Covering her face with her hair, she tried to be motionless. But she couldn't stop shivering. She had lost her spirit in the struggle. For obvious reasons, she could not get over it. His presence almost caused her a heart attack.
Devil! He really is the devil! He knew how to make her lose her resolve. She didn't think that she would have been this scared if he pulled out her fingernails. That pain would have strengthened her resolve.
But he…
He slowly got down from the bed and she slowly let out the breath that she was holding. She was afraid to move in case that would trigger something and stayed motionless like a rock as she sensed him standing near her.
She heard a slight ruffle and her heart pounded. He covered her with the blanket and when the tip of his finger grazed her shoulder, she flinched. His breath fell on her head; she almost threw up out of fear.
He grunted and after standing by her side for a couple of minutes, walked away.
She heard some noises around the room. A couple of minutes later, she heard him walk towards the bed again. She tensed up and listened closely. He stood a couple of meters from the bed and after a while, she heard him leave the room.
Covering her mouth, she let out the tears that she was holding back till then. The fear, anger, shame, and relief she was holding back till then came out as sobs.
She sobbed cursing her decision to turn and look at that beast when she was on that ledge. Had she jumped immediately, everything would have gone according to her plan, and she wouldn't have had to go through this humiliation.
-----
Leander leaned on the door and let out a sigh rubbing his chest. He could not get out of his mind, the image of that petite woman shivering out of fright.
He thought after everything she did and the fearless attitude she portrayed; nothing would shake her. But just with some kisses, he was able to make her tremble. He had successfully broken her.
But rather than being happy, he was ashamed.
He didn't know why he started kissing her and why he couldn't stop kissing her. When he came in contact with her soft, fragrant body, all he wanted was to…
He had never lost his self-control like this ever.
He sighed.
"Leander, shall I serve dinner?" Katrina asked.
"Is it time for dinner already?" Leander looked to his front. Katrina was climbing the stairs with much difficulty. "I asked you to use the service elevator to~"
"But I need exercise," Katrina smiled and walked toward him. Her eyebrows furrowed with concern as she neared him. "You don't look well. Why don't you have dinner and take your medicines?"
"I'm not hungry," Leander wetted his lips. Maybe his body temperature got higher just after he came home. That's why everyone can see that he is unwell.
Everyone… including that woman. But she was the first one who noticed it. It made him happy to even think about it.
"She… get her a change of clothes and… give her something to eat," he said looking at his room.
He did not feel good at all.
Meow…Meow…
He was distracted by the fluffy thing circling his leg. "Cinnamon! My sweet girl! Come here!" he picked up his pet cat. "Did you come to papa? Where is Sugar? Is she not looking for her papa?" he cooed.
The cat meowed loudly as if she was complaining.
"Oh, or you mad at papa? Did papa ignore you?"
"Meow!" said the ginger cat as if she was agreeing.
"Oh, I'm sorry…" he ran his finger through her fur and kissed her head. "I won't ignore you anymore, okay? Now…Are you hungry? Let me pour you food… What do you want tonight?"
Katrina sighed in relief seeing Leander reverting to his usual self. For the past few days, he was not himself. Ever since the arrival of… Her eyes ended up at the door of the bedroom. Nathaniel told her that she woke up and Katerina was curious to know more about this girl Leander is crazy about. She had a lot of questions for her.
"Umm, Katerina," Leander rushed up the stairs. Cinnamon got scared by him and jumped from his arms.
"Slow down," Katerina said not understanding what rush he is in.
Leander took in a deep breath. "Do not talk to her. Just give her a set of clothes and…stay by her side," he looked at Katerina for her acknowledgment. He was panicked. After what he did to her, and how scared she was, he feared she might go the self-destructive route again.
He wanted her alive.
"Okay," Katrina nodded.
Nathaniel was under the belief that Leander had found the doppelganger of the woman he fell in love with, and she figured that might be the reason for his odd behavior. She just hoped that he finds happiness.
-----
Viviana massaged her legs after bundling herself in the blanket. She cannot waste her time by crying. She needs to be smart.
She didn't know how long she was sleeping, and she needs to be ready. She walked to the door to check if it was unlocked. She heard Leander talking with someone and she returned to the bed.
When the door opened, her soul almost left her body thinking Leander has returned.
"Hello, there…"
The chirpy voice of the older woman was a little comforting. But she still was in a very dangerous predicament and cannot relax.
Right now, she has no family and no friends, does not have a single cent to her name, and is trapped in the den of the lion. Her health is also worse. She is weak and she cannot protect herself against the lion. She even showed him his weakness and he is going to use the same tactic to subjugate her.
What can she do?
Maybe she can escape? Can this old woman be helpful?
Covering herself with the blanket, she sat on the bed. She refused to freeze in fear and give up. She will give her best to escape. She will not endure this humiliation forever.
The woman's eyes widened seeing the torn clothes sticking to her body. But she instantly covered her surprise with a fruity smile.
"I am Katerina. I'm the housekeeper and I'm working for the family for more than forty years. I practically grew up here…"
Talking in a soothing tone, she got the blanket and offered her another t-shirt. Viviana accepted the shirt. She cannot run out of this house naked. This woman could be her ticket out of this dangerous den.
With a smile, she nodded at the housekeeper.
"You can ask me for anything. I'll be happy to help," Katrina placed her warm hand on her head.
Her smile was genuine, and her hands were warm. Viviana was not very happy with her plan to use this woman to escape. What if this innocent woman gets punished?
"Bathroom…" Viviana smiled with a slight awkwardness.
She can keep her morals on the back burner. This woman is working for the Kastello family for ages, and it must be for a reason. There is no reason for her to feel pity for this woman.
"Yes…" Katrina smiled and leaned for Viviana to grab onto her shoulder. "You were asleep for 2 days. Be careful when you~"
Before she finished her sentence, Viviana pushed Katerina onto the bed and ran to the door. All she wanted was to get out of the room. She had no plans after that.
But she can improvise.
She didn't want to stay in this place even for one more minute. The door was locked from the inside and she opened the door. She smirked seeing the empty hallway in front of her.
Maybe I can escape!
With the hope that was sprung in her heart like the first daffodil of the spring, she stepped out of the room and ran towards the stairs. Her confidence multiplied with each step she took, and her smile widened. She wasn't even scared of Katrina's call for help. She heard the thumping footsteps gathering around the bottom of the stairs. She didn't care about that either.
She'd either escape or die trying!
Just as she reached the stairs, her heart skipped a beat seeing the figure getting on the stairs. She came to a screeching halt. She couldn't balance herself as she turned back.
*Bang*
She slipped and fell on the floor. Her knees hit on the hard marble floor and as she balanced herself with her palm, her hands hurt too. The pain almost rendered her unconscious.
But she didn't want to faint. Although she cannot hear it, she knew that beast is coming for her.
Who will help me from that beast?