005

Cecilia's POV

“Rise and shine,” Darya’s voice breached through my sleep.

The curtains slid apart with a yank and the bright morning sun filtered in.

I winced, trying to block out the light. I had barely gotten any sleep the night before. With all the crying and the constant fear that Don Petrov would be back at midnight to finish what he started.

His threats rang loud in my ears. He would demand answers today. I had nothing to tell him.

“Get up,” Darya sniped, strutting towards my bed and yanking the covers off me.

I gasped, sitting up quickly, staring into her fierce eyes.

“What's wrong princess? Were you expecting a gentle tap? What does this place look like to you? You're fucking castle?”

Why on earth was she so nasty? And why was she in my room anyway?

“What… what do you want?” I mumbled.

“Oh I don't know, maybe leave and never come back,” she sneered, folding her arms. “Get your ass off the fucking bed, it's time for breakfast.”

“I'm not hungry,” I muttered, reaching for the covers she had tossed aside.

She grabbed my jaw, seething. “Listen and listen good, bitch. I am not your slave. I am here because Ivan asked me to fetch you, okay? Don't fucking get used to it. Now, do I have to drag you downstairs or will you put those stubby legs to good use?”

That was terrifying. I whimpered when she pushed my jaw away and stood at the door, expectant. They were all the same. Monsters.

My feet hit the cold floor and my knees buckled. I clutched the night dress I had on. One look at the scowl on Darya's face told me she would skin me alive if I told her I wanted to change.

I followed her meekly then, dreading every step we took towards the dining room.

Ivan sat at the head of the table. His eyes fixed on me as soon as I walked in. I could feel his burning gaze on my face, drifting lower. My hands gripped the night dress even tighter. I shivered, but somehow,it wasn't from the cold this time.

“Good morning,” A small mumble slipped from my lips as I took a seat at the farthest end of the table.

“No,” Ivan rumbled, raising a finger up and pointed to the seat on his right. Darya took her seat on his left and scoffed.

“She gets to sit next to you now? Just great,”

“I… I'm fine here,” I stuttered nervously and he glowered.

“Get over here, Rossi,”

Swallowing the lump that lodged in my throat, I made my way shakily towards the seat he had gestured to. My body trembled as I settled beside him, aware of those eyes.

It was unfair that a man like him had such beautiful eyes. They did not seem like the eyes of a murderer.

“See something you like, Cecilia ?” He rasped.

I blinked, my face burning in realization. I had been staring at him.

“No, I… I wasn't staring,” I muttered, glancing down at my clasped hands.

“I never said you were,” He chuckled.

Darya rolled her eyes. “Great, she's a dimwit. You have such good taste in women, Ivan.”

“Quiet Darya,” He ordered as a cook placed a plate on my table.

“Eat,”

I'm not a dog, I wanted to scream. But the man already had it out for me because he thought I knew something I obviously didn't. I just wanted to get through breakfast without him asking me any questions.

“So,” he began when my hand reached for the spoon and dread filled me.

Oh no.

“Did you give any thought to what I asked for?”

How could I not? I spent all night crying.

I nodded glumly, dropping the spoon. My stomach felt queasy and I was sure I would puke whatever went down my throat.

“And?”

“I don't know,” I told him.

“You'll have to be a lot clearer, Rossi-” His phone shrilled interrupting him. His eyes narrowed as he read the caller ID and he walked out of the dinning.

My shoulders sagged in relief and Darya shrieked in laughter.

“You think you've escaped? Honey, Ivan is good at many things. Playing games with his prey is one of them. That's all you are, a prey.”

And with that she slammed her cutlery on the table and strutted out of the dining room.

Tears burned the corner of my eyes and I clapped a hand over them, trying to seal in the tears and failing. There was no way out. I was at Don Petrov’s mercy and so was my baby.

Unable to stand the sight of the food before me, I left the dinning and wandered around the house. I had walked to my room before deciding to give myself a tour instead.

Ivan had a couple of maids working for him. They all eyed me like I was prey, exactly how Darya had described me.

How much longer before he decides he was done toying with me then and kills me?

My heart rammed against my ribcage AG the thought and I clutched my stomach. I couldn't lose my baby. Not my baby.

I found a garden during my wanderings and rushed there, happy to be outside and alone at last.

I found a bench, staring into space while I thought about my family. Tears streamed down my cheeks endlessly.

“Cecilia?” Alista’s voice reached my ears.

I looked up to see her eyes filled with concern.

“Are you okay?”

I shook my head, my sobs turning into full blown wails. She sat beside me, pulled me in a hug and stroked my hair soothingly.

“It will be fine,”

“No, it won't,” I cried. “He'll kill me. I know he will. Like he killed my parents.”

“The Master can be ruthless,” She murmured, “But he has kept you, hasn't he? You will be fine, Cecilia,”

I wanted to believe her. I badly wanted to. I didn't see Ivan all through the day until after dinner. I had dinner in my room and was getting ready to change for bed. My dress dropped to the floor and the door opened.

I whipped around to see Ivan walk in. He paused in his tracks. His eyes moved down my face to my shoulders and they darkened.

My breath quickened when he took quick long strides towards me. “What are you doing?”

He cupped my face, murmuring under his breath before slamming his mouth against mine.