I woke up in the most comfiest mattresses in the world. I mean, Theodore’s office bed was comfy, but this one took the cake. I rubbed my eyes and looked to see myself covered till the chin in a dark duvet.
Despite wanting to remain in bed foever, I got up and gazed at my surroundings. I was in what looked to be the master bedroom of the apartment. The king-sized bed dominated the room with its size, and looked to be made of walnut. There were side tables on both sides, and a sofa across the bed with two intricately designed wooden chairs on either side of the sofa. I was shocked to see a dressing table situated in one corner of the gigantic room. The whole room had only black, gray and white colors, which was exactly like the rest of the theme of the house.
Thankfully, I still had my dress on from yesterday, if Theodore had decided to strip me I was pretty sure I would’ve blown a fuse. Yawning, I padded barefoot in what I thought to be the bathroom. But it turned out to be the entrance to a walk-in closet. And oh my, what a walk-in closet it was. The whole place was a man’s dream, with hundreds, or maybe, thousands of clothes hanging on metal hangers. The closet looked to be categorized, with formal suits to be in one place, and next to it were the formal dress shirts of almost every color imaginable. On the other sides were jeans and casual shirts of every style and color that existed on Earth. There was a white table almost in the center of the room with four full-sized drawers. I guessed this was where Theodore’s ties and other accessories were kept.
I didn’t dwell in the walk-in closet for long. Simply because that closet made me wish I was man; and if I was, I would’ve killed Theodore and made this apartment my permanent residence. Instead, I went towards the only other door left other than the exit door, and there I found what my bladder was screaming for: the bathroom. And can I please say that it was like the world’s finest architects got together to create this amazing beauty.
The bathroom was similar in color scheme to the rest of the house, with blacks, grays, and whites. The black tiles covering the walls were sparkling. There were two sinks for him and her, with a large tub located in one corner of the bathroom. A glass stall took the other corner, complete with a bench and and even a few shelves which showcased all sorts of bath products. Stark white toilet was placed in the remaing area of the bathroom and there was even a urinal right next to the toilet. Wow, this man thought of everything.
Quickly, I shut the door to the bathroom and hurriedly did my business, and using one of the spare toothbrushes standing next to a gray one, I brushed my teeth, and washed my face. I grabbed a towel hanging on the rail and dried my face with it, and it was like I was in towel heaven. The towel was so soft it was like I was drying my face with cotton. Damn you, rich man! My subconscious sneered with jealousy.
After exiting the bathroom, I hurriedly looked for my shoes which were hiding under the bed and put them on. I quickly brushed my hair while standing in front of the vanity table and hastily tied them in a pony tail.
As soon as I left the luxury of Theodore’s bedroom, I was instantly greeted with a wafting aroma of delicious food, which had me following the source of it like Jerry followed the scent of cheese, while Tom was there ready with a trap. I just wished that my poor heart didn’t get trapped by Theodore’s charm, but the way Theodore was treating me, I wasn’t sure my heart had much of a chance.
Following the scent of what smelled to be pancakes and eggs I came face to face with a sweaty Theodore, who looked mouth-watering in his shorts and t-shirt. He was sitting in one of those cool high chairs, that swiveled, in front of the kitchen counter.
“Why didn’t you wake me up when you were finished with your meeting?” I demanded sitting on the high chair next to him.
“Good morning to you, too, flower. Hope you slept well. And the only reason why I didn’t wake you up was because you were exhausted and needed your rest, so I decided I’ll drop you off in the morning.” Theodore replied smoothly.
I opened my mouth to reply, but the sudden presence of a middle-aged lady had me stopping. She was wearing a standard maid’s uniform, complete with the cap and dress. She had fair skin, which surprisingly wasn’t too full of wrinkles, with gentle green eyes and shiny, golden hair, the kind that proved to you that she wasn’t a fake blonde.
“Good morning, Ma’am, what would like for breakfast?” She asked in a sweet voice.
I looked at Theodore who was busy typing away on his iPhone then back at the maid. She didn’t say anything, just stood patiently, waiting for me to tell her what I wanted for breakfast.
“She’ll have what I’m having, Julie.” Theodore said all of a sudden, waking up not only my heart with his deep, bedroom voice, but also my temper.
