“I don’t think I will be able to go to the office today” he declared.
It was a small cut on his sole, yet he was making such a fuss about it. What’s the use of such an athletic body if he can’t bear small cuts and wounds?
“By the time I change my clothes, go and prepare breakfast for me” he ordered.
At least it would give me some privacy from his constant gaze and I would be able to breathe properly.
“Wait!” He said as I turned around, “Give me a t-shirt before leaving and once the breakfast is ready, come back to take me out ”
“I will bring the food here” I told him.
“Just do as I am saying ” he said rudely. “Now hand me the t-shirt ”
I made faces as I turned around to grab one t-shirt.
“Don’t make faces. I can see you” he said from behind.
Suppressing a sigh of frustration, I went to his closet and picked up a random t-shirt. As much as I wanted to throw the t-shirt on his face just the way he did on my first day, I controlled myself and handled him the t-shirt gently before turning around making and making my way to the kitchen.
I knew that he was going to suck the energy out of me today so I decided to keep the breakfast simple. I made toast, eggs, and a cup of coffee. The breakfast was ready in fifteen minutes.
He was scrolling through his phone when I entered the room. He placed the phone aside as soon as he saw me. Somewhere I had a feeling that he was doing all this on purpose and there is something deep hidden behind this.
“Come” he gestured.
Walking to him, I stood beside the bed. My eyes were drawn to his phone’s screen unintentionally, as it was on. My eyes unintentionally flickered towards his phone, catching sight of a familiar image. My heart skipped a beat, and my breath caught in my throat. There, on the screen, was a picture of me.
He was staring at my photo. I thought that he was scrolling through social media or doing his work.
I gulped and was so shocked that I was left speechless, momentarily.
“Oh! That….” He picked up his phone. “This is my hobby” he chuckled. “I like to stare at your pictures when you are not around”
He was talking as if it were not creepy but something normal and unquestionable. How he spoke only intensified the discomfort that had root inside me.
“Where did you get this picture?” I blurted out, disbelief lacing my words. “I never uploaded it on any social media platform”
A knowing smile played on his lips. “I have my sources ” he chuckled.
My heart pounded in my chest, mad a realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. Now I am sure that he was getting help from one of my friends because he not only knows what I used discuss with them but also has access to the pictures that I shared only with them.
He tapped back and my eyes widened even more. The screen was flooded with countless numbers of images, every one featuring me. It was a proper collection of moments from my life, candid shots that I didn’t even know someone was capturing.
I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out his phone and snatching it away from him. I know he didn’t like my move, as his eyes narrowed at my audacity but I was too shocked to give a head.
My breath caught in my throat and goosebumps roused on my skin as I found numerous pictures of me doing different things. Most of them were from college, taking lecturers, playing sports, goggling with friends m, caught mid-yawn during a particularly dull class, discussing with teachers, and a few were from my home.
I could see one picture in which I was sleeping on my bed. As I scrolled down, I was even more shocked, as I could see a few pictures of mine in the court on my way home. He didn’t stop stalking me, even after the incident with my brother.
How did I not come to know about it even once?
I shuddered and he took away his phone from me before I could react and delete all these pictures.
“Why did you do that?” I mustered the strength to finally ask, my voice quivering with anger and unease.
“Because I wanted you around me all the time and when I couldn’t have you in person, I thought of taking pictures. That’s it” he said casually, tucking his phone back into his pocket as if was something normal.
“You know this is an invasion of privacy and I could sue you for this” my voice shivered.
Throwing his head back, he started laughing.
“How adorable” one of his hands came up to pinch my cheek. “If it comes down to it, I will defend you in court” he added with a chuckle, his amusement seemingly boundless. “But for now, feed me. I am starving”
I still couldn’t believe what I had just seen, which left me paralyzed at my place.
“There is nothing to make it such a big issue. Those pictures were mine to take, just like you are mine. Your pictures were safe with me and I don’t see anything wrong with them because, from the beginning, you are mine. Even now you are with me and I could take as many pictures in any state I want” he paused for a second before adding. “Tereso” with a sinister smile on his lips.
I shuddered when he mentioned ‘any state ‘I regret every moment when I thought that he was a good man and my prince charming.
“Now, help me get to the breakfast table, ” he instructed, setting himself on the edge of the bed.
I was so angry at him at the moment that all I wanted was so slap him tightly.. my palms curled to my sides when he stood up with the help of my arm. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed me into his body.
“Move” he ordered.
I took a step ahead and he moved with me, using me as his left leg. With such a heavyweight, it was difficult for me to move ahead but he sensed my uneasiness and lifted a bit of his weight off me.
I released a breath once he was on the chair. Turning around, I moved away to the kitchen, brewing a fresh cup a coffee for him and returning to place his breakfast on the table.
“Did you give breakfast to Desy?” He asked one of the workers.
“Yes sir” he replied.
Ansell tilted his head and the man disappeared from his sight. I was also about to take my leave when, all of a sudden, he patted the seat beside him.
“Sit” he ordered, his tone brooking no refusal.
I didn’t move.
“If you don’t want to sit on my lap, then sit quickly”
Left with no other option I sat on the chair, and he patted. He is injured enough to walk but not enough to make me sit on his lap.
“Feed me” here came another command.
“You are injured in your feet” I reminded him. His hands are completely fine and he could have food with them.
“Yeah m, and you are the reason behind it so you are going to be the one who helps me with everything throughout the day. It is your punishment”
Now I am sure he hurt himself deliberately.
Picking up piece of toast, I brought it near his lips because I wanted to end this as soon as possible. He opened his mouth and deliberately brushed his lips against my fingers as he closed them around the toast, mischievousness was dancing in his eyes.
Jerk!
He chewed his food with his gaze on me and a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was making me uncomfortable with his mere gaze. I want to disappear somewhere.
God! When will this torture end?
Yes, I used to like the attention but not this much. This is too much. I can’t even breathe.
He sipped his coffee picking up another piece of toast. I assumed he would eat it himself, but to my surprise, he held it out to my lips.
My instinct was to pull away, not wanting to take food from his hand, but a single intense glance from his eyes conveyed several threats and warnings that he didn’t need to speak. My lips moved on their own, taking the piece of toast from his fingers m. He didn’t miss the opportunity to let his fingertips graze my lips.
“You didn’t make a cup a coffee for yourself?” He asked.
I shook my head looking away from him.
“It’s okay ” he said, lifting his mug. “I don’t mind sharing ” he brought the mug closer to my lips.
He has just taken a sip from the same mug. I am not going to have it.
“Sharing increases love” he stated, a smirk tugging at his lips. “And we could certainly use more of that” he chuckled.
“Thanks, but I am fine. I don’t want any coffee ” I replied, avoiding his gaze as I looked away.
I thought that he would get angry but instead leaned forward and felt the mug touching my lips along with his finger grazing my cheek.
“Come on, just one sip. Maybe it will add some sweetness that’s missing from this coffee”
My nose scrunched up at his comment. Why does he have to be so cheesy every time? And I didn’t add sugar because this is the way he prefers his coffee.
He was not in a mood to move back so I took a sip. Satisfaction crossed his eyes as he grazed my cheek with his fingertip in appreciation.
“Perfect” he murmured, taking a sip on his own.
I remained seated, doing my best to ignore him. His next words caught me off guard, though.
“Have breakfast because you need energy for what I am going to do to you today and tonight ” he winked before taking another sip.
What is he going to do?