Chapter 6

"That was nice! A little more practice and you'll master it!" Hance, one of Zadkiro's men said after we sat down to take a rest after playing darts for almost two hours.

I had a great time playing with them, they included me in their game and I really felt belonged. They did not make me feel awkward and I enjoyed it.

"Thank you, I was not good at it but you taught me well," I responded.

In the short time that we had a bond, I doubted if they were trully a mafia. They're very jolly and I couldn't sense danger in them. Some of them even introduced themselves to me like I was just a newfound friend.

"Do you want some drinks, Ma'am?" Calvin asked. He was one of the two men who were at the room's door a while ago, the one who had the black thing on his ears.

"No, I'm fine. I haven't finished my juice yet," I replied.

I looked around and eyed every person here in this place.

At a glance, I admit I was afraid and if I wasn't bored, I wouldn't have the courage to join them in playing. Yes do look dangerous, they have earrings and piercings, they don't wear casual trendy outfits and wear black instead, most importantly their tattoos.

I've seen many people with tattoos but theirs is different. Some of them even have one on their necks and random parts of their body. I don't want to judge but in a simple look, I'll say they're a thug.

I was worried that I might upset them or they might not try playing with me but I was glad they even took the initiative to carefully explain to me the mechanics, rules, and techniques.

They set aside their guns and that made me more comfortable. After the short time we spent together, I can't believe I was with a mafia. You know when a person says mafia, I automatically think that they're evil people.

Even Zadkiro, he looks decent and he looks good but after I found out he was a mafia, I suddenly questioned myself about what bad things he do.

Speaking of Zadkiro, where did he go? I haven't seen him yet since this morning.

I looked at Rivos, Calvin's partner.

"Do you know where is Zadkiro?" I asked.

"He's currently in his office Ma'am, do you want to go there?" he offered.

Office? Wow, I didn't know he had an office inside this huge house. Oh well, he's rich, what do I expect?

"Can I? He wouldn't get mad right?"

He only nodded and gestured for me to follow him. Just like this morning, Rivos led the way and Calvin was at my back.

I bid my goodbye to the guys and they answered me with a smile. I hope I can play with them next time, Zadkiro won't let me out and I don't want to escape as well. I won't try now that he's already taking a step to help me find my parents.

It didn't take that long until we stopped walking in front of a golden door on the second floor. There was a word carved in the door but I was not able to read it because the letters were foreign.

Rivos knocked twice then opened it for me. I looked at him when he told me to get in, but I hadn't heard any response inside yet.

"You may enter Ma'am, he's inside," Calvin assured me.

I looked inside but I did not see anything or anyone. It was dark inside.

I went inside and as soon as I stepped in, they closed the door behind me. The room became even more darker so I stayed still in worry that I might bump into something and destroy it.

Where could Zadkiro possibly be?

"Z-Zadkiro?"

They said he was inside but I didn't hear him and now I couldn't see him.

"I'm here."

I gasped and automatically turned around when I heard a man's voice behind me. I cannot see anything but I can feel someone's presence near me, it's Zadkiro.

"Where are you? Can you open the light?" I requested.

I didn't hear him respond but light illuminated the whole room after a few seconds.

There I saw him half naked and water dripping on his body and hair. My eyes widened and I wasn't able to hide my reaction after he caught me staring at him.

I looked at him head to toe and I was like hypnotized for a moment because of the image that I was seeing. I wanted to turn around but I think it was too late because I already saw his well-toned body.

"Sorry, I was about to get dressed when you came in," he said as if explaining and showed me a dark blue plain shirt.

I did not say anything because I might lose control and praise him for his body. Wait, that's crazy.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. I shouldn't stare at his body as if it's legal, it's harassment.

He immediately put on his shirt and faced me again.

"So, what brings you here? Are you done playing darts?" he started the conversation.

"You know that?"

He smirked, a playful one.

"Yeah, and I heard you're pretty good at it," he stated.

I smiled. I wasn't good at it, I know they're just trying to cheer me up.

"I enjoyed it, but I want to play it again some other time."

He nodded, still smiling. He went near the table where a white folded towel was placed and used it to dry his hair.

I couldn't help but sniff when I smelled his manly scent after he passed by me. His smell was like a combination of menthol and cool, it's addictive.

"You may play anytime you want, it is better than staying in my room for the whole day," he answered.

"That was your room?" I curiously asked. "If that's your room, where do you sleep now that I stay there then?"

Zadkiro shrugged his shoulder.

"Here in my office, it has a bed and bathroom. That's all I need."

