Chapter 4 Strings Attached

She was still thinking about her encounter with the stranger when her phone rang in the dead of night, it's sharp tone slicing through the quiet jolting her from a restless sleep.

Her heart pounded before she even answered the sense was no longer with her.

When she heard the words, they landed like a bomb in her chest;

YOUR MOTHER'S CONDITION HAS WORSENED AND WE NEED YOUR PRESENCE IMMEDIATELY'

Her hands trembled as she hung up, fighting to keep the tears at bay. There was no time for denial or hesitation, she rushed to gather her things but as the clock ticked on , a suffocating sense of helplessness washed over her as she remembered that how could she afford the hospital bills and she can't also afford to lose the only person in her life and for the first time she felt the weight of the impossible decision pressing on her shoulders.

On her way to the hospital enters she remembered that he had offered her a way out of this misery a deal she once rejected. Now the desperation made her rethink "I can't allow my mother to dead because my pride I have to save her" she hated herself for even considering it but that's the only alternative she as.

Her hands shook as she dialed the number.

He answered on the second it rung like if he was waiting for her call, his voice smooth and rich with the kind of power that made her heart race. " I was wondering when you would call", he said.

' I need your help" she said as her voice barely above a whisper. " My mother...she's getting worse and the bills.....I can't .....I can't do this alone",

There was a long pause on the other end, the silence thick and suffocating. "and you have come to me," he finally said, as if he expected this moment all along. " I will help, but the price is still the same. You will work for me on my terms"

Her breath caught in the throat, she was about to refuse but she can't " am doing this for my mother I need her alive"

"okay" lets do it " she whispered with a cracking voice.

The deal was struck

But I have to make sure she is alright before I start working"

Alright by me see you tomorrow and the payment are settled"

Within hours her mother operation took place , she is not regretting her decision"

Early the next day her phone woke her up from a deep sleep lying beside her mother, she picked up and a calm and stronger voice told her

" get ready the car we be there in few minutes" and hung up

"seriously, this guy is cold hearted"

Within hours, she found herself standing before his private villa the weight of the decision pressing down on her. The doors opened and he greeted her with that signature smirk, the one that always send shivers down her spine.

She hadn't realized yet how much power he truly held, how influence, he wasn't just some powerful businessman; he is an empire unto himself, until she stepped into his world.

The villa was a like a fortress, luxurious, pristine and yet strangely cold like the owner,

"get changed, you start immediately"

"alright sir"

She began working privately within his walls, preparing meals, running errands, doing anything he asked with a precision and obedience that was becoming second nature.

She told herself it was temporary, that this was just a means to survive till the end.

But with every passing day, she felt the pull of his influence tighten around her.

And he knew it.

" Remember, little one," he said evening as they shared a quiet dinner, his voice low and commanding, "you belong to me now" not just in the body but in every way, your breath, and every move it's all mine"

She looked at him and didn't reply. She thought within herself " what's his problem, am his how?, moreover I hate this name he calls me!!"

His words lingered in the air like smoke, and for a moment her pulse raced as she had more thoughts but not from fear, she is confused didn't quite understand anything yet.

She didn't know the full extent of his power, not yet. But she was about to find out.