FIVE

“If you break anything, your boss will pay ten times for it” I spat as Ethan’s staff dragged my large suitcase up the stairs.

We had agreed to move in together to make our little arrangement look more realistic.

We were yet to break the news to our family and friends but Ethan the genius suggested cohabitation as a way to seal the deal.

To be honest, I wasn’t mad. This arrangement was quite beneficial to me. My rent was almost due and I had tons of bills to pay. Ethan was practically doing me a favour but I’d rather shove concrete down my throat than admit it.

My new temporary home was a two storey penthouse in the outskirts of town. It had a beautiful view of the mountains and it had a lush garden that looked like it blossomed all year round.

“Carefully with that!” I screamed as the staff mistakenly dropped my suitcase. He apologized repeatedly before picking up the large box.

We finally arrived at my assigned bedroom. The large door stood between a study and another room that was locked.

“Is that your boss’ room?” I asked the staff.

He shook his head vigorously, “No…we don’t go in there or she will be pissed”.

“she?” I gasped.

The staff nodded and walked away without uttering another word.

She? Ethan did not have a sister, and his mother had a large mansion in the middle of town. Who was she?

I pushed my questions to the back of my mind and carried on with moving into the room.

It was a beautifully decorated room with a king sized bed and a walk in closet. I barely had enough clothes to fit into a regular closet, what the hell was I supposed to the with a walk in closet?

There was a large balcony that had a stunning view of the garden and lake,it was hard to shut the door and return to the gruesome task of unpacking.

I spent my entire Saturday afternoon sorting through piles of clothes, donating my old furniture and responding to work emails.

Time was far spent and so was I.

I lay supine in bed and tried to force myself to sleep.

A soft knock sounded from the door. Great! Another distraction that would prevent me from resting.

I propped the door open and was met with a beautiful young girl, not more than twenty or twenty one.

“Hello ma'am” she greeted curtly.

“Maddie, just call me Maddie” I smiled at her. “What is your name?” I asked her.

“Lena” she retorted.

“Great! Do you want to come in?” I asked, trying to sound polite.

“No, Mr King requested that you join him for dinner” she said softly.

I nodded, “I’ll be there shortly”.

She smiled and turned to leave but quickly halted in her tracks.

She turned back to me, a look of indecision and hesitation visible on her face.

She stood still for a moment before finally speaking, “He said you should wear something nice”she blurted before scurrying off like a mouse.

The nerve of that man, his audacity was questionable and sometimes, I wished I could smack him across the face.

Moving in together was his idea, now he was going to force me to look prim and proper to have a bowl of cereal or microwaved pizza.

I made up my mind. If I was going to have dinner, I would have it in my room, away from him.

I returned to bed and tried to fall asleep again. It was almost 8pm and I knew as much as I tried, I wasn’t going to fall asleep.

My body was used to being overworked and my sleep schedule was a mess. Only a hot shower would help me and I was yet to check out the bathroom.

I took off my clothes and slipped into a robe.

The bathroom was the size of my old apartment. It had a large tub and the tiles and walls were so white that they could cause blindness. It had very modern facilities, the kind you see in fancy hotels and movies.

I filled the tub with warm water and just enough soap to make the bathroom smell like a beauty store.

I wasted no time jumping into the tub. The water was cool against my skin and the soothing effect was out of this world.

I lay in the tub for several minutes, undisturbed and in much needed silence.

My body was extremely relaxed and I soon fell asleep.

“Madison”

“Madison” the voice called again.

“Wake up” the voice yelled as water splashed my face.

My eyes slowly adjusted to the bright light and I slowly took in my surrounding.

“What are you doing in here, you…perv?” I screamed at the top of my lungs when I realized Ethan was standing beside the tub, wiping his hand with a towel.

“You were supposed to be at the dinner table two hours ago” he frowned.

“I never said I was coming”I spat.

“Please get out” I said, pointing to the door.

“No” he scoffed.

“No? I’m literally butt naked. Get out!” I screamed.

“No. It’s my house and I am free to be where ever I want” he replied coolly.

Ethan was beyond impossible. He was crazy, out of his mind. And if I wasn’t stuck in this tub, the only thing protecting my dignity, a little layer of soap and bubbles, I would have smacked the day light out of his eyes.

“Are you going to be coming down for dinner?” he asked, his eyes focused on me.

“No. I don’t want to eat with you. Leave me alone” I huffed.

“very well then” he sighed before turning to leave.

I sighed in relief as I watched him walk out of the bathroom. The moment I hear the room door slam shut, I would run out of this tub and get dressed as soon as possible.

My relief was quickly turned into dread as Ethan returned back into the bathroom with the vanity chair in his hands.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I screamed.

“You need to leave immediately, stop being an ass” I cussed.

He completely ignored me and set the chair beside the tub, so close that if he looked closely, he would be able to see my naked body.

He unbuttoned his jacket and slid into the chair.

“Are you fucking serious?” I huffed, my body boiling with frustration.

He completely ignored me and my tantrums, instead, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through what I presumed was instagram.

What the hell had I gotten myself into? Ethan was dick. He always has been and he would never change. What was I expecting when I agreed to move in with him?

The water had become cold and I was certain I would start shivering soon.

My forced companion on the other hand, looked relaxed and completely unbothered.

There was no way I was backing down and giving in to this jackass’ request. I would freeze to death if need be.

My alarm rang from the bedroom, indicating it was almost 10pm. The water was now ice cold and I had began shivering. Ethan was still on his on his phone.

Sensing my eyes on him, he ,looked up, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Ready to have dinner now, love?” he asked, suppressing his laughter.

“Suck my dick” I spat as I flipped him my middle finger.

“I’m bored and I don’t want to be here all night” he declared.

“Then leave” I spat.

He shook his head and began to take off his jacket.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked as panic began to surge through my veins.

I begged God and every diety on earth to save me. If Ethan got into this tub with me, I would be arrested for murder.

He didn’t get into the tub with me. Instead, her rolled up his sleeves and moved closer to the tub.

“What? You’re going to pull me out?” I asked.

“No, you’d come out on your own” he replied.

What the hell did that even mean? There was no way on earth I would step out of the tub if he was in the bathroom.

“Are you going to come down for dinner now?” he asked again.

“Fuck off” I spat.

He shrugged and plunged his arm into the tub.

Dread washed over me as Ethan pulled out his arm with the drain plug tucked between his fingers.

The water began to slowly disappear.

I screamed on top of my lungs, hoping one of the staff would hear and come to my rescue.

“They wouldn’t dare come in here” Ethan laughed.

“Fuck! I hate you so much” I screamed and he laughed even louder.

“I expect you to be downstairs in thirty minutes” he said as he tossed the plug back in.

“Don’t make me come back up here” he warned before picking up his jacket and leaving the room.