The Enforcer's Sister

Chapter Six: Adele - Adjoining Rooms

As I waited for Archer to get fully dressed, anticipation and nerves fluttered in my stomach. The events of the past hours had been nothing short of overwhelming, and being in his presence felt both exhilarating and intimidating. My eyes lingered on the closed door leading to the walk-in closet.

Finally, the door creaked open, and my breath hitched as I caught sight of him. Archer stepped out, dressed in an impeccably tailored, expensive black suit that accentuated every sculpted inch of his six-foot-four frame. His hair was still wet, giving him an air of both elegance and a hint of casualness. The dark tendrils glistened under the soft glow of the room's lighting, accentuating his chiseled features and adding an irresistible allure. There was an undeniable magnetism about him, and I couldn't help but think that he was one of the most attractive men I had ever seen.

He commanded attention with his presence alone. My eyes traced the contours of his perfectly tailored suit, admiring the way it accentuated his strong physique. 

Without a moment's hesitation, Archer strode purposefully towards an adjoining door and opened it. His gaze met mine briefly, a flicker of intensity passing between us before he spoke in a voice that was both authoritative and bland.

"Here is your room," he said, his voice was firm and withdrawn. "Chad has already placed your bag inside. If you need anything, simply ask the staff. But remember, you are not to leave the building unguarded."

“What? What do you mean I can’t leave the building?!” I questioned in dismay, wondering how long I am to be kept indoors. I opened my mouth to object, to question the need for such restrictions, but before any words could escape, Archer preemptively cut me off.

"We are following Mark's directives," he continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Feel free to vent your frustrations at him when you see him. But for now, I must leave."

With those final words, he stood aside, awaiting my passage to the adjacent room. He stared at me so stonily, I had no choice but to obey. He was quite an enigma - this complicated being. As I walked past him, an intense desire to speak my mind welled up within me, ‘I have school for God's sake’ I thought infuriatingly, but before I could voice my thoughts, the door swiftly closed, leaving me alone in the beautifully decorated room.

“Are you kidding me?!” I muttered aghast, “Aargh!” I growled in frustration and annoyance, waving my fisted hand against the conjured image of him and kicking my feet like a child then I realized I was still wearing his towel robe, and my dress was in his closet. “Damn it to hell!” I cursed and turned around. The sight that greeted me made me gasp in awe as I found myself immersed in luxury. 

The room exudes elegance, with its tastefully chosen furnishings and intricate details. Soft, plush carpeting cushioned my steps as I explored further, my eyes widening in awe at the sight of a walk-in closet. It mirrored Archer's opulence, promising an array of exquisite clothing and accessories.

But what truly stole my breath away was the side glass wall, revealing a breathtaking view of an expansive balcony. The setting beyond was a paradise in itself, featuring a shimmering swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery and plush loungers. It was a haven of tranquility and beauty, beckoning me to step outside and revel in its splendor.

Despite my frustration with the circumstances and Archer's abrupt departure, the allure of the luxurious room and the enchanting balcony enticed me. With a sigh, I allowed myself to be captivated by the room's charm, promising to explore every corner and embrace the serenity that awaited me. "And then I'm going to call Mark and give him a piece of my mind," I muttered, my words hanging in the air as I spoke to myself. Flashes of the scene with Archer in the shower stall invaded my head and I stood still, shut my eyes, and reveled in the memory. His scent still clogged my senses and the feel of his skin under my touch made me press my palm to 

my stomach, imagining his hands on me. The kiss he had given me the night before helped to fuel my imagination. I flicked out my tongue, stroking the tip over my lips and I swear I could still taste him. My hand trailed up my front and just when I was about to cup my left breast, a gentle sound came from the main door, startling me. I felt hot and flushed, it was almost as if I was caught in the actual act. My heart raced as I cleared my throat and called out, “Who is it?”

“I am Maria, Madam, from the kitchen,” a French-accented female voice answered. 

"I'm coming," I said, taking a cleansing breath before hurrying to open the door. Peering out, a smile lit up my face as I greeted the petite woman standing there. "Hey," I said, and she responded with a wavering smile, as though my cheerful disposition had caught her off guard. 

"I- I, um, Mr. Donovan asked that we find out what you would like for lunch and dinner," Maria stammered nervously.

"Oh," I replied, furrowing my brow in confusion. I was clearly out of my depth here. I had never been in this kind of situation before. Mark and I usually just ate whatever we could find and only prepared elaborate meals when he had time off and wanted to hang out with me. I recalled a time when Mark had taken me to a fancy restaurant and we were presented with an overwhelming array of options on the menu. Mark had glanced at it for a while, then placed it down and asked, "What would you recommend?" And that was exactly what I said to Maria. She flashed that wavering smile again.

