Caged

"Sorry, even though you are gorgeous as hell, he will dump you when he got bored, Clara." His words pierced her heart.

Clara was not under illusion that Xander would keep her forever, it was all about his revenge. But maybe, she'd hoped Xander might forgive her from whatever sin she'd comitted. Because last night his love-making was tender, he said she was his woman, and even called her 'baby'.

"There's no need for you to be so faithful to him because you can be replaced at any time. Xander wouldn't be satisfied with only one woman in his life, at least not now." He added.

Clara laughed, like a maniac, and Liam was taken aback by her drastic change of expression.

"Oh, Liam! If only he would set me free then I will be the most grateful person in this world. You also don't know why am I here? I'm only his…"

She almost blurted the truth to Xander's cousin, when her gaze catched someone by the door. Her kidnapper was standing there with dangeorus face and intimidating figure.

When Liam saw her dread face with unfinished word hanging on her cherry lips, he turned his back slowly, knew who he would see.

"Liam, I thought I'd make myself clear." His deep voice boomed the silent.

Liam greeted with his apologetic smile, "Hei, Xander. You're hiding a pretty girl like this for yourself?"

He tapped his shoulder, "If you're done with her, tell me."

Liam was about to walked past Xander, when suddenly his hand was twisted in agonizing way, and he shout out.

"Xander, Xander! Chill, bro. I was just talking to her. Tell him, Clara!"

"Yes, w-we were just talking." She stammered out.

His green eyes was cold, "I already told you what I'll do if you even dare to step one foot on the stairs."

"How can I forget that, Xander? Just release my hand first and I'll explain everything, ok?"

"You can start your explanation right now." Xander didn't release his hand.

"I've met Clara the first night I stayed here."

Xander turned his gaze to Clara, it sent chills to her bones. "How?"

"From the balcony, I heard her laughter and I got curious. I threw small rocks at the railing and she walked out. We talked there briefly and last night too. Now, let me go."

He held her gazed all the time, if looks could kill, Clara would be dead by now.

"Continue."

"That's all Xander. Ouch! Ok I stole the key from Gemma because our last conversation was cut short. Your woman wanted to know more about you, but I didn't tell her anything." Liam grimaced from the pain in his arm.

"You sure that's all?"

"A-and we kissed. A friendly kiss."

Clara sputtered, "Wait! You tricked me! He made me do it, Xander."

"Shut up. I'm not talking to you." Xander said to Clara then he released his deadly grip on Liam's arm.

Liam exhaled in relief while massaging her arm, he said, "Are we cool bro?"

"You've crossed me many times, Liam. I had to drag your ass to the biker myself."

"Oh no, you can't Xander. I've got news from my friend, he was dead from racing last night. I'm not stupid you know, that's why I'm brave enough to break my promise. Sorry, bro." Liam grinned like a naughty child.

He knew Xander wouldn't harm his only family left in the world. With that, he said sorry again to Xander and promised to stay out of trouble.

And to Clara, "Maybe I was wrong about what I said earlier, Clara." He winked at her charmingly before disappeared from their sight.

When there were just the two of them in that room, Clara didn't dare to utter a word. She looked down at the floor, then his black shoes appeared near.

"What were you two talking about?"

"N-nothing. Just friendly exchanges. Maybe because you warned him so he got curious." Clara explained with small voice.

"He said you want to know about me. What did you ask him?"

"I asked him about you, Xander. About your past. And I'm sorry it happened to you, truly. You were still a child and had to suffer that much."

Her eyes welled, she knew how much it pain to lose the loved one. But she was big enough to understand, to let go when her mother died.

"I don't need your pity."

Xander gripped her small chin, made her stare at that piercing green eyes. She was shivering from the fright, from the unknown what he would do to her.

"What did he said earlier, hm? That I'll dump you? And your answer is you'll be the most grateful person in this world?" He taunted.

Xander heard what she said to his cousin. Clara closed her eyes in doom.

"Bear this in your mind, I will never let you go, little mouse. Never."

Clara opened her eyes wide in horror, knew this was his ultimate torture. Caged within this big elegant mansion, alone for the remainder of her life.

She couldn't live like this! She wouldn't!

"No, Xander! What about my father? And my job?"

"Your job? Your debts were cleared, you don't have to work at that kind of place anymore."

Clara almost forgot her kidnapper had paid all of the debts, she could lived in comfort in this mansion, never had to worry about what to eat. But she had dreams. Dreams she had to buried when her world fell apart.

"I've been thinking maybe we'll held your fake funeral in the nearest future, accident on vacation or something like that, and you can watch the video of your own funeral from here while eating popcorn. No need to worry about your father, I could give him a better place to live."

Clara struck him on the cheek with shaking hand, "Don't joke about something like this, Xander."

"Don't test my patient, Clara. If you think I will let you go, you better get rid of that thought."

"Is this your revenge? To caged me here for the remainder of my life?" Clara said with hatred in her eyes.

"For eternity."

He kissed her hand that was still in his grip, he kissed the metal bracelet while his green eyes penetrated her soul.

"No…" She yanked her hand away. "I'd rather die than be locked up in this room forever."

"Don't speak like that, Clara." Xander warned. "Think about your father. I might let you meet him occasionally."

"In exchange I should be willing to stay here." Clara finished it for him.

Xander smiled at her, the smile didn't reach his eyes, "Good girl."

"Then I want to meet him now."

Clara walked past him to the door, but Xander halted her by the shoulder. "Not that fast, little mouse."

"You forgot something. Your disobedience. I already warned you not to walked out of this room for a week."

"But I'm not! I just walked out to the balcony because of your cousin. And you let him get away so easily while you threaten me here? He was the one who lured me out. That's not fair!" Clara protested.

Xander shrugged, "My cousin was helpless anyway. But I'll not tolerate what's mine to display such disobedience without punishment."

"What punishment?" Clara tensed.

"I've mentioned it before when you tried to escape."

The devil smirked evilly.

*** End of Chapter 22 ***