CHARM OF THE BEAUTIFUL TYRANT

I am standing frozen before Arthur's gate, overwhelmed by the terror of facing that witch.

All of a sudden, I heard the familiar voice of Leon calling out to me.

"Hey dude," he said, "why are you standing here?"

His words seemed to echo inside my head, a reverberating reminder of my anxieties. But then he pulled me through the gate, and I was suddenly bathed in the warm light of Arthur's home.

"Oh, my Lord!'' His eyes widened. ''I had no idea Arthur was so rich!"

The sight of Leon darting around Arthur's living room was a spectacle. His eyes flickered with astonishment as he marvelled at every expensive item on display.

"Beware, there's a tyrant that lives here," my warning seemed to fall on deaf ears as he breezed past me, seemingly unfazed.

"I fear no one! I am invincible!" He shouted confidently, his voice echoing off the walls.

''As if!'' I muttered.

It is low-key fun watching him inspect every nook and cranny, like a detective on a mission to uncover a hidden treasure. The boy was unstoppable, leaping from one exquisite artefact to another, his mouth agape in wonder.

He approached a large painting that hung proudly on the wall, inspecting each stroke with genuine awe. "Oh, my goodness! Look at the detail in this artwork! Who knew Arthur had such a taste? Does Arthur live in a museum? Did he steal all this stuff?" he exclaimed while looking at a painting. I was tempted to laugh, but I suppose his naivete was endearing in its own way.

"I bet he has secret passages around here," he whispered, trying to find them. "Maybe Arthur's a wizard who has magic spells hidden in the walls." He said while tapping them.

I couldn't help but shake my head at Leon's imaginative mind.

"You want to die? Don't mess with his shit.'' I emphasized, signalling toward him with the remote.

''When will Arthur come anyway? Let's go call him to his room," Leon suggested as he stood at the grand staircase leading to the upper hallway.

"Go yourself and call him," I tell him, engrossed in watching TV.

As Leon left to search for Arthur, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Poor Leon had no idea what he was in for. His own courage will come back to haunt him today. Maybe this will knock some sense into him.

And, just as anticipated, a thunderous scream pierced the air, echoing through the house.

'Justice has been served.'

I grinned mischievously, knowing Leon's wits were about to be thoroughly shaken. I went upstairs to see what was happening, only to find all three of them standing there and Belle staring piercingly at Leon with a furious look.

''Now, what kind of animal is this? Another free-loader looking for a meal, I suppose? Do you befriend such people?!" Each question dripped with disdain, dripping off her tongue like venomous drops of acid. Her eyes were wide open with disbelief and frustration.

Meanwhile, Leon stood frozen like a statue in shock. As I watched, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. This scene felt oddly familiar.

"Belly, I think Leon might be onto something. This guy does look suspiciously hungry. He's been going from house to house for free meals."

Belle saw me standing at the doorstep, and her fury reached new heights, like a raging inferno on a sunny day.

She snapped, "Shameless of you! You're back here again, thinking this is your own house? Didn't you leave saying you wouldn't be back?"

I responded by playing the innocent card, "Shameless? Oh, my dear Belly, you flatter me. Yes, I may have left, promising to never return, but your brother practically begged me. How could I say no to his pleas? It's like denying your taste buds the pleasure of a delicious dessert!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Arthur's presence. I silently signalled him to remain quiet.

With a cold tone, I continued, "And don't tell me what to do. This is my home just as much as it is yours."

The room grew quiet as we glared at each other with pure resentment. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

Finally, Belle spoke up with ice in her voice, "I don't want to ever see your face in this house again.''

Belle's eyes revealed the storm within her, an untamed volcano of passion waiting to be unleashed. The more her anger ignited, the deeper my satisfaction grew.

''You're not welcome here." Her fiery anger mirrored the heat of our intense rivalry. The spark ignites within me, leaving me craving more. I, however, couldn't resist provocation. I slowly take a step closer, enjoying the tension between us.

