I don’t know what happened next. It happened so quick before I could even process it. The last thing I knew, I was inside his limousine, and we’re actually driving back to his place.
To say I was scared is probably an understatement. After my parents talked to him, my mother ensured that an agreement about our wedding was made, pushing me to go with him instead of returning home.
I casted a glance at him. He was leaning on the backrest with his eyes closed. His throat and Adam’s apple were exposed. His slicked hair has somehow lost its neatness and was now disheveled. He looked at peace, as if he wasn’t just about to ruin my life. However, despite that unfortunate fact, I couldn’t deny how attractive he was. He didn’t look like one of those guys I’ve ever seen. He was taller, more masculine, and goddamn hot.
But then again, looks can be sometimes deceiving.
Vicenzo isn’t someone I can trust my life upon. Although I am destined to marry him, that didn’t give me the full assurance that I’d stayed his wife for the rest of my life. He could just abandon and replace me for all he wants; he is that powerful. It was even a wonder to me how my parents were able to convince him to marry someone like me. Perhaps, he needed extension of connection, and my parents probably happened to have what he needed. In exchange, I was being traded. Both of them could benefit from it.
A sigh escaped my lips, and my heart suddenly became heavy.
In all honesty, I am scared. I don’t know what future awaits me the moment we reach his home. To ease the tension from my body, I reminded myself that this is for my parents. They raised me with a good life, and marrying a rich man like Vicenzo Romanov is just their way of securing a good future for me.
Right. Let’s just think positively…
“What are you thinking about?” a voice suddenly infiltrated my ears, making me flinch.
Shocked and scared, I dared not look him in the eyes. “N-Nothing…” I whispered pathetically.
He puffed an annoyed sigh as he straightened his back. I could see from my peripheral vision how he raked his fingers through his dark, disheveled hair.
“We’re approaching,” he uttered, referring to his house, and just the mention of it suddenly made me sick. This is it; my life’s going to be taken completely away from me, and I'd be his property for as long as I live.
The limousine eventually came to a halt, and I hesitated before stepping out into the cool night air. Vicenzo followed suit, his gaze unwavering. The exterior of the grand mansion before us hinted at wealth, but for some reason, I felt like there was tension and darkness that surrounded the whole place.
We entered, and the interior reflected wealth beyond measure. Ornate furnishings and dimly lit corridors created an ambiance that felt both enchanting and foreboding.
Vicenzo led me through the maze-like mansion until we reached a room that seemed to serve as his private sanctuary. He motioned for me to sit, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability in the luxurious space.
The atmosphere between us was charged with tension as we stared at each other. His piercing blue eyes were as cold as ice, and his gaze remained fixed on me.
Taking a deep breath, I wondered, What now? Are we supposed to stare at each other until the evening is over? This doesn’t seem right. He brought me back to his house for another reason, right? Then what was he waiting for?
Mustering the courage to break the silence, I took the initiative to start removing my clothes. He slightly frowned as he observed me, but I paid no mind to it. This is my duty as his soon-to-be wife, to tend to his needs. And I am just doing it for him.
After all, I am meant to fulfill these obligations.
As the last piece of clothing successfully left my body, leaving me naked, I stood in front of him and locked eyes. With a soft and quiet voice, I said, “Take me…”
I don’t care anymore. He’s going to be my husband anyway, so what’s the big deal about it? Giving him my virginity now is nothing because he’ll eventually get it, anyway.
“Do you even know what you’re getting into?” he said all of a sudden, his eyes burning with anger I couldn't comprehend. His jaws clenched as he gritted his teeth. Before I knew it, he grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me towards him.
And the next thing that happened shook me to the core…
Two gunshots echoed inside the room, followed by the thud of what seemed like a person falling to the ground from the impact. My eyes widened as I gasped, surprised by what had just occurred. It was as if the world stopped, my heart forgot to beat, and the ensuing silence deafened me.
Vicenzo cursed under his breath as his hand slowly loosened its grip on my arm, and I couldn't help but notice how it stung when he finally released me.
What… just happened?
Suddenly, he turned his back on me and threw the gun against the wall. My eyes nearly popped out from what I saw next.
