Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-two

“Strip.” I heard Brandon say in a commanding voice. My heart left my chest and flew into my throat. I was about to join him for dinner as he had requested, when I heard his voice, lethal as ever, speak from the dining room.

I stopped in my tracks looking at Lucavo fearfully. He had come to escort me to the dining room, since I didn’t know my way around the house. He too seemed terrified by the intimidating banter from Brandon. He bowed his head apologetically and glanced past me, over the stairs at the dining room. He avoided my eyes, and he seemed to be nervous as his hands quivered a little.

I took slow, heavy, footsteps down the stairs, just to satiate my curiosity. I wanted to be sure I heard him right, or maybe, I was being delusional. But if I wasn’t delusional, then… Who could he be talking to when it was so late at night, to strip? Was he inviting me over for dinner to watch him strip other girls? Was he trying to get me jealous or what? What point was he trying to make here!?

A lady stood stark naked in front of him, while he sat with his legs crossed in one of the sofas in the sitting room. He was looking intently at her, as if studying every bit of her curve and detail, and she looked a bit terrified with her pale body glistening under the soft lights. Who was she? And why did he bring me here? My throat went dry instantly at the scene set before me.

“Turn around.” I heard him say again in a grim, commanding voice, and she obeyed fearfully.
She seemed totally helpless before him.
Her peach coloured butt stared him in the face, alluringly and enticingly. He flipped through the files set in front of him on the mini sized table set before him. He seemed to be totally unconcerned by her presence, and she stood there like a mannequin, awaiting his orders.

Was he calling me here to ask me to strip too? I stood there watching every bit of the drama that unfolded right in front of me with my heart pounding erratically against my chest. She seemed to be freezing in the coldness of the room, yet he was unbothered. He was obviously punishing her.

He looked up from over the files he was flipping through and gave her a thoughtful look before saying; “This proposal is as bland as your body. Not appetising at all, not indulging, not desirable.” he paused for a while as if regarding her; “you should know by now that neither my company, nor my body likes dirty pigs as you.” his cold, lethal words pierced through the silence and the lady shivered even more; this time, not from the AC alone, but also from the coldness of his voice.

“Take your rags on your way out!” he spat in disgust, flinging the files at her, and she quickly gathered her clothes and the files she could lay her hands on and scrambled out.

I was too shocked to speak. My mouth was literally in my mouth and I couldn’t close them, so I let it hang open, as much as it wanted. Was he a natural brute to women? Why did he have to treat her like trash simply because she brought a proposal to him?

If he despised the proposal that much, why did he have to treat her that way before passing the message? Did he have to spit on her dignity and self pride, or even make her suffer like that before going through the proposal. How can his heart be so cold? How can he be this barbaric?

Just now, I thought, he was all sweet and loving, looking out for me. I thought he was even a flirt! But why did he have to body shame her like that? She wasn’t even ugly, I mean, she had a beautiful body, but look what vermin he spat at her!

Wait… or was she his past lover? And he’s taking his anger out on her now that she needs his help? Was that what he was planning to do with me? Make me feel all comfy and good, and then one day, he’d show me his disastrous, true colours, just like Ethan did.

Oh God! Why do I always have to be caught up with the wrong people? Now I see why he is acting all sweet with me. Lucky enough, I could see through his facade on time.

“Who’s next?” I heard his heart-shuddering, menacing voice cross the silence between us, and I gasped in terror with popped eyes.

I glanced at Lucavo, and he too looked terrified and apologetic too. He seemed to understand this part of his boss so well; the pissed off Brandon.

Wait, who was next? I hope not me?

My eyes widened more in horror at the realisation of his words. I looked at Lucavo questioningly, but he looked away, avoiding my eyes completely. He seemed to be aware of the whole plan Brandon had in mind for me. How dare he? Invite me to join him for dinner and have me strip shamefully in the open?

I took heavy, hastened footsteps back to the Masters bedroom from where I came. I ran all the way through, stumbling, staggering, with the tears blinding my eyes. But I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away from him, from everyone else here.

I pushed open the door hastily, bolting it behind me, and squeezed myself to a corner in the room, close to his huge, intimidating bed. I was scared, sad, broken, by the turn of events. I thought he was different from Ethan, but oh, how wrong I was!

Just when I thought my breathing had been steadied, I heard a loud thud from the hallway, and his angry voice asking; “Where is she!?”