Chapter 9 I know it isn't love

AELLA

Light fills the room, coaxing me from deep sleep to wakefulness. I stretch out and open my eyes. As usual, I am alone, but the only difference today is the fact that I am naked. I hate waking up alone, I hate not having him in bed when I open my eyes in the morning. He is always busy; he comes to bed late and goes back to work even before dawn.

I blush remembering how he had kissed me yesterday, how he had put his tongue, fingers and lips on my girly parts, how he had made me come over and over again and I must have blacked out because I have no recollection of how I had made it back to his room.

I frown suddenly remembering my dream last night. I must have stressed the tired man with my screams and cries. He held onto me, kissing and rubbing my shoulders until I finally went back to sleep.

It is unusual, my nightmare. I have never had one. Maybe a huge part of me is still shaken by my father's death. I miss Eva, I miss school too. I miss having to dress up and see new faces. Eva would scream her lungs out when I told her about what I did with Ace. The poor girl would be disappointed that I didn't go down on my knees to offer him a blow job.

I laugh remembering my conversations with Eva. Even with my innocence, Eva never failed to tell me in full detail about her sex life with her numerous boyfriends. When I expressed my distaste about the uncomfortable conversations, she assured me it would come in handy when I finally landed myself a man. I wish I had listened better, maybe I wouldn't have been the only receiver yesterday, Eva said men get hard from touching a woman, and boy was Ace hard yesterday, I almost had a heart attack seeing how huge he was in that suit trousers.

I would have to wait for two more days before another semester commences, I have always detested school breaks because I spent those holidays behind closed doors or in church. I enjoy it now, Mama is dead, she can't force me to do things I don't want to do, and she also can't punish me when I disobey her.

I want to go back to bed and sleep for another hour or two, to be honest, I want to spend those hours fantasising about Ace, trying to remember the things he had said and boy, that his tongue, I would do anything to have it on me right now. I squeeze my legs when I start to get wet, Eva had advised me to touch myself, swearing on her life that I would enjoy it.

For some weird reasons, I never went through with it, now I understand what I might have been missing out on, but I am still of the opinion that I would never be able to pleasure myself like Ace would. I almost go through with it, I am a wet mess, I sigh getting out of bed, the only pleasure I want has to be from Ace, maybe I would stop by his office and get him to do that magic with his tongue and fingers.

As much as I would love to sit here all day and fantasize about him, I have needs, bathroom needs. I take a very long shower, shaving and washing my hair. I walk into his vast walk-in closet naked. lines and lines of expensive suits, shirts, shoes, and ties. How can anyone need so many clothes? I grab a white shirt and black briefs dressing hastily.

I will need my things soon, my moisturiser and shampoo and my clothes too, I also need to call Eva, God I have been saying that for days now, I won't be shocked if she already reported me missing. I smile dancing out of the room, I can't wait to see Ace.

I swallow my screams, my hand jumping to my chest when I see Dan the movie star and his friendly partner. I don't think I would ever get used to seeing them stand guard at the door like I am some sort of prisoner. I would accept this for Ace, he did say it would please him if I let them do their job.

"Fuck! Do you make a living scaring people like that?" of course, I don't get a response, I wonder how they survive not talking for a long time. I want to see Ace, but I know the drill, breakfast first.

"Mr Hale wanted you to know he is disappointed that he couldn't see you this morning. He had to go to the office to attend to important businesses."

He has been working from home these past few days, he must have missed out on a lot of important things.

I sashay, making my way to the kitchen. I have probably been pissing Amanda off with my poor eating habits but in all honesty, that woman is making food for a clan. I know Dan reports everything to Ace, I would try to force-feed myself, and maybe he would grant my wishes because I obeyed him.

look at me thinking like a child. I don't need permission from anybody to do what I want to do but knowing Ace, I either please him or bear the brunt of it. As much as I loved him slapping my thighs, I don't want him to do the same to my ass, my thighs are still red and kind of burning.

"Good morning, Aella"

I smile at her, taking a seat "Good morning, Amanda."

I try not to frown at the endless bowls of food on the table. Don't get me wrong, Amanda makes the best meals I have ever had, but because I eat to survive, I am only able to consume a very small quantity. That does not please Ace, I remember him saying yesterday that I was so little and tight... Okay, girl! bring your mind back here.

Today is a sandwich, orange juice and some side fruits. I take a bite of the sandwich moaning.

"How is everything tasting?"

"It is delicious as always." It is so good; I think I might finish the food without forcing myself. I eat silently, watching her work. I have never been interested in cooking, Mama made all our meals and they all tasted like cardboard. One day, I would love to cook for Ace, he always makes sure I am being fed, and I want to also take care of him.

"What are you making, it smells so good."

"Cakes, Mr Hale said you like sweet things. I hope you like the cakes."

