I was burning with anger, I barged out of the canteen like a tornado. That dumbfuck, son of a bitch was grinning at me. Out of the blue he came in front of my eyes, sitting like a giant tiger staring at me. I was in such a happy mood that suddenly seeing him made me drop my tray. I may have over reacted but whatever happened last night got me heated up again. How could he be so smug about everything, like he was proud of embarrassing me. I just wanted to smash his face or throw something at him. However, I decided to walk out from there. Coming out into the hallway I gasped. As I was pondering Erika and Carter came shouting my name.

“Hey, are you okay?” Erika asked

“Yeah, what happened to you there, and why are you crying?” Carter inquired. I was in no mood to talk and anyways I was getting late for my class so I dismissed them.

“Yeah, I am fine. I was not feeling well so I came out”

“Yes, but the way you came out and dropped your tray it seemed you were shocked to see something” Carter reasoned

“No, everything’s fine okay? And we’re getting late so let’s get to class, you know professor Calvin.” I said sternly. Carter gave in and we all left for our classes.

As I entered the class, prof. Calvin had already arrived. I was irritated already and I didn’t want another issue. She was looking at me as if I had snatched away her meal. I entered the classroom and took my seat.

“May I ask for you late arrival, both of you?” She asked in a strict manner.

“Sorry, professor, it won’t happen again.” Carter apologised. I’d have done it too but I was not my own-self.

“And you Miss Vinni?” She asked me. I didn’t know what to say so I simply apologised too. We proceeded with class, she asked for our assignments. Fortunately. I was ready with my creative work. It got me some brownie points.

After two more classes I had to leave for work. I went back to my room to change and collect my belongings. As I entered my room, I had my heart in my mouth.

Black was sitting on my bed crossed-leg stretched on the bed. He was reading one of my books. Luckily, I didn’t write a personal diary, or else this ill-mannered jerk would shamelessly intrude on my privacy, as if he wasn’t already intruding.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I barged in the room shouting at him. I stood near the bed. He didn’t say anything just kept reading the book. I snatched away the book from his hands.

“I asked, what are you doing here?” I reiterated.

“It was a boring book anyway, do you always read just absurd stuff?” He mocked me again.

“Get out right now!” I said firmly

“Why? Aren’t you able to control your-self? Are you already wet baby girl?”

That was enough, I lost all my patience. I raised my hand to slap him but he caught my hand in between.

He caught me off guard when he abruptly pulled me towards him. I nearly hit his head. From his other hand he held my mouth.

“If you care enough to breathe and don’t want me to strangle you into pieces, then never, ever repeat that again” He warned. And for the very first time instead of lust and mockery I had seen anger in his eyes. To be honest I was terrified looking at that rage in his jade blue eyes. I was breathing heavily. I tried to jerk his hand away but his hold was too strong. He then pushed me away on the bed. I fell on my back and he quickly hovered me with his hands on my either side. What was happening to me, I was terrified but still the curiosity of what’s happening got the best of me.

“You hate me, don’t you?” He mockingly asked.

“Hating you would mean that you matter to me, and you mean nothing to me.” I sneered

“For the first time we agree on something” He said still positioned over me. But I had to ask him why is he here. I pushed him back and sat up.

“What is your problem? Huh! What do you want from me, why do you keep coming back to torture me?” I asked annoyingly.

“Torture, really? I haven’t started talking to you and I am already torturing you. Wow you’re such a baby girl?” He started laughing.

“Just answer the question or get out.” I was so irritated and also getting late for my first day at work.

“I’ am not answerable to you and you don’t order me. But I can warn you that never ever pull this stunt ever again if you love peace in your life.”

What the fuck! Had he lost his mind. What does he think of himself? I mean it’s one thing to be obsessed with yourself, but how can he threaten people around.

“You’re responsible for your own doings. Behave properly and stay away from me, and you won’t have to deal with these stunts. Just because you have power and money, doesn’t give you the rights to think less of others.” As I got up to leave, he held my hand and pull me down and came closer to me.

“I ain’t dependent on anything to do what I feel like. Even without the power and money I’d have gotten away with as much shit as I wished. So, wake up and stop with your moral lecturing.” He said frivolously.

