"Moron, idiot, fool, nicompoop and ignoramus maniac demonic being."
I screamed the words inside my chest, biting them down hard as I stared at his body sprawled on the ground. My hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the rush still coursing through my veins. The taste of bitterness sat heavy on my tongue. Even like this hurting, humiliated he still looked untouchable.
His men rushed in before I could move. Rough hands grabbed my arms, holding me down like I was nothing more than a nuisance. I didn't fight them. I just watched.
I watched as he stood up slowly, fingers brushing over his lips.
They were swollen now, slightly split at the corner. The sight filled me with a dark, guilty satisfaction. For once, he wore the mark of pain too.
I smiled inwardly.
"Prepare the helicopter." His voice was calm, detached—as if nothing had happened. He straightened his suit with practiced ease and walked away without sparing me a glance.
That hurt more than the blow to my body.
They dragged me up, hauling me away. I didn't resist. My body felt heavy, drained, like all the strength had been wrung out of me. All I wanted was to rest my head somewhere quiet.
A sharp pain stabbed my abdomen suddenly. I sucked in a breath, my steps faltering for a second, but I ignored it. I had endured worse. I always did.
They shoved me into a room.
"This will be your room." the man said his face twisted in disgust, as if my presence alone offended him. Like I was dirt carried in on someone's shoe.
I walked in and locked the door behind me, leaning against it briefly. The pain came again, sharper this time, curling low in my stomach. I clenched my jaw and straightened. I wasn't weak.
I went to take a shower, letting the warm water hit my skin, hoping it would wash away the exhaustion clinging to me. But even under the spray, the ache stayed.
A knock sounded barely a minute later.
"Who is it?" I rushed to the door, irritation already simmering, but there was no answer. Only when I got closer did a familiar presence press against the space.
"Open up." His deep voice rang out.
I rolled my eyes, annoyance flaring. Wrapping a towel around myself, I unlocked the door and opened it.
He stood there, eyes cold, unreadable. He looked me over slowly—from my damp hair to my bare legs—as if assessing an object. No desire. No emotion. Just empty calculation.
"Are you trying to seduce me coming out naked." He raised a brow.
"Trust me, if I wanted to seduce you I would but you just ain't worth my precious time."
The faint smile that crossed my lips surprised even me. It felt good—standing my ground, even like this.
He only nodded, unimpressed. "I'll have them deliver some casual outfits, wear them. We're going somewhere."
"Where?"
But he was already gone, the door slamming shut in my face.
I hissed softly and sat on the bed. Another knock came almost immediately, followed by the door opening. A woman stood there, holding a box, her head bowed.
"From the boss." thewoman said.
I took it without a word. I didn't waste time. I changed quickly, then paused in front of the mirror. For a moment, I forgot everything else.
The jeans hugged me perfectly, sitting just right on my hips. The basic top clung to my body, outlining my long torso and slim waist. I turned slightly, admiring the way I still looked… whole.
Still me. I smiled.
Outside, the mansion was eerily quiet. Too quiet. Like it was holding its breath.
Then I saw him—leaning against the car, ginger hair catching the sunlight. The light kissed his skin, highlighting the sharp cut of his jaw, the strength in his shoulders. His baggy jeans and biker jacket gave him a reckless, dangerous edge. He looked like trouble made flesh.
For a second, I forgot to breathe.
I walked toward him. His eyes lifted, scanning me again, slow and deliberate.
"Not bad."
I hissed softly, turning away, but he stepped closer. He was tall—too tall. He bent slightly, closing the distance between us. My heart thudded painfully as his fingers brushed my neck.
I froze.
A cool weight settled against my skin. A diamond necklace. It sparkled in the sunlight, bright and expensive. My fingers lifted on instinct, touching it.
When he raised his head, our eyes locked. His face was close—too close. Our lips almost touched. My breath caught.
I broke the contact first.
"You look like a crystal bulb." he smirked.
"Oh really, did anyone told you you look like a pumpkin with that bright ginger hair."
His stunned silence felt like victory.
I smiled and walked past him, opening the back door and settling inside.
Suddenly, the door yanked open.
"You think I'm your driver. Move your ass to the front seat."
His hand raked through his hair in frustration.
"Can I just seat here for today?"
I looked down, my voice quieter. The front seat dragged memories from places I didn't want to return to.
