Dangerous Love

Chapter Twenty three

When we arrived in front of the impressive property, Walker opened the door for me and I thanked him profusely. While I adjusted my dress, Daniel held his arm out towards me and I slipped in immediately. Susan greeted us with a warm hug and said, "Paige, nice to see you again!" "I'm glad too," I replied. In the entryway, a stunning looking blonde woman in an elegant black dress walked towards us. Daniel called her and he immediately let go of my arm to hug her. "Wow, she can hug it, Paige! This is my sister Rachel," he introduced her.

 Without hesitation, she hugged me too and said, "It's really nice to meet you, Paige!" She hooked her arm under my arm and pulled me into the dining area. "Come sit down!" she demanded. "Thank you! Tell me, how did you get my inhuman brother to introduce you to us?" she asked curiously. Rachel seemed completely different to Daniel - she was full of joie de vivre and carefree. "Would you like a glass of wine?" she asked with a beaming smile. "Oh, that would be nice," I replied. She waved to one of the waitresses. "Thank you very much," I said kindly as Howard came over and gave me a warm hug as well. "Paige, you look stunning!" he remarked. "Thank you! Shall we get something to eat?" Susan asked the group. "Oh yes!" we agreed enthusiastically. Rachel gently pulled me up and sat down right next to me. "Daniel, I hope you don't mind if I sit here, says Rachel?" "No, not at all," he replied with a smile.

Two young waitresses with blonde hair serve us the first course: lobster, accompanied by green asparagus and an aromatic herb sauce. "Wow, I've never tried lobster before," I think to myself. One of the blonde waitresses seems to be constantly looking at Daniel. I pick up the silver fork and dare to taste it for the first time. Meanwhile, Daniel doesn't take his eyes off me for a moment, which makes me a little nervous. I slowly bring the piece of lobster to my lips and to my surprise, I find the taste quite delicious. It has a pleasant sweetness and a nutty note, combined with a hint of sea freshness.

"What do your parents do, Paige?" Susan asks with interest. "Well, my mother works in a small shop in town and my father works as an electrician," I answer. Susan nods in agreement while I smile politely and at the same time put a piece of lobster in my mouth.

Daniel continues to follow me with his gaze, which makes me a little uncomfortable. To distract myself, I take a quick sip of the really delicious wine. "Why are you staring at her all the time?" Rachel asks, laughing. I thank her inwardly for that. "It's actually really nice here," I remark, while everyone in the room stifles a laugh. After we have almost finished our meal, one of the waitresses comes and brings us the next course. Oh dear, how am I going to cope with all this? In front of me is a tempting steak, accompanied by potatoes and green beans, refined with a little bacon. Phew, I already feel quite full, but I still cut off a piece of steak and put it in my mouth. Wow, it really tastes great.

After a short while, the waitresses serve dessert and I notice that I am already a little nauseous from all the food. In front of me, however, is a plate with a scoop of chocolate ice cream, garnished with a small dollop of strawberry sauce, a mint leaf and two raspberries. Despite my bad mood, I dare to try it and it tastes delicious. Unfortunately, I cannot even allow myself to take three more spoonfuls as that would not be good for my stomach.

After almost three wonderful hours with his family, Daniel announces that it is now time to leave. Susan gives me another warm hug, followed by Rachel.

I'm looking forward to seeing my new sister-to-be again soon. With a smile on my face, I nod. Daniel takes my left hand and gently pulls me towards the car. Phew, I feel an unpleasant feeling again from eating so much. "Paige, you really ate excellently," he emphasizes. I nod in agreement. "Yes, it was actually very tasty." "Are we going to your place, sir?" asks Walker. "Yes, but I'd rather go home," I reply, "I'm really tired." Without reacting to my words, we continue the drive to his place. As we drive into the underground car park under his penthouse, I feel a little sleepy. Miss Walker opens the door for me. "Thank you, Walker. You can go now," says Daniel. "Yes, sir," she replies. In the elevator, Daniel runs his hand through his hair several times. I can sense that something is bothering him. When we arrive at his penthouse and get out, he asks me: "Would you like a glass of wine?" Embarrassed, I nod. "Okay, I'll get us something quickly," he says. After a short while, Daniel comes back from the kitchen with two glasses. He takes my hand and together we go to the elegant, white couch in the upper room. "Paige, have you thought about the contract again?" he looks at me. I refuse with a clear "No". "I wish you would sign it, Daniel. Please. Did I cause you terrible pain in that room?" I shake my head, but inside I hear a voice whispering to me that he probably did: "You like it, don't you?" His gaze hits me with the sharpness of an arrow. "I just can't sign," I say resignedly. 

