Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Six

When I woke the next morning I dreaded going into the city to shop. I know I needed to, I needed clothes and food and hygiene products. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that filled me at the thought of going out alone. And thinking about the person following me finding me only made the feeling worse. Maybe I was just being paranoid. 

Swallowing my nerves I squared my shoulders and left the penthouse to go and do what needed to be done. I didn’t have to stay gone very long, just long enough to get what I needed and be back before anyone realized who I was and where I was staying, at least I hoped. 

“Ah, Miss. Legend. How was your first night?” The receptionist from last night asked. 

“Very relaxing thank you.” I said, giving her a tight nod. “I have some shopping to do, do you know of anyone who can accompany me and help me carry my bags?” 

The lady's face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Of course.” She said before picking up the phone and calling someone. 

I sat in one of the velvet chairs as I waited for whoever the lady called to assist me. I really hoped it was a large burly man no one would want to mess with. Someone who looked intimidating enough that whoever tried to approach me or follow me would think twice. But what were the odds of that?  

“Miss. Legend?” An oddly familiar voice came from behind me. My body stiffened. No, no, no. Please don’t let this be who I thought it was. I prayed before turning around. 

I turned and sure enough I stared up into those brown haloed eyes I hoped I didn’t have to see until after Mathias got here. Maybe I could deny his help. Tell him I don’t need him after all or ask for someone else. And from what I know of these people, something told me following people around town helping them carry bags was not something they would normally do. 

“Elias, what are you doing here?” I asked him. 

He smirked at me. “I work here.” He said an edge to his voice that told me he was indeed lying. 

“No you don’t.” I retorted harshly. “You’re following me.” I stood abruptly, standing to my full height and faced him. “I do not need nor do I want your help. If you wish to speak to me you can wait for my friend to get here and talk to him. Right now I need to go, if you’ll excuse me.” 

I went to move past him but his hand grasped my arm like a vice. I stared at his arm angrily. “Let go of me Elias.” I seethed looking up to him. He just gave me a cocky half smile, his eyes dancing in amusement and something I couldn’t quite place. 

“Who is your friend?” He asked, an angry edge to his voice. 

“Let go of me.” I yelled pulling my arm out of his grip. I rubbed where he grabbed me. I’m sure it would leave a bruise from how hard he gripped. 

I stormed out of the building making my way down the street. There was no point in bringing my car, I would just end up parking somewhere and walking everywhere anyway. The down side to walking, I’d never actually been to the city and I didn’t know my way around. I was sure I would get lost without an escort. Maybe I could hire someone. Surely they had tour guides around here somewhere. 

The tour guide idea was working out about as well as heading out into the city on my own. I couldn’t find an office anywhere, so I gave up. I stood in the middle of the street taking in all the options of shops around me. Victoria’s secret, I definitely could use that. Gucci,  I wasn’t so sure about that one. Those expensive brands have never really been my style. Prada, Louis Vuitton, Channel. Was there a normal store anywhere? I wondered walking towards Victoria’s secret. 

Walking in I was blinded by all the pink. Pink was never a favorite color of mine. It was too bright for my taste. I was more of a black person. Emerald green, scarlet red, dark blues. Let’s just say I liked dark colors. So that’s exactly what I went for. Piling at least ten matching sets of bras and panties in my bag, I grabbed sweatpants, tank tops and shorts. 

Happy with my purchase I continued my trek down the street. I found a*****e that sold the Miss Me jeans I loved so much so I bought several pairs of those along with more shorts and shirts. I remembered the hotel held dances once a week and one was coming up tomorrow, so I bought an emerald green ball gown. It was backless, and the front dipped down low exposing my cleavage. Diamond like gems sparkled along the seam of the plunging neckline, and it clung to every curve like a second skin. 

I was actually smiling as I continued about my day. Shoes, clothes, a little bit of jewelry and makeup, hygiene products. I was swamped with shopping bags as I hobbled my way back to the hotel. Once I dropped them off I’d have to go right back out for enough groceries to last the week, but I was fine with that. Being up and out of the room, being out and not having to worry about anything was bringing my mood up more than it had been in days. After everything that happened at my high school I was scared to smile, scared to feel even the slightest bit of happiness. But right now, I could feel a spark returning. However small that spark may be. 

As soon as I approached the hotel the bell boys rushed out grabbing bags out of my hands with smiles offering to help enthusiastically. I let them, relief filling me as the weight from the bags left me. I knew they were doing their job and they wanted a tip so I didn’t mind smiling and thanking them as they followed me to the penthouse elevators. 

