Bound to You

Chapter 13: Reasons

Torres's Villa

Later that night, the family doctor examined her, listening to her heart beats with his stethoscope and then concluded after checking up her vitals, "Stress is the cause. Something has been troubling her emotionally and it was simply too much for her to handle and process. She got a mild fever too but I'll not recommend any medicine for now. Some rest and she'll be fine." 

James saw the doctor to the door and returned to the bedside to watch her. He damped a white towel in cold water, squeezed it tight and placed the compress lightly over her forehead. He pressed his warm hand over her cheek and she shifted slightly, raising her own hand to hold him. It just felt right. 

He quietly called out to her, "Hey, how you feeling?" She opened her eyes slowly and stared at him for a good moment as she heard his voice. That felt like a dream she once had. The silhouette of a man looking over her, comforting her. 

She took off the compress and sat upright, gradually recalling what happened. She sighed heavily, not knowing what to really say and she opted for the easiest thing, regretting her impulsiveness, "I'm sorry for the trouble." 

She became alerted of her surrounding, not familiar with the setting. He found her looking a bit lost, "It's alright. You're at my place." 

"What? Have you lost your mind?! Why did you bring me here?" 

He crossly said as he remarked, "Here you go again, becoming too excited over nothing." 

She was having a mild headache since she awoke and she pointed towards the glass of water on the bedside cupboard, her throat quite sore. He handed it to her and she took it from him and drank it quickly. It was refreshing. She needed this. She should have never gone to see him at his office.

She politely said, "Thank you for your kind hospitality, Mr Torres. I really appreciate your unrequested help but... I should probably go." She couldn't look at him in the eyes. Not after all she spoke to him.

So many formalities; seemed this woman was still under the shock. "One more word about leaving and I'll lock you up. It's late and you should get some rest." And even now, he had the desire to resume where they had left. A kiss wasn't enough to cure the ache in his body. He could still feel her exquisite taste, the pressure of her mouth moving roughly against his and he just wanted to explore her so bad.

She insisted, "My girl is all alone there! You don't get to decide for me." She was about to get up when the door opened smoothly and Jace walked in at that moment, followed by Ileana who simply ran to her and hugged her tightly, tears on the brink of her eyes. "Sierra! God, I was so freaking scared! What happened?!" 

Surprised she came, Sierra embraced her tightly, caressing her hair for a minute, reassuring her. She tried to smile, "Geez, there's nothing to worry about." 

Ileana scolded, "You're so careless." She felt grateful that she was alright. She then turned to James, "Thanks a lot, sir...for taking care of that irresponsible woman... She's lucky you were there." 

He laughed softly, "Of course she is... Though she's more furious than grateful." Sierra narrowed her eyes, not liking his remark.

James observed that they seemed to be pretty close. He at first thought that the girl was her younger sister but Jace corrected him about it and now he was curious to know about that part of her life. Why was her niece living with her?

Jace looked at his dad momentarily. He was casually standing there, looking a little bothered. It was unusual of him to bring a woman in the house. Last time his secretary fell ill, however close and professional their relationship was, she was taken to the nearby clinic... So why was the treatment different for Sierra Danvers? 

And even better, she was...not in the guest room, nor in the four other rooms that were found in this house but specifically in his father's bedroom. That room among all other rooms. It was clear that he was interested in her. Even though the old man would never admit it.

Jace approached the bed, looked down at Sierra and laughed, "Told you I would drive you nuts." 

She rolled her eyes, "You did stress me out... a lot." 

He smirked, "I'll have some pity on you for now." He turned to look at James and asked, "What is it, already? Ah yes, we don't disrespect our special guests." He jokingly added as he punched his dad's arm lightly, "She's such a gorgeous sight, eh? The guys look at her curves all the time." 

James observed Sierra who cringed at that instant. It was true that she was sexy and he didn't blame the kids' attitude, though they should focus less on her and more on their studies. 

Sierra mumbled as she pressed her forehead against Ileana's shoulder, "Please kill me." 

Jace coughed, "Stop eyeing her like that. What a perv you are, dad." One normal kid was all he asked. "Enough. Take your friend to one of the guest rooms and make her feel at ease. And give her space, Jace. And I mean it." 

