Chapter 4 Sweet Payback

Charles's POV

I came to a halt in front of the police station and stepped out of the car.

"Hey, get out," I said, and she stared at me as I opened the door.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked, getting out of the car.

"You're asking me that?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, I'm here to file a report against you for assault and trickery."

"Assault you?" She said and chuckled. "When did I?"

"Oh! It seems you've forgotten. What happened when you met me at the mall? You slapped me, and that's assault."

"Hey, that's defense, okay. So when did I trick you?"

"A moment ago. You tried to trick me into freeing you from the debts you claimed from that old man, and that too, using God."

"Hey, I didn't do that, okay!"

"Whatever, follow me!" I said, grabbed her wrist, and turned around, only to see a policeman standing in front of us.

The police said, "What are you guys doing? This is a police station, not a place for quarreling."

"Actually, I'm here to file a report against her for assault and trickery," I said.

"Don't mind him, sir. It's nothing much," she snapped in quickly.

"Oh! She said it's nothing much, so I think we can settle this dispute right here," the police officer said. "What happened, man?" He asked me.

"Well, it's way much more than she meant," I said and I narrated all that happened to him.

"Sir, I really don't have money with me, but I can pay with another way."

"Really?" The police officer asked, staring at her from head to toe.

"Oh! I don't mean that," she cut in, understanding what his stare meant.

"I got a way," I interrupted.

"It's fine by me, then. The police don't need to be involved."

The policeman asked us to settle things amicably and stop fussing like teenage lovers, probably believing we were putting on a show.

"So what is it?" She asked bluntly after the policeman left.

"The only way you can clear your debts is..." I paused and glanced at her. "If she can be my cook for a month. I'll take her service for my payment."

"What!" She exclaimed.

"The only way you can clear your debts is..." I paused and glanced at her. "If she can be my cook for a month. I'll take her service for my payment."

"What!" She exclaimed.

"Oh, come on. It's not that big of a deal," I retorted.

"Absolutely not! I won't be your cook," she protested.

"Fine then, we can let the police handle this matter," I said with a sly grin.

She hesitated for a moment, clearly contemplating her options. "Okay, okay, I'll do it. But only for a month!"

"Great! You've made a wise choice," I said, smirking. "Starting tomorrow, you report to my house. Don't be late, or the police will be more than happy to hear the full story."

She glared at me, realizing the predicament she had just agreed to. "This is outrageous!"

"Consider it a lesson, my dear. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a hidden talent as a cook," I said mockingly, enjoying the upper hand.

She sighed in frustration, "This is blackmail, you know?"

"Well, you did say you could pay in another way," I teased, relishing the triumph.

"The one-month cook deal is settled, but remember, you better not try to track down that old man and trash him," she warned sternly.

"I have no interest in your old man. After the month, you can forget about the debt," I agreed.

She attempted to leave, but I stopped her. "Do you know where my house is?" I asked.

"I just want to talk," she began, but I cut her off.

"I know what you want. You want to disappear," I said with a smirk.

Changing my mind, I added, "I have one last condition. You're going to live in my house for the month."

She reluctantly agreed. "Fine, but that's it."

"Good. You're coming with me now," I said, attempting to grab her arm, but she flinched.

"Touch me, and I'll file a case against you for abuse," she warned sharply before entering the car.

"As you wish," I yelled back, smirking. Muttering to myself, I vowed to make her life hell as payback for the huge insult she gave me at the mall. Pinching my nose, I entered the car, relishing the prospect of seeking revenge on her in the upcoming month.

She kept babbling threats at him, "If you cross the line with me, I'll make you regret it. I'm no weakling, you know!"

I rashly pulled off, reminding her, "You're like a worker to me now. For the next month, keep your prowess away."

She attempted to talk, but I silenced her with my attitude, keeping on driving. Inwardly, I was happy to see her succumbing to my terms, ready to assert my control over the situation.

As we continued driving, she couldn't resist breaking the silence. "You can't treat me like this. I have my rights."

I chuckled, "Rights? For the next month, you're under my roof, and you'll play by my rules."

She scoffed, "This is ridiculous. I'm not some servant."

"You're not just some servant; you're the one who owes me a debt," I retorted.

She tried to argue, but I cut her off, "Save your energy. Talking won't change anything."

Her frustration was evident as she crossed her arms, shooting me glares. Unfazed, I focused on the road, inwardly savoring the satisfaction of having the upper hand.

As we neared my house, she muttered under her breath, "This is temporary. Don't think you've won."

I smirked, "We'll see about that."

Little did she know the challenges that awaited her in the next month, living under my roof, subject to my conditions. The game had just begun, and I was determined to make her regret crossing paths with me.