Chapter Six

The next day.

Vanessa hardly got any sleep until the early hours of the morning so she woke up a little tired. After Henry left her room last night, She ate the food he brought her, then returned the plate to the kitchen. She came back to her room, decided to watch TV for a while and then called it a night. But she ended up tossing around the bed. She couldn't get the naked image of Brian away from her head. For some reasons, the R18 image and scene of what transpired earlier in his room decided to hunt her when all she wanted was a good night's rest.

As early as 6 am, Vanessa was up. She proceeded to the shower to do her business, changed into a knee-length black dress and matching shoes. She put her hair in a low ponytail, arranged her bed, then exited the bedroom.

Vee went around to supervise; something She usually does every morning. The cleaners and gardeners were already at work. Vanessa proceeded to the kitchen to help Matilda out with breakfast and also set the table.

"Good morning, Matilda." Vee greeted as soon as she entered the kitchen. Matilda was in her late forties and was like a mother to all the staff.

"Good morning, Vanessa." She smiled, turning her attention back to the eggs she was frying.

"Smells good in here. Anything I can help you with? Or should I go ahead to set the table?"

"Actually, there's going to be a slight change in our morning routine." Matilda voiced out.

Vanessa arched a brow.

"Oh, dear. Now that Brian is back, you have to report to him every morning."

"Why?" Vanessa said immediately, her heart rate suddenly increasing.

"He's used to having breakfast in his suite. His assistant takes care of that. After She resigned, the former household manager took it upon herself to take care of his needs so now that she has resigned too, you're sort of answerable to Brian Matthews until he hires someone else."

Vee swallowed painfully, "Do I have to do this? Remember what happened yesterday night. I'm sure I'm the last person he wants to see."

"About last night, I'm sorry for all that happened. Mr Matthews talked with his Son. I'm sure he will be well behaved from now on. He doesn't take much for breakfast. Today being a Monday, he likes taking pancakes. The ingredients are available in the kitchen in his suite. He will have just a little pancake and a cup of coffee. I'm sure if he doesn't want to see you, he will let you know not to show your face again."

"You don't have to face him. You can go in through the back entrance that leads to his kitchen. Maddie can show you the way." Matilda completed.

Vanessa sighed defeatedly. "What time does he leave for work? What time does he have breakfast?" She asked, nervous.

"He takes his breakfast at 7, 7:15, mostly interested in his coffee. The time he lives for work varies, sometimes 7:30, 8 am or 8:30."

"Then I guess I should get to work. Wish me luck."

Matilda smiled sadly. "You will be fine, dear. Once you're done setting his table, you're free to come downstairs."

.............

It wasn't hard for Vanessa to locate the way to Brian's kitchen. She would have passed out if she had to go through the front entrance, Brian's room. It ended in tears the last time and she wouldn't love to go through that phase again.

Vee got to work as soon as She got to the kitchen. Just as Matilda suggested, She wanted to be away from there as soon as she could. She didn't want to see Brian, afraid of what he would do to her.

From the kitchen, She could see his room through the transparent glass wall but Brian was nowhere in sight. She assumed he was in the bathroom. Vanessa gathered the ingredients for the pancake and got to work. She was about making the coffee when she realized She didn't ask Matilda how Brian preferred his coffee. She didn't have the nerve to go ask him either so She decided to make it just how she liked her coffee.

Vee was done in no time, She set the table for Brian and cleaned up. Just when she was about to turn around and help herself out of his suite, She not only heard someone's steps, she felt the aura of the person which made her want to disappear into the ground.

"Oh, God No!" She whispered in her mind, her back turned against the direction he was coming from, wondering how she was going to face him.

The closer she felt his presence, the more nervous she became. Her throat went dry when she felt him come close to her. Way too close. He was standing right behind her, her back was still against him. She knew she would bump into him if she moved an inch.

"Won't you turn over or you would rather see me naked?" He whispered, his breath fanning against her neck. A shiver ran down Vanessa's spine, erupting goosebumps on her skin.

She had no idea why his voice and statement affected her that much. The idea of seeing him naked again sent a weird feeling to the space between her legs. The smell of his cologne was also a great turn on.

