Brooke fumbled with her thumbs under the blanket sitting on her laps, her eyes darted across the hallway, trying to quell the tension.
What was she doing? She fretted, why did she even come here? Her scattered thoughts were interrupted when Thane opened his bedroom door.
"Did you need something?" Thane asked right off the bat.
Brooke's eyes loomed over the casual gray shirt and long black pants he had on. He had a homely look around him, that calmed her nerves.
But his voice and eyes were still as sharp as ever.
"Can, we talk for a bit?" She asked, but before Thane could give her a response, she nervously waved off the idea. "B-But if you're busy, it can't be helped. I'm sorry for bothering you-"
"It's fine." He walked over to her wheelchair, "I've been meaning to talk to you." Thane wheeled her into the room, then kicked the door shut behind him.
The first thing Brooke noticed upon entering his room, was that hers, or rather the room she was staying in, was much larger.
'He's the master of the house, isn't he? So why isn't he staying in the biggest room?' she thought to herself.
Thane set her next to the chair he was sitting on, then made his way to the kitchen section of his room.
"Tea or coffee?" He asked, opening the top shelve, and taking out two black mugs.
It took Brooke some seconds to realize that he was offering to make something for her.
"No, I'm fine. In fact, I should be the one making you a meal, to thank you for everything you've done for me." Brooke wasn't certain on whether or not his true intentions were righteous.
But he had taken her away from Ethan, and that was more than enough.
Thane turned around, hiding his expression from her. "I see. Then, when the time is right, I'll take you up on that offer."
Brooke made a face. 'When the time was right?' she didn't really get what he was driving at, but nonetheless, she felt glad to get a chance to return the favor.
Thane returned from the kitchen area, holding two cups of coffee, Brooke mouthed a thank you to him as she took hers off his hands. She took a quick sip and widened her eyes in stun from how well made it was.
"It's really good sir!" She blurted out, taking another sip.
"That's good to hear." Thane calmly responded, he brought his mug to his lips but didn't drink out of it. Instead, he just kept stealing glances at Brooke's face of enjoyment.
After she finished the coffee, Brooke set the cup on the table in front of her, then exhaled sharply, calming her nerves.
"I've come to ask you something that's been bothering me for a while now." She announced, finally getting down to why she was here.
Thane dropped his mug next to hers, and casually crossed his legs, "What is it?"
"Why are you helping me? Have we met before?" Now that she knew for sure that this man was not the sickly child from her dreams, her intrigue was piqued.
"Would it help if I told you the truth?"
Brooke nodded, "If I want to make my decision on whether or not to get back at them, I'll need to understand the person I'm working for." She explained, but Thane corrected her.
"With. Brooke, we're working together, to both achieve our goals." He made her understand.
"But that's what I don't understand, you're rich and powerful, you don't need someone like me."
Thane scoffed, "That's where you're wrong. You're the one I need most."
Hearing such a handsome and intimidating man say that made Brooke's cheeks flush pink. She bit her cheeks, fighting back the wide grin that nearly painted her lips.
Thane went on to explain, "I want to drag Ethan Halton to his knees and make his life a living hell. That bastard did something unforgivable and I will make him pay dearly for it." His eyes darkened and his tone hardened.
On hearing that, Brooke reached a conclusion, 'I see, so he's just trying to use me to get to Ethan.' The thought didn't sound far fetched to Brooke. After all, both men were rich, it wasn't impossible that they've crossed paths before.
And furthermore, Ethan was scum, so it didn't surprise Brooke that her husband could've done something to anger this man.
She just happened to be the wife of the man he wanted to exact revenge on.
Brooke sighed, "If I'm being honest with you sir, I just want to live in peace. I don't want anything to do with my husband or my family." She started off, already giving her answer.
Thane kept silent.
"I know that I can't possibly become an actress, not when I'm like this." She cracked a nervous smile, trying to make light of the situation.
"But if I can just divorce him, then..."
Thane interrupted, "Is that enough though?"
Brooke blinked twice, "What do you mean?"
Uncrossing his legs, he leaned in close, his voice calculating, "Just fading away into the shadows while the people who did this to you continue dancing under the spotlight. Is that enough to quell the anger burning inside you?"
Anger? Brooke forced a laugh. "Well, what can I do? I deserve it, I should've left that house a long time ago." She convinced herself that everything was her fault, and the only thing she could do was to leave.
But Thane was not on board with the idea. He picked up his tablet and rewinded the interview he was watching. He dropped the tablet on Brooke's laps, then tapped play.
"W-What is this?" Brooke asked, staring at Cassie, who at first glance looked horrible. She had reddish purple marks on her arms, legs and face.
What had happened to her now?
"Watch the interview, and then tell me your decision. I swear to honour your choice if it remains the same. But if it changes then..." Thane's voice took on a gentle urgency as he dropped to one knee, his eyes burning with intensity.
Thane's eyes sparkled with mischief as he stretched out his palm to her, his voice low and husky, with a reckless yet charming tone.
"Let's raise hell together, Brooke."