NALEDI’S POV
The door shut behind us and I took in Caellum like the adversary he was.
“Why are you here, Naledi?” His tone was sharp and straight to the point.
Getting down to business then. “Cleaning your office, Alpha.”
Caellum looked like he had been slapped in the face. Didn’t like the title anymore I presume.
“You were never supposed to be in here.” He said lowly, the base strong in his tone. “And you knew that.”
“I was running out of options, seeing I had cleaned your darned-”
“Word.” He said and I swallowed.
“I had cleaned your room a thousand times and cooked a gazillion times but you wouldn’t know that because you were nowhere to be found.” My jaws clenched. “No offence.”
Caellum walked past me and sat in his office chair. He kicked back and relaxed while I stood like the maid I was, waiting on his every word.
“My travels sometimes are a bit unconventional.”
You mean sudden, unprepared, and flat-out rude? Yeah. Thought so.
“But seeing you are so diligent and willing to work. I think I have a better work structure that would suit our arrangement.”
My eyes met his in question. “And that is?”
“You are my maid. It’s only normal that you are always by my side. Attending to my needs.” Callum opened one of his drawers and I felt my breath seize. “You will be travelling with me moving forward. Everywhere I go, I expect you to be by my side, carrying out your duties.”
My jaw dropped open. “Matteo will handle making your travel papers. Just in case we need to show up in certain places.”
“And I am supposed to be your maid on these trips?” I couldn’t hold my mouth for long. “I’m sorry but I think I can be a better help as-”
“I don’t want to hear it.” He snapped. “If I was looking for a darned sniper, I know where to ask. And if you are not comfortable with that, then I suggest you get back to your chambers because that’s all I’m offering.”
My heart burned at his words. The dominance and fire in his eyes. He brought the big guns to a fistfight. “I’ll take it.”
Caellum raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll take the job. I’ll do what I have to do.” I felt like I just sold my soul to the devil. If anything, the wicked smile on his lips proved it.
“Good. We leave in fifteen minutes.”
“What?”
“Go get ready. I have a meeting in the next thirty minutes and unless you plan to go like this, then go get ready.” Caellum spoke like he was explaining things to a little child.
I didn’t like that. Not one bit.
“Yes Alpha,” I said with a bow, catching him open the third drawer.
I walked out of the office without a glance back. The last thing I wanted was to give him the satisfaction of knowing I’d caught up to his games.
As I walked to my room, I let a smile grace my face. If Caellum thought he was smart, then two could play this game. In this race of outsmarting each other and organising grand schemes, may the best one win.
I was in it to win it.
********
“Here you go.” Matteo handed me a black scarf.
“No thank you,” I said, standing by the car as we awaited the Alpha’s arrival.
“It is not a choice,” Matteo said in a hard tone. “The Alpha ordered that you wear it.”
What was these men’s obsession with my clothes?
“I don’t know if you are blind, but on what planet does my outfit go with a friggin scarf?” I couldn’t take it anymore. “We are going to a fucking meeting. Not a darned church!”
“Naledi!” I was notified of Caellum’s presence by his roar. “Have some respect.” He growled.
I bit my tongue, brooding silently.
“Blindfold her.” He ordered, and Matteo was just right there, ready to please.
My eyes were covered with the black scarf before I could protest against it.
“What is this about?” I asked in the calmest possible tone.
“I can’t risk you knowing where I am headed,” Caellum said. “You have to understand, this is business.”
“You don’t trust me,” I stated. “If you don’t trust me then I think I should sit this one out-”
“You don’t have a choice, sunshine. You had one chance to get out and you blew it. There’s no going back.”
I stood in darkness and I felt anger course through me. I hated him. I hated everything about him. I hated his guts.
“Take her into the car.”
In one second, I felt a hard hand guide me towards the direction of the car, preventing me from falling face down as a result of the blindfold.
I hadn’t felt as small and humiliated in my life. And that by my own mate.
The ride to the meeting was cold and silent. I could tell Caellum sat beside me. The sparks that flew when our arms touched were proof enough.
The silence was heavy in the car as we drove to God knows where. My eyes itched and I longed to take off the blindfold. Unpleasant memories rushed into my mind.
I saw a smaller version of myself, getting beat up in the dark, as medicine for my failure to perfect a shot. My hands trembled as I fought the darkness in my head.
“I can’t… I can’t see…” The memories were more real than ever.
I heard the wicked cackle of my trainer. “That’s the point Attai. You need to learn to make a shot no matter the circumstances. It’s a dog-eat-dog world here, and if you are to work with us, we need to ensure that you are not weak and you can function.”
My body shivered as sweat dripped down my little body. “Please turn on the lights, I promise I will get it right this time,” I said when I missed another shot.
“You will make a decent shot. But you must know there are consequences to everything.” I felt a whip on my back and I fell down in pain, scrambling for the gun I’d dropped as I was whipped into shape.
“We’re here.” I heard the voice of Caellum, and took off the blindfold with a panicked look on my face.
Not again.