Chapter 6 First Punishment

The door creaked open again, and three young maids stepped in, their movements synchronized, their faces carefully blank. Each carried something in their hands-a dress, a jewelry set, and a pair of sleek black heels.

The first maid, a woman with sharp eyes and a pinched mouth, stepped forward. Her tone was polite, but it was clear she forced it. "We're here to prepare you for the evening, Miss."

Amelia crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at the trio. "And if I refuse?"

The maid's lips twitched. "Master Gabriel insists," she said coldly. "We've been authorized to use... persuasion, if necessary."

"Persuasion?" Amelia scoffed. "You're telling me you'll force me to get dressed? What are you going to do, tie me up and make me look pretty?"

"We're hoping it doesn't come to that," the second maid interjected softly, her gaze darting nervously to the first.

Amelia's jaw tightened. She wanted to tell them exactly where they could shove their dress and heels, but the memory of Gabriel's threats held her tongue. Losing her temper wouldn't help her here.

The first maid tilted her head, her cold gaze running over Amelia's body. "The bath is ready. It would be easier for all of us if you just cooperated."

Amelia glared at her but reluctantly allowed herself to be ushered into the adjoining bathroom. The water in the tub was filled with oils and bubbles, but the luxury didn't faze her. She was still a prisoner.

The maids worked silently, scrubbing her skin and washing her hair, there movements were a little rough. When Amelia tried to protest, the first maid only tightened her grip, her nails digging into Amelia's scalp with just enough force to make her wince.

Finally, they led her back into the bedroom. The first maid held up the dress-a black, backless floor length gown that revealed way too much.

Amelia frowned.

"You expect me to wear that?" she asked angrily.

"Yes," the maid replied bluntly. "It was chosen by Master Gabriel himself. And you cannot disobey him."

Amelia snatched the dress from her hands, holding it up to inspect it. "This is barely a dress. It would barely fit me! And it reveals way too much and-"

"But It's perfect. For someone like you." The maid cut her off with a sneer.

Amelia froze, her grip on the fabric tightening. "Someone like me?"

The maid's smirk widened. "Yes. For a dirty slut playing dress-up. This suits you perfectly."

The room went silent.

Amelia's anger boiled and at this point all she saw was red. Before she could stop herself, her hand lashed out and she slapped the first maid as hard as she could.

The sound of the slap echoed through the room. The maid staggered back, her hand flying to her reddening cheek.

"Watch your dirty mouth," Amelia hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "I don't care who your master is. Say something like that again, and you'll regret it."

The other two maids stared, wide-eyed and frozen.

The first maid recovered quickly, her lips curling into a snarl. But before she could speak, the door swung open.

Gabriel walked in, the air in the room seeming to tighten with his presence. His dark blue suit clung to his tall frame, every stitch perfectly tailored. His hair was neatly styled, and his jaw was set. He moved with an effortless grace, his incredible aura evident.

Amelia's frown deepened.

"What the hell is going on here?" Gabriel's voice was low but sharp. His dark eyes scanned the scene, landing first on Amelia, still in a bathrobe, then on the three maids huddled near the doorway. His gaze finally settled on the first maid, whose cheek was still marked red. "Why isn't she dressed yet?"

The first maid stepped forward, her posture wilting just enough to appear submissive. Her sharp eyes softened, and her voice took on a trembling edge. "Master Gabriel, we tried to reason with her," she began, her words dripping with false sincerity. "But she's been nothing but cruel to us. She called us terrible names and-" she sniffled, a tear sliding down her cheek-"she even insulted you. I couldn't bear it, so I asked her to stop, and that's when she... she hit me."

Amelia's jaw dropped. She stared at the maid in disbelief, the sheer audacity of her lies leaving her momentarily speechless. The woman's performance was so good it could earn her a standing ovation.

Gabriel's expression darkened, his brows knitting together as his gaze flicked between Amelia and the red mark on the first maid's cheek, his jaw tightening further.

"How dare you?" he said finally, his tone icy.

Amelia lifted her chin, meeting his cold gaze. Her heart pounded against her ribs, but she refused to let it show. "She's lying through her teeth," Amelia said coldly, her voice steady despite the storm building in the room. She gestured toward the first maid. "I never said anything insultive about you. And as for the slap? She earned it."

Gabriel's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the room felt too small for his anger. "Lying through her teeth, is she?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm. His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Funny. Your brother said the same thing about my dear cousin. You Vasquezes really are terrible human beings."

Amelia's breath caught, but she refused to back down. "I'm telling you the truth."

