Chapter 6 - Joyce

Feeling annoyed, I paced up and down the length of the room. How dare he keep me cooped up here. I have given him all the information I could gather. What more could he want from me? I felt my anger increasing with each step I took.

He left shortly after I shared the last information with him just before lunch. Without going in, I could not get my hands on the last two demands. I told him it was all I could do for them. I felt dirty, betraying my company. But what else could I do? I loved my job.

It had been a couple of hours. He promised to let me go. Yet, I’m still locked up. I had to get out. It felt like I was going insane. I loved being outdoors, breathing in fresh air every day. Being cooped up like this wasn’t good for my health.

I stopped pacing as I heard his truck. Walking to the window, I looked outside. Yes, he had returned. For a second, I felt glad. My stomach gave a quick turn. “No,” I whispered to the floor as I faced the door.

No more butterflies, no more emotional rollercoaster rides, I scolded myself. Get a grip, Joyce; he is only going to break your heart. This last week has been hard. My emotions, mind, and body have been in a constant struggle. I had to get out. I had to leave him in my past.

The door opened, and Anton stepped into the room. He closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry,” he said, looking at me with his head turned to the side. “You look startled. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I spat back. “Can I go now? I gave you all I could get.”

“I’m sorry, you know I need it all. But I tell you what,” he said in a light tone. “How about I take you out a bit tomorrow afternoon? We can dine out before returning here. It may help you relax a bit. What do you think?”

Glaring at him, I wanted to scream and kick. I needed to get out. But I wanted to go home. Yet, I knew fighting him now could just make things worse. “Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.

“Great,” he replied as he headed out the door again. “Sleep tight, see you in a bit.” Anton closed and locked the door.

Sitting down on the bed, I considered my options. If I went along and played nice, he may decide not to lock the door. That would be good for me, I thought.

Laying back, I felt sleep passing over me quickly. I had not realized how drained my body had been from all the stress. I slept in late. It was almost eleven when I woke. Jumping up, I took a quick shower and got dressed.

Returning to the room, I found a box with a note on the table. Next to it was a tray with cold coffee and some muffins. Staring at the package, I wondered if I should open it as the note read: ‘Wear something nice.’

After taking a couple of sips of cold coffee, I sat down and opened the box. Inside was a neatly folded dress. It was ocean green, and the material appeared to be shining. Moving my hands gently over it, I felt my stomach turning. Picking up the dress, I let it hang from my fingers.

It was elegant and silky soft. I would never have bought myself such an item. Rising, I held it against me. It consisted of very little material but enough to cover what needed to be hidden. The spaghetti straps were attached to two triangles which covered my breasts. From there, the dress ran down to the floor in a fairly straight pattern.

The bottom piece from my feet to my knees had multiple slits. There were so many they looked like tassels. Taking off my clothes, I slipped into it. The dress was a perfect fit. For a moment, I wondered who had bought it and how they knew my size.

I turned in a circle, closing my eyes. The material caressed my skin, and I felt like a princess. Smiling, I walked back to the bathroom and stared into the mirror. Pinning my hair, I completed the look. I was a fairytale princess.

Hearing the bedroom door open frightened me and pulled me back to reality. “Ready to go?” Anton’s voice came wandering through the door.

“Yes, I’ll be right out,” I responded, swallowing the lump, trying to push up in my throat. Fixing a strand of hair that came loose, I smiled as I headed out of the bathroom.

Noticing the stunned look on his face sent a heat wave through me. His outfit complimented mine, and I must admit he looked very handsome. His hair was smoothed back, his face cleanly shaved, and the slight opening at the top of his shirt was alluring.

A naughty smile crossed his face as he scanned my body from top to bottom. Glancing at the floor, I felt my cheeks heating up. I stepped back as I noticed my body betraying me. I was swaying gently as I stood without even noticing. “Are we going?” I asked in a rushed tone, clearing my throat.

My mind was racing a hundred miles an hour. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a hostage anymore. It felt like I was going on a real date. I hadn’t had one since high school, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes, of course, right this way,” Anton replied holding the door open and showing me to exit. We left the house, and he assisted me into his truck.

“Where are we going?” I inquired as we pulled out and drove down the street.

Anton smiled, replying in a light tone. “I made us a reservation at this new Greek place. It has an amazing menu and views. Do you like Greek, or do you prefer Italian?”

