Chapter 14 #2
My heart pounded in my chest. I fought to maintain my composure, my hands clenching into fists beneath the table.
“You see,” he continued, his tone deceptively calm, “power is a currency. One that you seem to be in short supply of.” I sucked in a sharp breath. “And in this world, Ptichka, those who cannot pay the price often find themselves... lacking.”
I swallowed hard, the dryness in my throat making it difficult. “I understand,” I managed to whisper.
“Do you?” he raised an eyebrow and then took another slow drag from his cigar, the glow illuminating his face in a sinister light. “Because understanding is not enough. Actions speak louder, wouldn’t you agree?”
I nodded, my mind racing, searching for the right response, the right move. But every instinct screamed at me to tread carefully, to not provoke him further. I just wanted to run away from here.
He leaned forward slightly. “Good,” he said softly, unlike his rugged features. “Now, let’s see if you can show that understanding in a more tangible form.”
He curled his fingers, and I was confused for a second before Kyle stepped forward and placed a document on the table.
My eyes caught the familiar English words, and my breath hitched.
The weight of the situation hit me like a physical blow, and I felt the blood drain from my face as I read the words again and again.
Denial of Contract Termination.
“What is this?” I tried to keep my voice steady as I glanced at the papers.
“Before you sign it,” Kyle began, and I felt my world colliding, “you should consider the penalty clauses. Contracts often include clauses that impose financial penalties or fees for early termination. These penalties can deter someone from terminating the contract, as they may incur... significant costs.”
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. “What are you getting at?”
Judas leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “If you think you can just walk away from this, you’re sorely mistaken. Do you have any idea how much it’ll cost you?”
I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the fear creeping up my spine. “I... I don’t understand.”
“I want you to understand the consequences.” He sighed, leaned back, and inhaled; the end of the cigar glowing a fierce red. “If you break this contract, it will ruin you. Financially, emotionally, every way possible.”
I looked down at the papers, suddenly feeling trapped.
“But there’s always a way,” My lips wobbled as I tried hard not to cry. “But it’s going to cost you. More than you worth.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as his words sank in. There was no escape, no way out without paying a steep price. He had me cornered, and he knew it. This was all predicted.
“Now,” He loosened his tie a bit, “the choice is yours.”
“You... cannot do this to me.”
Judas’s eyes gleamed with predatory satisfaction.
He took another long, slow drag from his cigar, savouring my misery.
The smoke curled around him like a serpent, enhancing the menace in his demeanour.
He leaned back, crossing his legs with an almost casual grace, and exhaled a plume of smoke into the air.
“Oh, little bird, you really think this was an easy game. And trust me if you terminate the contract, I’ll make you pay every little cent. ”
My heart raced. “But I don’t have that kind of money, I barely worked for a month.” I stammered. The noose around my neck tightened. Anger bubbled, but more than that, I felt stuck.
He casually shrugged. “Desperation is a bitch, isn’t it?”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. “What do you want from me?” I asked, barely above a whisper.
He leaned back, a satisfied look on his face. “For now, your company.”
Tears threatened to spill over, but I refused to let them. “And if I refuse?”
His smile widened, revealing a glimpse of the monster within. “Then you’ll learn how scary I can be.”
Without waiting for my reply, he dusted the non-existent dust off his slacks and stood to his full height, making the gigantic living room suddenly too small for his presence.
My jaw clenched tight as he blindly reached for his cane.
“Fix yourself, and join me in the car.” He commanded.
“Make yourself worthy to sit beside me.” He adjusted the cuffs of his blazer and tapped the cane on the ground. “Do you understand?”
I refused to acknowledge him, keeping my eyes averted and my lips sealed. He had played with me, trapped me, and now he wanted to parade me around like a prized possession. The thought made my blood boil, but my defiance was short-lived.
The tip of his cane struck my shin with a sharp sting, and I couldn’t suppress the yelp that escaped my lips.
But even that moment of weakness was fleeting, for in the next instant, he was looming over me.
His face was inches from mine, and his hand shot out, seizing my jaw in a harsh grip.
His fingers dug into my cheeks, squeezing painfully until my lips puckered and my eyes widened with the sudden pressure.
“You have this for a reason, right?” His voice was cold, laced with a dangerous edge.
“If you don’t want to use it, I’ll have it cut.
” His thumb pressed against my tongue, forcing my mouth open, and I shivered at the invasion.
His breath was hot against my skin as he leaned in closer, his tone dropping to a menacing whisper.
“I need your words, Ptichka, or I’ll make sure you never speak at all. ”
I could feel the threat in his words, the promise of pain and silence.
My mind raced, fear and anger battling for dominance. His grip tightened, and I knew he meant every word.
I managed a nod, and he let his thumb caress my tongue for a brief, unsettling moment before pulling it back.
Seizing the chance, I dashed toward the back of the living room where I knew the washroom was. My legs felt wobbly beneath me, fear and adrenaline making my steps uncertain.
Reaching the washroom, I slammed the door shut behind me.
I leaned against the door, my breath coming in shallow, rapid gasps.
My reflection in the mirror showed wide, terrified eyes and a pale face.
I turned on the faucet, letting the cold water run, and splashed some on my face, hoping to steady my nerves.
The washroom felt like a temporary escape, but I knew it wouldn’t last. He would be expecting me to return, to use the words he demanded. I gripped the edge of the sink, my knuckles turning white. I had to think to find a way to escape this nightmare.
.