Chapter Six

Jaxon’s gaze darkened slightly. “Don’t misunderstand.” His voice dropped. “I’m not doing this for you.”

Savannah’s chest tightened. Of course.

“You belong to me now,” he continued. “And I don’t tolerate damaged property.”

His words stung deeply, she looked away, blinking back tears.

“I’m not your property.” she whispered but he heard her clearly. He stepped closer slowly and dangerously.

“Everything about your current situation says otherwise.” He said while looking at her intensely, slowly soaking in her features. Her breath caught.

He was close now. Too close that she blushed unintentionally. Her reaction amused him. He immediately hardened his heart when he remembered her identity again.

“You signed those papers,” he murmured. “You wear my name.”

His words immediately brought her back to reality. Savannah’s hands trembled. “I didn’t have a choice.”

Jaxon tilted his head slightly. “Neither did I.”

That made her look up. “What?” she asked but he had already stepped back. The moment passed like it never existed.

“Get used to this place,” he said coldly. “You’re not leaving.”

The finality in his tone crushed whatever fragile hope she had left. He turned toward the door then paused.

“Tomorrow,” he added, “you’re coming to the company with me.”

Savannah’s eyes widened. “Wh…what do you mean?”

“You’ll be working there.”

Her heart dropped. “Working?”

“As my secretary.” He said, glancing at her over his shoulder.

“I don’t know anything about that,” she said quickly.

“You’ll learn.” His tone left no room for argument.

“But I don’t want to”

“Want?” he cut in sharply. A cold smile formed on his lips, one that wasn't kind. “You still think your wants matter?”

Her voice died in her throat. He opened the door.

“Be ready by 8.” He said and just like that he left.

Savannah stood frozen in place, her mind racing, her chest tight. Her future, decided for her again without any care about her feelings, completely out of her control.

Slowly, she sank onto the bed.

Her hands clenched tightly into the sheets.

“Wo…work for him?” she stuttered. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “I really traded one prison for another”

Her eyes drifted toward the window. The night had fully settled now. Dark and endless. Just like the path ahead of her but somewhere deep inside, that small spark from earlier flickered again. It was a faint and fragile spark, but not gone. One that flickered with flames of hope.

“Jewelry design” She whispered the words softly.

Almost like a secret. Almost like a renewed hope. And for the first time since everything began Savannah didn’t just feel fear, she felt something else. Something small and dangerous.

The quiet beginning of resistance.

*******

Savannah barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw different versions of the same nightmare. Her uncle’s cold smile. The judge’s indifferent face. Jaxon’s dark, unreadable eye and the word that echoed louder than all of them. Property.

By the time morning came, her body felt heavy, like she had carried something far too large for too long. Images of the vivid nightmare of her past, her uncle's wicked hands on her skin still haunted her, yet she forced herself out of bed.

“There was no room for weakness, Savannah, dad always said I should be strong in every situation”, she whispered to herself as she thought of what awaits her from today. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, her eyes were still slightly swollen, but clearer than yesterday. Less broken and more aware.

“I have to survive this,” she said firmly, balling her hands into a fist with a determined look on her face. Not escape, not fight and neither will she rebel, not yet. Surviving is all that matters. That was the first step.

A knock came shortly after.

“Come in,” she said softly. Irene entered, holding a neatly arranged outfit. A fitted white blouse and a black pencil skirt. Simple, elegant and professional.

“For today,” Irene said with a gentle smile. Savannah hesitated before taking it.

“Thank you, I'll go take a shower now”. She said with a small smile. As she changed, she couldn’t ignore the unfamiliar feeling creeping into her chest. Nervousness but also something else, something sharper.

Anticipation.

She didn’t know what was waiting for her at Jaxon’s company, but she knew one thing, it wouldn’t be kind. When she stepped downstairs, Jaxon was already there seated at the dining table and reading something on his tablet. He looked handsome as always, effortlessly composed and his demeanor gave an untouchable vibe.

