CHAPTER 8

I wake up and take a shower at Maurice. I arrive at the casino at 7am. Amélie is waiting for me with a large glass of espresso and a clean suit. I've had almost no sleep, I'm wrecked.

“Are you going to eat something downstairs or shall I have it delivered here?”

“No, just the coffee is fine.”

I take a sip of coffee and hand it to Amélie, who holds it. I start to unbutton my shirt, handing it to her.

“Tell me what I have for today.”

“At 7:30 a.m., meeting with Simon. At 09:00, Lohan wants to talk to you, he's asked to review the financial reports. The Italian investors called to confirm the trip to Italy at the end of the week. I've already confirmed it. Is it to book the usual hotel?”

“ Yes. A penthouse with 4 bedrooms.”

“Right. Miss Le Blanc called five times. And Marie Chérie called too, saying she's waiting to hear from you about the birthday.”

“What else?”

“The guys from Lolla Grace will be arriving next week. Preparations for the show have begun.”

“Good, the sooner you start, the sooner you finish. Include Blanca de la Rosa in the VIPs, as many as you can.”

“Right. Lunch with the guys from England…”

“Confirm for 11:00. At 12 noon, bring lunch up here and serve it on the balcony.”

I finish dressing, knotting my navy tie.

“The afternoon is complicated, I haven't managed to organize it yet. I'm waiting for some answers and I'll get back to you, Mr. Le Blanc.”

I nod in agreement.

“That's all, thank you.”

I do the whole morning routine and still have to deal with Lohan's prick. A trip to the Maldives, you've got to be kidding me. Busted! I made it clear on Sunday, in my kitchen, that he should just get out of my house. I heard the mediocre chat with Kiki. If he wants to do that shit, do it away from me. Son of a bitch! Now I'm forced to squeeze a fucking pointless trip into my routine. I thought it was the height of outrage. I finish lunch with the English and get into the elevator, heading for the boardroom. I pass Amélie's desk, where she's deep in her computer. When she sees me, she stands up.

“Kiara Lefebvre is waiting for you, sir. May I serve lunch?”

When I hear that, all the blockage I insisted on keeping in my mind goes to shit. Restrained anger arises and good humor, which was already scarce, disappears completely.

“Thank you, Amélie.”

I go to my door and open it, finding Kiki walking in circles while talking on her cell phone. She's wearing a short navy silk dress, which shows off her curves. Her long hair is loose and she wears high sandals in the same shade as her dress. Kiki tosses her hair to one side, curling it in her fingers, distracted as she talks:

“I hate surprises, but I'll give you a vote of trust. At 9pm, right? Okay.”

I slam the door, seeing her startle and turn towards me.

“I have to go now, kisses.”

I don't look at her, I just walk over to my desk and sit down, ignoring her. I focus my attention on the reports.

“Dominique?”

I don't answer because I don't want to. I can pretend very well that she's not here, even with her pleasant perfume, which makes her presence clear.

“Look, I know you're angry and I don't think you’re wrong. It was wrong to act like that... a bit impulsive... I'm not like that, you know! I know I should have…”

I interrupted her:

“Been somewhere else?”, I lift my gaze to hers, “I agree.”

I see her nibbling her lips.

“I'm sorry for what I did…”

“Feeling too much won't make any difference. Do you know why? You exposed me in a way that I don't allow anyone else to do. People have been beaten up for much less, Kiara! What childish and unreasonable behavior.”

She widens her eyes.

“But invading a party and hitting a guy just because I'm kissing him is mature, isn't it?”

“Don't compare things, Kiara!”, I get upset.

“Yes, I do.”

“Don't compare!”, I scream, “You judged me. You assumed I'd be a son of a bitch just because of the life I have. But I have principles. As well as exposing me, it's very clear that you don't trust me. At the first opportunity, you tried to fuck me in front of everyone.”

“What an absurd thing to say”, she says, madly.

“What you did was absurd!”, I point.

“Because my intention was to clear the air with you at lunch. But I lost my mind, I didn't think straight when I saw her with you, in my head it made perfect sense. A hot blonde, two kids and her husband”, she points in my direction, “The girl looks just like you.”

“Doesn't my twin sister look like me?”, I ask.

“You two are twins? You're not identical... how would I know? You didn't tell me you had a sister!”

I run my hand through my hair. It's not something I usually comment on, and I have plenty of reasons to keep it that way. My relationship with Eva is only what's necessary.

“Are you listening to yourself, Kiara?”, I gesture to my ear.

I hear a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Amélie enters with lunch on a tray.

“Put it on the balcony, please.”

Kiki continues to stare at me, nibbling the corner of her finger, visibly nervous. Amélie leaves, closing the door. I push the chair away to stand up and Kiki sits on my lap before I can get up.

“Don't throw me down!”, she says, as I grab her waist, intending to pull her off, “Dom…”, her arms wrap around my neck, holding me tightly, “You're the only person I trust here. I was scared, angry. I don't know what happened, it's just that thinking about you lying, not telling me something serious... it made me lose my mind, you know?”

I swallow dry. Feeling her on my body, close, inhaling her scent directly from her neck, while my fingers slide along the skin of her leg, makes me forget how pissed off I am and that's not normal. To think that having Kiki's trust is all I needed and I know that if I had to, I wouldn't hesitate to lie, even with a clause in the contract.

“I don't intend to lie, Kiki. Just don't ever do anything like that again, because with me, it's only once.”

She pulls away, agreeing.

“You must be hungry, come on.”

She gets off me. I stand up, heading to the balcony. I pass through the glass door, following the black marble floor. There are plants in modern pots and in the center, a set of white leather furniture and sofas, and a glass table. I have a view of Monaco and an unobstructed view of the cityscape. I try the food and Kiki has lunch, she was starving. It bothers me because, as pissed off as I was, I shouldn't have gone so long without eating. And there are times when I can't control my anger, which is wrong and, even more so, taking it out on her.

“Haven't you eaten anything?”, I ask.

Kiki nods, her mouth full of chocolate mousse and a satisfied look on her face.

“That was very good! Delicious!”, she checks her cell phone, “I have to go, I have a consultancy. Thanks, Dom!”, she says, placing her cloth napkin on the table and getting up.

“Go ahead.”

I make the same move, following her back into my living room. Kiki turns towards me, keeping her gaze fixed on mine.

“I don't know what time I'll be back today.”

I hold her by the arm, preventing her from walking any further

“Where are you going?”

And with a dubious frown, she says:

“Blanca says she's taking me somewhere, but it's a surprise. So you don't have to worry about dinner. I'll have coffee tomorrow.”

“No, you've already skipped too many meals. I'll come home before you leave and we'll have dinner together.”

“Okay”, she smiles and leaves the room, gently closing the door

I spend the afternoon puzzled. Kiki rarely goes out at night. I don't like the idea of her out and about, no matter how heavy the security. It's still risky. The guys may be the real deal, but they're not made of steel. But what am I going to do? Forbid her? I can't, as much as I'd like to. With my head tormented by today and exhausted from a bad night on the sofa after two bottles of whisky, I decided to leave a little early. I return home at 8pm and find Kiki waiting for me in a tight dress that I've been criticizing it all dinner, and short in a way that makes me do nothing but stare and think: where is she going like that? If I'm looking at her like that, others will too, and that idea upsets me dearly. I don't like what's mine being admired by others. But what could I do? Rip off her dress and fuck her in the living room? Not in my house, that's the rule. Not to mention what happened yesterday, I'm not going to make a fuss over a dress, because I'd miss the point of today's speech, and we have a contract that I'm not going to break.

