Maxine's Pov:
I looked at him in shock. Is he joking or what?
F**k me to death?
He clicked the gun, and I shivered.
"Don't play dumb with me, Maxine and start talking", he said icily.
Oh my God!
What do I say?
"I...I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered, and unexpectedly, he landed a heavy slap on my cheek, which made me fall to the bed.
Whaaaaat?
I gasped and held my cheek in shock. Thank goodness my towel was still on.
"You really wanna take this the hard way, huh?" He asked as he came closer to me and I crawled backwards into the bed.
"You really wanna mess with me?"
"No, please" I shook my head.
"Don't hurt me, please".
He chuckled and pointed the gun at me again.
"If you want me to stop, all you have to do is tell me what I want. What's your relationship with Noah and the barman?"
"Nothing - I swear," I whimpered, and he brought down the gun and slapped me again.
Oh my God!
A cut appeared on my lips.
What's he doing?
"Does it look like I'm here for jokes, Maxine? Huh? Does it??" He half-yelled, and I shook my head tearfully.
"I'm sorry, please", I whimpered, and he pulled me by the legs, almost making the towel lose from my body.
"Please, stop it"
I yelped, held it firmly to my chest, and immediately ran under the duvet cover.
That way, I felt more protected from it than I did with the towel.
He chuckled and climbed onto the bed.
"Do you really think you can escape this?" He asked teasingly.
"Your precious Noah isn't here to save you - I've made sure of that".
My eyes dimmed immediately. What does he mean by that?
He came closer and tried taking the duvet down, but I didn't let him.
"Please don't", I winced, a tear strolling down my cheek.
"I'll...I'll tell you the truth".
He paused and looked at me, and a smile touched his lips.
"Go on..." He stated calmly.
Oh God!
Please, save me.
"I...Noah... nothing is going on between us - I swear! He just took pity on me because of how bad my family treated me and decided to help me.
"That...that night, during dinner, he overheard them discussing your proposal of making me your personal maid, and as a result, he got really angry. And...and that's the reason he decided to help me and brought me in here to stay with him.
"Please, believe me. I'm telling the truth," I said pathetically.
He stayed muted for a while, just staring into my face like he was cogitating.
"And the bartender?" He asked.
"There's... nothing is going on between us, please. He's just an old friend and has been assisting me in his little ways. He...He only got to know me from the bar - and that's the only connection they have.
"When Noah had seen me dancing in the bar, he admired me and asked Pablo some questions about me. That's the only connection they have - I swear," I replied nervously, unavoidably shaking.
"Maxine", he called after a while and touched my legs.
"Do you know the consequences of lying to me?"
I twitched at that.
"Do you know what I'll do to you if I ever get to know you lied to me? Huh?"
I shook my head tearfully.
"I'll kill you, Maxine. I'll make sure you regret it bitterly. So, if you know you're lying to me, I'd suggest you make amends before it's too late".
His words sent shivers down my spine, and I panicked.
Oh God! Please, make him believe.
"Do you have anything else to say?" He asked, and I shook my head negatively.
Then he smiled and moved his hand on my legs.
"You know...I can actually have my way with you right now if I want to, right?" He smirked.
"You're so vulnerable to me. I can just f**k you and go with no one coming to your aid".
More tears dripped from my eyes as conniption gripped me. His words alone made me cry.
"What's so special about it anyway? Has Noah been down there?' He asked, and I shook my head slowly.
How can he ask such a gross question?
"So...should I?" He asked and tried pulling the duvet down, but I held it tight.
"No! Please," I cried, and he laughed.
He laughed dryly and finally got off the bed.
"This is a taste of what it means to disobey me, Maxine. So, I hope you choose your next step wisely.
"And if Noah gets to know about this..."
He chuckled and didn't complete the statement.
Then, he muttered a *bye* and finally left the room.
Oh, my God! He left!
I got out of bed immediately and ran to lock the door. And as soon as it was locked, I sat on the bed and burst into tears.
*
*
Noah's Pov:
I opened my eyes and found myself on the floor beside my car.
Damn it! I can't believe I passed out.
I groaned in pain and struggled to stand up. My entire joints were hurting like hell. I can't believe those hoodlums ganged up on me.
Who are they anyway? And what were their reasons for attacking me?
I tried to stand but had great difficulty. Everywhere was burning hot. And the road was so dry and deserted.
Finally, I mustered enough strength and stood up.
"Urgh", I released a light groan as the pains niggled at me...
Damn...it was painful.
I opened the car and went in. Thank goodness they didn't take my ride.
I tried turning it on but suddenly recalled.
Oh! F**k! I was having a flat tyre!!
I leaned my head on the steering wheel and held my ribs. What do I do? What do I do?
They took my phone away!
Suddenly, a cab pulled over, and the driver came out.
"Is everything alright?" The short man asked, and I lifted my head from the steering wheel to look at him.
He gasped immediately.
'Mr...Mr Noah?" He called in shock, his eyes dilating.
"Are you alright?"
Thank goodness!
"No. I was attacked. Take me home," I replied feebly, and he quickly assisted me out of the car into his.
"B...But sir, you look really bad. I'll take you to a hospital instead," he said as he got into the driver's seat and started the car, and I couldn't argue with him.
*
*
Maxine's Pov:
I walked restlessly in the sitting room, peeping at the windows the entire time. I was so worried.
Where the hell is Noah? Why hasn't he yet returned? He told me he wasn't gonna take long. And he also promised to take me shopping.
It was already evening, and he had yet to return.
Rex.
I couldn't tell why, but I felt cranky towards him.
How did he know the exact time Noah wasn't at home? And what did he mean by "Noah won't be around to save you. I made sure of that?"
Gosh! What's happening? Why's everything so complicated?
God! Please.
I held my hands akimbo and continued pacing around, and finally I heard the gates open.
I quickly rushed to the window to have a look and...I saw something strange coming in.
That wasn't the car Noah left with.
I stood and watched as it parked, and Noah stepped out, being assisted by someone.
Whaaaat???
Noah??
He...he had covered bruises all over.
I rushed out of the house immediately to meet them, my whole nervous system on alert.
'N...Noah?" I called in surprise when I got to where he was.
"Hey", he chuckled softly, but obviously, he was in pain.
"Wh...What happened to him?" I asked, referring to the man beside him.
"A cab driver found him on the roadside - attacked and beaten up. But he's fine now. A doctor's worked on him already," the man replied and took him into the house while I followed.
Oh my God! What the hell happened to him?
He was taken to his room and made to lie on the bed.
"Thank you, Rollins", Noah said to the strange man.
"You can leave now. I'll take care of myself".
"Um...okay, boss. Just remember what the doctor said. Enough rest," the Rollins guy said, and Noah just nodded.
Damn! He looked weak.
"Okay, then. Bye," he added and left the room.
I turned and looked at Noah.
"Are...Are you okay? Do you need something? I'm so sorry", I fumbled, not knowing exactly what to say.
He didn't say a word immediately, and I figured I should get him something.
But just when I was about to leave, he held me back by the wrist.
"Maxine", he called feebly.
"Can you spend the night with me, please?"
My eyes widened in shock.
What?