Chapter 9

As I opened my eyes, I found him looking at me with a worried expression on his face and misty eyes that suggested he could be crying. He was perspiring and muttering, "Goddamn princess!, I thought I'd lost you, what happened?" As soon as I noticed that there was blood on the ground, I asked for something to clean up my nose because blood was still coming out of it. My mind immediately went back to the dream I had just before he left. Was it really a dream? I wondered as he came back carrying cotton wool and a fresh napkin.

He offered, "I don't have a first aid kit here, but I could take you to a clinic." "No, I'm fine," I responded.

"Are you sure about that?, Tell me what happened here, Princess "As he wiped my nose with the cotton wool, he inquired. I remained silent because I didn't know what to say or how to say it. "Where have you been Henry, you left me here all alone," I fumed, averting the question.

"I had to run a few errands," he said, scratching his hair with his left hand. Jealousy welled up in me when I noticed the red lipstick stain on his white shirt.

"Really?" I asked, looking at his shirt; he seemed to notice as his eyes followed mine.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

"That you left me here, locked up for hours, to be with a woman when you were supposed to be protecting me," I yelled.

"Hey, I've already done my best by locking you up here, don't be an ingrate," he said sharply.

"Well, I didn't ask you to protect me, you kidnapped me saying my parents asked you to, and God knows you could be lying," I snarled at him, raising my voice.

"Oh really?" he exclaimed, stunned.

"Yes. And I despise you so much, Henry, that when I finally leave here, I'm going to call the cops on you ". I noticed his eyes turning red as he remained silent, fists clenched. "You know Mary, if it hadn't been for me, you'd be dead right now," he said as he stormed out of the room.

Before leaving the bathroom, I thoroughly cleaned it and washed my hands. Before leaving the room, I opened the wardrobe and grabbed a pair of bum shorts and a pink top. I entered the kitchen starving and was relieved to find potatoe chips and fried eggs made by him; I didn't even bother to serve myself on a plate and began eating directly from the pot.

"Hmm, yummy," I thought as I ate. I had to admit that he was a fantastic cook. After finishing my meal, I rinsed the dishes and yawned as I made my way to the bedroom since I was in need of a good nap.

He was pretending not to see me as he sat on the bed with his eyes glued to his phone. I jumped onto my bed, avoiding his gaze by turning to face the wall. He was simply too attractive for me to resist staring. As I reflected on our earlier dispute, I felt ashamed for my overreaction. I didn't deserve to be jealous because I wasn't his girlfriend, after all even though I secretly wanted to be.

I tried to speak something by opening my mouth, but I was uncomfortable. "Why don't I try to get his attention instead?" I grinned to myself. I started humming a song loudly, but he didn't move. I decided to get closer to him by rolling near the edge of my bed; his eyes were still glued to his phone, and he pretended not to notice me.

"What the hell!" I thought.

When his phone rang, he answered it almost immediately.

"Hey, baby," he said, smiling. I was filled with rage and jealousy.

"It was a lot of fun, baby. Tonight?, then let's make it tonight by 8 p.m ", he said before hanging up the phone.

I didn't realize I was angry when I blurted out, "Where are you going?" He finally turned to look at me with a cold long stare.

"I think it's none of your business", he responded, turning back to look at his phone.

"It's my business!" I yelled as I jumped out of bed, "you can't just lock me in here like a prisoner in the name of protecting me while you go out there and be with women!"

"Stop this Mary," he said calmly.

"No, you must stop! Allow me to leave, please!! "I yelled angrily, forcing him to rise from his bed and walk towards me.

"Now listen," he said after a brief pause.

"Your pictures are on the walls of every street and the front pages of every newspaper; your life is in danger, and I'm doing everything I can to protect you, just as I promised your father. But if you're being ungrateful, you're screwed! "He screamed.

His words, and I felt a tear drop on my cheeks. He came up to me as soon as he realized I was crying and gave me a hug. He withdrew and kissed my forehead while holding my face in his hands as he said, "I'm sorry princess, I'm sorry." I wanted to kiss his perfectly shaped pink lips because they were so gorgeous when I looked into his eyes.

He continued, brushing my tears away with his hands, "I'm sorry for hurting you." I apologized, but I was also losing control, so I grabbed his hair and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.