The Devil's Disguise

Chapter 7

I scrambled away from him, my eyes wide in horror, my mouth agape. He quickly turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him. I heard a click, and realization dawned on me. He had locked me in here.

"Rafael!" I called out, standing up and rushing to the door. I banged my fists on it, hoping someone would come help me. I had no idea what he wanted, or why he was doing this? Was he a part of something dark? Something really messed up? Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I knocked again, a small cry leaving my lips. "Please, someone," I whispered, trying the handle.

To my surprise, and confusion, it budged. The door swung open.

I frowned. It was never locked. Wiping the tears from my eyes I rushed out, spotting my purse laying on the pristine floor a small distance away. I quickly picked it up, and fished out my phone, dialing the police. My chest was heaving up and down, as I looked around, catching the eye of a servant at the other end of the hall. I sucked in a breath, freezing for a second. 

The man was just staring at me. He did not move, did not react. Heck, he wasn't even blinking.

Uneasiness crawled through my chest, and I looked away from him, realizing my phone seemed to be working too slow. I glanced at the screen, and understood the reason behind it. There was no network. My situation felt a thousand times worse at this new discovery, and my heart beat quickened as I looked around for the stairs. I had two options. I could find the stairs, or use the elevator that was right in front of me.

There was no time.

I rushed to the elevator, and called it, slamming my fist against the button a number of times. I glanced at the servant again, who was still staring at me with an unreadable expression. The elevator dinged open, and I turned to enter it, but froze in my tracks. My breath caught in my throat as I stepped away, new tears springing to my eyes.

"Lara," Rafael said, walking out of the elevator. He had changed out of the suit, and now wore black sweats. His hair was messier, and he was frowning at me, as if in confusion.

"St--stay away from me!" I warned, backing away from him.

"Lara, relax," he said softly, continuing to walk closer.

"I've called the cops!" I warned, glaring at him. "They're gonna be here any minute!"

Now he froze.

"You've what?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes. Yo--you can't keep me here without my permission."

Rafael looked away, running a hand through his hair. "God, Lara... are you serious?" 

"Yes. Let me go."

"What are you gonna even say to them? What did I do to you?" He raised an eyebrow.

I scowled at him. "You..." I trailed off, "you tried to kidnap me," I said softly.

He pursed his lips, as if holding back a smile. "You don't actually mean that, do you? You came here yourself, darling, all I did was bring you up here. And it's not like I tied you up or locked you in a room. I didn't even do anything, what are you so freaked out about?"

I stared at him, wiping away the tears that had just left.

"Lara," he stepped closer, now a sheepish look on his face, "I'm sorry that I scared you. I... you're gonna kill me if I tell you why I did that."

"Why?" I asked, sniffing. For some odd reason, the man in front of me wasn't screaming of danger anymore. It was like a flip of a switch, as if the Rafael I had known all these days had returned. The calmness of his voice, his relaxed posture, and the apologetic look on his face was making me question if what I had experienced just moments ago had even actually happened.

"I was... trying to play a prank on you..."

"What?"

"Look, I'm sorry," he closed the space between us, and this time I did not feel the urge to step back, "I'm gonna be honest. I did lose my cool for a second there when you showed up in sweats. I mean, I had so much planned for us, and it was a little upsetting to see you not respect my efforts. But I knew I was going overboard when I dragged you up here, and it was meant to be that way. It was a stupid joke, Lara. I only went to change."

"I thought you were going to rape me, Rafael," I whispered, glaring at him. "How could you act like that?"

He lowered his gaze, before closing his eyes. "I am so sorry," he muttered, gently taking my hands in his. I yanked them away, stepping back. "Lara, I... I know, it was stupid. I'm so sorry. I could never hurt you."

"I wanna go home," I stated.

He let out a small sigh, before slowly nodding. "Of course. I'm sorry. I'm really very sorry. I didn't mean to scare you that much. I don't know what I was hoping to achieve, but it really was a stupid joke. I know it was too much, I'm sorry."

"Just... stay out my way, alright?"

"Okay, but, did you really call the cops?" he asked.

I gulped, wondering if telling him the truth would be smart. I decided against it. "I did."

"Okay, I deserve that," he muttered. "Never mind. You go. I ruined the night anyway."

"You did. Stay away from me." I pushed past him, and called the elevator once more, keeping a close eye on his actions. He just stood there, looking at me apologetically, until I entered the elevator and the doors closed shut. The second they opened again, I made a run for the main door. It opened easily, and I heaved a sigh of relief, rushing down the few steps. The chauffeur was in the same position I had left him, and he stood up straight when he saw me.

