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Chapter 4 : Finding Adrian...

You know what they say when there's too much silence… it's the silence before the storm.

I've realised now… how it feels like when you're really on the edge… living under actual danger… knowing there's a real threat looming over your head.

The one who had once saved me from a monster, is now the one who wants to hurt me… he wants my blood.

And yet, despite the threat, I'm not scared.

I don't think Adrian is capable of killing me. Sure he wants to hurt me… but something tells me he won't ever finish me. If Adrian really wanted me dead, I wouldn't be living and breathing right now. I wouldn't be sitting here, staring at the clock, waiting for him to return.

But you know what's the most astonishing thing in this whole situation? I'm comfortable with the concept of being hurt, by Adrian. It's sick and twisted and wrong; but it's true. I've realized just now, how much I've gotten used to the idea of being used and abused by my captor.

When Bert and I had removed the drawer and stepped out of the living room, we realized that Adrian wasn't around. Lucas told us that he disappeared. I hadn't felt any relief at the news.

And I'm even more anxious now… because nobody knows where he is. Men being men, Bert and Lucas left me behind all by myself, here, in this empty living room.

The late afternoon sunlight is streaking through the horizon of the forest, forming strange and creepy patterns on the grassland as I gaze out, glancing at the clock every now and then.

When I get tired of just sitting, I make my way to the kitchen and just for time pass, I decide to cook. I make some waffles for myself. I prepare some extra and leave them on the island. I go as far as informing Bert that they can have it if they are hungry.

He stares at me like he can't believe me for a full minute then a huge grin breaks out on his face. “You're the best! I was just going to order some pizza but waffles sound even better.”

Then he does something extremely unexpected; he hugs me. I'm so shocked at the gesture that I don't even return his hug. Thankfully he doesn't notice and dashes to the kitchen, hollering for Lucas and the other guys that there's a treat for everyone.

A part of me sighs in relief that I cooked enough to feed all of them. But it really bothers me to realize that I did all that without having anyone to push me to cook. I'm a slave, but not a willing one. Then why did I cook for the ones who are involved with my captor!?

The thought bothers me, and maybe it should. But I chalk it up to boredom; if I hadn't been going out of my mind, I would have never done something so insane.

After reasoning with myself, I quickly run to my former room and take another shower to change into the black gown I had chosen before Adrian distracted me… rather painfully. Anyways, the sweater and sweats wouldn't stop reminding me about what happened in the foyer so I get out of them and lock them back inside the armory.

When I'm done, once again, I have nothing to do. So, I decide to give myself a tour. I venture through the house, passing rooms after empty huge ass rooms and wonder why the hell this house looks so empty.

I come down to the first floor and roam past the living room, traveling deeper, padding down a long corridor. On a random whim, I open a door and catch a couple of men lifting out the furniture through the floor to ceiling windows and carrying them somewhere out of sight.

Frowning, I back out of the room quietly and deem it good to get out of the open area where anyone can spot me. I glance down the way I've come then glance in the opposite direction and spot a huge wall. My eyes narrow in suspicion as I size it up. Something tells me it isn't just a wall. But I can't put my finger on what sets it apart. Maybe the glinting smoothness; no cemented wall shines like that.

“What are you doing here?”

An accented male voice startles me. I jerk with fright and barely conceal my surprised squeak before whirling around to face Lucas as he approaches me. He wears a stoic expression on his face but the way his hands are flexing on his sides, I don't think he's pleased to see me in this part of the house.

“Oh, hey. Hi, Lucas.” I stammer nervously… and I couldn't have sounded more stupid.

“Are you lost?” He asks as his eyes flicker to the door I had just opened.

“Uh, yes. I'm lost. Right.” I nod emphatically, smiling a little. “It's a really big house, I have to say that.”

“That it is.” Lucas nods as his eyes narrow, imperceptibly.

I just smile and look away, swallowing. Crap! That was close.

“I thought you were snooping around at first.” He continues and I feel all the colour draining from my face. “But I guess you were just lost. Do you want me to show you the way back?”

I let out a relieved sigh then nod slightly. “Yes, please.”

We both travel back through the house and reach the living room. Lucas excuses himself to leave when I'm inside. Just as he turns his back on me, prompted by a sudden thought, I stop him.

“I wanted to tell you something, Lucas.”

He goes rigid for a split second before turning back to face me.

“May I?” I ask softly.

“Of course. Anything you want.” He smiles and I relax a little.

He slants me with an inquisitive look in his vibrant green eyes and I feel myself flush with embarrassment. I make a mental note never to do this again because now I'm feeling horribly self-conscious. But I cling to his willingness to hear me out and take a deep breath.

Alright, you can do this.

“Actually, I wanted to apologize for what Adrian did to you because of me.” My eyes shoot up to his face, gauging his expression. His smile falters a little but he doesn't say anything. Hastily, I add, “I'm really sorry that he beat you because of me.”

I glance at his crooked nose guiltily and give him a sympathetic look. This had been nagging me since then but I never got a chance to apologize. Being locked up in a room didn't help either.

