Captian narrowed his eyes, looking at me like a trapped little creature in a cage, and his mood seemed to brighten again. He enjoyed watching that helpless struggle in others, it amused him far too much.
"Oh? Shameless, am I?" he murmured, and before I could react, he tugged down the zipper of my dress.
"Then watch closely and see how shameless I can be with you."
A sharp zip echoed, and the zipper at my back slipped open. My dress loosened and slid slowly down my shoulders. He leaned in and brushed a kiss against my shoulder, sending a shock coursing through me.
"It hurts…" I whispered, eyes stinging. This devil, he had to be born purely to torment me.
His warm breath drifted lower along my skin, delicate and hot enough to make goosebumps bloom. I squeezed my eyes shut, my whole body stiff. If I couldn't escape, then… maybe I could pretend it was just a dream.
But the sharp pain I expected never came.
Instead… everything went silent.
I opened my eyes through the hazy light and saw that Captian had slumped forward on top of me, completely passed out from drinking.
Seriously?
He'd fallen asleep?
I pushed at his shoulder cautiously.
"President Anderson… are you awake?"
No response.
"Crazy… lunatic… pervert… demon!"
Once I confirmed he truly was asleep, I shoved him off me, clutched my pounding chest, and bolted out of the tub.
He didn't move at all.
Seeing that, I grew bolder.
"You horrible demon… every day you scare me half to death! Do you have to be this unbearable?"
All the frustration I'd bottled up finally spilled out. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"I hate you… I really, really hate you…"
And then, I yanked his hair once and slapped him lightly across the cheek.
Only then did I flee the bathroom like a thief escaping a crime scene.
But the moment I stepped out, I ran right into Nanny Alley.
My heart almost leapt out of my throat.
"N-Nanny Alley… why are you here?"
She eyed my disheveled clothes suspiciously, her brows lifting slightly before she gave a knowing smile.
"I made a bowl of hangover soup."
I peeked at the bowl in her hands.
"Hangover soup…? President Anderson is in the bathroom. You should help him out, my strength is too weak."
She hesitated, clearly remembering the frightening look he'd given earlier.
"He's asleep," I added quickly, clutching my messy dress and putting on my most pitiful expression. "I'm… a little tired too."
Her expression softened. President Anderson often treated people harshly, she could only imagine how exhausted I must be.
"All right, I'll take care of it."
"Thank you, Nanny Alley…" I whispered weakly.
"Go rest," she urged.
I didn't bother explaining anything. I fled back to my room immediately.
When I reached my room, I collapsed face-first onto the bed but then a terrifying thought struck me. I grabbed my blanket and wrapped it tightly around myself, as if only that could make me feel safe.
Today… if he hadn't passed out…
If he hadn't fallen asleep…
I didn't dare imagine what might have happened.
I pulled the blanket over my head and curled up inside. I had slapped him. Hard. The sound had echoed through the bathroom.
Oh God.
Would he kill me when he woke?
But… he'd been very drunk.
Surely… he wouldn't remember.
The next morning, I crept downstairs anxiously but Captian was nowhere to be found. His usual car was gone too.
So he'd gone out.
Relief washed over me.
Last night I had said so many things… If he had heard any of it, he would surely drag me back to the snake pit again.
I spent the whole day on edge but he didn't return.
Day two.
Day three.
Day four.
Day five.
Still no sign of him.
As if he had vanished from the world.
If he never returned… my life would actually be safe.
Good. Don't ever come back.
The thought made me so cheerful that I ate an extra slice of toast at breakfast.
"Miss Bailey, it's been days since President Anderson came home," Nanny Alley commented, half worried.
She hadn't liked me at first, many women were brought to this house, and most didn't last long. But somehow, I had survived, and President Anderson seemed to treat me differently. To her eyes, I had become the ideal candidate to be his future wife.
So the fact that he hadn't returned only troubled her.
"Five days already," I answered lightly, taking another bite.
She sighed in disappointment.
"Miss Bailey, perhaps you should call him. There are many women outside… Aren't you afraid he'll forget you?"
Forget me?
I hoped he would.
"That's his business," I said breezily. "Whether he likes someone or not has nothing to do with me."
"But…"
I didn't want to hear the rest. I picked up a piece of bread and slipped away to my room.
Nanny Alley sighed behind me.
Back in my room, I stood by the window eating my toast, watching the scenery outside. The view almost relaxed me until the door behind me suddenly opened.
I turned instinctively.
And froze.
"P-President Anderson… when did you get back?"
He stepped inside slowly.
"You weren't hoping I'd never return because you hate me… right?"
My throat tightened.
"I didn't..."
He closed the door with a soft click. The bright room dimmed instantly.
He walked toward me, step by deliberate step.
I backed up against the window, panic climbing up my throat.
"Didn't you say it that night?" he asked, leaning in. In his dark pupils, I could see my own reflection, small and helpless.
I hadn't expected he remembered everything from that night.
"I didn't… You were drunk. Maybe you misheard…" My voice grew softer and softer.
Seeing my fear must have pleased him, because a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He loved seeing me like a frightened little rabbit trapped by a wolf.
"Maybe I did mishear," he murmured.