The morning went by slowly. Ari had given me a tour of the house, but told me that I was not allowed to go to the fourth floor unless given permission by Mr. Ivanov.
Behind the house was a massive green house with exotic jungle plants growing inside, and a garage was built in the center of the back stone wall, large enough to hold several hundred vehicles.
Past the walls was a mass of lovely rolling hills covered in an aspen tree forest. I was told that further away, it was common for government hunters to visit. Of course, if you were rich enough, you could hunt too, but all of your kills would've given to the society. They would then be made into assigned meals for the communities.
The first floor of the manor contained the kitchen, TV room, living room, game room, a large parlor, dining room, and a medium ballroom with a lovely black piano tucked into the corner. Six bathrooms were tucked into various places throughout the first floor, and steps in the kitchen led down into the basement cellar where food and alcoholic goods were stored.
The second floor consisted of a large and expansive library with a fireplace, Mr. Ivanov's office, a jacuzzi room with a glass back wall that could slide open, four large bathrooms, a weight room, and another small parlor with a bar and a pool table.
The third floor was filled with equally sized bedrooms, each connected to its own bathroom. All I knew about the fourth floor was that it was where Mr. Ivanov slept.
I was free to do whatever I liked during the day, unless Mr. Ivanov needed me. He left around eleven for work, leaving without a word to anyone.
Ari told me that he was the only one left of his family, and he'd been left to run the family business. The company made exclusive and luxurious cars, and they also made vehicles for various government needs.
He would stay in his company's skyscraper in the city until six, and arrive home around 7:30. Dinner would be prepared by eight, which I was required to attend, and then the nights typically remained uneventful as most of the staff left for home. Ari and Aggie were the only others with rooms here.
I spent the majority of the day with Ari, and we'd become fast friends. I'd tailed her as she moved around the house, helping with some of her chores, when she'd let me.
"Ari," I'd said as we were storing canned goods in the dank basement. It smelled musky and of damp soil. The walls and floor were made of dark grey bricks.
"Hm?" She asked, sweeping her chocolate colored braid over her shoulder.
"Why can't I go to the fourth floor?" I asked.
"Master Ivanov has just requested it," she shrugged. "I assume it's for privacy. He doesn't even let us up there to clean. Says he'll do it himself."
"Oh," I said idly, tucking a jar of pickled olives onto a shelf. "Where do you live?"
"Here," she shrugged. "My room is also in the third floor, first to the right of the stairs."
"Do all of you?" I wondered.
"Only those of us that want to. Right now it's just Aggie and I living here. Most people have their own homes and families," she said, rearranging the jars in a bin until she found what she was looking for. She tucked it into a shelf before speaking again. "What was it like? At the institution I mean."
"Well," I hesitated, biting my lip as I lifted another can. I stared at its tag for a long moment before speaking. "It was awful. We got daily beatings, and just enough food to survive. If we cried, we were sedated and locked in a padded cell for what seemed like ages. If we disobeyed, they hit us. We were given a new set of clothing each month, and basic hygiene needs were ignored. In fact, almost any need other than extreme medical was ignored," I said slowly. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone this. She looked angry.
"That's horrible," she said. "I hate this place."
We hadn't really spoken much after that, and I was eventually left on my own. I was currently in the dining room, reading a fictional romance book I'd found on one of the shelves. I was curled up on the window seat, my silky golden hair in a half-ponytail and pulled over my shoulder as I read. I wore a simple white sundress and woven sandals, a simple thin gold chain at my neck.
I'd reached the middle of the book by the time the dining room door opened. I didn't look up, thinking it was only someone cleaning.
"That's a good book," a smooth, low voice murmured at my ear. Mr. Ivanov was standing behind me, leaning over my shoulder. I jumped and turned to look at him. His face was so close, and I could taste his sweet breath.
"It's only four thirty," I said slowly, trying hard not to stare at his lips. He hadn't moved.
"I came home early," he said tonelessly. I couldn't help it. His breath was too sweet, and I leaned forward to inhale. He jerked back in surprise and his expression chilled. "Don't do that again," he said coldly, grasping my wrist and turning me to face him.
"What-"I gasped as he squoze my wrist.
"You will not touch me unless I give you permission," he said, pushing we back down on the window seat.
"Come here," he said pulling my body towards him as he knelt between my legs. His hands gripped my thighs as he pressed against me, and I gasped. He gripped my hips as he slipped inside, and my eyes rolled back as pleasure took hold of me.
___________________________________
The moment we'd finished, he pulled away, immediately releasing me. I smoothed my dress back down as I stood, turning to look at him.
