C3 The Lies That Bind

★★★★★

“Mr.. Mr Gilbert..”

Iris stammered as a pail of dread poured out on her, leaving her with trembling lips and a racing heart while she stared at the monster who was almost completely dressed in black.

“Why did you do that?!” Gilbert asked with an unfriendly expression, moving closer to where she was without even pretending to be a good man in public.

“I … I can explain..” Iris stuttered and began taking a few steps backwards while he moved closer to her with the help of his long legs..

With raised brows, Vivian stared at the duo in turns, wondering what was going on.

She couldn't assume he was her husband or fiance because judging from the way he looked, he was old enough to be her father.

“Explain what?!..” Gilbert growled, raising his palms with the intention to strike Iris across the face.

With a swift move, she hid behind Vivian, dodging the hit while Vivian grabbed his hand, successfully stopping it in mid-air.

“Sir!..” she cautioned but Gilbert didn't even pay attention to her.

“You left me hanging yesterday and moved out without my notice, you didn't even return home!” he yelled with his wrist still trapped in Vivian's grasp..

“Hanging..?” Vivian gulped.

Apparently, it only meant one thing!

“She can't be sleeping with this old thing, right?.." Vivian thought, trying to reassure herself that Iris wouldn't stoop so low to be a slut.

“Tell me what you want to explain!” Gilbert yelled again earning the attention of people in the garage and a few other staff loitering around..

“Sir, no matter who you are to her, it's wrong to do this in public, this is a place of work, obviously!” Vivian cautioned again, intentionally piercing his skin with her nails while still holding onto him.

For the first time since he arrived, he turned to her, paying her the attention he never bothered to pay until now..

“Right.." he smirked.

Vivian's brows furrowed on their own.

“That's right, punishments are meant to be in private..” Gilbert added, portraying creepiness with his smirk…

Iris' eyes widened from where she stood. She needed no confirmation, his word ‘Punishment’ meant that dreadful thing she knew about and the thought of it alone was even more murderous.

Gilbert reverted his gaze back to Iris, still wearing his creepy smirk.

“Get into the car, now” he ordered in a cool voice that echoed his cruel and creepy intentions..

“Remember the punishment that comes after making me repeat myself?.., don't dare double your troubles”he said again after noticing her hesitance to move.

He turned back to Vivian who was even now speechless.

“Now, get back to work” he said frankly, snatching his hand roughly from her grip before finally moving away but that wasn't without giving her an expression that meant nothing but ‘Don't try interfering in matters that don't concern you anymore..’

“Get into the car before I do!” Gilbert said harshly to Iris who was still moving slowly, hoping to be saved by Vivian or anyone witnessing the scene..

Indeed, they were in public but who dared make an attempt to arrest the popular Gilbert Williams for oral violence?..

Well..

Maybe if the person was ready to spend the rest of his life wincing in agony while being caned mercilessly by Gilbert's men, he or she could try making such an attempt.

“At the countdown of three!” Gilbert said with more seriousness this time and in a rush, Iris entered the car, crying and pleading helplessly..

“What sort of man treats a grown up lady like this ?.." Vivian wondered, watching as Gilbert got behind the steering wheels before igniting the car's engine.

“Little wonder why she seems traumatized..” She thought aloud.

She remained in the spot for about three minutes or more, wondering what was going on in Gilbert's car since the tinted car windows were an obstruction to her clear view.

“Send two of my men with the white Lamborghini right now” she suddenly heard someone say behind her after some minutes and she immediately turned.

“CEO Kim?.." she thought at first but her assumptions got proved wrong when the man's face came into a clear view.

Her eyes widened a bit on seeing the drunk billionaire from last night whom Iris left with and at that same moment, Gilbert's car drove out of sight… coincidentally.

The screeching sound of the car made her steal a quick glance at the fast-moving car before turning back to Harrison.

“You have just five minutes.." Harrison said behind her again, walking with steady strides towards the VIP waiting section near the parking lot. He had already cleaned up and paid the hotel bills.

Cleaning up didn't cost him lots of minutes simply because he was never comfortable with hotels or any other places apart from his own house.

“He looks so different from last night” Vivian gulped, still staring intently at him.

He was no longer wearing the same clothes from the previous night. Without taking her eyes off him, Vivian briefly wondered how he'd acquired the new attire until she remembered the hotel's emergency services, which allowed guests to order essential items, including clothing, with a simple call to the reception.

“Vivian Emerson!” The manager's growl suddenly stole her attention immediately from the building's exit door and with a little sense of panic, Vivian rushed back into the bar immediately.

Harrison ended the call with his worker on getting to the waiting section.

Still, Iris' voice hadn't left his head and now it was starting to seem like he was really being haunted by her cries and pleas.

“I don't even know what she looks like..” he scoffed, palming his face.

“..my name is Iris Norbert..” he suddenly heard her voice come around again.

His eyes brightened up immediately..

“Right, she told me her name, he said loudly without noticing.

Excuse me Sir, who are you talking about?

He turned back to see the figure standing behind, surprised……..