I slammed my apartment door shut as hard as I could, making the window panes rattle. Amanda was lounging on the couch busy eating a sandwich, but her hands froze mid air at seeing me seething in rage and bursting through the door as if I was ready to destroy the world.
“What the hell happened to you?” Amanda asked.
“That bloody man will be the reason I would actually go to jail, because he is making it nearly impossible for me to not kill me him!” I nearly shouted, causing Mandi to jump slightly.
“Woah, woah, tiger, calm down and tell me what exactly are you babbling about.” Mandi tried to reason with me, but I was too far gone to listen to reason-of any sorts. But I did as she said and took a deep breath and clutched my hair with my hands in obvious frustration.
“Theodore is driving me crazy.” I finally told her after flopping on the couch next to her.
“Yeah I figured that, but first tell me what are you doing back here in America so soon?”
“Theodore found me in Canada and dragged me back.” I stated bitterly.
“Wow, he really is powerful.” Mandi commented.
“Powerful and infuriating!” I exclaimed, my anger not simmerimg down.
“Okay okay, calm down. And now tell me what exactly happened, no wait, first tell me what happened to your wrists.” Mandi demanded, making me look down at my bandaged wrists in fury.
I told her what happened after Theodore found me in Canada and dragged me to Ingrid’s apartment. I didn’t stop talking and Mandi didn’t stop listening. It was like for the first time I had Mandi’s undivided attention, and if the sparkle in her eyes was anything to go by then I was sure that Amanda was enjoying everything I was telling her, which did not bode well for me, especially if I wanted her to be on my side against Theodore.
Once I finished my rant on Theodore, Mandi squealed and clapped her hands like a six year old, making me wonder whether she was actually a 22 year old woman.
“Wow, he tied you up and put you to sleep! Oh my God, I wish I had boyfriend just like Theodore.” Mandi said dreamily, making me roll my eyes at her obvious twisted version of romance.
“That was not romantic, Mandi. I’m really pissed at him. And to top it all of, he forced me to have breakfast with him, then told me to be ready at 3:00 pm as he would be coming to pick me up.” I told her angrily, huffing audibly.
“Ooh, a date. I wonder where he’ll take you.” Mandi uttered with a sigh then leaned back against the couch and began to probably wonder all sorts of places Theodore would take me for this so-called date in her opinion.
I on the other hand did not want to go anywhere with Theodore let alone on a date. However, call it sixth sense, but I had a feeling that Theodore was not planning to take me out on a date.
“What will you wear?” Mandi questioned, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably throw on some jeans and a shirt.” I replied nonchalantly.
“Are you kidding! You are going to wear a dress. Probably that ice-blue one which makes you look like Elsa from Frozen.” Mandi stated making me roll my eyes.
“Uh Mandi, Elsa is blonde, while I’m a burnette, and forget that! I’m not dressing up. If Theodore has any problem then he can go to hell for all I care.” I stated adamantly.
“You are so stubborn, Lee. When will you throw away this attitude of yours and accept Theodore, the guy is perfect for you.” Mandi argued, getting on my nerves.
“You know what, I don’t wanna argue with you, I’m going in my room.” I said and jogged towards my room, I really missed it even if I was gone for two days.
I threw myself on the bed and sighed in bliss. Aaahhh, home sweet home. I planned on unpacking but was soon fast asleep.
I woke to fingers brushing my hair from my face, only to find Theodore sitting next to me on my bed with a gentle smile on his face. Ugh, this man was ubiquitous. He was everywhere, I was never free of him.
“Wake up sleeping beauty, you and I have to go, it’s already 3:30 pm and I told you to be ready at 3:00 pm.” Theodore admonished softly.
I groaned out loud. “Go without me, or take Amanda with you, she clrearly likes you.” I replied, but nontheless, got up and threw open the doors to my closet.
“There is only one woman who I want to like me, and she is standing right in front of me, looking disheveled yet beautiful.” Theodore said softly and came to hug from behind.
I blushed at his words, but tried my best to appear unaffected. “Let go of me, I need to change.” I told him hurriedly, before I did something I regretted, like turning around and burying my face under his neck.
Theodore chuckled and placed a tender kiss below my ear. “One day you’ll know exactly what a mistake it is to say those words to me, however, since I haven’t told the world you’re mine yet, I’ll let it slide. But Hailey, rest assured that this is the first and the last time you say those words to me,” with that Theodore released me from his hold and left the room, but not before telling me that I have only five minutes to change.