There were two lifeless men lying on the ground, bathed in their own blood…
My knees trembled as I covered my mouth with my hand. Fear coursed through me as I took a step back, my stomach churning from disgust, and my heart erratically pounding in my chest.
After what seemed like years, he broke the silence with a voice that sent shivers down my spine. “You are mine, Annizah, and I don’t like sharing what’s mine.”
He sat down on his chair, staring at me coldly.
Reality struck me like lightning as tears cascaded down my cheeks. I trembled in fear, all the while staring at him. There was only one word I could use to describe him now. He was a demon…
“W-What… what did you do?”
He shrugged off his shoulders as he leaned on his chair, seemingly unbothered by the fact that he just killed innocent people.
“I had to kill them, for they had seen your body,” he nonchalantly said as he wandered his gaze over my nakedness. His blue eyes suddenly darkened, and his jaws clenched, as if he was just barely holding back.
Suddenly aware of my vulnerable state, I hastily picked up my clothes from the floor and covered my body. Embarrassment and humiliation ignited a fiery heat in my cheeks.
Vicenzo heaved out a sigh.
“You see, bellezza, I am a very possessive man. What’s mine is mine alone, and I don’t intend on sharing it with other people,” he coldly said. “I own you now, which means I get to own your body, your heart, and even your soul.”
It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown at me as I froze.
For some reason, I couldn’t feel my own body, as if it had gone numb. My gaze was fixated on the man who claimed to possess me, and as unfortunate as it seemed, I knew he was telling me the truth.
Vicenzo Romanov… owned me now.
I was escorted by a maid towards the room I’ll be staying at in this mansion. I was still shaking from shock and fear from what happened. I was terrified to say the least, and I couldn’t even bring myself to bat an eye as I was conscious about my surrounding. I feel like at my given moment, someone’s gonna jump and attack me.“Here, have some milk, miss,” a middle-aged woman said as she handed me a cup of warm milk. I accepted it with reluctance. She gave me a soft, kind smile. “My name is Arcel, and I’ve been working here for quite some time now. Master has never brought a woman home before, so we were all so thrilled to finally be meeting you, miss Annizah,” she said.I couldn’t help but to flinch. Not only did place felt scary, but the people were also oddly kind to be working in a place like this. I glanced at Arcel. She looked to be around her late twenties, with enough knowledge and experience to not be oblivious about what’s happening. And for that reason, I felt more scared th
My breath came in labored, heavy gasps as I watched him lift his shirt. His muscles flexed with each movement, drawing my attention. His body was rugged and disproportionately large, muscles in all the right places. Heat flushed through me uncontrollably, igniting my entire being.Vicenzo held my face, his gaze piercing, as if I were nothing more than prey in his eyes. "Listen to me, bellezza," he whispered. "I own you, baby. And I won't let you go. Not now, not ever."Through gritted teeth, I asked, "W-Why are you doing this?""Because you belong to me.""Don’t be absurd! Nobody owns me!" I yelled, frustration and anger bubbling up, but he only tightened his grip on my face, causing me to wince in pain."I do," he hissed, his glare intense, but it quickly softened into a smile. "You are mine, and I'll always ensure it stays that way. Do you understand?"Shivers ran down my spine as I observed the emotions flickering across his face. There was no denying it; Vicenzo was disturbed."Ju
It had been a few days—I couldn't even recall how many had passed; everything had happened so swiftly, like a whirlwind. Now, I found myself once again staring at the walls of the room I was confined to.To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. My mind was a mess, and my emotions were all over the place. Who wouldn’t be frustrated? My parents had essentially sold me off to marry a mobster without even consulting me. Vincenzo Romanov was a lunatic, and yes, he was filthy rich, but my parents... really?Though they weren't my biological parents, I had considered them my own. I had agreed to this whole setup under the impression that I would be helping them broaden their connections and influence. I had no idea I would be marrying into the mafia.Now, my life was completely upended before I even realized it.Especially after what happened between Vincenzo and I.Suddenly, flashes of what had happened a couple of nights ago flooded my mind.“…I-I… I want you.”He looked at me d
