For the next few days, Karmale and Ryxel had the same evening routine. Ryxel always came home early because he knew that Caramel wanted to have her evening meal with him. She waited for him to return home and they shared a meal. They then watched a movie which at times he let her pick. They actually selected a movie in turns. If he picked today, tomorrow would be her turn to pick. They had dessert together, cuddled and slept in each other's embrace. She comfortably took rest in his arms and did not even once have the water involved nightmares. She did not sleep talk or walk. This kept the Mafia's heart at ease. She even followed all the orders she was given. Karmale never left home, had her meals from breakfast to dinner. She often had breakfast with Ryxel because she always woke up in his hold. He never ever let her feel like he was absent. He held her from sun fall to sunrise. He wanted her safe. Not only from the threats of his business and enemies but also her nightmares.

By the end of the week, she seemed to have adjusted. She had actually never asked for her phone ever since that day and never had that day ever come up as a topic for the both of them to discuss.

The commands were only rare. Too rare. Nothing oppressing. She felt quite comfortable and at peace being in Ryxel's home. She didn't mind anymore or did she?

___________________________

"Morning, Ryxel." Karmale greeted rubbing her palms together to create some warmth for herself.

It was a chilly Saturday morning and she was only dressed in Ryxel's grey hoodie that stopped exactly below her knees.

"Morning, Caramel." The man in a lavish grey suit piece replied as he took his usual seat at the table and she did the same. It was the first time she had never seen him dressed in grey. He looked dapper like always just that this time it was a different colour. He was always clad in all black and when it was different, it was a white shirt but the rest of his clothing was black. He never wore ties. Even today, it was just a white shirt in his steel grey suit. No tie.

She continued rubbing her palms and eventually pulled the arms of the big hoodie over her wrists.

Without saying a word, Ryxel observed her. Her unease furthered more.

She crossed her legs but it was not enough. It was way more chilly than she liked it. For the cold, her cheeks turned pinkish. She wanted to draw the hood over her head and fold her legs in the chair but decided against it. It was not proper for she had company, Ryxel.

Her face turned pinker and she rubbed her palms harder. She pulled the hoodie even more so that it could cover her palms and she balled her fists. She could feel her joints start to ache but she pushed it to the back of her mind and decided to get started with her food.

Her precurrent observer stood up and left the room. On return, he was holding a silver-grey heavy shoal that he placed over her thighs and it descended to her toes. He tucked it in on either side of her thighs just to be sure no cold air passed through to her skin. He also took off his suit coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thank you."

He didn't reply and she rolled her eyes. Typical Ryxel Grande Black.

Ignoring him, she picked up a plate and dished up food with shivering hands. When, Ryxel saw her plight, he helped her out. He served her food though he didn't know what to dish up for her so he occasionally gave her questioning glances and she gave him her choices of food.

"Cereal."

"Toast."

"Muffin."

"That's all. Thanks."

He added an apple, grapes and a glass of water.

He mixed for her choco pops with milk and raised the spoon to her mouth.

"Thanks but I can feed myself." She declined.

"I know but I don't care. Open up."

"The commands again. Why does this guy act like he cares about my life more than I do? Annoying!" She inwardly complained but still opened up as he had instructed.

He fed her whatever was in the bowl. Every single drop of milk and cereal. Even when she complained that she was fed up of it, he did not take her complaints into account. They merely fell on deaf ears. When she refused to open her mouth, he, using his other hand, pressed her cheeks open and there she ate. He forcefully put the cereal in her mouth.

"Ryxel, what the hell!" She yelled and rose up from the table but neither the coat nor the shoal fell down. The coat was stable on her shoulders and the shoal held firmly by her one hand.

"Sit." He simply passed his command and damn, she obeyed.

"Open your mouth."

"No, am not. Your are not my mother."

"That doesn't matter. Open your mouth, Caramel." He sternly said but rather calmly.

"Ryxel, am not going to."

"Then I will make you."

It wasn't an empty threat as he pulled her lower jaw and stuffed a whole chocolate muffin in her mouth.

"Rggyeeelwhufhehell!" She struggled to talk and that's what came out.

When he saw her gasp for air and she seemed like she was going to spit out the food.

He nonchalantly said, "No, no, no. Don't even think about it. Swallow everything right now."

