Chapter 18

Kia My head and body were hurting like someone had hit me hard. I looked down, scanning my body. I was in pajamas, not naked. I was smelling fresh, not sweaty, and alcoholic. I looked around and found myself in the apartment. My apartment? Vivian. Did he save me? If he had saved me, then why did he save me? If he had not arrived on time last night, then those bastards would have raped me. I remembered nothing clearly. How did they approach me? Where did they take me? How did I get here? I remembered only one thing was how they were undressing me, how they were staring at my naked body. I was fucking helpless because they had drugged me.

"Are you awake?" I heard a female voice and my eyes lifted to her. She was blonde with soft blue eyes, which were the same as Vivian's. I supposed she was his sister.

I nodded to her and dropped my eyes to my joint hands. I wanted to be alone. I needed some time to process what had happened to me yesterday.

"How're you feeling? Do you feel any better?" She sat down beside me, behaving like a caring mother.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "My whole body is aching," and my voice was rough because of a sore throat.

She softly touched my shoulder. "I knew it. That's why I've brought some pills. It'll help your pain," she smiled softly, "Here," she gave me pills with a glass of water.

"Thanks," I said and swallowed the pill. She was watching my every move, and I was feeling uncomfortable. She was behaving toward me like I was a broken doll, and I didn't like this idea. "I'm alright," I said even though she didn't ask me.

She raised her brows, confused. "Are you sure?" I met her gaze, seeing her pity for me.

I hate pity.

I nodded to her, "You don't need to babysit me here," I regretted after snapping these words, "Um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You should not stay here for me. I'm feeling much better." I was not feeling any good at that time, but I needed some quiet space.

"It's fine," she stood up without arguing with me. "By the way, I'm Ava. Vivian's sister."

I looked at her, searching for a resemblance between them. They both had no similarity except blue eyes and a white complexion. Vivian had light brown hair, whereas Ava had blonde hair. He looked like a monster, whereas she looked like an angel. Somewhere I found her miserable because, despite her smile, she looked sad, like something had broken inside her. I couldn't read Vivian, but I could read people like her. "Kiara," I introduced myself with a small smile, "You're nothing like your brother. Do you know very well how to talk politely and how to treat your guests? Your brother doesn't even know to respect women!"

She let out a small laugh, "If you want him to respect you, then earn it, Kiara, because he respects very few people."

"Are you two talking about me?" Vivian appeared in the doorway. His eyes fixed on me, and I blushed. Blushing? Why the hell was I blushing? Last night, he saw me naked. I couldn't remember anything about who saw me first, but certainly, Vivian would be there for me.

"Yup, you are eavesdropping?!" Ava said.

He stepped inside. "Eavesdropping? Really? Why would I? I just came here to check on Kia."

I looked at him, and he was staring me down. I clutched the blanket even tighter. "You may go, Ava," he said, and she followed his order. Silence filled the room. We didn't speak for a few minutes but finally, he spoke first, "I told you, Kia, those fuckers would never leave you alone and here you are in this condition."

In this condition?

"What do you mean by that? I'm totally fine," I said with slight anger. "You told me those fuckers would never leave me alone. Then why did you leave me alone? You promised me you would let nothing happen to me!! Then what about that promise?" Why was I angry at him? It's not like he was my boyfriend. I was screaming like a broken girlfriend.

He sat down on the bed scanning my face and then my body. "And I've fulfilled that promise. You're here safe with me," he whispered.

"Then what do you mean by this condition?" I asked.

"You don't look confident, proud, and feisty as you used to be. You're looking like a broken woman. You look incredibly sad," he held my eyes. He was looking even more beautiful with his soft eyes. "I regret my decision to let you go. I should not have allowed you alone."

I broke my eye contact because he was talking like he cared about me. I didn't want his sympathy; I didn't want his care about what I wanted in his life. I wanted to kill him. I quickly changed the topic. "Did you change my clothes?" I asked, without looking at him.

"What if I say that I changed your clothes? I've already seen every part of your body," he stated arrogantly, and I was red.

"Shut up!!" I snapped.

A corner of his mouth is slightly twitching in amusement.

I glared at him. "What?"

He came nearer to me, "You know what, despite seeing your naked body, I didn't get aroused, not even for a few seconds so you don't need to worry about this. I'll never fuck you, Kia," his breathing was caressing my neck and his sexy voice was exciting me.

He might have noticed my reaction because he was smirking. I retracted quickly, giving us space, "And I'm not intending to offer you my body."

He quickly stood up, "Get ready, you're coming with me."

"Where?"

"My mansion," he replied.

I looked at him, shocked, "Your mansion??!" Why was he taking me to his mansion? I had never seen his mansion. He was taking me to his place. His mansion. I couldn't believe it, it was a golden chance to achieve my mission.

***********

Vivian pressed the security code before entering through the huge steel gate. I looked around the mansion, surrounded by trees and high cobblestone. There was a huge circular water fountain in the middle with water shooting up. The two men in the black suit were already waiting for us. When we reached the entrance, a man quickly ran and opened the gate for me. Vivian got out next while giving his car keys to the other man and whispering something to him.

I stood at my place, waiting for him. After a while, he came to me and guided me to the entrance. "I never brought strangers before this," he said simply.

"I'm no stranger to you," I glared at him. "You know me."

He smiled bitterly, "If my sister had not forced me, then I would never have brought you here."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not like I was dying to get into your luxurious mansion. You were the one who brought me here."

"You always have a big mouth to open," he hissed.

An old woman opened the door for us, welcoming us, "Good morning, Sir," she glanced at me, her eyes flickered with confusion, but finally, she greeted me too, "Good morning, Miss."

