Dangerous Affair

Chapter 9

Tessa

A Week Later

Nicolas gave me no choice and, if I am being honest, I think I made the best decision for myself, accepting being his fake fiancée. Nicolas paid off all my debts and not only has he fulfilled his end of the bargain, he has been awkwardly good to me. I get to stay in his mansion with employees running at my command, and it feels kind of amazing.

But there is Clinton.

That man hates me for no reason, and it's kind of exhausting that he won't listen when I try to communicate. I heard he is Nicholas' most trusted employee and his word around here is law.

I sigh, scanning the entire villa.

"I can't do this anymore," I whine. "This is not you, Tessa."

"And what is it you can't do?"

I hear a voice coming from behind, and I turn to face Clinton's sharp gaze on me. The dinning room is quite lonely and the slightest sound echoes.

A week and I haven't gone out— no way.

I feel more like a prisoner despite his good deeds.

"I didn't see you there." I rub my hands together, standing to my feet with a faint smile on my lips. The last time Clinton said a word to me, my skin crawled at his hostility. He didn't even look me in the eyes and I felt like s**t that night. "It's nothing," I lie.

"Hmm!" He scoffs, his eyes rolling as he walks to the living room. He sits majestically on the sofa at the far end, neatly folding the newspaper in his hand. "You know, Tessa. You shouldn't lie to an old man. I can see right through your pretense and, I kid you not, it's definitely going to end in shame."

"Uh!" I narrow a brow in shock. I wasn't expecting Clinton to be this cruel. "Pretense?! Is this what all this is all about?" I ask, clenching my hand in the distance.

"Of course," he rolls his eyes. "Girls like you are like poison. You pretend to be innocent, you bait innocent men and, in the end, you manipulate them to get your way. I can see right through you, Tessa. If you didn't need the money, you wouldn't have accepted Nick's proposal. You made it seem like you had no choice because that stupid boy dumped you. What a waste!"

I stand motionless, my eyes blinking in confusion.

"You have no idea what you are talking about," I half yell. "Do you think I am enjoying this hell?" I slam my hand against my thighs, my breath settling in frustration. "For weeks, I haven't been to class, and you think of me as a manipulator? Nicolas controls everything I do and I don't have a say. You think I want a life like this? Look around, old man, this is hell…."

He slams the newspaper on the table beside him, standing to his feet with darkness in his eyes. Slowly, he walks in my direction and I swallow.

"Then, why do you still choose to be here? You could have walked away."

"I had no choice," I yell. "I was drowning in debt, I have a family to take care of. I didn't have a choice…."

"Whatever! I have to go now. Just don't touch anything till Nicolas gets here."

He bluntly pulls close, his eyes shooting daggers into mine, his breath on me is hot. "You should never refer to the boss as Nicolas. It's Nick to you. Just do your damn job and enjoy the privileges while it lasts."

I gulp down my saliva nervously, taking a step back from him.

He clearly warns me.

"B—But," I stammer, but he walks away. "It's not what you think."

Since I left the bar, no one bothered to call me. Those I call friends, switching shifts for them and sharing the blame for their negligence. They never bothered to reach out.

I guess I am not that important.

The weight of realizing the truth about people's loyalty breaks me and that's why I am here. At least I get to be debt free even though I don't like Nick. For a week now, father hasn't called to harass me because he has been benefiting from the money Nick gave me.

How am I supposed to convince Clinton I am not that kind of girl? Circumstances birthed this whole mess.

Thud!

I run up the stairs as fear surge through me. I have been noticing some strange acts around here lately.

Strange faces coming in with deadly weapons, calling Nick ‘boss’. He never let me see them. In fact, he has a strict rule about my involvement with his boys.

Who are these people? I whisper.

I peer through the distance as tons of bad boys in black shirts and jeans storm the mansion.

"You should have seen his face, Nick." One of them snorts, then suddenly burst out in laughter. "You are the boss man."

His hand is covered in blood and the smell of dry blood erupts in the mansion.

"Keep your voice down guys. I have a guest, and she mustn't hear this," Nick says.

He massages his knuckles and plasters a weird grin on his face.

"The girl, right?" They burst out in laughter.

"It's unfair, man! We should see her, besides this is only temporary. Tell us, is she good? You know," he grins down at his c**k and the rest surrounds Nick with amusement in their eyes.

"Shut up," Nick snaps. "That's all for today. All of you out and not a single word out there else you are all dead."

Core whispers filled the air, they murmur on their way out, and I tremble at Nick's expression.

Something close to terror filled his eyes.

The room suddenly goes quiet, and he sighs in frustration. I tiptoe along the hallway, but his voice stops me.

"You can come out now, Tessa. I know you are there."

"s**t!"

I turn to face him from a distance, he tilts his head and twists his lips in exhaustion.

"Who are those people?" I ask but he ignores me.

"It doesn't concern you," he slowly walks up the stairs till he stands inches apart from me. His face dawns on me and I take a step back. He sighs slowly, striking his hand through my hair. "Never get in my business again," he whispers. "And…." He clicks his tongue, his eyes leaning towards my boobs, causing me to tremble.

"I want to go back to school," I yell, my heart pounding as he pulls away. "I can't be your prisoner anymore. This is not the deal."

"Alright then," he runs his fingers through his hair and rolls his eyes. "Do as you wish but on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"Satisfy me tonight," he whispers.

I freeze, my eyes almost popping out of their sockets when his fingers rub through my shoulders.