Dangerous Liasons

I should talk to him

I should not

I should

I should not

I should

I should no..

I was playing yes and no game. I'll follow the answer i get by the end i reach the staircase. I was stupid I know. But i was pondering over the possibilities that could turn into our conversation. Hmm, maybe he would answer all my questions and enlighten me of my situation? That's very unlike of him. So maybe he would finally get annoyed enough to take out his gun and shoot me? Very pleasing.

I was walking beside various doors and recognised one that's supposed to be Toby's study room. The one where i was strictly forbidden. But he might be there? So what do I do? Barge in there?

I walked closer to the door and stood beside the mahogany cabinet that was against the wall. I realized the door was open. So was he here? Do i go in? Do I really want to face him?

oh fuck it! Woman up Isabella! This is not time to hide. Yes! I'm going to face him. I took slow steps towards the door and with shaky hands clutched the door frame from the side without getting in. Wait. Someone was inside.

I heard voices inside and i backed up. I took a few steps back and tried to hide behind the cabinet. A tiny decorative flower vase and a candle stand was on top of it. I was being extra careful because knowing how clumsy i am, i might knock these over.

"-she could be a threat to us.", i recognised Steph's voice almost whiny. What was she whining for?

"If she was a threat I would've killed her a while ago." And then came the cold, collected voice of Toby. She? She who?

"Then what? Isn't she completely useless to us? Why did you save her? I don't see a point unless....", Steph trailed sounding venomous. What is happening?

"non sono affari tuoi. (That's none of your business) I need her to be with me and you only obey me not question me." Toby snapped at her with an edgy voice. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Ok what the hell. Are they talking about..... me? I heard Steph's footsteps going further into the room, perhaps closer to where Toby is.

"You know you can just kill her and it doesn't even matter. No one ever gets to know that you don't have the manuscript. But you decided to save her when she was the one who screwed up the first. If she hadn't shown up that night that manuscript will be with us now!", Steph sounded angry.

Was this bitch trying to convince Toby to kill me? I take back whatever i said about her being good. She was a bad, very bad person. But wait! What did she say about screwing up something? Showing up somewhere at night? No, maybe they weren't talking about me.

"If it wasn't for her the manuscript wouldn't have been traded. I was supposed to get my hands on it. But now I do have a leverage", i can almost hear him smirk. Wait wait wait. What in the God damn hell was he talking about!

"che tipo di leva?", Steph spoke and the confusion was clear in her voice.

(What leverage?)

Oh damn it. She switched to Italian. But whatever the question is sounded reasonable. I was eager to hear his answer. I placed my ear near the door carefully.

There was a minute of silence before he spoke, ancora una volta, non sono affari tuol.. Steph, non voglio problemi. Sembra che tu abbia un interesse non necessario in questo caso. starne fuori, vai fuori di qui."

(Again, that's none of your business. Steph, i want no problems. you seem to have unnecessary interest in this case. stay out of it. Get out of here.)

BLAST Y'ALL! Why can't they just stick to English. I felt like ripping my hair off. Dang there was probably some good information i missed.

"Si, Steph whispered. Her voice was barely audible. (Yes)

I could tell that she was disappointed with the answer. A part of me was happy. Whatever he said if it disappointed Steph then it was in my favour. But my mind still nagged to know what he said. There was again silence. I was getting confused. Why is none of them talking? After a few minutes i heard Steph shift and make her way to the door. Then I heard his voice again. This time it was slow and careful.

e.. stai lontano da lei" He said. His voice sounded dangerously serious.

(And.. stay away from her.)

I hurriedly scooted behind the cabinet and luckily when Steph came out of the room she stomped in the opposite direction and didn't see me. I let out a sigh of relief. Hmm... now there's a lot to think about. I think it's probably best if I don't go to Toby now. God knows he can get angry, the conversation he had with Steph didn't seem much pleasing. I sneaky tried to get away and ran downstairs.

So many things on my mind. They talked about a manuscript? What does it have to do with me? Heck! I'm not even hundred percent sure they were talking about me.

I walked slowly through the living room and I saw Mike and Audrey almost making out with each other on one of the couches. Eh? Didn't she say she was mad at him this morning. Of course they patched up in less than 5 hours. I rolled my eyes. These two are inseparable, I sighed. They probably didn't see me but as i was passing their couch Mike jumped on her, i made a gag sound.

"Eww, guys get a room", i mumbled as i made my way towards the kitchen not wanting to see any more of their angry make out session.

I got tremendously tired of overthinking about the things i heard between Steph and Toby. I couldn't make sense of anything they said. When i reached the kitchen there was a middle aged woman working. Supposedly a maid. As soon as she saw me she became a little hyper.

"Do you need anything madam? Can i make you something?", she said. She had a thick accent but I couldn't point which one exactly

"No I don't need anything. And don't call me madam, just Isabella is fine.". I pushed a small smile at her. She looked taken aback at first.

"Pardon madam, I can't do that." She mumbled the last part. I frowned at her. Weird.

"And why so? If I may ask", I raised an eyebrow at her. She stared at me for a brief second but didn't answer my question. She went back to doing her work. Again, weird.

I felt like I needed to talk to her. Perhaps she can help me escape? Oh right! Yes she can! Servants here are ought to know how to get out of here. Yes, i need to make her talk.

"What's your name?", I asked as i lifted myself up to sit on the table counter, my legs were hanging. This time she did not even raise her head to look at me, let alone talk to me. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"It's ok if you don't wanna say your name. How long have you worked here?", I asked her again shamelessly taking an apple from the fruit basket. She looked like she was in a dilemma.

