Chapter 9

KIA

I had been trying to feed myself with my injured arm. I had almost lost my left arm. I didn’t know what things I would have to endure for my mission. After placing the fork on the plate, I stood up and went out onto the balcony. I had lost my appetite while thinking about my useless plan. I needed some natural air to let my brain calm. It was a sunny day, and the air was fresh and warm. Leo’s house was at the edge of the city, far away from the noise and polluted place, and I could feel the peace.

I saw a black car parked across the other side of the road. A man in a black suit came out of the car. His evil eyes were hiding under the sunglasses. The rays of the sun passed through his face and made his skin shiny. His tight muscles were stretching his black suit and his light brown hair was styled perfectly. I didn’t want to stare at him like that, but I couldn’t resist his charm. He could lure any girl with a single snap of his finger.

God! What am I thinking?

I rolled my eyes and walked back into the room. Vivian had never come here before. Then why was he here? Maybe he came here to see Leo. I shook away his thoughts and walked into the bathroom. It had been difficult for me to shower with an injured hand. Whenever I moved my hand, it gave me severe pain; it pierced my muscles deeply. I stripped off my clothes and got into the hot shower. It would help me relax my tense muscles. I toweled my body and hair after finishing the shower and went out.

I dried off my hair and checked my appearance in the mirror. My skin became paler than before, and I had lost a few pounds after being hospitalized. I took a hold of my mamma’s pendant which was hung around my neck. She had gifted me this on my eighteenth birthday. It had been a while since I heard her voice. I was missing her badly. I was always worried about her, whether she would be okay or not? Before coming here, I had told her everything about Vivian and I had also promised her I would not return until his death, and she had no problem. She had never shown me her weaknesses, but I knew she was scared for me. She had been always worrying about my uncertain life. She wanted to settle me down with Guarin and kids with him.

Kids! I don’t like kids!!

I saw familiar images reflected in the mirror. “And we know they will do whatever they can. They bombed their enemies without thinking twice. I don’t think this would be healthy if they come after us.” Vivian was talking on the phone.

What the hell! Why was he here?

I just got out after a shower, and I was just in a towel, and he was standing there in the doorway. Before I could do anything, his eyes fell on me. He was eyeing me through the mirror and then trailing his eyes over my entire body. “Sexy legs!” He whispered.

Pig!!

I turned around and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him coldly, “What the hell are you doing here??!” He didn’t even acknowledge my question and kept staring at me like a hungry lion. “Are you deaf!!!”

He slid his phone into the pocket before responding to me. “I should ask you this question! What are you doing in Leo’s room?!” He studied the room before fixing his gaze on me.

“He gave me this room for a few days until I’m here. Didn’t he tell you, Pervert?!” I snapped.

“What did you say?” He narrowed his eyes at me furiously.

“Pervert. You. Are. Pervert.” I emphasized every word so that he could know what I mean. “You are a pervert because you’re still standing here and gawking at my body shamelessly....” Before I could understand anything, he immediately approached me.

“Pervert? I’m Pervert right!” He took steps closer to me, invading my personal space. His thigh brushed against mine and I could smell his cologne and the faint scent of alcohol on his breath. “So you must know what Pervert does.” He bent over and trailed his lips along my collarbone. I breathed in his face, his nearness, something which took my body to the next level of excitement. The heat of his body was what I felt. I wanted to get far away from him, but I was stuck, and my body desired him.

I immediately pushed him away when the realization hit me about what I was doing. I was enjoying his kisses. This man was a curse to my family. Why the hell was I enjoying him? “How dare you?!! How could you....” I had never been nervous in front of any man, but Vivian was different.

His deep blue eyes stared into me. “I thought you were enjoying it...!!” His lips stretched into an evil smile, and I wanted to erase his smile with my hard punch if my hand was not broken.

“Enjoying it?? Are you crazy!! How could you be arrogant?” I closed my eyes for a few seconds, struggling to control my temper and desire at the same time. “How could you enter someone’s room without permission? I’m not your employee. Someone coming into my room without my permission is not something I like.” I growled.

He didn’t react to my words, but his face showed a wave of slight anger. “You don’t like someone in your room, and you know what? I don’t care because I don’t need someone’s damn permission before entering their room! I hope you understand this soon.”

