I can't believe you

I walked back upstairs, my heart racing with my head under the clouds. Running away seemed impossible now, and frustration gnawed at me as I reached the room I had emerged from earlier. I entered, my anger boiling beneath the surface, and I reached for my phone with trembling hands. I needed to check on Granny, to make sure that she was safe. The call connected, and Granny's voice greeted me warmly. Relief washed over me as she reassured me that she was doing fine. Her words spilled out, detailing the visit of a supposed suitor who had arrived at dawn. He had filled the house with maids and left behind a hefty sum for daykeep. My heart sank as she described him as my fiancé. I clenched my jaw, knowing exactly who was behind this charade.

"How did you meet such a great guy, dear?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. I wanted to shield her from the truth, but the anger bubbling within me surged forth.

"It's a lie, Granny. He's not my fiancé. He's not even a friend. Don't let him in anymore," I retorted, my frustration detectable even through the phone line. I ended the call, tossing my phone onto the bed before folding my arms, seething with anger.

But hunger clawed at my stomach, and it rumbled reminding me of my current situation which was painfully left me with little control. I needed food, and I needed to find a way out of this luxurious yet stifling prison. I approached the door, my heart pounding louder than the plush carpeting beneath my feet. I jerked the door open slightly, in an attempt to take the run for it only to find Xander standing before me, one hand lazily tucked into his pocket.

"Going somewhere?" he inquired, his tone casual yet loaded with implication. I frowned, leaning against the doorframe, my gaze traveling from his face down to his shoes, searching for any sign of weakness. I eyed his neck, wondering if I could successfully wiggle it until he couldn't breathe.

"Aren't you supposed to be at your company, working?" I shot back, the bitterness in my voice barely concealed. He chuckled, his eyes dancing with a mixture of amusement and something more unsettling.

"I have a secretary for that," he replied nonchalantly. My frustration flared, my lips curling into a sneer.

"You fired her," I countered, my words sharp as a blade. He leaned against the doorframe opposite mine, a self-assured smile tugging at his lips.

"I have another assistant," he stated, his gaze unwavering, a challenge in his eyes. "And don't even think about escaping. My eyes are on you."

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I couldn't deny that I was trapped, my freedom slipping through my fingers like sand. Anger surged within me, and I fixed him with a piercing glare.

"This is illegal, you know," I snapped, my voice laced with defiance. He didn't respond, his silence only fueling my determination to fight back.

"What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice sharp and unwavering. He met my gaze head-on, his expression serious and relentless.

"Marry me," he said simply, his words echoing in the air like a declaration. I scoffed, my arms folding across my chest as incredulity colored my features.

"First, sleep with you. Next, live with you. And now, marry you?" I exclaimed, unbelieving and frustrated. "Your requests are becoming highly unreasonable, don't you think?"

He stared at me intently, his eyes locked onto mine. "I'm serious," he said, his voice dripping

with determination. "I want all those things."

I shook my head, a wicked smile tugging against my lips. "Well, you can't have any of them," I muttered, my voice a low retort. With that, I slammed the door shut and hard against his face, the sound reverberating in the air as I leaned against the wood, my chest heaving with a mixture of anger and fear.

***

It was just few hours later and the fifth dish was placed before me, a well-attractive food that wafted its aroma and tempted my hungry belly. Yet, despite the gnawing hunger in my stomach, I told myself that I would not give in. I wouldn't bring myself to accept anything that came from Xander's hands. Just as I was about to decline the meal once again, the chief maid herself appeared, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

She watched me with an amused glint in her eyes, as if finding my determination rather endearing. "You can eat now," she said, her tone warm and understanding. "The boss is out for the moment."

My eyebrows shot up in alert. "Really?" I couldn't help the happiness that flew inside me from the news. It was surpising for Xander to be away, considering his stupid determination to have me here against my will.

With a smile, the chief maid set the tray down next to me, and my gaze hungrily swept over the delicious meal. I was ready to dive into the food, my stomach practically growling in anticipation and I have already picked the chicken thighs almost tearing the meat off the skin, when a realization struck me. I wasn't alone. I was still trapped in this gilded cage, and any action I took was likely being observed.

I cleared my throat awkwardly, glancing at the maid who stood nearby. "Um, Xander must not hear about this, okay?" I whispered, my voice carrying a hint of urgency. She laughed softly, as if my request was a minor detail not worthy of concern. She held the tray in a casual shrug, her behavior putting me at ease. I was relieved to find an ally, someone who understood my dilemma.

She smiled at me genuinely, her eyes sparkling with a friendship I hadn't expected. "Actually, it's been a long time since I've seen Boss Xander this playful," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. I arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. Playful? That wasn't an adjective I'd ever thought to associate with Xander.

I scoffed, unable to suppress my skepticism. "What do you mean?"

I wondered what her definition of playful was.

"Look at me. I know it. He is out to make my life a living nightmare"

I added and she met my gaze, her smile unwavering. "He's just messing around with you," she said, her words sounding almost like a reassurance. I couldn't help but frown, not quite ready to believe her. "You might feel like he's a jerk, but I think he's just trying to lighten the mood."

Wait. Did she just call her boss a 'jerk?' crap. I loved her already.

"Lighten the mood?" I echoed, disbelief lacing my tone. "He's doing a pretty terrible job at that."

The maid laughed softly, a flowing sound that eased the tension in the room. "Well, you might not see it that way, but I think he's just trying to make things interesting for himself."

I shook my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "Interesting at my expense, I assume."

She nodded, still wearing that knowing smile. "Possibly. But you have to admit, this whole situation is rather unique."

I grumbled, my irritation still very much intact. "Unique is one word for it."

The maid's expression turned thoughtful, as if she was debating whether to share more of her thoughts. "You know, he's not always like this. It's just that... well, he's never really had anyone challenge him before."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Challenge him?"

She nodded. "Yes, challenge him. Most people around here tend to obey his every whim without question. But you, you've stood up to him. You've defied him. And that, my dear, is something he's not used to."

I crossed my arms, still not entirely convinced. "So, you're saying he's just trying to rattle me?"

The maid chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe. Or maybe he's just trying to figure you out."

I sighed, a mixture of frustration and curiosity swirling within me. "Well, I'm not about to make it easy for him."

The maid winked at me, her amusement infectious. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

As she turned to leave, I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you on my side? Aren't you afraid of what Xander might do if he finds out that you have been spilling his secret?"

She grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Let's just say I've been around long enough to know that even the most powerful have their weaknesses."

"He is going to do nothing to me"

she assured before walking away, leaving me with a tray of delicious food and a newfound sense of friendship. For the first time since I'd arrived in this wealthy mansion, I felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, with an unexpected ally by my side, I could survive this situation that I've found myself in.

I wondered if there was more to the chief maid than I knew.