Chapter 10 Web of Deceit

Three weeks After.

"You're mine... There's no escaping from that," he uttered, tightening his grip on me.

His scent reeked of alcohol; precisely, he was drunk.

His eyes darkened with desire as he shoved me onto the bed, pinning me down.

I tried resisting, but it was of no use; his brute strength was too much for me to resist.

He callously took what he wanted, leaving my body aching as he fell to the other side of the bed, asleep.

It had only been three weeks since we had traveled, following his plan not to draw too much attention.

But these three weeks had been a hard time for me; I was just his tool, a tool of desire meant to entice him, nothing else.

Still, the truth lies; I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed the contract.

I had it all, so why? Why do I feel like I've just been used? I mean, this was a gain-gain for both of us.

He had managed to secure a job for me at Kensington Global Innovation within a blink during the weeks-a job I had been pushing through for many years, and he made it happen without a single stress.

I had the power, the money, so why?

His hands landed on me in a cradle as my body quivered a bit.

He was asleep; he came back drunk tonight. Even with this week's attempts to study him, it just seems impossible.

Since he booked this hotel and suggested we move to a city for some weeks, he hardly stays.

He comes back in the night, drunk, grabs me, uses me as his pleasure tool, then falls asleep.

I saw myself as nothing more useful than sex in his eyes.

With my thoughts absorbing me, I found myself falling asleep.

The next morning came, and my eyes caught him dressing, wearing his clothes and suit.

His eyes focused on mine. "Get dressed; we're returning to the city..." he uttered.

What brought about this sudden change of mind? He suggested we stay for a month, but now he suddenly had a change of heart.

"Come on." He uttered, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He was quite in a hurry to get back; surely something must have come up.

I slowly stood up with slow, gentle steps, making my way to the bathtub.

While washing myself, I could hear his voice; it seemed he was on a call.

"Secure the package; I'm on my way to fix the deal..." he uttered.

"What package and deal? Maybe it was about his company."

I cradled my body with soap, washing every inch. As I finished bathing, I came out, drying my brown curly hair. I could feel his unflinching gaze on me as he sat on the couch.

Done drying my hair, I reached for my cupboard, grabbing some clothes as I released my towels. His gaze remained unyielding as it fixed on my body with enticement, which only made me uneasy.

"What brought about this change of mind?" I asked, trying to shift the focus.

"Let's just say some things came up..." he uttered briefly.

He hardly revealed much; whenever I brought up questions, he would always cut me off with a few words.

But I wanted more; I wanted to know more than I did, but he was secretive.

As I finished dressing, I packed a few of my clothes into my luggage as he stood up.

"Let's go," he uttered, spinning his car keys on his fingertips before pocketing them in his trousers.

We exited the hotel, the Golden Fountain Hotel-one of the top 5-star hotels and most expensive.

I would never have guessed I'd be here, renting a high-end room.

His car was parked in the hotel's parking lot as we walked towards it, and he entered with me following.

He drove off, leaving the hotel and driving back to the city. He uttered no words throughout the drive, his eyes fixed on the road while I went through my phone, browsing through some content.

"You shall resume your role at Kensington Global Innovation tomorrow..." he said, breaking the silence.

I couldn't wait; my dream job awaited me tomorrow. I calmly nodded, "Alright...", precisely hiding how happy I was. This was a first step.

I aimed for greater heights. When I would become the next great success story, maybe then my parents would see their mistake in denying me their attention, giving it all to Evelyn.

With the evening setting in, we finally arrived back in the city, taking in the air after weeks of being away.

He parked the car beside a restaurant, leaving me curious.

"Aren't we going to your mansion?" I asked.

"I am here to meet a friend... Alexander Knightbridge, and he will also be your boss tomorrow at Kensington Global Innovation...."

His words shook me. I was meeting the current CEO of Kensington Global Innovation. How surprising could this get?

But damn, how could he not inform me?

I straightened my clothes properly, checking my face.

It seemed I understood why it was so easy for him to secure a job for me at Kensington Global Innovation, given his friendship with their boss.

"Go on in..." he said.