I come to the conclusion that I'm not going to stay at home and wait for the little beauty to come back. I decide to take out all my frustration on my playhouse. I won't drink or smell. Just fuck until I get Kiki out of my head. That's what I decide, crossing Monaco.

I enter the members' parking lot. The mansion is set back, in a private area, with a modern design. The facade is discreet so as not to be alarming. Everyone who goes in and out of here signs confidential contracts so that nothing leaks or gets out of hand. It was the idea of me and my friends, something to have fun without having to worry about exposure. Secrecy is paramount. Everything that happens inside the mansion stays inside the mansion.

There are rules to follow. In addition to secrecy, the people who attend can only be invited by members. All the rooms, with the exception of the bar on the second floor, where people chat and have a drink, are sex-free. The rooms are divided into games, each with its own rules.

The second floor of the mansion is a spectacle of sophistication and modernity. Upon entering, you’re immediately drawn to the elegant, psychedelic bar, illuminated by blue lights that create a vibrant atmosphere. The bar counter is made of polished black marble, reflecting the blue lights that give off an almost hypnotic glow. The floor is dark wood, polished to a shine, complementing the soft lighting and creating an elegant contrast with the psychedelic lights. Scattered around the space, leather sofas and comfortable armchairs invite visitors to enjoy. The coffee tables are made of glass and chromed metal, adding a contemporary touch to the room. On the walls, LED panels display patterns of lights that change shape and color, synchronized with sensual ambient music. The combination of lights and sounds creates a sensory experience. The air is scented with a soft citrus fragrance. I approach the counter, signaling the waiter and ordering a water. It's a pain to come here and not drink, but as I'm not going to stay at Maurice's again, not least because I want to see what time she'll arrive and what conditions she'll be in, I'm ready to charge a fine. Vlad told me that Kiki is still at Blanca's and that they haven't left yet, which I found strange. I hear Kiara on the phone saying 9pm, and it's almost 11:30pm. I take a sip of water from my glass, frowning and putting it back.

I'm on the third floor, sitting on the sofa with Isabelle on my lap, who is rubbing herself in a failed attempt to tease me. Today I really don't know what's happening to me. It's no use, I'm not turned on, not by them. I'm not in the mood and I always am! All I needed to do was vent the frustration that seems to flow through me freely. I roll her hair in my hand and it's too short for such a move, I grab Beatrice by the face that was kissing my neck and I return the kiss and nothing seems to be right today. What the fuck!

Kiki

Blanca can never say that I never did anything for her, because I really don't know what I'm doing here. I can't believe I misled Vlad for this. I'm wearing a chanel wig, slutty blonde. Blanca said she didn't have any brown ones and the red one she got me to wear doesn't suit me either. For almost two hours now, I've been watching people having sex in all sorts of ways, with a lot of games modified for sexual ones. The checkers game was just as Blanca described. Not all places are well lit, the light is low, giving a sensual and erotic atmosphere. Everywhere you look, there are people eating each other. Nudity doesn't bother me, everything is normal for me here. The secrecy here is really strict, like a lot of people I've seen around. It's all liberal, so much so that a guy walked past me, tapped me on the ass and said: "Wanna join me over there"? And I said: "No". And he went over to the girl next to me, she said yes and they started right there, next to me. Then I watched, sipping on sparkling water. An incredible performance. I continued walking around the venue, climbing the marble staircase that leads to the third floor, as I had lost Blanca.

As I enter the lounge, I am greeted by low, red lighting, which creates an intimate atmosphere. The black leather sofas are arranged with silk cushions in gray tones, adding a touch of elegance to the space. Glass coffee tables with polished metal details reflect the soft light, complementing the decor. The detail is that all the sofas are occupied by people having sex, without caring about anything. Modern chandeliers hang from the ceiling in circular shapes. I see bedroom doors ajar for voyeurs, should they wish to enter. Each one has a different theme, arousing my curiosity. Strip poker in one, pleasure bath in another. So I don't know if those are the names, I'm naming them. To find out more, you'd have to access the QR code and I'm just peeking. I don't pay any attention to the other rooms. I climb the last flight of stairs and, when I reach the top, I'm enveloped by a lounge immersed in darkness, where soft red lights on the floor draw restless lines on the walls. The lighting is dim, keeping the place immersed in a cloak of sensuality. In the corridor, twelve sturdy, dark doors line both sides, their golden handles gleaming softly in the red light. The air is impregnated with the sweet fragrance of vanilla, which hangs in the air, adding to the feeling of intimacy, and the sensual music creates a warm feeling, instigating my curiosity to get to know this place better.  I approach door number 10, drawn by an inexplicable sensation. As soon as I get close, the door opens automatically, activated by a motion sensor. A light, fragrant breeze envelops me as the door slides aside, revealing the interior of the room.  And I find total darkness...

I feel two heavy hands push me into the room and the door slides shut. Above it, a red light comes on. Holy shit, where have I been? I notice heavy breathing next to me and my own breathing is also agitated by the tension in the room. Soon I'm thrown against the padded wall and I feel a hard shove on my ass and I immediately recognize the smell that surrounds me, the grip that gives me goose bumps and it doesn't take long for it to be confirmed when I hear Dom's voice:

“I have five minutes to do whatever I want with you”, says, pulling the wig off my head and I notice my hair cascading.

“Dominique, what are you doing here?”

Running his fingers down my body, he bent down, slipping his hands inside my dress, pulling down my panties.

“Shut up”, he orders.

I swallow as I feel the dress being ripped down the middle and before I can scream in protest, because this garment was expensive, I'm brutally flipped over, feeling the fabric slide down my body. Dominique smashes his mouth on mine, the boiling, urgent kiss instantly taking my breath away. His lips are firm and eager, and I respond with equal intensity, our movements synchronized. My hands wrap around his neck, bringing him closer. The taste of his mouth is intoxicating, mixing with his perfume that surrounds me, increasing the sensation of arousal. The heat seems to set my skin on fire. His hands squeeze my breasts, making me moan into his mouth. Descending my body, they stop at my ass, where he thrusts his fingers in with possession. In one swift jerk, Dominique turns me around, pressing my body back against the wall, pulling my leg back and holding it with his left hand. He wastes no time in digging his teeth into my collarbone, making me scream with the intensity of the bite.

“Take advantage of your screaming and shout my fucking name”, he says it when he lets go of my skin.

He slides his hand quickly to my sex, making me tilt my head back, feeling his rigid body behind me. His fingers rub my clit expertly, making me roll my eyes at the movement and moan his name, my heart racing and my whole body reacting to Dom with great intensity, making me wetter and wetter. I wriggle in search of more, rubbing myself in agony, desperate. And he presses me harder against the padded wall.

“If you move, I'll stop”, he says, in an authoritative voice.

