Fuck.
His cold green eyes bore into me, as if he's staring directly into my soul. His sarcastic smile fades and he pulls me dangerously close to his chest by my shoulders, his intoxicating aroma of spearmint and sandalwood flooding my senses.
"Careful now, princess. If you speak to me with anything other than respect again, I won't hesitate to put a bullet between those pretty little eyes of yours. Understood?"
I clench my teeth together, making sure my smart mouth doesn't get me into any more trouble than it already has.
"Good girl." He whispers before pulling away, the feeling off his hot breath on my neck fading and his hands withdrawing from my sides.
"Like I said before, follow me."
I listen to him this time, reluctantly following after him with my gaze glued nervously to my feet. I refuse to look up until we reach a door, it swings open and I raise my head to him gesturing me in. I step into the room, sheepishly looking around as he follows in behind me.
"This is mine?" I ask in disbelief.
The room is breathtaking. A big queen bed with a white oak frame takes up the majority of the room but still gives plenty of walking space, including the white oak desk and white oak closet to either side. To top off the beauty of it all, a small chandelier hangs as the centrepiece.
"We can change it if you want." He shrugs
"No- No it's gorgeous." I quickly snap my body around to him in protest.
His lips curve into a smirk at my eagerness as he softly shakes his head to himself.
"Well it's all yours, princess. Do whatever you want with it, you can turn it into a meth-lab for all I care. Might make it feel a bit more like home for you."
I scowl at his remark, knowing he's referencing my father's drug habits. My teeth grind together desperately as I refrain from snapping back at him, so instead I simply turn my back to him and allow myself to get lost in the beauty of the room again.
"I'd get some sleep if I were you. It's late and you're in for a lot tomorrow."
I nod in agreement, still confused as fuck about everything going on. I set my mind on getting him far enough away from me as I silently conjure a plan in my head.
"You've got all the clothes and pajamas you'll need in your closet."
"Ah, thanks." I nod awkwardly, waiting for him to leave.
"If you need anything else, ask Maggie downstairs. She'll help you and if she cant, find someone else. I don't care what you do to be honest just dont be stupid and get me involved in your shit, I can't be bothered chasing after you like some lost puppy."
I turn my back to him and roll my eyes at the lecture, making my way over to the closet to retrive pajamas even though I know for a fact I won't be getting changed any time soon. I feel his gaze lingering on me for a good minute before he turns around, leaving and shutting the door behind him without another word. I sigh, my shoulders sinking as i plop myself on the edge of the bed, giving myself time to breathe and think before i start trying to escape. I push myself off the bed and walk over to the window, looking out of it to see the garden. Im on the first floor so going out of this window is a fairly safe option. Listening out to hear no footsteps, i push the window open. I step onto the windowsill before shifting my body and clambering out, officially stood in the garden. I look around and spot a simple side path to the driveway, quietly rushing over and down it. I come out on the front of the drive, scanning the front of the house. I look up to the second floor and my heart drops. He stares at me with one of his eyebrows raised and that stupid smirk on his stupid face. Without thinking, I begin to bolt out of the driveway, realising I don't have much time now that I've been spotted. I nearly trip over the pebbles on the driveway about a million times, which would be highly embarrassing if my chase ended in a face-plant before it even started. I finally manage to make my way out of the drive before realising this house is in the middle of nowhere and i have no idea where i am, but it doesn't stop me. I sprint aimlessly down the country road, a thin layer of sweat beginning to coat my hairline. I hear an engine rev in the distance and my heart pounds against my chest as i anticipate defeat. I power through and try my best to increase my pace as i dart through the winding road, feeling the wind rushing through my hair. The sound of the car engine roaring gets closer and sharp gasps begin to escape me uncontrollably. I dont give up, my tired legs continuing to carry me aimlessly further into nowhere. As i run and pant for life, the bright shine of headlights approach behind me, i swiftly turn my head to see a black SUV closing in on me. I desperately attempt to shoot further forward as i feel my body failing on me and coming to a slow, refusing to accept defeat as the car pulls next to me. I glance to my side to see him scowling at me through the passenger window, my eyes widen as his hand grips tighter around the steering wheel and his veins bulge from his arm. He swerves to the side infront of me, blocking my path. I panic and look around for another option desperately as Cole gets out of the car and approaches me. Without thinking, i try to run back the way i came but im immediately stopped by a rough hand in my hair.
"In the car, now."
I wriggle about and try to continue my escape attempt but his grip tightens and i receive a small warning yank backwards, earning a small whince from me.
"Fine, fine!" I pant "Just get off my hair!"
"If i let go and you try run again i swear to god, princess."
"I wont! Just let go off me!"
He pauses for a minute, his grip staying firm on my hair. I glance at him to see a sinister smile growing on his face as he studies me.
"Say please."
"W-what?" I sputter confused.
"You heard me, say please, princess."
"Let go off me!" I growl as i attempt to squirm out of his grip. "Get the fuck off!"
"I'll let go, once you say please." He whispers to me, his breath hot against my cheek. "I want to hear you say it, princess, just say please."
"Fuck you!" I spit through gritted teeth as his grip begins to sting. He yanks his hand back slightly, my scalp burning at his sudden action.
"What did I tell you about how you speak to me?"
I stay dead silent, my pride not allowing me to answer him. I can't say it, I can't give up the last bit of dignity i have left after this entire day. His grip tightens and he yanks back, silently warning me to listen to him.
"Princess, i'm getting impatient, just be a good girl and say it. Say pl-"
"Please..." I unintentionally squeak. God, i sound pathetic, why did i do that?
He slowly lets go and mockingly pats my head.
"See, that wasn't that hard now, was it?"
I stay quiet, looking down at the floor as i cringe.
"Get in the car, princess" He sighs.
Too embarrassed to protest, I do as he says and get into the car as he ushers me in, tossing the door shut behind me.
The car ride back is short, but feels like an eternity. A long, awkward eternity. We both stay silent the entire ride, the only noise behind the radio and the quiet drumming of Coles fingers to the music.
We get back to the house and he follows close behind me as i walk back in ashamed, like a child whose just been sent to the naughty corner. I get into my room and he lingers, leaning on the doorframe and watching me as i take a pair of pajamas out of a nearby drawer.
"Dont try do that again, it's just exhausting. And actually get some sleep, would you? I promise you that you'll need it for tomorrow, it'll be a long day princess."