Chapter 10

KIA

“How’s your hand?” Leo asked me while examining my left hand. He had been worrying about my hand.

“Perfectly fine,” I said with a small smile. My hand was fully recovered and now I could move my hand frequently.

“I’m happy to hear that.” He smiled and glanced at the other side of the road, where Vivian’s men were waiting for me. “I’ll miss you, Kia. We had a great time together.” He pulled me into a hug.

I hugged him back. “Me too. You have been treating me like a real friend. You’re too good, Leo. Thank you for everything you have done for me.” It was very difficult to find a person like him. He didn’t even know me properly, despite this he had risked his life for me. I had very few good people in my life, and Leo had become one of them.

“Miss Stefan.” A voice said from behind, “I’m sorry for the interruption, but I have to inform you that our boss wants to see you in an hour. So it would be better if we leave as soon as we can,” one of Vivian’s men said politely.

“I don’t know why he wants me to be surrounded by a group of men, even though I don’t need to. You could drive me to his apartment, Leo.” It annoyed me. Vivian left a group of people behind me.

Leo chuckled. “It can have two meanings. Maybe he cares about you, or maybe he suspects you.”

I frowned. “Care! Never! But he would suspect me. I don’t like being surrounded by a bunch of people.”

“Don’t worry, they will accompany you for just a few miles. They have to follow the guidelines given by the boss otherwise they will lose their job. You just need to cooperate with them if you don’t want to bring trouble for them. Well, it’s going to be late. I’d better let you go now. Take care of yourself,” he said and smiled warmly.

I’ll miss his smile. He has an adorable smile.

At last, I nodded to him before following the man. He guided me to the black Mercedes. “Please, Ma’am” he opened the door for me.

“Thank you.” I sat in the car and looked out of the window, watching Leo’s house one last time. That was the house where my journey of revenge began, and I would never forget Leo’s kindness. He had unknowingly helped me into my plan.

We arrived after half an hour of driving. The driver parked the car along the side of the road in front of the building.

I went out. A man in a dark suit appeared. “Good morning, Miss Stefan. My name is Michael and I’m working for Mr. Miller. I have come here to show you your new apartment. I hope you like it.” He smiled politely. “Please, follow me, Miss Stefan.” I nodded and followed him, asking nothing.

He brought me into the luxury apartment. There were three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Everything was furnished to perfection. I moved farther, examining every room carefully. The theme color was cream, everything was furnished and painted in a soft color. I went into the second bedroom, a large sash window overlooking the wonderful garden. “Miss Stefan, call me if you need anything. I’m always at your service.”

I glanced at him over my shoulder. “That’s so kind of you, Michael. I’ll let you know if I need anything” I went into the verandah. “Where is Vivian? I thought he would live here, but it seems like he is nowhere. He wanted to see me in an hour.”

He glanced at his watch before answering me. “He’ll be here in a few minutes, Miss Stefan.”

I rolled my eyes. “He wants everything on time, but he doesn’t want to do anything on time.”

“You need to be patient, Miss Stefan.” I heard him. I spun around and faced him. Again he was in his finest piece of the suit looking stunning.

“Good morning, Mr. Miller,” Michael greeted him. “Nice to see you here. I’m glad you gave me the chance to work for you. I’ll make sure to never disappoint you.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jones. I’ve heard about you, and I trust your ability.” he studied the house before fixing his gaze on me. “Beautiful.” I raised my brows at his words. “Beautiful house. It looks like you’ve put a lot of work into this,” he clarified his statement.

“Thank you, Mr. Miller,” Michael replied.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Never mind! I have transferred the payment into your account. You can check it and if you have any queries, contact my man. He’ll take care of it. If you have nothing to say, then you can leave, Mr. Jones.”

“Have a good time, Sir,” Michael said before walking out of the room.

I purposely fixed my gaze through the window. I didn’t want to see his face. I was watching the large, beautiful garden where several types of plants and flowers were assembled; the gardeners were pouring water.

Vivian cleared his throat, catching my attention. He already had all my attention. I was just looking for an opportunity to kill him. Because I didn’t think I could ever trap him. “Hello, Miss Ste... I mean, Kiara.”

I was scanning each corner of the hall. “Impressive apartment.” I didn’t greet him back. No matter how much I had tried not to be rude, I couldn’t control my hate against him. I had a mixture of feelings for him, I did not know why! Maybe he was hot as hell, or maybe he was too dangerous to deal with. “They furnish everything to perfection. You indeed have good taste.”

