Save Me

Chapter 4

After my meltdown in Natalia’s store, she helped me carry the new clothes to Nikolai’s car and told him to take me straight home. I couldn’t tell if he noticed something was wrong, but he did not question me, which I was grateful for. I mumbled the address to my apartment in Brooklyn and Nikolai nodded at me with a faint smile before driving off.

As we continued on our drive, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort in the silence between us. I kept my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window, the tall buildings and bustling crowds of New York City seeming to blur together in a whirl of motion.

When Nikolai suddenly spoke up, it caught me off guard. “How was your shopping with Ms. Ashwood? I hope she treated you well,” he asked politely.

I hesitated before answering, still unsure of what to make of my experience with Natalili. “It was… fun,” I replied uncertainly. “She was nice.”

Nikolai let out a faint chuckle and nodded his head in understanding. “That’s good to hear. She can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but she means well.”

Curiosity getting the better of me, I decided to ask him a question of my own. “How long have you worked for Mathias?” I inquired.

Nikolai’s lips curved into a faint grin as he shifted his gaze to me. “Oh, it’s been quite some time now. I’ve known him since he was a boy. His father and I were close friends.”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Wow, that must be nice. What’s he like as a boss? Is he the cold-hearted asshat that people claim he is?” This caused him to burst into loud laughter and tears started rolling down his cheeks.

I couldn’t help but smile at his joviality, locking eyes with him for a moment. His gray eyes sparkled with youthfulness and enthusiasm that reminded me of Eleanora; something that made my smile disappear as I slumped back into my seat.

Nikolai chuckled again and shook his head. “Don’t believe everything you hear. Mr. Ashwood is a fine young man. Mr. Ashwood is a fine young man. He’s tough, but he’s fair. He’s always looking out for his employees.”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief at his words. Maybe there was more to Mathias than I had initially thought.

An hour later, Nikolai drove up to my apartment complex, his face set in a scowl. I tried not to be embarrassed; it was one of the few places I could afford when I first moved to the area, and it wasn’t that bad once you filtered out the noise and smoke.

“Why don’t you come with me back to the office, Miss Pierce? I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here, especially not with all the things you just purchased.” Nikolai asked warily, his face showing his unease.

“I’ve been living here for six months with no problems,” I insisted. “I’m going inside. No one will bother me, I promise.” He reluctantly held my door open for me, then went to the trunk and took a bunch of bags from there, leaving me with only two.

“It’s just this way,” I instructed him, gesturing up a flight of stairs. When we stopped in front of my door, I took out the keys reluctantly. I wasn’t too keen on letting Nikolai see the inside of my apartment.

“I’ll take it from here, Nikolai,” I said, flashing him a reassuring smile as I unlocked my door.

He set my bags down next to me before giving a slight nod and saying, “Stay safe, Ms. Pierce.” I waited until he was out of sight before entering my apartment.

The interior of the place was drab and rundown, much like the outside. The wood floor was stained with substances from all the people who had lived there before me. The one window I had was now boarded up after a kid threw a rock at it a few weeks ago. The only thing I liked about my apartment was the fireplace, and even that barely functioned.

I shut the door and flopped down on my tattered black couch and thought about how much my life had changed in such a short time. Just a few weeks ago, I was dancing at a strip club—now I was an assistant at one of the biggest hotel companies on the planet. Even though my first day had been spent shopping for office-appropriate clothing, something told me that this place would be good for me.

After resting for half an hour, I went into the bathroom to take a shower and prepare for bed. When I turned on the hot water spigot, only cold water came out. George must have forgotten to pay the water bill again—great. I groaned as I undressed and stepped into the freezing shower.

I had barely finished washing myself before I could take the chill no longer. After I turned off the water, I grabbed a towel and made my way to the kitchen to make a sandwich.

“Do you always leave your door open?” A deep voice came from across the room.

“Mathias! What are you doing here?” I grasped my towel tighter as his piercing blue eyes wandered up and down my body.

“Nikolai was worried about your place—I can see why.” His gaze moved from me to the shabby couch, to the blanket-covered window, to the kitchen which was really only a stove and a fridge in the corner, and then back to me.

“How did you get in here?” I asked, entering my bedroom to change into a pair of gray shorts and a red tank top.

“As I said, your door was unlocked. Do you always make it a habit to leave your door unlocked when you have thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes sitting on your table?” he questioned, his tone implying disapproval.

“I don’t normally have thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes sitting on my table, so no Mathias,” I retorted, going into the kitchen to make a turkey sandwich.

“Want a bite?” I offered him the sandwich after taking a large bite myself.

Mathias declined and released an exasperated breath. “You can’t stay here, not in this dump,” he said firmly. “Grab some stuff and the clothes from Natalia’s, so we can go.”

