CHAPTER III

I wasn’t able to hold it in. I laughed. 

The hard line of his mouth didn’t budge. When it dawned on me that he was really being serious, that there’s no hidden camera and that all of this was not part of some elaborate sick prank, my laughter faded.

I stared at him incredulously. “You’re joking.”

“Do I look like a man who cracks jokes?”

No. Not even a little bit.

I escaped from his arms and hopped out of the bed. “You’re crazy.”

He just watched me backed myself into the corner as he calmly sat on the spot I occupied before. “I’ve been told far worse names, fiorellino.”

The coldness from the tiles creeped up into my barely covered body. He wasn’t helping matters as he ran his dark eyes over the length of my body as if just seeing what I was wearing. A shiver rolled down my spine and I turned away. There was nothing but darkness outside, save from the halo of light dotting the driveway that seemed to go on for miles. It gave way to a huge expanse of trees which may impose an imagery of being isolated from the world but I bet were affixed with security cameras. Escaping on foot will be tough.

“There is no way out of this house. My guards are all over my property.”

“Where is this?”

“Rest, Caterina. I’ll explain everything in the morning.”

“My name is not Caterina! I’m Lucy!”

Whatever sick play he’s trying with me, I wasn’t getting roped in it. I’ve heard of unsatiated rich men who use their money to make their wildest fantasies into reality. He might be one of those. It’s just my luck to land in this kind of predicament. Why couldn’t I be some lost daughter of a royalty?

“We’ll talk in the morning,” he repeated with such authority that rebukes any discussion. He gestured towards the spot next to him. “Now, get on the bed.”

I grabbed the heavy material of the curtains, wishing I could disappear in it. “No, no. There’s no way I’m sleeping with you.”

His expression suddenly darkened and I bit my lip, regretting how I phrased my words. 

“Sooner or later, we’re going to share the same bed. You’re going to be my wife, Caterina.”

“I will never be your wife, you crazy bastard.” I spat out.

My regrets piled up as a muscle ticked angrily on his clenched jaw. He got up and moved towards me. I stepped back, wanting to put more distance between us but the solid wall already made contact with my back.

He removed the towel from his bare shoulder and looped it twice around his hand.

What is he going to do with that towel?

I never realized how big he actually was, not until his shadow loomed over my trembling figure. I could kick, punch, and scratch my way out and still I wouldn’t be able to leave a dent on his taut muscles. I knew I didn’t stand a chance. I had to pick my battles wisely otherwise, I could get in much more trouble than I would like. Whoever he was, it’s very obvious that he’s not a man to be messed with.

And so, I begged.

“Please, at least not until the wedding.”

My teeth clenched at the weakness of my voice, my chest heaving with the effort of restraining myself from following my flight instinct especially when he was looking down at me like a hunter who just caught his prey on a trap of his own making. 

“Very well.”

A huge sigh of relief went out of me. At least for a kidnapper, he’s decent enough not to force me on the same bed as him. He placed the towel on the bedside table and without another word, walked to the door. The muscles on his broad shoulders were tense so I didn’t dare make a noise, not until he’s out of the room in fear that he'd change his mind. I froze when he suddenly turned his head back at me.

“If you so much as try to escape tonight, I’m tying you to the bed and you’re not going to like what follows after that.”

The promise in his voice sent tingles down my fingers and toes. I ignored it. It’s the kidnapping and the close proximity of a male presence other than my father that were making me feel these strange things. The more I stayed in this unknown place, the more I was convinced I was going to lose my rational thoughts. 

As soon as he left the room, I hastily put my ear against the door. The distinct noise of a door closing traveled down the hallway. I waited for a while before turning the doorknob, careful not to make the tiniest noise. 

It was pitch black outside which was just what I was hoping for. Cautiously, I stepped into the darkness. Then I paused. Looking up, just as I suspected, a red dot could be seen like a lighthouse amidst a stormy sea. A security camera was perched on one of the corners of the ceiling. I hurriedly went back inside the room.

Just who is this man? Was what he said true? That my father practically sold me to him to pay off some debt? 

What kind of sick man would do that? That didn’t sound like my dad at all. Was that why he was so adamant that I didn't leave the house? 

All these thoughts accompanied me in this huge strange room. It distracted me from the fact that I was so alone. No one knew where I was. I didn’t know these people despite that mysterious man treating me familiarly. 

I closed my eyes and hugged the pillow tightly, praying to God that all of this was just another one of my nightmares.