He was already redoing his belt, sweating and panting. I watched him as he stood and stepped towards me, reaching out to touch my neck. He examined the hickeys he'd left before his hand dropped to his side.
"I'll see you at dinner," he said, turning. He left the room as silently as he'd come, the heavy wooden doors swinging shut behind him with a soft click.
I looked over at the grandfather clock leaning against the left wall. It was only five.
I wandered out of the room, my footsteps echoing on the wooden floors as I explored. I found the front door fairly easily, and stared it longingly. He hadn't said I couldn't go outside, but I still hesitated.
Just as I was about to turn to the stairs instead, a butler walked into the room.
"Am I allowed to go outside?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes," he looked at me tiredly. "You are free to go anywhere you would like on the property, except for the fourth floor and the garage."
"Thank you," I said, exiting the manor swiftly. I walked down the marble front steps towards the large center fountain, watching it spray in a glorious triple dome of water. Inside its deep base, coy fish swam through artificial plants and large rocks. The base was lined with colorful pebbles.
I walked around it and onto a wide cobbled path. Flowers of every variant seemed to be planted, glorious and bright. The sky was cloudy, and the sun was setting in the distance. The air smelled lovely and sweet, and my surroundings were extravagant.
I visited the gardens several times over the following week, sitting on benches and reading. I was mostly left alone, unless Mr. Ivanov called for me, which was usually only for dinner.I'd discovered he spent the majority of his time in the library, the weight room, and his study. Late at night, I would occasionally hear the sound of the ballroom piano drifting up the stairs, lulling me to sleep.
He never stayed around me long. He would dismiss me immediately after each meeting, and rarely spoke during meal times. I barely knew him, and he never asked about me. Even so, I was drawn to him, though I couldn't understand why.
I was finally starting to get used to the manor. It never seemed to feel quite like home, though. I'd explored and memorized the manor, and spent some time with Ari.
I'd walked around the garden walls multiple times, looking for a weak spot in the patrols that I could escape from. As soon as I get away from this, I'll find out what happened to my sister, and then head for the outer walls. Maybe there's something better out there. And even if there isn't, it's better to die alone out there than to have no life at all here. I sighed as I finished my current patrol.
Night and day, the patrols remained tight. Unless I could somehow sneak into the garage and hide in Mr. Ivanov's car before he went to work, and all without being noticed then maybe. But then I'd have to pass through the main gates without my absence being discovered. Honestly, there was no real way out of here.
It was virtually impossible to get into the garage. It had small windows up near the roof fifteen feet up, and guards were posted at each entrance, their rifles menacing. If only I had a fifteen foot ladder. Or a ten. I could climb up the rest of the way.
Dinner had finished an hour ago, and the sky was dark as I wound through the gardens. I still had some time to kill before bed, so I walked towards the green house.
It was the only place I hadn't explored yet. It rose high, its glass walls and roof tinted green and reflecting the stars. Vines climbed up the sides, and coconut trees were planted against the walls inside. I could see them faintly from where I stood as I pulled the glass doors open.
It was almost silent, though a stream of water ran through the dimly illuminated rows of plants, trickling softly. The greenhouse was warm, and a little humid as I walked around on the thin pathways, through the glorious jungle plants surrounding me.
The air smelled damp and of flowers, along with another faint scent I couldn't place. It was beautiful here. Like nature, captured in a bottle.
I walked slowly into a cleared space in the center of the greenhouse, discovering an expansive rectangular pool, illuminated by soft blue lights, in the center of the floor. I stepped forward, inhaling the faint scent of salt as I looked around.
Hammocks hung between some of the closest trees, and sun bathing chairs were evenly placed around, glass tables on their right sides, and white vases of exotic island flowers on their left.
Mr. Ivanov was in the water, swimming laps back and forth gracefully. He wore no shirt, exposing his muscles as they moved with his every motion. Loose black swim shorts hung low on his waist, ending just above his knees.
I sat down to watch him, unsure if I should say anything. Water droplets glistened on his tanned skin as he reached the side of the pool across from me, his back rising and falling with his heavy breathing. He turned around slowly, prepared to begin again when he noticed me.
He dove under the water, gliding gracefully beneath it until he surfaced on my side, resting his arms on the edge as he looked at me.
"I wondered when you would find the pool," he smirked despite himself.
"Do you come here a lot?" I wondered.
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know," he said, his dark eyes locking on mine as he smirked shortly.
"Satisfaction brought it back," I retorted unthinkingly. It made him smile though, so I figured I was forgiven. It was the first genuine smile he'd given me.
"Are you going to swim with me?" he asked, a teasing tone leaking into his low voice.