"Everything." He emphasized.

Her eyes bulged as if they were about to fall out of their sockets. They were bloodshot like those of a drunkard. She choked multiple times but Ryxel didn't offer her anything to drink. He just stared at her with no single emotion portrayed on his face.

She choked and choked until she cried. Her swollen cheeks were in immense pain and so was her entire self. Why was Ryxel treating her like a criminal who deserved the worst punishment this world would offer? Yes, she was rude to him but that was not justification enough. Why was he being inhumane with her yet week long, she had been doing everything per his orders so what was his reason for treating her like she was his culprit?

She choked a little more but luckily it stopped. The muffins were fresh ones. They had been made early that morning so they were not too dry. They were soft enough to blend in with her saliva and ease the choking. She swallowed hard and the muffin went down her throat. The movement of the partially dry food scratched the passage. It was a bit rough on her throat.

"Be a good girl, Caramel and don't cry. Tears don't suit you." He said and cleaned her with his thumb. She turned her head in disgust.

He stood up to leave up.

"Oh, by the way." He turned again.

"Don't miss meals again." He smiled.

Her eyebrows shot up in amusement but that didn't let the anger in her eyes diminish at all.

"Does he know?" She wondered but shrugged it off.

"Yeah, I know. You didn't have lunch for the last two days and neither dinner. And when I asked, you easily lied."

"Ryxel, I am not going to justify myself to you. For Christ's sake, it's my life. Why do you care so much like it's yours? Huh?" She shot up to her feet. His coat fell off her shoulders onto the seat and the shoal to the floor.

"Whether I eat or not is not your business to bear concern for. Mr. Ryxel Grande Black. It's now just enough! It's enough!" She shouted.

Ryxel did not retort back. He kept silent and listened to everything she had to say but his eye caught the big dull coloured scarf on the floor. He stared at it and a wave of hurt passed through his eyes. A sharp but fast one. It was too quick for anyone to notice it. Even Karmale didn't. She was too busy fighting for her rights that the blade of pain in Ryxel's eyes went unnoticed by her.

She moved forward and almost stepped on the grey khanga. Ryxel's heart jerked a bit. His body was convulsing from the inside. He didn't want the cloth to be disrespected. It was something precious to him. Something that he held dear to his heart. But he did not dare scream for it's rights. He stayed glued to his position.

Karmale found that a bit weird. How couldn't he retaliate to all her rants? Regardless, she didn't care. At least she was putting her point forward and he was quietly listening without any interjection. Perhaps he was feeling guilty for treating her inappropriately like she was some charity case. His actions had been those not worth forgiveness.

She continued, "And Ryxel." Her one foot moved forward. Just the movement of her other foot and she would step on the beautiful scarf.

Before her foot would move, her eyes had done so and she picked it up. She picked up the well knitted garment, dusted it and gently placed it on the chair. Ryxel's pain turned into appreciation for he valued anything but that scarf. It was his mother's. Seeing her treat it with respect made him regret his mild brutality towards her.

"I don't need you to keep track of any of my meals. It's none of your goddamn business! I am an adult. Jeez, how many times do I have to spell that out for you? Huh!" She paused.

"I can clearly take proper care of myself. Ryxel, I cannot manage your definition of care. I am going to run away. Trust me, you are not going to find me here when you return."

With those words, she picked up the knitted piece that she had placed on her chair. She possessively held it onto her chest like it belonged to her and poundered upstairs.

Midway of the stairs, she had something that prompted her steps to come to an uncalled for stop.

"I am sorry." He apologized and left without giving her a chance to say anything.

She just stood there tight lipped for a while. Then it dawned on her that he had left his coat and it was quite chilly outside.

"Damn it!" She grabbed it and ran after him but it was a total waste of time for he had already left.

She only managed to get a glimpse of the speeding range rover sport.

Then a breeze of uncertainty washed over her brain. She started regretting why she had lashed out on him.

"But he didn't retort." She thought.

"He must have realised and accepted his mistake."

"I am proud of myself." She said and patted her left shoulder with her right palm.

"I have taught the Mafia some manners." She smiled but the moment that apology of his re-echoed in her ears, her smile faded. It turned pale and that's when realisation hit her real hard that it was a genuine one. Too genuine that it held hidden emotions. She then saw that flash that lingered in his ocean blue orbs. The one that only one who was keen enough would notice. She had seen it.