Shifting in my seat, I gave him a quick grin. “Either is fine, thanks.” I studied his truck’s interior for the first time. He must have noticed as he spoke sharply, startling me a little. “Is everything okay? You looking for something specifically?”

Looking out the window, I giggled. “What’s so funny?” he questioned. I could now hear the curiosity in his voice.

Glancing at him, I turned my attention to the road ahead. “I have to say this is truly an upgrade to the previous trips you took me on.”

I could feel his eyes on me. It felt like he was burning the side of my face with his eyes. Glancing at him, he smiled and shook his head. “Okay, I know things were a bit trickier, but that’s over.” His voice was smooth as butter, and I felt my stomach twisting suddenly.

Turning my body, I stared at him, smiling. He glanced at me and back at the road a couple of times. I just kept on staring at him. After a while, he spoke. “You look like a girl with a new puppy; what’s up with you suddenly?”

Shaking my head, I giggled at him. I felt like that girl. “Well,” I said. “Not quite in that sense. But I was thinking that I have been upgraded to VIP transport service, wouldn’t you agree?”

“ Joyce,” he replied in a soft tone. “Just relax and enjoy the ride then, and shut up.” His tone went from smooth to friendly, making my insides turn.

Before I could reply, we pulled into a parking area. Looking out the front window, I was in awe. The place was lit up like Vegas. It was amazing. Anton was a real gentleman as he came around, opened my door, and held his hand out to me.

After taking his hand and getting out, a young man approached us. Anton handed him the keys to his truck, and he went to park it. He smiled at me as he placed my hand on his arm. I hesitated at first, pulling back. I can stand on my own, you know,” I said in a light tone.

“I know,” he whispered, leaning toward me. “But do you want us to look angry entering this fine establishment?” Glancing at him, even his eyes appeared to be sparkling.

Straightening myself out, I allowed him to guide my hand to his arm. Gripping it firmly, I smiled at him as I spoke. “So, where shall we sit, dear?” I could hear the sarcasm in my tone, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Anton led me inside and moved to a corner booth. With a slight bow, I held out his arm showing me to move in first. As I sat down, I couldn’t help but stare out the window. He was right; the view was magnificent. I was so focused on it that I almost slipped right off the seat and onto the floor.

As he caught my arm and assisted me to the chair, I saw him fighting hard to keep his laughter in. Glaring at him, our eyes met as he moved around and slid in on the other side. My heart started racing, and sweat formed in the back of my neck. Anton cleared his throat before breaking the contact and looking up at the waiter approaching.

He ordered a bottle of semi-sweet white wine as he took the menus from the young man. I wondered how much he actually knew about me. First, he brought home my favorite pizza and now he ordered the only wine I drank.

Studying the menu, I glanced up now and then as I felt his gaze on me. There was an unspoken interaction between us as we tried to decide on a meal. Once the waiter returned, I had made up my mind and placed my order. Anton glanced at the waiter and then at me as he spoke. “I’ll have the same,” he breathed out.

Anton took out a cigar from his jacket pocket as the waiter left us. “You know those things are going to kill you?” I spoke softly.

“Well,” he said, grinning. “If they do, you no longer have to worry about me holding you, do you?” Anton placed the cigar down, folded his arms, and leaned onto the table, staring into my eyes.

For a moment, the air felt thick. I felt my grin dissipating. “Relax,” Anton added. “I am a man of my word. I will let you go once you have completed your part and delivered the last details.” He sat back, picked up the cigar, and smiled at me.

The lightness of earlier had disappeared altogether, and I felt trapped. I tried to smile at him, but my face didn’t want to move as I wanted it to. Lifting my gaze, I looked out at the view behind him.

“Joyce,” he said. I could hear the intensity in his tone and looked at him. “Let’s pretend you and me are here willingly.”

Turning my head, I narrowed my eyes in thought. I was confused and sure he could see it. “What are your plans for the future?” he asked.

I studied his face to see if he was truly interested in knowing. He appeared sincere, so I decided to share with him. “Well,” I started. “I made sure to put in more than my share. I am working for a promotion to another department.”

Looking down at the table, I shook my head, feeling my mood drop as I continued. “I can only hope to achieve my goal soon. I was sure I would, but now I’m not so positive about it.”

“You really like your work?” Anton asked softly.