 “You know what I don’t care what you do, just leave me and stay away from me. I have work to do.” But this time I didn’t get up. Because I had a feeling, he would drag me down again, I just kept staring at him.

“Go wherever you want but answer my question first.” He demanded as always.

“Excuse me? Even I am not answerable to you.” I faked smiled.

“Do like Carter?” He still asked, but wait a minute, what?

“What? Why would you ask me that?” I was shocked on such a direct question.

“Just answer the question. Do you like him?” Though I was getting late but I was kind of enjoying annoying him.

“Why do you care and what if I did?” I snidely remarked

“I will have to kill him then.” He said it frivolously.

“What?”

“You know I like having human toys, and right you seem like an entertaining option. And I don’t allow others to play with my toys. So, you’re off limits until I get bored.” He winked at me.

“What the hell! I am not your toy and get lost right now or I’ll call the security.” I shouted.

“By all means, be my guest baby girl, oops sorry girl” He started laughing again. God he was such a pain in the ass. Though he was getting on my nerves but honestly, I was enjoying this love-hate banter. Actually, hate banter.

“You know what, stay here. I’ am going to leave, locking you in here.” I got up dribbling the ball in my court.

“I knew you wanted me all for your-self, that’s why you’re locking me up in your room, right?” Just as I was going to reply back my phone buzzed on my study table. I moved to see who was calling. It was my mom, I had to call her. After the scene last night, I couldn’t get a chance to call her back. She had called me multiple times after our last talk in the afternoon yesterday. I had to know about dad’s health too. But with Black in my room, it was a problem. Still, I picked it up.

“Hi mom, how are you?” I looked at Black hoping he would do nothing to disturb me.

“Hey, sweety. Why haven’t you been picking my calls. Is everything okay, I was so worried. Your dad’s been asking about you all day.” I was trying to focus on what mom was saying but all my attention was on Black. He was continuously staring at me. And that dark gaze was doing I don’t what sort of things to my body.

“Yeah, mom I know. I’m sorry I’ve been a little busy with adjusting here. Well, how’s dad? He’s fine, right?” I said a little distracted with the lion in my den.

“No, he’s not fine actually. That’s why I called you so many times. He had an attack yesterday and we had to admit him. He’s fine now and will be discharged by the evening but we are running out of money Vinni. I know you’ve just started college and don’t have a job yet. But dear we need to do something soon. I am sorry to worry you but I feel so restless” Just as my mom uttered about my dad’s condition all my focus was shifted from Black to my mom.

“What? Is he okay? How did it happen? Was he stressed about something or was he not taking his medication properly? Is he not eating well? Mom can I talk to him please” I was on the verge of tears. My dad’s condition had been critical. And it had become difficult for us to financially take care of him. Emotionally me and my mom were drained out. I love my dad a lot. And it pains me to see him like that and terrifies me to think about losing him.

“Sweety calm down. He’s okay and he was asking about you. But right now, he is sleeping and he needs rest so I can’t wake him up. But don’t worry the doctor said it was because the last chemo session wasn’t done properly. As we were busy with your transfer and formalities. I have settled the bill for now but for further expenses I will have to talk about it in college. I hope I get some help.” She said calmly. I wonder what she must be going through especially when I am here. Talking with mom I hadn’t seen what was Black doing and didn’t want to either. I turned around and walked out of the room as I didn’t want him to here about the tension in my family, although he had already heard most of it but anyways.

“Mom don’t worry I have got a job here and soon I’ll be getting an internship so we will be okay. Please just manage for a little while, I promise I’ll take care of things ahead. And please ask dad to call me as soon as he wakes up. And mom you also take and eat properly please. For I have to go, I’m getting late for work. Bye. Love you.” I hung up and rushed into my room. Amidst all this mess I had totally forgotten about my first day at work. As I went back to my room, Black was gone. I sighed a breath of relief. God he talks rubbish and I need to stay away from that asshole.

As much as I was relieved with him gone, I was also missing his presence. He was incessantly humiliating me but after a very long time I didn’t feel alone.