"I'll come and go as I please!''

She clenches her fists in anger. I slowly moved towards her, leaning in with a smirk, ''You can't stop me." Belle continued to rage while I stood there with a smirk, enjoying the satisfaction of getting under her skin. It was a delicious feeling of victory, and I savoured every moment of it.

''These two have no shame left! They are still standing here despite being humiliated." Belle gestured towards us.

Just then, Leon mustered the courage to speak and asked Arthur, "Who is this ill-mannered girl?"

"This ill-mannered girl, unfortunately, happens to be his sister, Belly." I pointed towards Belle.

"My name is Belle," her eyes flashed with anger. I couldn't help but chuckle at her fierce expression.

''That's a strange name for someone who's anything but beautiful," I retorted with a sly grin. Her face flushed with anger.

"Brother!'' Directing her gaze toward Arthur. ''Take these two away from my sight, or else I will beat them up today," Her threat held a hint of seriousness that only fueled my amusement further. I found immense pleasure seeing her like that.

''We are getting late!'' Arthur commanded, his authoritative tone cutting through the tension. ''Let's go!'' So we obediently followed him outside, leaving the angry belle behind.

"Charlie, you were absolutely right. A bloody tyrant is living here." Leon exclaimed while dramatically wiping fake sweat off his forehead.

"You heard something too in her room, didn't you?"

"Yes! That girl was talking in her sleep. She's not just any ordinary girl. She's a demon in disguise! She can charm people with her voice, enticing them to enter her lair and then subjecting them to humiliation and embarrassment. She's a master of manipulation, my friend!''

Leon continued, clearly relishing the hilariously exaggerated details.

''She was probably planning for her next victim.'' Leon joked, making us both laugh.

"Deadly serious!" We walked away, still chuckling at the thought of Arthur's "demon sister" lurking in her den.

"Phew, good thing we made it out of there alive," I said, patting Leon on the back.

Engrossed in our conversation, we found ourselves in Arthur's garage, a hidden treasure trove behind his magnificent mansion.

As the garage doors creaked sluggishly, my eyes widened in awe at the magnificence that lay before me - a glittering wonderland of glittering shine and polished glory. The floors sparkled beneath the dazzling fluorescence of the lights, casting a glow so bright. It almost blinded me. My senses were now fully alive, set alight by the swathe of colours that dazzled before me - not one, but several stunning automobiles, each one ravishing and breathtaking in its own right.

To my left stood a vivid, flaming red sports car, its body curving in dangerous, tempting twists of aerodynamic lust. My fingers itched to touch and feel the sleek curves, to lose myself in the promise of speed and adrenaline.

On my right, a black Bugatti sat, as imposing as a king on his throne, its refined elegance filling the air with notes of sophistication and superiority. My palms ached to caress the regal contours, to feel the luxuriousness of its seating and the delicacy of its acceleration.

What a sight to witness!

I step closer to each car, taking in every detail, every curve.

Each of them has their own distinct personality. It's as though they are alive, each whispering its own story to me, begging to be explored and driven.

But among all the cars, the black and gold beauty stole our hearts. Its black hue exuded mystery, while the gold accents added a touch of regal sophistication that could make anyone green with envy. Standing proudly like a majestic lion in a sea of kittens. A ride fit for royalty. Its curves are alluring, and even the stop signs bowed down in admiration.

I couldn't help but be drawn to it.

It was as though it had a magnetic pull that drew me closer and closer.

Leon was standing next to me, and I could tell he was feeling the same way I did. We were no longer able to resist the temptation. The surge of excitement coursed through our veins.

"What are you two doing there? Why aren't you coming?" Arthur's words snapped us back to reality from behind.

Surprised, both Leon and I looked at each other before slowly making our way towards Arthur.

We both couldn't help but stand there in shock, ''Really?''

"Are we really going to ride in this car?"

''Certainly!''