Chapter 34 - Practical."
1348 Words
Lisa returned to her room, feeling utterly exhausted. She had been struggling with that handsome cold face for what felt like hours, and finally, her energy had given out.
She trudged over to her bed, her legs feeling like lead weights. She collapsed onto the soft bed, her body sinking into the pillows.
Without bothering to lock the door, Lisa closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. She was too tired to think, too tired to worry.
As soon as her eyes shut, Lisa felt herself being pulled into a deep sleep. Her body relaxed, her mind quieted, and she let herself drift away.
She didn't hear the door open, nor did she hear Lugard's soft footsteps as he entered her room. She didn't even stir as he approached her bed with the basket of food in his hand.
Lugard stood over her, his eyes fixed on her peaceful face. For a moment, he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable.
Then, without making a sound, he placed the basket on the bedside table.
Lugard loomed over Lisa, his intense gaze fixed on her serene face. However, his expression betrayed no tranquility, with his jaw clenched and his eyes burning with intensity.
Without warning, he reached down and grasped Lisa's arm, his grip like a vice. He pulled her out of bed, dragging her across the room.
Lisa's eyes flew open, and she jolted awake, crying out in shock and pain as Lugard's grip bruised her skin.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, trying to struggle free.
But Lugard was too strong. He pulled her to her feet, his eyes blazing with fury.
"You're going to eat," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You're going to do as I say."
Lisa stumbled, her legs trembling with fear. She saw the basket of food on the bedside table, and her heart sank.
"No," she whispered, trying to back away.
But Lugard was relentless. He dragged her back to the bed, forcing her to sit down. He pulled the basket onto her lap, his eyes glinting with triumph.
"Eat," he ordered, his voice cold and hard.
Lisa's eyes filled with tears as she stared at the food. She knew she had no choice. She was trapped, at Lugard's mercy.
Lisa's hands trembled as she picked up a piece of food, her eyes fixed on Lugard's unyielding gaze. She brought it to her lips, her mind racing with fear and defiance.
But as she took a bite, Lugard's expression changed. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.
"Chew," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Swallow."
Lisa's heart raced as she obeyed, her eyes never leaving Lugard's face. She could feel his anger, his control, and it terrified her.
As she swallowed, Lugard's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. He was taking over, controlling every aspect of her life.
And Lisa knew she had to escape before it was too late.
But for now, she was trapped, forced to obey Lugard's every command.
As she took another bite, Lisa's mind raced with plans, with schemes. She would divorce, no matter what it took.
But for now, she was at Lugard's mercy.
When he saw Lisa eating, his anger returned to calm. He walked towards the couch and sat down, his eyes fixed on Lisa as he watched her coldly.
After some minutes, Lisa looked at him. "Do you want some?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
Lugard's expression didn't change, but he nodded slightly. Lisa hesitated, then got up and walked over to him, the plate in her hand.
As she approached, Lugard's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the plate. Lisa held it out to him, her hand trembling slightly.
Lugard took a piece of food from the plate, his fingers brushing against Lisa's. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, but Lugard didn't seem to notice.
He ate in silence, his eyes fixed on Lisa's face. The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.
As Lugard finished eating, Lisa took the plate back, her eyes avoiding his. She knew she had to be careful, to tread softly around this man.
But as she turned to leave, Lugard's voice stopped her. "Lisa," he said, his tone low and even.
She turned back to face him, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yes?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No, I'm not done eating," Lugard said, his voice firm but calm. "Let's eat together."
Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. She had never eaten with anyone except her girlfriends, and the idea of sharing a meal with Lugard made her feel uneasy.
But she didn't want to disobey him, not after what had just happened. So she sat back down beside him, trying to give him space. Because of his cleanliness obsessions.
Lugard nodded, his eyes fixed on the plate. "Good," he said, his voice softening slightly.
As they ate together, the silence between them was awkward. Lisa couldn't help but steal glances at Lugard, wondering what he was thinking.
But Lugard's expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on the food. He didn't seem to notice her gaze, didn't seem to care.
Lisa felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that she was completely at his mercy. She had to do what he said, had to obey his every command.
When they finished eating, Lugard ordered the servants outside to clear the plates. But instead of leaving Lisa's room, he sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her.
Lisa frowned, feeling a sense of unease. "I have already done what you wanted," she said, trying to sound firm. "Are you not going to leave my room? I want to sleep."
Lugard raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We're not finished yet."
Lisa's heart sank. What did he want from her now? She had already eaten with him and obeyed his every command.
"What else do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Lugard leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I want to talk," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "I want to get to know you, Lisa."
Lisa felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't want to talk to him, didn't want to be in the same room as him.
But she knew she had no choice. She was trapped, at his mercy.
"Fine," she said, trying to sound calm. "What do you want to talk about?"
Lugard smiled, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Oh, I think we'll find something to talk about," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
"Why are you a troublesome little kitten,?" Lugard asked calmly as if he hadn't just made a veiled threat.
Lisa's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. What did he mean by that? And why was he speaking to her in such a condescending tone?
"I'm not a troublesome little kitten," she said, trying to sound firm. "I just don't like being bossed around and locked in rooms."
Lugard chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you are," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're a little ball of fur, hissing and spitting at anyone who comes near."
Lisa felt her face heat up with anger. How dare he speak to her like that?
"I'm not a pet," she said, her voice low and even. "I'm a person, with thoughts and feelings. And I won't be treated like a prisoner."
Lugard's smile grew wider. "Oh, but you are a like one, Lisa," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You're a prisoner of your own making. And I'm the one who holds the key."
Lisa felt annoyed, her frustration boiling over. "Why are you so cold?" she retorted, putting her hand on her hip as if a teacher questioning her student.
Lugard raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging. "Cold?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm just being practical, troublemaker. You'd do well to remember that."
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