EPISODE 4

ELIANA

It was morning by the time I blink my eyes open. Somehow I’d managed to fall asleep but my body felt a little heavy. The memories of last night flashed in my mind; when he had walked in, what he’d said and the things I’d sworn. It still felt dreamlike, to be here, knowing that my freedom was now a fleeting thought.

My housemaster didn’t have a second thought when he offered me up as payment for his debt and somehow it made me a little glad that I wasn’t in that orphanage anymore. But that didn’t mean that being here was any better. I’ve been thrust into the dark unknown and given to a man scarier than the darkness itself. My thoughts were jumbled up, I feel scared and somehow, not scared, somehow I feel relieved to be out of the orphanage but this was still a far throw from what I’ve always envisioned.

I was given as a payment for a debt owed. I belonged to him now, in body and soul, I was going to be his sex toy but somehow that fate didn’t scare me, not as much as it’d scared me in that place. I didn’t know what it was, the feeling that flustered in my stomach when I look into his eyes; his eyes were unique, a burning gold and an intense glass green. 

They looked like two persons in one body if you focus on each eye colour separately. They were beautiful yet dark, commanding, yet mellow. The look in his eyes held me captive last night, when he’d walked in, stained in blood, demanding my body and soul. I’d caved in and agreed not only because I was compelled to but also because I saw an even darker fate that awaited me if I was to be taken back to that place.

I thought he was going to have his way with me afterwards but he didn’t, he left but the traces of his rough hands against my skin made me shiver, a little with fear and something else. He’d left me to myself but the ghost of his touches still lingered deeply on my skin. 

Pushing my knee against my body, I rest my chin and let out a sigh, my eyes closing momentarily and my mind blanked but then a knock from the door rattles me and I turn my head towards it.

“Come in.” My voice is soft and low that I feel the person behind it might not have caught it but it opened before I had the chance to repeat myself. 

Dressed in a black long sleeve, knee-length dress and a white apron tied at her waist, her tall frame came into view as she walked into the room. She bows stiffly in greeting.

“I’m Matilda, the master has instructed me to attend to your needs and have you join him for breakfast.” She recited like a robot. 

Her brown hair is cut short above her shoulders in a clean trim, blue eyes cut through me as she looks at me from where she stood at the door and there’s a sudden chilly sensation hovering around her or maybe it was just my imagination. 

She was pretty and looked to be in her mid twenties, perhaps. Though she wore a delicate but slightly stiff smile. Something in her hands caught my attention, they looked like shopping bags, they were too fancy to be groceries, clothes perhaps, it would be the only logical thing given she’s with them in my room and I was dressed in nothing other than a light cotton nightdress. Esme had taken my only outfit for laundry so I was left with nothing else to wear.

“H-Hi, I’m… Eliana but you can call me Ellie or Ana… or whatever… that’s good.” I stumble over my words feeling a little awkward at having to talk to someone new… a total stranger. I wasn’t very good at communicating with others, I’ve always felt very intimidated especially with other females.

Matilda’s half worn smile melts into a warm smile and she nods and I sigh, feeling a little better. I return her smile.  

Matilda helps me through the morning routine. The bath smelled like lavender but was also littered in pink rose petals. It was the first time seeing what a rose looked like, it was soft and smooth. I felt refreshed after the bath and Matilda helped me into a beautiful cream colour print dress. The cotton material is soft, smooth against my skin and flows softly to my mid-thigh. The sleeves are long and free but not loose and spread out at my wrist and the neck is cut into a smooth U-curve that hangs low but not exposing my bosom. It was a perfect fit, whoever picked it must have known my size but how?

“Matilda, did you pick this outfit for me?” I asked and she looked up at me, our eyes clashing in the mirror as she combed my hair, fixing it into a bun.

“Mr Morelle picked it out himself along with the others.”

My forehead creased and Matilda must have seen my confusion through the mirror. “The master—”

“Oh… okay.” I jolted in, recalling that my housemaster had addressed him by that name and Esme as well.

Dressed and ready, Matilda led me through the hallway, down the stairs and towards the dining room. Every corner of the wall was lined with paintings and antiques that were foreign to me yet their beauty was acknowledged as I walked through the hall.

Two guards, both buff and tall with arms tucked in their clothing straps, stationed themselves at the double doors of the dining and once they caught sight of us they pushed the doors open to let me through.

His presence evoked an omnipotent aura around the room and our eyes locked the moment I stepped in. His dark gaze hit me like a déjà vu and suddenly it was a repeat of last night’s encounter flashing through my mind’s eye. And like the night, his green and gold irises held me captive. Those eyes threatened to suck out all the air from my system and devour me from the inside out.