“I’m glad you liked it and thanks for the compliment.” He slid his hands into the pocket. “You’re safe here. You don’t need to worry about Guarin. My men will be here 24/7, in case you need anything. And...” He pulled out his coat and threw it on the couch and went into the kitchen. “I have set up several cameras in rooms, except for your bedroom. Even though I won’t be here, I’ll always monitor you, every single second of the day. So be careful, Kiara.”

I didn’t like his last sentence. He was warning me.

I approached him in the kitchen, and his back was facing me. He had huge shoulders and a broad back, the lines of muscles visible through his shirt. He turned around and caught my stare. I quickly straightened myself and crossed my arms over my chest, giving him an icy look. “You’re invading my personal space by putting cameras at every corner of the house. I appreciate that you have taken care of my needs and security, but it doesn’t mean I would allow you to monitor me every single second of my life. I’m not your prisoner!”

He ran his fingers through his hair as he walked over to the coffeemaker. “Would you like to take coffee?” He asked and dismissed my previous words.

I gritted out, “I’m talking to you!! Are you listening to me?”

He started the coffeemaker and sat down at the table, staring me down. His expression was stoic. “I’ve heard every single word, but it is useless. I never withdraw from my plan. And I’m not invading your personal space. You have your room, bathroom, and verandah.” He was talking to me calmly, but I wanted to scream at him. How could he be so calm?

He poured two mugs of coffee and placed another mug of black coffee in front of me. “You’re welcome,” he muttered sarcastically and sipped his coffee.

There was nothing I could do to change his mind. He would do what he wanted to do, and I had no other option besides obeying him. I had to keep in mind I had to make him fall into my trap, and I would be ready to do whatever he wanted me to do. I have to forget my pride for a few months until I will have his soul. I drank my coffee silently and didn’t utter a single word.

We sat in silence and were quietly enjoying our coffee. We had nothing to talk about. Suddenly His phone rang, and Harmony’s name appeared on the screen. I caught a glance because his phone was on the table. He silently excused himself and walked away. After a few minutes, he walked back. “We’ll talk about the case after I come back,” he said and disconnected the call.

He sat back and continued his coffee. “Tell me something about yourself. Your mother’s father and boyfriend. I know we are not a real couple, but it is important if we would understand each other.”

I was quiet for a few seconds. “I have no one except my mother. My father and brother passed away three years ago.” I closed my eyes for a few seconds, struggling to control my anger. After that incident, I felt nothing but anger.

He placed his hand on mine. “I’m sorry.”

What a great thing happened to me. The person who had killed my family was showing me sympathy. I instantly brushed away his hand. I didn’t want his sympathy. “No problem.”

“I’ll see you soon.” He stood up and went to the couch and grabbed his coat. “I have my friend’s wedding to attend this weekend and I’d like you to accompany me.”

I raised my brows and continued my coffee; he was waiting for my answer. “Do I have a choice? I have to obey you whether I want to or not.”

He clenched his jaw, annoyed by my reply. “I have arranged someone for you who will take care of your gown and everything else.”

“Who said I’ll get a gown?? Short dresses are what I prefer. I feel suffocated in long gowns.” I set my mug in the kitchen before turning back to him.

“This is a prestigious wedding ceremony, and you’ll only find high and reputed people, so I want you to look elegant. I’m not refusing you to wear short dresses, you can wear whatever you want but not on this occasion. I’ll introduce you to my family and friends. And it is necessary, you’ll present yourself as best as you can.”

I grimaced at his words. “If you think I look so low, why did you choose me? You have a line of women to choose from.” I snapped.

His right hand clenched into a fist. “Because I want to help you. I have already told you I have my principles, which I never break unless I want to. And choosing you as my girlfriend is the only way to help you out and save your life. Otherwise, I would help no one until he or she means something to me.”

For a few seconds, my heart melted. His every word touched my heart. But again, it makes no sense to feel this way. He was a monster, and I came here to kill him. I had no right to claim him. A good person. I crossed my arms over my chest, giving him a sharp look. I opened my mouth to say something, but his phone rang. He received the call and waited for the person on the phone.

“Alright,” he said before disconnecting the call.

“Elio just arrived here. He’ll help you get you ready for the ceremony.”

*********