I let out a frustrated grumble and stop moving, feeling all shivery, the atmosphere is hot, suffocating. He releases me, facing me. I spread my hands on his torso, intending to hug him. Dom grabs both my arms, pinning them on top of my head against the wall, putting his hand on my neck, squeezing it tightly, looking for my mouth and kissing it. I gasp into his lips, feeling the air fail in my lungs for a few seconds before I feel his hand leave my neck. He slides down, squeezing my breast along the way, circling the nipple of my breast with his fingertips. I let a moan escape my lips at the euphoria, his hands release me and he pulls away. I put my hand on my chest, feeling my heart beating fast, my whole body shaking with arousal. I take a deep breath, seeing nothing in front of me, and the only thing I can hear, apart from our heavy breaths, is a zipper opening and I bite my lip in anticipation. As Dominique lifts me off the ground with force, my legs wrap around his waist and my back hits the wall. My arms wrap around the back of his neck, pulling his hair tightly. His mouth seeks me out in fury, our tongues sucking each other deliciously, wanting so much more. I feel Dom desirefully rub his cock against my drenched sex, the friction drives me crazy and makes me roll over slowly and I hear him gasp heavily into my mouth.

The bell in the bedroom rings, a soft but insistent sound that breaks the silence. The discreet, metallic tone brings me back to reality and our lips move apart.  Suddenly, a red light comes on in the room, casting a vibrant glow that softly illuminates the space. It's enough for us to see each other, revealing the serious expression accompanied by a hard-on on Dominique's face, who releases me. I plant my feet on the floor and the look on her face is the worst possible. I put my panties back on.  He removes his jacket, putting it over my shoulders.

“Get dressed and wait for me at the bar. If you do anything else, Kiki, I swear you'll eat every meal through a straw for the rest of your life”, that's all he says, before going through the door.

I put my hand to my head, closing my eyes briefly. Fuck!

I know it was wrong of me to come here in hiding and especially to mislead Vlad. I hope he's not upset with me, I was just curious. How could I have known that Dominique would come here today? I put on my dressing gown, thanking God he didn't rip my gloves, buttoning it up and picking up what was supposed to be a dress and is now just a scrap.

I return to the bar and sit on one of the sofas, waiting for Dominique with my arms crossed. Suddenly, I see Vlad walk in, looking at everything curiously, in a well-dressed suit, smiling at the girls who wave at him, while he fixes his suit and winks. At least he's not angry, one less. I get up and walk over to Vlad, who looks at me intrigued.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cross you. Don't get mad at me. Blanca wanted to come and Didi put us all up, I was curious to know what was going on here... you know? How was I going to explain it to you? Without you telling Dominique about my intentions. You'd have to tell him... and I didn't have sex with anyone.”

He lets out a sigh of relief, adopting a light posture. I don't put Dom in the middle because it clearly wasn't sex, just a bizarre punishment on his part, now I know everything. He wouldn't go all the way, not knowing that I could leave. That's the problem.

“Don't worry, Kiki. It wasn't right for your safety, but this tends to be a pretty safe environment. It could have been worse.”

“Explain it to him in your own way. Before he makes me eat through a straw for the rest of my life”, I shrug.

“I'll try.”

We hear a number of altered female voices, their voices mixing and overlapping, creating a chaotic cacophony. Fragments of sentences and words float through the air, full of emotion and intensity, each voice trying to make itself heard above the others. In the midst of this tumult of sound, Dominique's voice stands out:

“Enough, I don't want to hear any more cackling. They're all wrong! Go on, pass!”, I find Dominique escorting the five, who are keeping quiet.

Geneviève, with a suit tied around her waist, Odette, with her hands covering her breasts, Céline in lingerie, Blanca is the only one dressed in her red ensemble, her wig askew, while Didi is only in a skirt and corset. Her expression is one of disgust. I put my hand to my lips, holding back a laugh.

“Why are you laughing? You're just as fucked up as they are”, Dominique enters the bar, checking on me.

“Sir…”, Vlad tries to appease.

“Don’t defend them!”

Vlad nods in agreement and I cringe.  The girls come towards me devastated.

“I can't believe it, he's even got you?”, Céline says.

“Nobody got away with it”, Blanca complains, “It was great watching the game of checkers and suddenly the whore inspector arrived, saying I was an intruder and all that. Can you believe it? You can't even be a widow in peace.”

“Pay attention, all of you”, Dominique points, “You, Ingrid, are expelled for breach of contract and I don't care how big your horn is or how much it hurts. You'll pay the fine and I never want to see you here again. Not you and not your little friends. If you try again, the farm truck will take all of you away in cages.”

“How absurd!”, Ingrid says annoyed.

“Shut up!”, says Dominique, angrily.

“You ogre!”, Blanca answers.

“Vlad, take them all to their respective homes.”

In a unison of frustration, the girls head out with Vlad and I follow, taking advantage of a few more minutes without hearing Dom's taunts. I know it's coming, I'm just preparing my ear, because there's nothing else to do. I made a mistake. Here comes the fine... Dominique stops me, halting my steps with a firm hand on my chest. I feel the pressure of his fingers, a mixture of authority and protection. My breathing quickens and I instinctively moisten my lips, a gesture that reveals the tension taking hold of me. I swallow, trying to calm the rising wave of nervousness in me. I raise my gaze to meet his. His stormy gray eyes are intense and impenetrable, like a storm about to pour. The atmosphere around us seems to electrify with the tension of the moment.

“You're coming with me.”

I throw the dress over his arm.

“I want another one.”

“You're in no condition to want anything. Get ready for the end of this week, you're going to pay me back for what you've done.”

He sticks his finger in my face and I slap him angrily to get it out.

Leaving in front of Dominique, I walk towards the car in the parking lot. As soon as I get in, I'm greeted by a hail of curses and chatter. Dominique explodes like never before, his voice resounding with an intensity that fills the car. All the way back, it was an incessant stream of angry words and accusations.

“Damn it, Kiki! Go with a dress that big! To that fucking place! If I hadn't found you in that room, anyone would have fucked what's mine, and I won't accept that. Do you understand?”, he says, as he parks in the mansion's garage and holds my chin, fixing his attention on me.

“Again? You saying that it was wrong to go there, to lose Vlad, to enter a place that's yours without permission is wrong, I understand, because it wasn't nice at all. Now you're telling me I'm yours? Don't you understand that I'm not your property? Damn, that sucks! What's more, I'm not one of those people who goes around giving things away, you should know that by now. You can't be judged, can you? But I can?”

I say, opening the door, furious, slamming it and walking through the garage on my heels, stomping hard. Holy shit!

“Kiara, we haven't finished yet!”

Open the elevator button and the doors open.

“I've understood everything and heard enough, have a good night!”, I shout, pressing the button for the second floor

I stormed into my room, slamming the door and locking it tight.

“Idiot!”

I scream as I rip off my jacket and gloves and throw them on the floor in a whim. The sandals follow, thrown across the room in a fit of rage. I go straight to the suite and get into the shower, letting the hot water run over my body, trying to calm my burning nerves.

