Mr. Ruthless

Chapter 24

I sighed in content as the warm water ran over my frigid body, wrapping me in a heated blanket of comfort. I closed my eyes, taking in the anomalous silence that roomed beyond the borders of the raining shower.

I rested my head against the wall. What am I doing?

A week ago my biggest concern was being able to pay rent, I was used to being stuck where I was, to having no future planned out ahead but the thought of having no future at all is just grievously frightening.

Despite the steaming water, my body was coated in an eerie set of goose bumps. I ran my hand down my face before turning off the water. The glass wall of the shower was completely fogged up and it felt as if I was breathing in vaporized water instead of air.

I stepped out of the shower, reaching for the towel I had laid out by the sink. I stopped as something in the mirror caught my attention.

I watched the blurred reflection in front of me. I barely recognized myself. I touched my face to figure out whether my skin felt as tired and unhealthy as it looked. My skin was ghostly pale and almost transparent to the veins beneath its surface.

My hand continued its pattern onto my neck, leading towards my chest until it finally settled on my stomach. My fingers skimmed over the uneven skin, scars in the shape of cigarette butts marring my abdomen.

I puffed out a peevish laugh. How the simple memory reminded me how little I truly meant.

It's only been a week but it feels like an eternity had passed. But I couldn't help but notice that Zander's demeanor had actually changed over the course of the last couple of days.

No doubt he has remained the tempered and brooding man he is, he seemed less tense, less secluded. In a way.

I took the towel and wrapped it around my body, tying a knot into the side to keep it in place as I took my toothbrush. Brushing my teeth had been the only part of my daily routine that had been kept intact since I came here. Something I was grateful for.

I changed into the fresh set of clothes that had been laid out. They were women's clothes for a change. Presumably Belle's. Despite the odd fit, I was pleased to wear something that actually sized up.

Taking one last glance in the mirror I left, leaving the damp towel and my worn clothes in a pile in the sink as I walked into the hallway.

The apartment was uneasily quiet, as usual, until a buzzing sound broke the sound barrier, followed by a low spoken 'what do you want'.

I hesitantly made my way towards the sound until I was stranded in the living room. Zander stood against the large dining table, phone in one hand, a glass of Scotch in the other.

He acknowledged me, eyeing me from head to toe before turning his attention back to the call. I hadn't realized my breath had faltered at the action. His ever so calculated gaze that had carelessly roamed over my body had taken me of guard.

"I could care less, Sebestian, just take care of it." I could only imagine what he meant by that. His mouth was pulled into a displeased thin line as he listened to his caller. He raised the glass towards his lips and gulped down the liquid, slamming the empty glass onto the table.

As if noticing I was still there and listening he gave me a quick glare and began speaking Italian instead. I lowered my gaze, I wasn't trying to snoop. I was just...there.

Shortly after, he ended the call. He didn't look at me as he kept his mind on his phone. His fingers moved along the screen, they stood out since they were decorated with cuts and bruises. Reminding me he had done that to himself.