"Ryxel is in pain." The words escaped her lips but just as a whisper.

"But why? Everyday I shout but that's not the reaction I usually get. I often get something extremely infuriating and painful."

"Anyway, whatever. He must have felt guilty. He shouldn't have stuffed that muffin in my mouth." She said started making it for the stairs again.

"Miss." Diana called.

"Yes, Diana."

"Am sorry. It's not my place to say this but please don't run away. Sir will surely not like it. And when he doesn't like something, he usually gets violent. Uncontrollably violent. He will shed blood like he is only playing. Blades and guns are just toys to him. Please do something that he won't like." The concerned lady's plea luckily fell on a listening ear.

"Don't worry Diana. I won't do anything of that sort and neither will he."

Karmale headed upstairs to her room with his jacket placed over her wrist.

Knock Knock.

"Come in." Karmale said.

"Water for you miss." Diana said placing a glass of water on a table in the room.

"Thanks, Diana but I don't feel like it." Karmale said without turning from her position. Her eyes were searching outside the mansion hence her back facing Diana.

"You didn't drink anything at breakfast. So I thought I would bring you some water. You need it." She persuaded.

"Diana, please stop it." Karmale shouted due to the irritation the woman was causing. She turned and faced her.

Her tone was pitched that the other woman flinched.

"Am sorry miss if I over stepped." She quickly apologized.

"No, Diana. I am actually sorry. I should not have raised my voice at you." She said instantly regretting her tone with the elder woman.

"You are my mother's age, you deserve respect not rude behaviour. Am sorry." She said massaging both the temples of her head.

"It's just that you and Ryxel are a bit too concerned when it comes to my eating and it's irritating. You guys make it seem like I don't take care of myself or even love myself but I do. You guys are so hell bent on torturing me with food. It's annoying. I am going to turn huge. At least you, but Ryxel! Jeez!" She complained but chuckled at the end of it all.

"I won't be surprised if this water is here by his command."

"Right?"

"Yes, miss."

"Yeah, I could tell from the grapes and apple at the side of the glass."

"Hmmmn. It's not your fault Diana. I get it. I know you are trying to follow your Boss's orders so I won't make it difficult for you. I will eat everything up."

"Thank you, miss."

"Not so much." She said and smiled.

"What would you like for lunch, miss?"

"Nothing, Diana. This will be all."

"Miss, it's-"

"Yeah, I know. It's only ten in the morning and by noon I am bound to be hungry because my stomach will be empty then. Right?"

"Right." Diana approved and smiled. Karmale had mastered her daily words. That's what she told her whenever she came to her room to ask her what she wanted for the afternoon meal. Given that Caramel always gave her the same response "Nothing" , Diana came up with that reason that sounded logical and in the long run she always managed to convince her Boss's guest to order for something to eat.

Caramel always pretended to have given in to Diana's reasoning but in reality she only wanted to save her from getting fired. She had heard Ryxel pass on that threat to the poor lady and due to compassion, she cooperated. Besides that, she would have blankly refused to eat. She had also thought it wise that maybe if she obeyed Ryxel's commands, he would eventually return her phone and also let her go to work cause no doubt she was bored as hell at home. Sitting all day. For a change she could sleep then walk around the house. She had moved the entire building and now knew each corner of the house. Apart from only two rooms. But that's completely a story for another day.

"I will have salad, Diana."

"Which one, miss?"

"The one of your choice. I don't mind."

"Then it will be chicken." Diana warmly smiled.

"Alright."

__________________________

"Good evening, sir." Diana greeted Ryxel only to be ignored.

Nevertheless she knew it was her duty to give him today's report as well so she continued, "Miss had all-"

His hand raised in the air was enough a signal to silence her. In simple terms, he didn't want to know. Perhaps, his interests had changed. From worrying about her meals to not caring even the slightest.

"But, sir-"

"Don't!" He roared and she immediately kept quiet.

"I will serve dinner, sir." She insisted.

"Shut up before I make you." He roared.

Karmale was at a distance listening to it all. She had been waiting for him all day. She had stood at her window and when she had the engine of his car, she had run down immediately. She had completely moved past the morning event but it didn't appear like Ryxel had.

