--Cassie--“Cassie…”The sound of my name echoed faintly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I could hear voices around me, and instantly, annoyance surged through me. They were disturbing my much-needed rest. Why couldn’t they leave me in peace? But then, I heard a familiar voice—Alessandro. I instantly stiffened, my heart racing. Was he in my room again? No, I couldn’t deal with him right now. I was desperate to stay asleep, to escape the reality of his annoying presence.But it wasn’t just him. There were other voices. Hailey? Michelle? I wasn’t sure. Were they even in the country? Weren’t they in America? Panic twisted in my gut, and my mind began to race. How had I ended up here—at this lunatic's house, forced into a situation I hated with every fiber of my being? A forced marriage, a prison I couldn’t escape.“Cassie.”This time, it was my dad’s voice. His words cut through my haze, and I reluctantly opened my eyes. But the moment the light hit my vision, I snapped them shut again.
--Cassie--It was evening now, and the girls and I were planning to go swimming. Surprisingly, there was an indoor pool in the house, and it was heated to perfection. The warm water would be a welcome escape, a small slice of normalcy in the midst of everything. My room had been changed, and I was still on the same floor as Alessandro, though my room was at the far end of the hallway. I wasn’t facing the woods anymore, which gave me a strange sense of relief. Instead, I was facing the side of the house, and to my surprise, the view included a set of stables. I couldn’t help but be shocked; I hadn’t expected to see horses, or even the stables themselves. But it wasn’t the worst thing—it was quieter here, a little more removed from everything else.I had planned a lot of activities for the girls and me, to try and take my mind off the chaos. A dip in the pool seemed like the perfect way to unwind, even if it was temporary.But for now, I was with my friends, and that was enough. For to
--Cassie--“I had so much fun! Your house is practically like a mansion!” Michelle exclaimed, twirling dramatically around my room as if she were on a grand stage.“It is a mansion, Michelle,” Hailey shot back, equally loud, as she threw herself onto my bed with a playful shriek.I had just changed out of my swimsuit, the cool fabric replaced by something dry and comfortable, but I still felt sticky from the chlorine. A long, warm shower was calling my name, but I waited patiently for the girls to finish their turn first.“We’re going horse riding tomorrow, right?” Michelle asked again, her voice carrying from the bathroom. For what felt like the hundredth time that day, she posed the same question. It was both irritating and amusing, though I couldn’t let her know she was getting to me. My silence was deliberate, a ploy to make her stew in suspense for just a little longer.“Hey! We are going tomorrow, right?” she called out louder this time, stepping halfway out of the bathroom. Her
--Cassie--“I need to see Alessandro, please,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the nervous energy bubbling beneath my skin.He nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I walked in, the soft thud of the door closing behind me signaling that I was now fully committed to this confrontation. The room was a symphony of wealth and refinement. The air was infused with the earthy scent of wood and pine, grounding yet intoxicating. It felt like stepping into another world, one far removed from my own.My gaze wandered, unwillingly captivated by the space. The bed was enormous, draped in dark, luxurious linens, and edged with what looked like real gold. The wardrobes were equally opulent, their intricate designs glinting in the dim light. The sheer extravagance of it all made my head spin. How rich was this man? I thought, momentarily distracted. But I shook the thought away. I wasn’t here to admire his wealth—I was here to get answers and to put this chapter behind me.“Wha
--Cassie--The knock on the door sounded again. “Cassie, are you alright?” Michelle’s voice was soft, but there was an edge of concern.“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “Just give me a minute.”"Call Alessandro," I heard Michelle say, her voice tinged with urgency. It was that moment that stirred me awake, pulling me out of my groggy haze. I blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light in the room. Groaning softly, I sat up, my body heavy with exhaustion.Deciding to see what the commotion was about, I opened the door to my bedroom. They practically burst in, their worried expressions quickly replaced by confusion. Their frantic energy seemed misplaced, and I couldn’t help but sigh at their dramatics."What were you even thinking?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the group as I stepped back to give them room. Ignoring their flustered explanations, I moved toward the closet. Naturally, they followed, as if I were a ticking time bomb they couldn’t leave unsupervised."You think I’m
--Cassie--Her words caught my attention. The horse was indeed commanding, his posture exuding dominance, much like Alessandro himself—his presence was unmistakable. And it made me think back to the boy at the orphanage, the one who had seemed to have that same intense, almost dangerous energy."Don’t go near him, Michelle, or he’ll kick you so hard that you’ll land in the hospital," Stephanie warned sharply. Michelle hesitated for a moment, then backed away quickly, clearly respecting the warning."Sorry for getting here late," a voice suddenly interrupted our moment of silence. I looked up to see the man who had been tending to the horses earlier. He was leading one of the horses away from the field, and though his tone was apologetic."Why do they bow?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. I had noticed this ritual every time someone addressed me, but this was the first time I was asking about it. Stephanie’s response was careful as if she wasn’t sure how to answer."It’
