My voice got tighter around my neck because of his presence which caused sweat to dwell on my forehead in the air conditioned car.
Was this so-called marriage necessary?
My eyes fixated on my hands, never daring to glance at his stone-cold form. Curling my toes in vexation, I didn’t dare to raise my eyes.
"...Why?"
I broke the thick tension of air with my whimper which didn't even bother to reach his ears.
"Why?"
"Give this explanation to anyone who asks about your whereabouts: You stayed at your parents place for these seven days."
"Okay." I whispered. The demon who can openly commit a murder, must have said after taking circumstances into consideration.
"We're here."
He stopped the car near my apartment. My car was parked in front of us, he threw the keys in my direction and got out.
Taking a deep breath, I also got out, sensing warm sunlight grazing my skin after a prolonged period.
Looking away, I was about to walk towards my car but his voice came.
"Wait."
With my back facing him, my steps halted. I couldn’t believe how my body obeyed him. It was fright which manipulated my body.
A chill went up my spine when he stood behind me, probing my frightened form with his hand removing my hair from behind and placing it on my shoulder.
"Don't forget what we talked about." He warned, closing my eyes I gave him a hesitant nod.
He took out a locket from his pocket and wrapped it around my neck, serving as a collar for being enslaved.
After securing it, I took a closer look at it and found an eye-catching ruby ring fixed on my neck by the golden chain, a seemingly expensive piece of restraint adorning my hollow neck so I could embed this sensation, reminding his vehement words.
"This is your wedding ring. Keep it safe. Do not take it off or lose it." He whispered, threatening me. I shivered when his fingers touched my nape while locking it.
"I-I understand." I replied with extreme distress. Smirking at my subjugation, he pulled away.
"And remember one more thing."
His index finger started trailing from my shoulder. Palpitating, I almost gasped when his hand moved to my neck, grabbing it.
A tear pricked in my eye when he hissed, "I have slit throats more tempting than yours."
Pushing me away he stared at my vulnerable form for the next few seconds and before I could break, thankfully his steps retreated.
He scoffed, wearing his glasses and left.
Flabbergasted at his last statement, I blinked trying to register it in my weak mind which apparently did not function due to the cloud of affright taking over.
Shaking my mind, my sole focus should be on the factor that I was away from him.
When he was out of sight, I sprinted to my car and got inside.
I saw my bag and phone on the passenger seat, letting out a sigh of relief, I put my head on the steering wheel.
Smiling after being freed, I looked up and saw an old man right in front of me, squeaking at his sudden presence. I soon understood he was the guy who was going to surveil me.
I must not forget he was controlling me.
Why? I didn’t know.
Shaking my head in disappointment, I drove off to my home.
Exhausted, I went inside my apartment and put my phone on charge, falling on the bed to receive a relaxing slumber.
The next day, I woke up, pretending as if nothing happened and got ready for work. I saw my phone which had almost fifty calls and over a hundred messages from Zaniel.
‘I am so sorry, My love.’ I thought sorrowfully.
Making an apologetic face, I was about to call him but my doorbell rang and it was him. Taking a deep breath to subdue his words, I forced out a smile while my heart pained.
As I was trying to uphold my affectation and opened the door as Zaniel came hurriedly. Perturbation gleamed on his face which gradually converted into glee of seeing me.
"Cinzel!" He beamed, pulling me in his embrace, holding my face, kissing my forehead, flashing me a grin.
"God, I was so worried about you." He whispered, hugging me in his arms tightly.
My fragmented gaze was fixed upon his chest, holding his shirt tightly, not wanting to leave his protective warmth ever again.
"You should have told me you are going home. I was so scared. You shouldn’t have left so suddenly. I got worried, love."
His voice came out croaked, lost in dismay. He kissed my head, clasped in his arms like a cherished possession.
"Zaniel…" I whispered, hearing his rapid heartbeats, clutching his shirt between my fingers.
"I am glad you are here. You should have told me.." He smiled, pulling away, holding my hands.
"I am sorry…" I whispered, looking innocently at him.
"It's okay… just don't leave me ever again." He whispered back, rubbing circles with his thumb over my knuckles and kissing them.
"You have no idea how I live with your name, Cinzel." He smiled, not leaving me. My lips began to quiver, by the suffering because of the malevolent encounter I just had.
"Are you alright, Baby?" He asked softly, pulling me close.
Tears brimmed in my eyes as I couldn't contain the tears inside my heart anymore. It was painful to fathom how excruciatingly I spent all my time.
"Why are you crying?" He asked sweetly, Stroking the side of my face tenderly, wiping my tears.
"I love you, you know it, baby. Don't you?" I asked, crying, refusing to let him go or else I would scatter.
"Of course, I do! You don't have to cry for it." He said, desperately trying to soothe me. My heart would die If I lost him.
"What happened?" He asked, making me sit on the couch and helping me to drink a glass of water.
"Nothing… I just had a nightmare…" I whispered, forcing out a broken smile.
"It's okay. I am here for you." He assured, pulling me in his embrace. I closed my eyes, laying on his laps.
"Aren't you getting late for work? You were absent for a week. Must be loaded with work." He asked, checking the time.
"Can you stay with me, please?"
"Baby, I-"
"Zaniel please." I looked at him, holding his hands tightly.
Taken aback at my demeanor but soon he smiled and kissed my hands, "Okay. Anything for you."
I smiled and closed my eyes as he began to run his hand in my hairs, giving me the lull attained after a horrendous week.
"By the way, Did you talk to your parents? My family came yesterday too. They were dying to meet you but sadly you were at your parent’s place. But now you are here, why don't we decide on a date?"
A deadly shiver went down my spine, drying my throat in dread. My grip over him became firm, snuggling close to him.
"What happened?"
"Who told you I was there?" I asked vaguely, poking his leg, trying not to act suspicious.
"You. Your text came and even the application at work. I thought you'd be going there later but you should have at least told me about it. I was so vexed about your whereabouts but I was finally relieved when your Father told me about your arrival." He finished explaining, patting my shoulder but my eyes fluttered open in disbelief.
“What?”!
I sat up, looking at him with an unnerving face. He raised an eyebrow and was about to say something but I spoke up first.
"Did Dad say I was there?" I asked apprehensively. Is he okay? Did he do something to my parents too?
"Yeah… why?" He shrugged.
I exhaled, pushing my hairs back, not apprehending what was happening.
‘How would Dad say I am there when I wasn't. Did Prince Sir threaten my parents too that they lied? Oh my God, what is happening? How could Dad tell her that, is that why Sir-’
My thoughts were interrupted when Zaniel cupped my cheeks and turned me to face him.
"Are you alright, baby?" with a low-pitched voice, dragging my thoughts brought me to reality.
"Is everything alright?" He asked tenderly, caressing me to soothe me.
I smiled faintly and nodded, "Yeah…" Scooting closer, I shifted to his laps, hugging him tightly.
"Sorry for not answering your calls and messages." I whispered, kissing his neck.
He chuckled, rubbing my back tenderly, "It's okay. You're here now. I want nothing else."