Rabbit Hole (Romantic-Suspense)

Chapter 33: Pull the strings

Chapter 33: Pull the strings

Alice's POV

This was how I got lured in into signing that crap contract!

That contract is totally one-sided, despite the overwhelming benefits I get, breaching from it would end not just my career but my future. The terms and conditions dictate that once I resign, Lennox can let me go but with a tangible sign saying 'Hire her, and you're ruined'. Basically, I'm no different from the two girls he fired from backstabbing me and now living their lives hopeless of getting back on their feet.

The stress I had had when I was reviewing the contact's content still hasn't left me. The headache and anxiety always attack me whenever I thought of that contract—I regret not reading everything before I sign.

Breaching from him will also put the life I struggle to break free from my family's clasps—damn, just when I thought everything would finally set sail once I moved out of that mansion—ugh, damn it.

When I knew I couldn't get out from this psycho's grasp sitting on my sofa, the choices I had back then were either file a lawsuit and asked my father for help. But either of the options would just end me up in my father's clutches. My demise in the field I chose from his field would only bring him the good news. Filing a lawsuit with no guaranteed success will eventually leave me penniless. Then going on for my father's help would lead him to see my situation as an opportunity. An opportunity to replace Lennox's grasps to his and put me in a position and favor he has always wanted me to put at, which would naturally trigger and drive my brothers insane in jealousy.

Just by the mere thought of it makes me crawl in frustration, considering what Clyde—one of my brothers, has already done while I'm still remaining uninterested in my father's affairs –I know, he or they could have done anything worse if I show any hint of interest.

Ugh, now that I think about it. I attract toxic men, a father who will only push what he wanted, two brothers born with extreme jealousy, a Dove who always hide and run, and the worst one of all, the psycho.

The psycho who has been watching me behind my back in years, the same psycho who's sitting here in my living area—making deal with me.

Wearing his pleasing and innocent smile, which he used to deceive me into thinking he's harmless.

"Sure?" he said, sounding unbothered and collected, confident that my little fist won't hurt him.

"Why do I have to choose when I am demanding both to be answered?" I asked, suppressing the anger that's itching to come out. He then just smiles more softly, tilting his head, he said—

"Because it all up to me to give those demands." Not moved by his audaciousness, I lean my back on the wall, arms crossed in front of me.

"What the hell screw you," I said, glaring at his smiling face.

"Oh yes, I am screwed over you." He said, undaunted as if he just received a compliment. Speechless, I stood there, remembering the images Lennox took from aunt's house. Analyzing the clue Mae could have left.

I need to take more than a step away from Lennox in finding Mae. I don't trust this psycho will just leave her as it is after finding her. I thought, recalling the footage I saw in the elevator, where he threatened Mae with some sort of document. Whatever it is, it has something to do with why I shouldn't let him find her first.

Size seven—that's Mae's shoe size. Russian table setting, tsk. I missed that detail because it was displayed in plain sight. I was also not trying to catch the brain and brawn's eyes through the aunt's living area. Now…why did she place a Russian—damn it. If only I can make this psycho surrender those pictures easily—how?!

Train of thoughts running until Lennox's excited voice stopped caught my attention. I glanced back at him.

"Oh? I know! What about this? I'll answer both questions but in return—"

I knew it.

"You'll have something in return? Hah. For some creep, you really are shameless." Seeing where this conversation will go into one of his other manipulative plans, I cut him off.

Of course, this is the real world. You won't get any free meals unless you pay for an amount at par with the effort and price of making it.

And this principle applies strongly to him. Either he'll make me pay equality or make me pay more than enough—it's all about to go down on his mercy once I bite in his plot.

"Aww, I was just about to offer you another option. But since you don't like it, alright, let's settle with A and B. So? Have you made up your mind yet?" He asked, playfully enjoying giving me the end of the rope.