"Good morning," I nodded to her. "Can I ask your name?" I asked while entering the mansion and studying my surroundings.

"Her name is Rose," Vivian interfered. "Rose will introduce you to my mansion," he faced her, "Rose, give her a tour and be careful," he gave her a knowing look.

"Yes, Sir," she smiled, "Please, follow me, Miss," she led me in the opposite direction, "We could start from the garden," she said, and we walked towards the backyard where the garden is located with a small pond.

"It's beautiful," I said and ran towards the tulips.

"Tulips are Mr. Miller's favorite," she said like she had read to me that tulips were my favorite too. "He has collected different tulips across the country and has hired a special man to take care of these flowers."

I knew nothing about Vivian, but with time, I would know him better. I wanted to know everything about him, his strength, and his weakness.

"Miss, are you listening to me??" Rose interrupted my thoughts.

"Umm, yes. Please call me Kia."

She raised her brows like she had a problem, but in the end gave me a slight nod, "Let go inside there are lots of things to show you around," she said and guided me to another gate, "You are the first woman my master has allowed you to be here. Before you, he let no woman near his house except Mrs. Robinson."

"You mean Alice?" I asked.

She nodded, "Mrs. Alice Robinson."

We entered the kitchen. "Here, I'm the only person who cooks here. What would you like for lunch?"

I smiled at her. "I can eat whatever you cook for your master."

We didn't talk about anything for the rest of our tour. She showed me the whole mansion, and I liked it. I had never been to the mansion before. I had a two-story house that was large enough for me and my mother. And I was going to live here in such a beautiful mansion. It seemed like a fairy-tale. I had a beautiful prince with a beautiful palace, but the difference was that I was not a princess. I came here to kill my prince.

"And this is your room," Rose introduced me to my room. The room was large, impressive, and beautifully decorated. It was painted in white with pink flowery designs. There was a queen-size bed in the middle of the room and a couch across it and the TV hung on the wall. It had a separate bathroom. "Your clothes, shoes, and accessories have already shifted into this room. If you need anything, then ask me," she said and walked away.

I headed to the window, looking at the beautiful garden. I could smell the fragrance of various flowers at the same time. The sunlight rays were filtering through the window, hitting the spot on the bed.

***********

The door banged open, and immediately I sat back on the bed, rubbing my eyes. Who the hell disturbed me at this time? It was midnight.

"Hands up," I heard a little girl's voice. I looked at the door, and a small shadow appeared in the doorway. I turned the light on. "I said hands up," she said loudly this time.

I watched the little blonde girl. I had seen her somewhere, but where? "Hey, who're you, little brat? And why are you disturbing me?"

She was in her pink nightgown, looking adorable. She jumped on the bed and pulled a toy gun from where she had stuffed it. "Your Hands up if you don't want me to shoot you."

For a moment I wanted to laugh, but I didn't know what was coming. I raised both of my hands. "Why do you want me to shoot?"

She pressed her toy gun against my temple, but I was focusing on her. "Why did you come here?" She asked. Her blue eyes looked familiar.

"Why did I come here? What? I don't understand what you want? The owner of this house brought me, and who are you asking me this question, little brat?"

"Don't call me a brat!!" she snapped. Oh god, she was so adorable. I didn't like kids, I didn't like their running noses, I didn't like their annoying behavior, and I didn't like when they cry. I had never liked kids, but I had a few cousins who were much younger than me, so I was used to handling kids. When I was sixteen, I joined the volunteer program for orphan children and there I learned many things about kids.

"Then what do you prefer? Kiddo?"

"I prefer nothing from your ugly mouth! This is my house, and I don't want you here." She got angry and a deep furrow appeared between her brows.

I adjusted my body comfortably because sitting in this position was giving me back pain. "I don't know who you are? Why are you angry at me? Why don't you want me to see you here? Despite this, I want to hear your little voice. You're so cute." I reached for her cheeks, but she quickly brushed my hand away.

"Don't touch me!!" she snapped, "Get out of my house, witch!!"

My mouth snapped open, her short temper matching with someone. She was around five or six years old, and she was becoming a bitch to me. God. "Do you want me...." before I could complete my sentence, someone entered the room, and I gasped at his look. He was just in black shorts, revealing his toned body. This man was ripped with muscles and strength. Tattoos covered most of his skin, it began from his wide shoulder to his abdomen, everywhere tattoos.

God.

"Don't stare at him like that," the little girl interrupted me.

I cleared my throat, blushing, "Who's she??" I asked Vivian. He was tense, looking at that girl.

"Harley," his voice came into a harsh tone. He approached her in two steps. "What are you doing here?"

I looked at both of them. They looked at each other. And I found something unbelievable.

"Viv, I've told you I hate to see her with you," she pointed at me, "Despite this, you brought her into this mansion."

I was totally confused.

Vivian crossed his arms over his chest muscles as his arms bulged. "Let's go, sweetheart."

How could he come half-naked in front of a kid? His body was attractive, but it was scary for little kids with tons of tattoos.

She shook her head stubbornly and he became more tense, glancing at me briefly.

I had never seen him like that. He was behaving like I had exploded a bomb on that girl. Does he think I would ever harm her?

Harley placed her hand on her hips glaring at me, "I want her out."

"I'll, sweetheart, but not today. She is in trouble. I need to help her." His eyes were softer than rose petals. Only for her. He looked like a different man. A man who only knows love, affection, and care. He was not looking like a criminal. Was I missing something?

He wrapped his arm around her tiny waist and carried her in a single arm, "Let's go before the sun could rise."

As they arrived at the doorway, Harley screamed, "Dad! Stop it! I need you to obey me!!"

And they left me shocked and numb.

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