"Um, certainly, Madam..."

"Please, just call me Adele," I said, attempting to put her at ease. However, her eyes widened in horror.

"I- I don't think the boss would like that, Madam," she replied, utterly flustered.

"It's okay, I'm just his nurse," I reassured her.

"No, Madam, it's best I don't use your name," she responded firmly.

"Okay then, Madam it is..." I said, making a comical gesture that earned me an uncomfortable frown. To cover up the goofiness, I coughed softly and flashed a smile. "So, lunch..." I prompted.

She nodded vigorously. "For lunch, we have a variety of delectable choices. We can start with a light but flavorful soup, perhaps a creamy tomato bisque garnished with fresh herbs. Followed by that, we can offer a succulent grilled salmon served alongside a bed of steamed asparagus and roasted garlic mashed potatoes."

Infusing enthusiasm into my voice, I replied, "That sounds marvelous, Maria. I do enjoy a well-prepared seafood dish. Please, go on..." She beamed with pleasure.

"Absolutely, Madam. For dessert, we could offer a delightful lemon meringue tart or a rich chocolate lava cake. We have an exceptional pastry chef who creates the most exquisite sweets. Is there anything specific you'd like to add or modify?"

I pretended to contemplate and said, "Hmm, I think the menu sounds splendid as it is."

"Of course, Madam. For dinner, we can begin with an elegant appetizer like seared foie gras served on a bed of caramelized apples and drizzled with a delicate balsamic reduction. Following that, we can offer a main course of tender filet mignon, cooked to perfection, accompanied by truffle-infused mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables."

"Wow, of course, let's do that. It sounds truly divine, Maria. And dessert?" I inquired.

"For dessert, we have a wide array of options. Our signature dessert is a layered raspberry and white chocolate mousse cake, garnished with fresh berries and a sprinkle of gold leaf. It's an absolute showstopper."

"Oh, that sounds exquisite! Let's definitely have that for dessert. Maria, I must commend you on your impeccable suggestions. You certainly have a talent for pleasing the palate," I said, trying not to laugh at my own silliness. The poor thing turned pink in the face, obviously buying into my nonsense. Perhaps I should consider taking acting classes.

"Thank you, Madam. It's my pleasure to assist you in creating a memorable dining experience. Rest assured, our dedicated chefs will spare no effort in ensuring your meals are nothing short of extraordinary," she replied, her voice filled with pride.

"I have no doubt, Maria. I'm eagerly looking forward to these culinary delights. Thank you for your assistance."

"You're most welcome, Madam. If there's anything else you need or any special dietary requirements, please don't hesitate to let me know. We'll make sure everything is tailored to your preferences."

"I appreciate your attentiveness, Maria. You've been wonderful," I said. She curtsied and hurried away. Peering after her, I noticed three guards at the end of the hallway. "Perfect," I muttered with irritation, shutting the door. "At least I'll get pampered in this prison," I said, mimicking Maria's French-accented voice. "Seared foie gras served on a bed of caramelized apples and drizzled with a delicate balsamic reduction." Giggling, I added, "What the hell does that even mean? Lady, just give me a damn burger. Thank you," I said, amusing myself. "Special dietary requirements," I scoffed. 

After a much-needed shower, I proceeded to sort out my clothes and hung them in the closet. As I placed my garments away, I noticed a few dresses already hung there, still in their plastic bags. A pang of curiosity gripped me, wondering who they belonged to. The thought of another woman having full access to Archer's body and heart made my own heart constrict. The image of the Bambi-like woman who was with him during our first encounter plagued my mind, fueling my imagination with scenes of their passionate moments together. Shaking my head to dispel the thoughts, I moved my own clothes away from the elegant dresses.

Afterward, I lay down on the bed, picking up the new phone Archer had given me. I dialed Mark's number, and he answered on the first ring.

"Are you okay?" his familiar husky voice inquired, filled with concern. I couldn't help but smile. I loved Mark so deeply. I would be utterly lost without him, and perhaps even dead. I didn't understand why his voice evoked such strong emotions within me, but it did. Maybe it was because, for the first time in a while, he wasn't near to protect me and slay my dragons.

"Little bird?" he pressed gently.

"I'm okay, just missing you. Can you believe that nonsense?" I replied, my voice tinged with affectionate amusement.

He chuckled. "I am a pretty awesome big brother," he responded.

I giggled. "How subtle. Silly goose..." I said playfully, then paused before continuing in a more solemn tone. "But you really are a pretty awesome big brother."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and then he spoke softly, "Give me a few days, little bird, and then you can come home. I promise."