closet, where she was supposed to keep her clothes. He hated clutter.

He got out of his slacks, and dressed in his usual formal attire.

Theodore left the room while fuming. He was done with these women. It’s the third one in eight months and he can’t do it again and again.

His pen was tapping against the pad, when she entered the room. It was the second time he saw her eyes, during their eight months contra that he hated. However, she only lasted two before saying the three words.

“Since you have broken the terms of the contract, it is rendered null and void. I shall transfer your compensation now. From now on, we don’t know each other.”

The girl didn’t dare look up. “But, I really…”

“Don’t even finish what you are saying. You damn well knew from the very start. It was the primary term of our contract that you will not fall for me, and vice versa. I kept my side of bargain.”

“But how could I rule over my heart? My feelings? I feel what I feel.” She was being over sensitive and Theo hated it. He only liked to hear their moans and screams in the room, but outside, he only wanted them to shut up and listen. He massaged his temple with his fingers and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down.

The girl was feeding off his brain now. He stood up, rounded the large mahogany desk, and stood beside her. His towering 6’3 height dwarfed her 5’5.

“This is the one thing that we are supposed to rule in life if we don’t want to get hurt. Feelings, hearts, emotions, these are all myths, and I had told you. You had to keep your heart in check, and not nurse any feelings for me in there. I had dared you to fall in love with me. But all is said and done now.”

He took his seat again. Turning the contract towards her, he spoke, “I have signed.” While she took her time signing the papers, he took out his phone, and transferred the money in her bank account.

“Your payment has been made. You can leave. The driver will drop you off.”

Without turning back, he left, and took the elevator. The girl joined him, and he didn’t say word. Neither did she.

He got into his car, while she got into another one, and they both left.

He reached his home in Bel-Air, and entered his room. The large glass window was allowing him a good view of the bright city. He stood there with his hands in his pocket, and thought about his life. But then he shook off everything, and went to bed. He will take a break for now.

Next morning, his mood was dull as the weather. The bright LA morning was dulled by clouds and sprinkles. He opened the large window of his room, and stretched his arms.

“Urgghhhh, I hate rain.”

 Theo grumbled as he washed up and strolled through the penthouse to his gym on the floor below.

As always, his trainer, William, was waiting for him and Theo started warming up.

William was his batchmate in school, but instead of joining his father’s business, he had become a fitness trainer, and wanted to make it on his own in the world.

William read Theo’s mood, and smiled.

“Not your usual favorite sunny day, huh?”

“These are the few things I can’t control and I hate it.”

“So, tell me what has caused this bad mood?”

William was a chatty person and Theo liked him for it, but sometimes he also wanted to control him. To make him talk when Theo wanted, and to shut him up when needed. But, alas, friends cannot be controlled.

“Did you fight with Kim?” William pestered when Theodore didn’t answer.

“Nah. It’s just that I hate to get wet in the rain. I mean I am not getting drenched but I hate these water droplets crawling down everything and leaving them humid and messy.”

Theodore didn’t tell his friend that he and Kim never fought. She always agreed on everything and nodded like a puppet.

Kim was his girlfriend and they were engaged for 3 months. She was an interior designer and quite known in her field. Her LA showroom had attracted quite many celebrities and she had made good name for herself. She was as driven as Theodore and that’s what he liked about her, because she was not a hassle. A dinner once a week, and a call while getting back home was all she needed. Of course, there was sex, and she was the only woman who had ever crossed the threshold of his home. The days when he was not at his other place, she was there.

As a young man of 29, he was always up for sex, but he was never satisfied with Kim. She was going to be the last thing in his perfect picture of a successful man. Just like his father. Theodore had his preferences and it was his other life, which Kim was not a part of. And he wanted to keep it that way.

After one and half hour, William and Theodore parted ways.

Theo went to office and passed his day as always, and by the evening, he was frustrated.

He was supposed to have dinner with his family.

“First, I need to blow off some steam.” And he decided to visit Kim, knowing well that even she wouldn’t refuse him a quickie in her office.