An unexpected acquaintance

My shoes clicked against the marble floor in the empty corridor.

I wasn't sure how long I had been in that room, but one thing was for sure.

I didn't want to see him again.

Alone the thought of how he had reacted earlier made the feeling of guilt return, leaving a knot in my stomach.

I kept thinking of what he had said to me, repeating it in my head over and over again.

It didn't seem to make sense at all.

"You'll thank me someday" I mumbled to myself, my mind working as if putting together a puzzle.

It just didn't make sense to me.

Why did he save me instead of leaving me in the woods?

After all, I was just a stranger who had gone there in a hurry of desperation and curiosity.

He did not owe me anything, and I certainly did not want his help.

I was doing perfectly fine on my own before he came and messed my plans up.

Who did he think he was?

A loud thud interrupted me in my thoughts.

I looked around to see what could have caused the noise.

Whatever had caused it, seemed to have vanished into thin air.

There was nothing to be seen, and yet I had a strange feeling, as though I was being watched.

I sped up and almost ran towards a wooden door at the other end of the corridor, as I heard another thud behind me.

Before I could reach out to grab the rusty doorknob, I was pulled back by a pair of strong arms.

A gloved hand reached to my mouth, keeping me from screaming for help.

I was so scared I could feel my heart in my chest as if it was about to explode.

Was this the man trying to play some sick prank on me, for being difficult?

Or perhaps he was trying to prove a point.

My sight started getting blurry as I struggled to get free from the tight grip.

I was having a hard time breathing.

The adrenaline had caused my breathing to quicken which made me dizzy, but my restricted air flow made it worse.

I bit the hand in an attempt to free myself, which to my disappointment only earned me a brief reaction.

"Ouch... Fiesty little one, aren't ya?"

I did not recognize the voice, but there was no doubt that it was a man.

But who?

I completely forgot what I was doing for a moment as my mind went blank.

"I'm going to let go of you now, if you can promise me to stay quiet. Otherwise I might have to kill you and I doubt that is the best way to make new friends" a soft voice purred in my ear.

As promised, the grip loosened little by little, allowing me to take in a deep breath of air.

I intentionally exaggerated my reaction, dramatically coughing and waving my hands in front of my face as I thought it would gain me some time to think of an escape plan.

"That's better isn't it?" the voice said, sounding slightly amused.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

I spun around to face the man, fuming, about to give him a piece of my mind.

What met me was a pair of beautiful, deep blue hypnotizing eyes, on an even more beautiful male.

I was stunned on the spot.

He looked like something straight out of a fairytale.

Had this really been the man who had acted like a kidnapper just a few moments ago?

Apparently, he had asked me a question because he was now looking at me with his head tilted to the side, a smirk plastered onto his handsome face.

I blinked a few times and shook my head, trying to focus.

He was inconveniently and annoyingly handsome.

"...H-huh?"

"I said, do you enjoy the view?"

His smirk widened slightly as he let out a quiet chuckle.

His voice was like a lullaby, soft and calm.

It was deep, but silky and gentle in a way I could not possibly describe.

There was something deeply enchanting about it.

A shame the personality did not match.

He was cocky and bviously aware of his darned good looks.

Unsurprisingly, he was using it against me as an unfair advantage.

I could not help but think that he likely had this effect on all women.

I was left speechless, which was a pretty rare occurrence for me.

Unsure what else to do, I averted my gaze and shook my head, mostly in an attempt to snap out of the spell he had seemingly cast on me.

"I'm just kidding cuppy cake"

I stiffened at his words.

What did he just call me?

He chuckled again and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him as he slowly backed me up against the door.

''Relax girl, loosen up a bit''

I pushed his arm away and looked at him, visibly annoyed.

"First of all, I'm not your cuppy cake or whatever... And secondly, don't touch me"

I backed away from him in an attempt to create some distance between us, but he followed me.

He practically strode toward me, and I got the feeling he was toying with me.

The smirk was still very much present on his face as he got closer to me, his eyes looking me over.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was good at it.

The way he looked at me, made it impossible for me to gather my thoughts.

I flinched when my back hit the door.

There was nowhere for me to run and he was now standing so close to me I could hardly breathe.

He chuckled again, before speaking in a soft sweet tone.

"I haven't seen you around here before. One of my brother's conquests?"

His brother's what?

I glared at him, unamused by his blunt question.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but even if I were, I don't believe it would be any of your business"

He seemed slightly taken aback by my response, which gave me a small sense of victory.

Perhaps he was used to women swooning over him from a single glance, but I would not give him that satisfaction.

The smirk returned to his face as he leaned in close to whisper in my ear, his body pressing against mine in all the right places.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

"I assure you, I could show you a better time than he ever could"

Still unsure who he was talking about, I decided to let him think his little game was working on me.

I looked up into his eyes through my lashes and strategically pressed my body up against his as I replied.

I made sure to drag out my words a little, my voice husky as I teasingly traced his chest with my fingertips.

"Don't threaten me with a good time- I might just take you up on your offer"

His smirk widened and something flashed in his eyes as he leaned in closer, his lips almost gracing mine.

"You... Are one sneaky vixen"

To my surprise he pulled away from me.

He seemed amused as he ran a hand through his hair, seemingly in an attempt to compose himself.

Aware that he had seen right through me, I dropped the act and looked at him coldly, still leaning against the door.

"What gave me away?"

He chuckled softly as his eyes focused on me once more.

"I never have to make the first move" he admitted bluntly.

His answer was slightly unsettling and yet I could not blame him.

He was obviously handsome and he definitely had some sort of magnetic appeal to him.

There was no doubt that he would have an intense effect on desperate or weak women, but I found it hard to believe that he had never been rejected before.

"Let's start over, shall we?"

He bowed swiftly as he presented himself, his facade unwavering despite what had happened a moment ago.

I could not help but smile at the curious character he presented.

Truly like something straight out of a fairytale.

"I, am Mason Mendoza. Pleased to make your aqcuaintance, miss..?"

I crossed my arms as I looked at him sternly.

"The pleasure is all yours... And why would I tell you my name?"

He turned silent and ran a hand through his hair before looking at me.

Was he really that used to women just falling at his feet?

He seemed to consider his words for a moment before a cheeky smile flashed on his face.

"Because you want to?" he tried.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Fine, I'll give. I'm Stella.. Stella Anderson Lockwood"

He looked kind of cute the way he stood there, smiling at me.

"Ah, miss Lockwood. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman"

He bowed swiftly and kissed the back of my hand, then stood back up and looked at me while wiggling his eyebrows.

I failed to suppress another laugh.

He really was something else.

Was this the man who just a few moments ago grabbed and threatened me?

I blushed brightly and lowered my head, not knowing what to do or say at this point.

I felt just about as flustered as a young teenage girl in front of her high school crush.

Apparently, I was not all that immune to his charm.

I hated that he made me feel that way, but there was something about him.

Something that seemed to draw me to him.

A strange kind of attraction.

Our silent moment was brought to an end when someone slammed a door nearby.

I looked past Mason and saw him.

The person I least wanted to see right now was standing just a few feet away from us, watching with his cold gaze.

Mason stepped closer to him and opened his arms for a hug as he smiled handsomely.

"Hello brother! Long time no see"

I was paralyzed and just stood there, looking at the two of them.

Brother!?

[Author's note: Please don't forget to vote and leave a review if you enjoy my novel <3 Thank you!]