Arianna's POV.
Nowadays, mornings for me are horrible. I lay on my bed wishing and hoping as I'd learned to do these days for some miracle that'll make all this a bad dream, but sadly reality was very harsh.
I climbed out of the bed and ran a hand through my hair. I tightened the robe on me and walked over to the window. I stood for a while staring at the large expanse of land that met my eyes, sadly, I could only see trees and not a building in sight.
I ran to the bathroom to take a shower and came out almost immediately because I heard a crisp knock on the door. I frowned and tightened my hold on the bathrobe. The person probably got impatient and rapped louder. I took a deep breath and answered, "Come in."
"Hi, I'm Sofia, your personal maid." I heaved a sigh of relief when I heard her voice. She then came into the room and closed the door as she smiled broadly at me. She was holding a lot of bags in her hands which I assumed were clothes. She was a very beautiful woman with raven black hair and beautiful olive skin with light blue eyes. She looked friendly enough but I didn't want to have any sort of relationship with anyone from this horrid place.
I nodded slightly and turned around not sparing her another glance and she must have noticed my unfriendliness and didn't say much. She put the bags down on the bed and spoke."Miss, Mr. Andino would like to see you in the dining room. Let me help you get dressed."
I turned to her and cocked a brow in surprise. "Who is that?"
She appeared stunned and answered, "Mr. Andino is the owner of this house and the master."
I nodded in understanding. "Thank you very much, Sofia but I can do it on my own and please tell Mr. Andino that I'm not hungry and won't be joining him in the dining room. Yes, Sofia shut the door as you leave. I'd like to have some time to myself."
Her face turned a little pale. "Mr. Andino is not going to like that Miss. Please just come to the dining room, he gets angry quickly, and can do anything."
I frowned a little. "It's not like he'll kill me simply because I refused to have breakfast. I mean it's my choice and my life so I'll do what I want."
Seeing that I was very firm about it she left and I went into the bathroom to take my shower that was interrupted. I had to admit that that asshole was loaded, I mean look around the room, everything there screamed money, the four-poster bed, the bedside lamp that he broke. I saw it online one time and it cost thousands of dollars, just one lamp. The bathroom was even more astonishing, my mouth dropped open in shock as I took it all in.
I took a luxurious bath with bubbles, scented oils, and all that. I came out of the bathroom and walked over to the bed to pick out a suitable cloth. Surprisingly underwear was provided. I took off my robe and pampered my skin with the different beauty products that I saw in the bags.
Then, all of a sudden the door swung open. I scrambled upwards and tried to get my robe, but I was too late.
"Fuck! Who the hell does that?" I turned to the door still naked and met the same pair of eyes I saw yesterday, the asshole. He was dressed properly this time around with a white shirt and a pair of grey slacks, the shirt made him look absolutely delectable, it made you want to rip it off and see the body underneath. I shook my head to regain some of my rationality that seemed to have deserted me.
He watched me the same way he did yesterday but this time it was more intense, his eyes were filled with lust and I couldn't look at him squarely, his gaze did something to me that I absolutely hated. I felt the heat pooling in my abdomen as his gaze raked my skin lingering on my breasts and lower half. And he didn't even feel the least bit ashamed but I did, looking at him all dressed up and me naked. I spotted my robe in the dresser and ran towards it like my life depended on it.
I was keenly aware of his heated gaze in my ass and I simply wanted to die of embarrassment. I tied my robe around me and regained some of my confidence and eyed him warily. "Don't you have the basic courtesy to look away hmm? Weren't you taught to knock before you come into somebody's room."
He smirked that same one that seemed fake no matter how I looked at it. He left the door and walked up to me. "I was taught that Bella, but this is my house so it doesn't apply here and how was I to know that I'll see such a sight in here, truly beautiful."
I rolled my eyes and mumbled under my breath 'asshole'. His eyes glinted dangerously and his words made me stunned. " I heard that, and the next time that happens…" he leaned in and whispered in my ear "I'll take you over my knee."
I shook at the sound of his voice. My knees buckled when I heard that. It sounded so dark but strangely I was turned on by it. In my mind, I cursed my traitorous body countless times. So what if he was handsome, sexy as fuck, and rich to boot he was nothing more than an asshole to who I was sold to.
