I slapped him ‘again’

I didn't feel so bad anymore, even as I walked down toward the train, all I could think about was Granny and how delighted she would be to hear the stories I had to tell her today.

As I turned the corner, a sudden rumble drew my attention. My heart raced as a big truck screeched to a halt in front of me. Panic surged through me as a group of men dressed in black uniforms emerged from the vehicle. Before I could react, strong hands grabbed hold of me, and I was swiftly carried into the truck.

My protests fell on deaf ears as they placed me in the back of the vehicle. The world outside blurred as the truck was brought to life and sped away. Fear and confusion came over me, making it hard to focus on anything but the rapid beating of my heart.

After what felt like an eternity, the truck came to a halt. The sound of creaking doors filled the air as I was dragged out and ushered into a luxurious house. My surroundings were a big contrast to the tiny space in the truck, leaving me really confused.

When my senses finally began to clear, I found myself in a lavishly furnished room, dimly lit by the soft glow of chandeliers. My hands were bound, and my heart pounded in my chest as I struggled against the ropes on my hand.

A voice, familiar and unwelcome, sliced through the silence. That same deep, husk voice that didn't stop just on my earlobe but went down to the pit of my stomach, creating a bubble of fear in me.

"Welcome, Miss Museum Guide."

My head snapped up, and my eyes widened in shock as I took in the figure before me. To my dismay, It was him—the man I had slapped earlier this morning, Xander Sterling, the billionaire CEO who owned the museum.

"Xander Sterling," I stammered, disbelief and fear mingling in my voice.

He leaned against a table, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I must apologize for this unusual… introduction, but it seems you've managed to attract my attention in more ways than one."

My heart raced as my mind tried to piece together what was happening. Why had I been brought here? What did he want from me? The room seemed to close in around me as my breathing grew shallow.

"Why am I here?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

Xander approached me, his gaze piercing. "I wanted to know who had the audacity to slap me," he said with a hint of amusement. "And now that I know, I find myself intrigued."

Tension hung in the air as I met his gaze, my fear warring with a growing sense of anger and his grey eyes moved from my gaze to trail their way down my body, it made a pause on my boobs, my curves, my hips before he was looking back at me and now there was a glint of fire in them.

Chauvinist dog

I wished I could say it out loud.

This was an insane situation, and I couldn't understand what he hoped to get by keeping me captive in his luxurious home.

"Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, my voice growing stronger.

He regarded me with a thoughtful expression. "You see, Miss Museum Guide, I have a proposal for you. Something that might be mutually beneficial."

I clenched my bound fists, my frustration boiling over. "I'm not interested in anything you have to offer"

"Let me go!"

Xander's eyes glittered with amusement, seemingly even more interested in whatever this was "I thought you might say that. But I assure you, if you listen to what I have to say, you might find it hard to refuse."

Despite my anger and fear, the obvious curiosity began to nibble at the edges of my thoughts. What could he possibly want from a museum guide like me? And why had he gone to such extreme lengths to get my attention?

My fingers strained against the ropes that held me, the coarse fibers biting into my skin as I desperately tried to free myself. Xander Sterling watched me closely, his eyes narrowing in a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

With a frustrated huff, I met his gaze. "Why don't you just tell me your proposal? What could you possibly offer that would make me want to stay here willingly?"

Xander's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Impatient, aren't you?"

Before I could respond, his fingers were working at the ropes binding my wrists. Surprised, I watched as he loosened the knots, allowing my hands to come free. My astonishment must have been evident on my face.

"I didn't bring you here to harm you," he said coolly, as if reading my thoughts.

My hands rubbed at the sore spots where the ropes had dug into my skin, the stinging sensation grounding me in the reality of the situation. As I flexed my fingers, the initial relief of being released slowly gave way to lots of ideas in my head.

All that included dashing towards the exit and running the hell away.

Xander moved closer, his gaze fixed on me. "Now, Miss Museum Guide, allow me to introduce my offer. You have a choice to make—one that will have consequences either way."

His voice was deep and dark, even as he rose his fingertips to the edge of my chin, tilting my face up to his. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched him with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. I didn't miss the way his grey eyes flickered to my lips.

His words hung in the air, heavy, like a weight upon my shoulders and I felt a dryness in my throat.

"If you accept my proposal," he continued, "you'll have a chance to work directly under me, with a substantial increase in your salary. Your job at the museum will be secure, and you'll have access to resources beyond your imagination."

My brows furrowed as I processed his words. The offer was undeniably tempting, and a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. Could I really afford to reject this opportunity?

Granny's well-being was at stake, and my job was the lifeline that kept us afloat.

But as Xander spoke, his tone turning smug, I sensed an hint of disrespect. It was as if he thought that by holding the power to determine my future, he had the right to dangle it over me.

The anger that had run within me earlier returned with a vengeance. My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. The audacity of his proposal felt like an insult to my hard work and dedication.

With a sudden surge of resolve, I met his gaze head-on. "Your offer is a disrespect to me," I declared, my voice quivering with barely contained anger. "I won't accept your proposal just because you hold my job over my head."

Xander's eyes narrowed, his expression growing stern. "You don't understand the magnitude of what I'm offering. Think about what's at stake."

"I've thought about it," I snapped, my voice dripping with anger. "And I won't put my integrity or self-respect on the line just for your extravagant promises."

His lips tightened into a thin line as he studied me, seemingly taken aback by my words. But his surprise quickly transformed into irritation, and before I could anticipate his reaction, his hand shot out, his fingers gripping my wrist in a vice-like hold.

"That's it"

His voice was deep, dark, and deadly. He pulled my face closer to him and I was merely gasping in widened eyes from being this close to him. He was indeed living out his known reputation.

An arrogant beast.

"Sleep with me, Miss.Guide and I'll give you whatever you ask from me"

What? Who did he think he was?

The next thing that happened was a sting of the slap resonating through the room as my open palm met his cheek once again. My heart raced, a mix of anger and adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"I may be poor but I am not a slut!"

I spat at him and without another word, I turned and bolted towards the door. From behind I could see him glued to a spot and shocked, I looked away my only focus on escaping the luxurious confines of his home and putting as much distance between us as possible.

As I burst through the door and into the fading daylight, my breath came in ragged gasps. It felt good to stand up to someone like him but I still couldn't help the fear that lingered in me from what he might do to me next. But above all, a fire of determination burned within me—I would not be controlled, and I would not sacrifice my principles for empty promises.

Even if it was coming from, Xander Sterling himself.