CARLY'S POVI woke up the next day to a slight headache.It was 5:35 am, the earliest I've been awakened in my entire life.I sluggishly dragged myself to the bathroom, the pounding in my head intensifying with each step. The cold tiles beneath my feet sent shivers up my spine, a stark reminder of the grim reality I found myself trapped in.As I turned on the faucet, filling the bathtub with warm water, I thought of the things I would have been doing at that time if I was home.I quickly submerged myself in the soothing water, trying to wash away not only the physical grime but also the emotional weight that burdened me. The steam enveloped my body as I closed my eyes and let myself drift for a moment into a world where actual freedom existed a world where I was not considered as some collateral.Just as I began to relax, Alessandro's voice pierced through the silence like a dagger. Startled, I jerked upright and clutched onto my towel tightly as he strolled into the bathroom without
CARLY'S POVThe moment my stomach let out that growl, I looked up at him, then looked back down.I summoned the courage to let him know that I was very hungry and I couldn't hold it, but I still couldn't even say Hi to that mean face.I watched as he drove past lots of eateries, worst is I can't get food in school because I don't have any money on me.My stomach growled again,"I think I'm hungry." I finally mumbled but to Leonardo's hearing.He immediately stopped the car."Wait in here." He said, then stepped out.Immediately he closed the car door, I had this pang of joy as I rushed to open my side of the car door, unfortunately he had locked the car doors.I tried pressing some buttons in the car to unlock the door, but they were all a useless attempt, the window didn't even roll down, if not I would have escaped through it.Yeah, I am that desperate.I let out a sigh as I sat down back looking through the window, hoping for some miracle.At a point, I wanted to scream, but that w
CARLY'S POVI purposely stayed in the School's library for hours until it was evening time, hoping Leonardo would get bored and leave, but he didn't.He stayed there like some robot, his eyes darted on me.At some point, I got so tired I had to leave.The drive back was a silent one.The moment I entered the big living area, I saw Alessandro seated in that dimly lit area with some dangerous looking men.They were all in suits, they were smoking cigars, and the sound of their grunting was terrifying.They seemed to be playing Chess, gambling, or loan shaking, I can't tell.I was too nervous to walk past them that I froze the moment I saw them, nerves gnawed at my insides like hungry rats in search of sustenance.Alessandro's gaze met mine for a fleeting moment, sending shivers down my spine, I quickly hid, turning back, but when I did, Leonardo was no longer there, but Marco was."Any problem Miss?" He asked with a stoic face."Um… No…no problem. I'm fine." I stuttered."Your room is t
THIRD PERSON'S POVAlessandro scoffed, while Carly stood still like one who was rooted to the ground.He walked towards her expressionless, she thought maybe this was the point where she gets beaten up or something, but instead he let out a deep, mirthless chuckle. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, a hint of respect in his voice. "You are doing it anyway."He said, standing so close to Carly that she could feel the heat emanating from his body.Her heart sank, "You can't force me to marry you, that's illegal." She defended."Illegal." Alessandro repeated with a scoff.He walked closer to her and whispered,"You will marry me and that's it."Carly's heart raced in her chest as Alessandro's warm breath tickled her ear. She couldn't deny the way his proximity affected her, despite all the anger and fear swirling inside her. His words echoed through her mind, and she knew that escaping this situation was going to be harder than she thought.She mustered up some courage, tr
CARLY'S POV"The Boss orders you put on the new clothes, he's taking you somewhere with him." He stated and immediately turned to leave."Where?" I asked making him stop deaf in his tracks."Where is he taking me to?" I asked again my eyes darting at him."You will know when you get there." He said. "And be ready in fifteen minutes." He added."That doesn't answer my question!" I yelled out as he walked out the door.I sighed and took out the dress and heels from the shopping bag I left them in.I looked at them for a while."This must be so expensive." I said to myself as I hugged the dress.I slipped into the black elegant dress, its silky fabric gliding over my skin. The soft scent of the material enveloped me as I carefully zipped up the back. The dress clung to my curves, making me feel a little bit exposed. After looking at myself in the mirror for a while, I stepped into the high heels, their clicking sound echoing through the room as I walked around to test my balance.As I s
CARLY'S POV"Thanks." I muttered as I took the glass from him, feeling a little bit shy as his gaze lingered on me. The wine was rich and velvety, with a hint of spice that left a warm sensation in my throat. I sipped it slowly, enjoying the taste and the way it made me feel."So," Alessandro said, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "What do you think of my collection?""It's amazing," I replied honestly, looking around at all the beautiful paintings hanging on the walls. "I've never seen anything like this before.""I'm glad you like them," he said with a smile."For how many years have you been collecting?" I asked, taking another sip of my wine."I've lost count." He plainly said.We sat there for a while longer, talking about art and life and everything in between. It was easy to talk to Alessandro - he had a way of putting me at ease that made me feel like I could tell him anything.As we chatted, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing creeping up inside me. There
