On Fire

By the evening, Gemma laid a beautiful square neck with puff sleeves mini dress. The baby blue color suited for summer, it hugged her body perfectly along with floral printed wedges. Gemma styled her long brown hair in wavy curls and simple touch of makeup that made her gorgeous face glowing.

Clara didn't question that much when Gemma said it was ordered by her employer. Gemma was looking proud with her transformation, when Clara praised the maid for her talent, she said that Clara was already a beautiful goddess.

"She is, indeed."

Clara turned around to find Xander eyeing her from head to toe with one of his shoulder leaning against the door frame. He looked rakishly handsome, with his fancy black suit, his black hair in faux hawk style somehow made him more dangerous.

Even after his treatment last night, she found that her heart pounding wildly. "Xander, where are we going?"

Gemma retreated silently when Xander crossed the carpeted floor in her bedroom, to stand in front of Clara. She could smell his fresh after-shaved cream and cologne.

He drew out a metal bracelet from his pocket, "Give me your hand."

Clara obediently stretched her arms and the metal bracelet let out a 'click' sound when it circled her right wrist. She examined it, there was her name engraved around with delicate font.

C L A R A A N A S T A S I A

"Oh, you have my name engraved on it. What is this for?" She breathed. It had been a long time since she had something personalized.

The high quality material was a little heavy then something catched her attention at the back side of the bracelet. The font is smaller, but it was clear and could be read when someone watch closely.

AXH's Property

For a second, she thought it was the brand or something. But when she saw his conceited face, it felt like being splashed with a bucket of cold water. Clara let out a cry and frantically tried to push the bracelet out of her wrist.

"Stop it! Clara!" Xander held both of her hands to prevent more damage.

The white porcelain skin at her wrist area was reddened from excessive pulling. When Xander loosened his hold, she repeatedly beating his muscled chest. She didn't want to be sad and depressed anymore. She was angry, furious by his neverending mental tortures.

"You cruel monster! Heartless bastard! Horrible vile jackass!" She bellowed in agony.

Xander halted her and pushed her head on his chest, hugging her to ceased her frantic beatings. She was still muttering curses eventhough the sound was muffled.

"It's for your own safety, Clara. The bracelet is a GPS tracker so you couldn't ran away again like last night. If you somehow manage to break it, I'll know because there will be notification on my phone."

Clara stood frozenly, the warm of his body seeping through hers, accutely aware how her smaller body was hugged by his large one. Even with her 5'3 height plus the five inches wedges, her head only reached his chest.

"I'm not your property." She hissed.

Confused by her words, Xander lifted her right hand to his eyes. "Damn that woman. I never.." He muttered a curse but didn't continue his explanation.

Instead, he lifted her chin slowly and made her stare at his deep green eyes. "You're mine."

He pecked her pink glossy lips, then with a groan, claimed her lips fully in a deep kiss. His tounge skimmed her close mouth until it parted to give him access. With fire burning in his eyes, he kissed her cheeks and back to her mouth again. Xander played with it, coaxing her to return the kiss.

But Clara didn't surrender under his assault, she wouldn't kiss him back. Even when the storm inside her somehow calmed under his soothing attention.

The kisses were halted by his ringing phone, "Ok. In a minute."

"We'll have dinner at the restaurant. Come." He stated dryly.

They arrived at the italian restaurant after half an hour drive. The valet opened her car door and Clara took a deep breath, captivated by the view. It was a five-star restaurant only rich people could afford. She ought to remember her kidnapper was a rich person, if not crazy rich then a psycho one.

"Don't act foolishly, Clara." He whispered near her ear and slightly touch the bracelet on her wrist before holding her hand.

She didn't miss his meaning. She was not caged, but there was invincible leash around her neck, made her unable to flee.

Clara was nervous when they were seated on one of the table inside, she let Xander chose her menu. The ambience was straight out of a fairy tale, she could imagined having a romantic dinner here while the live guitar was playing and candles lit up in the evening with a different person. No matter how handsome and attractive, Xander was her kidnapper.

Clara was savouring the caprese salad with pesto sauce when a beautiful woman came to their table. She wore a sexy yet elegant cocktail dress.

"Xander. How nice to see you here." She smiled seductively at him.

"Good evening, Jessica." Xander got up and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek.

Jessica turned to the woman who accompanied the man, "And you must be Clara Anastasia, right?" Her smile didn't reach her pretty blue eyes.

Xander quickly introduced both of them to each other. Clara noticed their intimate body language and after a friendly exchange with Xander, the pretty woman excused herself back to her table.

"Your friend's beautiful. I kinda wish to wear that kind of dress if I know we're gonna dine in a five-star restaurant." Clara didn't mean to voiced her thoughts, but she couldn't stop it.

"What's wrong with your dress? I choose it myself. You don't like it?" Xander quizzed.

"It made me look like a teenager if I stand side by side with Jessica." She sipped her red wine.

Xander chuckled, "I prefer you with this style. It made you look innocent and youthful instead of that slut dresses you always wear as a stripper."

Clara almost slammed her wine glass on the table, "How dare you!"

Some of the people seated near them, look at their table curiously. With her blood boiling, she wanted to shout for help. But her dad's face flashed trough her mind.

"Behave yourself." He warned and casually continued his meal.

Losing her appetite, she got up from the chair, "Excuse me."

"Where are you going?"

Clara rolled her eyes, "Toilet. You want to accompany me there too?"

She went to the toilet areas with his laughter rang behind. She was washing her hand when someone walked inside. It was Jessica.

"Oh hi, Clara." The woman looked her up and down, as if judging her appearance.

Then her eyes fixated on her metal bracelet under the running water, a sly smile appeared. "You like the little gift?"

Ashamed, Clara quickly dried her hand and hid them behind. Jessica laughed mockingly.

"Xander asked me to help him custom-made the bracelet."

Clara said with disbelief, "So you're the woman who added the words behind it?"

What kind of cruel woman had the courage to humiliate another woman!

"Yes because it's the fact. You're his property, his plaything and nothing more." She added with nonchalant face.

"So you knew he kidnap me? Caged me in that big mansion?"

She scoffed, "Of course I knew all of his plans. I knew what he will do to you, what he feel for you."

"What?" Clara asked with a small voice, afraid of the answer.

"You'll know in time." Then she sauntered off, knowing that Clara is burning with curiosity.

Xander watched Clara continued her meal with little interest, after she'd been back from the toilet, her face was devoid of emotion.

While waiting for the car after they walked out from the restaurant, Jessica with her dinner mates also leaving. She saw Xander and approached him.

"I don't think we will meet again until summer ends, right?" Her blue eyes stared adoringly at him. She was a tall woman, so her head just below his chin.

"Bye, Xander."

Jessica kissed him fully on the lips. Her long arms circled his neck, lingering there for a moment. Then she eyed Clara victoriously.

*** End of Chapter 8 ***