Rules? He made rules?


    Is that what he had been thinking about all this time?


    I was stunned into silence, and I didn’t know what to say. Taking my silence for acknowledgement, Hayden began informing me of the rules that he thought up for our meeting with Ethan.


    "Sit down properly," Hayden said as he motioned with his hand for me to take the seat close to him.


    With a slight nod of my head, I did what he wanted and settled down onto afortable leather seat close to him. Suddenly, the atmosphere around us became even more tense than before and I found myself holding my breath as I waited for him to speak.


    I already knew that Hayden didn’t want me to meet Ethan; however, he had decided to respect my wishes and along with his brother’s encouragement, he had decided to let me join the meeting.


    "The rules are simple. Firstly, you will not speak to Ethan unless I give you verbal permission to. In case you don’t understand what that means, let me further exin so we are clear. If Ethan speaks to you or asks you anything, you are not permitted to answer until I tell you that you may," Hayden said before pausing to ensure that I understood.


    His blue eyes settled on my face sternly as he watched me take in his word. The first rule wasn’tplicated for me to understand; however, I had a feeling that it would be strange at best when we put it into action. Regardless, if that was his terms, then I was willing to adhere to it.


    "I understand," I replied.


    "Second, you will always maintain a 3 meters distance between you and him. I have arranged the meeting set up in such a way that this is possible. Don’t worry, if during the meeting he makes a move, I will intervene," Hayden stated the second rule as his eyes watched my reaction.


    The second rule actually worked in my favor. I had no reason to want to be physical close to Ethan anyways and it might help me to think and focus more if I was far from him. Ethan’s presence was quite frankly very intimidating too. If keeping me away from Ethan also meant that Hayden would be far away from him, then I would prefer this option as well.


    I could still recall the confrontation that the two had on the cruise and I didn’t want a repetition of that at all costs.


    "I understand," I said with a nod of my head.


    Something told me that there were more rulesing. The usual number was three so there must be at least one more rule: the third rule.


    "Thest rule is simple but requires you to use your head…" Hayden said before he paused, and his blue eyes narrowed at me.


    His intense gaze put me on the spot, and I began feeling ufortable. Hayden’s eyes seemed to appraise me as if he was judging whether I had the ability to use my head the way that he wanted.


    "Ok," I quickly said as I tried to tell him that I was capable of thinking.


    I hoped that at least he knew that. Hayden let out soft sigh before he seemed to rx a little.


    "Remember which side you’re on, Malissa. Remember who your owner is and where your loyalty lies. Think it and believe it. Show it in everything that you do and say. If you hesitate, even by just a little, he won’t hesitate to use it against you. This is the third rule and my personal warning to you," Hayden said.


    The weight of his words hung on my shoulders and my conscience like metal shackles that couldn’t be removed. I knew that he was dead serious when he told me to remember where I stand. He’s right, I have chosen my side already.


    "Thank you for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind," I replied as I steadied my resolve.


    Hayden didn’t say anything although he did nod his head at me in acknowledgment of my response. Now that he was done with what he wanted to say, Haydenpsed back into silence. This time, I let him go willingly as I also retreated back into my mind to prepare myself for what was thee. Hayden’s third rule and warning yed itself over and over again in my mind.


    I could hear his voice like it was haunting me all the way until the end of our flight.


    …


    The announcement from our captain telling us that we will be descending down to our destination soon was what snapped me back from my thoughts. After stating his rules, Hayden and I didn’t share another word of conversation until the end of the flight. I had been too wrapped up in my own thoughts and worries that I didn’t pay any attention to my surroundings.


    Now that my mind was partially back in the present, I peered out the ne’s window to see that we were flying quite low above bright greenish-blue sea water, and I could see small inds down in the sea below. The inds looked small from where we were up in the sky, but I was sure that they weren’t small at all in reality.


    Where are we?


    The sun was bright and that made the colorful scenery of the sea and ind seem that much brighter. I watched the beautiful scenery of the view until we touched down at our destination, wherever that was. The captain spoke through the speaker again to inform us that we have arrived. Hayden got up from his seat wordlessly as he prepared to disembark from the ne.


    I gathered the few things that I had brought along and shoved them into my handbag as I readied myself to follow Hayden.


    The door of the ne slowly opened, and Hayden led the way out. To my slight surprise, Hayden turned around to offer me his hand when he was standing in the doorway. I blinked rapidly before I slipped my hand into his muchrger one.


    --To be continued…