Once they saw where we were heading their eyes lit up and their excitement reached a whole new level. I chuckled at their behavior. But I also wondered how little they got paid to be so enthusiastic about a tip from a customer. 

“Looks like you managed.” Elias’s voice mused. 

I sighed. “What do you want Elias?” I asked. “Why are you following me?” 

The corner of Elias’s lips quirked at my attitude. “What makes you think I’m following you?” 

“Uh, because you live inWolfsburg, and followed me into the city. Don’t think I didn't see the car behind me.” 

“Ah, you do know how to drive, I’ll give you that.” He chuckled darkly. 

“Again. What do you want, Elias?” I demanded. 

He leaned in as if he wanted to whisper in my ear, but I backed away from him hitting the wall behind me. He boxed me in by placing a hand on either side of my head. An odd kind of smile crossed his face as he leaned into my neck and inhaled deeply. Did he just sniff me? I squirmed, trying to get away from him, but it was no use. Putting my hands on his chest I shoved, but he didn’t budge. “Eli, get off me.” I yelled. 

A growl sounded behind us and Elias was ripped off me. He basically flew away from me. Mathias stood before me, blocking Elias from seeing or getting to me. His posture was rigid,  I could feel the anger coming off him in waves. His shoulders heaved, his breathing was loud and came in rapid succession. I didn’t know what to think as I stared wide eyed at Mathis’s back. 

“Mathias, so great of you to return.” Eli sneered. 

“Stay away from her Elias.” The warning was clear in Mathia’s strained voice. 

“So you’re the friend she has been waiting on.” Elias hissed, his brown eyes growing impossibly dark. 

“Nicole go to the room.” Mathias said, never turning to face me. 

I shook my head. “Mathias no. Come with me, please. He’s not worth it.” I said placing my hand on his bicep. 

Oddly enough his posture slackened a bit at my touch and his breathing evened out. Realizing I was helping him I wrapped both hands around his arm and pulled him to me. “Mathias, please. Come on.” I pleaded. 

“Yes Mathias. Go. We’ll be seeing each other very soon.” Elias warned. 

Then he turned and walked away, not looking back. I shook my head and sighed as I pulled Mathias into the elevator. He didn’t say anything on the way up to the room, he just had his eyes closed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. It was clear he was stressed and maybe even feeling a bit of regret. 

“Mathias, are you alright?” I asked softly. 

His green eyes pierced into me, so many emotions swirled in them I couldn’t hold the gasp that slipped past my lips. He was in pain, whatever was happening here, whatever he knew was causing him pain. And it was my fault, he came here because of me. 

“Let’s get to the room.” He finally said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “After we’ve had something to eat I will try and explain what I can.” 

I nodded, leaning my head against his chest. Ever since I met Mathias I was not only attracted to him, but felt drawn to him. His presence calmed my nerves, his eyes drew me in like a honey trap. And the arm around my shoulder, the way he held me tightly to him made me feel safe, protected. Something I haven’t felt since my parents died. I don’t know what it was about him, but I was so glad that I met him. 

When the elevator dinged and opened on our floor I led him to my room. I opened the door and thanked the bell boys as they dropped the bags inside the door. I tipped each of them heavily for having to deal with Elias and his antics.There was no reason they should have had to deal with that. 

“It looks like you had fun today.” Mathias mused as he looked at all the bags on the floor. 

I smiled. “Well, I had no clothes. I had to go and get enough to last however long I was going to be here. I still have to go get groceries. Is there anything you’ll need? I’d be happy to get you whatever it is.” I offered. 

“No, thank you though Nicole. I think I brought enough with me to last a little while.” He told me planting a light kiss on my temple. I froze, stunned at the intimate gesture. A small smile formed on my lips as I looked over to him. He had moved over to sit on the couch.

I studied him as he stared blankly at the far wall. It was almost like he had all of a sudden forgotten I was there. He showed no emotion, no signs of life as his eyes dulled and his face blanked. I was honestly worried about him. What has caused such a change in him? Why was this affecting him so badly?I wanted to help him but I didn’t know how. I decided to get some champagne for myself and I poured him a glass in the process.  

“Here.” I said sitting beside him. “It’s not much but it’ll take the edge off.” I said with a shrug.

He took the glass with a smile. “Thank you Nicole.” He said. “I’m sorry for how things went down, down stairs. But when I saw him cornering you like that I lost it.” He said shaking his head. 