"I guess we'll see," I said, looking at him blankly.
"I'll tell you what," he said after watching me for a moment. "Swim with me, and you can ask as many questions as you want while we're here."
"Fine," I stood, reaching behind me to unzip my yellow sundress. I slipped off my shoes and let my clothes fall to the ground, turning to face him in my white and black, lacy bra and underwear.
I wasn't afraid. I knew how to swim, as I'd grown up around the corner from the community pool. So I stepped forward and sat beside him, placing my legs in the water and slipping into the pool.
"I thought you'd hesitate," he frowned, turning to face me as he kept himself afloat in the deep water.
"Why would I?" I wondered.
"Most entertainers aren't taught how to swim," he said, looking at me in confusion.
"Oh," was all I said. I'd never told anyone about my past. My instructors had told me to never speak of or think of it again. "Why haven't you gotten married?" I asked, trying to distract him.
"Next question," he replied, swimming closer to me as I dipped under the water.
"Why won't you answer the first?" I asked as I resurfaced so close to him that I could feel the heat of his chest on my skin.
"Alright," he sighed, closing his eyes. "I fell in love once," he said. "And it didn't work out."
"That was vague," I mumbled, looking down at the water. "What do you do at work?"
"I mostly sit at my desk filing online and paper documents, and attend boring business meetings," he answered, moving closer, but not touching me as we circled each other in the Luke-warm water.
"Do you have any friends?" I wondered. I'd noticed that no one ever really came to visit.
"No," he said. "I rarely trust people as a general rule- but I have...acquaintances that benefit my social and business needs. Each are merely a means to an end."
"Is there anyone you're close to?" I wondered.
"Everyone I have ever cared for,is dead," he said emotionlessly.
"I'm sorry. I know how that feels," I said, frowning.
"No, Nevaeh, you don't," he looked away. This made me angry.
"Don't assume for a moment that you know me. I've lost people I loved. A lot of them," I glared at him. "You don't know anything about me."
"And who have you lost?" he snapped, glaring back at me. "People you barely knew in the institution? An instructor?"
I glared at him evenly. "My entire family was taken away from me within five minutes," I paused as he looked at me with suppressed shock and a hint of anger in his eyes. "I watched keepers gun my mother down in front of me and snap my fathers neck. I can still feel her blood on me and hear the sound of his neck breaking as though it happened yesterday. I watched them incapacitate my sister, and then I was next. My sister was my best friend, and I don't even know if she's alive," I swam backwards, moving away from him. "I've only been a part of the institution for two years. And do you know why?" I asked.
"Nevaeh," he said, moving towards me. There was a warning in his voice as he shook his head, glancing upwards.
"What?" I asked, taken a bit off guard.
"I didn't know that happened to you," he paused, speaking slowly, his eyes serious, warning to keep my mouth shut on his face. "I'm sorry."
"Well you wouldn't. You've barely spoken to me in the week that you've known me," I laughed harshly.
"What was your sister's name?" he asked suddenly, his voice low and hushed. My eyes widened in surprise.
"Natalia, why?" I asked as recognition and something that seemed like fear flashed behind his hardened eyes.
"Next question," his breath came in a rush.
"But-" I started.
"Next question," he glared at me. I bit my lip nervously. This side of him was startling and a bit scary. I shrunk back uncomfortably, looking away from him. "It drives me crazy when you do that," he reached out to me, his thumb resting on my lower lip. His voice was softer now, almost gentle. "Please don't be afraid. I'm sorry that I lost my temper."
"It's alright," I said, pulling away from his touch. "Is there anyone that you're close to?" I asked.
"There was, once" he smiled, sadness touching his guarded eyes.
"What happened to them?" I asked.
"She died in my arms after taking a gunshot to the throat," he said, sending chills through me. You only got shot if you broke the law.
"Why haven't you kissed me since that first night?" the words tumbled from my mouth before I thought about them. He looked at me strangely.
"Do you like it when I kiss you?" He asked, his eyes hardening.
"I think so," I blushed and looked away. He swam towards me and leaned forward, his lips hovering just next to mine. My heart stuttered, and blood rushed to my cheeks. I could feel his breath, and his scent was intoxicating.
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you," he said smoothly, pulling back suddenly. "I don't usually kiss my entertainers. I only kissed and made love to you that night because it was your first time, and I wanted to make it special for you," there was no emotion in his voice as he moved away.
"Ah," I said, feeling almost disappointed. "Um," I hesitated, biting my lip again. He almost growled as he pushed me up against the side of the pool.
"Careful, sweetheart," he purred in my ear, giving me goosebumps. His hands lingered on my hips as he moved closer to me.
