Chapter 4 MY MONSTER

Ethan stood there, and Leah gazed up at him, dazed.

"Sir you are back," Leah said

Leah's eyes closed gently as her eyelashes became heavier till everywhere went blank.

The next morning Leah woke up and found herself in her bed. Her head hurt badly, it was almost as if she was brainwashed. She yawns, recollecting the memories of yesterday's event.

She remembered reading a book in the library and fell asleep while reading it. Even though she remembered vividly being in the library she couldn't recall how she got to her room. Her mind suddenly flashed back to Ethan. She could swear she saw him yesterday.

"Did he return home yesterday?" I must be hallucinating.

Should I go and check his room? No, he warned me never to go near his room, so that would be a terrible idea.

Leah went to the bathroom to wash up. While she was brushing her teeth, her eyes fell on a red mark on her neck. It wasn't there before. It looked like someone had pinched her recently. The mark was so thick that the only thing you could come up with was Leah being scratched by an eagle's claw.

When Leah remembered the whip from her previous master, she reasoned that the red mark was his doing.

Anger surges inside her at the thought of his cruelty.

Leah set down the brush and went back to the bedroom. After dressing up, she went downstairs. She had just gotten to the bottom stairs when she saw Ethan sitting at the dining table.

Leah's face beamed with a smile. She couldn't imagine a beautiful morning without seeing Ethan's face.

Ethan was sitting in the dining room drinking coffee while he was focused on the newspaper he was holding. Leah walked into the dining room wearing a sundress with an apron tied around her. She was carrying a tray of brewed coffee.

"Good morning sir" Leah greeted

Ethan didn't respond to her. He was engrossed in the newspaper and didn't hear her.

"Sir!" Leah half yelled

" You sure do have a bad temper young lady," Ethan said still engrossed in the newspaper.

" I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again " Leah apologized genuinely

" Very well then, return this book to the library," Ethan says

Leah nodded and dropped the tray on the dining table. She walked slowly towards Ethan and picked up the book. The book looked familiar-. No wait! This was the exact same book she was reading yesterday.

How did he? Was Ethan really at the library or it's just a coincidence. Why is the book suddenly here?

He stood up, dropped the newspaper, his hands in his pocket, and walked away.

Leah returned the book to the library and then went back to the kitchen. She was preparing a nice meal to thank Ethan for saving her.

______

A few minutes later Ethan returned to the dining room, Leah was standing next to the dining table. She looked at the tray she brought earlier and the mug seemed to be empty. Ethan drank her coffee for the first time.

He paused, and and tilted his head to observe the table. He looked at the food Leah had prepared and looked at Leah.

Her lips curved into a smile. Her cheek burned bright red like a cherry fruit.

"What are all these?" Ethan questioned

"I wanted to thank you for" Ethan cuts her off

" Didn't I warn you not to prepare anything? Why are you being so persistent? You seem to be forgetting that you are my servant and you must follow my orders " He growled

He moved closer to her, and and pinned her against the wall. He brought his face next to Leah's ear letting his hot breath collide against her neck, she experienced a sudden shiver when his breath consistently landed on her neck.

He stared at her with a tilted head and vanquishing look then whispered in her ears.

" I'm not who you think I am,"

" I'm far worse than what you could ever imagine. The next time you would go against my rules you won't like yourself"

He pushed her away from himself, adjusted his tie, and walked.

LLeah'sheart sank. The reality of the situation hit her, and she was left reeling, struggling to maintain her balance as she stumbled backward. Although she was used to being maltreated, she couldn't bear this.

Fear surged through her veins, and she balled her fist tightly so that her nails dug into her palm. Her eyes searched the whole place until she was sure Ethan was gone.

This was too much for Leah to bear. Her heart shattered into a million pieces as tears trickled down her cheeks. Her once happy moments were now a nightmare to always remember.

But Leah was not defeated. she has to keep trying. He might seem to be a difficult person on the outside but deep inside he is a whole different person. She refused to see the aggressiveness in him. Nothing would make her happier than having Ethan by her side.

With newfound determination, she wiped her tears away, carried the tray,, and strode back to the kitchen.

______

(outside Ethan's estate)

A luxurious car stopped in front of Ethan's estate. A man stepped out of the car, opened the door and a beautiful-looking woman stepped out of the car. She wore a black body-fitted velvet gown which was above knee length.

She had a sculpted figure which was twine-thin. Her waist was tapered and she had a burnished complexion. A pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes.

The sound of her heels echoed as she walked through the hallways. Ethan's estate was a warren of hallways and rooms, adorned with flourishing flowers and shrubs in every shade.

She made her way into the endless hallways until she reached the villa where Ethan was residing.

Leah watched the alluring woman as she walked through the door. Her beauty was hard to ignore.