Chapter 32 - Come with me to the banquet

Chapter 32 - Come with me to the banquet
~Harriet~

His gaze was unreadable. I couldn't tell what he thought at the moment. Not many people knew I'd learned combat, yet this man had openly seen it–a side of me that no one had. Not even my own father.

“Daddy, I was so scared just now,” I murmured, walking over and wrapping my arms around his waist as I pushed my face into his chest like a deprived cat. My heart fluttered involuntarily. From fear? Or from something else.

I thought he'd question me, yet he just wrapped his arms around me, making a warm, fuzzy feeling coat my being. It was…different. Almost making me breathless. I thought he'd ask what had happened, or where I had learned combat, but he just picked me up, heading to the car. I gasped, not expecting his sudden move, yet, I still buried my face in his chest, muttering a few incoherent words.

The whole ride was quiet as I nestled in the corner, my eyes focused on the view outside the window. Rael had not said a word and just worked on his computer. I suddenly remembered how he'd left without giving me a ride in the morning, my mood suddenly souring.

“You–why did you come to pick me up?” I finally asked, turning to stare at him. He stared at me, his eyes devoid of any emotions. His thick eyebrows, high cheekbones, amazing nose, and thin pink lips –they all stared at me, making a faint blush creep up my face. The man was really handsome. Even more handsome than most male celebrities throughout country M.

“Apparently, little miss Harriet Anderson didn't need me. I won't pick you up next time,” he stated, turning away from me to face his computer. Hmph! What a weird man.

And so the drive continued. I thought we'd head to the mansion, but instead, the car had pulled to a stop at a famous restaurant, making me blink repeatedly as he stepped out of the car. I followed behind him, seeing as the receptionist gave him a nod. How could I not see the faint blush that rested on her cheeks when she greeted him. Tsk! The man just had to steal the attention everywhere.

He led me to a private room, just like the last time, and I pulled out a chair, in which I sat. Soon, a whole table of food had been served, yet when I tried to pick up the piece of chicken lying just in front of me, my hand was swatted away.

“Who said you could have that?” Rael's voice brought me back to reality, and I raised my eyes to see him staring daggers at me.

“Hello, mister…why did you bring me here if I can't even eat a piece of chicken?” I asked, my mood plummeting as my stomach rumbled. I'd not realized how hungry I was until now.

I sighed when the man cut out a piece of chicken before shamelessly stuffing it into his mouth. Each time I tried to eat chicken, he swatted my hand away. I had turned frustrated.

“What the hell, why can't I have some?”

“You’ll have some when you finally realize your mistake.” He muttered, continuing to eat in front of me, making me rack my brain. Had I offended him?

I swallowed, seeing him eat so much delicious food while I sat, inhaling the aroma.

I watched as the man had his fill, even letting the waitress have the rest of the food while he pulled me out of the restaurant.

My stomach rumbled in protest as we got into the car, driving off. I glared at the man seated beside me, refusing to talk to him.

Once we arrived at the mansion, I hurriedly returned to my room to find that the snacks I'd hidden had been taken away by the man too. My eyes watered.

How cruel!

Completely defeated, I walked down the stairs, heading to the kitchen to look for food, but all I found were raw ingredients stacked in the fridge.

I'd picked out some eggs, preparing a delicious egg and bread congee.

I'd just finished eating and poured myself a glass of milk, downing it in one go before heading to my room when I spotted the man sitting by the fireplace, a glass of red wine in his hand. My heart skipped a beat, yet, I completely ignored him, wanting to head up the stairs.

“Come here,” he ordered, halting me in my steps. I bit my lip hard, and as though hypnotized, I walked over to him, gasping when he pulled me down into his embrace.

“Did your meal taste good?” He asked, making me snap. Such a jerk! He even had the audacity to ask. He'd literally starved me!

“I could have died, do you realize that?” I muttered, my jaw clenched.

“Looks like you still haven't learned your lesson, little lamb,” he muttered, making my breath hitch. I quickly pulled away, running up the stairs to my room.

I heaved a deep sigh before tucking myself into bed, and drifting off.

…

The next morning had arrived too quickly. I rolled in the bed only to be met with something poking my behind, groaning in frustration. I lifted my hand to push it away, but my eyes snapped open. I'd wanted to turn around, but felt a strong arm holding me down. My eyes widened when I realized who it was–Rael!

What was he doing in my bed? I'd wanted to push him away, but he held me down in place, his face buried in my neck. I gasped when his lips landed on my skin, sucking and soothing on a particular spot.

“Stay still,” he muttered in my ears as I tried to wiggle out of his embrace, making me pause.

Luckily, the sound of a phone ringing reverberated, making the man let me go. Picking up the phone, he'd answered it, and I felt his mood darken.

“You’ll come with me to a banquet tonight,” he stated after the call ended, making me pause. Was he asking me to be his companion?