Chapter 5 Strip

• “Ok…of course,” I agreed readily. Why would I want to…touch him?
• “Rule number three, you won’t speak to me unless you’re spoken to,” he said, as he stared deep into my eyes to ensure that I understood his every word.
• “What about when we’re sorting out whether I’m doing something for you or you’re asking me for a favor?” I asked, curious. I didn’t think I would want to start a conversation with him, but it could be necessary and unavoidable sometimes.
• “…We can talk then, I guess…” Hayden replied after a few seconds of thought.
• “Ok…then…anything else?” I asked.
• “Final rule. Rule number four, you will do everything that I ask you to no matter what, no matter when, and no matter where you are,” Hayden stated slowly and clearly.
• …no matter what, no matter when and no matter where…isn’t that crazy?
• “I think the fourth rule is a little…bit much?” I stated my opinion hesitantly.
• “I never asked for your opinion. You just broke rule number three,” Hayden stated curtly.
• Shit. Is he being serious right now? How much of a tyrant can this man be?
• If I replied back, would I be violating rule number three again? So, what should I do? Hold my tongue…?
• “I never asked you to agree to the rules. I was merely stating the rules. Oh…I never mentioned the punishment for breaking the rules now, did I?” Hayden said and I swear that I could see his eyes sparkling with evil.
• “No…you didn’t,” I mumbled as I stared back at him.
• “Usually in our mafia world, we punish people by cutting off a part of their body or removing an organ. Perhaps, you’ve seen something along those lines in the movies? It’s not very different really…” Hayden said casually.
• “You’ve got to be kidding me…” I muttered.
• “I wish I was. But I’m a gentleman, you see, and hurting women isn’t really my thing so I’ll adapt the punishment a little for your sake…and for mine as well,” Hayden said as a smile curved his lips sadistically.
• This was probably the first time that I had seen him smile and it was not a pleasant one.
• “What do you…mean?” I asked in a whisper. I couldn’t predict what he had in mind at all but at least he wasn’t going to chop my body up, so I guess that was good news?
• “Each time you break any of the rules, I’ll take a part of your body as my own,” Hayden said, his eyes narrowing slightly at me.
• “…I don’t understand,” I said, confused.
• “It’s simple, really. Each time you break any of the rules, I’ll claim a part of your body as mine,” Hayden said with a smile.
• “As yours?” I asked, still confused. If all parts of my body are still intact, how can he possibly claim a part to be his?
• “Yes. The body part that I’ve chosen to claim will be mine to do with as I please, wherever and whenever I please,” Hayden stated as he smiled with utmost satisfaction at his own idea.
• Seeing that I still looked quite confused to this alien concept, Hayden laughed softly at me as he continued to watch me from the opposite side of the table.
• “Stand up…and strip,” Hayden commanded, his eyes never leaving my face.
• “Excuse me?” I replied in shock. What did he just…say?
• “Stand up and take off your clothes. Please don’t make me repeat myself or you’re about to break another rule, Malissa,” Hayden warned sternly.
• “I…Why are you doing this?” I asked breathlessly. I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but his blue eyes seemed several shades darker as he stared at me like an animal eyeing its prey.
• “If I don’t get to see your body, how am I supposed to choose which part that I would like to claim first?” Hayden asked, acting all innocent as he shrugged his shoulders.
• I hated how he was speaking like there certainly would be a second…or a third time.
• My body froze in place as I hesitated. How can I possibly just strip in front of him and right here in the middle of the dining room? This is beyond insane…but what can I do?
• “You have ten seconds to stand up and start stripping. If you don’t, I’ll call some men in to help you get on with it,” Hayden said emotionlessly.
• “No…” I whispered.
• “Ten…nine…eight…” Hayden began counting down from ten.
• “Hayden! This is crazy…” I protested.
• “Seven…six…five…four…three…two…one…men!” Hayden continued his countdown.
• I looked into his eyes and could see that he was dead serious about this.
• “No! I’ll…do it,” I cried out desperately.
• It was bad enough that I had to strip in front of Hayden. I didn’t need his men seeing me naked as well.
• At the sound of Hayden barking into a small communication device on his collar, a few men dressed completely in black quickly rushed into the penthouse. I watched the men as my eyes opened wide and my mouth hung open in shock.
• Hayden was serious. He actually called in his men to strip me…
• “No need anymore. Just leave…” Hayden said to his men dismissively, while his eyes were still glued to me.
• Hayden leaned further forward across the table and peered into my face with an alluring smile. In other situations, I would have thought that the smile on his face was out-of-this-world bewitching, but I was finding it hard to admire him in this situation.
• “What are you waiting for? Stand up…and strip, Malissa,” Hayden commanded as he smiled at me.
• I can’t believe I’m doing this. I stood up stiffly and I could feel his hungry eyes on me as if he could burn my clothes right off my body. I closed my eyes tightly as I tried to calm myself down. I’m not a virgin…and men have seen me naked before. Ok…not that many, but still…so this isn’t exactly a big deal or anything.
• When I opened my eyes again, I was determined. No matter what he does to me or put me through, I’m going to survive these 30 days and I will return with my grandmother to our normal lives once again. I must survive this!
• I won’t allow him to break me…
• --To be continued…