19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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I nearly slumped with relief when I realized that it wasn't Lucian.
Was I already so frightened of him? I bent down and started to pick up the phone.
"Ma'am, are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you. I'm so sorry! " Concern flickered in her eyes as she collected the phone which had fallen from my hands, I recognized her as one of the employees.
"It's fine, what do you want? "
What does he want?...would have been more appropriate, because I was sure that her appearance here had something to do with Lucian.
What did he want from me? My heart was twisted tight in anxiety while waiting for her response, but if anything she seemed even more uncomfortable than I was. Her eyes frequently scanned around the room.
"Gabrielle...right? I have been waiting for this opportunity to meet you! I need to speak to you" Her voice was lowered, I had to strain my ears to hear what she was saying.
I didn't know how to respond, she was behaving quite suspiciously.
"I'm Anya, I'm here so we can help Derek."
It was like a hammer struck at my heart,
my heart soared to my throat, I was speechless and stunned with disbelief, I cast a quick glance at the door as though Lucian would barge inside.
How did she know Derek?
"H..how? Isn't h..he..."
She nodded slowly, a hard look passing through her eyes, it was gone so quickly, now she was staring at me with a hopeful expression.
"Lucian has him, we don't know exactly where he is."
My gut clenched painfully, my eyes teared up at the memory of the way Lucian had ruined his fingers amongst countless injuries. He had said that as long as I behaved Derek would be alive, but I don't know Lucian well enough, how could I trust his words?
"He will be killed unless something is done, which is why I had to come to you. You will help him, right? "
I returned my gaze to Anya, that was what she said her name was, If it was to save Derek, I would do everything that I could, except that I didn't entirely trust her, what if Lucian had sent her here to test me. Why would she know Derek who worked for my father?
"What is your relationship with him? Why should I believe whatever you say? You work for Lucian, so why would you want to save a man he considers his enemy? "
"I can't explain everything to you right now, you can be assured that I do not work for Lucian, I'm Derek's old friend, which is why I thought you will be of help."
I didn't respond to that and she continued.
"We don't know where Lucian is keeping him, if you can somehow get that information, then we will handle the rest. "
I didn't fully grasp what she was saying and didn't know if I could trust the little I understood. Even then, there was no way I could ever get to find out about Derek's whereabouts from Lucian.
"If you want him to stay alive, then you will have to find a way. I can't stay here any longer, I will wait for your response. "
She left after that, leaving me to stare at the empty room in confusion, I was worried, but still, I felt the slightest twinge of hope beginning to bloom in my heart...
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I didn't see Anya for the rest of the day, It was evening. I dreaded going downstairs to have dinner with him, but I didn't see any way out of it. if I refused, he would have made me come either way, and I didn't want to think what he would do to me then.
I met him waiting for me, the dining room was huge and fully decorated. His piercing grey eyes focused on me almost had me trembling, if I could help it, I didn't want to be anywhere around him.
His lips lifted in a half-smile, I couldn't help but think how someone so evil could look so angelic.
"Come, wife"
I shuddered at the way he murmured those words, it seemed he wanted to remind me that I was his at every instance. He pointed to the seat nearest to him.
The dishes were served, I was surprised that it consisted of most of my favorite meals, was it a coincidence?
My mind drifted to when Phoebe told me that Lucian had especially wanted me, last night when he forced me, he had mentioned how he had waited for years. I was sure that I have never met him personally until that night at our house, the thought that he might have known me for a long time, watching me when I never knew he existed pierced me with a different kind of fear.
"Eat Brie. I don't want you to lose weight."

I avoided his stare at all costs and kept my eyes on the dishes, it would be easier if I didn't have to stare at those piercing eyes.
I started to eat even though I could barely taste it and had to force each bite down my throat.
I ate slowly to prolong the inevitable, the moment the meal was over, he would no doubt take me upstairs and... I shuddered at last night's memories, it had been so painful, there was not even the slightest bit of pleasure about it. It was better, I didn't want to think about Lucian pleasuring me, the pain would always be a reminder of how much I hated him and everything he has done.
"What are you thinking about, wife? "
His voice suddenly broke into my thoughts, I found myself meeting his frosty stare that concealed whatever might be going through his mind, I wanted to reply with a quick "nothing " but gave it another thought, if there was any hope for Derek and me, I would need to first learn more about this man, I knew nothing about him except his name and kind of business. I could at least try to get some answers to the questions running through my head.

"Why did you want me? It could have as well been my sister, anyone of us would have been suitable for the alliance, so, why me?"
His response came quicker than expected.
"It's always been you for me, Brie. I saw you, I wanted you and now you are mine." His eyes glimmered possessively as though I was something that had struck his fancy and I instantly regretted ever asking.
The meal was over all too quickly, some workers quickly appeared from nowhere and started to gather the dishes.
Lucian was beginning to straighten up, my heart leaped to my throat. I wanted to prolong this as long as I could, I didn't want to go upstairs with him.
"But you didn't even know me until a few weeks ago! "
He chuckled, seeming amused as though I had just told a joke.
"I first met you when you were fifteen, my sweet, innocent, and untainted Brie, you were something I wanted so bad, but couldn't have then, you don't know how painful it was to wait for so long. "
I was shocked by his statement, he had known me for eight years?
"Why do you want me? Are you trying to say that you are in love with me? Then why do you hurt me." I didn't know why I asked that, I found that thought utmost terrifying but then had to laugh at myself, someone like him probably didn't know what that meant, and he wouldn't hurt me if he actually cared for me.
I inhaled sharply when he began to advance slowly, I was frozen to my spot, my heart pounding faster and faster with each step he took.
He stopped only when he was standing directly in front of me, my lips felt dry, I licked them nervously and his eyes followed, the sudden change in his breath and the dangerous way his eyes darkened sent a tight knot in my stomach.
"I never said I love you, Brie. I just want you in a way I shouldn't desire anyone. "
I didn't know why but I felt relieved, that was until his next statement.
"As for why I hurt you, I wouldn't do that if you are obedient and not make me mad, especially when you talk about that boy. " There was a sudden rage in his voice that spread cold terror down my spine.
"You kissed him and tried to leave me when you were already mine!" He breathed harshly.
I swallowed tightly under his heated glare.
He closed his eyes briefly, when he opened them, the rage was gone, replaced by almost a flicker of gentleness I've never seen before.
"But since you already promised, I suppose I can forgive you for that."
The promise he mentioned earned him a frightened look from me, I had agreed only because I wanted to keep Derek alive.
Now that he mentioned it, my insides coiled with renewed fear.
'GET PREGNANT WITH MY HEIR! " The words taunted my mind.
"Come with me, wife. Show me you meant those words. " This time, he extended his hand to me, I shook my head absolutely terrified.
I searched my eyes frantically for a getaway.
My unwillingness earned me a harsh glare from him.
"Lucian please I..I...Not now, please" I fumbled with my words.
His jaw flexed tightly. My pleas fell on deaf ears. And before I could even so much as move an inch, strong fingers encircled my arms, jerking me to him.
"Your actions disappoint me, wife." A strangled sound escaped my throat when he lifted me first, then tossed me over his shoulder just like he had that day at the airport.