CARLY'S POVThe moment Marco opened the entrance door and I stepped in, I sighed, a beautiful young lady.She seemed a little bit older than I am, but she looked so beautiful.The moment she saw me walk in, she stood up and walked towards me with this grin that one can mistake for a friendly grin.I tried walking past her, but she stopped me, and ordered Marco to leave us."Who are you?" She asked boldly like she owned the place.I looked at her head to toe without saying a word.For Marco to obey her like that, it's either she's Alessandro's sister or maybe cousin."Are you Alessandro's sister?" I asked naively.The moment I asked her that question, she laughed at me so hard."Sister? Wow. I see he hasn't told you about me yet. I'm his fiancée, and I know the name Sandra rings a bell." She said."No it doesn't." I cut in."Hmm, you seem to be the slave he got recently. Um, you don't look like a slave, though." She said, walking round me slowly like she was checking my looks and outfi
CARLY'S POVHe kept looking at me intensely, like he was reading everything I was thinking about."I know deep down you don't want to leave, but you don't have to be worried about that because you're mine." He said boldly to me.I wanted to push him off, but I couldn't, it felt like my arms were weak, and I was lost in his intense gaze."I…I…I need to go." I stammered as I tried to squeeze myself out."Have I really fallen in love with him." I said to myself as he left me and walked back to his seat."It can't be. This is crazy, I can't possibly fall in love with someone who took me against my will." I panicked inside me as I stood up."Focus Carl, focus. You have a chance to get outta here, focus on that and don't mess it up." I reminded myself.I quickly made my way to my room, as I entered I heard my phone ring.I took it and it was Judy calling.I reluctantly picked it."Are you not coming today?" She asked the moment I took the phone to my ear. "I really need to talk to you." S
THIRD PERSON'S POV The moment they arrived at the mansion, Alessandro found his way to the elevator with Vincenzo's help."You can leave now, I will find my way." Alessandro said as they got to the corridor."Alright Boss." Vincenzo Bows before he left.Alessandro staggered down the corridor, heading towards Carly's room.The moment he got to the door, he knocked non-stop until Carly who was getting ready for bed had to open the door.The moment the door was opened, he walked right in, heading towards the bed, as soon as he got to the bed, he bumped on it."What are you doing here?" Carly asked, but before she could say anything, Alessandro was already fast asleep.She sighed, wondering if he had stopped earlier just to party.She walked over to the side of the bed where he laid, adjusted his legs that were off the bed, before she pulled his shoes, removed his jacket, and opened the first button of his shirt for comfort.She sat beside him for a while, admiring him as he slept."You
THIRD PERSON'S POV During the drive, Alessandro's phone rang. He picked it up immediately. "Hello Boss, the attack earlier was actually planned out for you, it was aimed at eliminating you." Vincenzo, one of the guards said from the other side of the call. "Who is responsible?" Alessandro asked, and by the tone of his voice, one could tell he was furious. "It's Mr. Lombardi, I think he's still holding a grudge against you." Vincenzo responded. Hearing this, Alessandro ended the call. "I think it's time I eliminate him before he causes any more harm." Alessandro muttered, but to Carly's hearing because she fidgeted to the word eliminate. "You… you… you are not planning on killing someone, are you?" Carly stuttered. Alessandro looked at her for a while without saying a word before turning his gaze towards the window. "Maybe you should report it to the police since you've already found the one responsible." Carly added. Hearing this, Alessandro scoffed. At that moment Carly's
CARLY'S POV The day went better than I expected, I met with Judy and she seemed so happy.She couldn't stop talking about how nice and sweet her boyfriend is, she showed me a picture of him and I won't deny the fact that he looked cute.I told her that I was going to move in with her in less than nine months time after the contract is over, at least until I find my own place.She was happier than I was on hearing the news. I was actually not happy because a part of me wanted to still be with Alessandro, that part of me longed for it all to be real. I just wanted a happy life with him."Are you ok?" Tyrion asked as I entered the car for us to leave."Yes," I responded with a famed smile."Your sister is as nice as you are." He complimented.I smiled hearing that."Yes she is, but you wouldn't want to be on her bad side." I said as he kick-started the car.He smiled as he drove off, I looked back Marco and Leonardo were driving behind us. They actually kept their promise throughout our
