chapter 6

The very next day she found herself in her bunk bed, counting her options while she was running out of time for university. She couldn't bring herself to leave university because the education for free was worth it. But the man coming along with it who was nowhere ready to leave her alone was scary.

"What are you thinking?" Rachel yawned from the neighbour bed.

"Nothing" she tried to shake off her thoughts.

"Oh I know now, so tell me maybe I'll help ya" she insisted and she realised that maybe she should get advice at least.

"What if there's a guy who's constantly bothering you, like claiming you? But you don't feel anything for him. But he's strong and powerful, dominating you and you can't do a thing about it" She was not good at lying so she put everything like this for her to understand her situation.

"Tell him straight no! And report him to Police" Rachel beamed.

"What if he's dangerous? More like the police cannot do anything." She whispered, afraid that someone will hear her.

"Then you're stuck Veronica! Might never escape him, better get used to him. Men with power ruin you if you don't bend according to their rules" Rachel said, her voice firm and stoic. She lacked amusement or any hint that she was lying.

Veronica was shook by her words and only stared at her blankly before getting out of bed and getting ready for university as per schedule.

Without meeting Nancy she went off to her class. She was feeling sick to her stomach. Bernard was like a walking devil in her life who would appear from anywhere and she had nowhere to run to. He was everywhere and her future was at stake. She didn't have a life beside this present one.

The class was about to get over when a man knocked at the door.

"Miss Veronica? You've been called in administration office" The man spoke and her professor motioned her to go along with him.

She was although surprised at this sudden call. She picked up her bag and went alongside him, following him to the barren office where she never assumed the administration would be working.

"Are you sure this is the administration office? I think it's on opp....." She pointed in the direction of the building but he didn't let her complete and spoke.

"Miss Veronica I've brought you to the right place. Please wait for a moment" and then he disappeared through the door.

The office was old with a plan table and chair in the middle and some files placed in a broken glass cupboard.

Fidgeting her fingers while her palms were sweaty, she waited and waited for the man to appear who called her. After ten minutes of patience, she finally decided to walk away but as soon she turned, she found Bernard standing before her. He had a cigarette lit between his lips while his one hand was in his pocket. A pistol stuck in his belt and his eyes hazy, as of fiery and lust in equal amounts.

"Made you wait long, ehh?" He whispered to her, taking a step closer in her direction, she remained firm in her place though.

"I should have known that it will be no other than you, Mr.Anworth" she said sternly through gritted teeth and tried to walk past him but he blocked her way with his physique.

"I didn't say you can go Miss Veronica " he spoke, his eyes turning dark.

"Spare me Sir! But I've got work to do. I'm not available and fairly not interested in being your woman either " she didn't know from where she got that nerve wrecking confidence but then she regretted her own words the very next moment.

His eyes glared at her with the intensity that she was afraid he'll burn a hole in her face. He grabbed her shoulders and pinned her to the nearest wall, before her back could collide with the wall, she felt his one arm enclosing on her back as mimicked her with his six foot height.

His lips were tightened into a thin line, jaw chiseled and dark flame burning in his chest. He threw the cigarette on floor and stomped on it.

"I see, you've got quite a tongue Miss Veronica. I like rebels but disrespect is not even on my list. So better watch your tone. And lastly but most important, when I say you're mine then not even the world can change that. Don't make me prove it " his every word sunk deep in her skin, as if etching on her life. She realised how damn serious he looked as if he'll just turn around and kill a man with no remorse. His eyes shadowed with disapproval as he looked intimidating, her body freezing with the snow of his words.

No words came up to support her earlier statement. She was tongue tied. She only looked at him through her wet lashes, blinking profusely. Her earlier anxiety speeding up.

His hand raised up and rested on her shoulder, as she felt the pressure of his touch seeping in to her bones despite the thick material of cloth in between it. His gaze leveling up with a hint of something she couldn't decipher. He was a man who mastered at hiding his feelings better than anyone else but the heat radiating and his breaths sharp told her it was surely something sinful.

He traced the hand down, caressing her arms and goosebumps skittered across her skin.

She couldn't let herself loose and she stiffened more, trying to fight the tingles along her spine. He let his hand intertwined between her fingers as their skin met and their hands fixed into each other perfectly as if lost pieces of puzzle uniting.

"You see? How perfect are we when we are together? I want to make you my queen, my amore. Don't push me, resist me, the more you would, more you'll find me closer" his voice was deep and husky, almost coming out as a whisper as he confessed caressing her lips with his eyes.

She shivered under his influence, almost as if it was the most dangerous words she heard from him. It felt like he already made her his, he was not determined anymore, she was already stuck with him. For all her life, she was going to spend with him.

"Mr. Anworth may I ask why I attract you so much that you don't even care about resistance?" Her words came out firm and confident, she was desperate to know the reason that why he was so bent on making her his.

He let out a chuckle from his throat at her words. He was amused.

"You should put it like, how am I so lucky that I attracted you?" He corrected her, squeezing her hand which was still in his hold as she closed her eyes momentarily. His hands were certainly not soft or warm. They were calloused, rough as if he spent his life holding metal in them.

"So? What's your answer?" She said again, trying to know what she's capable of. After all she always underestimated herself. She never knew that a influential man like Bernard Anworth will be claiming her one day.

"Well, for this answer you'll have to wait. I'll tell you but not just yet " he leaned closer to her ear and whispered and she let out a low growl in frustration.

She tried to get away from and escape but he pushed her back in the wall, hovering over her as if trying to make her know that he was more powerful than her.

"You're feisty today, miss Veronica! Why so? " He asked, his voice lacking humour but instead fulfilling darkness in every corner. His hands grabbing her shoulders firmly so she wouldn't move.

She was tired, frustrated and disappointed in herself. And now this situation was overwhelming her more so. She was trying to be stronger, trying to tell him that she was capable of saying "no" but in the last nothing worked out in front of him. She was losing it and this fear made her eyes water.

She hung her head low so she wouldn't have to show him tha tears of helplessness. So he wouldn't notice the defeat in her eyes, she lowered her head as tears found the pathway to flow on.

He saw and the water trickling down her chin and in to their clothes.

"Are you crying?" He whispered against her as he let go of her shoulders and leaned closer, the smell of lavender from her hair filling him in.

She sobbed silently, sniffing as she tried to muffle the sound of cries in her throat. She refused to see him in the eye as she cried and cried.

Without making her look up, he enclosed his arms around her and took her in his embrace. Making her head rest against his chest as he provided her comfort, a shoulder to cry on. His warmth filling the voids in her body which once coldness invaded.

"It's okay to cry sometimes, you'll feel better" He tightened the arms to make her feel his presence, someone was there to console her.

For once, she felt thankful for his existence. His warmth was enough to decrease sourness of her soul. She had been battling for too long, she needed a release. She was relieved to have someone who could hold her while she pours her heart out.

After leaving her home, all night she spent in solitude, crying alone. It felt like today it ended. Someone was there to give her a shoulder to lean on.