I can't go on like this. Everything happened so fast in that room that I couldn't even process it. Dominique is messing with my head, it's always a rollercoaster of instability. I never know what's going on in his mind. Even though I hate this possession with all my might, I realize that I'm going crazy over it. And that's even more insane. I get out of the bath wrapped in my towel and face the mirror in front of me. I see the deep mark of his teeth on my skin and the memory causes a cold sensation in my stomach, mixed with delicious pleasure. I realize how thirsty I am for more. As much as it hurts to admit it, it's the truth.

I remove the towel and jump on the bed, quickly covering myself. I go over every minute in my head, turning from side to side, lost in a whirlwind of emotions that leave me confused, in a mixture of anger and fear. I spend more than an hour trying to sleep, but the heat is unbearable and even the air conditioning doesn't seem to help. Annoyed, I get out of bed and pick up the towel from the floor, wrapping it around my body. I leave the room, take the elevator and head for the living room. I open the sliding door and reach the luxurious outdoor area. I throw the towel aside and dive into the pool, swimming with strong, angry strokes from side to side. Finally, I sink into the water, surfacing after a few seconds. I toss my hair back and run a hand over my face, feeling my heart racing, almost exploding in my chest. The cold water offers momentary relief, but the internal turbulence is still there.

I hear the sauna door slam and look in the direction of the sound. I don't see anyone, but I recognize the way he punches the doors as he goes through them, especially when he's angry. So he can't sleep either? Great, that's what I think! From the pool area, you can see the sauna structure, which stands out for its elegant design and the soft smoke that escapes from the upper vents. My body reacts to knowing it's so close. I get out of the pool, take the towel and wrap it around my body, not hesitating for a moment, not even stopping to think. I just make my way to the sauna. The entrance is discreet, with a sturdy door that isolates the heat and steam. Next to the entrance, there is a space to hang bathrobes and towels, as well as an outdoor shower to cool down afterwards.

As I open the door and enter the sauna, I am immediately enveloped by a wave of warmth that seeps into my skin and embraces me completely. I'm met by soft lighting from strategically placed lamps, which creates a calming and inviting atmosphere. The room is spacious and can comfortably seat more than 20 people. The walls and benches are made of wood, creating a cozy feeling. The natural texture conveys comfort and rusticity. In the center is a large sauna heater, filled with stones. Wooden buckets are available, containing water to be poured over the hot stones. In the corner, a bundle of dried birch branches. The subtle note of mint hangs in the room, giving a pleasant sensation.

Dominique is sitting with his head thrown back, his arm covering his eyes, with only a white towel on his lap. I bite my lip, enjoying the sight. His body is a display of strength and definition. The muscles in his chest and abdomen are well-defined, with each contour accentuated by the soft lighting in the room. His broad shoulders and muscular arms are relaxed, but still emanate power and control. I bite my lip, enjoying the sight of his tense muscles. God, he's hot! Instinctively, I approach him on tiptoe, sitting on his thighs, facing him, making him raise his head in puzzlement. Our gazes are fixed on each other with intensity. My hands spread across his chest, moving up to his shoulders, feeling his warm skin, my eyes still locked on his.

“Kiki…”, the tone is calm, but it sounds like I'm playing with fire.

I rub my nose against his and slowly make my way around his lips with my tongue. He grabs me by the thighs and pulls me close. His hands run down my body, ripping off the towel that covers me at once and digging his fingers into my ass hard, and I feel his hard cock covered underneath me. His mouth attacks mine brutally, and I respond with the same force, feeling one of his hands slip through my hair, grab it and wrap it around his hand in a few turns, taking control and pulling down.

“I’ll smash you”, he says, with a glint of possession in his gray eyes;

And I close my eyes as I listen, enjoying the speech inside me, feeling my stomach freeze at the thought, waiting anxiously for what's to come and not having time for an answer. I open my eyes, and Dom turns me around on his legs easily with one hand, while the other still holds my hair tightly, my back slamming against his chest. And his mouth attacks my neck, biting and sucking voraciously. His hand slides down my body, squeezing my breast, teasing me, making me gasp at his touch. Downwards, it sends shivers down my spine, his big fingers squeeze my thigh, sinking into it and squeezing hard, soon reaching its inner path.

“Open your mouth”, he says next to my ear, nibbling on it.

I obey, feeling two fingers invade my mouth and I suck, making them very wet, swirling my tongue around them.

When he removes his fingers, I spread my legs and Dominique runs his fingers all over my sex, threatening to fuck me with his fingers and instigating me, making me grunt in protest. Depriving me of my pleasure.

“You'll only come when I want you to, dolly”, he says, rubbing my clit in a slow, repetitive motion, causing me a feeling of extreme euphoria.

I squirm at the sensation, unable to respond in the face of so many provocations that drive me wild. His mouth is still delivering strong bites wherever it can reach. Dense steam surrounds us, creating a hot, suffocating atmosphere. The intense heat causes sweat to run down my body, intensifying the sensation of suffocation, contributing to the excitement that drives me out of my mind. He thrusts his finger into my sex, sinking into my flesh, making me moan low, loving his thrusts, deep and sure, making me roll onto his fingers, feeling my whole body involuntarily contract with intense pleasure. My heart races, my breath becomes faster and shallower and there's a sensation of heat and tingling that leads to torture, making me gasp and when I feel I'm close to a delicious orgasm, Dominique stops his movement, making me cry out in protest, I try to catch my breath, but I find myself dazed. Dom lets go of my hair, grabs my waist with both hands, stands up with me in his arms and throws me against the second wooden step of the sauna, which is arranged in a bleacher style. Leaving me on my stomach, his fingers run lightly over my skin, trailing down my back, ribs, pelvis, to my ass, where he squeezes hard and delivers a heavy, burning slap that makes me close my eyes and feel my skin throbbing and, before I can recover, I receive a sequence of bites all over my body. Pain mixes with pleasure in a mix of contradictory sensations. The penetrating heat of the room leaves me numb. And Dominique straddles my body, placing his hand on the side of my head. I feel his cock caressing my sex and I thrust my ass out in search of more, feeling his teeth marking my entire back with intense bites that make me gasp and dig my nails into the wood, discounting the sensation of loving it, but at the same time, wanting to scream in pain. In one swift jerk, Dominique turns me around and pulls me onto his lap, lifting us up. I wrap my arms and legs around him. Our lips touch gently and meet in a soft kiss, the intensity of which increases with fervor. Every touch is charged with desire and urgency. The heat of the room makes everything more intense, and I can feel my heart racing. The kiss becomes deeper and more desperate. My back hits the wall, but we don't stop kissing. I dig my nails into Dom's broad back, feeling his big, thick cock invade me and without moving our mouths apart, we let out a moan of pleasure together.

“Holy shit, you're so hot!”, he says, looking into my eyes and finding a grayish color bathed in lust.

“Fuck me”, I ask, but at this point it comes out as a plea, without me being able to control it

Dom holds my face and thrusts hard, firmly, watching every expression of pleasure on my face between his brutal thrusts. Dominique lets go of my face, grabbing my neck and squeezing, making it difficult for me to breathe. It's as if an immense, oppressive weight is pressing down on my chest, making every breath almost impossible and my belly contracting with his thrusts. The air enters my lungs freely when his hand moves down, past my chest, teasing it, sliding down to my belly and then reaching my ass, which is sensitive to touch due to the slaps and is now being squeezed with all its might by his stubby fingers. Dom intensifies his thrusts, making me grab onto his neck, noticing all my muscles contracting in a growing wave of sensations that make me roll onto his cock. I hear Dominique moan and it drives me crazy, more excited, repeating the movement. Electricity runs through every nerve and my mind dissolves into a whirlwind of pleasure and my heart skips a beat, feeling drenched. Dom's every touch seems to drive me to insanity, and I squirm in his arms as I feel an overwhelming orgasm, contracting him inside me and screaming disconnected words, limp in his arms in a little death.