Surprisingly he didn't touch me and moved away a little from me and gave me a once over again!
"Get dressed Bella or I might just forsake the self-control I'd very carefully cultivated. If I don't see you in the next few minutes be informed that I'll watch you get dressed myself." He smirked again and walked out self-assuredly because he knew and I knew that I'd certainly do what he had said. I dressed up quickly in a flowered mini gown and left my hair hanging on my shoulders.
Walking out of the room I saw Sofia by the door. She huddled close to me and whispered as we walked down the stairs. "Are you okay? Did Mr. Andino…" she trailed off and looked at me expectantly.
Tempted as I was to paint the asshole black, I sighed internally and comforted her "I'm fine don't worry and he didn't do anything to me." She heaved an obvious sigh of relief and walked me down the stairs in silence. I didn't have the time to admire the interior decor, because the man seated at the head of the table caught my eye.
He looked cold and indifferent, totally different from the teasing, flirtatious man I saw this morning. His eyes attracted me deeply. There was just something about them. I could feel that he was a man with a story but I absolutely didn't want to get involved in it. I really couldn't care less.
As I descended the final stair with Sofia, she immediately scrambled to the side and left me to walk to the table alone. I took a seat at the furthest chair from him and eyed the dishes on the mahogany dining table. It looked old and worn but not any less beautiful.
"Eat." He barked at me and I turned to look at him, but I refused to. He gave me a side eye and continued browsing the business magazine he was holding in his hands. I noticed the watch he was wearing and it was a Patek Philippe. I gulped as I realised that this guy was probably richer than I thought he was.
Looking at the food I was more tempted than ever before. At that exact moment, my stomach betrayed me by letting out a loud growl. I blushed scarlet and covered my tummy with my hand. I sneaked a peak at Mr. Andino and caught a ghost of a smile on his lips. I was surprised by what I saw but almost immediately it went away. It happened so fast that I didn't know if it was real or fake anymore.
After being betrayed by my stomach I started wolfing down the food without a care. I didn't realise that I was that hungry.
"When was the last time you fucked, Arianna?"
I choked on the food and spluttered as my face turned red and my eyes watered. Sofia rushed over and gave me a glass of water. I held onto the glass for dear life and finally stopped choking.
I looked over at the man that caused my near-death experience and he looked impassive like I didn't just have an encounter with hades all because of him. "Answer my question bella." I fought the urge to knee him where the sun never shines and just get it over and done with.
"What's that to you, Mr. Andino."
"Don't interrogate me Bella, answers not questions." He spoke slowly as he stared at me. Sometimes I forget that he makes me feel afraid like no one has ever done.
"I'm not gonna answer that. My sexual life has nothing to do with you"
"So we'll take that as you haven't been fucked in a long time. Are you on birth control?"
I was quickly getting irritated with his incessant and unnecessary questions and he still had that cocky but indifferent face as he questioned me. I stood up and hit the table glaring at him "I'm not doing this anymore. You know what, fuck you, asshole." I flipped him the bird and jogged up the stairs before he could say anything. I saw his face contort into a mask of fury as he tried to get to me but was interrupted by a phone call.
I went into my room and locked the door, laying on my bed as I crafted an escape plan. I couldn't stay here anymore, especially now that I had pissed off Mr. Andino.