"Why don't you kiss people?" I wondered, distracted by his closeness. I glanced down at his lips almost longingly.
"I only kiss people I'm in love with," he murmured at my neck.
"That makes sense," I shrugged, trying to seem unfazed. "And you've only loved one person?"
"Yes," he said simply.
"The girl who died in your arms?"
"Yes," his voice was tight. I turned my head towards him. Our faces were close, and his breath intoxicated me. What nightmares has the new society put you through? I wondered, examining his gold and amber flecked eyes. There was no light in them. They've tried to destroy you, too. I realized.
"Do you want to kiss me right now?" he breathed, moving his face closer, almost closing his eyes.
"Why are you asking?" I wondered breathlessly as my heart pounded rapidly in my chest. "It wouldn't matter, even if I did."
"I can make an exception now and then," he smirked tilting his his head to the side slightly and moving even closer. "So answer my question."
"Yes," I breathed, his scent surrounding me. It was the truth. I wanted him to kiss me, though I didn't understand why.
He moved closer, his lips barely touching mine before he pulled back with a smirk. He hadn't kissed me. But he'd made me want him to do desperately my chest still burned. His thumb brushed against my hip, making me tremble as he pulled back.
"You really do want to kiss me," he said, smiling softly.
"Yes, but I don't know why," I confessed, touching his bare chest hesitantly. He gripped my wrist, squeezing it.
"Just once," he said, moving close again. His hand cupped my cheek and pulled me to him, his arm wrapping around my waist. He kept us both afloat, pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me deeply, making my heart stutter in my chest. I stiffened in his arms, pressing into him as my eyes slipped closed. His kiss almost seemed lonely and sad. Yet it jolted inside me, it's heat burning through my veins.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss as butterflies fluttered in my belly. It was hard to let him pull away only a moment later. His dark eyes were tight, though his expression seemed careless.
"Don't expect me to always break my own rules for you," he said, his voice almost husky as he disentangled himself from me and pulled himself out of the pool.
"Are you leaving?" I asked, following him out of the water. He turned to me and kissed my forehead gently.
"I'll see you in the morning, little dove," he said against my skin. I watched him walk away, almost wanting to follow him as he disappeared into the greenery.
He didn't call for me over the next few days, and he took dinner in his study or the library, requesting that no one disturb him unless it was absolutely necessary.
In fact, it seemed he only left the rooms for work, rarely greeting me whenever we passed each other in the house.
I spent my time reading in the dining room or outside in the gardens. Today, I was in the greenhouse, nose-deep in a horror story. I was just getting to the part when the killer inevitably catches up with his victim, when Pauline interrupted me.
"We need to get you ready," she said. "The master has requested you accompany him to central city for his business trip. Your things are already packed. It's custom for masters to bring their entertainers with them for these events."
"I see," I said, closing the book and standing. I followed her to the downstairs bathroom near the kitchen where they styled my hair into a curled and braided half ponytail, and dusted my face with light, neutral make up. They then pulled a crimson dress onto me.
The silk dress hung just below my knees, the bodice tight. It had half-inch straps and a deep V shaped neckline that pushed my breasts together and ended just below them, the fabric clinging to my skin. I was given sparkling silver two-inch heels that matched the necklace and earrings Ari was putting on me.
I looked in the mirror. Since the day I had arrived, I'd started gaining some weight back. My body was less angular, and curved more gracefully. My bust had become fuller and I looked much healthier.
I spent an hour each day in the weight room, using a device that measured my heart rate as I jogged on a rotating platform. It simulated an outdoor jog on uneven ground, accelerating and moving up, down and side to side the longer I used it. This had helped me gain back some muscle, and my skin was beginning to tone.
I was grateful for the access to the weight room. I'd always loved running. It calmed me.
My skin was unblemished and smooth. It had become a creamy, ivory color with pink undertones. I was unblemished and clean. The hair on my body hadn't grown back since the first bath they had given me.
I no longer looked malnourished. My blue grey eyes were wider, a hint of brightness behind them.
"Time to go," Aggie said, smiling. They followed me outside where a silver car waited in the driveway, a chauffeur standing still beside and open back door.
"My name is Nathan," he said, helping me in. He was shorter than most men, standing at around 5' 11". He'd shaved his head bald, and he had a neatly trimmed black beard. "If there's anything you need, let me know. I have drinks and snacks if you want any. Mr. Ivanov said to treat you as though you were an esteemed guest of his."
"Thank you," I said as he shut the door. Could this trip be my chance to escape? My pulse was racing in my veins. If it is, I need to be smart about this. I sat back, silently making a plan as Nathan climbed into the drivers seat and pulled away.
