Chapter 4 Claim you

Hera

I keep my gaze locked on Mason's face, awaiting his answer. My heart beats wildly in my chest. For some reason, I am anxious and nervous at the same time. I don't know what I want to hear from his confessions yet something deep inside me tells me that Mason's answer will either shatter me further or...

" I find you very attractive, Hera." Mason confesses, wetting his lips. My eyes follow each of his actions.

" And?" I probe further, excitement coursing through my nerves.

" I am interested in you as a woman, not a friend." He declares, looking straight at my face. His eyes hold a tender look. A look that I have not seen on any other man's face, not even from Carlos when we dated back in the days.

I stand up abruptly, my emotions in turmoil. The chair tumbles to the ground, making a loud clanging sound.

" Is something the matter, Hera?" Mason asks in a concerned voice. His hand reaches out to touch my shoulder.

" Nothing. I have to leave." I announce, turning to walk away. However, Mason doesn't let me as he clasps my wrist tightly.

" Why? Why are you running away? You asked me a question and I answered it. You can't face the truth now?" Mason questions, his brows furrowing.

I shake my head and try to escape his hold, but it is to no avail.

" I'm not running away, Mason. I just don't want to believe your words and regret it in the future. I don't have a place for regrets in my life and I won't allow myself to fall to the abyss of regrets." I cry.

" Regret it? Why would you?" Mason probes, his brows furrowed. I don't know if he is playing the fool or is genuinely clueless. After what I told him about me, isn't he supposed to know why?

" I have lived a life depraved of warmth and affection. I am afraid I'll cling to that little hope you are giving me and treat it as a treasure." I start, " I don't want that because in this world, nothing is permanent. What happens if that interest you have in me dwindles?

I am not that strong nor am I a nonchalant person. I can't bear heartache nor can I ignore it. The best I can do is walk away at the first sign of trouble and stay away from it."

" Hera," Mason breathes my name, his eyes softening. I look away. I can't bear his stare right now.

" You are shutting me down to protect yourself from getting hurt?" He asks, his question nailing the truth I always try to avoid.

" What else can I do? I have been hurt in the past. I also know how society views us. Why bother having fantasies that will never come true?" I exclaim.

" Look at me, Hera." Mason whispers, his voice soothing to my ears.

I shake my head.

" Look at me," he repeats. This time, he cups my cheeks and turns my face to him. Our eyes meet.

" I don't care what your family or the society thinks about you. If I did, I wouldn't have followed you all the way here." Mason's words stun me.

" You followed me?" I ask with narrowed eyes.

" Not just today. I have been keeping an eye on you for some time. At the airport, I bumped into you on purpose." He reveals, surprising me even further.

" What?" I ask,shocked. I pull my hand from his grip, taking a step back to keep some distance.

" I followed you all the way here, not because I am some psychotic stalker. I wanted to be with you, to protect you.

I know that this sounds so twisted but I want you Hera. I have wanted you from the first day I saw you entering Club image back in Chicago."

I tense from his confessions. Club image. Does he know about my secret?

"It was then that I decided that one day you will be mine. I won't lie to you, I am a very dominant and possessive man. I always get what I want. And you, Hera is what I want." Mason declares, his eyes burning with a fiery fire that threatens to consume me.

I could feel my body heating up from his intense gaze. My heart however calms when I realize that he doesn't know anything about my relationship with club Image. The last thing I want is anyone finding out another reason to judge me.

" Run all you want, little bird but I can assure you one thing, you will end up in my arms and when that happens, I'll claim you as mine." Mason asserts, giving me a long stare before he sits up from his chair.

He closes the space between us, a smile on his face as he places a chaste kiss on my forehead.

" Have a goodnight sleep, Hera. I'll see you soon." He announces before walking away.

I watch as his silhouette disappears from the bar. Only when he is out of sight do I realize that I have been clenching my hands into fists.

I release the deep breaths I didn't dare take in his presence as my mind replays his confessions.

He has been stalking me? The thought alone should scare me but why do I feel excited?

I must have lost my mind at this point.

" Another glass?" The bartender's question pulls me from my thoughts. I give him a smile, pushing my encounter with Jason to the back of my mind.

" No need. I think I have had enough drinks." I reply politely, fishing for notes from my handbag.

I pay for mine and Jason's drink and tip the handsome man.

" Don't let your fear and past experiences keep you away from your happiness. Give yourself a chance, life is too short to live with what ifs." The man says, giving me a smile before turning around to busy himself with his work.

I don't linger around. Leaving the bar, I head to my room.

Maybe when I wake up tomorrow, everything that happened will turn into a dream, nothing more or less.