F*ck it, why am I always receiving the end of the rope here? Take control, my ass. He has been behaving less irritably for these past days—I must have let my guard off guard a little not to notice he's giving me the illusion I'm having control over him. Ugh, I should've researched more on how to manipulate the manipulator—

Then the confidence and guts it took me to pull off a decision to take control and use Lennox a month ago flashes through.

But wait, all I have to do to manipulate this obsessive psycho is to…give him more of what he has always wanted. F*ck it, I've thought of this many times, but I still hesitate—

What am I hesitating for?

Asking myself inwardly as I struggle to pinpoint the problem, he then leans and rests his back on the sofa, keen eyes looking through me—just then, I found what I was hesitating for exactly.

"Alice?" he said, calling my name lovingly.

Yes, this is the reason. I hesitate that if I give him bits of everything—feeding his desire—I might end up the one longing for more. His demeanor, charisma, everything—he has everything I want for an ideal partner, except he's a total psycho. If I had only just known this much lately, he would have already taken advantage of my ignorance.

This relationship is so foreign that I'm not ready to give anything despite being an adult now, yet I know how dangerous and risky it is if the partner I have is this psycho.

But no, Mae and aunt are missing and might be waiting for me to find them—and I need to find them before he does. So—I need to take the risk.

Made up my mind, I sigh and walk towards him. Sitting not on the sofa but on the coffee table in front of him, I look at him with a straight face.

Confused, he looks at me and leans closer, "What are you doing?" he asked.

I'll start being a tease—giving you a bit by bit taste to get what I want.

"Well, I'm considering the better option you were talking about just now," I said, leaning my face closer. Hearing what I've just said, he beams a mischievous smile.

"Oh? So you're interested in an equivalent exchange, huh?" he said, looking up and down from my eyes to lips. Trailing the features, I sensed the lust oozing from him.

"Maybe?" I said, intriguing him more as he brushes his fingers on my neck down to back to my hair.

"Hmm?" He uttered, maintaining eye contact.

"Elaborate the exchange, Lennox," I said, whispering low, moving closer on his ears. Then his drowsy, alluring eyes look back at me, stating an interest.

"Ohh, calling my name in that tone, sure, I like it." He said, smiling, flashing his white teeth—a smile that's opposite to what he had just a minute ago. A smile not deceit and conforming, he moves his hands closer, down to my waist.

Heart pounding as I could sensitively feel his touch despite the clothes I have on, I sit here, frozen and panicking inside. Suppressing the unnecessary reaction to put Lennox in submissive, I keep a straight face and not bat an eye when I feel how intimate he wanted to go.

"Does it turn you on?" As his legs spread out mine, I asked, hands sliding on from my waist down to my legs, and then he lifts me up from here onto him.

Sitting on him, feeling something's budging down, I froze.

"Mhmm, do you feel it—"

"In exchange for the information, what would you like to get?" Couldn't bear the feeling anymore, I cut him off, fighting the urge to show any signs of cringe.

"You." He said, eyes locked on mine, lips approaching closely. I watch him closed his eyes slowly and reach mine.

"How about we start with a kiss—"Feeling impatient as my heart pounds harder against my chest the longer he takes the time, I pressed my lips on his. And although my eyes are shut closed, I could sense I took him on suddenly.

Shocked with what I did, he momentarily stopped. Recovering from my sudden approach, he started moving his lips in motion with mine, embracing me in his arms as anxieties curls up in my stomach—that's right, kiss me more.

I thought to myself, planning to lead him up to my bedroom and once we're there. I'll use the stun gun to get his phone.

Too bad I have no talent in pickpocketing—things would have been easier if I have.

The kisses are smooth in a passive-aggressive motion—making an impression that he's adjusting to my pace. I began to feel relaxed, but the longer we kiss, the heavier my heart pounds. Then, just seconds after, his hands trail their way in my shirt. Then, the fear struck me.

Opening my eyes abruptly, what I saw next surprises me.

His eyes are dead, staring at me. Dull and melancholy, he pulled out his hands underneath my shirt and wiped my lips off with his thumb.

