Jamie reached for his cheek after the slap. He quickly tightened his grip around her wrist and placed her hands above her head.
Anastasia swallowed. She knew she just made a mistake, yet she saw no emotions in his eyes. That was what scared her the most.
Jamie clutched his jaw. "Leave us." He ordered. "Now,"
Anastasia trembled. She wordlessly begged the photographer to stay. The calmness in his voice shook her.
The photographer left as quickly as he could. Jamie let go of Anastasia's wrist and gripped her waist. He brought her closer and lowered his lips close to hers.
"Please…" Anastasia begged, panic stepping in.
Jamie pinched the skin between his brows and shook his head. He tucked his hair strands behind his ear and studied her.
"Let me go," Anastasia struggled.
Jamie raised a brow at her. "Let you go?" He chuckled. "You're the first woman to ever hit me, and you think I'll let you go just like that?"
Anastasia held his gaze. "If you touch me, I won't just hit you. I'll kill you," she threatened.
Jamie blinked. "So many people have tried to kill me. What makes you think you can do that with one try?" He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Well, I'll love to see you try."
"Bastard," Anastasia cursed and pushed him away from her. Every admiration she felt for him earlier disappeared in fifteen seconds.
She clutched her camera bag and turned towards the door. "Hell," she cursed when she noticed the door was locked.
She turned to Jamie and shot him a questioning look. The corner of Jamie's lips lifted into a dark smile as he lifted the thumb for her to see.
Anastasia panicked. She turned to the door. Blood drained from her face when she realized she needed his fingerprint to leave.
"No, no, no…." She repeated breathlessly. "I can't live with you. You needed my help with photography. I don't have to live with you."
"I never needed your help. My photographers are more professional." he countered. "You'll be of more benefit if you live with me. You have to take pictures of me." He lowered his face to her neck, "Intimate pictures."
"You'll live here from now on, in my bedroom." He studied her expression. "My bedroom is located on the next floor. I'll tell you about my rules_"
Anastasia let out a mocking chuckle. "Your rules? Your delusions are beautiful." Her eyes burned with hate.
Jamie smiled slowly and took two steps closer to her. Anastasia took a step back. Jamie smiled. "When I finish laying out the rules, you'll understand how merciful I am for not punishing you at this exact moment."
"This is crazy. Let me go, now. My mother_"
"Your mother gave you to me, under a deal. We're married." he rolled his eyes and dropped the news. "What do you wish to say to her? That you don't like the man she chose?"
Air left Anastasia's lungs. Her mother? No, impossible. That woman has been trying to win her over. She won't take a great risk like this. Never.
Jamie raised his hand and counted. "Now that you're my woman, you should do better. First, I'll be your master from now on. Respect me, don't talk back to me, don't interrupt me, and don't step away from me. Once I need something, you must be available and on call." he tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear.
Anastasia did not resist. She was too numb to even blink. The news broke her from the inside.
He went on smoothly as if the lady before him wasn't having a mental breakdown. "Second, you must obey my orders. Unconditionally, no resistance. Third, if someone bullies you, tell me. My woman bullies should be killed, no compromises."
Anastasia managed to blink. She shook her head rapidly. "No… there should be a mistake somewhere." Her eyes pooled up, memories from the last days rushing in.
"I'm not your wife," she said confidently. "Go ahead and call my Mother right now. You might have made a mistake." She chuckled at the end, trying to maintain a calm composure.
"It wasn't my intention to break the news to you…" he paused. His gaze softened. "Have you ever asked yourself why she's fine with your sister getting married to your long-time lover?"
Anastasia's leg trembled. Her blood rose, and her breath came in short gasps as she backed away from Jamie, her eyes wide with fear. "No, no, no... This can't be happening," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jamie's expression was unyielding, his eyes cold and calculating. "Ignorance can't be healed. You don't live in a kind world, yet you fail to realize it."
Anastasia's hands fluttered to her throat, her chest constricting. She felt like she was suffocating, the room closing in around her.
"Can't breathe... Can't breathe..." she gasped, her vision blurring.
Jamie took a step closer, but his voice remained cold. He tried to act nonchalant, but his hand dropped on her shoulder. "Calm down."
Anastasia's eyes flashed with anger, but her body betrayed her. She crumpled to the floor, her lungs burning, her heart racing.
Jamie watched her, unmoved. "If you need anything, use the telephone there to call one of the maids," he said, his voice cold.
Anastasia's world went dark as she succumbed to the panic attack, her body wracked with sobs and tremors.
Jamie moved over to his floor-to-ceiling window. He took in the beautiful city view for a minute before picking up his laptop.
"How long?" Anastasia sniffed. "How long have we been married?"
Jamie shrugged his shoulders. "Two months,"
Anastasia's eyes widened. Puzzles fixed themselves from all angles. She stood up slowly, her legs shaking. "Where are the documents? Show me,"
Jamie glanced at her for a split second. His sharp jawline made a twist as he stood and walked over to his vanity table.
He cleaned the surface of the table and pressed his thumb on an invisible circle. The space parted, and bundles of files became visible.