"It's really rude to ignore someone like this." I said and still no reply. I huffed in annoyance. "Ok you don't want to talk to me? Fine",i scowled and looked outside through the window. My head snapped back when she spoke.

"Madam, I'm not supposed to talk to you. None of the staff are." she hurriedly said and continued her work as if she was afraid of being seen talking to me.

"No you can talk to me. I won't tell nobody i promise. " i said while pinching my throat to swear like a little kid. She looked at me but didn't say anything. I took a bite of my apple.

"So how long do you work here? It must be really hard to stay here among these assholes? If i were you i would mix purging croton in their food." I laughed but she didn't find the humor in this, rather she looked like she was choking on her breath.

"Give me a few tips about how to control myself from trying to strangle them with my bare hands. Especially Toby. God that guy is a walking grenade. He's...he's a..." I trailed.

"A what?", i fell from the counter when i heard Toby's cool voice from behind. My eyes widened in fear. Shit Shit Shit!

I'm not even lying when I said I fell from the counter. I somehow balanced myself not to fall on my face and stand straight. Shit you universe, i turned around very very slowly to look at

Toby who right now leaned against the doorframe. His legs crossed in a way and arms crossed over his chest. I hate to admit it the way he stood there he looked good?

Very good? Tremendously handsome?

His eyes had a hint of amusement. He was wearing a pitch black shirt and black jeans. Damn! Did he looked hot in black? Like dangerously hot. Smoking hot? Wow, Isabella way to go.

Focus baby focus.

Remember you want to strangle him. Remember what he did last night. He doesn't care okay? Remember how he held you in his arms too..ok shut up. You just need to outsmart him and get the hell out of here asap.

"What were you saying dollface?", he cocked his head. My breath hitched when he started coming towards me until he stood right in front of me. I looked at him and immediately regretted it. Because a brief look at his face caused a tornado in my stomach. I can't tell if it's because I'm scared of him or his face is just really.... don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it... beautiful. Darn!

"I was... saying...", I trailed. What was i going to say? That you're an asshole? An egoistic son of a bachelor?

"Mmhh?", he said as he scooted closer to me. His breath tickled my face. His voice... No. I kept my gaze down because you know it's just that way with him. He's not someone you want to look in the eyes.

He has a nice built physique too...omg no shut up. I can't believe my brain has come down to swooning over his body too. I need to look somewhere else. I was looking down in the space between us. Well.. the space indeed was very small so i ended up looking at his chest and body instead. So i forced myself to look up.

Which was even more of a big mistake because when i looked up two mystical dark blue eyes were hovering over, piercing me. His messy brown hair was falling on his forehead. His eyes..oddly familiar. He looks really hot. How had i not noticed before.. Shut up brain. Snap out of it!

"I was saying you were kind and generous?", my voice sounded more like a question and had a mocking tone to it which he obviously picked up because he had an amusing expression, he almost...almost chuckled. But as you know he is Mr I don't strain my facial muscles by showing emotions, so i can never tell if he did.

"Why thank you. I wish you were always this cooperative. Speaking of which why are you here?" He asked returning back to his emotionless voice.

"I was bored." i said which was not a lie. Audrey left me in the morning and i was alone in my room all day. Mike took away the video game set he gave me earlier as a punishment of ditching him last night. I was bound to get bored. He looked at me almost understandably. Then he looked at the maid beside us and glared at her. She shrieked under his gaze. Geez why does everyone fear him so much. I mean i do sometimes too but not this much.

"I think I said the staffs are not allowed to talk to her?" he glared at her. The lady was twice his age but she looked like she would cry anytime now. I felt pity.

"It's not her fault. She wasn't even talking to me. I was the one pestering her.",i said keeping my voice low. He looked at me then gave her one last glare warning before dragging me out of the kitchen by my wrist.

"Go to your room I'll send Mike to give you company.", he said. I remembered how i saw Mike and Audrey together earlier. I wasn't wanting to see them get on it right in my bedroom infront of me. I abruptly stopped in my track which stopped him too. He eyed me questioningly.

"Not Mike.", i protested. He raised an eyebrow at me as if saying 'really'.

"Ok i understand. I don't get to choose." I pouted and made my way to the stairs but he grabbed my wrist. He sighed.

"Why not Mike.", he asked. He was searching in my eyes.

I anticipated a few moments whether to tell him or not then decided to say the truth. "Because Mike comes with Audrey. And being the third wheel is boring if you don't know.",i said shrugging. Also feeling like an idiot.

"I'll send Steph then" he said. Even though he already turned his back on me i knew he was smirking. My eyes widened.

"No no, Mike is fine", i squeaked like a little child.

"But I already changed my mind." He turned again and smirked at me. Ugh! What are the odds that i punch that stupid smirk off his handsome face. I huffed in annoyance.

"I hate you.",i mumbled under my breath.

"Didn't hear. What did you say?" he asked with a sly face.

"That you are very kind and generous.", i gritted but i showed him my best fake smile. He looked like he was about to burst into laughter but of course he did not show any emotion. He dragged me upstairs. I glared at the back of his head.

When we reached upstairs he still did not let go of my hands. And instead of going towards my room he was dragging me in the opposite direction. Wait? He knows where my room is right? I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"Hey that's not the way to my room.", i tried to grab his attention.

"I know." he stated.