Holy muffins!
“Where are we going?” I asked Theodore for the fifth time.
We were currently sitting in one of Theodore’s cars, I believe it was a Porsche, and driving to God knows where. Even though I said I didn’t trust Theodore, I at least trusted him to not harm me, but judging by the mysterious yet excited aura emenating from him, I was kinda scared that he was kidnapping me.
“House hunting.” Theodore replied with a smile. I looked at him, confused as to why in the name of Hades was he taking me house hunting.
“Uh why?” I questioned.
“Because I want to buy an estate to live in.” He replied.
“Yeah, but why? I mean you already have a place to live, a big place even. Why do you want to buy an estate?”
“Hailey, there are three things I am deeply passionate about; cars and mansions or estates.” He said while shifting gears effortlessly.
We were now in a less busy part of the city, and I couldn’t help but admire the scenenic beauty the country had to offer. Green grass could be seen from as far as the eyes could see, and the light gray clouds that covered the regular blue of the sky made the picture look breathtaking. Nature really did work wonders.
“What’s the third thing you’re passionate about?” I inquired, after I realized that Theodore only told me about two things.
Theodore didn’t answer my question. Instead, he grabbed my left hand which was closest to him and brought it up to lips and pressed a sweet kiss on it. His eyes sparkled at the action, the gray irises glittering like sparkly jewels.
“But if you’re going house hunting why bring me along?” I questioned, not wanting silence to dominate the car’s atmosphere for more than a few seconds.
“Because you’re my assistant.” He replied like as if it should be obvious.
“Yeah, and last time I checked, assistants help their bosses with stuffs related to work, and this is clearly not work Mr. Benson.” I said in a snarky voice.
“Assistant, my darling, help their bosses with whatever they need, and you’re helping me find the perfect estate.”
“And what sort of help would you require with finding the perfect house?”
“We are going to visit five estates, and the one you’d like, I’ll buy.”
“Why me? You’re the one who’s gonna live in it.”
“Not only me, sweetheart. Not only me.” He said this in a soft voice, obviously not intending for me to hear, but I still did. I scoffed internally, ofcourse, he would buy this house for his future wife and kids. A weird ache formed in my heart at thinking about Theodore being happy with a gorgeous woman who would be the perfect wife to him and their equally beautiful kids.
We reached the first estate and my mouth dropped open. It was beautiful. It was a two storey estate, which was obviously Victorian. It had numerous gables with white trimming all around. Lots of windows, which I loved in a house, and a white fence was wrapped around the main house. It was absolutely beautiful. I wondered if Theodore showed me estates that were equally as beautiful as this, then the choice would become very difficult for me.
“What do you think?” Theodore asked.
“It’s amazing, Theodore.”
“Come, let me show you the inside.” Theodore took my hand and led me inside.
The inside was as beautiful as the outside, and I instantly fell in love with it. I really wished I had enough money to buy this place. This was the place I wanted to grow old with my husband, and have a family. But I knew, with a sinking heart, that this place would never be mine.
We toured the house, Theodore showed me every corner of it. There were eight bedrooms, with a giant living room, and an equally big dining room. The kitchen was three times the size of my apartment kitchen. And there was even a swimming pool. Theodore told me that things can be changed once he buys the place, and I nodded but I told him that this place didn’t any changes, it was perfect the way it was.
After 30 minutes we left the Victorian estate and drove to our next destination. I was glad that Theodore brought me along for this housing hunting, because even though these beautiful places would never be mine, at least I got to see them.
The next estate was as beautiful as the Victorian one. But this one was a Georgian style estate. There was a big, luscious, green lawn, and the building itself was a sight to see. It was a two storey building with numerous windows. Huge gables dominated the top. This estate also had white trimmings, and there was a blacony on the second floor.
We went inside and found there to be seven bedroom, a swimming pool, two living rooms, and one large dining room, and a kitchen to die for. I was starting to get jealous of Theodore’s future wife and kids because they would be living in such a beautiful place. Oh why oh why am I not rich. I want this house!
I didn’t want to leave but Theodore still had to show me three other estates, and I was only to eager to get in the car and drive to our next destination. Throughout the ride Theodore and I made conversation. I got to see just how passionate Theodore was about big houses, that I was scared to ask exactly how many houses he owned.