"Turn around" He whispered but his voice was filled with authority.

"One of the things I hate is repeating myself, especially when the person I'm talking to heard me loud and clear." Vee could tell from his voice that he was getting angry so she decided to obey him before everything got even more complicated. She heaved a silent sigh and slowly turned to face him.

Brian was obviously taller than her. She couldn't bring herself to look into his eyes so she looked straight into his chest. He was already dressed up for work in his well-tailored suit attire. She had not seen his face but she could tell he was looking really sexy. His aura said it all.

"Look at me!" He commanded, this time, with a not so angry voice. Vee couldn't bring herself to look at him so she ignored.

"Look at me, Vanessa!" He said, making the tiny hairs at the back of Vanessa's neck stand to attention at the mention of her name.

Vanessa ignored. She saw his palm coming closer to her face. She flinched before his skin came in contact with hers. Brian frowned. He couldn't believe She thought he was going to hit her. He shrugged away his sadness and disappointment, then raised her chin with his left hand, making her look into his eyes.

Vee was beyond relieved when he raised her chin instead of hitting her. She had no idea if he was someone capable of such but at that moment, she was nervous as hell and protecting herself was a priority. She searched his beautiful eyes for any emotion but didn't get any.

The duo stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds without saying anything. There was always something about Vanessa that made Brian lose it every time. Just like last night, he planned to say not hurtful words to her but a statement that would make her feel guilty for walking on him naked. But looking into her beautiful innocent eyes, he was lost for words.

"Why did you think I would raise a hand on you?" Brian found himself asking even though that was not part of the plan.

"Y...your food is getting cold." She whispered, pointing to the table where his food was.

"Do I have to remind you how much I hate repeating myself?" He was starting to get pissed.

"Everything about you scares the hell out of me so the least I can do is to protect myself." She said immediately and honestly.

"I like it when people find me scary. It allows them not to mess with me or take me for granted."

"Look, Sir, I'm sorr......" She started to apologize but he cut her off placing a finger over her plump lips. She had no makeup on, and neither did she have any lipstick on. Brian admitted to himself that she was a natural beauty.

"Don't! I don't want to hear it." He said, removing his hand from her lip. He knew she was about to apologize for walking on him naked.

She arched a confused brow at him.

"The deed had been done. Your apology is useless!" He explained.

"You've forgiven me?" She asked unsure because yesterday night was clear evidence that he was still very mad at her.

"Not yet!" He tucked his hands smoothly into his pocket. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

Vanessa's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare!" She said before she realized she had spoken to him in a rude tone.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of Vanessa." He looked serious. Vee's stomach flipped again at the mention of her name.

"But, Sir, That's so unfair. I didn't walk in on you purposely." She explained.

"But you took your time to admire every inch of my naked body." He arched a brow at her.

"I swear it wasn't intentional, Sir. I came to replace a vase. I never knew you were back. I had no idea you were inside, that was why I barged in and then went in shock when my eyes landed on you."

"You have a picture of me in all my glory registered in your brain. I would love to have a picture of you too in all your glory forever plastered in my brain."

"You can't be serious!" Vee voiced out.

"I don't say what I don't mean."

"So you will force yourself on me or ask me to strip for you?" She asked with a broken voice, almost in tears. There was nothing beyond humiliating than what she just mentioned.

Brian shook his head. "I would never do that to you. I will never command you to strip without your will and neither will I force myself on you. Let me guess, You didn't sleep well because you couldn't get the image of how my cock suddenly became erect by your stare out of your head." He smirked.

Vanessa swallowed painfully. "Of course not. I slept like a baby last night. I only opened my eyes when my alarm rang."

"You're a terrible liar. The truth is written all over your face. I love revenge. I also want memories of your body to keep me awake all night long. As I promised, I won't force you to do anything without your will. Just bear in mind that you owe me something special. I don't know when I will ask for it but I promise you that you will be in the mood when I ask for it so be prepared."

He took a glance at the table where she placed his breakfast. "I need not taste the coffee to know it tastes horrible. Tell Matilda to teach you how to make my coffee." With one last glance on her tempting plump lips, Brian Matthews left for work.