"Aren't you coming in along?"

"I will park the car first, then come in...." he uttered.

I sighed wordlessly as I stepped out of the car. Without hesitation, he drove off as I gently walked into the restaurant.

My eyes flickered around the area searching for Alexander Knightbridge, finally catching sight of him seated, wearing a blue coat with a lady seated beside him. I guessed that must be his girlfriend or fiancée, but yeah, I bothered less. He was quite handsome, just as seen in the newspapers.

Lost in awe of my thoughts, I was snapped by Sebastian's tap. "Let's go..." he said with a soft grip on my wrist. "And remember, we are a couple, so..."

He held my hand as we walked toward the table where Alexander Knightbridge was seated.

As we arrived, Sebastian gently pulled a seat for me, offering it romantically, making me feel uneasy as I wasn't used to his fake act.

I sat as he sat beside me with a smile.

"Waiter...." he called out, ordering some food.

His eyes caught mine politely, asking me what I wanted, leaving my response empty.

Mr. Knightbridge's presumed girlfriend requested water. Well, I guess it was expected; she seemed classy, her clothes of high design with heavy makeup.

As the air was consumed by Sebastian and Mr. Knightbridge's conversation, mostly focused on business and shareholders in the company, they discussed some deals, and my eyes slowly drifted to my phone screen settings, bored from it all.

I decided to take a break for some air, leaving the table and going into the restaurant's restroom.

My eyes fixed on my reflection as my hands adjusted my hair with a soft touch. I checked my lipstick.

I decided to stay for some minutes before returning to the table, but as I turned to open the door, I was stunned by Alexander Knightbridge walking in.

I released my grip on the door, stepping back as he entered.

He turned on the sink pipe, washing his hands and wiping them with his handkerchief.

I just stood there and watched, my body anxiously up...

His gaze turned towards me, "So, how long have you and Sebastian been together?" he questioned.

His question shook me, causing me to stammer, "Hmmm," I uttered, recollecting my thoughts.

"Oh, was it love at first sight?" he cut in, as I nodded yes, unsure of what to say.

He let out a slight chuckle, "It was business that brought Sebastian Hawthorne and me together. But, since I've known him, he didn't seem like someone who would fall in love. So, it was quite shocking to find out he had someone and was even married. I must say, wow."

It appeared the truth was indeed just between Sebastian and me. It seemed he also didn't inform Alexander Knightbridge. I was quite sure Mr. Knightbridge was his only friend, and Sebastian had trust issues.

Lost in my thoughts, I noticed Alexander Knightbridge getting closer, his steps moving slowly as he approached me.

"So, do you also love him? Do you love Sebastian Hawthorne, or are you just here for the money?" he whispered, his breath nearly mingling with mine as he cradled my cheek.

"I mean, if it's the money... I am here, though," he whispered, his eyes leaving an enticing gaze.

I was his friend's wife; well, it was just a contract, but to him, it was real. And he had a fiancée, or so I supposed.

His steps grew closer, his gaze fixed, his lips getting nearer.

"I am sorry, I have to go..." I said, pushing him away slightly as I left, craving fresh air.

What was that?

I let out a sigh, my mind set on leaving.

I walked toward the table, but I found no one seated there. Sebastian wasn't there, nor was Alexander's girlfriend.

I walked around the area, searching for Sebastian. Then, I caught sight of him on the side of the restaurant, his phone on his ear.

I sensed he was on a call as I walked towards him, hoping to convince him that I wanted to leave.

I needed some space, especially after what had just transpired at the restroom with Alexander Knightbridge.

As I approached Sebastian, his words caught my attention.

My ears could hear what he was saying, "Take care of everything, Darius. The word mustn't get out, and if things get out of hand, inform Nikolai. I want them dead..."

His words shocked me.

"Dead..." I whispered.

I could sense the pause in his conversation as he slowly turned his gaze. I hid myself beside the wall, away from his sight.

After a few seconds of silence, his words continued on the phone as he walked further away from my direction.

My mind ached with curiosity about who Sebastian truly was and who he wanted dead...