I quirked an eyebrow at him. His eyes shone with amusement.

"She slapped Mason. She had some guts considering the element of his hot-head," he said, folding his arms against his chest.

This girl. Not even a few hours had passed and here she was, messing with guys like Mason.

I knew she was trouble when for the first time I saw her at the party. I wanted this mission to get over as soon as possible so she'd be out of the picture. And I would have my peace.

I wanted to be wrapped up in the silk covers washing away all the tiredness in between my pillow and the sheets.

I was exhausted yet I had to check on her cause it's the part of the task-- to keep her alive.

I knew something was wrong. I could smell it in the air.

Before entering her den, I talked with Mason who explained to me the whole incident.

I walked up to the guest room prepared for her demonic face and barged in: She was sitting cross-legged on the bed with her head buried in the pillow that she kept on her lap. 

"Don't you have something called manners," she muffle-screamed.

I rolled my eyes.

"What did you do now?" I asked though I knew what she exactly did.

"Nothing till now but if you don't leave in three seconds, I will." She deadpanned, her face still buried into the pillow.

"So, you're hiding your face cause you accept defeat?" I teased.

"Excuse me?" She said, raising her head as soon as the words hit her.

It looked like I pressed the right buttons.

"Oh, you got a bruise?" I asked, my eyes zeroed on the purple bruise on her left cheek.

So cute.

"Stop smiling, you jerk. It was a fair fight. He got bruises too." She explained, her hands clutching the pillow tight.

"It's not even twenty-four hours since you arrived here and you're playing 'Hit-me-Hit-you' with the big guys?" I quirked an eyebrow at her, an annoyed one.

"He hit me first," she shrieked.

There she went!

"Again, the victim card. I gotta know why you loaned his money to that maid who fleed away." I said, my hands dug deep into the pockets of the trousers I was wearing, knowing this was going to be a long talk.

My eyes felt droopy.

"She was crying and asking for help. How could I overlook that?" She said, crossing her arms.

"This was her second chance, you see. The first time she stole some precious art pieces from the house and I forgave her." I stated.

The whole fight took place because this feisty damsel borrowed money from Mason and lent it to one of our maids who took off stealing a few more stuff along with the money.

She got played.

"Are you done? I'm sorry if I can't see a poor girl in pain." She tried to justify her actions.

"That's the thing with you feminists, you all think that every girl is poor or in pain."

"Leave. This. Room." She screamed. Her face blushed, a vein on her forehead popped.

He hit her really hard. He hit her at two places. I could see the blood clot near the corner of her lower lip. I needed to have a talk with him.

I ignored her vocal cord working in the background and focused my attention on finding the first-aid box.

I walked up to the drawer near the bedside table and pulled out the first-aid box and tossed it on the bed.

A little help wouldn't hurt, I guessed.

"Apply something there," I said while indicating her lip and cheek.

"I thought you hated a woman's guts plus I don't need your pity," she said grimacing.

"Unlike women, I ain't callous and hollow." I spit out, narrowing my eyes at her childish behavior.

She was so blunt. Exasperating.

"You know what? You are a hypocrite. You say you hate women and then you act as you care." She said while standing up. Her eyes darting from the box on the bed to me.

"You know what you are? Uptight and filthy." I whispered while towering over her. 

Her eyes widened and she gritted her teeth. A muscle in her jaw ticked.

I brushed my thumb over her bruised lip and she didn't even flinch. Sure, they had a fair fight.

She was standing stiff as if my presence was bothering her. It was tempting to believe but then, till now everything about her had been not so believable.

I noticed her hand balled into a fist. Her discomfort somewhat pleased me. I was anticipating her reaction. But, she gave away nothing.

Just like before, when I had kissed to sedate her. There were no emotions involved, it felt mechanical and planned. 

She was about to push me but I distanced myself already. Spinning around, I walked away. 

Why did I even went to her room in the first place?

I mentally cursed myself for it like ten times as I entered my room, recalling more important issues like about filling in Delfino about the past events.

Mikail Delfino was our boss.

I had just finished talking with him when I heard hoots and the sound of laughter coming from outside. It was too loud.

I followed the voice, it was coming from the game room. The game room was the place where all the boys played video games, yes, those six-foot-tall men still played those.

I entered the room saw Andrew and Ashley playing a racing game sitting on the settee; Hudson was busy clicking that feisty brownie's pictures, while his legs were over the settee's headrest, his middle body somewhere balanced between the settee and the center table and his ass, lying on the table.

He was really an amazing photographer and right now, he was clearly busy at work. There was a bowl or more appropriately a casserole of popcorn lying on Mason's lap almost empty. That man could eat anything anytime.

He was the hulk of our team. The floor was carpeted with popcorns, wafers, and soda cans. The whole room was a complete mess.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys? It's freaking two in the morning and you all are playing video games?" I said.

No one answered. Everyone was still busy hooting and laughing. 

"Guys, I have chocolate ice-cream," I screamed.

All heads turned around together. 

I rolled my eyes.

"Why do you joke about food, man?" Mason groaned.

"Sorry, buddy. But, that's the only way to get your attention. Hudson, keep the lens down for a sec, will you?" I said, shifting my gaze from Mason to him.

"Since when did you become camera conscious?" Hudson asked. 

"He is a nosy girl in disguise of a man's getup who secretly fancies attention." She added while others laughed.

"What do I fancy, sugar?" Mason asked, trying to woo her while she snorted.

"Everyone, back to your room right now," I said while emphasizing every word. 

And each of them dragged their asses from there except her.

Of course.

"Do I need to give you a special notice, sugar?" I stretched the word sugar knowingly.

"Can't an abducted girl have some fun?" she nagged. Her lower lip drawled out, her eyebrows furrowed at me.

"She can have fun tomorrow."

"And how's that, Mr. Woman-hater?" she asked. Her eyes shone with curiosity as she threw the packet of chips she was hogging on, brushed past me toward her room.

"You'll see," I said. Making a promise I know I wouldn't be able to keep.

Do you like the group?