“Oh, yes, I do. I have been fortunate to land my dream job so early in life. I have learned so much and meet interesting people regularly.” I replied, sipping some wine. “So,” I added, speaking slower. “Now that you know more about me, tell me about your work or something important about your life.”

“Are we now playing ten questions?” Anton retorted. Grinning, I shook my head in response. “Okay, no problem, then that’s what we’ll do.” He added, sitting back and killing his cigar as the waiter brought our food.

“It’s only fair,” I added, watching the waiter leave.

Anton turned his head sideways, grinning as he replied. “Ok, I suppose you have a point.” Clearing his throat, he continued. “I am not an only child. I have four siblings.”

I was astounded at his audacity. “Really,” I spat back at him. “This is what you decide to share with me after you know so much about me? That’s too basic; I want to know about your life, your work, or something important.” Shaking my head, I took a bit of my salad and stared over his shoulder out the window.

Anton laughed out loud. It was a soothing sound coming from deep within him. Looking at him, I felt my mood lifting again. It was the first time I had heard him laughing like that. “You didn’t say that; if you had been more specific, I would have shared something else,” he huffed as he stopped laughing.

“Alright, you can go again, but be sure to specify what you want to know more clearly,” he added. “I’m sure my work isn’t what you truly want to know about. It’s boring, believe me.”

Nodding, I thought about it as I finished chewing and swallowing. As I tried to think of what was important, my mind played with the idea of asking him if he was single. Glancing down at my plate, I pushed the thought from my mind, unsure where it came from.

“If you could be anywhere in the world with anyone right now, where and with who would you be?” I asked lightly.

Anton pushed a hand through his hair as he leaned back. His shirt stretched tightly across his chest. I could see his muscled physic and felt a tingling in my bones. “Well, here, of course, with you,” he replied, grinning. “Now, tell me why you decided to go into the monitoring business?”

He was surely charming if he wanted to be, I thought, tapping my chin with my forefinger. “I like rules and order, I guess,” I replied softly.

“Oh, nice one,” he said, filling our wine glasses. “Yet, you have little to no control over the information you have, as you stated. Why is that?”

Looking up, our eyes met with passion as I spoke. “No, it’s my turn now. I would like to know why you chose me out of all the people working at my firm. I am sure others would gladly have parted their knowledge with you for money. Plus, most of them would have more access than me.”

Anton looked around. He appeared uncomfortable with my question as he shifted in his seat. He took a big swallow of his wine and cleared his throat.

“I don’t have a lifetime to wait, you know,” I said gently.

Glancing at me, he smiled and shook his head. “You know,” he said, looking around again. Turning back to face me, he stared into my eyes, placing his hands open on the table as he continued. “You are something else.”

Grinning, I felt a smile crossing my lips. Before I could think it through, the words just poured out of me. “I know. But you will just have to deal with it as you decide what you want from me.”

Anton sat up instantly, a devilish smile forming. I felt my face heating up. Thinking about what I had said, suddenly sounded dirty in my mind. “That’s not…” I started saying as he slid around to sit next to me.

I felt my words choking me. My heart raced as he tenderly took my hand. I tried to pull back but couldn’t make my arms move; my body felt numb. What was happening? Why was my body betraying me again?

Looking around frantically, I sought a way out. Anton gently turned my face to him as he spoke. “You are the prettiest one at that place, out of everyone.” He licked his lips as his fingers caressed my cheek. “You know that you stand out, and I think you have a lot more to offer than any of the other workers.”

His fingers sliding to the back of my neck sent a tremble down my spine. I couldn’t take my eyes off his lips as he spoke. As he came closer, I noticed his gaze had dropped to my breasts. The air was filled with more heat and tension than I had ever experienced.

I felt like I was about to blow. Closing my eyes as he leaned in, preparing for the kiss, my mind fired up. He was using me to get more information, it screamed. I felt sure of it as all his questions had somehow moved back to my work.

Shoving at his chest unexpectedly sent him flopping backward. His eyes were filled with uncertainty and questions. “Please take me back,” I huffed as I rose.

Before he could ask or say anything, I turned and headed out. I stared out the window the entire drive back, refusing to speak to or look at him. Once we stopped, I got out and waited by the door for him to open it.

Feeling betrayed and used, I stormed into the room that had been my new home the last week. I plucked the keys from the door. Slamming it shut, I locked myself in. I didn’t want to see him. And now he wouldn’t be able to sneak in without me knowing.