“Fuck, Kiki!”, Dominique says through his teeth, as she walks away from me.

“I want more.”

I kiss him, holding his face between my hands, feeling our tongues meet in a rush and he walks back to the wooden steps with me still on his lap, sitting down. His cock fills me again, and Dominique presses me down, feeling him hard inside me. I move up, down, rolling over, keeping my gaze fixed on his, who doesn't look away, making me bounce faster. While his hands grip my waist tightly, possessively, hornily, his mouth sucks on my breasts, slowly circling my piercing with the tip of his tongue. The sensation is delicious, making me moan softly. I spread my hands on his chest, rubbing myself during the frantic movements. Dominique throws his head back, closing her eyes briefly, and I smile mischievously at her state of pleasure. Dom returns to me, holding me by the waist and throws me back against the wooden step. His penetrating gaze roams over my entire body, his attention focused solely on me. He straddles me, taking my arms and pinning them above my head, having control only for himself. My breath is intense and rapid, and his is identical. I watch him spread my legs and leave a trail of bites from my breasts to my pubis. And when he gets to my sex, he starts sucking slowly, and I melt under the pressure of his tongue. Each movement on my clit makes my breath become noticeably faster. My eyes close momentarily, absorbing the sensation of pleasure, while the tip of his tongue explores every corner, giving me a delicious oral, making me wet, slippery and unfolding between sensations. Dom holds my legs so I can't move, and I squirm, screaming in agony. The sound of him sucking me is my undoing, and I can't stand it for another second. All the built-up tension is amplified, and the tingling sensation spreads through my body and I contract in a state of ecstasy in absolute pleasure, screaming his name.

And I relax, taking a deep breath. Dominique does the opposite, leaving a trail of kisses down my torso, kissing each of my breasts. He holds my face, kissing me hard and I kiss back, and his hard cock enters me once again, thrusting hard and continuously, making me wrap my legs around his waist. I circle his hips as he thrusts, my heart beating so fast that I can't think of anything else but Dom on top of me, fucking me so hard. Quickly, he pulls out, in a satisfying roar and cums all over my belly, jerking his cock until the last drop of cum comes out. His hand spreads the cum all over my torso, marking my breasts with it, and I bite my lip, enjoying the gesture. I dare to tease him by putting my finger to his chest, and I make a horizontal gesture, taking his cum and bringing it to my mouth, sucking on it, tasting it, while we stare at each other.

He blinks slowly, his gray gaze immersed, as if he were trying to absorb every detail of what he sees, his lips ajar and with a horny expression. Dominique seems to be thinking about something, which drastically changes his face to one of rage. His hand grips my chin tightly.

“Don't think that I'm going to forget what you've done or that this gives you an opening to leave. Do you understand, Kiki?”, the tone is authoritarian.

I nod in agreement. I'm not usually impulsive, but I lost control tonight. The desire was greater than me. Now I'm asking myself: what way do I have of dealing with this situation? I know that Dominique is an anti-romantic who doesn't like being charged and I'm the same. For him, it was just sex. For me too. There's no reason to create a bureaucracy around it.   It's best not to think about it...

“I'm going to take a shower and we'll meet in the kitchen for coffee”, I say, picking up the towel and throwing one to Dominique.

“If you want to sleep, when you wake up, go to the casino and we'll eat”, Dominique says, wrapping the fabric around your hips

I pat the air.

“I'm not tired, I'll be down in a minute.”

We enter the house, take the elevator together and separate on the second floor, each to their respective room. I open the door and close it, without locking it. I enter the suite, throwing my towel on the floor. Looking in the mirror, I see myself disheveled, and as I run my gaze over my body, the realization dawns on me. The damage Dominique has done is immense. There are marks everywhere, fingers, bites... and as I stare at my ass, I'm disbelieved by the handprints. Jeez! I can't believe he's scarred me like that. What am I going to wear? How am I going to get into the pool? I open the damper, feeling the impact of the water sting the entire length of my body. How am I going to pretend that nothing happened if every time I look at myself, I'm going to remember him and what happened? His intention is not only for me to remember, but for others to know too. But I'm not going to give him that taste. I don't want anyone to see these signs and start asking questions.

When I've finished showering, I check my watch and realize that it's 5 a.m., so I have half an hour to take a nap. I put on a black sweatshirt and set the alarm for a little while later. I lie down on the bed, getting comfortable, feeling the softness of the blanket and the delicious pillows...

“Wake the fuck up!”, I hear Dominique's exalted voice.

“I'm up, I'm up!”, I get out of bed, tripping over my own feet, “I'll pay the fine, how long was I late? Ten minutes?”

I stare at him half-heartedly, sleepily. Dom is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and lead gray tailored pants. No suit. The look on his face is a mixture of irritation and concern, possibly because he's late.

“Ten minutes? Kiki, it's eleven at night!”, his tone is disbelieving.

I open my eyes in disbelief, picking up my cell phone from the bedside table, checking the display and finding several missed calls from Blanca, clients, Dom...I run a hand through my hair in disbelief. It's the first time I've slept like this, at least since I arrived here. There have been so many sleepless nights, or even nights spent upside down.

“I left you asleep and thought you'd find me when you woke up. At three in the afternoon, I called Berta and she told me that there was no way you'd wake up. Blanca came here, shouted, tried to call you and nothing.  Do you know where she went? To the casino. She made a scandal, the kind you know I love”, he says, sarcastically, “She said I was doping you to keep you in prison. Lucky for her, Maurice got her out of the room”, Dominique puts his hands in his pockets

Bless Maurice. I approach Dom, who is impatient.

“Try to understand Blanca, she's in mourning... with all her emotions running high. Can you put yourself in her shoes for a moment?”, I say, as I stroke his arm.

“God forbid, wish me well Kiki”, he says, harshly.

“I'm going to take her to Italy with us, it'll be good for both of us, since you'll be working. She'll keep me company and I don't want to leave her alone during this time.”

“Is she going to sleep in the lounge? Because there's no more room. I took the last penthouse. I doubt she wants to sleep in the cheapest hotel”, she speaks with disdain

“That's the least of it, she sleeps with me, one up and one down.”

I take the bottle of water, open it and take a sip.

“Are you sleeping in 69?”, he says, with a suggestive smirk, walking over to me, “Because I don't like to imagine you sharing a bed with anyone, not even your best friend.”

I thought it was possessive, but I don't dislike what I hear. My heart races and the atmosphere in the room becomes hot and tight, making me swallow. With his heavy, gray eyes fixed on me, he asks:

“Why are you hiding my marks?”, he says, slipping his hand down my pants and squeezing my ass hard.

“They're indecent! I know what you tried to do and I don't want it!”, I say, focusing my gaze on his.

He grabs my chin firmly.

