Breaking his Mask

Chapter 6

My eyes widened in wondered as I took in the room. 

I thought aloud," I would kill to be in a room like this. The room was painted a pretty sunset red. The bed I was lying on had a flowing canopy above me and was a white. White was the prominent color as all the furniture was white wood. I stepped out of the sheets that were covering me. I stood in my underwear, shivering at the cold breeze. Then I remembered Mr.Clarke warning me about cameras. I hastily pulled on a bathrobe, folded with towels and hygiene products stacked next to them. I was looking at the products until I heard a knock at the door.

I shouted, "Come in."

A friendly face carefully stepped into my room. She gave me a light smile and gestured others behind her to come in. Two men carrying loads of shopping bags stepped in.

"Oh, what is this for?" I queried. 

"Miss, you will be temporarily staying here, by orders of Julian Sir, Frank and Louis here have brought all these things for you. They will be your personal bodyguards. I am afraid you may have made some enemies," she grimaced, while biting her lip. 

I kept my face stoic, not letting my emotions get the best of me. Of course its not their fault, they were only told to help me-not told probably ordered to. I nodded and helped carry some stuff in their hands. Frank and Louis did not seem to need help. They looked strong and their arms were built with muscles, but they were young. Not much older than I was. They had eyes like those that kidnapped me. Perhaps I could change them. It was obvious we would be spending plenty of time together. Why not have a little fun. 

I asked, "What is your name," I had a smile on my face. 

"I am Olivia, please call me Olive," she shyly exclaimed. 

"Olive? I love it. So cute, you know I wanted a pretty nickname like that. Please call me Isla. Frank and Louis feel free to do the same," I made known. The two men looked at each other and shrugged. 

"Yes Isla," they replied simultaneously.

"We will be arranging for your stay in this room. You may freshen up, and by the time you are back we should be done and Frank and Louis will wait outside to guide you downstairs for breakfast," Olive informed. 

I nodded, "Nice to meet you all." With that I turned around grabbed a few towels, soap, and shampoo. I strolled into the bathroom. The lights flickered on. Hmm, must be a motion sensor. Fancy, I thought. One look in the bathroom told me that wasn't the only thing fancy. HOLY SHI*, how much money did this guy have. Who am I kidding, I chuckled to myself. Clarke owns at least a hundred companies, how else would his house be like. 

I made sure the door was locked and I took in the large mirror in front of me, the jacuzzi and stand in shower, a closet that opened up to bath salts and oils. This was actually mine for however long Clarke can keeps me here. I breathed in the fresh lavender placed by a tinted window. It wasn't until I peeked through did I realize that we were several stories high. I had an awful fear of heights and it seems that I was in the highest story, around 50 stories high. 

My stomach hungrily grumbled. I needed some food in my stomach pronto. I looked to my left and saw a waterproof stereo. Damn, there was even a stereo in the bathroom. I'd enjoy the music and the bath another time. I stripped and showered in the stand in. I shampooed my hair and scrubbed last night's make up off my face. Instantly I felt better. 

I wrapped a towel around my body and dried my hair with another. I gently opened the bathroom and peaked out of it to make sure no one was present. I stepped out to be greeted by a note placed in my view. I read it. 

Isla, walk into the closet on your right. I had all the clothes bought for you arranged in there. The drawers by the mirror have your make up and hair accessories. I am here for your needs. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. By the way, I should assure you that the bathroom and the walk in closet do not have cameras. And the cameras are always monitored, if you find yourself in trouble, we will know. 

-Olive

I mentally thanked Olive for the heads up. I also mentally scolded myself for standing out here in a towel in plain view of the cameras. I ran into the closet and shut the door behind me. My cheeks flamed in embarrassment. It was a pain really. My pale skin always betrayed me and did not allow me to hide my blush. 

I was never really self-conscious of my body. I believed everybody should love themselves and never be influenced of what others think. That is what caused the second disagreement with my mother and I. She always prepared to rant on me from what she expects. It was all about how I would appear to other people which ties with her reputation. It was never about being myself and acting how I would want to. So much pretending comes with being rich. You never know who is your friend and who is fake. I guess I liked my life right now, a simple person. Well, at this moment I'm very confused. I feel as if I am treading on dangerous territory. 

I scan for something to wear. Clarke did say that there will be others around. My clothes were arranged neatly and all of them were new with price tags. I was not very fazed. I was slightly surprised after all Clarke was my kidnapper. Growing up my parents provided me with plenty of money. I would go to the mall very often and spend thousands of dollars on anything I wanted. The truth is I was spoiled, but I am not that little girl anymore. Everybody grows up at a certain time, mine came with the opportunity of admission into a college far from my home. 

I pick a pretty pink bra with matching bottoms and slide them on. Deciding to dress casual, but appropriate, I choose a grey blouse. I find blue jeans and slip those on. The clothes were my perfect size. Did this guy have all my information. For a second I panicked, Clarke must know about my background. 

My mother, Lucy Richards and father, Kent Richards, owned a chain of hotels as well as companies. They were co-ceos for  Valient Stars hotels and they also owned a biomedical and bioengineering company called Biovive. That was where I got my interest in botany. My mother labeled me as a traitor once I told her that I was going to work for ClarkeSmith industries. She had conflicts with Asher Clarke, Julian's father(retired ceo), in the past. I had always tried to ask her but she refused to confide in me. 

After I graduated college with a major in botany, I applied for many jobs far from the west coast. I felt that I needed to be more independent and put some distance between me and my parents. I did not want anything to do with the company. It was something that I took as a curse rather than a blessing. With the degrees in science my parents have achieved in their earlier years, we would have been a happy, middle class family. 

A job I applied for was the botanical branch of ClarkeSmith industries, they were known for manufacturing all the products you need. They also invest in new technologies. It was rather an empire than a range of companies. It was enormous and spread across the nation. I understand why, Mr.Clarke was paranoid of me being a spy for another company. 

What I don't understand is the file. Could this business empire, creating jobs for thousands of people actually be built on a lie?  Clarke and Smith, who have taken care of every move, and have not been seen in the public with a bad reputation, actually have some dirt on them. The FILE- has people terminated, perhaps are the ceo and his chief administrative officer, can be accused of corruption? 

Thinking about this hurt my head. I remember my mother's last words, she said to me before I left with Riya, "Listen to me Isla, you must believe me. It is not safe for you to work for ClarkeSmith. Please, understand, I cannot tell you the reason. You will be caught up with business affairs you do not belong in."

I looked back with a strong, tenacious face. I faced forward to pass the security checks. Ahead of me lies independence and happiness, I thought. Determined not to let my mother see me break down inside. Inside I was hurting and my throat ran dry. She warned me and she said please for the first time in a while, after all she was a demander. It hurt that my father did not even come to the airport to send me off. It hurt worse of the one thing my mother didn't do, it was an I love you. All I wanted was an I love you. Three words she used to tell me all the time when I was younger. Three words that bring me to the 10 years of the happiest time of my life. When, my mother and father did not have their own empire to run. When, we were just a simple, American family.