"Can I have some water?" I asked, trying to play it cool and not give myself away. A small cooler opened up in between the two back seats, and I fished out an ice-cold bottle of water. I sipped on it as I thought.
"What is your name?" Nathan asked, looking at me through the rear view mirror.
"Nevaeh," I said automatically, distracted as we pulled up to the gate. I was suddenly afraid we wouldn't be allowed through.
But they let us pass after inspecting our faces and the trunk of the car. We had a long drive into the city, and I didn't know exactly where exactly the company skyscraper was located.
I closed my eyes, like I was trying to take a nap, and Nathan left me alone. But I was busy for the entire hour and a half, coming up with an escape plan for every possible situation I could think of. I was smart. I was small enough to hide, and fast enough to run if I needed too. I'd also been put through self defense and hand-to-hand combat lessons by my father from the moment I'd turned ten. I'd taken them every day until my family made a run for the outside.
No matter what, once I escape, I can't get caught. I thought as Nathan came to a stop in front a massive skyscraper, and I let my eyes slide open. A lotus with a thin line in a circle around it marked the building above the three front doors. Big bulky letters spelled out LOTUS CORP. underneath the insignia, and the whole sign was illuminated by white light.
The entire building seemed to be made of mirrors, reflecting the surroundings. One way windows. I realized. It was common for the bigger businesses to use them, hiding their inner work while reflecting the outside back.
Nathan opened my door and I stepped out into the chilly evening air. It was six fifteen, and the first snow of the year was beginning to fall.
Nathan walked me to the doors and bid me good evening as I turned to walk inside.
"I will be back for you and Mr. Ivanov," he said calmly. He was middle aged, his black beard beginning to grey. He was short and muscular with kind, brown eyes. "Go to the front desk and ask for directions. Let them know that Mr. Ivanov called for you."
"I will, thank you," I said, stepping through the doors. People in designer business clothing were everywhere, sitting at desks with computers and typing furiously away.
I approached an oval front desk with the insignia carved into the center of its stone base. A woman looked up at me in annoyance as I stopped.
"What do you want?" She snapped. "We're very busy." She was young and attractive, her skin olive toned and hair inky black. She had a large bust, and the rest of her body was thin and smooth. She almost looked like a desert princess, with dark and delicate features.
"Mr. Ivanov sent for me," I said nervously. Her eyes narrowed at me as she looked me over, adjusting the elbow length sleeve of her mid-thigh dress. Her chest was partially visible beneath a plunging neckline.
"Name?" She demanded, picking up a telecommunicator and dialing a number.
"Nevaeh," I said as a low voice responded on the other side.
"There's a woman here to see you," the receptionist said. She was very beautiful-almost exotic. A tag on her chest said her name was Angelina Gray. She twisted her Curled hair around her finger, ignoring me as someone responded to her again. "She said her name is Nevaeh," she paused, letting him speak. "Yes sir," she said, and then hung up.
"Where can I find him?" I asked. Her dark eyes narrowed again as she answered.
"Go down the left hall and take the elevator up to the top floor. His office is at the right end of the hall," her voice was filled with irritation and something like malice.
"Thank you," I smiled at her politely before walking towards the hall. I memorized my surroundings as I walked, searching for an exit. There wasn't any doors, but there was a fire escape visible outside the tinted windows. If I could find a way onto it on the way to see Mr. Ivanov, I may be able to escape without notice.
I glanced around as I pressed the elevator button and noticed security cameras stationed everywhere, blinking with red lights that signaled they were watching. I'll have to make this look innocent and unnoticeable.
I entered the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. I zoomed upwards smoothly, watching the numbers tick towards the 100th floor.
The doors slid open and I stepped out. Just as I was about to turn left instead of right, hoping to find a way onto fire escape, a door opened and Mr. Ivanov stepped out, saying farewell to a familiar old man.
I walked slowly towards Mr. Ivanov, passing the man who eyed me with a creepy smile. He'd also wanted me.
I shuddered as Mr. Ivanov slowly closed the distance between us, placing his hand on my back. "Good, you're here," he murmured, leading me towards his office. I couldn't help but look back at the old man as we crossed the doorframe. He was standing at the elevator, watching me. His eyes were cold and calculative as Mr. Ivanov shut the heavy white door between us.
"Who was that man?" I wondered vaguely as I looked around the large room. The floor was pieced together in black stone tiles, and two of the four walls were lined by massive windows. The other two were patterned by pretty blue wallpaper, and a large crystal chandelier hung in the center of the white ceiling, softly illuminating the beautiful office.