“I don't want anyone looking at you the way they did at the arcade, and I said I haven't forgotten what you did.”

I nod my head, a fusion of anger and disbelief taking hold of me. How could he?

“Why do you treat me like this, Dominique?”, I ask, clenching my fists.

Dominique's gaze doesn't even falter when she says it:

“Because I want to.”

“Because you fucking want to?! You don't own me”, I get upset.

“How many times will you have to hear that I do?”

“WHAT?”

My reaction is immediate. With a quick, angry movement, I punch Dominique in the stomach. The impact causes him to bend forward, letting go of my face. I seize the opportunity and, before he can react, throw a direct punch at his face, feeling the force of the blow and the sensation of momentary relief. Each movement is charged with tension and discontent, a way of releasing the frustration he has caused.

“You asshole!”

I grab the car key and leave the room with a bang, slamming the door behind me. Tears burn my eyes and my body collides with Berta's, who holds me with a gesture of concern.

“What happened?”, she asks, her voice full of anxiety.

“Nothing, everything's fine”, I answer quickly, walking past her without looking.

I hear Berta shouting behind me:

“You haven't eaten anything, girl!”

I don't reply. I get into the elevator, press the button for the garage and as the elevator descends, I feel a wave of despair. When the door opens, I make my way to the car, leaning my head against the cold bodywork, trying to pull myself together. The sensation is one of profound shock, the reality of what has happened hitting me with all its force. I can't believe the confusion this has created in me, it's much worse than before.

I hear Dominique's hurried footsteps against the garage floor and I don't even turn around, I just open the car door, but I feel his hand grab my arm, making me nervous and angry. He pulls me away, preventing me from getting into the vehicle.

“Calm down, calm down, calm down!”, he says, trying to contain me.

“No! I retort angrily, my voice shaking.”

My gaze meets his, gray with concern, and he still holds me tightly.

“You've crossed the line!”, my voice rises, echoing in the empty garage, “I can't stand being treated like this, can't you understand that, Dominique? This is ridiculous. You punished me for going there, but what about you? What did you do?”, I ask, out of control, my voice cracking, “You went drinking, playing your little games, fucking around, getting full of yourself and then you come and take it out on me, treating me like this!”

In his gaze, hardness prevails and so does composure. He holds me against the car, holding my face between his hands. His fingers are firm, the gray of his eyes remains hard, but, for a brief moment, he seems to give in without relinquishing control.

“I exaggerated, okay?”, he says, softly.

“Now you're saying you overreacted. Just because you're watching me leave!”, my breath reaches the peak of nervousness.

A tear trickles down, given the size of the anger I feel.

“You're not leaving, dolly. I've already lost something important that was mine and I'm not going to live that again. Yes, you are mine, even if you don't accept it, understand it or know what it means”, he says, releasing me, caressing my face with the backs of his fingers.

His words take me by surprise. Dominique has always been closed off, mysterious, never revealing anything about himself. I never imagined that he had a "glass ceiling". For a moment, I'm paralyzed, trying to process what he's just said. Who or what was so important to him? But more importantly...

“How can this affect the way you treat me?”, I ask.

His gaze still locked on mine, without turning away, giving me his full attention.

“Maybe one day I'll tell you…”, he replies, his voice low and full of an intensity that leaves me even more stunned.

Dominique tries to reach my lips, but still furious, I turn my face away from her touch. My mind is in turmoil and the anger still burns inside me. I dodge past him quickly, hurrying my steps back to the elevator without looking back. I feel his presence just behind me, but I refuse to give in. The elevator door closes. I press the button for the second floor and cross my arms, pretending Dominique isn't beside me.

“You have to eat”, He says, seriously, pressing the floor of the room.

“It was also two days ago when you didn't come back and I don't remember you caring”, I retort, angrily.

I hear Dominique breathing heavily and the elevator makes its first stop and he steps out, choosing the battle he's going to take part in. I continue my ascent and soon arrive back in my room. It's very clear that I should have stayed asleep. I close the bedroom door and lock it. This wouldn't have happened if I'd handed over the key when I came in at dawn. What a mistake! I'm so angry, I can't believe it. I pick up my cell phone, dialing Blanca's numbers. I go into the suite and open the cupboard, where I keep my hair creams.

“Don't talk to me!”, Blanca says and hangs up on me.

I look at the screen in disbelief. What a shitty day! And I've only been awake for twenty minutes.

“Bloody hell.”

I take the jar of intensive moisturizer and open it, finding a jar of hazelnut cream inside for emergency situations instead of cream. The contract says no cans, no jars and most importantly: no preservatives! I know Berta comes to inspect, it takes hours to clean my room, do you think I'm an idiot? I don't even leave it messy... I pick up the toothbrush case and take out a spoon, opening the seal, smelling the delicious aroma. I knew it would be a good idea to keep it after the last event. Lo and behold, I was right and the answer came sooner than I thought.

My cell phone rings and I see Blanca's name on the display. I answer, putting the phone to my ear and holding it with my shoulder.

“Are you calmer?”, I ask, taking a spoonful of the candy.

“No! My day was shitty, Kiki!”

“I know what it's like, and I've only been awake for a few minutes…”

“Oh, Kiki! It started with the reading of the will, and for a moment I thought everything was all right. Fran left me a large part of everything. The company, the house, money…”

“And when did it start to go bad?”,  I ask, dipping my spoon in again and eating.

“When the lawyer said that everything was frozen except the house. I was in shock. That slut Maria Alba had her eyes on the company, of course. An eternal source of income, right? And to her, he left only property and a reasonable sum, but she wasn't satisfied. She went to talk to the shareholders and investors, trying to turn the situation in her favor. Some are against me, some are in my favor. I'm in the middle of this crossfire, not knowing who to trust. And the worst thing? I don't have a penny. Just a pittance of my savings.”

“But it was good money!”

“For the poor, Kiki! And I've already spent half the money in the last week.”

“You can work with me if you want, I have plenty of money. You know everyone here, there'll be no shortage of customers.”

“God forbid! There must be something better, I'm just not going to go back to being poor or working.”

“Go live of light, then. That's interesting.”

“Or hope for a miracle…”

“I have to go to Italy, remember? I think it would be good for you to disconnect a bit…”, I say, going back into the bedroom and sitting down on the bed, putting the pot between my legs.

“I don't want to see Dominique in front of me. Not him and not that devil's advocate. I just lost it, I got anxious because you wouldn't wake up... I jumped on you. What happened?”, he asked incredulously.

“You've crossed the line, haven't you? Saying he doped me was too much! I was just very tired and you know I can't sleep properly.”

“So it was you who doped yourself?”, she asks confused.

“Nobody doped anything, Blanca! Yet... I just worked hard in the gym, leg day, you know?”

“No, I don't know. I just lift bags”, Blanca says, “Jesus!”

“Are you going with me or not?”, I say, finishing the hazelnut cream.

“Of course, but I don't want contact with that sour lawyer. Can you believe Maurice took me out of Dominique's office, dragged me through the casino and threw me out? As if I were just any girl. I'm still Blanca de La Rosa.”

“Don't worry about Maurice, it's not worth it. You'll only be wasting your time. By the way, we'll have to share the same room and the same bed. Is that all right?”

