Beneath The CEO's Control

Kayla's pov

The silence between us feels so loud that I can feel my heart pounding. My father is sitted across from me, his face blank of any expression . One can tell that he is really apprehensive as he keeps sighing and tossing around . I don't even what to say because he was warned not to do what he did.

"How much do you owe him exactly dad" I ask,breaking the silence

He looks up at me but quickly drops down his gaze. "I owe him a lot, too much"he mutters. "Too much for me to even pay back. Oh God, what have I done"he questions himself

I clenched my fists but immediately releases them because I must remain calm.Deep down my heart, I'm so pissed. Of all the people to owe it's Adrian Lockwood?,the man whose name strikes terror in the heart of the people even most powerful and influential men do not want to mess with him or be in his bad book.

Before I could say anything else, there's a loud knock on the door, like the other person is deliberately trying to break it. My father jolts in fear."It must be him, he's here for his money", he whispers, his voice shaking.

My heart begins to pound so fast and loud. Adrian Lockwood is behind that door, if what my dad is true then we are in serious trouble.

The door breaks open and there he is. Adrian walks in majesticly like he owns the place. Dressed in an expensive black suit adorned with little beads of diamonds, he's aura feels the room. He's steps are like that of a predator. Very calm, calculated and precise.

"Mr Marshall", he says calmly,his deep voice echoing in the room." It's safe to say that you know why I'm here"

I look at my father and he could barely look at him. "Please" he beguns, clasping his hands together and went on his knees. " I just need more time, I will definitely pay you back, I swear, I just --"

Adrian begins to laugh, cutting of my father's pleas. " Time" he arches his brows,and his voice is filled with disdain. " I've given you too much time already, Marshall. I don't remember telling you I run a charity organization."

I can see my father shaking under Adrian's stare. My father, who was once a successful man now cowering at the feet of Adrian like a begger. Though the debt might be much but it's more than financial. It's life threatening.

"I will pay back.... I can..." My father stammers " but I just need more...."

" More??" Adrian's growled, his voice cold. " I'm not here to listen to all ur cock and bull excuses, I just need my money and I will get it today because I always do". His eyes darts to me, I instantly feel chills running through my spine. His eyes linger on me like he's searching for something.

" I'll make this simple and fast", he says as he steps closer towards me. " Your father's debt is too much and I doubt he can pay me immediately. And I'm sure you know that I don't show mercy..." He pauses and smirks like a predator. "There's only one option left.

I swallow hard, my heart beating and my stomach knotting. " What's the option"

Adrian's eyes didn't leave my body. " You. Marry me for two years. During that period you must make sure you pay me back after that you can walk away freely. If not..." He leans in slightly towards my face," I'll have to collect in other ways"

I gasped for air. It's a way out but at what cost. My life?

"What!!!, marry you?, no I can't do that, there must be some other way please" I plead

"There isn't." Adrian syays calmly. " You know your father can't pay me . I need my money now but if I'm willing to let it go on longer then u must accept, if not you either pay me now or die. So this is the only way except you prefer the other way" he grins

My father breaks down in tears. Nooo, you can't take my daughter. I'll do anything. She will only become your slave and I can't bear to watch that happen"

"Then both of you die?" Adrian asks coldly

" But why me?" I ask tearing up

" Because you are the valuable thing he has"

"Thing???, I'm not a thing . I'm a person just like you "

" Ahh, never you are not a person like me", he says adjusting his suit

" Ohk, so what's it gonna be"

It's happening. It's real. Is this how I'm gonna end up?

I look at my father, he looks back with guilt written all over his face

" I give you twenty four hours to respond else I'll assume you have my money and send my boys. God help you if you don't. You don't want to know what I'll do" he says as he steps out of the door. He stops and takes a good look at me then leaves finally.

"I'm doomed"

Kayla's pov

I don't know how I made it to the cafe . A lot has been going through my mind since Adrian's visit. He gavee twenty four hours to accept his terms of face fire consequences. Well, as of now, I have twenty two hours remaining to either sign off my life to watch or watch my family crumble.

Sitting at the front of the café, I look ahead and see my best friend, Clarissa. She is jogging towards me happy and bubbling as usual. One of her many traits is fixing things, but I doubt she can fix this particular one.

As she gets closer, she notices something's wrong with me.

" Gurl, you look like you had no sleep at night. What's wrong?"

Where do I even begin? How do I explain to her that I'm twenty two hours away from being a slave to a ruthless man. But I know that if there's anyone that can understand my plight, it's Rissa. Rissa and I have been friends since childhood. We've been through everything together. From the worst times to the sweetest times, we did it all together. No matter what the situation might be, there's no judgement between us.

"I...I don't know how to explain this to you", I murmur, staring at the sky absent mindedly.

" Whatever it is , just know that we can figure it out " she says, touching my hands.

"My -- my father owes Adrian a huge sum of money "

Her expression changes from sympathy to shock.

"Adrian Lockwood?" She whispers, like she doesn't want anybody to hear her say the name.

I nod

" How much exactly does your father owe him?"