--Cassie--We rode over to where the girls were, and their laughter filled the air. They were busy taking pictures with their helper, who seemed to be capturing every moment of their excitement. "Valerie and Vanessa are going to be so jealous," one of the girls said, and I couldn't help but chuckle.I knew exactly who they were talking about. Valerie and Vanessa were the two girls who always seemed to crave the spotlight, and they were infamous for their antics. To put it bluntly, they were the school’s biggest troublemakers, but I’ll spare you the harsh language—though, in all honesty, that’s the truth. They always had to be the center of attention, traveling the world, posting pictures in exotic places, and dating the basketball team captains just to keep up their image."Who are those girls?" Stephanie asked, clearly curious about the conversation.I raised an eyebrow, ready to indulge her curiosity. "I’ll gladly tell you who they are," I said with a smirk. I noticed the other peop
--Cassie--We had finally made it to the karaoke room, a private space tucked away in the building. The door clicked shut behind us, and Michelle smugly slipped the keys into her pocket, flashing a mischievous grin.“Leave the key at the door, please,” I said, trying to sound reasonable.She laughed in response, brushing off my request. Instead of complying, she sauntered over to the stage, clearly relishing her role as the instigator of chaos tonight.The room itself was cozy but spacious enough for our group. Soft, ambient lighting gave the space a warm, inviting glow, while colorful LED strips around the stage and ceiling hinted at the fun to come. A sleek karaoke machine stood front and center, with a pair of microphones resting neatly on its stand. Plush booths lined the walls, offering plenty of seating, and a fridge stocked with drinks—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—waited temptingly in the corner.I slid into one of the booths, watching as the girls gathered around the machi
--Cassie--A shiver ran down my spine as his warm breath caressed the sensitive skin of my neck.“Alessandro…” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling.“Shh,” he murmured softly, trailing gentle kisses along the curve of my neck.The sensation was electric, sending a surge of heat coursing through me. My heart raced as his lips lingered, and I felt a deep ache building within me. He turned me around slowly, his hands firm but tender on my shoulders. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching for a silent answer. The intensity of his gaze left me breathless, and I gave him a small, trembling nod.A knowing smile curled his lips.I reached for the hem of my dress, intending to remove it, but his hand gently stopped me.“That’s my job, Bambina,” he said, his voice husky and laced with desire.The sound sent another wave of shivers down my body. His hands moved with purpose, and within moments, my dress slipped from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. I stood before him, clad only in a lace
--Cassie--How was I ever going to face him now? It seemed Alessandro was waiting for me in the room, and the thought alone made my cheeks burn. I was too shy to step out of the bathroom, too flustered to gather my courage.For the past ten minutes, I had been standing behind the bathroom door, hoping he might leave. But, of course, I was wrong. He wasn’t going anywhere. The bed creaked faintly under his weight, a reminder that he was still there, waiting patiently.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. You can do this, I thought, though my heart pounded furiously in my chest. Slowly, I stepped out, my towel wrapped tightly around me. His eyes landed on me instantly, and the intensity of his gaze made me want to melt into the floor.Without a word, I quickly made my way to the closet, too self-conscious to meet his eyes. My footsteps felt hurried, almost frantic, as if speed alone could shield me from the weight of his stare.“I’m waiting so we can go for breakfast,” he called out ca
--Cassie--I couldn’t believe it. I had given my virginity to Alessandro. The thought kept replaying in my mind, each time leaving me in a mix of disbelief and wonder. Last night had been something entirely different—a night where all my senses had come alive. It was as though I craved him in a way I didn’t know was possible. At first, I thought I was unwell, but when he entered the room, something shifted. My body, soul, and spirit had yearned for him, and I couldn’t resist the pull.As I lay in bed now, the memories of the previous night lingered vividly. I couldn’t shake the idea that maybe someone had drugged my food or drink. How else could I explain what I had felt? I had never experienced anything like that before.The sound of water running from the shower broke through my thoughts, reminding me that Alessandro wasn’t here in the room with me. He was in the bathroom. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. How was I supposed to face him after what happened? He knew I was a virg
