Dangerous Affair

Chapter 13

Tessa

I turn to the exit and try to run for it. Just maybe if I disappear from his presence then everything will be fine except for the fact that I am dismissed for good. Not even a single amusement from him.

Is he made of steel?!

Slam!

The door behind me goes shut, and I clutch my garment in horror. I can feel my chest heaving so bad that it could explode anytime. Panic runs down my spine and I bite my lips.

"No! No! No!" I scream.

"Where do you think you're going?" he thunders.

I turn behind me slowly and beads of sweat gather around my forehead. I take a step back and swallow, but he snarls at me.

He looks like the demon prince — ready to slay his prey alive.

"I can—" I say, but the fear in me makes my lips stick so hard that I can't say anything to defend myself.

"You shouldn't have done that, Tessa," I whine in a low tone.

Nick clenches his fist and starts walking in my direction while I panic for my life. A part of me wishes the ground could swallow me whole. I take a deep breath and close my eyes because there is nothing I can do to change this fate.

He is going to kill me.

I lower my gaze and tears stream down my cheeks. Just maybe I am who father says I am. I am useless, unwanted and a nobody.

As Nick moves close, he suddenly grabs my hand and lifts my chin. I jolt as our eyes meet and something close to amusement flushes his cheeks and his eyes soften.

"You are such a joke," he chuckles and pulls away.

"Uh?!" I gasp.

I stagger behind and blink in confusion. He isn't mad at me. I try to say a word, but my lips tremble and he shakes his head.

"You're not angry?" I ask finally.

He lifts a brow and rolls his eyes. "Why should I be? You're the first woman to throw herself at me, Tessa Cole."

"I-I," I stutter. "It's not like that, I swear."

"Then what is it like?" he asks in a disgusted manner.

"I just wanted you to change your mind. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"You think?" he scoffs.

His face scrunches and I look away.

Why does he seem different from other men? I wonder. Jake and I always had fights because I wouldn't let him touch me and am glad he never did. I always wanted it to be special with the man I love, but it looks like it's not happening, ever.

"That's why you hired me."

"Yet you can't do it properly." He cleans his lips and clicks his tongue, but I just stand there looking like a fool. "You bit my lips, Tessa."

Damn!

Did he just say I bit his lips?! This has got to be the most embarrassing moment of my life. I scream inside my head, my eyes almost pouring down tears, but I blink them back. I turn to face the ground. I bet he is laughing at me right now.

"You should go," he says, and I look at him slightly.

I guess there's no changing his mind.

He suddenly clears his throat and goes straight to the bar in his office. He slips out a small glass and a bottle of whiskey. Right next to him is an ashtray full of cigarettes and he grabs one. The air suddenly reeks of cigarettes and I cough.

I hate the smell of it.

"You want one?" He asks, but I shoot him a cold glare. "What?!" His brows lift. "I asked you to leave, but you won't, and now you reject my kind gesture? What a joke!" He scoffs.

"You don't have to be mean, you know," I say softly. "I will leave your mansion in the morning and never return."

I turn to the exit and slowly make my way out, but pause and turn to him. "You should take care of your health. You look like a mess…."

"And where do you think you are going?!" he asks. "Who says you are leaving?"

"But—"

He cuts me off as he lifts his hand to shut me up.

"My driver will pick you up in the morning. You should get some rest if you want to resume classes."

"Wait, what?!"

My eyes widen and tears start to fall from them. I quickly run towards him, almost pulling him in for a hug, but he growls and pulls back. He watches me swing around and jump in excitement but simply exhales his cigarette into the air.

"Thank you so much," I cry, but he waves me off. "The deal is still on, right?"

"Not until I change my mind with this charade of yours," he scowls at me, but I stand still and compose myself. "You've done more than enough for the night, Tessa Cole. You should go to bed and get ready for tomorrow, but remember this, from today, the rules have changed."

"Whatever you want, I will deliver," I assure him.

He clicks his tongue and waves me off, and I run out of his office with joy all over me. I dance along the hallway and hum to my favorite songs.

I did it.

I made him reconsider.

I reach for the doorknob to my bedroom, but something stops me and I turn to face behind me and right there, Clinton's scary gaze dawns on me and I jolt.

"What's with that man?"

He slips away like a shadow and I sigh in relief as I run inside my bedroom. I shut the door behind me and scream at the top of my lungs.

"You did it Tessa…."

I grab my cellphone to call Grace, but something stops me and I twist my lips in frustration. I recall Nick saying the rules have changed.

"What the hell was he talking about? What's he planning this time?"

So far, I have found Nick to be the most mysterious person alive. He never talks about his business, his family, his love life and, most nights, he comes back home with his friends all covered in blood.

Am I safe around this man?

I sigh, so many thoughts running through my mind, but in the end, I have no choice.

This is the only place I am accepted.