Faith's POV
I stood before Felix's door, my knuckles rapping against the polished wood.
(Silence)
I knocked again, the stillness unsettling.
Just as I pondered my next move, a maid glided past. Khana's familiar face was a welcome sight.
"Is Felix here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Khana's gaze met mine, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes. "No, ma'am. He's in his private quarters."
My heart skipped a beat. Azil's words still lingered in my mind, and I was determined to confront Felix about the contract. Had he deceived me? The uncertainty gnawed at me, refusing to be silenced.
I took a deep breath, my resolve hardening. I had to know the truth, no matter the cost. I looked at Khana, who stood with her eyes cast downward, her face a mask of neutrality.
"Please, Khana," I said, my voice firm but laced with a hint of desperation. "I need to speak with Felix. Can you show me to his room?"
Khana's eyes flickered upward, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of wariness. But her expression quickly returned to its usual impassive state.
As Khana led me through the darkened hallway, I felt a shiver of unease. I had never been in this part of the mansion before, and the shadows cast by the flickering candles made me feel like I was walking into a trap.
I remembered the strict rules that had governed my behavior since my arrival, never enter Felix's private quarters. But desperation had driven me to abandon caution. I had to know if Azil's words were true.
Khana halted before a black door, her worried gaze meeting mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the silence between us palpable. "Here you go," she said softly, before turning and hurrying away.
The eerie quietness of this part of the mansion enveloped me, the air thick with an unsettling stillness. I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for something to break the silence.
I raised my hand, knocking softly on the door. Silence. I knocked again, my heart beating faster with each passing moment. Still, no answer. My impatience got the better hand, and I grasped the door handle, pushing the door open.
A sliver of dim light spilled out, and I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting slowly to the darkness.
As I stepped inside, my gaze swept across the room, expecting opulence and luxury. Instead, I found myself in a stark, barren space.
A single desk and chair occupied the center of the room, surrounded by cold, grey walls that seemed to close in around me. The absence of a bed, windows, or any other furnishings was jarring.
My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I noticed another door at the far end of the room. The sound of running water and faint splashing echoed from beyond it. Felix was taking a shower.
I felt a pang of curiosity mixed with unease. Why did Felix's room resemble a dungeon? The austerity of the space seemed at odds with the lavish decor of the rest of the mansion.
As I walked past the desk, my eyes landed on a strange, illegible script. "Weird," I whispered, my brow furrowing in curiosity.
Suddenly, I sensed a presence behind me. I spun around, my heart racing, and found Felix standing inches from me. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and a white towel wrapped around his waist, showcasing his chiseled physique. My gaze lingered, my face warming with a flush.
He was impossibly handsome, his toned physique evident even under his clothes. But now, with his shirt off, I could see the full extent of his chiseled abs and broad shoulders. A sleek tattoo of a snake wrapped around his wrist, adding an air of edginess to his already captivating presence.
"What do you want?" he demanded, his deep voice jolting me back to reality. "And who gave you permission to enter my room?" His tone was icy, his eyes narrowing as he waited for my response.
I cleared my throat, forcing my gaze away from Felix's chiseled physique. I crossed my arms, trying to appear nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside me. "You lied about your aunt," I accused, my voice steady. "You lied about everything, including saving me that day."
Felix's expression remained impassive, but a cold glint sparked in his eyes. He chuckled, the sound sending a shiver of unease down my spine.
"Azil must have told you," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "She really likes you, doesn't she?" He shrugged, his movements fluid and calculated. "Well, now you know the truth. I didn't need an aunt to save you. I did it for my own reasons."
My heart racing, I felt a surge of anger and hurt. He had saved me, but the lie still stung. Why had he felt the need to deceive me?
Felix's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You should honestly read before you sign next time, treasure," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "It would save you a lot of trouble."
My face burned with indignation as Felix's words cut deep. I felt a strong urge to lash out at him, to make him pay for his manipulation.
Felix's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Now, because you entered my room without permission..." He paused, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Go outside and crawl to my room like a dog."
I felt a wave of humiliation wash over me, followed by a surge of defiance. Who did he think he was, anyway?
I whispered, "No," trying to sound braver than I felt. Felix's smile faltered, and his eyes gleamed with a malevolent intensity.
He grasped my hair, yanking me out of his room and into the deserted hallway. I groaned in pain as he dragged me, my scalp throbbing. The humiliation burned within me, and I was grateful that this part of the hallway was empty.
Felix released my hair, and I fell hard onto the cold floor. I winced, my palms scraping against the stone.
"Crawl," Felix commanded, his voice dripping with contempt. He stood before his door, watching me with an unyielding gaze.
I felt a scream building in my throat. What had I gotten myself into? The contract was supposed to be a marriage arrangement, not a enslavement.
Felix's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he sneered, "Crawl, Treasure. Crawl fast, or you'll suffer the consequences." His gaze roamed over my body, lingering on my curves. "That fat ass of yours should be able to move faster than that."
I felt a searing wave of mortification and fear as Felix's words cut deep. I could almost taste the regret of letting him save me that day. His condescending tone made my blood boil, but I knew I was at his mercy.
I was trapped, bound by the chains of my own desperation. Without a place to call my own, I was forced to endure Felix's mercy. The thought of escape lingered in my mind, but it was a fragile thread. I needed a plan, a decent one, if I hoped to break free.
Returning to my hometown was a death sentence , Sindy's wrath would be merciless this time.