Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“I’m outside Nia, which floor is your apartment”

The text I got from Beck read,

“Don’t worry, I’m coming down now” I sent the reply to him.

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I took a few steps backwards to get a full view of what my outfit looked like. I was wearing a black square necked fitted midi dress. I styled it with a black clutch, matching stilettos and a brown overcoat. My hair was pulled together in a low bun and my make up was in nude.

“Let’s get this over with” I said to my reflection as I stepped out of my apartment.

I spotted Beck as soon as I stepped out of the condo, leaning casually on his midnight blue Cadillac CT5. He was wearing burgundy three piece suit, white dress shirt and black bow tie.

“Someone looks dashing” I teased as soon as I got to him,

“You look beautiful Nia” He smiled as he opened his front door for me to get in. “How are you feeling?”

“Really nervous if I’m being very honest” I exhaled deeply.

“It’s okay Nia, I got you. Okay?” He said reassuringly,

“Okay” I replied, smiling lightly

“Let’s do this” He said as turned on his ignition.

We arrived in front of an imposing building. It was a flat roofed building with a penthouse. The entirety of the building was mirrored and reflected beautifully. I couldn’t help but be so grateful I didn’t have a phobia for mirrors.

Beck stepped out of the car and opened the door for me. Tossing his keys to the valet, he took my hand gently. But not before buttoning his suit jacket.

The lawn was trimmed immaculately displaying “Warehouse”. I had no idea this place even existed here. It was probably kept secret on purpose to leave people like me out.

“Mr Kane, Dr Page” A man wearing a manager’s tag said to us as soon as we stepped in through the glass revolving door. “We’ve been expecting you”

“Right this way please” he said gesturing at us to follow him,

“I know my way” Beck said coldly,

“I’m so sorry” The manager apologised immediately,

I turned to look at Beck. He didn’t sound like himself. Almost like he embodied Maddox for a second “I’m sorry Nia”

“Why?” I asked,

“Here, the rules are different” he said as he led us to the private elevator, “People prey on the weak, you can’t ever let anyone notice any form of weakness”

“What does that have to do with him? He’s just a manager” I said gently,

“You don’t understand Nia, he isn’t just a manager. He’s also a pawn”

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Chapter 39

“Pawn?” I asked, confused?

“Don’t worry about it” He said as we stepped out of the elevator, “We’re here”

I stood behind him as he knocked on the door.

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I paused to smoothen the invisible wrinkles on my dress as I removed my coat and took deep breaths in and out.

“Right this way please” The waiter said, taking my coat and leading us to a serene restaurant right in the penthouse.

There were a total of the tables but only one was occupied. Victor Kane as the enigma he is, was seated in the centre drinking Vodka as usual.

The restaurant was silent, no piano sound; nothing. What kind of psychopath eats in a silent empty restaurant?

His eyes shifted from me to Beck and something cold settled in his expression.

“I could have sworn I asked you to come alone.”

“Good evening Sir” I greeted, suppressing my anxiety and standing a little taller.

“Dr. Page, a pleasure” he said monotonously,

His gaze dragged over me again, slower this time.

“You are very beautiful, Dr. Page,” he said calmly.

Then a pause.

“It almost makes people forget where you come from.”

“Dad-” Beck said cooly,

“I’m not surprised to see you” He said to him as we sat, “You seem quite enamoured with Miss Page,”

Beck sat silent, Victor signalled the waiter to serve us drinks without asking about our preferences.

“You always did struggle with boundaries,” Victor said lightly, though his eyes were anything but.

“Tell me, Beck… are you here as her shield, or her weakness?”

Beck stays silent. Such a narcissist, this man makes Maddox look like a saint.

I took a sip from my wine, “Is there a reason you asked to see me?”

“Do I need to have a reason?” He said casually, “I wanted to see the woman that’s making it impossible for my son to make a rational decision,”

“Dad” Beck said, “You know why she’s fake-dating Maddox”

“I do know, I just want her to remember her place” He replied, “Let me make something very clear, Dr. Page,” he said, swirling the vodka lazily in his glass. “Women like you… don’t get invited into families like mine.”

His eyes lifted to mine-cold, dissecting. “You’re temporary. Useful at best. Disposable at worst.”

The words didn’t just sting, they sank.

Not because they were new. But because a part of me….hated how familiar they felt.

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Chapter 39

My chest felt tight as the doors closed behind me.

Not because he scared me but because a part of me hated how easily he made me feel… insignificant.

The moment the car door shut, I broke silent tears at first-then the kind that shook your chest no matter how hard you tried to hold them in.

I pressed my hand over my mouth, forcing the sound back down. I was so tired of this. Tired of being looked at like I was… less. I hated all this. I covered my mouth to stifle the sobs. I didn’t want the driver hearing me cry.

“Thank you” I said to the driver as he dropped me in front of the condo.

I can’t keep living like this, I really can’t. I’m tired of people pushing me around like I’m a piece of garbage.

Maybe my mom was right. Maybe men like them didn’t belong in my world. But tonight? I didn’t want to be careful. I didn’t want to be small.

I grabbed my phone and texted Vera as soon as I got into my apartment,

“Are y’all still at decadence?”

Her reply came almost immediately, “We’re heading there now. Should we make a detour and pick you up??” with a thousand emojis.

It was almost 10pm and she was already drunk. I shook my head gently. She hasn’t even gotten to the club yet.

I sent her my location, and she replied with “on my way”.

I wiped my tears, staring at my reflection for a long second.

Then I reached for the red romper. If they wanted to make me feel small-I’d remind the world exactly who I was.

The fabric hugged my body like it was made for me. Bold. Unapologetic. I swapped my nude lips for blood red, letting the color settle like armor.

By the time I stepped back, I didn’t look like the girl who had just been humiliated.

I looked like I was in trouble. I maintained the clutch but changed my stilettos to black strappy Rene’s. I took my hair out of the bun, letting it drop down on my shoulders.

I grabbed my black coat and headed out. I had already gotten a text from Vera. She was here already.

“Damn Doctor,” Edna squealed as I got into the car,

“I knew you had it in you” Vera said giggling, “Open up”

My throat burned as she poured tequila down my throat.

Tonight wasn’t about forgetting. It was about reminding myself-I was never the weak one.