Arabella's POV
"You shall refer to me as Lord Klaus", that word rang in my head, staring at his lips, i knew for a fact that it wasn't a joke, he meant business and with each second of the ride, i slowly realized that i was about to sell my freedom and happiness as i could hardly find any form of sarcasm in his words, he meant every word.
"Do you understand me?" He asked, waking me up from my thoughts.
"Yes, Mr Klaus" i replied immediately and his mood changed in seconds, his eyes slowly turning red as he stared at me with what felt like sheer hatred in his eyes, i grew scared by the second, the air in the SUV shifting slowly.
"I understand you, Lord Klaus," I corrected myself instantly, watching as his mood lightened up for a minute. He wasn't playing, and neither was he in any way kind, his face carried the look of a villain under sheep's clothing.
"We are heading to see my family, you must understand the basics before we get there, I won't tolerate nonsense or give room for mistakes, you must do as i say if you value your life!" His words were threatening, but i held my composure, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
"Look at me! Arabella, you don't look away when I'm talking to you, i am your master and you're my puppet!" He added, his proud nature exposing itself so quickly.
"Your puppet?" I asked curiously.
"What do you think?, when the contract is signed, you will understand better, you're not up to the standards of my ex girlfriends" he condemned me at the spot, trying so hard to shatter what remained of my confidence and self esteem and i watched with tears gathering in my eyes but there was nothing i could do.
"I'm not your puppet, Mr Klaus. We are partners seeking out selfish interest, and you must treat me with respect!" I thundered, summoning courage as we drove into the airport, passing through the security check points at ease. They all bowed when they saw Klaus and this gave me goosebumps but i remained composed, not willing to lose the last shred of my bitch nature.
He came down from the SUV and before i could take a step further, Klaus's voice called me back.
"We aren't partners and we will never be!, you're nothing but a puppet to me and i will prove it" Everyone watched in utter silence as he stood still while i stared from where i stood, hoping this was another threat to get me in line.
"Arabella, my shoes are dusty, I need you to clean them with your clothes!" He ordered. I laughed unconsciously until i couldn't hold it in anymore, i looked around, hoping everyone would join me to laugh but i stood alone, laughing like a clown while his bodyguards and the airport officials carried long faces.
I felt so uncomfortable by the second as i swallowed hard and tried to walk away but Klaus thundered.
"Arabella!!!"
"Come and clean my shoes!" He ordered again, this time, his voice thick with rage as he moved closer to me, i lost my composure in that minute.
"And why would i ever do such a thing?" I dared to ask since everyone feared his presence.
"You will clean my shoes if you desire revenge on your husband and if you want something better than this misery you call a life. You owe me and i intend to make you work for every dime until your debt is repaid!" He said softly but his words carried so much weight that crushed my heart, i stood still, words hanging at the back of my throat.
I tried to speak but tears streamed down my cheeks, he took out his handkerchief and tossed it at my face.
"Don't let your pride stand in the way, clean my shoes or you might as well kiss this very opportunity goodbye" he added, a dark smile etched on his lips.
I slowly went on my knees in utter shame, my fingers shaking as they touched his shoes, the humiliation stung like a bee's sting and with swipe of dust from his shoes, my heart grew darker with thoughts of revenge. His bodyguards smiled as i took a quick glance at their faces, they enjoyed the scene, watching a lady bow to their master's feet, a trait all men enjoyed watching with utter delight.
"Rise my puppet, i believe you now know the rules and who's your master!" Klaus revealed and his men all roared with laughter while my heart sunk in shame and utter regret, i wept silently as the humiliation cut deep through my skin like a sword.
Klaus walked past me with his guards while i was still on my knees, i stared at summoned the courage to walk with him as the airport officials led him to his private jet that sat beautiful on the track.
"It's finally time to go home!" Klaus said with joy as he alighted the jet, i followed behind him and sat alone to rethink my life choices but he wasn't ready to give me such luxury as he ordered that i sit close to him.
"I can make your life easy and i can also make it hard, it all depends on your obedience, Arabella, I wouldn't want to hurt that fragile heart of yours anymore" he whispered.
"Now i see why you have remained single, your pride and arrogance throws any girl that would even have a shred of feelings for you off balance, a man like you can't be loved" i replied softly, hoping i could take a page from his play book and hurt his hard shell heart but he laughed hysterically like i cracked a joke of the year.
He mimicked my voice and everyone in the jet joined in the laughter, my skin suddenly went cold with goosebumps as i closed my eyes, hoping all of this was a nightmare but as the laughter increased, i realized i was in for the mockery of a lifetime and it hurt my heart the more i thought about it. I wiped my tears, not willing to succumb to Klaus's mockery and aim to break me and turn me into his puppet.