I stared at him in disbelief: who did he think he was to boss me around and call my home a dump? I gritted my teeth as I ate the last few bites of my sandwich. “So, where do you expect me to go? I’m not exactly rolling in money right now,” I challenged.

He rubbed his head as if my presence was giving him a migraine. “My penthouse has plenty of room for both of us—so much so that we wouldn’t even have to see each other if you didn’t want to.”

He wanted me to move in with him? What on earth was he thinking? “No way. I’m not living with you. Are you crazy?”

He strode up to me and arched an eyebrow as he paused a few steps away. “Let’s go, Violetta. I don’t have all day to deal with your nonsense. You are coming with me whether or not you like it.”

I scoffed and approached him. “What nonsense do you think I am up to? This is my home, and you don’t get to just march in here and tell me to leave. You’re my boss, not my father.” Even though I said the words, I couldn’t help but shudder at the memory of what my father would have done if I had ever defied him like that.

Mathias gave a smirk and drew his arm around my waist, pressing close and whispering in my ear, sending a wave of goosebumps down my body. “I may not be your father, but I can definitely make you do whatever I want.” My eyes widened as he stepped back a few paces.

“Now, get your s**t together and let’s go.”

I huffed as I went into my bedroom and collected the things I had in there. Though I was determined to stand up to Mathias and keep defying him, I couldn’t help but worry if he would take drastic measures to get his way—that fear alone was enough to get me to do what he wanted… for the time being.

It only took about 30 minutes for me to gather all my stuff and place it by the front door. During that time, Mathias kept his eyes on me like a hawk. I told him he could sit on the couch, but he just sneered in response. Asshole.

“Do you have everything that you need for the next few days? I’d rather not have to come back tomorrow because you forgot something,” he asked, eyeing the three small duffel bags.

“That’s all I need. You won’t have to worry about stepping your pompous ass in this place ever again.” I flung a bag outside and held open the door.

“I didn’t realize not wanting to live in squalor made me pompous.” His lips curved into his smirk as he grabbed the remaining bags, his muscles bulging under his shirt.

I growled at him, his egotistical attitude getting on my last nerve. “Not all of us have a daddy to give us not only a company, but money for a penthouse in the Upper Eastside. Some of us actually have to work for our money.”

I slammed the door shut, grabbed the bag I threw out, and marched towards the exit, presuming it was for the last time.

“If you consider taking your clothes off and prancing around naked for the world to see work, then yeah, I guess you’re right.”

I stopped in my tracks, heat flooding to my face. So he did remember me! I knew it! Tears were threatening to fall and my face was undoubtedly bright red. I dropped the bags and walked up to him, bringing my hand back to slap him across his smug face. But Mathias caught my wrist before I could make contact.

“Let me go.” I said through gritted teeth as I attempted to pull my arm away from his tight grip. The tears I had been trying to hold back spilled.

Mathias’ expression softened for a moment, and he raised his free hand as if to comfort me. Flashes of past experiences rushed in, and I flinched. He lowered his arm again; the emotion erased from his face as if it had never been there at all. Shaking his head, he released me and picked up the bags off the ground as he made his way to the car.

The air was heavy with uneasiness as we rode to Mathias’ house. We both sat in the back of his town car, while Nikolai drove, humming and dancing to the music playing on the radio.

My gaze fell onto Mathias, who sat hunched over his phone, tapping away at the screen. The sunlight streaming in through the window highlighted his chiseled features. His sharp jawline, high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes had me captivated. His dark hair was slicked back but with a few strands out of place, as if it he had styled to look intentional. His tailored suit hugged his toned body snugly, and I couldn’t deny that he was attractive. However, his cold expression and rigid demeanor made me feel uneasy—as if I could sense the power he wielded. Though maybe it was the memories of my tumultuous past bubbling up from within me.

As we pulled up to the high-rise building, Mathias pocketed his phone and thanked Nikolai before leading me into the lobby. I couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the surrounding opulence—the marble floors, the plush furniture, the towering ceilings.

Mathias led me to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The ride up was silent except for the noise coming from the soft hum of the elevator. I fidgeted nervously as I wondered what was in store for me once we reached his penthouse.

When the elevator doors opened, Mathias led me down a long hallway before stopping in front of a sleek black door. He inserted a key into the lock and pushed it open to reveal a spacious and modern living room.

The walls were a crisp white, the furniture black leather, and the floors a glossy black marble. The room was flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city below.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” Mathias said with a smirk as he set down the bags and turned to face me. “Make yourself at home.”

I hesitated for a moment before taking a few steps into the living room, still feeling uneasy about this whole arrangement. Mathias disappeared and returned with a glass of water, offering it to me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, taking a sip of the cool liquid.

Mathias gestured around the place nonchalantly. “Would you like a tour of the place?”

“Sure,” I said, still feeling a little unsure of myself.

He gestured towards a sleek kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. “This is the kitchen. Feel free to use it whenever you like. I have a cook who comes in twice a week to prepare meals, but you’re welcome to make your own food if you prefer.”