Savannah slowed her steps instinctively, he didn’t look up immediately but he noticed her, he always did.

“You’re late,” he said calmly. “But it’s 7:55.” Savannah blinked.

“And?” he replied, finally lifting his gaze. Her breath caught. Even in daylight, his presence was overwhelming.

“I said be ready by 8. Not almost ready.” His straightforward tone made her fingers tightened slightly

.“I’m sorry.” Savannah said with a sigh, one Jaxon noticed but choose to ignore. He studied her for a moment, then nodded once.

“Sit.”

She obeyed without making a fuss. Breakfast was already set. Neither of them spoke for a while and silence wasn’t peaceful,it was controlled. Just like everything about him. Savannah tried to eat, but she could feel his gaze occasionally flicking toward her. Measuring and assessing which made her uneasy.

“Eat properly,” he said suddenly.

“I am eating properly”, she replied, a little frown etched on her face.

“You’re barely touching your food.” He continued. Her jaw tightened slightly.

“I’m not very hungry.”

Jaxon leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. “That won’t work.”

Savannah frowned faintly at his statement, “What do you mean?”

“You’ll need your strength.”

“For what?”, she asked as her stomach twisted. His lips curved faintly hut there was no humor in it.

“To survive today.” He said, his expression looking evil with promises of suffering ahead, one that reignited the fear inside Savannah.

The ride to the company was silent. Savannah sat beside him, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The city passed by in a blur but her thoughts raced faster.

Secretary, she thought.

She had never worked in an office before. She thought the first company she would ever work in was in her father's company for a start but here she was.

Jewelry design, that was her dream. Her world. But now, she was stepping into his and she had no idea what awaited her. The car stopped in front of a towering glass and steel building. It looked very beautiful. The architectural design was amazing as it made the building convey one thing.

Power.

Savannah looked up, her breath catching slightly. “This is…”

“Blake Industries,” Jaxon finished. His company. His empire and her prison.

The moment they stepped inside, everything changed. Eyes turned, whispers followed and Savannah felt it immediately. The shift and tension was too thick to ignore. The gazes from these people made her uneasy.

“Is that her…?”

“She came with the boss…”

“She’s the new secretary?”

“No way…”

The murmurs were quiet but not quiet enough. Savannah’s chest tightened and Jaxon didn’t react. He walked forward like none of it mattered. Like none of them existed. Savannah followed, trying to match his pace and trying her best not to shrink under the weight of unfamiliar eyes.

They stepped into the private elevator leading to the top of the building. A bout of silence ensued between them as the door closed but it wasn't comforting.

Savannah let out a small breath which caught the attention of Jaxon.

“You’ll stay quiet unless spoken to,” Jaxon said suddenly making Savannah snap her head towards him

“What?” She asked rhetorically

“In the office. Don’t speak unnecessarily. Don’t interfere.”

Her brows furrowed slightly at his words, they denoted something degrading about her.

“I’m not stupid.” she said firmly.

His gaze shifted to her. Sharp. Cold.

“No,” he said. “You’re inexperienced.”

The words stung, his words always find ways to sting.

“But you’ll learn.” He continued.

Savannah looked away, clenching her fists slightly. She hated how easily he dismissed her but she couldn’t argue. Not yet.

The elevator opened and they stepped out into the top floor. Everything here felt different and more refined. More… intimidating.

As they walked out, a woman immediately approached. She was tall, elegant and walked with a certain type of confidence that's envious. Her heels clicked against the floor with authority as she approached them. Savannah watched her sway towards them, wondering what her identity could be. Just then, in a crisp, refined voice she called out.

“Jaxon.”

Her voice sounded very smooth and her tone was familiar. Too familiar, one that Savannah noticed instantly. The way she said his name, not “Mr. Blake.” no, it wasn't formal. It was personal and intimate. Like how a person you're very close to would call you.

Jaxon stopped. His expression didn’t change but something shifted.