"I'll go to him myself to ask then." I completely headed off course and with all my resolve, I try to make my way to Claude's office which is nearby from here but Yuri grabs a hold of me, preventing me from moving.
"What?! You're actually doing this? I didn't think you were this bold Grace." Yuri said in a shocked expression. "Are you sure about this?!" Yuri attempts to stop me by giving me another way of thinking about this but at this point, I'm just sick of it.
"What?" I turn back to look at him strangely. "I'm going to Claude to confront him about this. What do you want? Isn't that what you suggested me to do?" I raised my eyebrow at him. He usually tells me to be bold but when I become bold he holds back.
"Grace... I honestly didn't think you'd do it directly since you're not exactly the most confrontational person I know but besides that. Claude can be a bit dangerous so I don't think you should go there alone. Besides, why do you even need to confront him directly? Just play passive-aggressive." He suggests to me but I wasn't exactly open to suggestions.
"Because I want him to stop what he's doing. Obviously, if I just keep my mouth shut and continue to sit still look pretty then he'll just keep pestering me. I mean he already pestered me by making Penelope hate us so I'm not exactly afraid of pissing him off at this." I make Yuri let go of me and sighed. " Don't worry I don't think I'll be in any danger, besides I have my pendant with me. It's a safe charm when it comes to this."
"Alright if you say so... but if anything happens, don't hesitate to call me got it? I'll come there in a flash." Yuri asks me for reassurance. "Make sure to call, got it?!" He taps me multiple times on the shoulder before giving me a concerned look.
"Don't worry, I'll keep that in mind. I may act like a coward mostly but this time I won't let that guy walk all over me. It's time to actually stand tall and be assertive." I said to myself to boost up my confidence but I knew I was a sheep coming into the lion's den. Who knew what that bastard Claude is plotting? I mean he was desperate enough to hire someone to watch over me so he must really want something.
I finally reached the company building and entered there shamelessly. I walked up to the receptionist. "May I speak to the CEO in charge of this company?" I said with confidence. Her face turned from displeased to scared as I turned around to see him behind me.
"Yes? What is a lovely lady such as yourself doing here?" Claude brushed my hair, giving me a seductive smile. I'm pretty sure any woman that falls prey to his charms would easily be captivated by the tall and handsome man but my anger prevented me from falling into this pitfall of illusions.
"I need to speak with you in private. Is that alright with you?" I kept a distance, preventing him from making any physical contact with me as he smirked at me with a condescending tone, he responded. "Certainly. Right this way to my office please." He led me to his office with the blinds on the windows covering the little sunlight that's shining. It was only illuminated by a table lamp that produced an amber light. He stood there in front of me with a sharp look in his eyes.
I swallowed my fears and spoke. "Leave me alone. Leave Penelope out of this. Why are you being like this to her. Stop tricking her into a false sense of companionship." I reasoned with him, hoping he would listen but I was wrong.
He laughed, almost mocking my pleas. "My dear, perhaps you are unaware that it's your friend that keeps coming back to me. No matter how many times I tell her it's done. She always wants to go back and besides." He took a step closer and pushes his hand on the wall. "Why would I listen to your request exactly. Who are you to tell me what to do?" He spoke arrogantly, due to our height difference, he was able to completely dominate my body with the sheer force and size he has.
"I can get you in prison for what you're doing! You even dare hire someone to watch over me! What do you want from me. Don't act like you didn't do it. I don't have time to play with you." I shouted, getting him to chuckle loudly.
"I guess I'm totally busted. You totally caught me. I did do that so??" He responded without a care in the world. Completely dismissing my feelings of rage.
"What can I do for you to leave Penelope alone? Ever since you came, Penelope and I started to fight and I can't stand seeing her with a monster like you!" shouting in anger, I stomped my foot to attempt to intimidate him.
He smiled sweetly. "It's simple. I want you."
"Wha.. what?"
"I want you. If you want me to leave Penelope alone. You'll have to live with me for a month. Not a bad offer really. I'll give you everything you want, buy you anything you like, I'll even plea-"
"SHUT UP!" I screamed before he completed his sentence as he gives me a little smirk. "Like hell, I'd do what you say! Leave Penelope alone or else! I don't know why you're doing this but it's getting really annoying!" I sighed, making my way outside since I felt so embarrassed. What could he possibly want from a poor old girl like me? Does he like me or something? Why would he want me to live with him in his house? This is just so confusing to me.
I continued to ponder as I see him behind me with a smile that's ear to ear. He knew he had this in the bag but what is this bastard planning?