“Apology accepted. Though it wasn't the first time that maitre lost control and I was caught up in between” Lucas replies, sounding bitter cold.

“You mean he has hurt you more than once!?” He nods grimly and I gasp.

He really is a monster.

“I'm so sorry… Why do you still work for him then? If he's not good with you?” I ask, genuinely confused.

He should leave him alone. A man like him doesn't deserve such loyalty.

“I haven't thought about it.” He says, scratching his chin then shakes his head and gives me a warm smile. I smile back, a little abashed to see him smile. Most of the time, he walks around with a stoic face. I've never seen him smile or show any emotion. But the smile looks natural on his face, it lights up his emerald eyes.

He says, still smiling. “But thank you for your concern. It feels nice to know someone cares.”

“Of course.”

He bows to me in a very gentleman like style, mumbling softly, “I'm really glad to see you haven't allowed maitre to break you.”

His words jolt me and my smile drops. When he meets my eyes again, they are softer, filled with something I can't decipher. And before I can respond, he disappears.

I spend the rest of the afternoon trying to shrug off the uneasy feeling, caused by his words. Whatever it was, I don't know why, but it didn't feel right. His vibes… they gave me the chills. Bad ones.

Later in the evening, I find myself back in the kitchen, listening to a heated argument and rolling my eyes. I don't know what to do. Bert says we should wait but Lucas demands to arrange a search party and go hunt down Adrian's ass to drag him back home.

I agree with Lucas.

After what I witnessed this morning, I don't think Adrian is going to come back on his own. He didn't want to hurt me but something inside of him wanted to hear me scream… but still he didn't want to kill me. If he had squeezed a little tighter and for a little longer… he would have finished me without even realising what he was doing.

I swallow, hard at the thought then shake myself out of the terrifying memory.

So, I think he's going to keep himself away from me. It's just a hunch. He still might be sitting somewhere and planning my slaughter. But despite the danger, my heart is ready to take the risk.

I try to speak up to tell them what I think will work but they shut me out and continue bickering. At last, when they both finally quiet down, I clear my throat and suggest without any sass, “I think we should go look for him.”

“No—”

“Yes—”

Both of them speak at the same time then glare at each other.

“I know Rain better than you. He'll come for her.” Bert argues.

“Then why hasn't he?” Lucas retorts.

And here we go again.

I cover my ears with my palm and watch them as they start up a brand new episode of fighting for upper hand.

Adrian isn't going to return and we are never going to find him.

Perfect.

***Adrian's Hideout… ***

“Monsieur, êtes-vous sûr que c’est là que vous voulez être?” (“Sir, are you sure this is where you want to be?”) The cab driver asks me as I hand him a few bills. Thankfully, I'd remembered to tuck in my wallet.

“Oui.” (“Yes.”) I nod briefly then step back.

I watch the old man shrug then pull away from the curb. Taking a deep breath, I button up my jacket and turn around to start walking.

Cool evening breeze sweeps around the empty backdrop street of London. The temperature outside matches the sensations I feel from the inside. As I pass the closed shutters of hardware shops and small local cafés and restaurants, I realise that I'm not alone. The street might seem empty but the small alleys aren't. Every now and then, I would see a figure or two in some of the narrow spaces between two structures.

Smell of tobacco and booze touches my senses whenever I get too close to any alley, to avoid the trash and some foul smelling shit dotting the pavement. Cursing voices and undifferentiated moans of males and females fall on my numb ears. But none of that feathers me.

I even come across an open medical drug store. The hammered open lock lying on the ground just inside the shutters, catches my eyes as I glance inside and spot a redhead on her knees, sucking off an old guy who grunts and wheezes, clearly drunk out of his senses.

I don't stop to watch, nor do I pay them any attention except for an eye roll. Unbothered, I maintain my pace and pass the store like a ghost, my footfalls barely audible as I glide forward.

My destination lies on the end of this street. If I had been in my right mind, I would have shoved more money inside the cab driver's pocket and told him to turn around immediately and take me somewhere else. I would have never asked him to bring me here in the first place… if only I hadn't been feeling so dead… so careless.

I know I could have gone to my hotel after I was finished with my business, where I'd taken my Esclave the first night. I could have stayed there and returned home on the day of the club gathering.

But now that I don't have any work left to occupy my mind and time, it wouldn't have been too long until my sick desires resurfaced and urged me to indulge in my dark fantasies with my captive, my esclave, who's helplessly drawn to me, despite her fears.

I can't believe I had come so close to killing her this morning. I could have finished her, even before she realised what was happening.

My esclave knew that I'm a monster, she believed that. But she hadn't thought that I would put her life in danger. She must hate me now and want to see me dead.

I had managed to control myself enough to let go of her then. But I won't lie and say that I hadn't followed her to the living room. I wanted to kick down the door and drag her down to the basement and torture her until she gave me every last bit of her heart and mind and soul.

The need to possess was so strong; it was the strongest, most ardent emotion I have ever felt in my life. I thought, now that I didn't take my medicine, I would not feel anything for her. But the undeniable attraction and lust I felt, after a week of indulging in my new numbness, was just as shocking as it was frustrating.

