Preferably, he’d allow me to take a plate full and sit elsewhere, perhaps in the little cozy living room I always loved to spend my evenings reading in. However, I don’t push my luck.
Instead, I grab the bottle of Dr. Pepper Mariana put out for me and take a long swig. All she’s been bringing me up in that room is water and I’m so bored with it.
I can feel Adrik’s eyes on me, but I try to ignore him. It was good to feel free, if only for a moment, and then he walked in and everything changed. Mariana is no longer speaking freely as she makes herself busy, putting the nachos on the table and grabbing us some plates.
“If that is all?” she asks, looking at Adrik.
Adrik nods. “You are excused.”
I exchange glances with her as she leaves, and she gives me a wistful smile. The pity in her eyes hurts, as I’m not a wounded animal that needs pity. If I’m going to survive the son of a bitch sitting next to me for the rest of my life, I need to be strong and pull myself together.
Giving me freedom might be the most dangerous thing Adrik has ever done. As it has ignited a well of hope. Hope that despite how helpless I’ve felt, there is a chance to drag myself out of this. If he trusts me, he won’t see my betrayal coming before it’s too late, but I need to be smart about it.
Adrik stacks his plate with nachos and eats in silence next to me.
I would have preferred Mariana’s company. “How was your day?”
He stiffens and glances at me. “It was fine. You realize I don’t expect small talk, right?”
I shrug. “Fine, let’s eat in awkward silence instead.” I shovel some more food into my mouth, knowing I can’t push too much. If my attitude toward him changes too fast, he’ll suspect I’m up to something.
His eyes narrow. “How was yours?”
“Oh, thrilling. I sat on a bed all day and stared at the wall.”
He chuckles, the sound not callous. “At least your days shall be more interesting from here on in.” He pauses and looks me in the eye. “As long as you behave.”
I turn my attention back to my food. “I always behave.”
“Liar,” he says, shaking his head. “What about when you ran away from the charity event?”
I shrug. “A mistake.”
“I’m glad you’re seeing the error of your ways, but I must say that I’m skeptical.” He raps his fingers in an off-beat rhythm on the granite work surface of the island. “You can’t mean you’re happy to be my prisoner.”
“No, I’m merely resigned to my fate.” I look him in the eye then. “Is there any use fighting a battle I know I can’t win?”
There’s a hint of surprise in those unusual blue-flecked hazel eyes of his. “I always knew you were smart, Eliza.”
I’m not sure what he means by that. Whether I’m smart to accept my fate or whether I’m smart trying to trick him. Swallowing hard, I return my attention to my food. “You said when we first met you’d allow me to finish med school. Was that a lie?”
It’s a question I’ve wanted to ask for a long while now, but I could never bring myself to ask it. The answer could shatter me entirely.
“Not a lie, but I don’t trust you enough yet to let you roam outside freely.” He shrugs. “Let’s say you’re on a break from your studies, but if you are a very good girl, maybe I’ll let you return to school.”
I sigh heavily, as it’s not an outright no. To be honest, my mind is so fucked up at the moment, I doubt I’d be able to focus.
We sit in silence after that while we eat. Once all the chips are gone, he sighs. “Must admit, those are the best nachos I’ve ever tasted.” The casual tone of his voice only sets me on edge. “Did Mariana prepare any dessert?”
I shake my head. “She got ice cream.”
Adrik arches his brow. “What kind?”
“Ben and Jerry’s Salted Caramel Core.”
He nods toward the refrigerator. “Fetch it, then.”
The order prickles my nerves as he’s talking to me like a dog.Fetch.I remind myself that if I want to escape this; I need to remain civil. He’s given me my freedom today, or an ounce at least. Pushing too hard might make him change his mind.