CARLY'S POV THE NEXT DAYI woke up to a knock on my door. I can't even remember when and how I fell asleep."Come in." I said in a dull tone as I rubbed my eyes.The door opened, "Tyrion, any problem?" I asked as I shifted to seat on the edge of my bed."What about Sandro?" He asked looking around like he was looking for someone."I don't know, haven't seen since yesterday after the ceremony." I responded as I ran my fingers through my messy hair."Oh, I thought… Never mind." He said suspiciously. "How was your night?" He immediately asked."It was ok." I responded."Going anywhere today?" He asked."Like I'm allowed to go out without your brother's consent I barely even attend classes." I muttered but to his hearing."We would be going out today, just the two of us so we can bond. Since you're now officially my sister-in-law it won't be bad if we decide to know each other." He suggested with a smile.It sounded so tempting but on a second thought, I had to decline."I don't think yo
THIRD PERSON'S POV Once the wedding ceremony was over, Alessandro and Carly took separate cars back to the mansion.Carly who arrived first quickly left to undress and rest.Getting to her room, she quickly removed her jewelries and clothes before she rushed into the bathroom for a warm bath. After the bath, she got dressed in her purple silk night dress and quickly laid on the bed as she felt all the exhaustion she had felt earlier absorbed by the soft bed.Tyrion, on the other hand, was in his room lost in thoughts when the door opened, revealing Marco."Are you avoiding me?" He asked as he shut the door behind him.Tyrion immediately stood up."No, no, I'm not." He immediately responded as Marco kept looking at him like he was peering through him. "Ok I was, but… it has nothing to do with you. It's just my mom, she…" "It's fine, I understand." Marco responded as he hugged him tight that they could feel each other's heart beat."You don't need to tell her about us until you want
THIRD PERSON'S POV Stepping out of the building, he took a deep breath."Are we leaving now, Boss?" One of his guards asked."Yes." He responded. "Take me to my mother's place." He added as he walked towards the car he came with.During the drive, he was restless and lost in thoughts that he couldn't even realize when they got to his mother's mansion."We are here, Boss." The guard who had been standing with the door wide opened finally said.He was immediately brought back to reality, "Ok." He plainly said before he got down from the car and headed inside.At the entrance, he was welcomed by his mom, whose joy knew no bound."What about your wife to be, She didn't come with you?" His mom asked as she escorted him inside."Are we supposed to be seen everywhere together?" He asked rhetorically.His mom paused for a while before she responded, "If possible, yes." Alessandro heaved a sigh as he sat on the couch, he sat lost in thoughts for a while, his mind wandering around but unable
THIRD PERSON'S POV The moment their eyes met, Sandra glared at him furiously, and immediately he knew she came for trouble.He noticed she may be drunk too, as her catwalks were involved stumbling steps, exaggerated swaying of her hips, arms flailing for balance, and occasional bursts of laughter as she headed towards him."You can't possibly be getting married to your maid!" She yelled as she kept stumbling towards him in fury."And who allowed you in?" Alessandro asked as he headed out ignoring the fact she was trying to meet up with him."That is not the issue here, Alessandro." She lashed out. "I've spent all my life waiting for you to finally get married to me as our fathers agreed, but here you are slamming a wedding on my face!" She yelled as she walked hurriedly behind him."Why your maid!" She shouted.Alessandro stopped dead in his track without even looking back at her he said, "I don't remember introducing her to you as my maid."Besides I don't think that's any of your b
CARLY'S POV Immediately we left the building, Vincenzo and another guard I couldn't recognize were outside waiting in front of another car."Take her straight home." Alessandro ordered before he entered the Lexus we came with, and the guard that drove us here drove off like they were in a hurry.The moment they were out of sight, I entered the back seat of the car, hoping he doesn't come back another gunshot wound.The drive was a silent one and in no time we were in the mansion and I quickly headed to my room to have some rest since I was so exhausted.I got back to the room, and as I laid on the bed facing the ceiling.Countless thoughts came running through my mind, but the most pressing one was the urge to finally do what I want to do anytime I want to.=TWO MONTHS LATER=It's already a day to the grand wedding Alessandro's mom has been planning.It was all so fast and sudden.Alessandro and I didn't want the grand wedding, but she pleaded with us to grant her that one wish.The
CARLY'S POVI sat on my bed with my hands holding on to my chest.I can't really explain how I was feeling, whether I was hurt, scared, or just worried, but I was sure that I was at the edge of exploding from all the emotions I feel."Why would he expose himself to death like that?" I find myself asking."He's a grown man, and he knows how to take care of himself." I assured myself as I stood up with the thought of checking on him.As I walked down the hallway, I bumped into Tyrion, and he didn't look happy one bit."You saw him right." I asked and he nodded."But don't worry, I'm used to it." He said with a famed smile, and I could tell he was lying."I will…uh… I'm going to check up on him." I kinda stuttered with a forced smile before I left.I got downstairs, but he wasn't there, I took the stairs but as I got to the second floor and was about to take the stairs to the third floor, I saw Alessandro coming out of a room with Alessandro and Marco.I rushed towards him, "How are you