The third estate was an English style estate and was built like a castle; complete with turrets and brick walls. The estate took me back to when the English ruled the world, but nonetheless, I was amazed to see the lofty building.
It was a two storey estate, but I was sure there was a third storey as well, with lots of windows over looking grassy lawns that were manicured to perfection. I was very careful while stepping on the lawn as I did not want to damage the grass. Theodore laughed at seeing me walk like as if I was walking on egg shells and told me not to worry about the grass.
The inside was vast and spacious, not to mentiom fully furnished. This castle-like estate had eleven rooms. Even though the estate looked fifty years old, the inside was modern with marble floors and state of the art technology.
I loved this estate but I liked the previous two better than this one. Maybe it was due to the modern exterior or the white trimming, but I loved the Victorian style and Georgian style estates more.
The next estate was your typical Italian style estate. The only way to describe it was, wow. This one had a lot of rooms, if the golden bulbs were anything to go by. There were no gables or turrets, but the estate was breathtaking nonetheless. There was also a swimming pool, and a large lawn. And a sitting area was constructed right next to the estate making it look as if it was a part of it.
On the inside it was fairly modern with beautiful fixtures and mesmerizing frescos painted on the ceiling. This was also one of the estates I could picture myself spending the rest of my life in.
When we left the Italian beauty, night had fallen. The stars were twinkling adding to the beauty of the estate. The air was a little chilly but nothing I couldn’t handle. I was just happy that Theodore had brought me to this beautiful estate.
The last estate was a Gothic style estate. This made the decision harder for me to make. I liked every single estate Theodore showed me and so far I was conflicted between the Victorian, the Georgian, and the Italian estates. But now looking at the gothic style estate, I could add this in the list as well.
Three gables made the entrance look amazing, and the rest of the triangular roofs did nothing but add to the beauty of the estate. The exterior was charcoal colored. Lots of windows made me fall in love with the estate. The lush lawns with colorful flowers threw in the colors to make the estate look not so dreary. There was even a fountain right in the center. Damn rich people!
The inside was the perfect combination of new and old. With latest technology and thick wooden doors and marble floors, I was deeply impressed by the architectures who designed this estate.
I didn’t want to leave but exhaustion had taken over my body and my legs were protesting, so I didn’t argue when Theodore took my hand and led me outside the lovely estate and into his car.
“So which one was your favorite?” Theodore asked, driving back to the city.
“I don’t know, they all were so lovely. But I am conflicted between the Victorian, the Georgian, the Italian, and the Gothic one.” I told him, yawning despite not wanting to.
“That’s okay, you can tell me your decision in a couple of days.”
“Why me? You buy the one you like, why so keen on taking my opinion?”
Theodore didn’t say anything, just kept driving, and the smooth motion of the car was lulling me to sleep. I just about succumbed to sleep when Theodore parked his car. My eyes flew open only to see that Theodore had brought me to an apartment complex.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“My place.” That’s all Theodore said before sliding out of the car and coming over to open my door.
“But why, I want to go home. I’m tired Theodore.” I whined like a little kid.
“I know, but we have to make a little stop here, as the prince of the business world is here.” Theodore told and strode over to the elevator.
“If he’s the prince then who’s the king?” I asked, suppressing another yawn.
“Me.” Theodore smirked and winked.
I rolled at my eyes at his blunt and cocky statement, but stayed silent. I was not in the mood to argue with him at this point.
The elevator doors slid open and Theodore and I walked out. Actually he walked out, while I had to drag my feet in order to keep up with his long stride.
Theodore opened the door to his apartment, and I was fully awake at seeing the inside of his apartment. The words apartment seemed small for how big the place actually was.
The floors were made of granite, I think, and were shined to perfection. Other than that the place had the color scheme of a typical bachelor’s pad, all blacks, with gray and white accents here and there.
“You sit down, or eat something. I’ll be back in twenty minutes, okay?” Theodore turned and walked in what looked to be his study, leaving me to explore his house.
I really wanted to explore his apartment, but my feet were screaming for rest, which had me lying on the dark couch and moaning in relief. God, I was really tired.
No sooner my head hit the cushion I was fast asleep, the darkness welcoming me like a warm cloak on a winter night.