He stands up and folds his hands behind his head. "What should I do? I miss you, but you are so reluctant to sign the contract, Daniel. We should try to keep this normal, shit Paige, I can't." His tone is belittling as he paces around restlessly, running his hands through his hair several times. "Daniel, calm down." He comes closer, his hand landing on my neck. "Paige, you don't understand how hard it is for me not to hurt you or torment you. I constantly have to hold back and tell myself: 'Fight, after all, I love you too much for this, but I can't hold back any longer. Stop, you're hurting me, I tell him.'" Suddenly he pulls me towards the door, behind which my torment awaits. "What are you doing? Please let me go." Like a predator, he hangs me from the pole so that I am dangling in the air.

 Fear courses through my body. The pain penetrates every fiber of my being. My arms and ankles are tightly bound, I am defenseless against him. "Daniel, please stop, no matter what I did. I won't do it again." He grabs my neck and squeezes so hard that I can hardly breathe. His eyes glow red, like those of a wild animal. "Daniel, please let me go!" Overwhelmed by fear and pain, tears stream down my cheeks. A deep suffering penetrates my heart.He approaches the wooden dresser and puts on the black mask. With a whip and a glove with sharp nails attached, he circles me again and again until he finally hits my body several times with the glove. I feel the nails penetrating and a desperate whimper escapes my throat.Suddenly he stops behind me and hits my back with the whip. Again and again he hits my thighs and my bottom and I scream out loud. His face remains hidden from me, but it seems as if he enjoys hearing my scream and doing all this. "Daniel, please!" I call, but the whip hits me again so hard that I cry out pitifully. I can no longer hold back my whimpering, the pain courses through my body. I beg him to stop. "Please, leave me alone!" He pulls off the mask and looks me straight in the eyes. At that moment I painfully realize: He is not a human, but a monster. With a slight shake of my head I try to show him that he does not have to do this. Now you know what I want and what I cannot give. I cannot do what you ask of me.

 His voice grips me even more so that I feel the pain more intensely. "I don't recognize you anymore," I admit, crying. "Paige, that's just the way I am." "I can't change." He raises his arms over his shoulders again. "He screams at me in a tone I've never heard him use before: 'I desire you, Paige, you can't imagine it, but...'" I can't control my desire. Who are you? Escapes my lips. I'm tied to the bars. After much pleading and begging, he finally frees me, but my body is exhausted and marked by pain.

I slowly kneel down. My whole body is exhausted, my head hangs limply. The burning sensation on my skin is unbearably painful, but I discover the possibility of escape when he turns away from me. With a final effort, I get up and start running. My feet move faster than I have ever experienced before, but I am stopped - the door is locked, I am trapped again. He turns around and grabs my neck with all his strength, throwing me to the ground. I try to kick and hit him, but his hands slowly suffocate the air from me. Above me, I notice how much my pain gives him pleasure. His hands force my neck together while I grow weaker with every breath. I know that I can only do something if I want to survive.

 Trembling and with the last of my reserves, I hold out my hand to his face. I feel a tear rolling down his cheek. In my heart, I suspect that he is fighting inside, but he lacks the strength. I try to nod to signal that it's OK. I close my eyes, feel my hand barely able to hold on and sink to the floor when suddenly his hands let go of my neck. The oxygen floods my lungs, I gasp and open my eyes wide. Daniel sinks to my right side. Full of terror and fear, I crawl away from him and breathe in and out quickly. He now stands up to me. Paige! I scream in panic. He stands up. "Don't come any closer!" I call out desperately and pleadingly: "Daniel, please let me out of here." I grab his hands and beg him to finally let me go. Suddenly, like a miracle, he opens the door. I jump up and run as fast as I can. 

I hear his footsteps behind me. "Paige!" "NO!" I shout after him as I frantically press the button for the elevator. "PAIGE!" he calls again, and he is faster than the elevator. "Paige, please, I won't touch you!" He raises his hands to show me that he doesn't want to hurt me, but I shake my head vigorously. "Daniel, you hurt me, do you understand that? I can't do this anymore! You're not human, you're a monster! Maybe it's not your fault, but please let me go!" I watch him sink to his knees, but at that moment I grab my bag. The elevator finally reaches the floor. I step in backwards, facing him. "Paige," "I can change." I shake my head firmly. "No, I don't believe that anymore. You have to want it!" He tries to get up. "Please stay, I'm holding on to the elevator." And finally, the door closes. "NEN!" he shouts after me as the door has finally closed completely..