"Ma'am, Mr. Knight has instructed me to drop you back home."

I walked past him, my jaw clenched. "Screw your Mr. Knight's instructions."

- - - -

I curled up in bed as soon as I got home, covering myself with my blanket. I was still shaken up by the whole thing, and extremely confused about his behavior. My brain was screaming at me, that what had happened was a huge red flag, that it was no joke, but a really serious incident that could have ended up really bad. But another part of me was still refusing to believe it. Rafael Knight had been nothing but respectful towards me until this night. He had been caring, gentle, generous. So what got into him? Was he really just a man with dark humor? Or was there a certain darkness to his entire personality? Was I actually drawn to him because of it?

Come to think of it, the guy really was mysterious since the beginning. I knew nothing about his private life, only bits and pieces I had seen on the television. His achievements. His intelligence. 

But what was this man hiding? Why did he have no family? Why wasn't he married yet? Was there something really sinister under all that charm? Had I just witnessed a flicker of it?

My phone buzzed, making me flinch. I picked it up and glanced at the ID, my heart beat quickening once more.

I stared at it until it stopped ringing.

I wasn't ready to talk to him just yet. Or ever. But the contract that I had signed with Elene bound me to servicing him. I couldn't just back out of it. Not for another six months. As long as I was bound to the club, I was bound to him. Legally.

My phone started vibrating once more, and I clenched my jaw, before picking up the call.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"To apologize, Lara. I am so sorry for what I did. It was so stupid of me, I don't even know why I did that. You are right to be mad at me, but please, just... don't hate me, alright? I swear I didn't mean you any harm. It was a lame joke, it was mean and ridiculous. I didn't mean to scare you so much, and I'm willing to do anything to make up for it. Anything at all." He sounded very guilty, and almost sad.

I bit my tongue, letting out a breath.

"Anything at all?" I confirmed.

"Anything."

"Okay. I want a mansion and a Devil."

"Deal!"

"You wish, Rafael Knight," I replied, scowling even though he couldn't see me. "You wanna make up for that stunt you pulled? You stay away from me. Terminate whatever deal you made with Elene, so that I am not bound to see you. Is that clear?"

There was a long silence on his end, but I could tell he was still on the phone.

"Hello?"

"You did not the call the police, did you?"

I gulped, suddenly feeling a slight chill at his question.

"I did. But there was no network."

"Hm. Fair enough, Ms. Dames. If that's what you really want, then I'll leave you alone. But I'll have you know that I really hoped this whole thing could work out for us. I actually really adored you. It's a shame how things turned out, and I feel like an ass for screwing this up."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should've thought about that before acting like a psycho."

"You're right, you're right. However, I will not be canceling the deal with Elene. But I won't be calling you, not even once. You'll still get paid, and you don't have to dance for other men either."

"I do not want your--"

"Enough, Lara. Please. I know I messed up, but there's no need to be harsh on yourself for that. Learn to let people help you, especially when they're not asking for anything in return. And as for the other job I offered you, I sense you're turning that down too."

"I am."

"Alright. But the offer still stands, until I specifically reach out to you and let you know that it doesn't. If you need it anytime in the future, and you think you can forgive me for my stupidity, do not hesitate to reach out. Have a good life, Ms. Dames. I hope you achieve everything you've ever wanted."

There was a weird tightness in my chest at his words, and it took me a moment to reply. "You too, Mr. Knight."

"It was nice knowing you, Lara. I hope we meet again some day."

"Good bye, Mr. Knight."

"Good bye."

I hung up the call, and let out a shaky breath. 

I did not feel the relief I thought I would. Nor did it feel like the end. And for some reason, that did not scare me the way it should have. Rafael Knight was... complicated, but I wasn't sure I wanted to know more. My life had enough s**t already. And if something was to happen between us, fate would work it out itself. For now, I was glad to be free of the daily anxiety and nervousness of seeing him again. 

And yet, deep down, a messed up part of me was craving the excitement, the rush, and the thrill I felt, knowing that a man like him wanted to get to know someone like me. I craved the attention, and the chills just his presence was able to induce within my body. I craved the touch I had received so little of.

Deep down, I knew, that this was not how it ended.

If only I had known how it actually would.

- - - - - -

I updated! Yay. I'm getting back on track finally. Did you guys like the chapter? What do you think of Rafael? And what do you think will happen next? Also, what are your thoughts about Lara?