Instead of scolding her like she thought, the man just murmured "It upsets me that you attempted to run away, but you're back and that's all that matters.
He gestured over to the vacant chair in front of him with a polite smile, "Please sit, I would like to speak with you."
Warily doing so, she arched a brow from the way he was eyeing her as he complimented, "That dress suits you beautifully." Glancing down at it she murmured, "Thank you, but why…."
He replied casually, "A lovely woman like yourself should only be dressed in the finest quality of clothing, but you're not wearing the jewelry I provided?"
He fetched the necklace, Olivia tensing when he placed it around her neck with a prideful murmur, "This is genuine sapphire studded with real diamonds which will truly bring out those lovely eyes of yours even more."
Sitting into the opposite comfy chair he admired her, "Exquisite."
Olivia blushed a little but said nothing, more curious than anything why this guy was being kind and flattering her so much, especially when everyone mentioned he was so angry and not to piss him off. What's he up to?
A knock on the door got thier attention before a servant boy came with a tea set on a tray. He settled it down carefully on the inn-table, pouring each cup and handing them to her first, which she accepted with a small polite thanks, then to his boss before leaving with a slight bow.
Taking a sip the man stated, "First things first, I believe an introduction is in order. My name is Axel Seiichiro." The woman just muttered, "You already know my name."
Still smiling he nodded, "True and I know you have many questions to why you're here Olivia, so it's only natural to answer them for you correct?"
The woman nodded and did ask quickly, "Why did you kidnap me?" He chuckled, "Cutting straight to the point I see, well, it's only natural. I had you brought here because you belong to me."
Furrowing her brows she blurted, "I don't belong to anyone!" "In a manner of speaking you do my dear, through legal documentation of course." "Legal documentation? What are you talking about? I've never signed anything!"
"No, but your parents did."
Seeing the confused expression he clarified, "As you and I both know, your parents are worthless pieces of garbage, so it wasn't a surprise when they needed money and came to me. I did loan them a great sum, expecting full reimbursement within a certain amount of time, but the imbeciles foolishly came up with an unsuccessful ploy to disappear and not pay me back."
He set his cup down and crossed his legs, "I collect any debt that's owed to me by any means necessary, this time planning on taking their lives since they couldn't pay…that is until I saw you." "Me?"
"Yes, I was at your home when we first met. You just walked by into the kitchen unnoticed by anyone except me so I asked about you. When they told me you were their biological daughter I was skeptical, figuring that you'd be the same as them, but I was wrong."
The more she thought about it, Olivia vaguely remembered the conversation with a tall man with long dark hair; just a few questions about her age and thoughts of her parents, other than that it wasn't important to her since he left soon after that.
"You were so cute when I spoke to you, blushing and trying not to look me in the eye, but more importantly you were polite and kind unlike your parents thankfully. I was compelled then to look into your family tree and discovered you do look very similar to your great grandmother. Judging from the comments left by the family she was a very kind and refined woman, but unfortunately there is always a rotten apple that doesn't fall far from the tree, which would be your mother."
Olivia was actually amazed with his research since she never even knew anything about any other family members but now secretly wanted to see the picture of her great grandmother and know more about her family tree.
"Takes trash to get with an even greater filth I suppose. Anyway, that's when I changed my mind about killing them."
"Y..You made a deal with them concerning me?"
His smile grew wider and interlaced his fingers over his lap, "Precisely, and they were more than willing to sign to save their own worthless hides, forfeiting legal guardianship over you and giving it to me."
Olivia gawked, too overwhelmed with what he was saying, "What does that mean?" "It means, I've been your legal guardian by law since you were seventeen."
Time seemed to stop as she tried to take in what he said, his claim was believable and yet not.
He pulled out some papers from his inner jacket and handed it to her, "If you don't believe me here is the documents to prove it, and don't bother tearing them since these are but mere copies."
Shakily reaching out she took them and read, not quite understanding the legal wording until near the tale end; paling when the last few lines caught her eye and the obvious handwriting of her parents.
