Chapter 5 5

Tiana's lips trembled, but no words came out. She stared at the old woman for a moment.

- I... I just took my bath.

She explained, pursing her lips.

- I'm sure you don't want me to repeat myself.

Ma Lee replied, raising her eyebrows. Tiana immediately lowered her head and headed towards the bathroom. The maids looked at her with pity, as if she were a lamb being led to the slaughter; they dared not imagine what crime she had committed to attract their boss's anger.

After washing, the old woman pointed to specific products on the dressing table, and she applied them. A maid then dried her hair, then, after pouring perfumed oil into it, let it fall down her back. Light makeup was applied to her face, enhancing her beauty-although that was the last thing she wanted that night.

When her makeup was finished, she was handed a basket.

- Put this on and follow me.

Ma Lee ordered. Tiana stared at the basket for a few seconds. Her lips pursed, she took a deep breath, and then pulled out a long purple dress. She was already wearing light underwear, so by tying the dress, her body was completely covered.

A maid helped her pull her hair out of the dress.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest as she was led upstairs. When she reached the second floor, the three maids stopped and turned back; though they offered no real comfort, she felt even more frightened being alone with Ma Lee. Ma Lee led her to the third floor, and Tiana's jaw dropped open. It was as if this floor belonged to a different house. Unlike the light, warm colors of the first two floors, the third was entirely monochrome-black and white; dark paintings adorned the walls, and their mere presence sent shivers down her spine.

Everything was so quiet that she could hear the echo of their footsteps echoing on the floor. Ma Lee stopped abruptly in front of a large door at the end of the long corridor and knocked softly. There was no answer. She waited, then knocked again.

- Come in.

She remembered that voice. It was impossible to erase that timbre from her memory. Ma Lee pushed open the door and entered with her.

As she expected, the room was also black and white, and vast. There were several distinct spaces within the room; Tiana quickly scanned the area.

A large black curtain obscured the bay window facing east. There was a small sitting room in one corner of the room, dark paintings on the walls, and right in the center, a huge king-size bed.

Tiana's eyes fell on Nicklaus, who was sitting on a couch right next to the window. He was staring at her intently, puffing on his cigar. She noticed five cigarette butts in a glass ashtray on a table next to him.

- I brought her.

Ma Lee said solemnly. She no longer had the same stern expression she had before. Although her face remained impassive, her attitude was radically different from the one she adopted with the maids. In front of him, she appeared docile.

Nicklaus didn't answer. He gently tapped the end of his cigar to let the ash fall into the ashtray. He remained silent, and Ma Lee bowed slightly before leaving. An even greater fear gripped Tiana as Ma Lee closed the door behind her.

She could feel beads of sweat running down her forehead. Her hands, hidden behind her back, were tightly clenched. She tried to appear calm. He was a good distance away from her, but his aura filled the entire room. Since they had entered, he still hadn't said a word. Even now that they were alone, he remained silent, chain-smoking cigars. The smell made her nauseous, but that was the least of her worries.

Nicklaus finally looked away from the lighter he was twirling in his hand and down at her. She was standing straight by the door, her arms behind her back. Even from there, he could tell how terrified she was. Who wouldn't be in front of him?

The room was becoming increasingly stifling. He said nothing. His dark eyes remained fixed on her, like a predator ready to strike its prey.

The bright light of the room clearly revealed his facial features: he seemed furious, as if he urgently needed to vent, on something... or someone.

- Approach...

His voice was cold, sharp. He continued smoking as if he hadn't said anything.

Tiana stood still for a second before she managed to move. She took small steps forward, the hard tile beneath her feet, until she stopped about two meters away from him, unable to go any further. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear its thumping in her ears.

His hands fell to his sides, still clenched into fists.

Nicklaus looked up at her. She was still too far away, but he didn't ask her to come any further.

- Take off your clothes...

He said, grabbing a new cigar and lighting it immediately. Tiana's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't been dreaming. He had indeed ordered her to undress.

He was definitely going to sleep with her! The thought alone made her want to vomit. She forced herself to swallow her nausea.

Her arms remained frozen, her throat tight. Even though she didn't want to, she knew she had no choice. It was the pact she'd made. Nicklaus was still smoking, as if he hadn't said anything. And she was still staring at him, hesitant to obey.

His right eyebrow raised, and his eyes flashed.

Tiana took two steps back, her head bowed.

-I'm sorry... I'm not ready. Could we... another day?

She had thought she was strong. She thought she could endure anything, give of herself, but she had been wrong. In that precise moment, she understood how difficult it was to offer her body to someone you hated with all your might.

Nicklaus's features relaxed slightly. He crushed out the cigar in the ashtray and sank back onto the sofa.

- I didn't ask your opinion. I just told you to take off your clothes.

He said in a calm and collected tone. Tiana looked up at him. If he was planning to rape her, he could at least give her time to prepare psychologically!

He still stared at her with that cruel glint in his eyes, as if he were amused by her suffering, as if he derived some sick pleasure from seeing her broken.

- Please... I'm not ready.