Chapter 9: His Intimidating Words

I glared sharply but slowly let out a choked breath. The fist in my hand is still forming but not as tight as before. Zo eyed me with a sharp look. He seemed to tickle me with his gaze. The man then tilted his head towards my nose.

Why would he ask, anyway?

However, my index finger and thumb pressed against my nose, like it or not. It still hurts, but I think it's a little better. At least it's not bleeding anymore.

Zo turned to nod his head at the food tray, which was still untouched. "You haven't eaten your meal."

My eyes glanced at the food, which must have been cold by now. Last night, I just spent the time crying. I have absolutely no desire to eat even one spoonful. I didn't even drink.

"I'm not hungry," I replied.

Unfortunately, at that moment, my stomach rumbled loudly as if it was struggling to be filled with substance waving on the table.

"You don't have to pretend not hungry. Your stomach can't lie."

Zo's words made my emotions rise. It was still early in the morning, and he was just nagging me. Who does he think he is?

"You think I can eat after getting beat up like yesterday? My whole body aches and my nose hurts so much! You heartless bastards! Get me out of here! I wanna go home!"

I ran to the door and tried to open it. The door was locked, of course. However, frustration makes it difficult for my brain to think clearly. I banged on the door, screaming for help before Zo cut me off with a sentence that took my breath away.

"Shut up, or do you want to get beat up again like last night?"

I bit my lower lip hard to hold back tears. Shit shit shit. I was trapped in the lion's den and couldn't do anything.

Zo got up from his seat and walked over to me, who was drooping at the door. I no longer have the strength to stand up. My heart skipped a beat when Zo's body was right in front of me. He crouched in front of me and brushed the hair that covered my face.

"Don't hit me," I whispered.

Zo sighed. "Don't cry too much. Eat. You can't die just yet."

My breath actually stopped when Zo's thumb brushed the bottom of my nose. He wiped the blood that came out of my injured nose. I didn't even realize I had a nosebleed again.

"Sit on the chair and eat your meal."

My eyes followed the movement of Zo's thumb, which rubbed my blood on a piece of tissue he took from his trouser pocket. Zo's left hand pulls my five fingers to grip the tissue he places under my nose. After that, he pulled my arm to get up, but I pushed it away.

"I'm not hungry," I said again. I pulled the tissue from my nose, and a quarter of the white tissue had turned red.

"I told you you have to obey me."

I was silent and did not answer his words.

"I just told you to eat."

"I don't care," I admitted.

"You know I can call my boss to come here at any time, and it won't take long for you to understand what happens next."

The thought of the tattooed man coming back and beating me up sent chills down my spine. I don't want to be hit again. My whole body still hurts. Even if my body doesn't hurt, I don't want to be beaten anymore. I don't want to imagine it for a second.

"Now eat it. I'll wait here until you finish it." Then he continued, "Or do you prefer me to call him?"

"Don't," I interrupted immediately.

I glanced at the food. I hate to see this hazel-eyed man, but I'm more afraid if the tattooed man comes and punches me again. There seems to be no other choice.

I walked over to the chair and sat down hesitantly. I touch the plate. Honestly, I'm not used to being forced to eat. My appetite changes erratically. At one time I could eat without stopping until I was full, and at other times I could endure without eating all day. I lost my appetite at times. Like now.

Until the third spoon, I couldn't hold it in anymore. My stomach felt like it was churning. I ran to the bathroom and threw up my guts. I let it all out until all that was left was dry vomit from my mouth. Damn, this is so disgusting.

I rinsed my mouth with water and sat limply on the cold bathroom floor. I want to go. I wanna go home. I don't want to be in this horrible place forever.

How long are they going to hold me? How do I escape? What if they found out I try to escape?

I think my tears have run out because I have never experienced the slightest bit of crying since the beginning of this incident. But it's not. I gulped and banged on the bathroom floor. I hate this situation.

"Are you okay?"

Zo came to me and knelt beside me. I snorted, holding back my disgust. He asks whether I am okay? Has he gone mad? No, of course, I'm not okay!

I covered my mouth to hold back the overflow of emotions accumulated at the crown.

He quickly pulled me up and out of the bathroom. The hairs on my neck growled when his hand touched mine. I gave him a sharp glare as he forced me to sit on the bed.

Zo took out a small bottle from his pocket. He took two pills and handed them to the palm of my hand.

"Those are pain relievers. Drink it. You'll feel better after that."

I squeezed hard the two pills he called pain relievers. Is he kidding? Did he think I was reckless enough to voluntarily drink whatever he wanted?

The medicine fell on the floor as I threw it as far as it could go. I wiped my tears violently and looked at him with sharp eyes.

"You think I'm stupid enough to take those pills?" I asked almost in a whisper. "You think I'll drink it as you want, and then after that, I might pass out, and you'll do something disgusting again like yesterday? You think I'm that stupid?"

I clenched my fists in anger as flashes of that night flashed through my mind. "You are as evil as your boss!" I shouted.

Without warning, Zo suddenly grabbed my chin tightly with one hand. I beat him as best I could, even though to no avail. He didn't seem bothered at all by my fists. Those hazel eyes scanned my obsidian, which was shaking with anger.

"Let go, you bastard!"

"You already know what a bastard I am, but you—" He brought his face closer to mine. The bastard blew his warm breath against my face, which was an inch away from his. "—boldly shouted at me."

I tried to tilt my head as much as possible but failed due to the firm grip of the man's fingers.

"Didn't I tell you, do as I tell you, and you'll be fine? I'll be nice to you, but if I see you rebelling like this…." He bit my lower lip and took a deep sip, ignoring my struggles and asking him to let me go.

"I can't guarantee you'll be fine here, Minka," he whispered.