Can't Refuse Him

Chiara’s eyes remained fixed on her reflection, her hands occasionally tugging at the fabric of the blue dress that clung to her slender curves. Dante had sent it early in the morning, saying he was going to pick Chiara up and she had to be wearing it.

It was a shiny spaghetti strap dress that stopped midthigh. Quiet footsteps could be heard and Chiara turned to the door, already expecting her sister’s presence.

“Hey, you look hot.” Aria mumbled, her head peeking out slightly from the door frame.

“I hate this.” Chiara said, her voice tinged with irritation and animosity.

“If I had someone hot and rich fawning over me, I’d take full advantage of it.” Aria said, her voice laced with suggestion.

“He’s not fawning over me, and even if he was, there’s no way I’m taking advantage of anything, he’s at least seven years older than me.” Chiara uttered, her voice dripping with distaste.

Aria smirked, entering Chiara’s room. “That means he’s seven years more experienced.” She said with a wink.

Chiara gagged, the thought sending disgust coursing through her veins. “What are you even doing here?” Chiara asked, trying to divert her sister’s attention from the topic.

“Papa asked me to help you with hair and makeup.” Aria said, gesturing to the bag that had been hanging across her shoulder.

Chiara raised a brow, quickly shaking her head in disapproval. “The man asked me to wear a dress not get a makeover.”

Aria pouted at her sister’s refusal and walked up to her, forcing her to sit on the bed. “You aren’t allowed to say no to your little sister.” Aria said, bringing out some materials.

Chiara sighed at her sister’s stubbornness. “Fine, but don’t go too overboard. Make it simple.”

“Of course.” Aria said, flashing a smile that didn’t meet her ears.

She quietly laid out several brushes and makeup, while Chiara simply watched her. She carried some blush and a brush, slowly applying makeup on her sister’s face.

“Chiara, you’re going to visit me right?” Aria asked, her usually cheerful tone faltering.

Chiara bit her lip, unsure of the answer. Dante had called her his possession, and as far as she knew, she wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere without his permission. “I’ll try.” Chiara choked and Aria nodded, seemingly understanding Chiara’s response.

“Don’t love your new guy more than me.” Aria said teasingly and rolled her eyes.

“There’s no way I’m going to love that douchebag.” Chiara muttered distastefully and Aria laughed in amusement.

“You’ll be saying that now but pretty soon he’ll be the only thing on your mind.”

“You shouldn’t be talking about these kind of stuff with me.” Chiara said and Aria rolled her eyes in amusement.

The rest of the makeover was done in comfortable silence. By the time they had finished, Chiara could barely recognize herself. The makeup wasn’t over-the-top like she had requested but her bangs were slightly trimmed and her hair curled and tied in a tight ponytail.

“You like it?” Aria asked, noticing Chiara’s gaze fixed on the mirror.

“It’s nice,” Chiara muttered, her gaze fixed on her reflection with admiration. “You’re really good at this.”

Aria grinned at her sister’s compliment and hugged her from the behind. “I just wish you could be happy about this. Why are you going to live with someone when you hate the idea so much?”

Chiara shuddered at her sister’s question, forcing a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “Papa is financially indebted to him and he said he would forget about the money if I became his. I obviously rejected but Papa was so desperate and scared so I gave in.”

Aria nodded, finally understanding why her sister was reluctant to leave the house. “You’re too nice. Hopefully it’s nothing permanent.” Aria muttered, glancing at Chiara.

The two remained silent, the silence growing oppressive, punctuated only by occasional glances. The stillness was broken when their father, Lorenzo, appeared in the doorway, his face a mask of solemnity.

His eyes lingered on his daughters before he spoke, his face laced with trepidation. “Dante has arrived.”

Chiara nodded quietly standing up. Aria followed suit and they both trailed behind their father who led them outside their house. Outside was Dante who was leaning on a black Mercedes, it was luxurious enough to leave Chiara impressed—almost, anyway.

His eyes scanned Chiara, whose gaze shifted downwards, feeling the intensity of his stare. She looked back up, noticing how wide his smirk was. He must have been so happy finally having what he wanted, it made Chiara’s skin crawl.

“Get in the car.” Dante said, his voice tinged with slight irritation and annoyance.

He opened the door, impatiently tapping his foot on the ground as he waited for Chiara to get in.

Chiara cast a final glance at Aria, her eyes holding unspoken goodbyes. “Tell Matteo I said goodbye.” She muttered before quietly entering the car.

Dante ran a hand through his hair, flashing Lorenzo a small smirk. “You made the right choice, consider all your debts cleared from this moment on.”

Aria looked at her father, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She quickly pushed the feeling down and turned to Dante, her eyes flickering with hesitance. “C-Chiara is going to be able to visit… right?” Aria asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Dante laughed and looked at Aria, his calm face giving nothing away. “Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how much of a… good girl she is.”

Aria flinched at his words and Dante laughed, finding her reaction somewhat amusing. Dante sighed, entering the car and closing the door.

With a screech, the car sped away from Chiara’s house while Aria and Lorenzo could only watch, completely helpless to the whole situation.

^^

In the car, Chiara and Dante sat on opposite sides of the backseat. The silence was uneasy and uncomfortable and the tension between the two was palpable.

