LYRIC
My appetite left with Jace after our painful conversation.
I was scared, and a tiny voice in my head kept mocking me that I might not be alive for very long.
I heard my door unlocking and snapped upright, waiting to see who’d enter.
It hadn’t been long since the maids brought me food. So, who was-
Oh.
My thoughts took a pause. Swallowing hard, I rose to my feet as Jaris made his way in.
He was still wearing something corporate, which meant he must just be making his way home. But it was almost midnight. Why was he just coming back?
‘It’s none of your business, Lyric,‘
“Good evening,” I murmured.
It was the first time he was coming to see me since he locked me up. I couldn’t believe he could be so cruel to do this to
- me.
I noticed his eyes linger on the tray of my untouched meal. He didn’t seem pleased.
“Why haven’t you eaten?” He asked coldly.
“Nothing. Just didn’t have the appetite.”
“Seriously?” He huffed. “You’re not eating so you can lie to people that I starved you.”
I looked at him with disbelief. “I really don’t get why you assume I’m a liar.” I have never lied to you!
He said nothing, but his expression didn’t get any softer.
He ambled toward the table, leaning against it.
He folded his brawny arms across his chest, and I forced myself not to look at how good it was.
“Why were you trying to run?” His voice was less scolding, more like he was curious. “Aside our contract, you were supposed to treat Xylon. I thought you liked the kids. Were you really going to abandon him just because of our differences?”
I shook my head. He really thought I was trying to flee because we were at loggerheads? Oh, he knew nothing.
“I’m sorry,” I scratched my hairline with the tip of my finger. “I promise you, it’s not what you think. I wasn’t trying to flee because of our differences.” I hated the fact that I was explaining myself and apologizing when few weeks ago, he had hurt me as well and didn’t do anything to make me feel better.
“I know you might not believe it, but Xylon is the reason you caught me in the first place. And I intend to stay and finish my job on him.” I chuckled. “I can’t abandon a soul like that. Never.”
For a long moment, he watched me with those accessing eyes of his. Those eyes that made me feel like I was being investigated.
“Why don’t you tell me where you were headed, then? I deserve to know.”
Okay. I’ve had enough.
“Can we just put this behind us?” My voice was a little serious. “I’m sorry, okay? Sorry I tried to flee. Sorry you caught me. I promise, it’ll never happen again. Honestly, I’m just tired of this conversation.”
His eyes darkened. “You think you have the right to be tired? I deserve an explanation, Lyric Harper!*
“Well, at least, I have and I’ve apologized! You didn’t do any of these on our mating night. You embarrassed me in front of friends and family! At least, I haven’t done any of that to you!”
He moved from the table, stepping towards me with eyes burning like hot coals.
This was my warning to keep shut. My warning to tell me I was crossing the line. But I’d been carrying this hurt with me for weeks!
I took a step back when he kept getting closer. Eventually, I stood my ground, despite the fear clawing deep in my stomach.
We stood almost feet to feet, his dark eyes pin
Successfully unlocked!
“You know nothing, Lyric,” his voice was like an ice cube. “You know nothing of the embarrassment you brought to me.”
What? My voice was barely audible.
He turned away, heading for the door.
1/3
59
“If I did something, why don’t you just tell me!? Because as far as I’m concerned, I’m the only one who has been your victim here!”
He didn’t stop. Didn’t look at me.
“If you hated me this much, you shouldn’t have brought the damn contract to me. My life is more hell than It’s ever been!”
Of course, that was not true. But I was furious and not thinking straight.
He walked out the door, but I didn’t hear the locks.
I hesitated for a moment before going closer. What. I turned the knob, the door opened. And more to my surprise, the key was right there on the keyhole.
He didn’t lock me in. Did that mean I was free?
**********
JACE
Jace impatiently glanced at his time for what felt like the millionth time.
If there was one thing he hated, it was having to wait for anyone.
He picked his phone and keys to leave when Kael finally arrived.
“Fuck, man! You’re late!” He hissed.
Kael remained calm as he took his seat, facing Jace’s.
“How ironic,” the corner of his lips tilted up in a smile. “A few days ago it was me begging to see you. Now, it’s the other way around.”
“You must have vocabulary problems because I didn’t fucking beg, Jace forced himself not to growl. “Why were you so late? You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”
.“Dude, I know you have the brain of a child and all, but there’s something called traffic. Besides, you only waited for ten
minutes. Don’t act like a lady hasn’t kept you waiting for longer.”
“No. People don’t keep me waiting. It’s forbidden in my rules.”
Kael simply huffed as he reached for his half cup of wine and drank from it.
“Now, why the fuck would you do that?” Jace slammed his hands on the table, although it was light. “Your stupid lips just kissed my glass.”
He clicked his fingers toward a waitress, requesting for an extra glass.
“You’re an ass. You should be thankful someone like me gets to kiss your glass. From the look of things, I don’t think you get such privileges often.”
“Yeah, you wish.”
Kael chuckled and emptied the drink.
Jace was always unnerved by this guy. He could act very cold, his mind capable of delivering the greater evil.
“Now, why did you call for me?” Kael asked as he dropped his empty glass on the table.
The waitress arrived with Jace’s new glass which he started filling with the wine.
“I need your help.”
“It’s obvious. You wouldn’t call me here for any other reason. Please, refill my glass.”
Jace gave him the death glare. “I’m not your boy. You’ve got hands. Do it yourself.”
“I fucking said please! How’re you even the chairman’s son? You’re the complete opposite of what your father is. Seriously, I think I need to talk to him to change his son.”
“And you? Do you even have a father I can talk to?”
Kael chuckled, although Jace didn’t miss the dark glint in his eyes. “Look, you better fill that glass or I’m out of here.”
Jace growled low in the throat. He wished he could punch this guy so hard he wouldn’t heal. But he was right. He did need his help.
Grudgingly, he refilled his glass and slid it to him.
He kept his gaze on Kael as he drank from it. “Careful. I might’ve poisoned it.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t dare.”
Kael brought the wine to half before setting it down on the table.
“Okay. So, what help are we talking about?”
