-Freedom-

Verena didn't know what to do, so she thought to run, but her body refused to move as he had a tight grip on her wrist.

She could feel pain rising on her wrist as he was glaring at her with his sharp gaze.

Louis regarded her like someone would watch Animal Planet—like she was another species and possibly dull entertainment.

He had a cell phone in one hand at his side, so Verena assumed he must have been making a private call before she entered.

If looks could kill a person, she would be dead by now, but she chose to stay on her feet.

"You!" She gritted her teeth and glared with sane intensity, but since he was taller than her, his body was hovering over her like a shadow, and she was like a little rabbit scared for her dear life.

"Let me go." She pleaded, wanting nothing more than her freedom.

Since she was born, everyone has been using her for their own benefits. She knew this man also had some ultimate motives.

She looked around the room; no one was there, but she knew there were two people she had to serve.

Verena suddenly started panicking. She glared at him and saw that he was looking at her with an emotionless face.

"Why did you run away?" His indifferent voice ran down her spine, with a strange thrill following in its wake.

Unease drifted through her body like a kindled flame. They were no longer in a car or villa filled with people, but completely alone.

It was so quiet that she could hear her heart beating in her chest.

He would hardly say anything, but it now felt like she was the one who had someone to keep repeating.

Verena didn't know what to say or what this man's problem was.

She closed her eyes in frustration and opened them with a hint of mockery. She said, "I don't want to marry you, Mr. Heisenberng."

"If you didn't want to get married to me, you would have mentioned that when you decided to leave." He asked her while Verena rolled her eyes and felt his grip tighten around her wrist.

"I told you!" She screamed out of her lungs; it was already annoying for her, and since he was causing her pain, she started hating this man.

"Leave me. It hurt!" She gritted her teeth, and her glare didn't die down.

Instead, it increased with every passing second, with hate in them.

"What do you want?" He asked her.

"Freedom!" She didn't hesitate to say so.

"Just that?" Verena's stomach dipped, and she closed her eyes in defeat, but she only hesitated for a second because that voice was non-negotiable. "I can give you that— well, maybe more than freedom. If you marry me, of course."

I would rather eat a handful of dirt than marry you.

She has been with men from her high school before. However, this time her breath was cut short, as though she was about to be pushed off a plank and into shark-infested water if she looked up at him.

He was just a man, Verena reminded herself. A man with the worst reputation in their country, easily.

Why was he glaring?

A warm rush of recognition ran down her spine as she met his heavy gaze. The allure of green eyes, the charm of caramel blonde hair, and thick, dark lashes The commanding height of 6.3 feet and the appeal of broad shoulders all contribute to his remarkable presence.

Verena's heart fluttered so fast that it couldn't be healthy. She had no idea what to say because he was right.

This interaction wasn't doing anything to prove he wasn't who she thought he was all along, however.

Louis smoothed an absent hand down his tie. "Do you know what assuming gets you?"

"Killed?" Verena breathed as she watched his hand pull the tie loose.

His eyes fell to her lips. "Smart girl." The words were deep and soft, and a strange part of her felt like she had done something good.

"I still don't want to marry you. There's something I have to take care of—I can't bother you with me."

His cold aura seemed to intensify as he stared at her, his expression unreadable. The chill in the air seemed to match the iciness emanating from him.

Verena couldn't help but shiver as she realised that there was no way to convince him otherwise.

"What's the reason?" He asked and finally let go of her wrist.

He took a small step forward. As if they were the same poles of a magnet, she took one back.

He dropped his hand to his side, the slightest bit of amusement coming to life in his eyes, as if she had just done a trick that entertained him.

Verena suddenly had the distinct feeling she didn't want to be his entertainment. And an even stronger feeling that she already was.

But the print and warmth of his hand were already imprinted in her bones. She felt wavier at the sense of being touched.

Verena took a deep breath and answered, "I don't know you. You are a complete stranger to me. Don't think that I came out of prison with nothing with me. I can earn for myself... I don't want to rely on someone else's money."

Verena's breaths turned shallow when he moved to walk past her but stopped by her side.

His arm touched hers, and it burned like the lightest licks of a flame.

His voice brushed the side of her neck. "It's nice to meet you, Verena." He said her name like he should have earlier: without any insinuation.

Like she was something he could check off his list before he walked away.

Verena stood there, staring ahead while absently looking out the window at the beautiful view of the city.

Verena heard the door close behind her, and the man walked towards the two chairs and table seated beside the glass windows that showed a beautiful view of lights.

"Are you going to stand here and stare at me all day, or are you going to move?" Louis asked with an annoyed tone, snapping Verena out of her trance.

Verena blinked. "And if I say, stand here and stare at you?" It was out of her mouth before she could stop it, and Verena instantly wished she could reach out and take her words back.

I should never speak to someone like that, let alone a man who wants to marry me.

Verena's stomach dipped like a tilt-a-whirl.

With the phone in his hand, a thumb came up to run across his jaw.

Verena imagined he did that while thinking of how he was going to kill a man.

"I— didn't mean it." Verena hurriedly corrected her words.

"No, I don't mind. You can... Watch as long as you want." Louis smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes; he was still looking at her as if she were some incredible woman standing like a fool.

What was she here for? Verena thought and noticed the trolley was at the side. She hurriedly held it and pushed it in his direction.

She started placing the dishes on the table. When she was done, she suddenly realised that the dishes were more than enough for three people to eat. Maybe he had invited someone to his room for dinner.

With the thought of that, she said, "Have a great meal, Sir."

She smiled, bowed a little, and started walking towards the door. She didn't want to stay for another minute in this room with the air that surrounded him too.

"Stop!" Came a high pitched voice. Verena, who didn't want to be there with him, suddenly, she flinched and stopped right there.

She didn't turn around or say anything; she just stood there like a little rabbit, scared of someone thinking it would hurt them.

"Come and eat with me. I have ordered for two people." Louis voice held authority.

Verena didn't want to stay, so she replied without looking at him. Thank you, but I'm here to serve you, not to eat with you."

"Nonsense! I want you to sit with me. Consider it a special request." He didn't give her a face as he spoke, but his tone suggested that he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Still, she persistently refused. "I am sorry, Sir. I am on duty and have other guests to look after.

"Right, you are on duty, and I ordered you to come eat with me." Louis said it firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Verena's heart raced, and she felt a surge of frustration. She couldn't understand why he was being so insistent.

"I— you don't have to—" Verena didn't know when he came closer to her, but he held her wrist and pulled her towards the sitting area.

"What are you doing?" He gives her a smirk at this question. Verena

didn't even think it was that big of a deal to ask this question.

He didn't say anything, but he pulled her with him and made her sit on the chair as he pushed her slightly.

His fingertips still left a warm impression on her wrists. Verena tried to shake off the lingering sensation and looked at him. Verena was so stunned and confused that she forgot to see that she was seated in front of him now.