“Thanks,” I said, feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer size of the kitchen. I was used to cooking in the cramped space that was my kitchen.

As we moved through the apartment, I couldn’t help but feel envious of Mathias’ lifestyle. Everything was so sleek and modern, with no sign of the wear and tear that marked my own humble abode. Even the artwork on the walls looked like it had been carefully chosen to complement the rest of the decor.

Next, we went down a hallway and into a room that had been converted into a home gym. I gazed at the treadmill, weights, and other equipment with envy. Working at a strip club had been all the exercise I needed, and while I had been wanting to work out again, I couldn’t afford a gym membership.

“Feel free to use any of this whenever you want,” Mathias said, noticing my interest.

I nodded my thanks and followed him into another room, which turned out to be his home office. The walls were covered in bookshelves, and there was a large desk with a computer and a stack of papers on it.

“This is where I do most of my work whenever I decide to work from home or if I need to bring work home,” Mathias said, gesturing towards the desk.

We stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway, and Mathias pushed it open to reveal a guest room. “This is where you’ll be staying,” he said, gesturing towards the queen-sized bed and the closet that was empty save for a few hangers. “It’s not as big as the master bedroom, but it should be comfortable enough for you.”

I stepped into the room and looked around. It was smaller than I was used to, but it was still bigger than my old apartment. The walls were painted a pale blue, and there was a small desk in the corner. “It’s nice,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

Mathias raised an eyebrow. “You don’t like it?” he asked, sounding surprised.

“No, I do. It’s just… I’m not used to staying in such a fancy place,” I admitted, feeling a little embarrassed.

“I see,” he said, his tone unreadable. “Well, if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

“I will,” I said, feeling a little uneasy.

As we walked back towards the living room, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. On the one hand, I was grateful to Mathias for offering me a place to stay, but on the other hand, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were strings attached to his offer. I wasn’t sure what he expected of me.

The sound of liquid sloshing in the glass vibrated through the thick, oppressive silence as Mathias swiped a bottle of bourbon that was sitting on the table and filled his tumbler almost to the brim. He took a long sip before sinking into the luxurious sofa and pinning me with an icy, hard stare.

“So,” I said, trying to break the looming tension, “you remember me from the club, huh? I thought you’d forgotten all about it.”

Mathias took his time savoring another swig. His eyes lazily trailed from my head to my toe, as if he was remembering what I looked like beneath my clothing. An electric charge of heat spread throughout my body as his gaze lingered on me. “Oh, I remember *Ruby*. Plus, you also listed it on your application. After I saw you, it wasn’t hard to put together.”

My cheeks felt as if they were on fire as my entire face flushed red. “So, um… what are we going to do about work? I don’t want anyone to know that I’m staying here.” I questioned, changing the subject as quickly as I could.

Mathias drained his glass. His eyes never leaving mine. “Damn, and here I thought we were going to announce it to everyone at our morning meeting.”

“Look,” I snapped, “You don’t have to always be such a snarky asshole. All I’m trying to do is make this transition as smooth as possible for us both. It’s not like I asked for this.” My arms crossed over my chest as I glowered at him, letting my anger surge through me like a force of nature. Just when I thought he was actually being nice, he had to open that big, stupid mouth of his.

Mathias’ deep chuckle reverberated throughout the room as he sank into the sofa. “Smooth transition? You mean the transition from stripping in a club to living in my penthouse?”

The anger bubbled up inside me. I could feel my teeth grinding together. “I mean the transition from being on my own to having to rely on someone else. You’re my boss, Mathias. This isn’t some kind of favor you’re doing me. If you remember, I didn’t ask to be here.”

Mathias’ face contorted into a stern expression. He slammed his glass down onto the table. “I understand, Violetta. But you must realize that this is for your own safety. You can’t stay in that place, and I won’t let you.”

I exhaled heavily, knowing that he was right. I couldn’t stay in my old apartment anymore, but I still resented the fact that I now had to live under Mathias’ watchful eye.

“Fine, but we have to make sure that no one finds out about this,” I said wearily, the implications of this arrangement weighing heavily on me. “I don’t need anyone thinking that I’m sleeping with the boss.”

Mathias nodded solemnly, his gaze still pierced on me as if he could see right through my facade. “I’m aware,” he said gravely. “We’ll figure something out soon enough.”

He stood up, towering over me as he headed towards the door. His presence alone made my heart race as he uttered one last statement before leaving the room. “Oh, and Violetta,” His voice lingered in the room like a heavy fog, making it hard to breathe, “you should get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

My mind reeled with questions and emotions as Mathias disappeared through the doorway. I could hardly believe that I was now living with him, and I had a feeling that something more was brewing between us. But until then, I had to do whatever it took to survive this new arrangement and keep my secrets hidden from his prying eyes.