Chiara glanced at an absentminded Dante and quickly looked down at her fingers wondering if she was supposed to start a conversation. She bit her lip, fidgeting with her slim fingers as she hoped silently that the car would come to a stop and she would arrive at his home.

The silence continued, the tension growing thicker with every passing second. She could feel his intense stare on her and quickly looked outside the window to prevent any thoughts of conversing that he might have had. The passing buildings were unfamiliar to her and the further they went, the more Chiara realised how slim the chances of seeing her family were.

Finally the car came to a halt and Chiara scanned outside through the window, trying to capture her new surroundings. They were in a driveway, tucked between two other cars and as Chiara stepped out of the car, the sight was enough to leave her intimidated.

The ancient stone façade with its weathered texture and earthy tones, was beautifully complemented by modern touches – sleek glass windows, metal railings and a terracotta roof that seemed to glow in the warm sunlight.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of jasmine and the tranquil courtyard, with its towering olive trees seemed like a serene oasis. Yet, despite the calming beauty of the place, Chiara longed for her own house, her room and her piano.

“Go in.” Dante said from behind her and she jolted, quietly entering the mansion.

The interior matched the elegant decor of its outside. Polished marble floors, diamond chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. Exquisite art pieces and pictures loitered the place, giving it a homey yet elegant feel.

“You’re drooling.” Dante muttered, his voice tinged with amusement.

She huffed and looked away, her cheeks flushing red. “I was just fascinated, that's all.” Chiara said, her voice defensive.

Dante silently stared at her, his lips pursed in a grim line. He chuckled lowly and turned to the maid who had been trailing behind them. “Show Miss Ricci to her new room.” Dante said and left quietly while Chiara watched his fading figure quietly. Just who was this man that intimated her father so much?

“Ma’am.” The maid called, sending Chiara back to reality.

The two quietly climbed the stairs and she led her to a door at the end of a long hallway. The maid bowed slightly, quickly leaving Chiara alone. Chiara watched her retreating figure and opened the door, entering the room and closing it behind her.

Her room was just as elegant as the rest of the house, clean satin walls and long cream curtains that covered the large windows. Yet, despite the lavish furniture that enveloped the room, it lacked the warmth that her old room had. There were no pictures of her family, no posters of her favourite things, the room felt empty.

Chiara sighed, trying to ignore the growing emptiness she felt in her heart. There were two doors apart from the entrance and Chiara scrambled to them, trying to find a closet. He hadn’t allowed her to bring any of her clothes so she was sure he had clothes for her and she was growing tired of wearing the dress. After locating the closet, she scanned through the clothes and settled for a pink tank-top and silk bottoms to match.

She entered the bathroom to change, worried that someone would walk in on her. After getting changed, she came out, scanning the room again with a dissatisfied look. There was nothing to do there and in the spur of the moment, she had left her smart phone in her old bathroom.

“I want to go home.” She muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her thoughts were interrupted by gentle knocking on her door. Her eyes flickered to the door before she sluggishly made her way towards it, her fingers feeling heavy she moved the doorknob.

The maid from earlier was there, her fingers fidgeting nervously and her face slightly flushed. “M-Mr. Sabatini requested that you follow me to his bedroom.”

The maid’s words were enough to send a shiver running through Chiara’s spine. She knew she was now Dante’s possession but for him to call for her so soon made her heart race with the possible implications. “O-okay.” She stuttered and the maid nodded, walking away.

She quietly followed the maid down the long hallway, the tension palpable. Why did Dante call for her?

“W-we’re here.” The maid stuttered, her voice coming out as a strained whisper before she turned on her heels, leaving her alone once again.

Chiara stared at the door, her hand hovering over it as she tried to decide her next action. Was she supposed to knock?

“Come in.” She heard Dante say from the other side.

She opened the door, the knob creaking slightly as she did. She closed the door behind him and slowly approaching his figure on his bed. “A maid said you wanted to see me.” She muttered quietly, her voice guarded and cautious.

He smirked, standing up and slowly approached her. “Darling… I like your shorts.” He quipped, his eyes roaming her exposed thighs. He inched closer to her, slowly wrapping his arm around her waist.

“D-Dante stop.” Chiara let out a weak protest, her face flushing due to their close contact.

“Why should I, Darling? You’re my pet, I can do anything I want to you.” He stated, his words registering into Chiara’s head.

“T-then, what do you want?” She asked, her heart drumming in her chest.

His eyes roamed her slim figure, noticing how her tank-top clung to her small curves before he smirked, his lips pursed in a grim line. “For now… just a little taste. You can do that right, Darling?”

“I-“

Chiara, was cut off abruptly when Dante crashed his lips on hers. It was nothing passionate or gentle but his action was more possessive enough to send a shiver running through Chiara’s spine. He ran his tongue over her lips gently, as if asking for entry but Chiara only tightened her closed lips more.

He pulled away, his eyes darkening as he glared at her. “You will not reject me, understand?” He asked, his voice possessive and almost aggressive.

“I-I’m not comfortable with what you’re doing.” Chiara said, her voice lacking the conviction it needed.

Dante chuckled slightly, his hands gripping Chiara’s shoulders tightly. He roughly pushed her on his bed, immediately hovering over her with his right knee between her legs to prevent her from moving.

“I’ll say it one more time, you will not reject me… now do you understand or do you want me to make you understand?!”