Chapter 3

Giulia's POV

I didn't turn to look at the door. I was so scared. The aura he exuded was menacing.

The maid bowed and rushed out. He must have signaled her to leave.

I heard his footsteps as he walked towards me. Soon, he stopped. I could feel him behind me as his warm breath rested on my neck.

“Giulia.” He called, his voice deep and fierce.

“Yes, master,” I answered, my voice barely audible. I stood still and didn't look back.

He walked slowly from behind and stood in front of me. I could see the rage in his eyes.

“How dare you disobey my orders?”

“I'm sor…” he didn't let me finish. He put his index finger on my lips. He looked at me for a split second and turned his back on me.

“I own you now, young woman.” He let out a dry laugh. “ You have no choice but to do as I say.”

He turned back to face me. He took a step forward and I took a step backwards. This continued until I got to the wall and he was two steps away.

“I asked you to wear a dress Giulia, and you declined.” He paused to look me over with both hands folded behind, “You mentioned not being a whore; who are you to decide who you are?”

My throat went dry, I couldn't say a word. I couldn't even look at him; his gray eyes seemed to pierce into my soul.

“Don't keep me quiet, look up at me and say something.”

“I… I can't… wear that… dress” I stuttered with tears clouding my eyes. I still didn't look at him.

Before I could realize what was happening, he had covered the distance between us. He had his fingers clawed my throat and I was forced to look up at him.

He was so close that I could feel his breath against my face. There was just a thin line between us.

I was uncertain about what was going to happen next but I knew for sure he wasn't going to kiss me.

Nothing on earth prepared me for what he said next.

“You know Giulia…” He removed his fingers from my throat and hung both hands on the wall leaving me in between. “ I hate you as much as you hate me.”

My heart skipped a bit as he said those words. How did he know?

He smiled but the smile didn't get to his eyes. His eyes still displayed a burning rage.

“Yet still, there's a huge difference between us.” He continued, “ I'm in charge. I own you; I dictate whatever you do with your life until this contract is over, and you dare not disobey… Do you understand me?”

I nodded as a tear fell from my eyes.

“Do you understand me, Giulia?... Answer me.” He said raising his voice.

“Yes, master” I answered shakily. My vision was already blurred by tears but I managed to see his angry expression.

“Now, your master commands that you wear that dress.” He said pointing at the dress that lay rumpled on the bed

“I can't…” I muttered in tears.

“Giulia…” he yelled, “You either wear that dress or walk naked.”

I was shaken. What was the difference between wearing nothing and wearing that dress? There was a tiny difference though; at least I had my underwear on.

I managed to take a step forward. I went to pick the dress up and took a look at it. I could feel his eyes on me.

I took off the robe I was wearing, leaving me with my undies. I picked up the dress and Antonio stopped me.

“Take off your underwear Giulia; put the dress on like that.” I opened my mouth but no words came out. “ I'll be waiting at the table.” He concluded as he walked to the door.

“Don't keep me waiting.” He said and walked out.

I sat on the bed frustrated. This was worse than expected. It was just my first night here and I already felt like running away.

I took my undies off and put the dress on. I looked at myself in the mirror; it was a beautiful silky, peach but transparent dress. 

I walked to the door and held the handle. I was going to walk through the hallway naked with bodyguards and maids looking at me. Don Antonio was terrible.

I took a deep breath and pulled the door open. I walked quietly down the hallway and didn't find a single soul. The building seemed empty.

I walked into the dining room to find just Antonio sitting with his head bent over his meal. The hall was empty; even Lorenzo wasn't there.

He didn't raise his head until I was beside him.

“Sit here.” He gestured at the seat beside him. He didn't spare me a glance.

I sat quietly. I then observed that the dishes on the table were different from what was there before.

I picked up my cutlery and munched slowly on the meal on the plate before me.

“You are quite stubborn, despite being helpless and hopeless,” Antonio said sarcastically not caring that his words would hurt.

“You sent everyone away,” I said calmly, ignoring his previous statement. “Why?”

He looked at me, and for the first time since I got to the table, he examined me properly. He let his eyes linger from my face to my chest and then back to my eyes.

“I asked you to wear this dress for me. I own you, not them.” He sounded quite possessive.

After a few moments of silence, Don Antonio drew his chair backward and stood up. “Follow me.”

I stood up immediately and followed him. We walked through a different hallway with beautiful artwork hung on the wall.

He got to a huge door and pushed it open only to find a lady sprawled naked on the bed.

“Oh, darling, where have you been?”