Dark hair fell over his forehead and his powerful form dressed him in black shirt rolled up to his elbow. A silver cross chain glinted on his chest from the unbuttoned parts of his shirt. He looked every bit the devil he was but a very godly devil. 

His eyes flowed down the length of my body in a slow glance and I felt naked, I felt like a prey being watched by a predator ready to pounce as his eyes grew darker and a chill ran through my veins. Then he tilts his head, urging me towards a chair next to him at the head of the table. His silent word, a command I couldn’t refuse.

My body carried me to the seat as his eyes watched me with a silent expression and the room echoed with my foot step, an utter silence that shuddered my interior and forced my gaze away from him.

“You look lovely. It suits you, just as I’d thought.” His voice is a rich baritone that fills the room and has my body heating up slightly and I sandwich my palms between my thighs.

“Th-thank you. It’s… a lovely dress.” My voice is almost a tiny pitch when it comes out and I turn beet with harsh embarrassment.

“You’re welcome.” He muses and it quickly goes silent again, that discomforting feeling bites at me again but soon the doors flew open again and footsteps platters against the flooring. My head turns towards the sound and I see Esme walk in, a wave of relief wash through me. Behind her, an escort of servants rushed in with trays of food.

They left as soon as they finished laying out the dishes. Breakfast was a simple dish of stacked pancakes, chocolate syrup and blueberry fillings served with creamed coffee and orange juice.

The aroma drove into my nose, filling my inside and my stomach let out a loud growling sound. It couldn’t have picked a better time to disgrace me. Hot red heat sizzled my face and I dared a look at him. His eyes were dark with amusement and I thought I caught the corner of his mouth twitch with a smile.

This man was captivating in all his darkness but it was gone all too soon, the amusement in his eyes. He tilted his head towards my plate and his lips parted and formed a word.

“Eat.” His voice was commanding and left no room for any opposition. My body responds to his order and soon I’m diving into the richness of the chocolate dipping pancakes. And while my soul singed from the pleasure of the deliciousness, his eyes never left me while I ate.

Stuffed with the enormous amount of pancakes I’d eaten with creamed coffee, my reality washes back to the surface of my mind as my eyes darts over the room and everywhere else but at him. But I knew he was watching me, but I refused to meet his gaze because one look into his eyes and I’m thrown into the abyss of hell; one that I was far too drawn to, I might be conjured to let it consume me.

“Did you enjoy it?” His voice had me turning to him and I got trapped by his gaze but I nod.

“Yes, thank you.”

A small smile stretched his lips and his eyes glowed in the luminous light that sprayed around us. The ceiling boasts chandeliers festooned with shining crystal.

“And they’ll be a lot more than that if you abide to my rules.” He stated calmly and a matter-of-factly.

I swallow, not ready to hear the words that were to come out of his lips. The words that reminded me of last night. “R-Rules?” I stutter and he nods. 

“Yes, Eliana, rules. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten.” He says, giving me an intent stare and I, unable to look away, awaited his next words.

“W-What are t-the rules?” 

He doesn’t respond immediately, just watching me as though he’s trying to read through my soul and it makes me squirm and I lower my gaze to avoid the heat of his stare from consuming me.

He starts, “It’s quite simple, if you behave and do as you’re told, I’ll reward you.”

“A-And if I don’t?” I bite down on my bottom lip, my nerves flaring because deep down, somehow, I knew what he was going to say next. Those words came hand-in-hand with each other.

My head is thrust up by the chin and I’m looking into his solemn gaze, my stomach flusters because of how close he was as he leaned in. Close enough that I could smell his sweet aftershave and it was… divine. 

“Then, I’ll punish you.” He worded out crystal clearly and I knew he meant every aspect of it because his eyes darkened on those words before they fell from my eyes to my lips, his thumb brushing my bottom lip before they rode back up to hold my gaze. “Is that understood, little bird?”

I respond with a stiff nod.

“Say it, use your words.”

I swallow and my lips part on his commanding tone. “Yes.”

“Good.” He backs away and stands and I’m reminded of how dwarfed I was compared to this man. I watched his towering form saunter towards the door and without thinking I called for his attention.

“What do I address you as?” On my words, he halts and I shrink inside myself, my heart pounding quickly against my chest. I hear him turn on his heels before his voice pushes through the silence.

“Luca.” He says and my head turns up and I meet his amused gaze. “Call me Luca.”

I nod, “Luca.” It was a mindless act that happened automatically but the dark glint that flashed in his eyes when I said his name had my skin burning underneath.