"Stop." He said, tonelessly looking at my bewildered face.

What? Did he see through me again? Wait but I’m openly giving myself here—in this kind of situation, he could have easily have his way—

Speechless, as I 'am torn on between feeling glad and lost, I stayed there staring, waiting for his next words.

"I've always wanted you, but it seems like I won't be getting the whole package this way." He said, confusing me more, loss of what he's saying. I remained silent, letting him carry me up. Standing from the sofa, he puts me down next to his spot.

"What are you doing?" I asked, stuck up, processing what I did wrong. Then, a tear started falling off on my cheeks.

"What?" I uttered, touching the tear the rolled, unaware I was just about to cry. Right only then, I finally recognized the feeling of a burden I was feeling while kissing him. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I do this correctly?! Why can’t I—this is just a kiss—

Then, I instinctively looked up at Lennox. Thinking he'd misunderstood—but the next thing he did confuse me more.

He wiped off the tears rolling down my eyes, kissing me passionately on my forehead, nose, and lips.

What is he doing? Why is he being gentle? I'm here vulnerable—he should've taken advantage of what's in front of him—

"Anyways, the kiss was good, although I can say it was your first time but don't worry. I'll teach you once we're over with your brother and Mae." He said, walking away from me.

Embarrassed but doesn't have time to deal with it, my mind instinctively focuses on the other things he said. What did he mean by 'this way'? Tsk.

Seeing him walk towards the porch, I glance over him.

"Where are you going?" I asked, glancing over his shoulder. He sighs and smiles softly.

"Well, it's late, and I don't want you forcing yourself on me. So, see you later." He said, sounding sincere, smiling bitterly.

What? Do you think I'll believe that s**t? For sure, this must be one of his tricks on his sleeves. I thought, doubting his motive and sincerity. Turning his back from me, seeing him opening the door, what I let him in for in the first place flashed through.

"Hey—what about the pictures?" I said, coping up from getting stuck.

"I'll just call you in the office later, goodnight." He said, glancing back before he stepped out and closed the door. Leaving me dumbfounded, I throw my back on the sofa, facing up the ceiling.

"Damn it, in the end, he just came in to disturb the f*ck out of me," I said, blankly staring, and then a realization came. Sitting up abruptly, I remember a scene that just contradicted what I've just said.

"No…I gain something," I said, remembering how hard he has been. It must be a struggle to put me off on him. If he was really sincere and took time to follow my pace and considered my feelings—then…I have the upper hand.

I can control his emotion…

I thought inwardly, thinking if and only if he's sincere. For all these times, I never considered his actions and words genuine since I knew and get myself convinced of his true self. As the subject of his obsession, I see everything he does were not out of sincerity or goodwill but just to satisfy and feed himself—

"Well, it's late, and I don't want you forcing yourself on me. So, see you later." F*ck. If he is sincere, then—

"Sorry, not sorry. But I'm going to break your illusion—I'm yours." I mumbled. Determine to use myself—if I just pull the strings correctly, I can…manipulate him. I need to take the lead now—for real this time.

3rd Person's POV

Hours later, the sun started rising, reaching through the penthouse's living area, yet Lennox, who's up all night, stays in a secluded room where the light won't get through. The only source of light was the light coming off his laptop's screen.

Brushing off his hair, putting his hands on his chin, eyes fixed on the screen, scrolling through each file, until he reaches the bottom end of Alice's phone for countless times now, he rests his back defeated.

"Mirror, mirror…" He uttered, pondering how out of the blue Alice's spouted those words.

"What does Alice mean by that?" He added, brooding. Looking back at his screen, he eventually saw the crumpled sticky notes he got from Alice's pocket, stamped on the screen.

"Nice meeting you, Alice," Lennox said, reading the words written on the front face of the note. Contemplating who could have written this made Alice take an effort to hide it, angers him.

Seeing how Alice lies and almost desperately pulled him out of the café stings him more.

"Who the f*ck is this person." He uttered, lastly, before his alarm goes on ringing.