His roar made her heart skip and her body jerk forward then fall back on her feet. His rough temper was unnerving.

She didn't dare go face him or say anything. She stood in the corridor and let him pass by her. Without sparing her a single glance, he strode by her. No doubt, he felt her presence and that alone relaxed his demeanor. He was at peace that she had not left like she had threatened to in the morning. His tense nerves relaxed somewhat.

He headed to a room at the last corner of the second hall and with a soft thud, the door closed behind him. That was one of the rooms Karmale had never entered ever since she came to stay with Ryxel. Neither had she seen any maid entering there nor Ryxel. It was the first time he had acknowledged the presence of it in her presence. Pushing curiosity aside, she moved to the dining area to have her food. If Ryxel didn't care anymore about her eating, it was good for her. At least he wouldn't stuff her mouth with dry food. She would even show him that she can take proper care of herself. That way, he would not treat her in inhumane ways again. He would let her be.

"Miss. Aren't you going to eat with sir? Am sure he will eventually come to the eating area."

"No, Diana. He seems less interested. I won't force myself on him." She plastered a smile to convince her that she didn't care but somewhere inside her she cared.

"Okay, miss. Well then I will go ahead and serve you dinner."

"Thank you, Diana."

Diana carried various dishes to the table but before she could put anything on the plate for Caramel, she stopped her.

"Leave this up to me, Diana. I will serve myself."

"But, miss. Mr. Black wouldn't like to hear that. I am here to do it for you. Don't take the trouble, please."

"Diana, don't worry." Caramel stood up and left the room.

She headed to the door where Ryxel had entered a few minutes back. She silently paced in the premises of the corridor. She could not find the right courage to knock at the door. She paced for a while longer but still didn't knock.

"What will I say to him? What will my reason for coming here be?"

She paced a little longer till an idea came rushing to her head.

"His coat."

She ran upstairs, picked his coat and came back running downstairs.

Reaching his office, his gulped on her own spit and finally gathered up the courage to knock.

Knock knock.

She tensely knocked at the staunch Mahogany door without hope of getting a reply.

"Come in." Came the unexpected reply.

"Wow, that was easy." Exhaled Karmale and opened the door.

What welcomed her was something too pleasant. So beautiful and most importantly neat.

It was a meticulously arranged office, well furnished with a black varnished table and exquisitely large chairs. The chairs were also black.

Everything was black. Black like the name and the heart of the owner. One would sense that dark-ish aura of authority in the room but now it was a mere feeling of something intense.

For lighting, the room had hexagon shaped lamps that gave off dim light from the different four corners where they stood.

For smell, it was the same masculine cologne. The intoxicating black phoenix. Though it wasn't too strong today. Some other scent was trying to overpower it. A scent Karmale detested. Cigarette.

He was smoking.

Karma wanted to reprimand him and tell him to stop it but decided against it. How would she start yet she couldn't even address the reason for her presence. So she didn't say anything about it.

"What brings you here?" His raspy voice filled the room as he placed the cigarette in a glass plate at his table.

"Erm....Ryxel."

"Am listening." The man sitted in the enormous chair beamed with utmost authority.

"Your coat." She straightened her arm for him to pick it but he did not.

"Place it on the chair and if that's all, get going." He said and picked up his cigarette to continue from where he had stopped.

Karmale did as instructed but didn't want to do the last part. She didn't want to move out of his space.

"Anything else?" He questioned as he saw that she made no effort to move any bone of hers.

"Yes."

"Feel free." He said and inhaled the smoke through his mouth and later exhaled through the nostrils.

"Ryxel, you should not smoke."

"What makes you think I will listen to you?" He mocked her.

"I don't know. Nothing I guess cause when I first came to your headquarters for Liam's case you said you wouldn't do it if I didn't like it." She innocently said as her shoulders kept raising with each word that she said.

Her naive innocence made him chuckle. A chuckle so light like that of a peaceful child but it later faded into sheer rage.

"I doubt whether what you have just said to me is the reason as to why you spent twelve beautiful minutes pacing outside my door. Is it?"

"No, it isn't."

"Then speak up."

"I'm just inquiring----actually wondering why you don't want to have supper."

"I am not some sort of kid, Caramel. I can take care of myself." He used the same words she always used.