Two days had passed since we last saw each other, and I was relieved, to say the least, not to have to see his face. To be honest, I was still afraid. His words had sent a chill down my spine, serving as a stark reminder of the power he held over me. Despite my defiance, I knew better than to underestimate him.With a sigh, I acknowledged his warning, though internally, my determination only strengthened. I was determined to find a way to break free from his control, no matter the cost. Though I didn’t yet know how, I was resolved to escape from him.A knock at the door caught my attention, and I frowned as Arcel's face peeked in."What? I already ate my breakfast," I said defensively."I apologize for interrupting your alone time, miss, but Master has called for you to have lunch together in the garden," Arcel explained.I stiffened at the mere mention of him. What could be his reason for inviting me to lunch after not talking to me for two days? I really despised him.Despite my rel
I stared at him, wide-eyed, my mind was still grappling with the absurd words that came out of his mouth. My heart was pounding in my chest like a drum as I sweat with cold, my lips were trembling while my fingers were fidgeting on my lap. “It’s as simple as that. It’s not that hard, you see,” he said casually, as if killing a person, your very own father at that, isn’t a big of a deal. He is absolutely, without a doubt, a psychopath. My mind reeled at his audacious demand, the words echoing in my head like a thunderous clap. "Just, what the… fuck?" I blurted out, unable to conceal my shock and disbelief. Vicenzo leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched my reaction with amusement. "Easy, isn't it?" he replied, his tone chillingly calm. "Consider it your initiation into the family." I struggled to process his words, my mind racing with disbelief and horror. This wasn't what I had signed up for, and the realization that I was now entangled in a world of vi
Sitting in the passenger seat, I leaned back against the window, feeling the coolness of the glass against my cheek as I gazed out at the passing scenery. Vincenzo's hands gripped the steering wheel with a confident ease, his eyes focused on the road ahead, giving away no hint of our destination.I had hastily thrown on a light pink tank top, its soft fabric hugging my frame comfortably, and paired it with a stylish pair of high-waisted jeans that accentuated my curves. White sneakers adorned my feet, their appearance contrasting with the ruggedness of the denim. Completing the outfit was a small, chic bag slung over my shoulder, its delicate chain strap adding a touch of elegance to the outfit."Where are we going?" I asked, the tension palpable in my voice as the minutes stretched on."Home," he replied icily, his tone devoid of warmth, sending a chill down my spine."Home?" I echoed, my confusion mounting as I searched his expression for any hint of clarity. But he remained stoic,
The lunch with his family dragged on painfully slow, feeling like an eternity of uncomfortable silences and forced smiles. The atmosphere was so tense, I thought I might actually have a panic attack right there at the table.Conversations were stilted and awkward, with every word feeling like it could ignite a powder keg of emotions. I tried to keep my cool, but the scrutiny from Vincenzo's family was suffocating. It was like they were dissecting me with their stares, leaving me feeling exposed and on edge.I barely touched my food, my appetite vanishing in the face of such palpable tension. Each minute felt like an hour, and I couldn't wait for the meal to end so I could escape the suffocating atmosphere.Vincenzo and his father seemed to have a relationship akin to that of a cat and a dog, constantly at odds with each other. As I observed their interactions, I couldn't help but wonder about the underlying dynamics that led Vincenzo to wish his father dead.Sure, his father appeared
His sarcastic chortle cut through the tension, and he turned away, his gaze distant and cold. "It seems like you've forgotten who I am, bellezza," he said, his voice icy. "I am a monster, and I've never regretted anything I've done in the past."His words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurked within him. I couldn't shake the memory of the two men he had killed before my eyes, the images still haunting me, filling me with a deep-rooted fear. Yet, despite the terror that gripped me, there was a flicker of something else—hope.Hope that buried beneath the layers of darkness and violence, there might still be a glimmer of humanity, a shred of goodness left within him. It was a fragile hope, easily overshadowed by the weight of his words and actions, but it was there nonetheless, a beacon in the darkness that threatened to consume us both."I am aware," I asserted, my voice unwavering. "And since you and I are going to get married soon, isn't it only right for