Love In Crimson

Chapter Eleven- Punishment

“Well, for the trouble you put me through this morning, let's talk about your punishment” Ace said , crossing his legs over each other on the sofa.

The atmosphere in the living room was suffocating for Natalia. She was at least grateful that he looked relieved when the photo was found earlier.

If there was anything still making Natalia nervous, it's the fact that Ace's facial expression was unreadable. Who knows what's going on in his mind. Her punishment the last time had been the withdrawal of domestic workers.

“I am very sorry sir, such won't repeat itself again,” Natalia muttered, still rooted on a spot.

Ace looked at the wall clock in the living room slowly before lifting his eyes to her. “And somehow that doesn’t magically erase the hours I spent searching for it. I should either be in the office or on my way to the office right now”

“It wasn’t intentional. I'm very sorry sir”, Natalia said again.

“And I’m supposed to care about that?, I remembered instructing you clearly to not touch my things” Ace countered, the bitterness in his tone hitting her harder than she expected.

Ace stood up from the sofa and took few steps to where Natalia was standing. He stopped directly in front of her , towering over her with an expression that bordered on cruel amusement.

His hand caught her wrist before she could step backwards, not gentle, not affectionate, but restraining. Ace was being possessive only for the sake of proving he could.

Natalia stared at the floor design ,not daring to look at him, refusing to show how fast her heartbeat had become.

Ace studied her for a second before letting go with obvious disinterest.

“Relax,” he said coldly. “If I wanted to do something to you, you wouldn’t be standing here arguing.”

The statement left heat rushing angrily into her face. She shouldn't be having dreamy thoughts with a dragon prince!! What the hell was wrong with her, Natalia thought to herself silently.

He stepped back like none of it mattered.

“Strip”

“Huh”

“You heard me clearly Natalia, strip”

Natalia was dumbfounded. Was this the punishment he was talking about,but is this a punishment, this is pure embarrassment.

But with Ace's tone laced with finality, the word hung in the air, ugly and final. “Strip.”

Natalia's chest seized, inhaling sharp breaths as if it would calm her down. The room shrank to the space between Ace's cold stare and her trembling hands. She felt exposed already, though her clothes were still on, skin prickling with cold sweat.

Why was she even hesitating, after all,he has had s*x with her before right, Natalia thought, but Ace's demeanor only heightened the humiliation in what he asked her to do.

Her mind scrambled for an excuse to not do it. But Ace's posture didn’t shift.

Shame burned her cheeks hotter than fear. She gripped the hem of her sleeve, knuckles white, as if holding the fabric could hold her composure too. Was this the same man that made heat rush to her cheeks just minutes ago. Oh such wrong person to admire, Natalia thought silently.

“sss…. we're in tth..the living ro..ooo..room sir, I cc.. can't take off my clothes here”, Natalia managed to stutter.

“Well it's my living room and I'm not expecting guests. You're delaying me Natalia. You know very well I should be in the office by now”Ace said in a low voice that made Natalia question whether he had any ounce of good deed in him. Such face for a black heart, Natalia fumed silently,not daring to talk back at him.

The only piece of clothing on Natalia was a plain flare gown.

“Sir pleaseeeee”, Natalia tried begging again with her palms together in a pleading manner.

Ace didn't budge. He had the same stoic ,dominant expression. “I've seen you in and out lady, besides, why are you acting like a saint, aren't you cheap,huh”, Ace said.

Natalia's heart dropped to her stomach. Does he have to be so mean. Besides,what shame is left for her,he already had his way the last time.

Mustering the courage, Natalia raised her gown from the hem and raised it above her head. With that action, her gown was off her body. All that was left on her body was her obviously worn out bra top and pant.

“I said strip, not take off your gown. Everything on you comes off”, Ace said, with a look of cruel amusement. He had an obvious smirk on his face, passing across the message that he's the one with power in the equation.

Natalia didn't bother to hesitate anymore, it was obvious he's hellbent on feeding off her humiliating and embarrassing aura. Natalia took off her undies, now completely naked.

“Good”, Ace said.

Natalia could only curse him silently. She maintained her position, hands crossed over each other.

Ace had an even wider smirk on when he saw how flustered she was. He was enjoying every moment of his cruelty. Why will she be appeasing to see, no, he must position himself rightly, Ace thought.

“Walk to the kitchen and get me water”

Natalia gritted her teeth together. It was obvious that he wanted nothing with her, only pure humiliation and torture. Her uncle also did this, always wanting to show who's in power. Now she has to walk naked to the kitchen,and to do what,get him water?? .

“Alright sir” , Natalia said making her way to the kitchen. Natalia walked into the kitchen and brought water to Ace.

She halted in front of Ace and stretched the cup to him. Ace just sat there, looking at her with an unreadable expression.

Natalia retracted the cup. Ace flared “ did I ask you to take it away”.

“I'm sorry sir, Natalia said hurriedly. She stretched the cup towards him. This time ,he took it from her. Natalia took few steps backwards.

Ace stared at the cup for few seconds like he was inspecting it for abnormalities. He motioned Natalia to come closer with his fingers.

Immediately Natalia was back in his close range, he splashed the water on her.

Natalia was speechless. She didn't know what to do. Natalia now glared at him with suppressed anger. The cold breeze wasn't helping matters. She was naked, and wet, with cold breeze. And now, she has a wet floor to take care of.

Ace smiled. Not a good one, more like he was mocking her. “What,wanna throw some punch”?, he said mockingly.

Natalia could not say anything. Just like her uncle,she knew he could do as he wishes with her and nothing will actually happen.

Natalia swallowed her anger and embarrassment, not saying anything.

It was obvious he just wanted to gloat at her defenseless self. Such a monster!!, she thought to herself silently.

Ace dropped the cup on a nearby stool and stood up.

“Now,” Ace said, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt, “about your punishment.”

Natalia instantly frowned. “There's still a punishment”??? After giving her premium embarrassment, there's still a punishment??, so what was the humiliation ritual all about!! Can her life get any better, Natalia said internally.

Ace chuckled. “Have i given you a punishment already that I don't remember,huh,”, he said ,with his mockery smile plastered on his face.

It really irritated Natalia but what can she do. Her uncle,a monster had given her out cheaply to another dragon prince, so what is her bargaining chip.

“This is ridiculous.” Natalia finally blurted out.

“No what’s ridiculous is the state of my library.” Ace countered.

Natalia was confused,she didn't understand. What has this got to do with the library. There is a massive library in the house. As in, very massive. Natalia had gone there just to admire the vast in-house library twice, during the times that Ace was out of the house.

Ace pointed toward the hallway without even looking at her. “You’ll clean it.”

Natalia blinked. “What?”

“Every shelf. Every book. Every section, must be cleaned thoroughly.”

“You have three floors of books!” Natalia blurted out,her tone,a mix of frustration and pent up anger. First ,she had to do household chores alone,and now ,the library!!

“Well, now you have a consequence for your actions”

Her mouth fell open in disbelief while Ace walked past her toward the door.

“You’re insane,” she finally snapped. The worst he could do was kill her right.

Ace paused briefly, glancing back at her with icy amusement. “You’ll start tonight,” he said. “And Natalia?”

Natalia glared at him.

“Touch the wrong thing again,” he said, “and the punishment gets worse.”