In front of the right wall windows, an elegant black desk stood on a soft white rug. Behind it, a black office chair, seemingly designed for maximum comfort, was pushed into the desk. Against the right, plush white couches faced each other with a coffee table between them.
Paintings hung on the papered walls, and there was a black clock hung above the door. The room was spotless and neat, aside from his cluttered desk.
A silver laptop sat to the side, a black wooden box next to it that was filled neatly with pens and highlighters in a rainbow of colors. A pair of black scissors were placed inside as well, with a handful of sharp, pointed pencils.
Several beige, white, and brown folders of various sizes were tucked neatly beneath a thick stack of synthetic papers. Single pages were scattered around the desk's surface, a pen resting on one of them, the cap on.
A synthetic printer stood in the closest right corner, beside another white door. A small white trash can stood in the opposite corner beside a genetically altered potted plant.
"The man you saw today," he said after a moment of observing me. His hand slipped away from my back as he continued, "His name is Arnold Wickenburgh. He is a dubious man, with a habit of using illegal, deceitful, or distasteful methods to silence anyone who crosses him. He is also a high ranking government official, second right hand to the president," he turned to face me as I absorbed the information.
Second right hand. I shuddered. The New Society was run almost exclusively by a presidential party. There were fourteen members, including the President, Vice President, Right Hand, and Second Right Hand. The other ten people were cabinet members.
All members of the party were elected from a pool of founding family representatives. Each founding family chooses one representative every 5 years, and each elective could be re-elected up to ten times. The President, however, would stay in office fore life, and choose his or her own Vice President, Right Hand, and Second Right Hand. They could be re-chosen or replaced every ten years.
All government decisions were made by the presidential cabinet, and all founding family members aged eighteen or older. This was done through a voting system.
First, the founding families would vote, and if more were for the proposal than against it, it was pushed through into the presidential cabinet. Again, a majority rule vote would push it to the Vice President, Right Hand, and Second right hand. If again, there are more votes for it, the president can approve the proposal, or amend it and send it back through the system.
"Listen to me," Mr. Ivanov tilted my face up to look at him. His dark eyes were full of emotion, unguarded for the first time. I read pain and fear behind them, and a hint of desperation seemed to grip him as he gripped my hip, stepping closer. He began speaking softly and quickly with a flirtatious smirk that didn't match his tone. His voice was hard and scary as he said, "I want you to stay away from him. Avoid contact with him as though your life depends on it. If he approaches you, be curtious, silly, and polite. Appear harmless and obedient.
"The moment you have a chance, use an excuse to dismiss yourself and come find me. I mean it, Nevaeh," he was almost shaking as his hand slid down my neck and cupped it. His thumb pressed lightly into my throat, and I gasped. "He's dangerous."
And then, as though he hadn't just given me a dangerous warning, he released me and straightened, smoothing his black suit. I wanted to ask, but then I remembered the cameras.
He'd made it seem like he was teasing me, his lips inches from mine as he gripped my waist and stepped closer. The thumb on my neck, the closeness. It was all an act to fool anyone who might be watching us.
"Please, sit," he said, gesturing towards the couches. "I'll be finished sorting today's documents shortly."
I sat obediently, feeling the velvet of the couch against my palms as I stared out the widow.
"Bring up two coffees, my usual, and one with heavy cream. Also, coffee cakes for both of us," he said in a dead tone a moment later. I looked over at him curiously. He was speaking into a telecommunicator, his expression hard. An answer came through immediately and he ended the call without another word.
I turned back to the window. I could see hundreds of skyscrapers, apartment buildings, housing centers, and other buildings rising high into the sky. We were in a city called Amaranth, where many business owners built their companies. The population consisted of the thousands of employees of the businesses, many of the buildings owners, a handful of government workers and officials, along with many regular citizens in various assigned communities.
The sky was cloudy, and snow continued to fall softly outside. I moved closer to the window and peered down. It was a long way to the ground.
I started, and turned as the door clicked open. The receptionist I'd spoken to on the first floor ignored me as she carried a silver tray to Mr. Ivanov's desk. Her curved hips swayed side to side as her ruby lips parted into a bright smile. She set the tray before him, and he looked up at her, seeming annoyed.
"You covered my papers," he said. Her smile faltered slightly. He removed a mug and cake before gesturing towards me. "Give the rest to my entertainer and go."
"Yes, sir," she said, her smile turning into a grimace as she moved to face me. Her dark eyes narrowed at me as she set the tray on the coffee table and swept out of the room.
I sipped the white coffee from the mug and blanched.
"You're not a fan of sweet things," he said, his tone softer.
