Dirty Dark Secrets

00:09 - Tell Me Why I Should Spare You?

REIGN 

And I meant my words; I am willing to protect her if she complies. 

You see, the whole neighborhood is about to go through bankruptcy, and when that time comes, I don't wish that on Magnolia, for some reason.

The girl kept my secret. To make it as my way of showing gratitude, she must succumb to the alternative. 

But she's not giving me the necessary support. Instead, she faked defiance, which is obvious, given that I can see the fear and damage behind those eyes. 

I despise stubborn people. 

I had to threaten her to get her changed into pair of jean pants and a navy blue Aristocrat Academy hoodie. 

She pulled her hair into a ponytail and slipped into a black pair of Balenciaga sneakers before following me down her house through the balcony. Which was surprisingly easy with her, and for that I must say I am impressed. 

It is not like I have to sneak in and out of Thatcher's property. I always simply drive through the gate and park anywhere I please around their driveway. Here's how; If you can double the payments of the entire housekeepers, you should be good. 

Albeit, I am confident I can prance through the front door of the house, and Mr. Thatcher would only feel honored of my presence in his home, but in this case; I don't want Magnolia's family knowing about my little visits. It's the major reason I hire their guards and maids for silence. 

While exiting the gate of her home, Magnolia threw a disgusting glare at the securities and left them squirming like fishes in an empty bowl.  

The ride was quiet, and when we arrived at the school that I had gotten the keys from the principal earlier this morning, I climbed out and waited for her to do the same. 

My talked with the principal was smooth, I had told him I needed a quiet tour, and like a good dog, he pulled his drawer and offered me the keys.  

"Your bodyguards didn't follow? You know in case someone wants to kill you." Magnolia sarcastically said, walking by my side as we reached the quiet hallways. 

My brows snapped together. Amused at her audacity, I glance down at her. 

"You want to kill me?" 

Her nose crinkled when she blatantly retorted:

"Dearly."  

While we head down the empty halls, I confessed, with my hands in pockets. "I was favored it was you who walked in that night."

Somehow she found confidence in my declaration and used my words against me. 

"Are you afraid of going to jail and getting tied up in a chair, having your veins slashing and your heart stopping?" The corner of her mouth quirked up. 

Suddenly she grows some balls. How wonderful.

But she has no idea.

I stop walking and turn to her with narrowed eyes and a thick smirk, enough for her breathing to quicken and the blood in her face to drain. 

She fears me! It's very detailed; I wonder why she keeps putting in the act of bravery. Is it worth it?

"You don't get it. I wouldn't have left the person live to tell the story, Magnolia."

She tried to scoff but failed. She completely turned white. 

Magnolia had to swallow multiple times to finally arrange a coherent sentence: "So you kill for a living?"

Now it was my time to wrinkle my nose and blatantly respond: "Dearly." 

She swallows uneased, her eyes wavering back and forth around the quite dim space.

I know she was thinking about her fate. But I wasn't going to hurt her. I would've done that a long time ago if needed be. So she shouldn't have to worry. 

Behind her was a glass door, I noticed earlier, through it was a wide indoor swimming pool. It was an easy target for a new topic of discussion.

"Is this what affluent people waste money on. Why exactly?"I beckon behind her, and she twisted in the direction. 

After some seconds, she finally process my words, and threw back a comeback.

"I should ask you the same, why did you join here." Lifting her brows at me. 

She has a good point, it is sad I have to eradicate her Sherlock Holmes thrill, but I didn't get myself here. Matthias did.

So instead, I lean forward and grasp the doorknob behind her, turning it open.

It took me a moment before recognized dawned on me over her sudden hitched breathing and her flushed complexion.

Her body is responding to my closeness.

This should be fun. 

I couldn't suppress the smug that plastered itself on my face when I said: "This will be a perfect place for our affair."

"You and I have no affair." She frustratedly snapped.

"What do you call what happened that night then?" I curiously asked the annoyed girl. 

From what I can tell, we are tangled up. She cannot untie me from her. 

"You blackmailed me." She spat. 

I didn't mean the smirk, but it escaped anyway.

"Is that how you saw it?"

"That is what it is." She embarrassingly answered, looking away. 

I have an idea! 

"Then maybe we should tell Eugene! He should know so that you won't feel like a whore." 

She blows out a breath and swallows, nibbling on her bottom lip. 

Then she looks heavenward briefly as if mentally praying for rescue troops. 

"I only made a mistake... your crimes are worse than mine, so don't judge me." She stammered. 

For someone with nerve, she's really dumb. 

"Is that what you tell yourself?"

Fuming, she fires back: "You killed a person, your father to begin with. God knows how many people you've killed. Don't compare me with you." 

Does she think she's all pure and set for heaven? I hate to break it to her, but she's nothing but a sinner. Just like every f*****g human being in this universe. 

My teeth gritted, but I forced a fake smile. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction she wants.

"Serial killer on the loose." I caustically remark and begun walking again, advancing to the pool.

"You are unbelievable." 

Her snide remarks were beginning to get to me. And like I said before, I truly want to spare her.

I didn't notice I was seething when I snarled: "Enough of the attitude. Do not provoke me."

But she wasn't done trying my patience. "Or what?" God knows I only possess a little tolerance until I reach my edge.

And I promise her she doesn't want that. 

"You don't want to know," I said with my back to her, protecting her from my tense self.

"I am not scared of you, Reign. I kept your secret, but that doesn't mean I am afraid of you. You might be tall or feign boldness with broad shoulders, but you are nothing but a f*****g kid."  

Oh really? 

"Let see!" I twirl forthwith and wrap my hand around her slim neck, drawing her tiny body to the edge of the pool. 

My grasp was impeding her throat and stopping her from breathing.

It was satisfying seeing her shut up, having her trembling with fear, so unmistakable, so realistically in her panicked eyes. 

Her hands fought to loosen my firm grip on her neck. But she can never succeed, not when she's barely a quarter of everything that made me a man.

"Stop... I-I can't breathe." She sounded wheezy and wobbly. 

Her eyes worried for what was behind her, knowing the moment I let go of her neck, she was going to drown. 

Tears finally find their way out from her partially open eyes.

"You are right. I killed my father. Tell me why I should spare you?" My pupils flared. I was on the verge of making a decision—any kind. 

"Please..." She struggled, her red-rimmed eyes pleading for sympathy I doubt I have right now.

All I need to hear is a good reason, or we can get done with this. 

"One." I begin to count, choking her even more.  

She cracked into a fearful sob, trying to reach for my shirt to prevent her from falling. 

"Two!"

"I will... I will do what you want, okay? Please... don't." She faltered, crying out loud just like the fragile girl she was three years ago. "Please don't kill me." She whispered. 

Her flushed face was wet with tears. 

"Good!" 

With that, I pull her back from the pool and release her neck. Letting her breathe again. 

She suddenly begins to cough while wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. 

Being the kind person I am, I stood there and granted her enough time to compose herself until her breathing was even.

"Now, can we have an attentive tour?" I smiled genuinely and strolled to the door waiting for her to follow.