“Ah, no problem. I'll see you tomorrow, I want to buy a hat before we go. Wake up early!”

“Great! I want to take advantage and buy a foundation kit… HIGH COVERAGE!”

I spent the next few hours chatting with Blanca and after that, I went to pack my bags. Since I'd had more than enough sleep, I turned in for the night. This timetable is all wrong, it's not possible... not to mention that I've spent several hours trying to understand what Dominique said in the garage and of course I'm getting nowhere. I don't know anything about him and I doubt anyone else does either. Maurice? Vlad? Maybe... Why does he act this way with me? I don't mind the marks and I know it's crazy. But what I can't stand is what they mean to him: punishment, deprivation and control. I didn't want it to be like that, something I like turning into something bad. Marks are something exciting, I don't mind getting them and if I'm honest, they've never bothered me. I remember the first time Dominique branded me in the car and the sensations I felt. It's the same every time, incredible. What's fucked up is this convulsion of feelings and thoughts that get worse every day when it comes to Dominique and how I've reacted to it. I go from one extreme to the other in seconds and I know that thinking about it isn't going to get me anywhere. So the best thing I can do is to keep my distance as long as I can and not give in like I did last night. It was my fault, if I hadn't gone after him in the sauna... none of this would have happened.

The air was heavy in the kitchen this morning, and the silence was not at all comfortable. I ate because I was starving and the smell was great. Outside, I can see the glass gym, which faces the pool and is next to the sauna, allowing a panoramic view of the outside in. State-of-the-art equipment is arranged in an organized fashion, with areas dedicated to cardio and weight training, where Dominique, Maurice, Pierre, Simon and Louis do a sequence of committed exercises. Simon is boxing, punching the red bag while holding a joint with his lips. Maurice is on the bench press, letting out a loud roar when he lets go. Louis is pulling weights, looking exhausted, Pierre is flexing his torso on the bar and Dominique is on the floor, doing abdominal crunches without a shirt on. This is a strategic spot, you can see everything that's going on inside. I'm on the sofa, on the other side of the pool, waiting for Blanca, listening to Berta and Mathilde talking. They don't notice me because the back of the sofa is high and I'm in the middle of the cushions:

“Oh, when they don't go to the gym, it's such a sad day... tt doesn't even feel like a day.”, says Mathilde, sighing.

“They do no more than their duty. Imagine looking at an ugly man. I'm worried”, Berta says in her usual grumpy tone, “Dominique is eating for two now. To keep that shape, he'll have to work out for three. They both eat like sharks.”

Mathilde lets out a laugh.

“Look there, Berta. Look... Maurice went to lift weights, then... He could lift me, look... What I wanted was for him to lift me onto his bed, now that it's vacant, right, friend? Did you hear?”, Mathilde says.

“I overheard them talking about it. But that's the thing, Maurice is as handsome as he’s boring. The only one who's handsome, nice, a gentleman and good in this house is Vlad”, Berta says, with conviction, “If his heart is that incredible, imagine his…”

“Beeeerta!”, I scream in fright, kneeling on the sofa and looking at the two of them, “He's a father figure to me.”

Berta blushes when she sees me, and Mathilde turns her face away.

“What are you doing here, Kiki? Weren't you going out?”, Berta asked, shouting.

“I'm waiting for Blanca!”, I return in the same tone.

Before any of us could say anything, we heard a loud "TOMB". When we looked in the direction of the sound, we found Blanca lying on the ground in front of the gym.

“Blanca!”, we exclaim.

Her broken heel lies next to her and her face shows a look of pre-crying, as if she can't bear another drop of the suffering that life can impose. The vulnerability in her eyes is evident, she is on the verge of collapse. A wave of disguised laughter, followed by coughing in the gym, is heard.

Blanca gets up.

“Are you all right, blonde?”, Maurice asks.

I hasten my steps, reaching the other side of the pool.

“I don't need your pity, asshole!”, Blanca shouts at Maurice.

I go to Blanca, checking that she's in one piece.

“What happened?”

“My Dior broke!”

“I'll buy you another one, everything will be fine”, I try to appease.

Blanca puts her sunglasses back on and recomposes herself, putting her hands on her breasts, adjusting them on her white dress, removing her heels and handing them to me.

“I'll wait for you in the car.”

Before I leave, I notice Dominique's eyes fixed on me. I subtly turn my head to confirm my suspicion and, indeed, I see his gray gaze weighing down on me. His face is closed, serious, as if he's not up for a conversation. And guess what, neither am I. I'm not going to forget what happened yesterday any time soon. The intensity of his gaze brings back all the confused and conflicting emotions I felt and the memory of what happened between us is still vivid and disturbing. The air seems charged, full of repressed feelings.

“Bye, kids”, I wave with my fingertips.

“Bye, Kiki”, Louis, Simon and Pierre reply.

In the center of the store, a large mirror surrounded by upholstered chairs allows us to try on the shoes, admiring them from different angles. Attentive salespeople dressed in elegant uniforms scurried around, carrying boxes of stock and offering personalized suggestions. The sound of laughter and conversation mingled with the light hum of ambient music, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

“I can't believe there's no more!”, Blanca leans on me, “Kiki, I can't take it anymore. What a shitty week!”

“Calm down, look, there's that one”, I point to a red one, “It's so you!”

“Do you think so? Is it my size?”

“Let's ask.”

Blanca gets carried away, trying on all kinds of models and seems to be enjoying the bustle of the staff bringing in pairs and pairs. I take the opportunity to choose some for myself and look for something different, something to wear in Italy. I'm facing the shop window, asking to try on a beautiful black sandal I spotted.

“Well, if it isn’t the one filling her mouth to call herself my brother's mistress. Brave…”, I hear Eva's voice.

I'm paralyzed from head to toe. That's it! That's all I need. To deal with the female version of Dominique. I turn on my heels, smiling sympathetically.

“Hi. Eva, isn't it?”, I say, staring at her.

She looks me up and down and I do the same. She's very well-dressed in her gray tailoring outfit and expensive Chanel earrings. On her lips, an incredible red lipstick. Her blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail and her face is covered with sunglasses.

“We haven't had a chance to talk before, but I'll get straight to the point before Dominique shows up: what do you think of him?”, she asks, raising his glasses and putting them on his head.

I see her gray eyes, like her brother's. They both have the same shade of blonde hair, but she's short like me and he's tall as hell. She even has the same intimidating, authoritarian posture as Dominique.

“Me?”, I put my hand to my chest, “That day was a bit confusing, wasn't it? I'd had a few too many drinks and... you know how it is, right? I'm an employee. Dominique's personal stylist. We've been friends for a long time!”, I do my best.

Eva doesn't seem to believe it, it's all over her face.

“I see. But it doesn't really matter, I have a proposition for you”, she says, in a confident tone.

I bet she’ll ask me to leave. Depending on how much it is, I'll be tempted, I'll offer Dominique twice as much if he wants me to stay.

“Which one?”, I ask.

“My daughter's birthday is coming up and you've interrupted something important. I want you to make amends by persuading him to go. Now, if you're going to take him to Armani, Dior or whatever it’s up to you, turn around, I don't care. In exchange, I can give you whatever you want.”

