She is the Queen

Chapter 7

As I emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around me, I was taken aback to see Andrea waiting there. His gaze traveled up and down my body, leaving me feeling both uncomfortable and strangely confident. Determined to regain control of the situation, I continued walking towards the closet, only to be stopped in my tracks by Andrea's firm grip on my arm.

"First, tell me, how did you do it?" he demanded, his jaw clenched and his body tense, as if he were trying to calculate what I might want in exchange for the information. Sensing an opportunity, I gave a small smile and nodded, silently signaling for him to let go.

The atmosphere in the room was charged with anticipation as I spoke with calculated precision. "I will tell you, but only on one condition," I stated, my voice steady and firm. I noticed Andrea's jaw clench even tighter, his expression turning wary.

With a slight nod, he silently urged me to continue, his eyes never leaving mine. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what was about to come. "I want access to all the books in your vast collection, the ones I haven't had a chance to read yet. In addition, I want daily updates from a trusted newspaper, to keep me informed. And finally, I request at least three hours a day to walk in the garden, to clear my mind and find solace in nature."

I could see the gears turning in Andrea's mind as he considered my proposal. With a sharpness in his voice, he finally replied, "Alright, I agree to your conditions."

But I wasn't satisfied. I knew that in this dangerous game, promises meant very little. So, I locked eyes with him, determination shining through my gaze. "No," I countered, "Promise me. Promise me that you will uphold your end of our agreement."

Andrea's grip on my wrist tightened, almost to the point of pain, as he pulled me closer to him. His eyes bore into mine, a silent warning to not deceive him. But I held my ground, meeting his intense stare. "No lies," he reiterated, the words dripping with authority.

I swallowed hard, staring back at him, my resolve unwavering. "No lies," I repeated firmly, ensuring my voice carried the weight of my commitment.

With a final nod, Andrea released his grip on me, allowing me to step away and begin the process of changing. As I moved past him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. My plan was in motion. I had gained his trust, a small victory in the grand scheme of things. And so, as I changed into a fresh set of clothes, my mind raced with possibilities, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. I put on a black sweatpants and a grey sweatshirt. 

He signalled me to follow him into his office. As I took my seat, I couldn't help but notice the suspicious absence of cameras. Every corner of my mind screamed caution, but my curiosity compelled me to proceed. My host, a man of stature, sat across from me, sizing me up with an unnerving intensity.

With a wave of his hand, he instructed me to begin. And so, with a deep breath, I delved into a mesmerizing tale of intrigue and danger, the very tale he wanted to know about.

I recounted an evening at a club, where I noticed four mysterious men observing my every move. Instinct told me it wasn't my father's doing, as he would have informed me beforehand. Something was amiss, and as the room spun around me, I realized I had been drugged. With a plan forming in my mind, I discreetly pocketed Jack's old-fashioned phone, later discovering it contained a SIM card and parts crucial to my escape.

I excused myself to the restroom, where I cleverly switched SIM cards while disposing of Jack's broken phone. I sent a covert message to my father, detailing my predicament. Resetting my own phone and disposing of its SIM card, I returned to my captors, ready to face whatever awaited me.

As I revealed my knowledge of his motives, my captor's initial surprise was soon masked by a gleam of admiration. I had pieced together his intentions through the subtle clues he unknowingly left behind. The multitude of economics and French-themed books on his grand bookshelf provided undeniable evidence of his obsession with my father's connection to France,  Aquitania. I had inadvertently discovered more about my father's secrets in this office than I had ever known before.

His eyes sparkled with fascination as he inquired about my calm demeanor and lack of escape attempts. I explained that any attempt to flee would not be a failure but a strategic move. The elaborate security measures, including cameras, sensors, and guards, made it virtually impossible for me to escape at this moment. 

Challenged by my determination, my captor's demeanor grew more intense. He questioned how I planned to accomplish all the things I had boldly proclaimed. My response was simple yet firm – time would reveal my strategy. I had no concrete plan yet, but I knew that finding the traitor among us was my first step towards gaining the upper hand, this I didn't tell him.

As the tension crackled in the air, our gazes locked, and an unspoken understanding passed between us. There was a battle of wits at play, and neither of us was willing to back down. The atmosphere shifted, charged with anticipation, as he towered over me, questioning my resolve.

"You are clever I give you this and I am impressed, yet please also do inform me how will you do all these things you just tattletale, princess?"

"We will see that." I whispered as our lips were only a centimetre away from meeting. He glanced down at my lips, and whilst doing so unconsciously, his tongue darted wetting his lips. I, unable to stop myself from taking a covert glance at his plump once, felt the heaviness in the air hovering between eyes.

The anticipation hung thick in the air as time seemed to stand still. We stood, mere inches apart, our hearts pounding in sync. Every nerve in my body was on edge, ready to explode with the electric energy that crackled between us. I could feel his warm breath on my face, sending shivers down my spine.

His hand, seemingly of its own accord, reached up to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, igniting a blaze of passion deep within my core. My breath caught in my throat as I let myself surrender to the intoxicating spell he had woven around me.

With a gentle tug, he pulled me even closer, eliminating the remaining space between us. Our bodies were magnetically drawn together, their proximity becoming unbearable. I could feel his heartbeat racing against my chest, perfectly synced with my own frantic rhythm. His lips, soft and inviting, hovered millimeters from mine, teasing me with their nearness. His warm, calloused fingers delicately traced the contours of my face, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. But, just like that, the spell broke futile, and pulling myself east, away from his caging presence, I stepped away. I will not defy odds, I told myself. This cannot happen. This will not happen.