Oh, but that doesn't seem like a room. There are no cabinets or wardrobes where clothes can be fixed. Are men usually like that? Very simple?

"Okay. Anyway, I just came here to talk to you about our deal. Maybe I could burrow your time if you're not that busy?"

"Yes you may, take a seat," he offered and pointed to an empty chair beside his office table.

While he was busy drying his hair, I took the opportunity to carefully look at his office.

I was impressed by the decorations and theme of this room, it's like a medieval period and the paintings are just perfect. There were no flowers to be seen but I think it still looks great.

"You make me jealous by the way you look at my office," I heard Zadkiro uttered with a hint of teasing in his voice.

I looked at him and pouted to stop myself from rolling my eyes off him. I was just appreciating the place.

"Don't flirt with me, that's not our subject today," I retorted and crossed my arms above my chest.

"Isn't it? What then? Math? Science? Can we do Physical Education instead?"

"Zadkiro!"

What I mean by subject is topic, not the literal subject that kids study at school!

He chuckled and raised both of his arms in the air like a criminal caught by the police.

"Okay fine, sorry love," he apologized still laughing.

Gosh, this man. I didn't know he had this playful side.

"Be serious Mr. Driavos or I'm going to get mad," I threatened him.

"As you wish."

I sighed and held my head. He's stressing me.

"Fine! About our deal, I just want to clarify our boundaries. I said you can ask me to do anything and I'll stay here as you wish right?"

He nodded.

We better make ourselves clear so in the future, we wouldn't argue about it again. We're like business partners now, and we should be transparent to what we like and we don't like if we want our relationship to stay strong and longer.

"Well, I'm a person also Zadkiro. I have limitations, I have many things that I couldn't do and I hope you wouldn't... force me. I-Its not that I don't trust you, I only want to secure myself," I continued.

I know he knows what I mean. He's an adult and so am I, I don't want to force myself to do something that's below my capabilities and dignity.

Staying here as his companion and not his kidnap victim is enough as my sacrifice, I wouldn't do anything more than that.

"What a challenge, but that's okay. I'll give you that. Anything else?"

"Uhm, about my parents. Can I ask for updates if ever you find clues or anything? Don't worry, I wouldn't demand a rush, I just want to keep myself updated." I bit my lip after I said that out of nervous.

"Santiago will do that, I'll ask him," he responded.

I smiled when I did not hear any contradictions from him. I thought I was going to have a long conversation with him but I am happy that he was with me now.

"What about you, don't you have anything to ask me? I know I cannot give you something 'cause you have the power between us but maybe there's anything?"

He hummed and put his hand on his chin as if he was carefully thinking about it.

"There's a lot actually, but I'll only choose the easiest one so you won't get pressured."

Oh.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

He sat properly and looked at me directly in the eyes. The moment I met his eyes again, I felt the same exciting feeling that I felt when we first met.

Oh no! I shouldn't be feeling this way every time he'd look at me like that.

"First, I want you to always bring Calvin and Rivos if you are wandering around the mansion. Am I clear?" he asked like a soldier. Strict and firm.

I nodded. I'm comfortable with the two men so I wouldn't have to worry about that. On the other hand, it's an advantage for me, I'd be more safe.

"Second, you are not allowed to leave this house without my permission. You can only leave if you are with me—"

"Wait! Really! I could do that. Does that mean we could go to the mall or music festivals?" I excitedly asked, cutting him off from finishing his sentence.

I didn't think he'd allow me. All I thought was he was going to lock me here for a long time.

"Yes Sereia, but I repeat, only if you're with me. Even if Calvin and Rivos are with you, you are not allowed, and you will have a time clock if ever. Once a week only and that would be at least eight hours. Limited."

I giggled. "That's fine with me!"

It is better than staying here and killing myself with boredom. At last! I could go and visit places that I wished to visit when I was younger. I'm excited!

"What's next?" I asked.

"Lastly, if I said no means no. Just like you, I have limitations as well and you must learn how to accept that not all things will be in favor of you all the time."

Aww. "Why? Would you get mad again if I'll still do it even if you said no?"

It's kinda sad, what if I said I want to go to the music festival and he said no? That means I cannot do something about it.

"I'll try not to be, but every human has the right to be mad so I suggest you behave and don't act like a spoiled little child."

"Hey, I am not like that!" I reacted.

He relaxed his body on the backrest of his chair and closed his eyes.

"That's not what I've seen for the past few days, Sereia. Better train yourself not to be stubborn or you'll be punished again."

What?