Chapter 6 – Artur
It had been three days since we locked eyes across the compound. And in those three days, it’s been almost impossible to focus on anything else. She’d been living in my head rent-free, occupying my thoughts and distracting me from work.
I told myself it was nothing important, nothing to be concerned about. Yet every now and then, I’d find myself spying on her through the security cameras. I spent a lot of time watching her routine like a freaking TV show.
She followed the same routine every day—wake up, take a shower, eat, and then wander through the mansion. I was sure she’d never been in a place as large as this, judging by the awe in her eyes whenever she looked at the building.
After she discovered the mansion had a library, she started spending most of her time there. She might have lied about being a librarian, but that didn’t mean she didn’t love books. Because she clearly did.
In such a quiet environment with no one to talk to, what else could she do but read?
That afternoon, I was seated in my study, a half-empty glass of vodka in my hand. Its strong scent enveloped the air around me, blending with the smell of aged paper.
Reclining in my chair, I swirled the drink in my hand after taking a sip. My eyes were fixed on the monitor showing the live footage of my prisoner.
She walked through the rows of towering shelves, head lowered as she read a book. I watched her trace her fingers along the spines of neatly arranged books while humming a song.
She picked out a few books from the shelves, then stared at the camera with a blank expression. My brows drew together, wondering what she was up to. This crazy little she-devil rearranged the books she’d withdrawn, making sure none were in the right place.
My face twisted into a small frown.
She glanced back at the camera with a sheepish grin that clearly told me she did that on purpose. She must’ve realized that I liked my things organized, spotless, and clean. Rearranging stuff in my house was like looking for trouble; she was aware of that. Yet she did it.
This girl didn’t stop there; she went ahead to rearrange the flowers in the library. And while she was doing that, she accidentally knocked over an expensive vase.
I knew it was an accident because when it shattered across the floor, she flinched in fear. Shocked, she stood there, frozen in place with a hand over her mouth. Her chest was heaving slowly as she stared down at the pieces of the broken vase.
She clenched her jaw and glanced up at the camera before crouching low. I watched her pick up the broken pieces one by one, and although I wasn’t in the same room with her, I could still sense her nervousness.
A small knowing smirk played at the corners of my mouth as I watched her fidget. I wasn’t sure whether to be angry about what she broke or glad that she was scared of the consequences.
One thing was certain, though: She’d wanted my attention, and now she had it.
I drank the vodka like it was orange juice, then called Konstantin to fetch the girl.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and they both walked in. Konstantin gave me a curt nod before stepping out and closing the door behind him.
I sat in my chair, wearing my usual blank expression as I studied her behavior. For the first few seconds, her head was bowed, unable to meet my gaze. Her dark curls cascaded down her face as she bit the nail on her pinky finger.
“Come closer,” I said, my voice startling her.
Her shoulders flinched ever so slightly, and she obeyed, drawing nearer.
“Do you know why you’re here?”
Her throat bobbled, and she glanced up at me, then shook her head.
I squinted my eyes. “This is the second time you’re lying to my face.” I let the words sink in for a moment. “There might not be a third.”
As if triggered by my subtle threat, she raised her head and held my gaze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I almost arched my brows at her response but didn’t say anything. For some reason, that initial fear in her eyes was gone, replaced by anger and something darker.
“How do you expect me to know why you sent for me when you haven’t said anything?” she added, her voice low but laced with disdain. “I’m not a mind-reader. If you have something to say to me, say it.”
Nothing could’ve prepared me for this reaction, especially because just seconds ago, she was shaking like a leaf. Overwhelmed with fear. Now, she was courageous enough to look me in the eyes and express herself without fear.
I hesitated, unsure of what to do to her at this point. Despite my reservations, I was amused by her effrontery. It was disrespectful. Yet intriguing.
“You have a sharp tongue, don’t you?”
“Only when I feel attacked,” she answered. “Or threatened.”
At this point, I almost smiled. Almost.
“You broke my flower vase,” I said, my voice low and even. “Do you have any idea how much that cost?”
She paused. “It was an accident.”
“And the other stuff you rearranged?”
Her eyes flicked toward the monitor displaying the live footage of her room, the library, and other sections of the mansion.
“Huh. I thought men like you had better things to do than spend their time spying on their prisoners.” She paused. “Female prisoners.”
If that was an attempt to shame me, then she was going to have to try harder than that.
“That’s a predator move, and it’s creepy.”
My lips curled into a mischievous smirk. “I am a predator.” I rose to my feet, slowly. “And you’re in my nest.”
She swallowed hard, bracing herself for whatever I was going to do next. “I’m not afraid of you.” Her voice was as steady as it could be, but that wasn’t enough to fool me.
I walked over to her with slow, menacing steps. “You should be.”
She raised her head and locked her jaw, wearing a mask of bravery.
When I halted before her, I held her gaze for a second before reaching out to toy with the strands of hair that framed her face.
“I’d bite my tongue if I were you,” I began, my tone calm and gentle. “I’d be on my best behavior.”
She looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I didn’t do anything wrong. The thing with the vase was an accident.” After a moment of hesitation, she added. “I apologize for rearranging your stuff.”
The words were empty, vague, and insincere. She claimed she was sorry, yet the expression on her face said otherwise.
“Happy now?”
Her effrontery, though.
I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “There’s a fine line between foolishness and bravery, little one. Be sure to learn the difference.”
When I straightened my spine, I watched her breath hitch for a second. But she didn’t say another word.
“You’re dismissed.”
Her scowl deepened for a fleeting moment before she turned around and stormed out of my study.
My closing statement had gotten to her more than she cared to admit. Good. Very good.
Before I could pick up my pace and return to my desk, the door opened again. Konstantin walked in.
He stepped closer with a straight face. “She needs to be taught a lesson, Boss,” he said, a hint of anger coloring his accented tone. “The girl has no respect, she shows no fear, and runs her mouth like a fuckin’ tap.”
Silence.
He continued, “I know you don’t hit women, but I can arrange a befitting punishment for her. That way, she’ll understand that there are boundaries she shouldn’t cross. That her actions have consequences.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Yet the mere thought of punishing her stirred up a strange kind of emotion within me.
“She’s not to be touched or punished in any way,” I said, shooting him a quick glance.
He locked his jaw, displeased by my response. However, he knew better than to argue with me.
“I’ll take care of this myself,” I added, then walked back to my desk.
“Sure,” he answered.
I sat back in my chair and watched him leave in silence. The order had cut him like a blade, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the other men would begin whispering amongst themselves.
I never showed this level of leniency to anyone, so seeing me wave off all of Celine’s garbage would certainly spark some reactions. Even though they knew my policy against harming women and children.
I told myself that I would be as gracious if it were another woman, that my leniency wasn’t peculiar to only her. But how true was that?
Was it the truth, or was I just lying to myself?