Julie nodded and went all the way to the other end of the kitchen where the stove, and the pots and pans were. Once I was sure that Julie wouldn’t hear what I was going to say-oh who was I kidding, ofcourse she would hear every single word that left my mouth as she was standing only eight feet from where we sat-but regardless, I was going to let Theodore have it.
“What the hell is wrong with you, why did you tell her that I’ll have what you’re having, I can speak for myself you know?” I asked in a harsh whisper, when what I really wanted to do was yell at the top of my lungs.
Theodore released a breath, and turned slightly so he was facing me full-on. “The only reason I did that was because you were obviously confused about what exactly you wanted for breakfast, so I made the choice for you.” He stated as if it should’ve been obvious.
“I’m not going to eat it.” I stated and crossed my arms like a petulant child.
Theodore’s gaze hardened, and stood up from his chair, towering over me, which sent alarm bells ringing through my mind. “You are going to eat every single thing in the plate, or so help me Hailey, I’ll tie you up and force feed you myself.” Theodore told me, in a don’t-mess-with-me-or-you’ll-regret-it tone.
I glared at him, the glare that had Amanda gulping in fear. Oh no, Amanda, I didn’t text her last night. Shoot, she was going to be so worried, not to mention, pissed. Damn, damn damn. I’ll call her once I’m done with breakfast. With that thought in mind, I turned away from Theodore, who grumbled something about being difficult then sat down in the chair.
After 10 minutes, the smell of eggs and pancakes became more intense, waking my stomach and making my mouth water. Julie brought two plates, each filled with a stack of pancakes and two eggs, and a couple of slices of bananas and apples, and placed them in front of Theodore and I. Just looking at the food had my stomach growling as if I hadn’t eaten in twenty years.
“Eat up, you didn’t eat dinner last night either.” Theodore ordered and begun knifing through his pancakes, then stabbing them with a silver fork and finally depositing the food in his mouth, and begun chewing. The whole act of Theodore eating had me forgetting my food and staring at him, transfixed, as he devoured his breakfast little by little.
After five minutes of blatantly staring at him, Theodore finally glanced at me and caught me staring at him like a lustful idiot. His eyes sparkled with mirth at seeing me gazing at him as he ate. He shook his head with a smile and began cutting my pancakes using his knife and fork. Then brought the pancake closer to my mouth, prompting me to open my mouth.
“Here, open up.” He prodded causing me to obey him without argument.
“If you wanted me to feed you, darling, all you had to do was ask.”
“No! I can eat by myself, I’m not an invalid.” I snapped and begun stuffing my breakfast in my mouth angrily.
We finished breakfast in silence, then Theodore got up and went to his bedroom, leaving me all alone in his beautiful apartment. Deciding to finally face Amanda’s wrath, I got up and went in search of my purse which I was pretty sure was in Theodore’s room.
I pushed open the bedroom and found it empty. The sound of water running in the bathroom had me believing that Theodore was taking a shower. Oh how I wish I was in there with him. My love-struck side said dreamily. No no, Theodore is not safe. Danger danger, protect your heart, save your tears! My rational side pointed out.
Spotting my purse on the side table I hurried over to it and begun rummaging through it for my phone. When I didn’t find it my heart sank. Damn it, where was my phone. I turned my bag over and emptied it out, the contents falling on the mattress. I went through the small mess made on the bed but did not find my phone. God, I couldn’t lose my phone, it had all my important contacts.
I was so busy looking in my empty purse that I didn’t hear the bathroom door unlocking and Theodore striding out.
“What are you looking for, sweetheart?” Theodore asked softly.
“I can’t find my-” I forgot what I was saying at seeing Theodore in nothing but a towel around his waist. Oh my God, somebody remove this perfect sight from my eyes before I’m turned into a puddle of hormones. My eyes shamelessly trailed over his bare chest which was glistening with water droplets. Holy mother of perfection, his abs! All sorts of unholy images were flashing in my mind, making me squirm and shudder in ecstacy.
“Flower, say something.” Theodore asked with amusement dancing in his eyes.
“I-I-my phone, have you seen my phone, I can’t find it, it was in my purse.” I finally uttered, reluctantly removing my gaze from the perfect man standing before me and looking through my empty purse again.
“Oh yeah, it’s in my office, I used it to text your friend that you’ll be staying over and that I’ll drop you home in the morning.” Theodore told me nonchalantly and padded over to the walk-in closet.
