His White Rabbit

Ch. 13 - The arrival

"Were these really all that necessary?" I ask while waiting for the plane to stop moving. I was kind of hoping we would crash somewhere and not make it... But I had managed to get a glass of wine before we landed just now and it kind of relaxed me a little bit but not enough to face the great master of the game.

"No. It's just for our own pleasure." William winks at me. Does he think I enjoy this? I mean... Do I? I don't. I don't feel the sparks the way I would feel them if it wasn't him. But it was William who did it. William kept saying how this is all work and I feel like it's just a master plan for some business he needs to do but it feels like he actually wants something more from me.

"Do I even have a say in all this?" I ask as William's smile fades away a tiny bit. "Can't you at least give me time to start liking you a little bit so I don't feel harassed every time you do something to me." I was a little taken aback after saying all this but it felt good. Scary but good. Maybe I pushed his buttons just now but I needed to get this out of me. I feel scared every time he approaches me, even when we are out in public like today. Nothing stops him from making his moves on me.

"I believe it is best for this to be discussed tonight." William removes the belt and gets up waiting for me to stand up. The door of the plane opens and as we exit, our bags are already waiting for us. It's one of the advantages of traveling by a private plane. You don't have to wait for your luggage but it's rather the other way around.

We made our way through the airport with two men following us and carrying our luggage. It felt so inclusive. I hated it. It's like I was forbidden to do anything on my own like I was unable to do it. We stopped at one point because William had to talk to someone. It looked like someone in charge here or at least responsible for something important. I had no idea what was happening and while he talked to this man in a suit, I made my way to a small tobacco shop to buy a pack of cigarettes. I never buy them. I have bought only one box in my whole life just to share a few cigarettes with my friends. I am stressed. Very stressed and I feel like I need something. I had some money that William gave me in a wallet and a fake passport in it.

"I am just going to the store." I say to one of the men as they quickly tried to stop me when they saw me leave. "I am not going to run. I don't even know where I am..." I mutter, not caring if they heard that part or not. They watch me closely as I enter the tobacco hop that was only about 20 feet away from where they stood.

I had no idea which cigarettes to buy. I have only ever had the ones with mint so I asked for those. "Thank you." I say and take the pack after leaving the money on the counter. I was relieved to see that I returned before William got back. I put the cigarettes in my little bag that I was given because smoking is forbidden in here. I'll get a chance to light one later but it was important for me to know that I had them with me. I don't know why because I am not addicted to it so why does it matter to me?

"All settled, let's go." William grabs my hand and pulls me with him. I take in a sharp breath of annoyance and follow, knowing damn well that there is no way out of this right now. I'll have to figure out where I am and take a chance when it's the most possible. "You okay?" He asks.

I hated it when he talked to me like we were really a couple. Like I was okay with all of this and what kind of question is that anyway? How the hell am I supposed to be okay?

"No... But can't complain, can I?" I give him a short forced smile and then continue walking with him in silence on my part. William didn't say anything but just let out a sigh.

As we walked I kept thinking about how I could have asked for help in the tobacco shop. The men didn't follow me and if I just... No... It's not so easy to explain and they were watching the whole time. They would have known if I had said something to the cashier. I need the police. I need to call my parents.

"Smile, princess." I flinch back out of my thoughts and look at him for a second. William was smiling at me but something was off about that smile. It was not real and I knew it was a warning for me to do the same. I don't say anything but just smile and hold his hand tighter, kind of hoping that I would find some comfort in his cold touch. With his free hand, he fixed a hat on his head and pulled me closer. "Play nice and you can call your parents tonight." My eyes light up as he says these words but I decide not to get too excited. He is a pathological liar and could be tricking me and getting my hopes up. "Under my supervision, of course." Now it seems more like it. This I could actually believe even.

"Okay." I say softly and focus on keeping the smile on my face. That was my chance. My mom will know. She always knows when something is wrong. I just have to be patient until tonight and I will figure something out. Until then, I will just focus on not making any mistakes when meeting William's dad.

"There he is. My son." A deep rough voice comes from our right side so I didn't see the man approaching us at first because my sight was blocked by William's body. I froze for a tiny moment, feeling strange twisting in my guts as the man appeared so suddenly. It was his dad and he didn't look dangerous. Not at first. Which is why I had to stay put and careful around him.

"Father." William lets go of my hand and gives his father a manly hug. They both seemed happy to see each other. As they remained like this for a few short moments, it was all I needed to recognize the expensive Rolex on his wrist, perfect teeth, and expensive clothes. Two more men appeared behind him and stood their ground, keeping an eye on both of the Burtons. I felt kind of awkward standing there as they spoke of something irrelevant for me but I was soon pulled back to my tracks when William introduced me. "This is Rosie." Simple.

"It's a pleasure, sir." I say with a smile and as I'm about to shake the man's hand, he kisses the top of it before I could even react. He wasn't creepy or making this strongly wrong, which I appreciated. He's a gentleman.

"Likewise, dear." It was like I was talking to William. The resemblance. I see where he got the charm from. He had a nice British accent as well.

We didn't chat much after this and instead headed to the car. It was a matte black vehicle with darkened windows. I couldn't recognize the brand. The three of us sat in the back which was like in a limo but smaller. Still, there was enough room for two more people. It was high luxury if you ask me and I felt extremely uncomfortable because I had no idea who or what I was dealing with and how I was supposed to behave in front of these people.

"Is he being nice to you? My son." Mr. Burton asked after another topic died so he took it upon himself to change the subject. William grabbed my hand and gave me a smile. A warning smile.

"The best, Mr. Burton." I give him a polite smile that hid all the pain and frustrations from the world. "I was honored when he told me I'd be meeting you."

They say men are better at lying than women. Because they have been taught to hide their emotions ever since they were little kids. Adults would always say: "Boys don't cry. You don't want to behave like a girl, right?" So boys learned to hide what they feel.

I was taught so as well. My parents aren't some old-fashioned people or feminists trying to raise their daughter to be strong and manipulative over men. It was just the way my mother thought was best. I was never the crying kid in the store. The one trashing around because of the forbidden candy.

I just grew up to be as good at lying as the other gender. I at least hope so because I am on my own now and can't afford to trust anyone. William is manipulative and crazy at the same time which is the worst thing that can happen to someone who doesn't know how to control their own life.

After an hour-long ride, we stopped at our destination. Beautiful scenery. A magnificent old-fashioned mansion in the woods with the most beautiful garden I have ever seen in my life. There were different types of flowers all over the place, the grass was freshly cut and there were two goats walking around. It looked like heaven on earth. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I couldn't stop looking at it.