Gabriele's POV.I watched as Arianna jogged up the stairs and fury washed over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Basilio trying his best to stifle a laugh and I got even more irritated. Just as I was about to blow my top I got a call from Mr. Stephano."Good day Mr. Stephano" I called out coldly and the man let out a burst of boisterous laughter. "Too cold Mr. Andino, I was wondering if you'd gotten my gift and what you think about it."I stood up from the dining chair and shoved a hand into my pocket as I made my way out of my wing of the house. "I received the gift Mr. Andino and I'd like to request that you not send me gifts like that ever again. It was thoughtful of you to get me a gift, but this one was a little too much." Mr. Stephano went silent for a few seconds and expressed his understanding. I hung up on the call and wore my suit as I walked through the west wing which housed my sex slaves, Basilio in tow.Almost immediately after I arrived, the door opened and Sara ju
Arianna's pov.It had been days since I'd been locked up in the prison. I guessed it had been four days without seeing the sun or taking a shower. Food was delivered to me only in the morning and at night and trust me it was nothing luxurious.Mr. Andino was really making good his threat of punishment. It was oddly comforting to be there in silence, the other prisoners in there didn't talk much, and I wondered why. I was annoyed that I didn't escape successfully. My plan was really flawless, in my eyes that is.The plan was to distract their attention so I asked Sofia to get me food later after Mr. Andino was gone, and she did so and left shortly after. I then pretended to be really tired and needed rest, so I requested that no one disturb me for food or any other reason. Luckily I had a lot of flimsy material in the drawers, so I tied them up to make a long rope then anchored it to the window, and made my escape.It was going smoothly at first, a little too smoothly if you asked me s
Arianna's POV.After a sleepless night, morning finally came and I crawled out of my bed. I was sure that I looked horrible because I barely slept. I didn't have the heart to see it in the mirror so I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I brushed I looked into the mirror. My eyes had such scary eyebags and I cursed Gabriele Andino endlessly in my mind.I finally finished and took a shower and wrapped myself inside the bathrobe. Just as I was about to get dressed, I heard a knock on the door. I guessed that it was Sofia, so I went to the door and directly opened it and sure enough, it was her. She looked scared and I understood perfectly, my eyebags gave me quite a scare myself."Come in Sofie." I waved and went on to dry my hair, she stood behind me and closed the door. "Are you okay?" I sighed. "Yup I'm great. Just lacking decent sleep." She sighed with emotion. "Mr. Andino wants you downstairs for breakfast." Almost after I heard what she said, I remembered yesterday and
Gabriele's POV."So, you locked the beauty up eh?" Basilio asked me as he settled into a chair in my study. I didn't spare him a glance but he didn't seem bothered by my silence. I could feel his gaze on my face and I sighed resignedly. "That's the only way she'll learn to behave. I don't need her running around here and causing havoc. Never underestimate anybody, especially harmless-looking women "He nodded. "So what do you plan on doing to her after she's out of the prison and how will you answer her questions? Cause she'll surely ask questions. She'd be a fool not to and I don't think she is."I frowned and stood up from my chair as I walked to the window. My face turned cold as I turned to face him, leaning on the windowsill. "If she knows what's good for her, I trust that she'll heed my warning. I've given her the most patience I can exercise and there will be nothing more.""And as for her questions, she doesn't have that right to question me. She'd best mind her business and
Arianna's POV.So, I had a lot on my mind. Dealing with Gabriele Andino and all the problems associated with him ought to be a full-time job. I'd spent my days reading romance novels and I found an amazing friend in Sofia. We became talking buddies. Whenever I felt confused or down, talking with her cheered me up.I told her about my Nonna and my grandpa, but I didn't touch on the topic of my parents. Whenever I thought about them, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. It was stifling and made it hard for me to breathe. I thought I had steeled myself for years, but it turned out that they still have the ability to make me feel pain. I admit that I still held a little hope for them or else I wouldn't have come to Italy.Sofia started laughing animatedly as she talked and I tried my best to squeeze out a smile in return. She was amazing. I found out that when she had nothing and was at the lowest point of her life Gabriele hired her. Even when her qualifications didn't warrant the job or bet
Chapter Eleven.Arianna's POV.I escaped breakfast with Gabriele this morning and I was so over the moon. After our conversation last night, I'd rather be anywhere other than close to him. I heard that he had to leave for urgent work that morning. I enjoyed breakfast in the comfort of my room and I missed my phone badly. At one point I was tempted to ask him about my phone, but I gave up that idea pretty quickly.I remembered that Sofia had talked about the other women in the house Nadia and Elena. I was really curious about them and hoped that they were nothing like the bimbo Sara. I needed other people around me to at least keep me sane with all the madness going on in my life.I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where I was sure to find Sofia and there she was fiddling with some plates. "Sofie" I called out, and she turned to look at me. She smiled and immediately came to me. "You're here? Is there anything you need?""I'm bored," I replied as I swung her hands. She sighe
