Breaking his Mask

Chapter 3

His alluring grey-blue eyes seemed to pull me in. As if challenging me to take a try at him. I dropped my gaze to his lips. They pulled into a smirk. That snapped me out of it. I moved back into the room and quickly started to shut the door in his face. Unfortunately Clarke guessed this move and put his foot in the way. He pushed against the door in the opposite way. He overpowered me. The force of the door pushing against me made me lose my balance. I tripped and laid flat on the ground. Clarke stepped into the room and locked the door behind him. My heart raced, why did he lock the door? I crawled on my hands and knees and started for the bathroom. I gripped the bathroom door knob ready to take shelter from him. I was pulled back into the arms of Clarke. 

"No let me go!" I struggled to get free. 

"Now why would I do that Ms.Richards?" he ridiculed. He dropped me on the bed, not gently either. I frantically sat up looking for an exit. Mr. Clarke brought his phone out and texted someone. 

"Now tell me who are you working for?" he questioned. 

"I have been working under your company for a over a year, sir"

"Where is the file Richards? I know you have it."

"It was a mistake. I did not steal it. Mr.Smith's file and mine were accidentally exchanged. How could you just kill people. I SAW the pictures sir!"

"That is out of your range Miss, you should have minded your own business or you would have not ended up here. I don't trust you Ms.Richards. I know someone paid you for this. I will pay you double the amount if you can give me back the file. I will ask you one more bloody time, where is the file?" 

I looked up at Mr.Clarke. Oh dear I wish I hadn't. His eyes were cold and ruthless almost as if he would do anything to get that file. 

"It was in my purse sir," I breathlessly replied. For a second he looked bewildered. 

"You are lying, you had no purse with you."

"Sir I had a purse with me when I was kidnapped. Maybe you should find more trusting kidnappers sir, after all they are kidnappers and they did it for money," I stated defiantly. Mr.Clarke stared icily into my eyes for a minute. 

"I see, follow me, Ms.Richards, if you try to escape again I will be forced to take action against this," he warned. I just then noticed the awkward position we were in. I was sitting facing Mr.Clarke who was standing. Mr.Clarke had his arms stiffly placed on either side of me. He crouched down to be eye level with me. We were again only inches apart. 

Noticing the sudden shift in atmosphere, Mr.Clarke jerked back. He then heard the muffling sound coming from the closet. He walked into the closet and turned the lights on. 

"You did this Richards?" He asked looking slightly impressed at me. He turned his gaze back to the tied up man. 

"Well he deserved it Mr.Clarke. Watch out, it could be you next. I don't give up without a fight sir," I countered. Mr.Clarke really didn't like this remark. 

"All the more reasons you have to be hired to work against me," he responded. As Clarke led me out of the room and into the maze of hallways, I made sure to keep a scowl on my face. He led me to a nicer looking part of the building. Where the floor was covered with carpet and lights placed along the hallways gleamed with decor. He stopped at a room and opened the door. 

"Where are we sir?" I asked. 

"Ms.Richards, you will be staying here for a while and I cannot reveal the location to you until you are to be trusted. I still do not know if you are telling me the truth or not. There will be guards posted at the door. Do not try to escape," Clarke said. I briefly nodded at him. I walked into the room. It looked quite cozy and comfortable. The curtains were drawn giving me a view of a pretty garden outside. The view was not enough to give me any clue to as to where I was. There was a queen sized bed in middle of the room and a door opened to a bathroom. 

"I will be back shortly miss. I will have a maid bring you some clothes," He said as he walked out the door. 

I stepped into the bathroom. I gasped in shock. I looked like a mess. There were some travel size soap and shampoo in the cabinets. I decided to take a nice, warm shower. I can't go out looking like this. If I ever go out again. I needed to find a way to prove to Mr.Clarke that I wasn't working against him.

I shut the bathroom door and quickly undressed. I turned on the shower and loved the feeling of warm, hot water rinsing away the dirt and dust caked up on me. I lathered and rinsed my hair with shampoo. I heard the door to my room opening, then closing. That must have been the maid with clothes. I turned the shower off. I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and opened the bathroom door. 

"Oh my god," I gasped. It was Mr.Clarke standing with his back to me, staring out the window. 

"Ms.Richards, I know you are working with the company of-," he angrily spat. His words died when he saw that I, was only wearing a towel. 

"Ms.Richards, I see you are not dressed yet. We should have this discussion soon enough," Clarke quickly said, averting his eyes. 

"Mr.Clarke, I was hoping you would believe me when I say that I have no intention of working against you," I angrily reacted. I walked up to him and stood inches away. I affixed him with a glare and pushed him into the wall. Overcome by rage, I slapped him. How could he kidnap me? I could stand up for myself. I was never going to let another man make decisions for me again. Maybe I pushed too far because that certainly snapped him out of it. Mr.Clarke switched positions, I was the one who had the back to the wall. He leaned down to me with angry eyes, and put his hand on the wall, next to me. 

"Isla, did you just try to assault me physically?" Mr.Clarke uttered. The way my name rolled of his tongue made me shiver. I stared up into his mysterious grey eyes. This time I let myself get lost in them. I anxiously clutched my towel. His eyes followed my movement and lingered for a moment. He leaned in, which allowed me to acknowledge a minty scent. I took a sharp intake of breath, preparing for what he was about to do. I am a feminist. I am not gonna stand like a pathetic woman, waiting for him to do whatever he pleased. I couldn't fight it. I for once, did not want to. I closed my eyes and tilted my chin up to him. I waited with sweet anticipation. He brushed his nose against my jawline, up to my ear. 

"Get dressed, Isla, you are coming with me somewhere. You can prove yourself then," he whispered. I opened my eyes to the warmth that left me. Mr.Clarke was already halfway through the door and let it shut with a loud smack. That snapped me out of my daydream-like state. Playing the scene over and over in my mind, my sight fell on a lovely green cocktail dress.