NALEDI’S POV
“No deal.”
Caellum’s eyes shot up at my words.
“What did you say?”
“Exactly what you heard.”
I took joy in the fact I caught him off guard.
“So let’s get this straight. You yap about how much you hate being a maid and when I decide to give you a shot at something more fulfilling, you turn it down?”
“I will not be a spy, Caellum. I’d be better off as a darned maid.”
“That’s pretty fucking rich, coming from someone who kills people for a living.” I felt burned. “If you asked me, I’d say it’s not so far from your alley.”
“Finally, you admit you got a check done on me.” I seethed. “But guess what? If your pack hadn’t exterminated mine, I probably wouldn’t be a killer, not to talk of being here!”
“I don’t care to hear the gory details of how you came to be what you are, Mia Cara. If I wanted that, I’d go through the darned file.”
“You speak like you haven’t already.” I hissed. “Newsflash, I saw the darned file in your drawers.”
“Is that it? Is that why you are trying to defy me?” He got up and faced me with a brooding aura. “Don’t forget your place Naledi. If being your mate is not enough reason to respect me, then being your boss and Alpha should do the job.”
I hit the table, blood pounding in my ears. “Respect is not demanded, it is earned.”
“I don’t care what you think darling. I demand it, and that’s what it will be.”
We stood together, facing each other with burning eyes. Matteo must either be the most nonchalant person ever or he just had that coolness to withstand every tense situation.
“I will not be a spy for you Caellum. I’d rather be a maid.”
An odd smile made its way to his face. “Fine. You were better off as a maid anyway.”
Refusing to let his words affect me, I swallowed the anger that burned within me. “Is that all?”
“You didn’t finish your food.”
Like hell I was still going sit and eat on this fucking table.
“I am well fed. Thank you very much.”
I didn’t wait to hear anything else. I turned around, retreating from the same way I’d come, longing for the comfort that my bed offered at this point in time.
**********
I knew Caellum was the devil. But I didn’t realise just how far he was willing to go to prove that theory.
Early this morning, I was awakened by Korah, who told me I’d been summoned to the Alpha’s Chambers.
I stood in front of Caellum who was lying on his bed, bare-chested and wearing an evil smile.
“Rise and shine, Naledi.” He said, getting up from his bed. “I trust you had a wonderful night.”
“The best.” My sarcasm was loud. “If I didn’t get to see your face last night, and first thing this morning.
“Good. Because today, we have a lot to do.”
“Exciting,” I say in a flat tone.
He wore a robe and ticked his head. “Don’t just stand there, get to cleaning.”
I bit back my words and walked away from him, finding the closet as I got to cleaning while he sat on a chair, watching me go.
I felt the intensity of his eyes but I refused to give him the satisfaction of watching me squirm. First, I made the bed, then I headed to cleaning the room, dusting, sweeping, and mobbing.
Caellum sat by the side, watching me, while flicking through a paper he read backwards. Yes, people, he was reading a newspaper upside down. He’s got to be the best reader ever.
“Go make me some coffee.” He suddenly said and I wondered if he was speaking to me. “I don’t have all day.” He ticked without sparing me a glance.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the en suite kitchen, in search of a coffee maker. That was the only way I could make one, and I was determined not to let him think of me as a dunce.
I was going to be the best personal maid just to spite him. I was that petty.
Finally, I made the coffee and like the diligent maid I’d been since the start of the day, I presented it to him like a burnt offering. Caellum picked up the cup and took one sip.
He spat out its contents as soon as it touched his lips. “What the fuck is this?!” He roared and threw the cup, which shattered to a million chards upon hitting the floor.
Not to mention the coffee that spilt on the floor I had just cleaned. I bit back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes as well as the rage in my veins.
“Coffee.” I managed to say which only ticked him off the more.
“If you are going to be my maid, I suggest you learn how to make a fucking good coffee because I would not put up with such incompetence.”
“I don’t know how-”
“To make a coffee?” He finished for me with a baffled expression. “Want me to teach you how to make a fucking coffee too?!”
“I’m sorry. I’ll make another one.”
I didn’t wait for him to speak and immediately got to work on the next coffee, paying close attention to the instructions as I made the coffee with sizzling hot water.
Soon enough, the Coffee was ready for consumption, and I brisked into the room, where he sat, waiting for the coffee.
I placed it on the table without another word and he picked it up. This time, he didn’t taste it. He poured it on the floor, looking me in the eye.
“What is that horrid smell?” He asked and I was confused.
“What are you talking about?”
“Because I didn’t accept your nonsense,” He got to his feet, throwing the cup to the floor. Another shatter. “Are you now trying to kill me?”
“I-I-”
“Shut it, Naledi. I want you to go in there and make me a fucking coffee, or die trying.”
A bile rose up in my throat. I will not be frustrated. I refuse to let him get to me.
I walked out of the room, and back to the kitchen. Made another coffee and presented it to him. He took it from my hands and took a long look at it.
“I don’t drink coffee. Clean up this mess.”