--Cassie--The next morning Alessandro was already gone. I could not meet with Elise yesterday because something came up I sat up in bed, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Suddenly, I began to feel incredibly hot. It was as if a furnace had ignited within me. I glanced at the AC, which was on and functioning correctly. What was happening to me? I felt an overwhelming urge to strip off my clothes. Without a second thought, I peeled them off, not caring if someone could enter and see me. The heat was unbearable, and my skin felt like it was on fire.I thought a shower might help, so I rushed to the bathroom and turned on the cold water. But even the cold water did little to alleviate the heat. I sat in the tub, my head pounding, my back aching, my abdomen cramping—every part of my body was in distress. I felt a primal, almost feral need coursing through me."Woooo," I heard howling from outside. The sound was loud and insistent, a chorus of voices that seemed to vibrate thro
--Cassie--Waking up in the room alone, I immediately noticed Alessandro’s absence. The emptiness of the bed beside me only added to the quiet of the morning, but my rumbling stomach quickly reminded me of a more pressing need. I needed food, and I needed it now.Throwing off the covers, I got up and headed straight for the dining room. As I entered, the familiar hum of conversation filled the air. Everyone was there except for Marco and Alessandro.“Good morning,” I greeted the room with a polite smile before finding a seat at the table. My eyes briefly scanned the room, landing on Lalia. She was here too, sitting a few seats away, and she looked much more relaxed than she had yesterday.I focused on my plate, letting the aroma of the warm meal soothe my morning haze. As I ate, I couldn’t help but notice Lalia’s gaze lingering on me. She wasn’t being subtle, and her curiosity was palpable. It made me wonder if she wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She just kept staring, her ex
--Cassie--Yesterday had been an exhausting day for all of us. The events, the tension, and the overwhelming social games had drained every ounce of energy I had. I thought the day’s drama was behind us, but I was wrong.Yesterday as we were seated at the table when Lalia returned, her eyes still red from earlier. Shortly after, five young women approached her. They moved with practiced ease, their perfectly styled appearances giving them an air of confidence that Lalia clearly lacked.It didn’t take long for their intentions to become clear. Alessandro leaned over and whispered, “They’re here to hook up with wealthy men. Happens at events like these—through the connections of a certain powerful woman.”I looked at him, stunned. “You’re saying they’re...?”He nodded subtly, confirming my suspicion. “Escorts. High-end, expensive ones. It’s normal at these types of galas. Lalia must be new to this. Look at her—she doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into.”My heart sank as I tur
--Cassie--The auction had finally come to an end, and Alessandro and I were making our way out of the booth toward the gala hall. The atmosphere was electric, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Tonight, I had seen greed in its rawest form, and I was certain this night would be etched into my memory for a long time—perhaps forever.A commotion happened near one of the booths caught my attention. Two celebrities, both renowned for their glamorous but controversial lives, were at each other’s throats over a diamond necklace. Voices were raised, insults thrown, and it didn’t take long for the argument to devolve into a full-blown physical altercation.“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, watching the chaos unfold.The security team acted quickly, stepping in to separate the two women before they would have brawl could escalate further. Despite their scuffle, they had been so distracted by their heated exchange that neither noticed when another
--Cassie--“We will now begin the auctioning of the goods,” Lorenzo’s voice boomed, his tone infused with grandeur.From behind the velvet curtain, a sleek, elegant drawer was wheeled onto the stage, drawing the crowd’s attention. Atop it sat a stunning pair of antique clocks, their polished gold frames gleaming under the spotlight. The intricate patterns on the surface and the subtle chime that echoed in the silence gave them an otherworldly aura.“This pair of clocks here,” Lorenzo continued with dramatic flair, “is known as the Clock of Money. Legend has it that every tick blesses your business with abundance—every second, every moment.”I blinked, startled. My first instinct was to scoff. How could anyone believe something so ridiculous? A clock that brings wealth? It sounded like one of those myths that people desperately clung to for comfort.Alessandro must have noticed the incredulous look on my face because he leaned closer, his voice low and amused. “It’s not true, of course
--Cassie--The room was breathtakingly glamorous. The chandeliers, massive and intricately designed, hung high above, casting a golden glow that shimmered off every polished surface. The atmosphere was opulent, almost surreal, as though I had stepped into a world reserved for the elite.As we made our way further inside, the stares continued. Alessandro, however, seemed completely unfazed. He moved with a natural confidence, exuding an air of authority that made it clear he belonged here. He looked like the man of the hour, and judging by the way people murmured and whispered, he was enjoying every second of it."Oh, she’s so young," I heard someone mutter nearby."Look at those curves—and that face. She probably went under the knife."The words stung, but instead of ignoring them, I turned and met the speaker’s gaze directly. She froze, her expression shifting from smug confidence to startled surprise. I held her gaze for a moment longer, making it clear I had heard her, then turned