Lethal

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Sophia was decent enough to escort me to the room that I would temporarily be residing in for the duration of my time here. I almost did a double take when I took in the size of the room. Sophia ignored my uncertain expression and left me to settle in, but not without informing me that dinner will be within the hour. Once she was gone, I let out an exhausted sigh and slumped forward, feeling some of the tension in my body release.

My mind drifted to Dean's proposal, and I found myself pondering the terms hidden within our agreement. So far, Dean hadn't laid out any strict conditions for me to follow. Granting my part here wasn't rocket science, it was something we needed to discuss. Regardless of these conditions, I knew my decision was made the second I steeped foot in Dean's home. From this moment onward, my sole focus was protecting Laura, regardless of the cost. I could only hope that Morris was secretly continuing his search for Laura.

After an hour of admiring the princess-like room, there was a sudden knock at the door. My body almost jumped out of its skin, startled by the abrupt noise. There was a second knock, and only then did I realize I hadn't moved an inch from where I stood. My hands became sweaty and my heart picked up at an alarming speed. As much as the urge to hide and lock myself away surged within me, I pushed through the anxiety, summoned my composure, and approached the door. With a deep breath, I opened it coming face to face with Sophia. I realized she was alone, and allowed myself to release a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"You are to come down for dinner." I rubbed my lips together, as I attempted to fabricate an excuse to get out of the dreaded encounter.

"I'm not hungry." I half-lied. Sophia stared at me blankly, her strict gaze unwavering.

"It's not a request, Ms. Holland. Mr. Garnet wants you to join him for dinner." She repeated. I frowned, feeling a twinge of annoyance by her dismissal. I was ready to turn her down yet again, but Sophia must've anticipated my defiance because she beat me to it. "Before you decline, understand that if you don't come down, Mr. Garnet will be coming up." I squinted my eyes at her.

With a small nod, I reluctantly followed Sophia to the dining area, realizing that my stubbornness will only be my nemesis in this useless fight.

Sophia stopped at the entrance of the dining room and gestured for me to go inside, leaving me alone with the menacing man. Dean sat at the head of the table and I was told to sit beside him. My rear hardly touched my seat when the room was suddenly full of people. The cooks and staff fluidly placed the number of trays onto the table, removing the cover to reveal the mouthwatering food hidden underneath.

As quickly as they came, they dispersed back into the kitchen without so much as a whisper. My troubled gaze scanned over the trays of food that was more than enough to feed an entire family. I stared at the seemingly endless array of dishes that could easily feed an entire family. It struck me as wasteful, this extravagant spread dwarfing the needs of two bellies. It seemed to be more about presentation rather than satiation.

The stifling silence in the room made me uncomfortable, and at one point I found my eyes involuntarily wandering towards Dean. He who had yet to acknowledge my presence with so much as a glance. He completely ignored me, as if I insignificant. Though I attempted to mirror his indifference, it proved impossible. Dean Garnet wasn't a man be ignored. He commanded attention effortlessly, his very presence a force that altered the atmosphere around him.

"We should discuss the terms of our agreement." I suggested, without the charade of beating around the bush.

This got Dean's attention and, for the first time since I entered the room, his eyes finally turned in my direction. The moment his dark gaze landed on me, a dash of unease crawled down my spine, and I instantly regretted breaking the silence that had enveloped the room since I arrived.