Gabriel took a slow step forward, his towering presence making the air around them feel suffocating. "I think," he began, his voice a low growl, "it's time for your first punishment."

"Punishment?"

Gabriel's sharp eyes cut to the maids. "Leave," he ordered.

The second and third maids scrambled out immediately, but the first lingered for a moment, casting Amelia a look that made her blood boil. The satisfaction in her expression was unmistakable.

Amelia's fists clenched at her sides, her jaw tightening as she turned back to Gabriel. "Don't tell me you actually believe that lying bitch?" she snapped, unable to hold back her anger any longer.

Gabriel's dark eyes locked onto hers, and he took a slow, deliberate step toward her. "I don't need to believe anyone," he said, his voice smooth but dangerous. "I know your kind, Amelia. A spoilt daddy's girl. Arrogant and stubborn until someone puts you in your place."

Her stomach twisted, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "Charming description."

Gabriel's cruel smile deepened as he closed the distance between them. "Charming, isn't it? But don't worry, Sweetheart. I'll make sure you remember who's in control here."

Before she could respond, he grabbed her wrist with a grip that felt like steel, yanking her forward until they were nearly nose to nose. The raw power in his hold made her tremble, but she refused to look away, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as she could muster.

"Let go of me," she hissed, trying to twist free, but his grip only tightened.

"Oh, no," Gabriel murmured. "You've already embarrassed me, wasted my time, and disrespected my staff. You think you can slap someone in my house without consequences?"

Amelia glared at him, refusing to let him see her fear. "She deserved it," she bit out.

Gabriel's chuckle was dark, devoid of humor. "Perhaps. But that's not for you to decide."

Without warning, he dragged her toward the balcony doors, his steps steady despite her struggles. He flung the doors open, and the cold evening air hit her like a slap to the face.

"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic.

He said nothing, his expression carved from stone. He hauled her onto the balcony, stopping at the edge where the iron railing barely came up to her waist.

"Look down," he ordered, his tone icy.

Amelia froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't need to look to know how high up they were-the estate grounds stretched far below, the drop dizzying.

"You wouldn't," she whispered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts.

Gabriel leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "Wouldn't I?"

Before she could react, he shoved her forward just enough for her upper body to tip over the railing. Amelia screamed, her hands flying out to grip the cold iron bars as the world seemed to tilt beneath her.

"Gabriel!! Stop! Please stop!!" she cried, her voice raw with terror.

He held her there, his hands firm on her waist, as if to taunt her with the precariousness of her position. "Do you feel that, Sweetheart?" he murmured, his tone calm and detached. "That's the difference between us. I hold your life in my hands now, and you will do as I say."

Tears stung her eyes as she clung to the railing, her knuckles white. "You're insane," she spat, her voice shaking.

Gabriel's lips twisted into a cruel smile at her words. "Insane?" he repeated, his grip tightening on her waist. "You have no idea, sweetheart."

Before she could respond, he shifted his hands suddenly, tilting her forward. Her feet left the ground, and she gasped as the cold night air rushed past her face. Her body dangled over the edge, and her hands scrambled for the railing, gripping it desperately.

"Gabriel!" she screamed, her voice breaking. "Stop! Please!"

Her nails dug into the metal as her legs flailed uselessly in the open air. The ground below made her head spin, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else.

Gabriel leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over her ear. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" he said softly, his voice filled with mockery. "Weren't you just calling me insane? Let's see how far that insanity goes."

She screamed again, the sound filled with pure panic as her fingers began to slip. The smooth railing offered no grip, and she felt herself sliding inch by inch.

"Gabriel, I'm going to fall!" she cried, her voice trembling with fear.

For one horrifying moment, she felt his hands completely let go. Her body lurched downward, and a scream tore from her throat as gravity claimed her. She flailed desperately, her fingers barely managing to hold her.

She was sure she'd slip any second when his hands clamped around her arms once more.

"Not yet," he murmured darkly, pulling her back up with an almost infuriating ease. He set her back on the balcony, her feet unsteady beneath her.

Amelia collapsed to the ground, trembling and gasping for breath. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him, her body shaking with fear and rage. "You... you could have killed me!" she choked out, her voice hoarse.

Gabriel crouched in front of her, his dark eyes cold and unrelenting. "But I didn't," he said simply. "And that's something you should be grateful for."

Amelia's hands balled into fists, but she was too drained to do anything. Her chest heaved as she tried to regain control of her breathing.

Gabriel straightened and walked over to the discarded dress, picking it up nonchalantly. "Now," he said, tossing it onto the bed. "You will put this on. And if you even think about disobeying me again..."

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. The memory of dangling over the edge of the balcony said enough.