"No, that's not it," I shook my head. "I like sweet things, but I don't like them overly sweet."
"I see," he said, tucking a paper into a folder. He went silent, examining another paper as he made red and blue notes in the margines.
He slowly sorted the documents into folders before finally speaking again. His voice sounded tired. "That should do it," he sighed, picking up the telecommunicator and standing. "Pull up out front. We'll be down in a moment."
I stood slowly, looking at him as he ended the call. He walked towards me, and I closed the distance between us. His hand slipped around my waist and he guided me out the door.
He turned back to the door momentarily, locking it tightly and tucking the key card in his pocket. He said nothing as he led me to the elevator and pushed the button, signaling that he wanted to go down. I continued to analyze my surroundings, still looking for an escape.
He didn't give me an opening before the elevator chimed, and the silver doors slid open. He pulled us inside, releasing me as he pressed another button that made the doors close.
He turned to face be suddenly, his eyes wide. Fire burned through me as I reached for him. He gripped me to him and his lips slammed into mine, moving hard and fast against them. He was warm, and his kiss sent fire rampaging through my veins. My heart thudded rapidly, and the heat rose to my face. It was getting hard to breathe.
The elevator dinged, and he jerked back. He was glaring at me, his dark eyes fierce.
"What?" I demanded. He just shook his head and turned from me as the doors slid open. His hand slid to my back as he guided me through the hallway and past the front desk. He said nothing to his employees as we passed, but he hesitated at the doors.
"Did you bring a coat?" He asked, glancing at my bare arms. Before I could answer, he unbuttoned his own and draped it over my shoulders. The satin fabric smelled of his cologne, filling all of my senses with its warmth.
Okay, one minute he's kissing me, the next he's glaring, and now he's giving me his coat? I rolled my eyes. "Your hot and cold complex is making me dizzy," I muttered.
He smirked and pushed the doors open, then guided me through onto the wide cement sidewalk. Snow dusted the ground, falling in vivid flurries to the ground. It stuck in my hair, and on his coat.
Nathan stood in front of a slick white luxury car. He opened the door for us as we approached. Mr. Ivanov slid in first, gripping my hand to help me inside. The door shut behind us and we were left in the dark car.
In the back, two rows of plush white leather seats sat facing each other, the space between wide and spacious. The seats were separated from the front by a black velvet privacy divider that ended only four inches from the roof of the car.
I could only see part of the tinted windshield and rear view mirror in the front of the car. The floor and car walls were covered in thick and soft black carpet, and a ringed white table was bolted down between the seats with various bottles and wine glasses organized neatly inside. Ice filled the black metal tray beneath them.
Nathan stepped into the drivers side, and the heaters started blasting, warming my chilled skin as I pulled the coat from my shoulders, placing it on my lap.
"This car is a Syris XV. It's meant for long car travel for people of my station. Everything in here is designed for both luxury and comfort," Mr. Ivanov said softly.
"It's lovely," I said, leaning back into the comfortable black seat. "How long will we be driving?"
"Seven hours," he said, leaning back beside me. He was focused on the window, watching the buildings disappear as we pulled away.
The car was silent for a long time, and I stared out the window as well. If I'm going to escape, it has to be on this trip. I may as well figure out how long I have.
"How long will we be staying in Central?" I asked nonchalantly, as though I could care less. You want me to act? Easy.
"We'll be there for a week," he said evenly. "You'll be spending time in the hotel for the most part during my meetings, but you'll be attending parties and dinners with me every evening," he continued slowly. "Are you hungry?"
"Not very," I said, filing the information carefully away before turning to look at him. "You?"
"No," he shook his head, almost smiling. I bit my lip silently, and he reached over immediately to stop me. "Nevaeh," he murmured.
"Can I ask you a question?" I asked, leaning back from his hand.
"You can ask a second question," he smiled softly, pulling away.
"Why does it bother you when I bite my lip?"
"It doesn't bother me," he smirked.
"Then what?" I asked, confused.
He gripped my wrists and pulled me against him. My breath hitched in my throat in surprise as he leaned forward, his lips moving against my ear. My heart stuttered as he murmured, "It makes me want to bite it for you."
"Oh," I blushed deeply, and he released me with a low chuckle. I straightened back up, though I continued to look at him. "What's so funny?"
"You make it very easy to tease you," he smirked, his dark eyes meeting mine. In this lighting, they looked less onyx with gold and amber hues, than almost completely black.
"You know," I said after a moment of watching him calculatively. "I think that's the first time I've heard you laugh."
"It's a rare thing," he suddenly stopped smiling and gazed almost distantly through the window behind me.
"Why is it so rare?" I wondered a moment later, my voice quiet.