What in the actual hell was wrong with this man! He couldn’t just take control of my life. Who was he to tell Amanda that I would not come home. Curse him.
I stormed in the walk-in closet, anger bubbling in my veins. Theodore was busy deciding which shirt to wear with his jeans. “Do you have any regards for boundaries, Mr. Benson?” I demanded.
Theodore turned to look at me and the intensity in those gray eyes had me feeling naked. He stopped looking through his t-shirt and stalked towards me with the grace of a panther until he stood right in front of me.
“I do have regards for boundaries, my darling,” he begun saying in a calm voice that felt like velvet caressing my soul, “however, I have no regards for your boundaries. I can and will step over them if I have to or if I want to, sweetheart, and there is nothing you can do about it.” He finished saying, and before he could utter another word out of those perfect lips, I raised my hand slapped him-hard.
I wasn’t even thinking about it. It was like my hand was automatically raised and flew across his face. I was shocked at what I’d done. So much so, that after I slapped him, I kept on staring at my hand with wide eyes and mouth agape.
“Oh darling, you just gave me the chance to step over your so-called boundaries.” It didn’t register what he said until he pulled me to him and smashed his lips onto mine with a passion and intensity that left my mind and soul in smithereens.
I tried to pull away but his arm around my waist had me trapped. I punched his chest to no avail. It was him biting on my lower lip that had me surrendering to him and letting him take over-which he did. He slipped his tongue in my mouth and caressed my tongue with his, causing a moan to erupt from me. His nearly erotic actions had my nether regions drenched, and my heart blooming in happiness. Being kissed by Theodore was definitely a trip to cloud nine.
Theodore broke apart, both of us breathing heavily. He rested his forehead against mine. “Stop me, Hailey, before I do something you’re not ready for.” He muttered softly kissing my lips, making all sane thoughts leave my mind.
My mind screamed at me to tell him to stop, and despite being wanted to be showered in his kisses forever, I listened to my mind and told him to stop. He released me after that but not before making sure I was steady on my feet. Then turned his back to me and went back to his t-shirt area, making me feel not only ignored but rejected as well.
“Go wait for me by the front door. I’ll be there in a few minutes and will take you home.” Theodore stated curtly, all his earlier affection and soft words gone.
Tears pricked my eyes at hearing his words, so cold and blunt, not the usual warm and affectionate ones I got to hear usually. I turned on my heels and left the walk-in closet, meanwhile my subconscious was telling me that Theodore was not a good man and I should stay from him, but I shut it up. Because, now I was sure about one thing, and it was the fact that I liked Theodore Benson, and I was on my way to falling in love in with him, and even though my mind kept saying that no I could still fight him, that I could still run, I knew it was a lie. Theodore had effectively broken down those walls that I tried so hard to build, and now he was going to take over my heart, and rule over it, and there was nothing I could do about it. I just hoped that I would not be left with a shattered heart.
Theodore appeared after a few minutes in living room where I was waiting for him. He handed me my phone, and without sparing me a glance, he strode over thr front door and opened it and walked out, leaving me to follow him.
Once outside, Theodore wasted no time in slipping inside his Mercedes, while I sat in the passenger seat. He put the key in the ignition and drove out of the parking lot. Throughout the ride, neither Theodore nor I said a word, and that was perfectly fine by me. Even though I was hurt by his statement, I was angry that he was treating me in such a cold manner. Well if he wanted to act in a cold manner, then I would act that way too.
In no time, Theodore was at my apartment. I was just about to get out-without saying anything-when Theodore’s voice stopped me. “I’m going for a business trip out of city for a week, you’re not required to come to work till then. I’ll come back next Monday and expect you back on Monday as well. Cancel all my appointments for next week. You may leave.” He stated with no emotion whatsoever.
I wanted to cry and beg him not to go, but I knew I couldn’t do that. I was his assistance, I should know better that bosses never went for their assistants. Still the thought of not seeing Theodore for a week sent a sharp stabbing pain in my heart.
“Okay, Mr. Benson.” I said and got out of the car, closing the door firmly I walked towards the stairs that led to my apartment. I turned back and found Theodore driving away, and it felt like he was driving away from me forever.
I begun taking the stairs one at a time, and all the while my mind kept repeating only one thing.
Hailey, what have you gotten yourself into.