Chapter 4
1023words
“I didn’t know Mr. Eloise had a grandson,” Glen commented, eyes still locked on Ethan, who had been hugging Akiko tightly, refusing to let go.
“He’s not my child,” Akiko clarified firmly before escorting Ethan to a different seat so Glen wouldn’t be distracted. Once she had made sure Ethan had the food and drink she ordered, she returned to Glen.
“Miss Eloise, I didn’t ask you here to waste time,” Glen said sharply, clearly annoyed that Akiko had been focused only on Ethan. She had even gently fed him, completely ignoring Glen.
“Sorry,” she muttered.
“Who is he?” Glen asked, glancing at Ethan.
“Ethan. He got lost, so I’m taking him home afterward,” she explained. Glen’s expression turned interrogative.
“Did I give you permission to go?” Glen’s question made Akiko frown in confusion—until she remembered that he was technically her ‘master,’ meaning he had the right to command her.
“Listen, Miss Eloise—”
“Akiko. My name is Akiko,” she snapped, irritated that he kept calling her by her family name.
“Aiko,” Glen said deliberately.
“It’s Akiko, Sir,” she corrected him sharply.
“Call me Glen. Besides, I’ll call you whatever I want. ‘Aiko’ suits your sweet face better,” he smirked. Akiko sighed in frustration. No matter how clearly she stated her wishes, Glen never listened unless it suited him.
“Whatever. Just don’t call me by my last name,” she muttered, prompting a chuckle from him.
“Why? Because Mr. Eloise sold you off for the sake of his company? What a fool, letting go of a jewel like you,” Glen laughed while caressing her cheek. He seemed to relish belittling her. Then, he handed her a sheet of paper—it was their contract.
“Read it carefully,” he said. 1. The contract is valid until Glen Mckenzie terminates it. 2. Akiko Eloise is fully the property of Glen Xander Mckenzie. 3. All of Akiko’s living expenses will be covered by Glen Xander Mckenzie.
Akiko was confused by the last point. If Glen would cover her living expenses, she wouldn’t need to work. But she knew he wouldn’t offer such generosity without expecting something in return.
“Well?” Glen asked.
“Let me add an exception,” Akiko requested, wanting to write a clause about what Glen wasn’t allowed to do.
“One,” Glen said flatly. It was selfish, but better than nothing.
“No s*x,” Akiko stated firmly.
“Aiko, that was the entire point. Why else would I take you in? Just looking at your pretty face doesn’t satisfy me,” Glen muttered, clearly displeased. But he pocketed the contract, seeming to accept it—at least for now.
“I can work for your company,” Akiko said, handing him a file of her achievements. Glen read it and was surprised by her skills. Why had Mr. Eloise given away such a talented daughter?
“Alright. Let’s go,” Glen said, walking away. Akiko quickly grabbed Ethan to take him home now that she had his address. Meanwhile, Glen waited in the car.
Akiko rang Ethan’s doorbell and knocked several times, but no one came. She was in a hurry since Glen was waiting.
“I don’t want to go home,” Ethan whispered, hugging her leg tightly.
“You can’t come with me. I live with someone who wouldn’t allow it,” she said, knowing Glen would never approve.
Finally, the door opened—only for a woman to scream, “You little brat!” A woman grabbed Ethan and dragged him inside, ignoring his sobs and desperate struggle. His cries only seemed to enrage her more. She began beating him with a baseball bat, his small body already bruised.
“I’m sorry, Mama…” Ethan sobbed, glancing at Akiko, as if to show her what “going home” really meant. Akiko regretted bringing him back.
“Stop! I’ll call the police!” Akiko yelled, shielding Ethan. The woman paused—but then hit Akiko too, not caring. Luckily, Akiko protected her head and only her arm was hurt.
“Stay out of our family business!” the woman snarled, trying to pull Ethan away.
“How can I ignore this when you’re beating him right in front of me?!” Akiko shot back. No wonder Ethan was terrified—his mother looked completely deranged.
“You told someone again, huh!?” the woman shouted at Ethan. She advanced toward them, and Akiko knew she had to get out. But the woman was faster and slammed the door shut. “I regret giving birth to you!” she screamed.
“Well, he regrets having a mother like you!” Akiko snapped.
“You chose to have him—why treat him like this now that he’s born? Don’t get pregnant if you don’t want to be a mother!”
“What right do you have to judge me? You know nothing, you stupid girl!”
“I know. I know what it’s like to have terrible parents,” Akiko replied coldly.
“I may be younger than you, but at least I have more common sense. Don’t you feel any pity for Ethan?”
“Take him, then! He’s just a curse! Because of him, my husband thinks I’m no longer attractive.” She pointed at her husband, who staggered drunkenly with a cigarette in his mouth and reeking of alcohol.
“Wh*r*,” the man muttered, glaring at her. Furious, the woman attacked him with the baseball bat. Blood spattered across the floor, but she didn’t stop. Akiko clutched Ethan tightly, horrified.
“Papa…” Ethan whispered, watching his father die at the hands of his own mother.
“All his money is mine now. That useless old man deserved it.” With a wicked smile, she turned toward Akiko and Ethan, who were curled in a corner. Akiko trembled at the sight of her. The woman raised the bat again, striking Akiko as she shielded Ethan. Pain shot through her body, and she flashed back to the beatings of her own childhood.
“Ahhh…” Akiko gasped, each blow making her feel like her body was shattering. Then, suddenly, the blows stopped.
When she opened her eyes, she saw blood trickling from the woman’s mouth. Behind her stood Glen, pulling a long knife from her gut.
“My hands are dirty now,” Glen growled, staring at Akiko expressionlessly.
