Fated To My Billionaire Saviour

Chapter 20: Fooled Again

Ella

“Here you go," Victor said, handing over a pencil he picked from the floor close to the mattress to me. “You can get injured from that." He added.

“Thank you."

“Like I said," he adjusted his nightwear. “Marcus mentioned how impressed he was with the way you pay attention to details, and I must agree that I'm also impressed.”

"Thank you.” I gulped hard as I tried figuring out where all these were leading to.

"So many people appreciate your work, and they are all willing to pay whatever I ask them to pay just to have you."

“To have me?"

“Of course."

“What for if I may ask?"

“Well, it's obvious they need a private artist, and you match perfectly well with that description, don't you?" He smiled coldly as he stared at me from across the room.

“Excuse me? I never signed up for that."

“Hmm… interesting. And what exactly do you think you signed up for?"

“Well," I raised my head this time, looked him in the face, and spoke slowly so as not to mince words. “I'm here because Marcus claims I owe $200,000. When I'm done with the so-called debt, I'm gaining my freedom.”

“Hahaha…” he laughed and clapped simultaneously. "That was quite a nice speech, wow, I didn't know you could be this good. Hahaha.”

“Hugh?”

"Interesting how you've planned your whole life in your little head. But I'm sorry, little princess, things don't work that way here.”

"Excuse me,”

"You heard me, Ella. I make the rules, and I call the shots here. I don't care what agreement you have with Marcus, that's between you and him.”

His words punched me like a blow to the gut. Was I a joke to these people? Why do they keep tossing me around like a toy? First it was Marcus, and now this?

“This… this… isn't right, Victor.” I stammered, trying to say everything at once, but the words were too lazy to come out.

"It is right, my dear.”

"You can't do this to me, Victor. I'm not your slave, and I won't fold my hands and watch you turn me into one."

“Well, that's where you get it all wrong. I can't possibly have you here as a slave, you don't even have half of the qualities of a good slave, you're just as dumb as…”

"Well, at least I'm not a thief who steals people's sweat and calls it his own.”

The room fell silent as Victor's face transformed instantly, the cold smile vanished, and it was immediately replaced with anger. His features hardened into something far more menacing. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"What did you just say?" He questioned with a voice that was barely above a whisper. It carried a threat that made my blood run cold.

I swallowed hard, realizing I had crossed a line I shouldn't have. But something inside me refused to back down. "You heard me clearly, Victor. You're nothing but a common thief hiding behind expensive clothes and a fake smile."

He moved faster than I expected, closing the distance between us in two swift strides. His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, squeezing until I winced.

"Listen to me very carefully, you little ungrateful brat," he hissed, his breath was hot against my face. "I've been patient with you because Marcus asked me to be gentle. But patience has its limits."

"Let go of me," I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

"Oh, I'm not done talking yet." His other hand reached up and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look directly into his eyes. "You want to know what happens to girls who disrespect me? Who thinks they can throw around accusations without consequences?"

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced myself to maintain eye contact. "I'm not afraid of you."

"News flash: you should be." He leaned closer, as his voice dropped to a menacing growl. "Because, unlike Marcus, I don't have a soft spot for broken little artists. To me, you're nothing more than a commodity. A product to be sold to the highest bidder."

"You can't…"

"I can do whatever I want, b*tch!" He released my chin only to slam his palm against the wall beside my head, making me flinch. "Do you know how many girls have stood exactly where you're standing, thinking they were special? Thinking they could bargain their way out?"

I tried to steady my breathing, but fear was creeping up my spine like ice water.

"Well, guess what? They all learned eventually," Victor continued, as his voice took on a cruel satisfaction. "Some learned the easy way, while others learned the hard way. Which way would you prefer, Ella?"

"There has to be another way," I whispered, hating how my voice shook. "Some kind of arrangement…"

"Arrangement?" He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You still don't understand, do you? This isn't a negotiation. This isn't a business deal where both parties benefit. This is me telling you exactly how things are going to work."

He stepped back slightly, but his eyes never left mine. "Your little art skills? They're going to make me a lot of money. And you're going to cooperate, or things are going to get very unpleasant for you."

"What do you mean by unpleasant?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

"Well, for you, potential buyers are already on their way here. I might just spike up the price so that when you get to wherever they'll take you, they'll have you all to themselves. Hope you know what I mean, hahaha.” he gave out an evil laugh.

My stomach churned at his words.

"You're insane," I breathed.

"I'm practical." He straightened his shirt. "And I'm very good at what I do. Ask Marcus sometime about what happened to the last girl who tried to run away. Oh, wait, you can't. She's not around to tell the story anymore."

The threat hung in the air between us like a poison cloud. I felt all the fight drain out of me; it was replaced by a cold, creeping dread.

“Finish up this work and prepare for our guests. They will be here later today, though I should let you know.”

"Why? What did I ever do wrong to you and Marcus? Why do you keep doing this to me?” I asked with tears streaming down my face. This was a nightmare I needed to wake up from.

“The earlier you stop searching for relevance and knowing you're just a business tool, the better for you, Ella. You are not, but… trash.”

He opened the door, then turned back one final time. "You have until sunset to come to terms with your new reality, Ella. One more thing, you better be nice to your new owner.”

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence. I sank onto the mattress with heavy tears streaming down my face, my legs finally giving out as the full weight of my situation crashed over me.

I am trapped. Completely and utterly trapped. For the first time since this nightmare began, I wondered if I would ever see freedom again.

Then a thought flashed through my mind.

“What if I end it all? What if I kill myself?" I mumbled looking immensely at the pen knife lying on the table.