Slumping back in her seat she groaned, "This is too much to take in."
"I understand."
She slammed the papers on the table and snapped, "No you don't, so don't act like you do! If this is true then why was I still with them for another two years? Not to mention why did you want me in the first place? What use was I to make up for their stupidity?"
Arching both elegant brows in surprise from her anger he continued in a somber tone, "I had dire preparations to attend to before I was able to take you into my custody and it took a far longer amount of time than intended, but when I came to collect at last…you had run away."
He spoke the last few words bitterly but kept his solemn expression, "It's only natural I suppose, you did loathe them after all." "I still do."
"As for my reasoning, well, I was at the prime of my life and rather lonely for companionship. Furthermore, I had to think of the future. A man in my line of work needs an heir to take over the business once I retire."
Olivia had a terrible feeling where he was getting at and it was confirmed, "I wouldn't stoop so low as to impregnate some random whore off the streets, that's unseemly. I desire a wife, but finding the right woman proved difficult until I met you."
"Why me?" "You were innocent, attractive, kind, and had so much potential." Inwardly he had another reason as well. Not to mention she would've done as she was told without retaliation and learn to accept me.
She jumped up from her seat angrily, "Are you that desperate? I was cowardly and not pretty at all!" "You had more than you thought Olivia, despite hiding your developing body with baggy clothes and not fixing up."
"I did not!" "There's no need to shout, I'm telling you the truth. Otherwise why would I still be interested in you after all this time without killing your parents?"
He did have a point the jerk, but this reminiscing about the past was just depressing her and wanted the subject over with.
"Whatever, I'm over eighteen now and don't have to do a damn thing you say. I'm not marrying you." He tilted his head, "Why?" "I don't like you and I already have a lover."
He shrugged and poured himself another cup of tea, "I see, how long have you been together?" Narrowing her eyes she muttered, "Since I was nineteen." "Oh, so you just happened to find someone when you ran away? How droll."
"Yeah so?" "How serious is this relationship?" "Very." He glanced up at her, "Then why are you not wed?"
That hit a nerve and made her frown, averting eye contact and not answering. He smiled since he knew he had finally found her weakness and would take advantage of that.
"It's been four years so if the relationship is as you say, then why? Does he think you're not good enough for such a commitment?"
Fiddling with her hands she mumbled without thinking, "It's just complicated with them."
His eyes lit up in astonishment, "Them?" Paling the woman turned and stood next the window sill, biting her lip angrily for letting that slip.
She has more than one lover? Oh this is simply perfect.
He left his seat and sauntered behind her, "No wonder you haven't settled down yet, two lovers will never work out; too much conflict and partiality to make a successful marriage."
She whimpered, "T..That's not it. You're wrong."
"Am I? Do you actually love them both equally?" "Yes." "I don't believe you do. Isn't there one you go to for advice rather than the other? When angered by one you run to the other for comfort? The list goes on."
Fighting back her tears she shook her head, "It's not perfect but we've made it work."
"Don't keep deluding yourself with futile dreams Olivia and look at the bigger picture. If they're ninja for example, then everyday is an uncertainty. They more than likely will be killed and then what will you have?"
In her mind she knew the answer to that; nothing. She would have nothing if they were killed, even though the others would still be there for her, but they all could die on a mission too.
He brushed back her hair from her shoulder and whispered charismatically, "I can offer you so much more than they; security, fine clothes, anything you desire. I will pamper you as you deserve. All I ask is that you give me your cooperation and affection. You will come to love me in due time."
The tears already had fallen when he gently tilted her chin up and pressed his lips on hers; knowing her mind was in a weakened state to even bother to resist much before molding them gently and then pulling back to stroke her lower lip.
He left with a smug grin, knowing full well she doubted her own senses now, so it was only a matter of time before the ceremony.
She will walk down that alter of her own free will, if not, then on to plan B.
TBC:
I better see a lot of reviews on this one, the truth has been revealed XD