My knocks grew into pounding as panic swelled up in my chest. But no matter what I did, the door wouldn't open up. It was as if ten people were holding it from the outside.
I glared back. "Hugo Tempest!" my voice thundered while Hugo was leisurely drinking his wine, sitting comfortably in the armchair.
"What?" he tilted his head to the side, feigning ignorant at this situation.
"What is the meaning of this?" I asked angrily, but he shrugged indifferently.
"It is what it is, Rinnie. You're stuck with me."
I stormed towards him, huffing and puffing with my hands clenched in my rear. "I need to leave."
"Then... leave."
"How — hah!" I was at a loss for words, staring at him in disbelief. "You... are holding me captive?"
"No, Rinnie. We're both hostages here!"
"Hugo!" I scoffed again, studying his nonchalant demeanor. He was dead serious. He wouldn't let me walk out of here that easily. I shook my head, taking the seat across from him to recollect my thoughts.
This was suffocating. Staying with him longer was something I didn't want. Why? Because I knew for sure Hugo would be able to break my defenses.
"You are so cruel, Rinnie." I raised my head, setting my eyes on the indifferent person across from me. "If you despised me that much, you didn't have to rub it in my face. I mean, I get it. Three years is a long time. You changed, and I did."
Hugo turned his head to the window. "I used to see you as someone I can worship, but now... the more you hate me, the better." He let out a dark laugh, eyes on me. "You have no choice but to stay beside the man you hate. Isn't that amazing?"
"I don't hate you," I argued with a dry laugh.
"If you don't, then why are you so against sticking with me?" this time, my tongue rolled back, letting my mouth ajar. "We've been here for just almost an hour, but you're acting as if I held you captive for ten years now."
"Why, Rinnie?" he continued with an arched brow. "Why are you so afraid of spending a night with me?"
Why? Was he asking because he didn't know? Or... was he asking because he wanted me to spell it out for him?
I looked away and exhaled deeply. "Just how long will you keep me in this place?"
"Until you don't mind rotting next to me?"
"Hugo." I took a deep breath and faced him squarely. "How about your mate? Wasn't she with you?"
"Ahh... you're still hung up about that mating thing?"
"I am not. I just have my conscience."
"Well, my wife will not mind." My breath hitched when he mentioned 'wife', but then acted nonchalantly. "She is very understanding and kind."
"Will you just take advantage of her just because she is kind and understanding?" I snorted in disbelief at what I just heard. Surely, this change was something I didn't expect. Hugo was like this... and I totally ruined him.
He cast me a look with an air of indifference surrounding him. "Hmm? What's so wrong with that?"
"Do you... not care about hurting others anymore?"
"Since when did I care?" he tilted his head to the side. "I never cared about anything, Rinnie. I don't know what kind of Hugo you have in your mind, but that man is long dead. You killed him."
I clasped my harem pants, clenching my teeth until my jaw nearly locked. This was what he wanted. To make me leave with nothing. No good memories to remember, to hurt another woman against my will, and to just kill my spirit.
Did I deserve such punishment? Maybe. But... wouldn't that hurt him as well? If his wife... knew about this, wouldn't that put a strain on their marriage?
"Just... why are you doing this, Hugh?" came out a weak voice, hanging my head low to hide the sadness in my eyes. "Was putting me in pain worthy of your time?"
"Yes." His voice was certain but kept it low. I looked up and saw his unsmiling countenance, eyes glinting dangerously.
"I told you, didn't I? I will make you the most miserable person in this world until you understand my pain." He slowly raised from his seat, taking slow, feather-like steps towards the window. "You want to leave? Sure. But don't even think that I won't drag you back here. It's your fault for showing in front of me."
All I could do was watch him close the curtain. With that, darkness enveloped us. I listened to his footsteps and then saw him light up a candelabra near the shelf. I remained silent as my eyes followed his figure light up a few candelabras so we could see in the dark.
After he lit up the last one, Hugo brought it to the table and placed it in the middle. He cast me a look, letting the light from the candle dance in his unapologetic countenance.
"Hungry?" he asked, but then answered it himself. "Well, you have to hold it in, since everyone will be busy tonight."
"What do you want to do by keeping me in here?" I asked sarcastically, unbothered by what he meant by that. "Stare at each other?"
"Mhm. That's not bad." He rocked his head, walking to the empty chair. He then dragged it closer to mine. Hugo perched on it, placing a hand on my armrest to check if I was within his reach.
"Let's stare at each other all night," he suggested with a smirk. "I wouldn't mind looking at you. There's so much to see, after all."
I fought the urge to cover my body, looking away from him. "Never mind..." I trailed off as my brows furrowed, hearing faint shouts and cries. "What's going on?"
I tried to stand up from the chair to see what was happening in Clayburn. But alas, Hugo grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down to my chair.
"Don't look outside," he said, making my heart race in panic.
"What... did you do?"
"You are so quick to judge, Rinnie," came out an indifferent voice. "It's not me. It's that bastard from Hendrik Empire. I am simply here for the fun."
"What..."
"In other words, what happened in Everfell will happen in Althea," he summarized as if the situation didn't matter to him. "What? Won't you thank me for letting you avoid going through that again the second time?"
"My people are out there."
"Your point?" he cocked his head to the side. "You survived. Isn't that what's the most important thing?"
"Hugo Tempest..." my voice shook as my breathing grew heavier, grinding my teeth with my eyes holding his gaze.
"Rinnie." His eyes darkened as he didn't also back down. "Your people will survive, obviously. However, they might not if you keep testing my patience.. I meant it when I said the more you hate me, the better."