I met his eyes, silently begging.
He didn't argue. He shut the door and walked around. Relief washed through me as the engine started.
The pain returned, worse now. I groaned softly, clutching my stomach. His eyes flicked to me through the mirror. We locked eyes for a second before I looked away.
I closed my eyes
When the car stopped, the pain hadn't left.
"After you."
I walked forward slowly, every step careful, measured. My hand stayed pressed against my stomach as if holding myself together.
The ache had grown heavier now, no longer a warning but a demand. My breathing shortened without me noticing.
Behind me, his boots clicked steadily against the floor and suddenly they stopped.
Before I could turn or ask why, a firm hand wrapped around my waist. I stiffened in shock. Warm fabric slid over my hips, around my middle, hiding me.
"Hold still."
His voice was low, close, almost at my ear. It sent a strange shiver through me—not fear, not comfort, something in between. His fingers worked quickly, tying the jacket securely around my waist, careful but urgent, like he didn't want anyone else to see.
I turned to face him, confused, my heart racing. His expression was tight now, jaw clenched, eyes darker than before.
"Let's go the bathroom."
My brows pulled together as another sharp cramp twisted inside me. I sucked in a breath.
"What's wrong?" He didn't answer the question. His grip tightened slightly, grounding.
"Let's go to the bathroom first."
He grabbed my hand, firm but not rough, and pulled me along. I followed because my body had already started to give up on me. Fear crept in quietly, curling around my chest. I didn't know what was wrong yet, but I knew something was.
We stopped in front of the ladies' restroom.
"Wait here, I'll be back."
The second he turned and walked away, panic hit me full force. My heart dropped. I didn't wait. I rushed inside, locking the door behind me with shaking hands.
I faced the mirror and untied the jacket.
The sight hit me like a slap.
For a second, my brain refused to understand what I was seeing. Then reality crashed down hard.
"My period…"
The scream ripped out of me before I could stop it, bouncing off the tiled walls. Tears blurred my vision instantly, hot and humiliating. The pain exploded, sharp and relentless, curling deep in my lower stomach like something was tearing me apart from the inside.
I clutched my abdomen, groaning, my legs weakening. I hadn't known, I hadn't prepared.
I was stained.
The embarrassment burned, but the pain was worse—far worse. My knees buckled suddenly, and I dropped to the cold floor, my back hitting the tiles. I cried out, clutching my stomach like my life depended on it. Then, I heard a familiar voice.
"Open up."
I couldn't answer. My mouth opened but no sound came out. The pain swallowed everything.
"Open up, Ara."
Another cramp tore through me, stealing my breath. I whimpered, tears streaking down my face.
The door burst open.
He stood there for half a second—just long enough to take everything in. Me on the floor. Curled in on myself. Crying, bleeding and broken.
Then he rushed forward without hesitation.
He knelt beside me, slid one arm under my knees and the other around my back, lifting me easily. I barely felt it. My strength was gone. I clutched his shirt weakly as darkness crept into my vision.
The world faded.
When I finally opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the smell. Antiseptic, medicine, the hospital.
My throat tightened. I almost choked as I turned my head slightly. Machines beeped softly around me. The bed felt too clean, too white.
He stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, his back to me. His voice was low, controlled. I couldn't hear the words, and I didn't try to. Whatever it was, it felt heavy.
When he ended the call and turned, his eyes met mine immediately. "You're up."
"Yeahh." I groaned a bit.
My voice came out weak, but loud enough.
He stepped closer, his face unreadable, but something tight flickered in his eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me you're in pains." he sounded upset.
I looked away, guilt settling heavy in my chest. My fingers twisted the sheets slowly.
"I am so sorry, I caused you any discomfort. I didn't know I was on my period. And I am sorry you had to use such an expensive jacket." The words spilled out quickly, messy, embarrassed.
"It's not about that Ara?"
I looked up, confused by the sharp edge in his tone.
"It's about what then?"I whispered.
He exhaled slowly, like he was holding something back.
"You said you'll be the woman I need and being that requires me to know every single thing you're going through no matter how little it is."
My chest tightened. I swallowed."But why are you upset?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he placed his hands in his pocket. "The contract is ready, you can review it and decide if you want to sign it or not."
"Finally, the real deal." I muttered.