James gestured towards Ileana who reluctantly released Sierra. This man sure generated an authoritative appeal. Damn. The CEO of Torres industries. She couldn't even believe that she was right here, in this powerful man's house. James said as he briefly looked at her, "Ileana is it? If he tries anything stupid on you, you have the right to kick him." 

She laughed as she followed Jace outside, "Sure, sir."

Her eyes stayed on them as they walked out. "I shouldn't be here, Mr Torres and neither should Ileana be." 

James sat beside her, "So why were you really angry?" "You don't need to know." 

He smiled privately, "So you vented out a random frustration on me in my office? Quite daring I must say." 

She gaped at him, "I'll never do that. I was annoyed at Jace. That's all." He inclined to her, his hand finding his way on her knee, "I still can't believe our kiss made you faint." 

She feigned ignorance, her heart beating madly fast again, as his hand trailed deviously on her skin, "Our what? When did we... I don't know what you're saying." Her flustered face betrayed her. And the nervousness was back as he inclined to her, his breath heating her face, "You don't want to play this game with me, Danvers. Allow me to refresh your memory." 

She immediately raised her hand between their mouths, "No. Just back off. I'll tell you."

He tsked, lowered her hand down, waiting for her to speak her mind. She said, a little relieved, "Jace... Yes, his attitude. You should monitor him. He went overboard today." She paused a moment, wondering if he'd believe her. Jace wasn't the only reason why she was angry and the supposition that he might and would be forcing her towards an engagement did not even come close to why she was stressed.

He asked her, "And why do you think he behaved this way? He'd have done the same thing had there been another man other than Henry Stone with you." He picked her attention and curiosity, "I don't understand." "He doesn't want you to date." "I am confused. Why?" 

James pursed his lips and stood, knowing it wasn't safe to stay so close to her anymore. He knew Jace would go to any length if he found that he might be fairly interested in someone, "Damn it, Sierra. It's not fair you go on dates when I'm right here. You are bound to me." 

She trembled. She could see the dark desire in the depth of his eyes. Those faint sparks of anger that were directed at her. Those words of his which possibly held a fragment of truth if not lies. Her voice quivered, "I don't know you. I don't want to know you. Don't ever kiss me again." 

He smiled patiently at her, "I take orders from no one. I'm afraid I'll have to kiss you on our engagement." 

"This is not happening, Mr Torres. You can't force me into it." 

"You gave the green light, Danvers. We wouldn't be having this conversation had you chosen your words carefully. My parents are not people you can joke around. Now you assume your damn responsibilities." 

Again this arrogance of his. How could he? She was angry within her and her words were colder than ever, "I won't say it again. We've already been over this." The sheets creased under her tense fingers.

"No we haven't. For the sake of saving my company, I won't mind getting engaged a second time, getting married a second time and divorcing a second time." 

She snapped, shifting on the bed to straighten herself, "But I do mind ruining my wedding a second time!" She suddenly clamped her hands on her mouth, realizing what she just told him. He stared at her, "What do you mean second time? You were married before?" 

He searched her eyes for answers and saw only what seemed to be fear and pain. She bit her lips, the words refusing to come out as painful memories swiped through her, "We...should call this a night." She turned her back to him, raised the blanket to cover her head and she tried not to make a single sound. She closed her eyes, listened hard and she knew he was still there. 

She then heard his steps fading away and the room was plunged in darkness as she heard the click of a switch. She heard the door closing and she was thankful he was no more here. What took on her to snap like that? She swore that, when tomorrow comes, she'd get out of this dangerous situation. Damn him. There were too many things not happening right.

She recalled the gunshots as she fled the night before her wedding ceremony, remembered how they chased her, how angry Leroy Burrell was. His brutal words still resonated deep in her: I will hunt you down. I'll never be far from you. 

And right now, as she uncovered her head and looked into the darkness, she knew, despite the eleven months which have passed, that he was still looking for her, to take her back into the chaos. Worse, to bring out the chaos and she won't play a key in that, not on her life, not on others'. 

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