Gabriele's pov.I lay on the bed listening to the doctor's dos and don'ts about my wound and rolled my eyes at Basilio who was glaring at me from beside the doctor. He knew I wasn't listening, well why would I when I knew that he was there doing it and would probably nag about it when the doctor was gone? About the accident, it started as we were going home. I noticed that we were being trailed and to lose them, me and Basilio drove to an abandoned site.Well, who could've known that the men had guns and the hidden guards I had also lost us in the process of us losing the strange men. Well as expected there was a shoot-out between us and them. I and Basilio were prepared to hold them off as long as we could until the guards arrived. In the process, I was injured and luckily the guards came in time, and here we are in my room with the doctor blabbering his mouth off and Basilio glaring.I really didn't think it was a big deal. The injury that is. In our world, injuries like this were
Chapter thirteen.Arianna's POV.I stared into his eyes and I'm sure my heart did a little leap. I don't know how long we stared at each other like that but I was painfully aware of the tension in the air. I cursed myself internally countless times. I didn't understand, was I so horny? I struggled with so many thoughts and finally tore my eyes away from him as I turned to look for my book. I couldn't find it and then I heard him walking towards me, and soon he stopped. I didn't turn to look at him because I was so afraid that my face would betray any thoughts I harboured. "Looking for this, Bella?" He asked and I turned my face to look at him and saw my novel hanging in the air from his good arm. He still has that annoying smirk on his face which was a lot better than his fake smile. I reached out to grab the book and the swing shook a little. Then I remembered that I was currently sitting in a swing."Give me back my book?" I said as I glared at him in embarrassment. He whistled and
Chapter 80: Arianna's POVThe beeping sound of the machine around me was the first thing my subconscious acknowledged as my eyes flutter open.I was in a hospital. A real one this time.My eyes went to the white light above me and a memory flash of what happened came propelling into my head.I was in the shack waiting patiently for Gabriele and his men to show up as he had promised. I heard the first attack and I braced myself just like Agostino thought me. But then Brett came in gasping like a lunatic.I fought him off for as long as I could, but the pain in my abdomen made it impossible for me to focus, the last thing I remembered before blacking out was the pricking pain of the needle.Where did he take me— the thoughts died down in my head as my eyes settled on the one person my heart valued the most."Gabriele?" I called in a weak voice.He snapped his eyes open. Then in slow motion, I watched how his face exploded into relief. He held my hands and peppered kisses all over them.
Chapter 79: Gabriele's POVThat night no one could sleep. My energy was back to a hundred percent as we all waited for the first rays of the daylight to stream in so that the mission would commence."Strike team, don't forget, be quiet, be quiet and be merciless!" My father roared and the men clanked their vested chests in anticipation.My fingers were sizzling with adrenaline and I couldn't wait to start burying my bullets into the enemies' brains. They picked the wrong lord to mess with.As we all moved out, my godfather came up to me and said. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make sure that Arianna lives, do you understand?"I nodded at his declaration and he hugged me. When he pulled apart, we got into the truck waiting for us and the journey began."There is something Arianna mentioned last night about the person who orchestrated all of these," I said as the vehicle silently moved over the beach sand and small shrubs."Who is he?" My
Chapter 78: Gabriele's POV"Fuck this!" I hissed out as I placed around the table.This had to be Gianni. No one would play a game this well with me. I was too late. He had Arianna somewhere else!"Did the message say where she is?" Agostino asked me. Usually, he would be the calmer one, but right now, he was as riled up as I was."No, it didn't. But you are right, she isn't here." I ran my fingers through my hair for the hundredth time that day.I didn't have to tell them what I thought. We all knew it was Gianni. He was the only rival we had that could think of a plan like this and come through with it.Basilio's phone ran out and he picked it up immediately. We all turned to him, hoping he would give us good news or something close to that.But his face contorted into a thin line and he grumbled intelligent words before he ended the call and turned to me."It was your father.""What does he want right now?!" I growled. "Look Basilio, my father can go fuck himself if he wants to. I
