Chapter 13: Chapter 13

"Did he kiss you?"

"I was too scared...I couldn't."

"Wimp. What else?"

"What else do you want?"

"Did you go to his apartment?"

"On the first date?"

"You're already familiar with him."

"It doesn't matter. We're still going out again."

"When?"

"Tonight."

And we both squeel in unison.

"Shhhh." Josh says as he cradles a sleeping Hailey and I whisper an apology to him.

"Look at you, Marcy. Going on dates, having fun. It's about time." Maya says and I laugh.

"I know. I mean, at first I felt a little awkward because it's Alex and I was just unsure. But he totally made me feel comfortable. He made jokes, held my hand, he was simply a gentleman. It's like the first time we went out."

I say, completely entranced and Maya raises a brow.

"Mmm-hmm." She says suspiciously and I laugh.

"What? Nothing else happened. It's just...well..."

"What?" Maya asks and I decide to spill.

"Ever since Mr. Robinson mentioned the ladies' man stuff, I think I've been paranoid."

"Well, did he show any signs of it at the date? Did he look at anyone, wink or smile at the numerous waitresses?"

"No. Not exactly. He just left the table a lot to pick some phone calls. But maybe it's just business." I say, trying to minus the whole thing from my mind. Maya, however, still has a thoughtful look on her face.

"You know what? Don't let it ruin your date, but also be careful. Just because you guys have a history doesn't mean he gets any special treatment. Treat him like every normal new guy on a date with you." She says which only makes me more cautious.

"Stop freaking out. It'll be geat." She assures me with a smile and I nod reluctantly.

Ofcourse it will.

******

I observe my reflection in my mirror one more time and smile approvingly to myself.

The off-shoulder fit, white gown sweeps to a delicate flow beginning from the waist which sashays around my hip. The gown looks appropriate enough and I leave my room satisfied.

Just before I leave, I grab Mr. Robinson's pressed laundry and head to hang it outside his door when it opens and he is standing there in just shorts. I draw my gaze from his chest and fit body and hang the laundered clothes.

He raises a brow at my appearance and I ignore his exaggerated look as I turn and head for the stairs.

"Another date, huh?" He says and I can hear him following behind me.

"I can see you're pretty serious about this. But do you think he is serious about you or he is serious about deceiving you." He says and just as I reach for the door, his hand reaches out from behind me and holds the door shut in place.

At this point, I'm completely sick of his charade. I whip around to face him and I glare at him.

"I'll tell you what I think. I think that you're not just determined to lock me up, but you're desperate to stop me from having a normal, social life because at your rank and status, your love life and social life is a pitiful disaster. You have no one special and you cant stand the sight of your common maid having one." I say and suddenly, somewhere deep in me is wishing to take back every word.

Mr Robinson doesn't say anything but just pulls away, opens the door for me and gives a sarcastic nod.

"Have a blast." He says and the second I walk out, he slams it shut, making me flinch a little.

Taking a deep breath, I try to ignore the guilty feeling as I walk out of the gate.

Alex is leaning against his car, smiling at me.

"You look stunning." He says and holding my hand, pulls me close and pecks me on the cheek.

"I have my place set for the best dinner." He whispers in my ear and my heart jumps a little.

"We're eating at your place?" My voice sounds more frightened than I thought and he just chuckles.

"Marcy, it's fine. I just wanted to show you I put effort to impress you with my cooking, that's all. I want it to be nice and private, no waitresses and no under-portioned, over-priced food." He says and I smile.

Just a nice, quiet dinner.

No harm there.

*****

"Well?" Alex asks as he gets a couple of wine glasses and a red wine.

I'm sitting with my feet curled up on his couch, watching him as he brings the wine.

"It was good." I say teasingly and watch his reaction.

"Just good?" He asks and I laugh.

"I'm kidding. It was great, you know your way around a kitchen."  I say and he hands me a glass of wine as he sits next to me.

"Well, it's one thing I have to know being a bachelor. I dont get many ladies to cook for me." He says and I raise a brow.

"You? Alexander Gray, co-owner of Robin & Gray doesn't get many ladies? Pinch me." I say and he laughs.

"What? It's true." He says and next thing I know, his hand is teasing my cheek and just below my ear.

"How could I have gotten ladies when half of the time, I was thinking of you." He says softly and maintains eye contact.

His comment gives me a funny, warm feeling and I smile.

"You were thinking of me?" I ask and he cocks his head to the side, observing me.

"Of course. I always felt attatched to you, Marcy. Things didn't feel right at all when I left. You had a great effect on me." He says, almost a whisper.

"You had a great effect on me too." I say and he leans close.

"Yeah?" He asks and I watch his eyes go dark.

Come on, Marcy.

It's a normal, new, guy on a date.

History doesn't count.

"Yes. But it's good we're here now, so we can just talk it out." I say and adjust.

"Talk?" Alex asks as he adjusts too.

"Sure." He says and refills my cup, which I had no idea was empty already.

"First of all, I need to know where you want this to go. After what happened between us last time, I can't handle any surprises." I say and he frowns slightly.

"Its entirely up to you, Marcy. Whatever you want from this, I'll go with it."

I look away and sip my wine.

"You say that now, but---"

"I mean it now. Last time I made a terrible mistake."

"It wasn't just the mistake, you saw my situation and wiped your hands off."  I say and Alex leans close.

"Hey. I know I backed out but I was a coward then. I needed to concentrate and get settled and I just backed out because I was scared. But I'm all in now. I want to know everything and how you're coping with it." He says and I look up.

"Really?"

"Definitely." He says and I smile.

"I guess I'm still getting used to all this attention." I say and Alex holds eye contact.

"You don't say." He mutters and leans closer. His dark gaze darts to my lips and back at me.

"Well, let me show you what it's like." He says and all I can feel are his lips on mine as he slips a hand round my waist.

The taste of alcohol on his tongue is teasing and I kiss him back, leaning closer.

His lips drive the kiss from teasing to demanding and I try to pull away.

"Wait, Alex--" but his lips on my neck cut me off as he teases, going lower.

"You still taste the same." He murmurs as he begins to pull down my sleeve.

"Alex, no." I say softly as I slowly pull away and his dark gaze is on me.

"Not yet." I mutter but his attention has shifted to my chest.

"I can't stop because I know you don't want to stop either." He breathes and before I reply, his lips are back on mine.

I let his kiss chase my worries briefly, then I feel his hands ride up under my gown and tease my panties.

"Tell me, Marcy. Have you been with anyone apart from me?" He says and I pull away completely.

"Enough, Alex. I..um..." I stutter, trying to gain composure as I smoothen my hands over the gown.

"I can't. Not now." I say as he gets up and walks closer to me.

"What do you mean you can't?" He asks and pins me against the wall before I can move.

"Alex--"

"So you're suddenly doubtful about letting me have it, but you easily comply when Kyle has you walking around the office dressed like a siren?"

"Alex, you're hurting me." I say, struggling slightly against his grip on my arms.

"Well, if you don't want any bruises, then just shut up." He says and his lips are back on my neck, but aggressively this time.

I feel a sudden panic of all the times I've been put in this position and my struggle becomes persistent.

"Let me go! Get off me!" I struggle but he only squeezes harder.

Then he yanks my dress up and fear has me suddenly defensive. In a swift move, I drive my knee up and nail him between his legs.

"Aargh!" He screams and instantly lets go. Without a second thought, I grab my purse and cellphone and run out of his penthouse. I don't know what floor this is but I dash for the elevator and begin to jab at the button.

Tears are streaming down my face as I impatiently wait for the elevator. Alex's door opens and he runs out wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

"Marcella!" He yells and the elevator door slides open. I rush in and press the GF button, panic rising in my guts.

The door slides close and my head is spinning.

"Oh, God. Oh God, Oh God." I mutter as I scroll through my phone, forcing myself to think. By the time I reach the groundfloor, he'll probably be there. I didn't come with my car so I can't leave immediately.

My options are limited and I know it.

Call someone.

Maya doesn't know this place and she'll be busy with her baby.

And I can't call Ty either. He has a cast and no car.

Dammit, I don't even know where I am.

I dial the first contact available and wait, forcing my breathing to be calm as I stare at the descending numbers of the elevator.

"What?" He picks on second ring.

"Mr. Robinson." I stutter in tears.

"Anne? What's going on? What happened?" He asks and my sobbing won't let me get the words out.

"Please help me. I'm scared and I need to get out of here. Alex--"

"Where are you?"

"In his penthouse building. I'm about to leave, b-but he--"

"I'm coming." He says and ends the call.

I don't know whether he is serious or not, but I know I can only hope on him now. I don't really have a choice at the moment.

The elevator keeps descending for some time before it reaches the ground floor.

Then it dings and slides open. I stare at the revolving door just a few feet away and I don't know why but I hesitate anyway.

I stare and wait, hoping to see Mr. Robinson's Cadillac or Ford when I spot Alex approaching me from the corner.

"Marcella." He says and I quickly leave the elevator and head for the revolving door.

"Marcy!" He yells once I'm outside and by the time I turn around, he walks out to and grabs my arm.

"Where the hell do you think you're going, huh?" He whispers harshly against my ear as he yanks me close to him.

"Alex, please." I cry, trying to free my hand but he just squeezes tighter and I wince.

"Now listen. I don't want to cause a scene but youre making it pretty damn hard. You better follow me back willingly because you wont like the second option." He says and I try to resist when he yanks me.

"I just want to go." I cry.

"You want to leave? And get away after teasing me in that damn white dress?"

"I wasn't --"

He squeezes and I wince.

"Shut. Up. You want to leave me hanging and escape with that stunt you pulled? Poor, naive Marcella. So desperate to be wanted. Don't you know everything comes with a price? You want to be a slut, then I'll treat you like one." He says through clenched teeth as he maintains a fake smile.

"Now come with me." He demands and begins to drag me.

"She is not going anywhere with you, Gray. Let her go." Mr. Robinson's voice says from behind me but Alex doesn't let go.

"What's this, a rescue? She is just your fucking maid and nothing else. This is none of your business and you don't have a say in this." Alex says.

Mr. Robinson is at my side with a steady, cool gaze.

"I have everything you said on record, Gray."

"You think you can pull this manipulative bullshit with me?"

"I'm not pulling anything. You're harassing my maid, threatening her and that's enough to get you to lose your job. Then that hold on her will give more prominent bruises, coupled with her story, you'll have a good jail time and no job. So you stand a chance of losing everything by this time tomorrow."

With that, Mr. Robinson clears his throat and says,

"Now, let her go." And Alex releases his grip on me. I stumble back a little but Mr. Robinson reaches out and holds me.

"I'm still making sure you pay for this. The legal way." He says and leads me to his car.

"Fuck you, Robinson! You can't do this! You can't fucking ruin me!" Alex is yelling as Mr. Robinson helps me into the car.

"Go." He says to the driver at the steering wheel whom I recognise as the guard from the club.

The possibility of what could have happened if he didn't show up grips me in fear and I have no idea that I'm shaking until Mr.Robinson pulls me close and wraps his hand around me.

"Its okay, Anne. I'm here." He says and I cry into his chest.

"I was so scared. He was going to--"

"Shhh. It's okay." He assures me and wipes the tears from my face.

"You won't get hurt anymore." He says and pulls me closer.

"No more."