I couldn't sleep at all that night. I kept trying to figure out what was going on.
Who was this blackmailer? How did they get my number? And what exactly did they want from me?
I felt like I was losing my mind. I decided to call the only person that still gave me peace.
"Hi dad," I said over the phone, trying to hide the fear in my voice.
"My daughter," his voice sounded weaker than usual. "I've missed you so much, how are you?"
"I'm okay, just working. How are you? Are you managing alright on your own?"
"I'm fine Andrea, don't worry about me. Are they treating you well over there? You're not starving or anything."
"No, I'm not starving. Everything is—"
"Andrea, please don't lie to me. I can tell from your voice that something is wrong." Dad pleaded. He always knew me, even better myself. "Look," he continued. "It's not too late. You have no business working in that house to fix my mess. Just say the word and I'll come get you. I'll sort this out myself."
Tears welled up in my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to leave this hellhole and go back home. But I couldn't leave my sickly dad to die.
"Don't worry yourself Dad. I'm doing good, and everything will be fine soon… I love you."
"I love you too my daughter."
I held myself from crying as I ended the call.
There was no way I was going to succumb to this blackmailer. If I made the slightest mistake, Ethan Vance would kill my father. He made that very clear.
So I cleaned myself up, and got ready for work like any other day.
My father's life was my priority.
I was on my way to the supply room, when one of Ethan Vance's men stopped me. "The boss wants you in the massage room. Now.""
"Not like I have a choice." I murmured, and followed behind him.
He led me to the massage room, and inside, Mr. Vance sat there legs crossed in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He was reading a book when I stepped in. I made extra effort to keep my composure. As usual, he didn't bother to look up, he just spoke.
"You're going to give me a full body massage today."
I was confused.
"Do you make all your housekeepers touch you naked?"
"Just the ones I decide." I could tell he was grinning from where I stood.
I became angry. "So this is funny to you. Humiliating me. Making me feel like a cheap slut!"
"There is nothing humiliating about this situation, Bennett." He closed the book and looked at me. "If you look to your right, you'll see my massage kit. I use the oils only, and nothing else." He stood up and approached the massage table.
I begrudgingly went to pick the massage kit. "Bold of you to assume I know how to massage."
"I know you massage your father's swollen legs."
I paused, "So you've been spying on my father and me?"
"Monitoring my debts."
He lay on the table, the towel still covering his waist. I could see him more clearly now. His body was so hot, his muscles were toned, abs well-defined. I knew he was sexy, but this was the first time I was seeing him almost naked. I had to stop myself from drooling.
"Anytime now." He said, bringing me back to reality.
I rolled my eyes, washed my hands, and got to work.
We started off in silence, after some time, he said. "It's admirable, the way you take care of your father."
"Yeah, so admirable that you've threatened to kill us."
He didn't answer immediately.
"I'm not all that bad, you know. Business is just business." His tone got softer.
I didn't respond. I was focused on rubbing the oil on his lower back.
"There's a lot of cramping there," he lowered his towel to fully expose his back. "Go really hard on that area."
Everywhere suddenly became really hot.
"Is that good enough for you?" I asked, using all my energy to massage him."
"I like it when you go rough." He teased me.
I immediately removed my hands.
"You're a pervert, Ethan Vance."
He chuckled, "You're the most stubborn, hot-headed woman I've ever met… it's a breath of fresh air from everyone else here."
That took me by surprise. But, I refused to reply.
The nerve of this man to think he can flirt with me after all he's put me through.
He thinks he can play mind games with me, and—
Bzzzzz…
My phone vibrated. It was a phone call. I thought it was my father, so I made a mental note to call him back later.
Then it vibrated again. I still didn't answer it.
It continued to vibrate nonstop after that.
I became uncomfortable. My dad wouldn't keep calling nonstop like this, no sane person would. It had to be the blackmailer.
I couldn't let Ethan get suspicious.
"I need to go use the restroom." I said, quickly.
"Alright."
I ran there.
The moment I closed the restroom door behind me, my phone stopped vibrating. I opened it to see six missed calls from an unknown ID. It immediately started vibrating again, I didn't waste any time in picking up.
"Hell-"
"Don't ignore me again." He cut me off sharply.
"What the hell do you want from me?" I whispered, trying my best not to get caught.
"You're going to break into his office safe, there you'll find all the documents containing details of his illegal dealings. Bring them to me."
My stomach dropped.
"Are you crazy?!" I raised my voice a little. "If I get caught, both my father and I are dead… and I will definitely get caught."
"I understand you're in a tricky spot. So I'll give you two days to decide." He stated calmly. "And to show you I'm serious, I'll leave you a surprise."
The line went dead before I could say anything.
I immediately ran back to the massage room.
"Did you get lost?" Ethan asked the moment I entered.
"No. Sorry, women issues."
He didn't respond. So, I got ready to continue. I was about to touch him, when his phone rang.
"Hello?" He picked instantly.
Then he suddenly jumped up from the table.
For a split second, I caught a glimpse of his manhood.
I quickly turned my face. Scared of getting caught.
I could now understand why women acted so crazy around him.
He wore his silk robe and bolted out the door. I followed him.
Outside, there was a huge fire.
The house where he kept his captives was burning.
There were about eighty men trying to put out the fire.
"Someone better tell me what the fuck happened here!" Ethan yelled. I had never seen him this angry.
One of the men ran to him and explained. "Sir, we don't know what happened. We just started to see a lot of smoke, and traced it to the house."
"You mean to tell me that the house set itself on fire?!"
The man looked like he was about to faint. "Sir, we're looking for the culprit. Be rest assured we'll find them. "
Ethan calmed down a little. "what about the prisoners inside."
"They all died in the fire, sir."
Immediately I heard that, my knees buckled.
The men I had seen just two days ago were burned alive in the house.
Ethan grabbed the man by the collar and screamed. "Get me who's responsible for this. Or it'll be your head!"
Then he walked out.
I turned to go to the main house, when my phone pinged.
1 new message.
Unknown: Did you like my surprise?