Tortured - Jaele

|| Chapter Twentythree ||

Jace -

I was having a small party tonight to celebrate a major investment one of my clients made into the company. Stock has raised by 50% and for once, I needed to take my mind off that girl. I hired three extra staff members beside Rosa to prepare things. The private investigator I made plans with a couple weeks ago came up empty handed with Xander's whereabouts but he vowed to try again, harder this time. I expected nothing less. Alongside the bad news there was good news. He had managed to bury the evidence of Sean's murder, and canceled all clues of foul play at the apartment, making the scene look as if it had been a suicide. In regards to Isabela's sister, he dumped the body and got rid of the keys. The weight on my shoulders was lifting but I somehow still felt burdensome.

"Is this good enough for you?"

Riele came marching into the kitchen, interrupting my thoughts. Her hair was straight, came to about 2 to 3 inches just below her her shoulders. She looked uncomfortable and out of her element, shifting from foot to foot, not letting her eyes rest on anything in particular.

"What's the matter?... Too white standing for you?"

I asked, pouring myself a large glass of wine. My nerves were teeming at the edge of the boiling point and a mild narcotic was mixed into the alcohol. She rolled her eyes.

"Race has nothing to do with it, and I can handle straight hair, but it's not my preference."

She replied. And I knew that. All over her instagram profile I never once came across a picture of her without those anamoring tight curls. I myself fell in love with just her hair alone, but that was beside the point. Taking a long sip from my glass I savored the calming effects of the cold wine slipping down my throat. .

"Doesn't matter what you prefer, it's what I prefer and since tonight is important... I'd prefer that you look important too."

I said.

"What's going on? What is all this about?"

She motioned to Rosa bustling around the kitchen and the other three workers coming in and out to check on things.

"I'm having a party tonight, if you must know. 25 to 30 guests will be here tonight. Mostly partners in business, some casual past lovers and close friends."

I took another sip and watched her expression from over the top of the glass. Riele's eyes became clouded, but she was silent.

"Of course, you won't be joining us for the fun stuff, but I still want you to look the part."

She licked her lips slowly and nodded, as if she had expected that.

"Wouldn't want me spilling the beans to any of your executive co-workers, now would you?"

I chuckled, noisily sitting my glass down on the counter and glancing over at Rosa.

"Keep your voice down."

"Or what?"

She was challenging me, setting her eyes hard on mine. I walked around the counter to get closer to her. To implant some regulated fear into her bold little heart.

"You know what."

"Do I? Maybe you should refresh my memory because lately it seems like the only thing you can fix me with is your dick."

She said, her voice was low but sharp. Like the tip of a knife, it was dripping with rebellion ad although I hated it. At the same time there was some kind of timid attraction to it. She likes to look fear in the face, she likes to be daring. No matter what the risk. That was something I admired, not something I tolerated.

"Speaking of dicks, when did you grow a pair? What did I tell you about that? A castration seems in order... What am I going to have to become, to put you back in your place?"

I looked down at her, saw her throat swallowing and the intensity of my stare must have gotten to her because she looked away, taking a deep breath.

"You belong to me, angel. Not the other way around, if you wanna play with power we'll take it to the bedroom. But out here, It's not gonna work and you'll need to recognize that before you get yourself hurt."

I grabbed her wrist in my hand and squeezed it, not taking my eyes off her. I didn't care who was in here and who wasn't. All that mattered was that she understood me.

"Are we clear?'

She nodded a little bit, her eyes were filling.

"Let me ask that again..."

I squeezed her wrist harder and spoke directly into her ear.

"Are we clear?"

"Yes."

"Good, now go to the back until I come get you."

I released her wrist and she rubbed her hand over it, looking up at me with tears in her eyes before turning away and leaving the kitchen. Rosa came to me and swatted my shoulder with her dish towel.

"Mr. Norman, you should be ashamed she is only young girl!"

I glanced at Rosa before gulping down more wine. Her thick accent got in the way of her speech sometimes but there was no mistaking the tone of her voice.

"And?"

"She is sensitive, has feelings too she is not piece of meat... You are big bully, you are."

She clucked, pointing her finger at me and shaking her head. I finished the glass, placed it on the counter, and gave Rosa a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Dear sweet woman, you have no idea."

I grinned as she scoffed and tossed her head, returning to her work. I looked towards the entrance of the kitchen and sighed. Nobody has any idea of the power that girl holds over me. My only concerns for it, is that if she ever knew. My plans would flop like Lebron James.

...

Some of my guests arrived right on time. Others arrived fashionably late. It was a quarter to 8:00 pm when everyone accounted for had arrived. Over the stereo system, I had soft jazz playing. The servers were serving light ensembles of wine, champagne and appetizers. I mingled with new clients, discussing business manners, checking the time on dinner and in general enjoying myself.

Thanks for reading!! You know the drill ;)