Chapter 77: Arianna's POVA banging ache on the side of my head stirred me awake. My eyes shut back as the bright light flashes into them.Where was I?I squinted and opened my eyes slowly. I was staring at the open skies."What the—" I snapped my eyes to the side and saw water!I made to get to my feet but blinding dizziness came to me and I sat back down at once. I was weak. I had to conserve my energy. How did I get here?I started searching through my brain but the continuous movement of the platform below me made it impossible.That was when it dawned on me —I was on a ship.I sat up, gently this time. My eyes roamed around me and I confirmed my thoughts. I was indeed on a ship in the middle of nowhere.There were about four guards on the platform with me but they were far enough for me not to be able to see their faces.The first, thing that came to my mind, was an escape —I had to leave. I had to escape from here.As I stared around me trying to make a mental calculation of my
Chapter 76: Gabriele's POV"What?!" I hissed as I dropped the files I was holding at once."Who would dare send such stupid pictures to her?!" I growled.The whole thing now made me boil with anger. What were they trying to achieve?!"I don't know Fratello. But we are already investigating it. She should be home soon," Basilio said on the phone."Fine, handle it. I should be done here before the weekend," I said.Basilio has a gruff response before the line went dead.It was already past midnight and I had an even longer day the next day. I had to follow through with my casinos. Everything just seemed to go wrong.My company database was attacked a few days ago, and while I still struggled to sort that out, the Feds were unto me.It almost felt like someone was after me even when I no longer dealt with illegal business.The last goods I sent to Asia got intercepted at sea and nothing I did could bring them back.I ran my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath. I needed to go h
Chapter 75: Arianna's POVI couldn't believe I was finally going to see my grandparents. My relationship with Gabriele was nothing I thought it would become. He was the love of my life.But I never thought he would let me go back to America to see my grandparents.I still had an escort of guards following after me from strategic locations but the freedom was overwhelming.I had tears in my eyes by the time the cars hit the road and I was asked to input my address. My hands shook as I typed the words on the pad.I was finally going to see my nonna.My heart raced and my stomach did several backflips as my eyes remained glued to the window. I thought my life was ruined when Gabriele bought me from those horrible men.When I even discovered that my parents were the ones who sold me, I thought I would pass out. Little did I know that I was getting closer to my prince charming. My Gabriele.When I told Brett to stay out of my life, a little part of me, missed the fact that I would never se
Chapter 74: Gabriele's POVMy cock was aching to bury itself inside Arianna's soft folds. I grabbed her thighs and tore through the left material of her dress."Gabriele, we are in the car!" She shrieked beneath me.The sound of her voice was sizzling and my cock ached even more. I pulled her neck to the right angle and claimed her lips before she could say another thing.She moaned against my mouth as I pulled my belt off my waist and released my cock between her thighs.I pulled her closer so that she now lay flat on the seat and I went on top of her. It was a good thing the car was big enough for the stunts I was pulling."Shit!" I cursed as I missed her entrance.Then like a dream, I felt her hand on my cock as she led me to her entrance. A grin covered my face as I let her continue."Naughty..." I whispered as I thrust deep inside of her."Hmmm," She moaned into my neck as I drove hard into her.My eyes rolled back and my veins popped as I held her waist and continued ramming int
Chapter 73: Arianna's POV"Arianna you don't understand! Gabriele has you rolled up around his fingers, I am only trying to help here. You don't love him... You don't mean that..." He said desperately.At this point I was no longer angry, I just watched him calmly. He needed help."I am sorry Brett but you have it all wrong and I will really appreciate it if you stop. It isn't worth it," I said slowly.His eyes darkened and he raised his fists in the air. I just watched him —he couldn't touch me because Mike would gnaw off his head before he got any closer."Arianna, this is terrible. You are a captive yet you defend your captor? Let me help you!" He insisted.I realized that he wasn't going to stop and I did t have time for this. I held on tight to my purse and let out a deep breath."As I said earlier, you can't understand Brett. Anyway, you have taken enough of my time. Enjoy the breakfast," I said and made for the door but on second thoughts, I paused."One more thing Brett," I sa
Chapter 72: Arianna's POVThe moment Agostino finished scolding us and left, Gabriele locked himself in his office and I returned to the room.Sofie and Mike gave me thumbs up but I didn't feel like it. I should have been happy.I won but I didn't feel so confident about it anymore.I got to the room and pushed the door close with my leg. I peeled off the clothes I wore and picked out his large white shirt. I wore it and dropped it on the bed unceremoniously.Why couldn't he just come to the room? I thought to myself.We could make out and make up. He didn't have to be so sad about the idea of me going to spend time with my friends. It wasn't necessary.It was just a simple outing and he didn't have to act like some jealous boyfriend. I loved him and no one else. Didn't he know that?Did I have to remind him?I tossed around the bed, as the questions rolled and flowed out of me.The lights went off automatically drowning me in darkness. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep but