LOGINShare
Prologue.
Last Updated:
2025-03-25 01:23:18DISCLAIMER: VERBAL ASSAULT (FORMS OF RACISM) & PHYSICAL ASSAULT, INCLUDING SPIKING WILL BE MENTIONED IN THIS STORY. IF YOU'RE UNABLE TO READ, I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU SKIP THE CHAPTERS MENTIONED AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT.
CHAPTER 04
CHAPTER 18CHAPTER 35I WILL UPDATE THE DISCLAIMER AS I CONTINUE THE STORY
This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
◊◊◊
Zia
"Thank you for your purchase. Please do come again." I smiled as I packed her pastries in a paper bag. My cheeks hurt so much from all this smiling. This was exhausting.
Sighing, I held my hips and looked around the store; it was almost closing time. Thank God. Cleaning up the trash the customers left on the desks, I mentally groaned as I heard the bell sound, notifying me there was a new customer.
I quickly rushed to the counter and put a smile back on. I wanted to go home; today was difficult.
"Welcome to Deez Goodies. What can I get you today?" I asked the man, who glared at me.
What did I ever do to him?
I'm not really surprised by his outward expression, I did have days where I dealt with the worst people, and it took a couple of mantras and excessive mental swearing for me to keep my smile.
He looked at what was on display and scrunched his eyebrows together as he read the names. Believe it or not, I tried my best to avoid looking at the baked goods with the customers because I couldn't afford to waste money on this stuff.
Sometimes when my boss was in a good mood, she would give me what was left over– or what was burnt to take back home to my family, and when she's pissed off about something, she'd just make a resale of yesterday's treats in the morning at half price.
It totally works for the school kids.
"What do you suggest?" His voice caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting it to be that... gentle.
Licking my lips, I stared at the displayed treats and pointed to what I thought looked good. Everything did.
"I think you'd like the tiramisu better than the chocolate mousse. I don't think it's fresh any longer." I whispered the last part. "Uhm, the scones are nice if you're looking for something without too much sugar, and macaroons are always a yes."
"Which one would you like?" He asked, and I looked up at him, confused. Biting my lip, I laughed and shook my head.
"I can't eat on the job," I said, and he took out his wallet.
"Your shift is about to end, right?" I stared at him, at a loss for words. How did he know that? "The sign outside says you're close at eight; it's now currently three minutes after eight," he said as he glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry for coming in late."
"No, it's okay. You did come before closing time." I offered him my best smile, ready for him to leave so that I could go home. The bell rang, and my heart dropped into the pits of my stomach. I hated making people turn back.
"Oh good, you're still open!"
"Uhm, no. We're assisting one last customer; I'm sorry." I said to Chris, who had just walked in. He had a bad habit of coming in just when I was about to close and looked around for ages before deciding he didn't want to get anything.
"But the open sign is still visible, plus there's more than one customer." He reasoned as he pointed to the men who stood behind my customer. I tried incredibly hard to ignore their presence since they looked intimidating, but how was he not afraid to point that out?
My knees are shaking behind this counter.
"She said they're closed," my customer said as he passed me his card. "I'll take everything in the store," he said softly, and my eyes widened. Everything?
"Man, you can't do that." Chris laughed as if he was expecting him to be joking. I hoped he was joking.
"Do you need help with packaging my purchase?" He asked as he looked straight into my eyes. I shook my head and quickly swiped his card after selecting everything that was left.
This is madness!
"Come on, Zia. I just wanted the sweet bread." Chris groaned as he leaned against the counter.
"I'm sorry, he came first," I whispered as I closed the last package.
"That's bullshit!" He slammed his hands on the counter, and I heard a click as I jumped from the shock. "Just give me the bread, Zia. I'll pay, hmm?" He said as he frantically took out the money from his wallet and threw it on the counter.
So today, he wants to make a purchase? If I didn't really need this job, I would've cursed Chris out a long time ago. He knew how to get on my nerves.
"Is that all?" My customer asked as he gathered the items I had stored in a plastic. How can someone be so calm? Wow.
"Yes, thank you for coming. Please do come again next time!" I said happily as he nodded and exited the store. The men he had come with dragged Chris out as well, and I couldn't be more thankful.
I quickly rushed to the front door and locked it. Cleaning the bakery again, I finally clocked out two hours later than the original time. I wonder what Ouma would say about the display being totally empty tomorrow. Luckily, I only had to work the morning shift tomorrow.
Ugh, I'm so exhausted. I clutched my back tightly against my body as I rushed home. I hate it here.
I pushed open the creaking door with cracks running all the way from the top of the door to the bottom. I held my heart in my hands as I hoped that man wasn't here today. I walked into the house and closed the door, locking it. Walking further into the small two-roomed house, I heard the sounds of television playing in the background while my family laughed amongst each other.
"Evening." I greeted as I saw my stepdad sitting on his dented love couch, taking small sips of his beer. You're always drinking, so there is no progression in your life. He disgusted me.
"Hi, Zizi!" My little brother Zach greeted me animatedly as he shoved a spoon filled with cake in his mouth. We didn't have enough forks at home, and where did they get the money to buy cake?
"Hi Zia, how was work?" My mother asked softly as she brushed Zach's hair softly. She should just cut it off; he doesn't take care of it.
"Exhausting," I whispered as I leaned against the couch she sat on.
"I bet it was seeing you coming back home so late," my dad said as he looked at me from the corner of his eyes. I hated his stare more than I hated him. "Work must've been really busy. I bet your back is hurting," his eyes looked me over before staring longingly at my ass.
He's not even ashamed. The creep. DISGUSTING PIG!
"I'm not doing this today," I whispered to my mom as I got up.
"Zia," she whispered softly, trying to get me to sit with them. "There's cake in the fridge, have a slice. It's your birthday," she said softly as she held my hand.
Oh yeah. It was my birthday, and I felt like a total waste for a twenty-two-year-old.
I opened the fridge, which was five steps away from the living room. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the packaging from the bakery where I worked.
"Ma? When did you get the time to go to Ouma's bakery?" I asked her as I opened the different boxes. "And how did I not see you there?"
Oh wow, there was Tiramisu cake, but only a slice of it was left. Well, at least there was other savoury stuff.
"Someone dropped them off and said to tell you a happy birthday," she said as she looked at me, smiling softly. Someone... who? "I'm sorry, I'm not the one who bought it, baby," she whispered, and I could tell she was refraining from crying.
"It's okay," I gulped as I closed the box. "Ma, by any chance, did the man who dropped it off have light brown eyes and short hair, wearing a suit?" I asked, and she scrunched up her eyebrows.
"Why, is that your boyfriend?" My stepdad asked, and my mother breathed out heavily. I really didn't know what my mother saw in him. He's ugly, a fart and stays home while we go out and work. WHAT DO YOU SEE IN HIM?
"No baby, the man had long hair but was also in a suit. Do you know him?"
"Nope," I whispered as I took one Macaroon and popped it into my mouth. That's so weird.
"It might be another boyfriend of hers. She leaves before everyone and comes back late at night," he commented, and I frowned. "Busy whoring herself out to white men!" He bit out, and as I was about to answer him, my mother called my name.
"Zia. Zach dosed off," she said, and I breathed out heavily as I picked him up. "Goodnight."
"Hmm," I grunted as I stomped off to our bedroom. I was fuming, and I wanted to kick his face in! While they were fighting, I was happy that Zach had fallen asleep and wasn't disturbed by the commotion.
Putting him under the covers, I breathed out heavily as I sat on the ground near the bed.
This is so pathetic. I hated living in this house that was bound to fall in one day. I hated my mother for falling for such a weak excuse of a man. I hated how I couldn't even do anything to help her get out of this situation.
It's all fucking pathetic.
Related chapters
Bought For Him. Chapter 1.
ZiaIt's been 3 months since I last saw the mysterious man who bought out Ouma's bakery. As expected, Ouma was shocked and nearly accused me of stealing everything. However, she realised that the money accounted for everything that wasn't there.When I got to work the next morning, as I opened the door, Chris appeared out of nowhere, scaring the crap out of me. He wore an oversized sweater and pulled the hood over his head, almost covering his face. I would not have seen the fresh bruises on his face if I had not crouched. He apologised to me for causing me to be scared and for his actions from the previous day, recognising that his behaviour was inappropriate. I agreed with him but didn't feel his apology was necessary. There was a look of panic on his face as he continuously scanned his surroundings. I hadn't seen him since. I stood in the kitchen, as I scrolled through my phone, passively responding to my friend's texts that would come in every once and then. They said they coul
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 2.
ZiaHe stopped dancing and raised his eyebrow, slowly touching his waist. "Oh? That's all you have to say?" He snarled, and I raised my eyebrow. What did he want me to say?"You're marrying me off," I shrugged, my feelings still foreign. "You want me to cry and beg you not to?" I asked, and he clicked his tongue, raising his finger."You–you!" He pointed his finger at me, stressing his slurred words. The bastard's drunk already. "See what I will do to you." "What? Are you going to make sure I don't get married?" I rolled my eyes, and he cursed as he took steps forward; my mother raised her hand, and he halted in his steps. "Please leave," she whispered, tilting her head to look at him. "I want to speak to her." "Mxm, I'll be at the tavern," he said as he looked me up and down before he dragged his feet to the door. "They'll return her within a week." He muttered as he pulled the door open and stumbled out of the house; only if he could fall on a rock on his way there. "Zia," she
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 3.
ZiaI sat next to Mateo in the car; my hands clasped on my lap as I looked down at them. Mateo was glued to his phone, and I couldn't ignore how nervous I felt. Honestly, I was scared, too; I didn't know a single thing about him, only that he liked to buy out bakeries. And who knows, what if he was in a cult that believed in sacrificing people, and I just married him!?In the front seat was the driver, and the iced latte guy who would almost pass as Mateo. Even though both of them had smiled at me, it didn't help my uneasy feeling.The car we were in? Was a black SUV with tinted windows, all the people with Theo were dressed in black suits, and I was pretty sure I saw a gun when the iced latte guy pushed his hands into his pockets.What's the gun for!?The mood in the car was quiet and uncomfortable. I'm not saying I'm one for getting into conversations with just about anyone, but I was pretty sure they could hear my heart violently beat against my chest. I had stopped crying the minu
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 4.
MateoI was at a loss for words when Zia asked me that question; I cocked my head slightly to the side and took a deep breath in."Uh. No," I chuckled. Why did this feel so awkward to answer? "I gave you your own room so that you could be comfortable in your own space," I said, and she slowly nodded. "Do you have a problem with that?" She shook her head and tilted downwards. Why does she always do that?"No, if that's what you want, then I have no reason to oppose," she said, and as much as she looked relieved, it also looked like it disturbed her."Why do you—" My phone rang in my pocket, and I took it out, seeing Luis' name written across the screen. "Please excuse me," I told her as I raised my phone."We found 'em," he said, and I clenched my jaw."On my way," I hung up the phone. "I have some business to take care of," I told her, and she raised her head. That really had to be a conversation we had when I got back. Why does she always have her head cast down?"What about the foo
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 5.
ZiaNaked, I stood in Mateo's room as he held his bloody shirt against his chest. I was too shocked to cover up and move.Mateo walked towards me with his gown and carefully draped it over my body without saying anything. I wanted to move away from him, but all I could focus on was the blood staining his face; still, he said nothing as he carried me bridal style and took me back to my bedroom.He laid me down on my bed and covered my body with the blanket; he looked at me while I stared at him without knowing what to say. My heart was stuck in my throat, and I was sure my tears flowed down my face. I'm scared. He brushed my hair backwards and clenched his jaw, muttering a string of foreign words."Are you going to kill me?" I asked him. I didn't know what had pushed me to ask that question, but I instantly regretted it. He smiled and shook his head."Nah, you didn't do anything to me," he said as he got up and stood straight. "Sleep," he switched off my light and closed the door. I fi
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 6.
MateoLuis and I walked into Abuelo's compound, and I could already feel the migraine begin as we walked into his office. I could tell how mad he was. He hadn't said anything yet; he stared at us, and I sighed as I unbuttoned my jacket and sat down."Dios mío qué pensarías!" He shouted, raising his hands, and I shrugged my shoulders. [What the fuck were you thinking?]"He pissed me off," I said as I got up and walked over to his bar, pouring a drink, I raised the glass towards him, and he shook his hand."I can't drink that shit; my cholesterol is high enough," he said, and I poured a drink for Luis. I passed it to him, and he looked at me with a smirk."It's 9 a.m., Mateo," he said, and I scowled at him."So what?" I asked, and he chuckled while taking a sip of his drink."It's too early," he said, and my grandfather roared angrily."The only thing that's too early is for this motherfucker to make decisions about killing people without talking to me first!""It was necessary, Abuelo,
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 7.
ZiaMateo and I walked into the mall. He guided me through the stores with his hand holding my wrist. It was not like I wanted to run away or anything, but I kept telling him how unnecessary all this was. I already bought some clothes, and I didn't need any more."Let's start with this one," I cringed at the name. This place was too expensive, and I could definitely get items from this store somewhere else cheaper. "It's too expensive," I said as I put down the fifth item. Even though I could get the items cheaper in a smaller store, the quality was out of this world. I never thought I'd get to feel something like this in my life. "It isn't," Mateo sighed and threw the item into the hamper. Just like every other piece of clothing I touched or sighed at, he would take it regardless of my attempts at telling him I didn't need it. "Can you just get what you want here, and then we can move on to the next store," he closed his phone and stared at me."But I'm telling you, I don't need an
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bought For Him. Chapter 8.
MateoWhy did I come back covered in another man's blood? I hadn't been expecting this question so soon, but then again, I wondered why it came out so late."You don't have to answer, though," she said nervously, pulling down the sleeves of her hoodie. "Forgot I even asked," she looked away."It's alright," I said, pulling her hand into mine. I thought her father would tell her about it since he was excited to sign the contract. Never had I ever seen a man so excited to get rid of his daughter. He was weird. Now it is bugging me."Do you seriously have no clue?" I asked her as we walked through the mall, trying to find a decent place to eat. "What do you feel like eating?" I looked at her, and her eyes widened as she pursed her lips together. "Burgers, please," she said, looking up at me. "Is that alright with you?""Why do you always ask if it's alright with me too? You always second-guess your decisions," I asked her out of curiosity; it wasn't the first time she asked me whether
Last Updated : 2025-03-25
Latest chapter
Bought For Him. Chapter 18.
Trigger Warning. Physical Assault. Proceed With Caution.Zia“Have you started preparing for the exams?” Carol asked, and I sighed as I put the bowl down. I adjusted the phone between my shoulder and ear as I took hold of it and leaned against the kitchen counter.“Is that why you called me? To stress me out?” I asked her, and she groaned. I could hear her flipping the pages, and a small smile grew on my face.I was just as anxious for the exams; however, lately, I had been high on a beautiful drug, and I refused to panic so early.“May we please study together? I don’t know why I feel so nervous, but I’m literally crapping my pants right now.”“Don’t we have like a month until exams?” I asked as I wiped the sink and faucet clean.“Zia, is a month enough for what we’re studying?” She deadpanned, and I giggled as I turned around and walked over to the dining room table, where my books were scattered all over.“No, but I’m just saying stressing early won’t help. You know that very well,
Bought For Him. Chapter 17.
Mateo“Have you been avoiding Zia?” Luis asked, and I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, letting go of the person’s collar. He dropped to the ground, groaning in pain.“Why are you asking me that?” I frowned as I wiped the blood from my face in disgust. I hated seeing or feeling blood on me; it was the most disgusting feeling ever. Don’t get me started on the smell, either. Ew.I placed my foot on the person’s leg as he tried to crawl away, and Luis stood up straight, his hair flipping as if he were in some TV commercial.Show off.He held his person by his head as he looked at me and shrugged.“Well, she calls me almost daily to check on you. Why don’t you answer her calls? As a matter of fact, where are you eating dinner? Are you cheating on your wife?” He asked as he pulled the guy’s hair, making him scream out in pain.“I have no reason to cheat,” I grunted as I stepped on his leg harder. “Besides, even if I do, what does that have to do with any of you? Zia and I aren’t in
Bought For Him. Chapter 16.
Zia“What are you smiling about on your own?” Carol asked as she dropped her bag on the table near me. I turned to face her with a huge smile, and she squinted her eyes as she studied me. “Why are you blushing so much?”“None of your business,” I sang, and she gently hit my shoulder.“Come on, tell me!” She begged as she shook me, and I giggled, shaking my head. “Fine, I’ll guess then!”“Be my guest,” I nodded, and she tapped her chin as she looked at me.“It has to do with your husband?” She asked, and I pouted, slowly nodding at her first thought. My cheeks widened as I thought about that day again, and she gasped as she clapped her hands. “He went down on you, didn’t he?”“Huh?” I asked, surprised, and quickly shook my head. “No!” I yelled too loud and shrunk in my seat as I looked around the class. “Why would that be your first guess?”“I mean, you’re smiling like someone that got action, so tell me, how was it?” She leaned in closer, and I blinked as I stared at her.Just what in
Bought For Him. Chapter 15.
Mateo“What is it, Zia? You’ve been walking past my office for the past hour now,” I asked, and she gasped as if she had been shocked that she was caught.It was almost hilarious seeing her walk up and down the hallways right in front of my office, sometimes pausing but never getting in. I noticed her shadow hovering around my door, and then she would let out a resigned sigh and walk away before coming back ten minutes later.I opened my door with hopes that it would encourage her to come in and talk to me and tell me whatever it was that bothered her, or perhaps she just wanted to be in my company the same way I craved to be in hers, and yet she passed the door as if she didn’t notice it was open.Was I really that unapproachable?I removed my glasses and placed them on the desk, using my hand to beckon her inside. I hope this doesn’t seem rude.“No, I was just going to the kitchen,” she laughed nervously as she scratched her neck and entered my office. I tilted my head slightly and
Bought For Him. Chapter 14.
ZiaI brought my flask to my lips as I sipped my tea, swinging my legs underneath me from the highchair I sat on. I looked at my classmate, who dropped next to me, gripping her hair as she groaned.“Today’s lecture was torturous,” she groaned as she messed up her perfectly curled red hair. “Should I just drop out?” She asked as she turned to look at me. I raised my eyebrows, surprised by her sudden outburst.Even though I was used to them, she would talk about dropping out on any random day because of the tiniest inconvenience; however, I would always remind her how much she worked to get her scholarship, and that she didn’t have the luxury the other students had.“No, we can’t drop out,” I said as I placed my flask on the table. She frowned as she tilted her head to the side.“Woah, who said anything about us dropping out?” She pointed between us, and I smiled as I tilted my head to the side as well.“Because if you drop out, I will have to drop out as well. I can’t go to school alon
Bought For Him. Chapter 13.
Mateo“Hmm,” he cleared his throat, and I looked up from the documents I had been reading. I clicked my pen and folded my arms over the table as I watched my grandfather walk into my office with his head high, sporting a green suit with a golden chain strapped from the breast to the pocket. His cane supported his weight as he pulled out a chair before the desk and sat down with a huff.He slightly nodded as if I was being blessed to have him in my presence; he raised his left hand while his right hand held onto his golden cane. The guards he had come with left my office and closed the door behind them. He took a deep breath in, and his brown eyes stared into mine, silently telling me everything he wanted to scream but wouldn’t.He pursed his lips, leaned back in the chair, and finally opened his mouth.“Mateo,” he greeted, and I nodded, wanting to know the reason for his visit today. “I trust all is going well with business?”“Doesn’t it always?” I asked, hating that he was taking his
Bought For Him. Chapter 12.
ZiaIt had been almost a week since that damned party, and everything had been okay. I thought Mateo would be furious with me and possibly kick me out for embarrassing him, but instead, he talked to me calmly.That guy never did that with my mom. All he knew was how to scream and whine like a child. I hoped he was drowning in alcohol.I sat outside, staring at the clouds as I waited for the day to be over. I knew I should be enjoying this time that I had just to sit and do nothing since I had been working like a slave when I was back at home, but my goodness; I was bored!Maybe I just don’t have it in me to be lazy.I had already cleaned the house and washed the windows and the bed sheets just to keep myself busy, hoping the chores would help speed up the day, and even though I used my hands believing that would buy me so much more time, I still finished doing everything within less than five hours. By noon I was done with my chores, and here I was, sitting outside watching the birds
Bought For Him. Chapter 11.
Mateo“She isn’t fit to be your donna!” Melanie screamed as she clutched onto me. Zia stared at her with a deadly look and sighed as if she didn’t care about what she was saying.Her stance indicated that she had been in many fights before, but I could also tell she regretted her actions. “Let go,” I said to Melanie as I pulled her fingers off me; Zia breathed out, relieved, before she stood tense again.I walked over to her, and she stared at the ground as she bit her lip. She’s recoiling, and I know some people might like that here, but if she’s my wife, she can’t have her head down. Lifting her head with my finger, I looked around her face at all the scratches under her chin and cheek.“What happened?” I asked, and she peered up at me through her lashes. Her eyes found Melanie, and she scowled. Don’t break character. Don’t break character, Mateo! Why was she so cute?“Mateo, I already told you,” Melanie touched my shoulder, her nails digging into my skin. Zia rolled her eyes and
Bought For Him. Chapter 10.
ZiaMy eyes widened in awe as I stared out the window while Mateo's car approached the blinding mansion. The bright warm lights showcased the front of the house, and I could tell Mateo's grandfather, Marcello, was bloody rich... possibly literally.The fountain in front of the mansion had water flowing from it, and in the pool of the concrete structure were lavender flowers swimming in it. It looked magical. How did they get the fountain to light up?Many luxurious cars were packed around it, and I could see as the gentlemen opened the doors for their dates, so gentlemanly of them.I turned to look at Mateo to see if he held the same excitement as I did, but his hands were clenched around the wheel as he gritted his teeth. My smile faltered as I noticed his annoyance. Why does he look so mad? Settling in my seat, I refrained from looking outside excitedly and calmed down. Yes, remain calm. I was going into unfamiliar territory, and there might be people in the same profession as Mate