I can't afford to feel for her, it would throw my plans off kilter. I can't allow that to happen. And maybe… that's why I'm here. I have to stay low and far away from her, until I find a way to control myself around her.

Nobody knows that I own a place in this part of the city. This is my best shot at taking cover for a while without having to worry about Bert or Lucas tracking me down.

I sigh, letting go of my thoughts as I slow down my pace. I climb one step at a time, giving time to the bouncers standing on either side of the entrance to see and recognize me as I approach them. I would have smirked like I usually do when I catch my employees off guard. But this time, I simply stride in as one of the bouncers holds the door open for me.

Both of them gawk at me openly as their wide, fearful eyes trail me to the main double doors which lead to the public lounge. I notice a closed sign board hanging from the handle of the door.

I ignore it and crack open the heavy metal doors and stroll inside.

The lounge is empty. Good.

I have the same schedules and rules for every club I own. The timing of opening and closing, extent of services, kind of staff, uniform… I've strict instructions for every aspect. Nobody dares to break my rules. Everyone knows how gruesome and fatal the consequences can turn out to be. I never forget to set an example through someone, anyone after buying the club to keep the others in line.

Instilling fear becomes essential when you're not always around to take care of everything personally.

Rolling my shoulders, I continue towards the back of the lounge. I undo my cuffs and slip them in my pocket before opening the connecting door that holds the manager's office.

I knock and hear someone swear on the other side. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes again as I listen to the squeaking of a chair and rustling of clothes. Steps pound towards the door as French expletives continue to rain out of a gutter mouth.

“What the fuck!?” The door flies open and before me, Rukus, the managing head of my club stands with a hard scowl on his flushed face. His clothes are in a disarray like he had been wrestling with the fragile material to wrench them off.

His expressions freeze, then fade, giving way to a terrified look as recognition flashes across his face. “Maitre Black…”

I give him a cool look then relent. I can't deal with this right now.

“I'll be in my office. Meet me in 15 minutes.” I say, just as my eyes flicker behind him and spot the outline of a woman standing behind the white curtains. Is she hiding? I want to snort. She couldn't have found a worse place to hide.

I arch my left brow as I meet my manager's eyes again, who now appears sickly pale, trepidation written all over his thin face. “You're lucky I'm not in the mood to punish.”

Monsieur, I-I can explain—” He begins but I halt him with a cold glare.

“I know you can explain. But I don't want to hear it. Come to my office, I have some tasks for you.” I glance back at the woman behind the curtains. “But first, get rid of her.”

I turn around but a thought occurs to me. I ask over my shoulder, “Is that your assistant?”

I sense his hesitation then warn, “Don't even think about lying to me?”

“Oui, Monsieur.” He admits, his tone coated in layers of fear and embarrassment.

“Thought so. Do any of the staff members know about this?”

“Non, Monsieur.”

I won't have to fire everyone after all. Good.

“Tell her to write two resignation letters and submit them to me.” I instruct Rukus as I advance towards the stairs.

“Why two letters, Monsieur?” His voice shakes when he enquires.

“One for you and one for her.” I stop, then throw him an indifferent look over my shoulder. “I can fire you both, if you prefer humiliation to discretion.”

“It won't happen again, Maitre! I swear I'll get rid of her. You don't have to fire me. I can behave—”

“You know the rules, Rukus.” I cut him off at once. “You both have dared to put my business in jeopardy. You have broken my rules. It's definite that I don't want to see either of you in my club after tonight. So, you better do as I say before I get involved.”

There's a brief pause of contemplation.

“Oui, Monsieur.” Rukus whispers, defeat evident in his tone.

I leave him behind to mourn or sulk or do whatever one does when he realises his career has ended.

I make my way to the third floor and get to the Executive Office, where I spend the next few hours going through the management and handling of my business, looking through the recent expenditures and budgets.

Later when Rukus arrives with the letters, he fills me in on everything and at last, I send him and his assistant packing, sealing their fates with a sign on their unwillingly written resignation letters.

I wrap up my work at around 5 o'clock in morning and step out of my office to take a breather. I go to my cabin and freshen up in the bathroom, dressing in another suit which I keep in every quarter I own, in and around my clubs or hotels.

As I sip my coffee in the kitchen, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I frown and take it out. Bert has flooded my inbox as well as call record. I shake my head at his futile attempts to reach me. Then, quick as lightning, I realise what he is actually trying to do.

Instantly, I turn off my phone, pick it apart and stuff it inside the refrigerator. Smirking, I leave the kitchen and go take a nap in my cabin before I start my day and lose myself into mindless work.

~

In the next four days, I restore the order in my club and straighten out the kinks in the system. Now everything's going more smoothly.

Everyone was surprised and frightened at first to see me here but now they have gotten used to the idea of me looming over them all the time. It doesn't please me or bore me. I feel nothing at all. I just doll out instructions, watch over the surfing and maintain the flow.

I don't care what I'm doing as long as I don't have time to think about a particular someone and feel all those raging and confusing array of emotions. And this is best for everyone.

I'm not going to return and they are never going to find me.

Perfect.

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