"Is this about today morning, Ryxel cause if it is then I had my lunch just waiting for you so that we can have dinner together."

"Caramel, you don't have to eat if you don't want. It's your life so don't force me either."

"Ryxel, I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I don't know. Maybe because- I don't know. I just noticed that you didn't wanna hear anything Diana had to say about me. Perhaps you have no interest left in anything that concerns me."

"Those are your words, Caramel." He said and raised his hands in self defense.

"I didn't say them."

He dropped the cigarette in the ash play and moved from his side of the table. He stood in front of her.

"Caramel, I didn't lose interest in anything that concerns you. No, that's just your assumption. Clear it from your head." He said massaging the temple of her head. Her eyes involuntarily closed in reflex to his touch.

He left her standing at the same spot and moved back behind his work table.

"Caramel." He called and she opened her eyes. They directly fell into his.

"I am a busy man. I am trying to balance my work with you but how do I do it when you are too head-strong. Karmale Hale Kane. You are so stubborn. So disobedient. I think you should be a political activist. You are ever fighting for some right or another."

He said that making calculated movements towards her.

"Why are you so adamant?" He grabbed her by the arms. He held her by her upper framework on either side of her arms.

"Caramel, I have never taken care of anyone. Never. Not even my own brother, Liam. I left that responsibility up to Aunt Katlyn. So pardon me where am not perfect but don't made it harder with your stubborn head. Don't. You are always pushing me to limits. I don't want to do somethings but your hot head compels me to. In the long run, you get hurt. Is a simple command such as eat all your meals so hard to follow?"

"Ry---"

"Hush! I am still talking." He gently placed his index finger on her quivering lips.

"Listen closely, Caramel. Disobedience is something I don't TOLERATE. Even if you do it once or twice. I don't care the number. I won't settle for it. Trust me, whatever the reason will be, you will have to compensate for it. LIES are another thing. I won't digest that."

"So, I expect you to be a good girl and do as I tell you. Follow my commands without second thought."

"Ry-yy-Ryxel." She shivered.

"You are hurting me."

His hold had been getting stronger by each word that left his mouth.

"No, am not. I am only trying to put my point across." He denied but still loosened his grip.

" I am trying to keep you healthy and safe, Caramel. But you are complicating it." He said into her eyes and her gaze fell from his.

He calmly realised her.

"Please, comply. Don't get yourself hurt by me. I am refraining but you are pretty much calling for it."

"Pretty much."

"Ryxel, it's not like I am calling for it either."she desperately stated. Her voice so innocent as if Ryxel was only alleging.

"Then what is it, Caramel. You want to say that you are not stubborn?"

"No, Ryxel. It's just that I am trying to adjust. Believe me, I am trying. It's just that you really make it seem-"

"Like you don't care about yourself and only I do?" He completed for her.

"And oh, it's annoying, right?"

She nodded a yes.

"Caramel." He said and held her face in his arms.

"I guess I feel indebted to you. You are here because you got involved with the Mafia. Actually I pulled you into this world and I am sorry I cannot take back time so just let me take care of you in my way. I want you healthy. Not only that but also safe. I want to protect you. Just let me cause even if you don't I won't stop. I have made it my mission. You are mine to shield from harm. Understand from my perspective then all will be good. Okay?"

She nodded multiple times as if giving assurance that she would fully comply.

"I'm sorry, Ryxel."

"No, don't be. Just be a good girl who listens to what daddy says. That's better than an apology."

"I will. But-"

"But what baby?"

"Daddy has to stop smoking too. It's injurious you know." She pouted.

"Yeah, I do. Daddy will stop."

He smiled and gently kissed on her forehead. He was happy that finally they had come to a common understanding. More like a compromise though. She would obediently follow the word given by his tongue and he would stay away from injurious and toxic stuff.

She hugged him and he too caved in.

Her tummy made some weird sounds disrupting the moment.

"Looks like we need to feed someone." Ryxel chuckled.

"Ryxel, I had lunch. I swear. I don't know why my stomach is grumbling and embarrassing me like this."

"No need to be embarrassed. I won't judge you. That's not something friends do. Do they?"

"No they don't." She smiled as they left his office to go dine.

#MADAMLAWYER

Thanks for reading

Have a great day/night🤗

Andria 💋