Is it possible to fall in love again and again, cause my heart just melted? I don't remember telling him I have a sweet tooth. He seems to know a lot about me.

"Thank you, Amanda. I do have a sweet tooth."

"You don't eat, Mr Hale worries about you."

"I am sorry, I don't want to make him worry."

"I worry too Aella. You are such a sweet lady, even Mike who never failed with words, failed to describe you properly. you are a breath of fresh air. Mr Hale looks happier now. I have never seen him worry about anyone since his mother."

"You knew my father?" I inquire surprised.

"Mike was many things, Aella. he loved you, that is what matters the most."

I almost asked her to tell me about him, but I don't think I am ready to hear his reasons for abandoning his family.

"You said something about Ace's mother, is she dead."

she sniffs. "She would have loved you, my dear."

"How did she die?"

she opens her mouth and then closes it again, staring at the two intruders at our back. I almost told them to excuse us but immediately decided against it. The only person they take instructions from is Ace.

I looked down at my plate surprised, that was one mean sandwich.

"Maybe I would make you a sandwich every day. This is the first food you have finished. Mr Hale would be pleased about this." Amanda says laughing.

I blush muttering my thanks to her. "Would you teach me how to cook?"

She frowns looking at me.

"I love your food; I want to learn so I can cook for Ace one day."

That brings a smile to her face. "I would love to teach you dear. But I cannot do it without Ace's permission."

"I don't need his permission to cook." What is this? "I can start tomorrow."

"I like your spirit; I like that you stand head-to-head with him. Don't push him too much Aella, he cares too much for you. When it comes to your protection, he would fight you for you."

She continues turning whatever is in the bowl. "He is controlling, I don't like it. First, he told me to change schools, I was not allowed to go back to my house, and I cannot even walk around the house without being shadowed. I know you all report everything I do to him."

She sighs, moving to sit beside me, she holds my hands, patting them. "I understand he can be a lot. Everything he does is for you my dear, you have to try to understand and accept the man he is. He couldn't protect his family, you are all he has now, he would do anything to protect you."

I understand even her unspoken words. "I am not his mother Amanda; I am a young woman who has a life of her own."

she continues patting my hand with a smile on her face. "You will come around girl, you will accept it soon."

"What if I don't?" I ask with a tiny voice. As much as I am acting delusional, thinking that Ace might love me, it still doesn't change the fact that he had kidnapped me, taken me away without my consent, threatened to spank my ass if I don't obey him, decided I would change school and promised not to let me go even if I decide to. As much as I try to romanticise the whole thing, I have been kidnapped, and I am being forced to stay here. I know it isn't love.

She lets go of my hand, standing up to resume her cooking. "You will learn to accept it, hopefully sooner. Don't push him, enjoy the freedom you have been given, he never grants favours when he reaches his limit."

"Freedom?"

"Ask him about the cooking, I would gladly teach you with his approval."

I open my mouth and close it angrily. I don't need anybody's consent or approval. I would request to leave today; I would bring this roof down if he says no.

"Ah! Amanda, it is always an experience seeing you."

I turn confused looking at the strange woman walking towards us. It was my first time seeing a new face here in days.

"Sarah, I could say the same." Amanda's laugh looks forced. "Wasn't expecting to see you soon."

"Come on," Sarah replies with a dramatic wave of her hands. "Who else would Ace call to style his women."

I almost puke out my breakfast. I remember Ace saying he would send a stylist over. I don't like her calling Ace's name. And what does she mean by his women?

She finally acknowledges me. "Ah! you must be the woman" She could have used any other word but decided to settle for woman! okay, I must give it to her, she is beautiful. She has a perfect figure-eight body and is almost as tall as Ace. Her hair is so long, it almost touches her big ass. Her face looked like something straight out of a magazine cover, with her full lips and pointed nose. I sigh when I observe her dress, I would look ridiculous in that dress with my smaller tits, hers are almost busting out of the red dress.

She snaps her fingers startling me. Three women rush in with clothes hangers. "I hope they fit; Ace didn't tell me you were so..." she tsk "Microscopic."

I see red. Her choice of words is starting to piss me off.

"Do be nice Sarah, she is the only reason you are here," Amanda replies disapprovingly.

"Ah! Amanda, you never see the brighter side of life. I envy you cooking at this..." she tsk again "Senile age."

She claps again, shutting whatever comeback Amanda might have dished out to her. "We will use the guest room downstairs. surely you don't expect them ladies to haul all of these upstairs."

I frown. I don't like her, I don't want her here either. I start regretting complaining to Ace about wanting my clothes back. I would happily dress in his shirts for the rest of my life if she could leave now.

She struts to the guest room with her ladies behind her. I am furious for different reasons. the one that stands out for me is the fact that she knows there is a guest room downstairs, and I don't.