STUBBORN LITTLE GIRL!
1321 Words
VIONNE'S POV
Ummm. Wait a second.
If this was the Harrison I was thinking of, then how the f**k had he found this place?
I shook my head slightly, not wanting to believe it. Or maybe I just couldn't accept that he'd actually sent me a package. He hadn't even done that when we were married.
What was going on? Was today some kind of package festival?
I'd already gotten three packages in a row. That was enough to make anyone nervous.
Though, honestly, I wasn't even sure if I was scared or just confused.
"Harrison who?" Darien roared, striding toward the servant, who was already shaking like he was about to collapse.
He stopped just a few feet away from him before his eyes drifted to me.
Again.
I immediately looked down at the floor.
"How did Harrison find out about this place?" he growled, his jaw tightening as though he wanted to tear the servant apart.
I didn't move.
I didn't say a word.
The servant swallowed hard.
"I-I have no idea, Captain. Kyle gave it to me and told me to bring it t—"
"Go get me Kyle!" Darien barked.
His eyes flicked back to me again.
Like he couldn't get enough of glaring at me.
I quickly looked away from the food on the dining table.
"Give the package to her," he spat.
Slowly, I raised my head.
My eyes met his cold stare.
Was he seriously expecting me to take that?
I mean... I had no idea who sent it.
"Your ex-husband sent a package. How sweeeet," he drawled sarcastically, sounding completely convinced it was Harrison.
The way he said it made my skin crawl.
"Give her the damn package!" he snapped.
What?
He didn't care?
Wasn't he going to open it and see what was inside?
I thought that was the whole reason he'd gotten up in the first place.
Before I could process any of it, the servant was already standing in front of me, holding out the box.
I gulped.
The box looked oddly beautiful.
And terrifying.
Why did I have a feeling this was some kind of trap?
Shit.
"I think this is a... mix-up. This box isn't for me," I said, leaning back as though it might burn me.
"Mix-up, huh?" He let out a dry laugh, his eyes never leaving mine. "Take it. Now."
"I won't. It isn't for me. And I don't have a damn thing to do with Harrison anymore."
"Don't test my patience, Kitten!" he barked.
What the heck?
Why was he forcing it on me?
I stared at him in confusion.
At this point, I was exhausted.
I'd thought coming here would make life a little easier.
Instead, it had somehow become a hundred times harder.
"You won't f—"
Heavy running footsteps interrupted me.
The sound echoed down the hallway.
Everyone turned toward it.
A second later, Miss Vivian rushed into the room.
She was panting heavily.
"S-Sorry, Captain. Sorry for taking so long. I'm here now," she said, bowing slightly.
I simply watched them.
I'd completely forgotten why he'd called for her in the first place.
Then his gaze shifted back to me.
"Take the box. Now."
His voice was deadly serious.
His eyes burned with fury—or maybe something else I couldn't quite identify.
With a reluctant sigh, I took the box.
Oh my God.
It was heavy.
What the hell was inside this thing?
The servant curtised left quickly.
And just like that, it was the three of us.
Silence stretched through the room, heavy and uncomfortable.
“Go pack her bag. She’s leaving,” Darien said suddenly, throwing me one last cold glance before he started to walk away.
My body froze.
The box almost slipped from my hands.
I had completely forgotten I was supposed to be leaving.
Until he said it.
Maybe hunger… or exhaustion… had messed with my head and made me forget.
Miss Vivian’s mouth dropped open, her eyes widening like she’d just been fired on the spot.
“Nah… nah, I’m not leaving. I think you got t—” I blurted, already knowing I sounded ridiculous, so I stopped mid-sentence.
I stared at the floor, unable to look at him.
But I could feel it.
I could feel his glare on me, even without looking up. Like it was pressing into my skin. Into my bones.
“You think you can mess around with me?” he said coldly.
“But I’m not messing around,” I replied quickly.
Miss Vivian shook her head beside me, whispering under her breath, “Please… be calm.”
“For the last time,” he said. “It’s either you leave now, or you don’t leave at all.”
“I’m not leaving now. I’ll leave wh—”
I stopped myself too late.
That was supposed to stay in my head.
He tilted his head slightly, then let out a low, mocking chuckle.
“I think it’s time I read the rules to you,” he said slowly. “Because you’re getting everything wrong.”
“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
This man was seriously messing with my head.
I couldn’t even tell what he wanted anymore.
“I’m hungry and I need to eat,” I said suddenly, like that would fix anything.
“You’re hungry, and you disobeyed me?” he shot back. “I don’t think you really wanted to eat.”
“I didn’t disobey you,” I snapped. “I just… I can’t wear something that uncomfortable to dinner.”
“That’s exactly why I told you to leave, Vionne,” he said flatly.
“Huh?” My eyes widened. “Wait… what?”
This was getting serious.
“Why? I thought you wanted me here,” my voice cracked slightly.
“I don’t think you can handle it here,” he said. “You don’t need my help, do you?”
“Yes, I do. Of course I do. Please,” I said quickly.
He studied me for a moment.
“If you stay,” he said finally, “then you need to understand something. Everything here is… uncomfortable, Vionne. So make your choice.”
“I’ve made my choice,” I said.
“Be sure,” he warned. “Anything you say now stands. No going back.”
“I understand.”
“Alright then,” he said. “What’s your choice?”
“I’m staying,” I said firmly, louder than I felt inside.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
“Good girl,” he said. “Now go change into those clothes and follow me to my room.”
I froze.
“Your room?” I repeated. “Why?”
“No questions.”
“But I haven’t eaten anything yet,” I said, desperation slipping into my voice.
“You’ll eat in my room.”
“No, I want to eat here.”
“Don’t make me repeat myself, Kitten.”
I stood still, staring at him.
My throat tightened.
I could feel the tears burning behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
I almost threw the box at him.
Almost.
But I stopped myself.
“Don’t just stand there,” he snapped. “Get her ready.”
His voice was sharp as he turned to Miss Vivian.
I finally lifted my chin.
I wasn’t going to look scared.
Not in front of him.
Was this the punishment Miss Vivian had warned me about?
Because if it was…
I wasn’t even sure I would survive a week here.
My chances of surviving this place?
Eighty-nine percent impossible.
But one thing was clear.
Darien didn’t know who he was dealing with.
For now, I will play along.
Act stupid.
And strike when he least expects it.
Let the game begin.
Every game has a winner.
We’ll see who wins.
- Writer
