Dark Intention

Chapter 6

Vivian

I slowly came around to an empty bed. Alex was no longer beside me—and I was relieved. I felt physically sick, like I was going to vomit. Everything he said last night was like a knife slicing into my gut, over and over again.

How dare he think he owns me? He might believe he does, but he’s dead wrong. I only agreed to this whole thing so I could stand up for myself. But so far, all he's done is humiliate me and treat me like a joke. I hate him. I don’t want to be here.

But what choice do I have?

None.

He made sure of that the moment he forced me to sign that damn contract without letting me read through it. Signing that paper was like signing my life away—to him, and to his brothers. Especially to him. Alex thinks he owns me—heart, body, and soul.

I have to find a way out of this nightmare, and out of their lives for good—especially Alex’s. I don’t know what he has planned for me, but whatever it is, it can’t be good.

The door creaked. I didn’t even need to look. I knew it was Alex.

And I knew exactly what he wanted.

To make me his housemaid. Cook him breakfast before school. Again.

“Hey, Vivian, get your sleepy head up—we’re all hungry. And I’m sure you are too. We’ve got less than an hour to eat and get to school, so chop chop,” he said, standing with his hands on his hips.

“I know you’re awake, Vivian. If you don’t get up in the next five seconds, I’m coming over there and dragging you out of that f*****g bed.”

I sighed and slid out from under the covers. My feet touched the cold floor, and I stood up slowly, dizzy at first. I waited until the fog cleared from my head, then looked at him.

“I need to freshen up first,” I muttered.

He nodded. “You’ve got five minutes before I come in after you.”

I nodded back. Geez, who pissed in his cornflakes this morning?

I headed into the bathroom and did what I had to do—fast—knowing he would absolutely follow through on his threat if I took too long.

When I stepped out, he grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the bedroom.

So much for chivalry being dead. Ha.

He pulled me into the kitchen. “We haven’t got long, so we have to do this quickly. There’s a list of cereals we all like—do ours first, then yours.”

And just like that, Vivian the maid was back.

I couldn’t say jack s**t about it either, or I’d get a slap—or worse. A punch to the face. He wouldn't care how I looked when we got to school. He’d lie through his perfect f*****g teeth.

He left me in the kitchen while he went to sit with his brothers in the dining room—while I played the slave. “Yes, sir. No, sir. Three f*****g bags full.” I was so sick of it. But if I opened my mouth, I knew I’d be fifty shades of black and blue by the time he was done. So, I shut up and did what I had to do.

I placed the bowls of cereal—each one tailored to their preferences, including mine—on a tray and carried it into the dining room. I set them all down and sat beside Alex. He grinned and winked. The juice had already been poured into the glasses.

We ate in silence. It was better that way. No interaction. No comments. No threats.

Once we were finished, I collected the empty bowls and glasses and took them back to the kitchen to be washed later. I rushed to get ready for school, beating the clock—just the way Alex liked it.

I feared the day he changed the routine and left me to walk to school alone and late.

“Come on, Vivian! If you don’t get your ass out here in the next two seconds, we’re leaving without you—and you’ll be walking to school!”

Fuck.

I hurried out of the bedroom, grabbed my pre-packed bag, and ran to the front door where he was waiting. He placed his finger on mine, and we headed out to the car.

We made it to school in record time. As soon as we got out, the bell rang for registration. Alex pulled me close.

“Be good. I’ll see you at lunch,” he said.

I nodded and whispered, “Okay.”

He kissed my forehead, let go of my hand, winked again, and walked off with his brothers. I prayed today would be better than the rest.

---

Alex

I hate leaving her. But I don’t have a choice. We’re not in the same form group, and we don’t have any classes together today. I hope that prick doesn’t start picking on her again—because if he does, I’ll rip him a new asshole.

The day started off fine… until I got a call from our father.

If we can even call him that.

He leaves us to fend for ourselves, hides behind “business meetings” and “family duty” while we handle everything. Honestly, I think he and Mom just don’t want to spend time with us—so they make someone else deal with it.

“Father,” I said.

“What’s this I hear? You fired the cook and the cleaner? Are you out of your f*****g mind, Alex?”

“I hired a new one.”

“I bet you did. Does this girl even have a resume? Good credentials? And where the f**k did you find her while you were at school all day?”

“She doesn’t need a resume, Father.”

I could hear his heavy breathing on the other end. He was seething.

“She owes me. So I employed her to do what the maid and cleaner did.”

“She better be good, Alex—or I’ll have your f*****g head!”

“She is. Fred and Demario agreed to it too.”

He sighed.

Bingo.

I had him. They’re his favorites, unlike me. They can do no wrong.

“Fine. But if she f***s this up, it’s on you.”

“I’m sure it will be, Father.”

“One more thing before I go—what the f**k did you do to the bedroom door?”

Fuck. How did he find out so fast?

I looked at my brothers. They shrugged—they hadn’t told him.

“How—” I started, but he cut me off.

“You think I’m stupid enough not to put sensors on the f*****g doors after the last time, Alex? You’re clearly mistaken.”

Fuck.

“You’re paying for the damages out of your allowance. Be glad I’m not sending you out to work to cover it!” He hung up.

Fuck.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“What did he say?” Fred asked.

“He’s pissed I got rid of the staff he hired and replaced them with a girl who has no credentials—but he dropped it once he knew you both were okay with it.”

They nodded.

“What else?”

“I have to pay for the broken door out of my allowance.”

“Damn. How did he even find out so fast?”

“f*****g door sensor.”

“Damn sly old coot.”

Damn straight.

The bell rang, and we headed in for our last lesson before lunch.

I hoped Vivian wouldn’t piss me off—because, honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for her bullshit today.