“Have you completed your blabbering? Now get out of the room before I do something bad for you.”

A soft smile formed on his lips like he was pleased with my anger. “Something bad! Huh! What will you do, Miss Stefan?” His voice was so soft, alluring to me. “Are you born to be rude, or do you have some attitude problem? Just keep one thing in your mind. Think before spitting your words out because I won’t let anyone go who disappoints me and I’m sure you don’t want to become one of them. Am I clear to you, Miss Stefan?”

I didn’t speak a single word and waited for him to get his ass out of this room.

“And please do not keep the door open while taking a bath next time, and Leo didn’t inform me about this matter. I’ll talk to you later,” he said and walked out of the room.

*********

“Hey, Kia.” I heard Leo and next, he stepped into the room. “What’s up??”

I pulled my hair into a ponytail before replying to him. “Getting ready for your boss. He wanted to meet me!!” I didn’t want to see his face. He was a cocky and egotistical bastard. How could he enter someone’s room without permission? “Leo, didn’t you tell him you shifted your room?”

He scratched his neck, thinking of my answer. “I’m sorry Kia, I-I forgot.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him coldly. “He entered this room without my permission!! He didn’t even bother to knock first before entering the room. I was just in a towel.” I didn’t want to mention the last sentence, but it was important to tell him how low he was.

He dropped his head, embarrassed by my words. “This is because he called me before coming here and I told him I was in my house, but I forgot to mention that I shifted my room.”

“Leo!” I snorted. How could he be such a lazy man? “I want to slap you!”

He chuckled. “I deserve it, Kia.” He offered me his face and waited for the slap.

I pinched his cheeks. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m sorry, Kia.” He pouted slightly, making him look even more childish.

“Never mind.” I dismissed the conversation. “So, what does he want to talk about?”

“I guess it’s related to you.”

“Related to me?”

“Yeah, I have told him everything about you and requested him to save your life. I hope he will consider my request and let you stay here.”

“Thank you, Leo.” Leo was such a caring man. He would get hurt when he comes to know about my intention, he would never forgive me.

We walked into the hall where Vivian was sitting. He was reading the newspaper. “We are here!” Leo announced.

Vivian folded back the newspaper and placed it on the table. He checked the watch before uttering a word. “10 min late!” He stood up, sliding his hands into the pocket of his pants. “You can go, Leo. I prefer to be alone with Miss Stefan.”

“Yes, boss,” Leo replied and immediately walked out of the hall.

I lifted my eyes, glaring at him. “Why alone! You can talk in front of him. After all, he has all your loyalty,” I said.

He chuckled. “Because I want the real you, what you are. I don’t want you to act innocent and soft in front of Leo. He is a boy and doesn’t know the cruel world. I believe what I experience, and he believes what he sees. He narrowed his eyes on me.

I felt panic in my chest. He was suspecting me. Did he know my real identity? Did he know my intention? Did he know why I was here? My heart started beating hard. There was a slight shiver in my body. I didn’t care if he would take away my life; I didn’t care if he would beat me to death; I didn’t care if he would imprison me. All I wanted was my revenge. After my revenge, I would be ready to die. I balled my hand into a fist so that he could not notice my trembling finger. I tried to make my expression neutral. “I suppose you’re right,” I smiled roughly. “I behaved differently with you because I don’t like you. I don’t like a murderer.”

He didn’t blink his eyes, focusing on me.

“You have seen it. Leo differs from me. He is angelic. I think of him as a friend, and he has always behaved like a gentleman whenever I see him.” I continued, “I ran away from Guarin in the hope I would find someone who could help me out. But I never thought I would end up here. And you are suspecting me! Do you think everything that happened that night was fake? Those men who followed me and then I was shot, and Leo was beaten? This all was fake. Do you think I am fake?”

“I never say you’re fake and I am suspecting you.” He came closer to me, “Then why are you feeling nervous?”

I closed my eyes for a few seconds, relaxing my body. “Y-You made me nervous,” I spoke out. “I mean, whenever I see you, I feel like I’m still near Guarin.”

“Does he look like me?”

