Chapter 6

• “You're not going anywhere… yet”
• My whole body trembled at that statement. His voice dripped with an air of control. Here I was thinking that he had no ulterior motive. Such a fool for trusting him.
• Michael’s POV
• I watched her as her eyes got darkened by that statement, her body trembling beneath my grasp. I immediately released her hand. she's probably thinking I have something up my sleeves, but really do I?
• I cleared my throat. “You’re still very weak, you can barely walk.”
• She looks at me, unsure of what to say.
• “But if you want to leave, you’re free to. After you’ve had something to eat.”
• Her eyes narrowed, as if searching for hidden motives.
• “And Why do you care?”
• Her innocent face is squeezed into a grin, She just can't be taken seriously.
• But why do I care? I won't have a dead body on my hands.
• Her attention shifted, she began searching for something. what must she be looking for?
• I have a lot of things to do this morning, I better leave her to make up her mind.
• “Have you seen my phone? I can't find it anywhere”.
• I signaled to Alex, who hands the phone over to her as I made my way out of her room.
• “Wait!” She called out.
• “I have to go now! Thank you for your help,” her words tumbled out in a rush, she was clearly panicking.
• What went wrong?
• But as she stood up, her eyes scanned the room uncertainly before locking onto mine. I was struck by the piercing intensity of her eyes.
• ‘Um I don't know where I am… could you show me directions?.
• I studied her face, searching for the source of her fear. She's clearly afraid of something.
• “Fine, I'll have him drop you off–”
• Her stomach growled noisily and her cheeks flushed bright red. I tried to stifle a laugh.
• “You'll join us for breakfast”.
• *****
• Nora's POV
• As we sat down to eat, he barely touched his meal but was rather engrossed in his phone, I, on the other hand was left to devour the sumptuous spread before me. Thank God his gaze was fixed at something else, It could’ve been unbearable.
• With his eyes still glued to his screen, I stole glances at him and damn he was gorgeous, with his flawless features and relaxed sitting position that seemed almost deliberately posed like a model frozen in a perfect pose.
• I must have stared too long, because he suddenly raised his head, and for a brief moment our eyes met. I felt my face flush.
• “Well I’m done and I’ll be off,” I said hastily, trying to compose myself. ‘Thank you again for everything.”
• “What were you doing at the Victor’s estate yesterday night”
• I hesitated. “I needed to complete a deal.”
• He nodded thoughtfully “ It couldn't be done at his office?”
• “ He had a busy schedule so, I had to meet him at his house”
• Gosh, I felt like I was being interrogated
• “You know, you could’ve at least gone with your secretary or assistant, do you know the kind of danger you exposed yourself to?”
• “Um, she had other engagements” I replied trying my best to maintain my cool
• He scoffed, “ convenient.” he got quiet for a while and continued.
• “Your stepfather dug a hole for you, and you quickly fell into it. You just can’t be this gullible”
• How the hell did he know about my stepfather “ I’m thankful for your help, but I won’t sit here and listen to you make such claims!” I got up from my seat, intending to leave.
• “I’m saying. You should be more careful with him”. He said, not bothered by my outburst.
• “I don’t need your opinion or advice, I can take care of myself”. With that I stormed out of the room, Who did he think he was? He should stay out of my business.
• I struggled to find the exit, there were so many rooms.I was grateful when I ran into the bodyguard-like man.
• “This way ma’am” He led me out of the tastefully furnished house and into the waiting car.
• As we drove off, the stranger’s words kept on ringing in my head. "Your stepfather dug a hole for you and you fell right into it” what was he trying to insinuate, my stepfather was only trying to help me out. pushed the thought outside. I realised then that I did not know his name.
• I cleared my throat “Who is he?”
• “Michael Blackwood,” he replied.
• The name didn’t ring a bell.
• *****
• My stepfather’s annoyed voice greeted me as I entered his office, “Where have you been! He thundered, his face was red with rage.
• “It’s a long story.” I began.
• “Save it!”
• “What were you thinking? You blew the deal, and now Victor's saying you attacked him, what exactly is going on with you?”
• I couldn't believe my ears. That bastard!!
• “That’s not true”, I cried out. “He’s lying!, he’s the one that tried to rape me! I was drugged” He stares at me in disbelief.
• “That may be the case, but he has a different story to tell”.
• He hands me a document, It was a notice of a court case, with Victor claiming assault and bodily harm. The attached pictures showed him with bruises and cuts on his hands and face, I felt a surge of outrage. My head was spinning.I still couldn’t remember what happened that night, but I’m sure I did not hurt him. Why would he do this?