I laced my fingers through his free hand and squeezed. “Thank you.” I whispered. 

He looked down at our intertwined hands and smiled, making no move to remove his hand from mine. If anything he tightened his grip, holding my hand firmly to his. Maybe I didn’t know Mathias very well, but I wanted to. I wanted to know everything about him. Know his likes and dislikes. Know what motivates him, what drives him. I want to know what makes him happy and what scares him. And as insane as it sounds, I wanted him. I’ve never wanted a man before him. 

“Should I go back to school?” I finally asked after a long silence. Mathias tensed, his hand growing impossibly more tight around mine. I could feel my bones grinding together as he squeezed my hand. 

“Honestly, I don’t think you should. If Elias has his eyes on you it can’t be good. The whole town follows him, he leads them. They have no choice but to listen to him. They are compelled to, it’s how things work in their world.” 

I gaped at him. Has Mathias lost his mind? They have to listen? Their world? It’s as if he was talking about another dimension or another planet. Everyone has the option to make their own decisions. No one can make someone do something. And what did he mean by they were compelled to listen? Did they have to just listen or obey? Listening and obeying are different. I can listen to someone all day and not obey a single demand they made. 

“Mathias. I’m not sure I understand.” I said furrowing my brow. 

He sighed heavily pulling his hand from mine as he stood and began pacing the room. I just watched him as he paced, running a hand through his hair, a pained look on his face. Whatever he wanted to talk to me about was bothering him. It was starting to make me nervous. His pacing grew almost frantic, his eyes darting anywhere but at me. 

“Mathias.” I shouted, shooting to my feet. He stopped in his tracks and finally looked over to me. 

“I’m sorry Nicole. This is hard. I’ve never had to explain this to anyone before. No one has ever stumbled into this, much less been knowingly dragged in by someone in a leadership position. You never should have been brought into this and I don’t know why you were.” 

He covered this distance between us in a few short steps and grasped my hands in between his large ones. “But don’t worry Nicole. I’ll stay here, I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” He swore. 

“Mathias, you’re scaring me.” I told him. “What do I need protection from? Why can’t I just leave?” I asked, my voice breaking. 

“Elias has his sights set on you now Nicole. He won’t let you leave.” 

“Won’t let me?” I hissed. “He has no choice in what I do.”

“Elias is powerful Nicole. Now that he has his eyes on you he won’t let up until you are his.” Mathias said sadly. 

“Until I’m his?” I asked stunned. “I want nothing to do with that psychopath. I will be with whomever I chose, not someone who thinks they have some kind of weird claim on me.” I said in disbelief. 

“He won’t touch you.” Mathias growled possessively. I don’t know why but the sound sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. Damn this man is hot I thought. 

I closed the last few inches of distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Thank you Mathias.” I whispered into his chest. “For everything. For being there for me after the shooting, for coming here when I needed you. You didn’t have to do any of it but you did, even if I don’t know why.” 

He wrapped his arms around me and rested his cheek on top of my head. “I will always be here for you Nicole. You are special, and the draw I feel towards you is undeniable.” His words made my heart swell and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I chuckled into his chest. 

“What’s so funny?” He asked, pulling away and looking down at me. 

“It’s funny because I feel drawn towards you too. I don’t know why but I do. I’ve never even considered any kind of relationship, never wanted to be with anyone. But something about you makes me want to. And it scares me a little.” I admitted. 

Mathias pushed some stray hair behind my ear and smiled softly down at me. “If you give me some time. Give me a few hours to figure out how to explain this to you, explain Elias and you’ll understand.” He assured me. He kissed my forehead before pulling away. “Why don’t we order something to eat.” He suggested leading me back to the couch to sit down. 

We ordered pizza and ate in comfortable silence. I had a lot to think about anyway. Like what he needed to explain to me. How he felt the same draw to me I felt to him. And not to mention the fear that Elias somehow felt like he had some kind of weird claim over me. There was no way I was going to let some psychopath lay claim to me without my consent. I wanted nothing to do with Elias and his demented games. 

After we ate we both retired to our room. I was both grateful and disappointed the penthouse had two bedrooms. I may not have wanted to sleep with Mathias in any s****l kind of way, but having his presence in the room with me would have been amazing. 

I tossed and turned for hours unable to fall asleep thanks to the things that ran through my head. A million things, a million possibilities, a million scenarios made themselves known in my mind. It was well after three in the morning before I fell into a restless nightmare filled sleep.