“No, but you both are the same in every aspect.”

“Every aspect? Such as....”

“Both of you are criminals, murderers, brutal, cold, and rapists.” I looked into his deep blue eyes. There was a surprise in his eyes, but he quickly brushed it away.

“Criminal, murderer, brutal, cold. I agree with it, but don’t fucking name me a rapist. I don’t force women to my satisfaction. I respect women and I will always respect and protect them. And don’t forget you are safe here because I saved you that night, otherwise you would have been buried in the ground long ago.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “It is fucking risky letting you here. I don’t take the risk unless I get something big in return.”

We didn’t speak for a few seconds. I didn’t know what to say, and he was waiting for me to say something.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.

“I’m sending you back to your home. My men will accompany you on your entire journey, and you don’t need to worry about Guarin. He won’t hurt you until my men are with you. My driver is picking you up in an hour. Be ready by then.”

“What?! You’re sending me back,” I immediately asked him.

“Yes, I’m sending you back. There’s no meaning to keep you here.”

“My life is in danger! How could you be cold-hearted? I know you’re a criminal, you don’t care about others’ lives, but you have told me you respect women, and you protect them. Then what about me??” If he sent me back then what about my revenge? What about my mission? How do I kill him? No, I didn’t want to return home without achieving my mission. I had promised my mother that I would return home after Vivian’s death. “I don’t want to go home.”

“I don’t fucking care whether you want to go home or not. There’s nothing I can do except this! You don’t need to worry because my men will be with you. They will take care of your things. He won’t hurt you again. Trust me, Miss Stefan.”

I stood silently, unable to speak. After this, there was no way I could work out my plan.

He adjusted his suit before leaving. “I’m sorry, Miss Stefan. I could let you stay, but I have my principles and I would not break them until I want to.”

Before he could walk away. I instantly grabbed his hand. “And this principle of yours may take someone’s life. Please, I beg of you, don’t send me back, otherwise, he’ll kill me.” I had never begged before. Let’s do this for my father’s peace.

“Miss Stefan, there’s nothing I can do for you, and I have no use for you. Don’t make me repeat because it will not change my mind.”

“And what if I became useful to you?” I immediately blurted out. “I mean, what if I can do any work for you? Please don't send me back, I'm willing to do any work for you.

He turned around, facing me. “Anything else, Miss Stefan? Think before you promise anything unreliable.”

I quickly nodded. “I’m able to do anything if you let me stay with you.”

“Ok, then. Let’s have a sit first before talking about my desire.” he gave me a playful wink before sitting on the couch. “Come here, Miss Stefan.” I sat across from him.

“So, what do you want?” I asked suspiciously. I didn’t know what his demand was. I didn’t know if I could fulfil his demand. It overwhelmed my mind, and I could not think straight. I just wanted my revenge at any cost, even if I had to sleep with him.

“Can you be my girlfriend?” For a few seconds, I forgot to breathe. I looked into his eyes, seeing the softness. He was looking even more beautiful with his soft eyes. If he would have met me four years ago, then I would date him. He was exactly what I wanted in my partner. “I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend for a few months.”

I blinked a few times before responding to him. “Pretend to be your girlfriend?!” After many years, I was feeling genuine happiness in my heart. He was asking me what I wanted. It seemed like God had flattered me. “Why?”

“Don’t question me because it is useless. I won’t answer any of your questions. Answer what I asked. You have your own choice. The decision will be all yours, Miss Stefan.”

“Then don’t call me Miss Stefan.” I gave him a small smile. “Call me, Kia. I’m ready to be your girlfriend.”

He glanced at me, surprise written on his face. “I’m giving you time to think. Don’t be in a hurry unless you make a rational decision.”

“I’m ready to be your girlfriend only on one condition.”

He raised his brows. “Sure.”

“You’ll save me from Guarin. You’ll never let him near me.” I knew Guarin would try to contact me, and I didn’t want him to know I was living with Vivian, so it would be better if I take action before reacting. “Then deal.” I offered my hand for a handshake.

“Deal. But don’t ever push a stunt against me, otherwise, I’ll hand you back to Guarin,” he said with warning and shook my hand firmly.

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