" A lot." I reply quietly." So much that he can't be able to pay back, not now, not ever. He even came to my house last night."

Rissa gasps in shock. " Eh, Adrian Lockwood came to your house??? This must be serious. What did he say?"

He knows my father can't afford to pay him back so he proposed a marriage contract with him. He wants me to marry him.

Rissa's eyes widen in terror. " He what? How?

"He said it's the only way to guarantee the safety of me and my family. During that period, I'm supposed to work and pay him back. If not------" my voice gave way

"He'll kill us"

The silence that follow my words is defeaning.

" Kay, that's bad o, very bad."

"I don't know what to do Rissa. My father is the only one I have. I can't risk losing him now.

" I know, but don't tell him you're thinking of marrying him. That guy is a beast. He'll make your life a living hell."

Rissa is so right, but as it stands now , I have no other choice.

" What would you have me do. The only way I can avoid marrying him is if I pay him back now, which is impossible."

" Isn't there another way"

"That's what I'm stucked with.'

" Kay, once you sign that contract, you are his. Trust me, he won't let you off so easily "

" I know ", I murmur.

Rissa reaches out and grabs my hand. " Promise me you will come out of this alive. Promise me you will fight. It's not going to be easy but please don't give into his pressures. You have to stay strong, Kay. Don't let him see you fall or fail".

I take a deep breath, " I promise , Rissa"

" Please, let me know everything. If you need me, I'll always be here for you . You are not in this alone. I'll protect you"

I look at her softly, " I know Ris"

No matter the promises I make, I know the bitter truth. Once I sign that contract, I've willed my life and my rights to him. Adrian will have me and do to me whatever he pleases . But as promised, I'll fight and I'll definitely win. I don't know how long but I'll pull through.

With each passing minute, I'm closer to being Adrian's wife - - - slave.

Kayla's pov

Standing outside Adrian's mansion feels like I'm about to walk into an agreed slavery. Here I am paying for my father's debts. But i remind myself that this is a sacrifice that I have to and willing to make in order to save my family. I press the doorbell and after some moments, it opens.

Adrian's butler leads me into the house. There he is seated like a cold blooded tyrant.

" Kayla, my fiery dove", his voice smooth but predatory. "I knew you'd come"

The weight of his words pressing down on me very strongly.

" Not like I had a choice, did I?", I forced my voice. " I'm here now"

"So you are ready to agree to my terms?"

"Yes"

But instead of bringing out a contract or something,he swiftly pins me to the wall, his hand brushing my cheek. His hand made its way to my neck, wrapping around it. My heart pounds faster. It's like I can't breathe.

"Do you understand what you are agreeing to?", he whispers into my ears. His voice deep and stern. " It's not going to be sweet baby girl. For the next two years, you are mine. I get to own every piece of you. I know how stubborn and disobedient you can be, trust me, I don't take it quite lightly."

Still at his mercy, I clench my fist beside me.

"I understand"

He stares at me as his hands explore my body. I guess this is my life now.

"Kayla, if you try to be smart or do something funny, I won't just end the contract, I'll kill your father,make you beg for death but it would be out of reach."

If there's something everyone knows, Adrian doesn't make empty threats. He doesn't bluff. Keeping calm, I answer

"I'll keep to my end of the deal".

Adrian smiles widely and finally releases me and steps away from me. "That's good baby girl. Let's make it official then."

Adrian's pov

Watching her stand there, acting all tough is actually amusing to me. I love the fire in her eyes. It intrigues me. Here she is signing two years of her life to me, let's see how long she can keep it together.

Moving towards my desk to retrieve the contract I had prepared from the very beginning. Everything was meticulously arranged. I hold out the document to her, she seems a bit hesitant but takes it.

She skims over the pages as if looking for something, which of course she would never find. I know that she has no choice but to accept it.

" Everything looking good?", I ask casually

" Not like I can decline"

I smirk, enjoying every beat of her vulnerability.

" Then sign it, ayla. And keep this in mind--- you chose this"

With a heavy sigh , she signs her name sealing the deal.

A thrill rushes through my body, knowing that for the next two years she's mine to play with. When she holds out the contract to me, I pull her hands closer.

" Welcome to my world" I said leaning to her ears. "You are mine baby girl. And trust me, I don't plan on making it easy for you."

Kayla's pov

His words sink in, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing the effects they have on me. He may have taken my life, my freedom,my choice but one thing is for sure, I won't let him break me.

" I don't tolerate weakness and stubbornness ", his says, his deep voice cold. " If you want to survive in my world, you'll have to be quick witted. You will work and pay me back every single penny your father owes me. By the way, I already have a place for you to work in. Failure to comply and I'll make your life way more miserable than it is now. "

I swallow hard but manage to keep my voice steady. " I accept your rules,but I wouldn't be making it easier for you either."

His lips curve into a sinister smile. " Oh really?, I'm counting on it baby girl."

I can see the satisfaction in his eyes. It's obvious he loves seeing me this way. He's pushing me in every way trying to break me, but I won't let him have his way.