She looks down at her long red nails and then gives me a cold stare, just like the one her brother gives her. She opens her white clutch and takes out a card.

“I expect your answer soon. You have two weeks”, Eva hands me the card.

I let out a disbelieving laugh, holding him.

“Why do you think I would do that?”, I ask.

“There's no other possibility than that. See my card? I'm a lawyer.”

“I thought you were a bit loose”, I confess.

“Loose or not, I have everything I want. The difference is that I'm taking the polite route.”

“Is that your education?”, my speech is shocked.

“If I were you, I wouldn't pay to see the rude girl and I think you'd better forget what you heard at Chanel”, says Eva.

I can't believe I'm being coerced inside Dior. That's why I don't like it here. She's talking about betraying her husband and vice versa. I didn't tell Dominique!

“I'll see what I can do for you”, I say, tapping the card in the palm of my hand.

“And don't worry, money will never be a problem, my love.”

“Yes.”

Eva turns up her nose and walks away, turning her attention to a pair of shoes. I let out a breath and walk through the store, not believing her proposal. If she can't convince her own brother to go to her daughter's party, something that shouldn't even need convincing in the first place... if he doesn't want to go, let him not go. Jeez! What shocks me is that she thinks I can do it. Her brother can't be influenced. How little do these people know Dom? ‘Cause I've been here for a month and I have the impression that I know him better than the people around him, and I don't even know 1% of what goes on in that yellow head of his.

After Dior, Blanca goes home to prepare for her trip to Italy and I return to the mansion, leaving my bags ready. I change and when I'm done, Vlad drops me off at the casino. Since what happened with Eva, we've been having lunch on the balcony of his room. A shame, because I love the restaurant! But what can one do? I get out of the elevator and find the hallway in front of me is long and impeccably decorated, a giant space that exudes opulence. Fine tapestries and portraits of gambling scenes in vibrant detail line the walls. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, casting sparkling reflections across the space. I walk across the black carpet, past the dark doors, with the name of each director engraved on the metal plate. At the end of the corridor, I find the desk of Amélie, Dom's secretary, who is strategically positioned near the entrance to his office, a vigilant and elegant presence. She is hunched over her computer, typing away. Her red hair is tied up in a bun and when she sees me, she gives me a friendly smile.

“Kiara, how are you?”, she asks, “I need you to wait a few minutes, Mr. Le Blanc is finalizing a meeting. Would you like some sparkling water?”

“I'd love to”, I smile, “Thank you.”

“Want some ice?”

“No, thank you.”

“Right”, Amélie straightens her skirt and looks at me with a touch of hesitation, “Kiki, may I ask you a rather intimate question?”

I feel a chill run down my spine and stop, apprehensive.

“Of course”, I reply, trying to remain calm.

“Don't you feel uncomfortable with all the women in this casino wanting to be like you?”, Amélie asks, with a serious look.

I frown, confused.

“What?”

“I don't know exactly why, but you're becoming a reference point for them. You come in with an outfit one day and the next day there are three women wearing the same style. It's multiplying.”

“No kidding?”, I say, surprised

“I'm serious. And I'll give you one piece of advice: no one has ever come as close to the board as you have. Be careful with the women down there. Sorority here is just a facade.”

I nod, understanding.

“I'll keep an eye out.”

“Make yourself at home”, Amélie says with a warm smile, “I'll bring the water.”

I thank her and go to sit in the armchairs, adjusting my dress and looking at my legs. This foundation I bought at Dior is perfect. As well as being waterproof, it's matte. The door to Lohan's room opens and I see his figure emerge. When he sees me, he smiles. His body is dressed in a navy pinstripe suit. His black hair is slicked back in a tuft. In his hands, he carries some paperwork.

“Kiki, how wonderful to see you!”, Lohan says as he approaches.

I stand up to greet him and his lips gently touch my cheek. He runs his hand through my hair, tucking a lock behind my ear.

“Amélie, take this report and give it to Dominique. I'm going to talk to Kiara in my office”, he says, putting his hand on my back.

Amélie approaches, taking the papers and handing over the sealed bottle of water.

“Thank you”, I say.

Lohan leads me to his living room and as he opens the door, I enter. The walls are paneled in dark wood and the light marble floor is covered in a discreet Persian rug. In the center, a large wooden desk with a glass surface is arranged with papers and a modern laptop and a dark leather chair, behind a beautiful view of Monaco. There is a door leading to the balcony, but it is closed. The lighting in the living room is soft, modern built-in bookshelves display books and abstract art. A seating area with leather armchairs and a small coffee table completes the ambience.

“Why did we come here?”, I ask.

Lohan puts his hands in his pockets.

“I want to talk to you in private. Why don't you sit down, my pretty?”, he says, pointing with his head to the sofa.

 I look sideways at the upholstery and open the bottle.

“I can't be long, I have a client today before I go to Italy.”

“Are you going to Italy too?”, he asks, in a tone of incredulity with traces of harshness.

“Uh-huh.”

Lohan takes his hand out of his pocket and puts it to the back of his head, his face clearly displeased with my statement.

“I want you to stay with me”, his speech is direct.

“What?”

“And choose me.”

Lohan takes me by the waist, not even giving me time to react to all this, but holds me against the door, holding my face with both hands, his gaze enraptured.

“I want to make you happy, don't you see? What do I have to do, my beauty?”

“Lohan, you're confusing everything”, my voice comes out shaky, full of tension.

“I'm not. I know what I want, and it's you.”

He says, taking the initiative. His lips meet mine at once and he begins to kiss me intensely, sucking on my lower lip. I feel paralyzed, shock and discomfort mixing with a rising wave of anger. I don't like the way he's acting and a feeling of invasion settles in my chest when I try to push him away and Lohan won't stop.

“Damn it, Kiki!”, Lohan exclaims, “Just one chance!”, he says, pulling his mouth away.

“Let me go!”, I command, my voice filled with frustration.

I put my hand on his stomach and push him firmly, forcing him to move away. My gesture is decisive, a clear attempt to stop the unexpected onslaught. I throw the water bottle away, anger overwhelming me. I close my hand into a fist and with all the strength and hatred I feel, I strike Lohan in the face. He loses his balance, falls over the armchair and continues talking, his hand on his face:

“Kiki, it was just a kiss!”, he tries to justify it, a look of confusion mixed with pain on his face.

“No, it wasn't just a kiss when I don't want one!”, I answer, my voice sharp, “Enough, Lohan. I don't want to talk to you. Forget the Maldives and anything else.”

I say as I leave and close the door with a loud slam, hurrying down the corridor. I feel the irritation and discontent bubbling up inside me. It's hard to believe what has just happened. It's too absurd to be true. My hands are shaking slightly as I try to process everything and my heart is pounding in my chest. As I approach the elevator, almost reaching it, I hear Dominique calling me from afar:

“Kiki.”

I stop immediately, as if his words have frozen me. I take a deep breath, feeling the anger. I turn on my heels, hesitating for a second before following. Every step I take towards him feels as if a huge stone is lodged in the pit of my stomach, weighing me down. As I walk down the corridor back towards him, I clench my fists, struggling to maintain a facade of control. Inside, my world is in complete chaos, a storm of emotions that I'm desperately trying to hide. I keep my face expressionless.