HELD HER HANDS

[~Song Recommendation: God Shaped Hole by Plumb~] 

Layla gave in to the touch of those muscular arms around her, resting her head over his chest, she just allowed him to hold her. Her mind was clouded with too many thoughts to judge anything at the moment.

"Master…" Nothing else left her mouth as she felt him tightening his hold around her resulting in she could feel his every inch glued to her. But instead of resisting his hug, she wrapped her arms too. She heard him mumbling comforting words but instead, it had the opposite effect on her as she began whimpering. 

"Shh… You're gonna be fine." She heard him say followed by putting his index finger over her pouted lips restricting her to shed tears. Layla looked deeply into those blue orbs and for once she felt that maybe she could trust him but as soon as she remembered the 'Master-slave' agreement she snapped back to reality, breaking herself from his hold. 

"Wh-Why are you doing this to me? I know you're going to punish me soon… so stop comforting me and—"

"Listen to me!" He exclaimed but Layla took a few steps backward holding a defensive stance as Michael kept approaching him like a predator. 

"Stop right there!" But Layla kept backing off until something hit her foot causing her to stumble. She was about to fall on her back over the glass table but Michael scurried over to her and held her hand breaking the fall. 

"I THINK I MIGHT PUNISH YOU NOW!" He said while Layla got rid of his hand but Michael again caught it and gently tugged her to follow him. He brought her close to the sofa set and made her settle down before sitting across from her.

"I have a deal for you… If you agree I'll set you free and also offer you favors of your choice." He proclaimed looking intently at her. Layla's mind kept repeating his words, comprehending if it was even real.

"Why would you do that?" She asked craning her neck. 

"Let's skip the 'why' part and better focus on the 'what'. Will you listen?" He asked raising one of his brows. She couldn't do anything as she nodded her head. She hadn't got choices anyway.

"I'm going to use you against David Park for my personal reasons. If you manage to collect vital information that I can use against him or any kind of dirt on him, I'll set you free." He finished and crossed his legs to lean back. 

Layla's mind went through a whirlwind of thoughts. She contemplated his words along with the doubts that flooded her to make the decision. On the one hand, she respected David Park for saving her life but, she just couldn't let go of the devious stunt she pulled against her. 'What should I do? Will I be able to betray him like the way he did' She mused.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally made up her mind. "I will take the deal Ma-Master." She said while sniffling. Michael nodded and caught hold of her hand for a handshake but Layla was caught off guard feeling the heat emitting from his skin. 

She excused herself to the bathroom after getting permission from him. She washed her face before she rubbed it with a clean towel. As she looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she noticed her swollen eyes because of her emotional outburst. She suspected the way he was behaving so far. 'Why is he so good to me? Maybe it is one of his tricks?' 

She remembered the touch of his warm skin against hers, the way he held her close and even patted her back, as if she was someone dear to him but she put those thoughts at the back of her mind and exited the bathroom.

"But you are going to remain my slave until you successfully collect something against David…" The words daunted her and as soon she glanced up she caught a glimpse of his blue orbs. He was leaning by the sofa set with a glass of drink in his hand. 

"And you will have to follow the rules too… You may leave now, Layla." She kept gawking at him hoping that he might be kidding or something but to her dismay, he didn't budge and kept a stoic expression, something that Layla was new to. She just bowed and was about to leave—

"Layla… from tomorrow onwards you'll sleep in my room." Layla stopped right in her tracks but neither she turned back nor she uttered a single word. Feeling confused and scared, she slowly set foot outside the room.

"Is he playing with me on purpose?... I mean just a few moments back he was consoling me and stuff but now why is he acting different." She mumbled limping on her way to the room. After she got in, she straight away headed for the bed. She was dead tired after working for the day and her bruised knee pained immensely. 

'What more things do I have to go through?' She asked no one in particular as her mind pondered over the events. Soon her eyes trailed off to a deep slumber.

*******

Layla stirred in her sleep and sprang up on her bed as soon as she felt the morning light falling over her face. She couldn't be late again. Last time thankfully no one criticized her and now she can't afford to make a mistake considering her twisted situation.

Cleaning herself up and dressing for the day she set foot on the hall. Her pain had subdued a lot but she still limped on her way to the stairs until she heard footsteps coming her way through the stairs.

"Layla…" Nana approached her with a concerned look and held her hands. Layla reassured her that she was alright other than having some minor pain in her knee. 

"Does he know that I…" her voice trailed but Layla knew what she was insinuating. She took a look at her surroundings making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation before she uttered.

"Don't worry Nana. He didn't ask anything about my escape and how could you think that I'd backstab you after you treated me so well?" 

"Hmm… Seems like my maid is gossiping around leaving her duties…"