BEHIND HER MASK

WHAT WILL IT TAKES TO BE MY PLAYTHING

She step out of the company building. The Air of the city filled her nostril. The exhaust from the vehicle and the coffee beans smell coming from the cafe close by.

She stay by the side of the road waiting to flag down a cab to convey her home but A Mercedes SUV pulled over. the driver's door open and the driver step out. She soon recognize the driver. He was Alexander official driver. She step back as he move closer.

“Ms. Jordans, get in. I will give you a lift home” he proposed.

“don't worry about it. I will take a cab and moreover you are not going my direction” she declined politely.

“There is no issues with that. I will take you home before going my direction” he convinced her.

“That will be lot of inconvenience, taking a cab will be fine for me” She argued

The backseat window pulled down. Alexander was inside the car. His gaze was fixed on his tablet screen.

“Uh..huh? Mr. Gracias” she called out in shock. “ I wasn't expecting to see you”

“Get in. I'm tired of waiting” he ordered without sparing her a gaze.

“I… I’m…. You don't have to worry about me. I will take a cab” said.

“ Just get” his gaze give her no room to argue anymore.

“Okay” she mouthed following the driver behind.

She want to open the passenger side but the driver open the backseat door and he urge her to enter. She wave her head telling him no but he didn't agree. She move to the backseat door like a cow about to be slaughter.

She slip into the car. His eyes were still glue to his tablet never sparing her glanced. She clinch her bag tightly between. Her system feel unsettled.

"Relaxed, will you" he said

"What?"

"I not going to do anything stupid to you" he smirked.

"Well, I'm relaxed " she lied smoothly.

" I don't think so. You sitting upright, your back barely touching the seat" he pointed out while his gaze fell on her.

"Okay " she said leaning back to the seat.

"Philip, take a detour to city square " he said to the driver.

"Okay sir" Philip said and reroute the system.

"Em, Mr. Gracias. I'm not going in that direction " She countered.

"I'm aware. Let have dinner," He said.

" That is so considerate of you Mr. Gracias but if you Don't mind I will decline," she politely said.

But her stomach didn't agree with what she just said. At that moment her stomach grumble. She Haven't had anything apart from the breakfast she share with her Nana and nephew this morning.

"Well I don't think so," he smirked.

No matter how hard to stay away from him, nature just bring them together again. She can't stand to be in a close space with this man.

The car pulled up to the entrance of a French restaurant. Philip step down to Open the door for Alexander before coming to open the door for her. Alexander stroll into restaurant with his fist on his pocket. She followed him behind.

The waiter at the door, led them to an empty table. The waiter pulled her chair for her sit. She could see Alexander eyes lingering on the waiter.

"Thank you" She muttered.

"What will you like order?" The waiter asked.

She look at the menu. It was hard reading since most of it was written in french. She haven't come to a French restaurant before.

“I will be having crepes and for the lady, she will be having steak frites. And some German champagne will do” he said. His tone was commanding and domineering.

“Okay sir” the waiter said while jotting down on his notepad. After that he went to the kitchen to get their order.

There was an awkward silence after the waiter left. Alexander's eyes were still glued to his tablet. He has been on his tablet from the ride even up till now.

“What are you doing, Mr. Gracias? You know you should have asked me to sort that out before asking me to take the day off” she said, breaking the silence.

His eyes move from the screen to her. He stared at her like he was searching for something.

“It is not about work. It's something personal,” he explained.

“Oh… Okay” she realized.

“It is so wrong of me to focus on my screen forgetting that I have a guest. My apologies” he apologized, dropping his tablet on the table.

Alexander just apologies. She never knew he could do so. Her eardrums weren't playing tricks with her.

“No problem. It's okay” she smiled.

The waiter arrived with their order, followed by two other waiters. They placed the dishes before them. When the silver lid was removed, the sweet aroma hit her nostril and she salivated just only by looking at the meal before her. The waiter poured some champagne in their glasses.

“Thank you,” she said to the waiter.

“Enjoy your meal, sir, madam” he bowed. Before they take their leave.

She takes her cutlery and she gently cuts on her steaks but it was a total disaster. The knife hammer hard on the plate, making annoying noise as she applies force on it.

“lemme help” he offered.

“I got this in control” she hesitated

“Are you always this stubborn?” He asked, his eyebrows raised.

“No I'm not” her cheek flushed in embarrassment.

She passed the plate to him after many persisting glances. He cuts the steaks gently into smaller pieces she could chew.

She wondered what so hard there she could not cut. She was burning in embarrassment. If it was possible, she would want the ground to swallow her.

“Here” he returns the plate back to her “if you don't like it, you can order something else” he added.

“No need for that” she said, her head bowed to her food. She can bear looking at his face.

Only the soft clinch of their cutleries against the plate could be heard. She looks at Alexander. He was focused on his meal.

She wondered how a man could be this graceful. His dinner etiquette is elegant. Everything about this man was perfect except the fact he was a jerk.

“Done with the staring?” She heard him say.

“You can't get enough of me last night. Wanna hook up?” he smirked, his eyes lingering around her.

Her mouth was wide open in disbelief. She wasn't expecting that from him. Can he be less shameless? She thought he was different today. So the day off and dinner was a bait to draw her.

“Mackenzie you're a fool for falling for this man's sneaky trick” she whispered to her.

“Do you think I find you attractive?” She scoffed out.

“I don't need you to think. You already do so,” he drops his cutleries. He crossed his hands beneath his chest, as his eyes linger on her.

“You're so unreasonable. I can't stand you” she revolted.

He smiled. He was enjoying whatever game he was playing. He loves the look on her face. He isn't done yet. He is going to bend her against her will.

“what will it take for you to be my plaything?” He asked confidently.

She clinches the glass of champagne tight. She could have shattered it with her bare hand if she had the will power. She gulped the champagne as the anger at the back of her throat rose.

“Mr. Gracias, I will take that disrespect from you?” She was provoked.

“What's it? You do it for other men out there. What are you so ashamed of? Because I'm your boss?” He asked, with a hint of jealousy in his tone.

“It's a great thing, you realize you're my boss” she was infuriated.

“You're scare, Ramona?” he asked, emphasizing on the name.

“ I told you never call me that again?” She warned.

She clenched her jaw tightly. Her eyes were bloodshot, her inside was boiling in anger and terror. Her fists were Ball under the table.

“We are outside. I can call you that,” he said proudly.

Fuck!!

“You know what? I'm done taking you nonsense. I should have seen through your actions, that this was your plan. Thank you for the meal, “ she said standing up. She strap her bag on her shoulder.

“You look sexy when you're angry,” he commented.

“ f*****g jerk” she groaned. She show him her middle finger before leaving him.