Harmony's POV
"Go on," he said and turned to leave.
I pushed the door open and walked in. The room was a regular locker room.
I locked the door and changed into the grey shirt and black trousers in the locker.
As I buttoned the shirt, I realised it was a bit tight on the bust causing me to frown but I went on to tie the apron around I waist and exited the room. I was grateful it fitted this well since he didn't know my measurements beforehand.
"Are you done?" a voice asked as I turned to close the door.
I held back the urge to jump startled by him and turned to meet the man's gaze calmly. "Yes, I am done."
He smiled broadly and nodded at my response.
I felt the urge to rub the hairs standing upright on my arms. He showed me around and explained things to me. He seemed patient taking his time to ensure I understood him.
The first day wasn't busy as he handled most of the tasks and told me to watch. I knew her way around coffee makers although those I had used were more advanced but Mirabel's memories were very helpful.
After work, I quietly snuck back into the guesthouse through the back door. Without turning on the lights to indicate I was around, I navigated around the room, showered and went to bed when I was done with my assignment.
***
I hated how fast I got used to navigating and living in such a hellish world. I missed home, I missed my husband, my sister, and even my niece who got me into this mess.
I hated how fast I learnt to bow and remain silent not to hurt a man's ego. I felt less human. I hoped I would wake up in the arms of my husband and that all these were just a dream.
However, it has been a week already. The only thing I was grateful for was that those twins haven't killed me yet.
I looked down at the new notification. Someone ordered a croissant. I turned to my boss who was making coffee for another customer so I went to serve the customer.
My feet froze on my track. Sitting and watching me was the man whose waist I had straddled only ten days ago. I could still remember most of what happened that night.
I swallowed and thought of going back, to let my boss handle this order but I was already holding the tray of the order and the man was looking at me.
It was a miracle that I was still alive considering the profile of the man before me. This same man has washed his hands with the blood of his victims and yet he sat calmly in a café ordering a croissant.
His long, black hair twists into a loose bun, with a few strands falling naturally, giving him a carefree and magnetic presence.
His shirt hung slightly open at the top, the first two buttons undone, exposing his collarbone and hints of ink trailing across his upper chest and neck. He rested his elbow on the table and his chin on his palm as a smirk lifted a corner of his lips.
My heart pounded hard. I thought of running. I knew from what I read in the novel how dangerous this man was.
I smiled slightly in response and continued forward despite how loud my body wanted to flee. "Here's your order sir," I said calmly placing his order down.
Without waiting for his response, I turned to leave. A strong grip covered my wrist stopping me. It was warm and although he wasn't holding tightly, I knew the strength in that hand wasn't something I could fight off.
I looked down at my wrist parting my lips in surprise. I took my time adjusting my expression and wore a smile. "Do you have some other order?" I hoped his ego got enough fill from my fear.
I knew they would find me, they had the power to pick every atom of my remains even if even they had turned to manure.
I could never give it away that I was scared or that I remembered what happened. I acted as naturally as I could even as his grip around her wrist tightened. Showing respect despite pain.
"Please could you let go?" I asked as the blood on my face drained and I trembled slightly.
He looked amused as though he found a fascinating toy before releasing my wrist.
"If there is anything else you want to order, do that on the tablet," I said as respectfully as I could before rushing away showing the right amount of terror.
Enough to make him know his act scared me but not adequate to make him believe I didn't remember what happened that night.
"What was that?" the boss asked when I got behind the counter. He glanced at the man suspiciously before looking out of the glass walls.
I followed his gaze noticing two guards outside dressed in black suits. I swallowed easily recognising the guard I saw at the elevator.
"I think he wants to order something else," I replied after a sharp inhale.
"I think he looks very familiar," my boss commented thoughtfully.
Of course he does. The twin brothers who took over their family's business at a very young age. A family with a history dating back eight centuries ago with wealth and power in the entire continent.
"Maybe a celebrity," I murmured.
Every time I turned towards his direction, his eyes were on me. It felt suffocating but I didn't show it taking orders and responding to other customers.
When I noticed him coming towards me, I moved away from the counter farthest from him. I busied myself with a coffee order and my boss got his payment.
***
3rd person POV
"I went to see her," Zephyr told his brother.
"Have you killed her?" Jasper asked on the other end of the call.
Zephyr felt a chill down his spine at his brother's question. His saintly brother seems impatient. "No, I got curious so I went to see her. Guess what?"
Despite the suspense in Zephyr's voice, Jasper didn't probe as though he was uninterested.
"She acted as though she didn't know me," Zephyr replied, too impatient to wait for his brother.
"Really?" Jasper's brow furrowed slightly. That was unexpected.
"Surprised?" Zephyr asked noticing the slight increase in his brother's voice. "I was surprised too. She acted so innocent that I couldn't get the guys to take her away. Do you want to see for yourself? Let's go together."
"Okay," Jasper agreed without hesitation.
Zephyr smiled. He could imagine Zephyr's disbelief. The man must want to see for himself. He planned to kill the lady but when he could not bring himself to order her abduction, he decided to go see her.
When he did, she was just as beautiful as that night. Her hazel eyes shone bright, her innocence purer and brighter than the photograph could capture.
When he made up his mind to meet her, he expected to see someone similar to the girl of that night. Someone different from the pictures but she appeared ethereal and unrealistically uncorrupted.
It made him feel like he was losing his mind. The contrast was beyond his understanding. She drugged him and his brother and still acted like a virgin.
He hung up the call with his brother and closed his eyes as memories of that night flooded his mind. First, she smelt divine, secondly, despite the scars, her body was that of a goddess, thirdly . . .
A deep groan escaped his lips as he winced. Her slender fingers on his skin, sliding from his chest to his neck. Wrapping lightly around his neck before a slight pressure was introduced.
A light cautious knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked down at the tent that formed. This was the reason he could not bring himself to order her death.
He lit a cigar and invited the person in.
"We have brought him in," his assistant announced.
"Starve him for the next three days before the interrogation," he ordered. He turned to face the window behind him and took a long drag of the cigar between his fingers.
The view was of a dark gloomy forest but it brought him a sense of ease even the crows covering the already darkening sky.