"I don't have much cause to smile and laugh anymore," his eyes met mine, and his face was guarded again. His irises hardened as they looked at me.
"What did they do to you?" I almost whispered. He glared at me then, clenching his jaw. I knew I'd asked a dangerous question. He wasn't going to answer.
My wording was off, and I'd suggested something horrible. I'd wanted to know what the New Society had done to him. A question that should never be asked. An unspoken rule existed, and everyone knew that the society was not responsible for anything but perfection.
The car became silent again while Mr. Ivanov poured himself a glass of brandy. I only spoke when his expression had calmed. "I'm sorry. That was out of line."
"You're forgiven," he sighed. "I have something for you," he said as Nathan passed a pretty blue box over the divider. Mr. Ivanov took it and handed it to me. It was wrapped in a simple white bow made of satin. "Open it."
I pulled the string, and lifted the lid. A pretty silver electronic bracelet rested inside. Mr. Ivanov lifted it and placed it around my right wrist. He wore a similar black one on his left. They were simple, glossy bands.
"Tap the center of the bracelet twice to activate it," he said. I did, and a blue light illuminated a thin line at the bottom. A rectangular hologram appeared on the inside of my forearm. A contact list appeared. I could see several staff members entered, including Nathan and Ari. Mr. Ivanov touched our bands together, and his contact immediately appeared in the list.
"I've given these to all of my staff. Tap the bracelet five times to call for the guards if you're ever in danger. It will immediately alert me as well. I'll use it to call for you," he said. "You can touch any of the names and send a message to the person you select by using the keyboard that pops up. An analyzer in the messenger bracelet will send it through. When you get a message, it will vibrate twice. The time will always show at the top of the screen."
"Thank you," I said, looking up at him.
"Touch it once to turn it off," was all he said as he pulled away and looked out his window.
"Can I ask another question?" I asked, touching the messenger.
"I suppose," he said tiredly as he turned to face me again.
"Are you afraid of anything?" I asked. "You seem so..." I let the words trail off as he looked back out the window.
"Not anymore," he said after a moment, his voice low and soft. "I have nothing left to lose, Nevaeh."
"But you did once," I murmured, looking at my hands in my lap.
"Yes, so I suppose if I were to have a fear, it would be of getting close enough to care for someone. Then I would have something to lose."
"Have you lost a lot?" I wondered.
"My greatest fear before I lost my entire family and everyone I cared about," he said slowly, turning to look at me. His eyes were sad, his expression almost regretful. "Was ending up all alone."
I understood. He'd been forced to live his greatest fear, and now he had nothing left. His family...What happened to them? I wondered.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked a while later.
"A lot of things. Spiders are pretty creepy," I joked. He turned to me, rolling his eyes.
"What are you really afraid of?" He asked.
"I guess," I hesitated. "I guess I'm afraid of losing control. I'm afraid of losing myself. I'm terrified," I paused, searching for words. "I'm terrified of becoming another one of the society's robots."
"What do you mean by that?" He wondered, examining me.
"In the end, I want to die as myself. I don't want to loose what ever part of me makes me...human. Unique. Individual. I feel that so many people are just going with whatever they're told.
"But that's not who I am. I've always followed my gut before any thing else. And my gut tells me that none of this is...right," I sighed. "I guess that's a bit confusing."
"Only slightly," he said, turning back to the window. The car fell silent again, and I leaned back against the seat.
"Can I ask another?" I said a while later.
"Very well," he sighed.
"Why are you kind to me?" I asked. "Most people are cruel to people like me," I paused. "Entertainers, I mean."
He thought about it for a moment. "I find it distasteful to be cruel to someone undeserving of it."
I absorbed this. He spoke again around eleven thirty. His voice was gentle as he pulled me against him, pulling my head onto his shoulder. "You should try to get some sleep," he said, stroking my hair and adjusting his coat over me like a blanket. He wore a buttoned up shirt and black vest. His black tie hung loosely around around his neck.
"Alright," I said, closing my eyes as he folded his hands in his lap. His scent filled me as I began to drift. I wanted to ask him more questions, but if I was going to attempt an escape this week, I was going to need as much energy as possible. I'd need to get as far away from central as I could in one night without being noticed.
And if I was caught, I'd have to find a way to kill myself before I was captured and tortured again.
I drifted quickly with this in mind, falling into a dreamless sleep.
YOU ARE READING
Unspoken
RomanceIt has been almost 250 years since the nuclear World War VI that wiped out the majority of humanity ended. Since then, a government has risen, calling themselves the New Society. It's leaders have told the citizens that their only goals are to achie...
