Bella's POV
I jolted awake, my heart pounding, breathing ragged. My skin burned, the sheets clinging to me like sin. The dream still lingered—no, a nightmare. He had taken me. The devil. But this devil had the face of a god, and a sculpted body of sin, and what terrified me most wasn't the dream itself. It was how much I liked it.
Blinking, as I sat up, my eyes adjusted to the brightly lit room, unfamiliar. Soft golden light filtered through the the curtains, casting shadows on the wall. I blinked again, disoriented. Where was i?
The doors burst open. Relief surged—I thought it was Maya.
"You wouldn't believe the dream I had," I began with a nervous laugh, trying to anchor myself to something familiar.
But it wasn't maya.
"Well, well, who do we have here?" the voice smooth but sharp, laced with cruelty. A woman stepped in—young maybe twenty at most dressed in tight black silk and blood-red heels. Her lips were the same crismon. She radiated seduction and venom in equal measure.
My stomach turned.
"So, you're the stray he dragged in," she sneered, eyes raking over me with unapologetic hatred and disdain.
I froze, my fingers gripped the edge of the sheets, my heart pounding. It wasn't a dream I was truly in the devils house. And who was she?
" He always did have a taste for fragile little girls, " she murmured. Circling the bed like a predator, her gaze never leaving mine. " But usually, they're less plain and a bit skinny."
The insult sliced deep, but I had heard worse. So I could take it.
She laughed, low and cruel. "Don't tell me you believe his sweet lies, whispered between the sheets," she sat on the edge of the bed, too close. Her fingers brushing my face—and then digging into my cheek with a sudden force." I was in those sheets long enough before you, you're nothing, and when he's done with you, he'll toss you just like the rest."
I jerked back, my asking burning where her nails had been. My eyes burned with rage. "You don't know anything about me."
Her eyes gleamed "oh, but I know Alessandro." her lips curled into a knowing smile as she spoke that the devil's name. Obsessed much. "And I know what he does to little girls like you," she leaned in her perfume choking. "He breaks them."
"Enough, Camilla."
Another voice boomed from the doorway, slicing through the tension like a blade. A lady entered, beautiful and sophisticated, her long honey-brown hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, and dressed in leather. She looked like Alessandro in a woman's face. Sharp, elegant, watchful with an air of danger.
She walked in with confidence oozing, calm, and measured, Camilla shrank back almost immediately. Her expression faltered.
"She's off limits." She said staring intently at me, then her gaze moved to camilla "or have you forgotten your place, or are you just being stupid ."
Camilla stood abruptly, face flushed, mouth twisting in fury. "I was just saying hello."
" I'm sure," The woman voice dripped with disgust."Now leave. before I forget my manners.
Camilla heels clicking sharp against the marble flow as she stormed out. The door slammed.
She turned to me. Tilting her head to one side, her gaze swept over me. "Are you okay?"
I blinked, surprised as to why she stood up for me. Only Maya did that now I miss my best friend, and all the emotions poured at once. Oh my goodness, I was taken by a strange man, how dad used me as a wager to settle his debts. My head was beginning to spin, tears threatening to spill. How did my life get this worse?
"Hey, hey, it's okay," a hand rubbed my back, calming my panic attack. After a few minutes, I was a bit calm but still shaken. "I'm Lucia," she said, "Alessandro's sister."
I already guessed so, she just confirmed it, " I didn't expect kindness, from anyone."
A small smile tugged at her lips. " I'm the only one who will offer it, but don't confuse it for safety."
My heart sank, what was I expecting, "But why did you help me then?"
"Because I like you," she said simply. "And I despise her." She nodded towards the door. "Camilla's poison. Clinging to Alessandro like a leech."
"Was she really....?" I almost slapped myself for asking. why did I care if she warmed the devil's bed.
Lucia raised an eyebrow, amused by the heat on my face. She just shrugged. "I have never seen Alessandro behave the way he does about you." She left me with that. And silence return leaving me to my thoughts.
***
I needed to shower, The bathroom was absurdly luxurious, just how rich is he? What does he do? Discarding the robe, I stood under the hot scalding water wash the stress out of my bones. After a long hot shower, and recollecting my thoughts of the past day. I needed to pull myself together because this was my reality but I wasn't accepting it just the way it is. I need to find a way out.
I exited the bathroom, steam following me out, I had dressed in the bathroom, and I was scared of who was going to barge in next. I had picked sweatpants and a tank top, which I had found in the closet, stocked with clothes of different varieties all stocked to my size. I found it weird like it was planned out in advance.
The scent of food hit me before I saw it, pancakes omelets, and bacon. My stomach roared. I ate big bites. Like I haven't eaten in days. I sat on the dressing table, drying my hair. I could see my red roots peeking out.
After blow-drying my waist-length hair I put it in a loose bun. Then, I began searching. dragging the chair very quietly to not attract noise, I placed it under the vent. I checked the vents if I could fit in but it was too small, the window was locked, no other exit apart from the main door.
Then I decided to taste the water and unlocked the door slightly. But was met with two huge men staring at me. I know I can't get past them. Shutting the door behind me it was a futile attempt.
Minutes passed, as I paced around the room, no escape, no exit, all routes led to him. Until something caught my eye, on the edge of the nightstand—slightly tucked behind the lamp—it was a framed picture.
I picked it up. A young girl—maybe ten. Red hair, freckles, green eyes, chubby standing inbetween two boys.
One was unmistakably a younger Alessandro—softer and smiling, but holding a rose behind his back. The other boy looked about the same age, eyes trained on the girl like she was his son.
My breath caught, the girl, she could pass off as me, an older version. What the hell?
Flipping it over, words written on it.
"Find her at all cost, my rose." A strange ache bloomed in my chest. A memory too distant to grasp flashed and vanished.
Who was she?
Before I could piece out what I had found. The door opened, and Alessandro stood in the doorway in Dark suit his gold eyes found mine.
Quickly tucking the picture behind me. He stepped inside, taking slow deliberate strides, backing me close to the wall. His hand reached for mine, taking the picture.
His gaze darkened, with anger and fury, " Don't ever touch this," he said, voice low and dangerous.
I was hurt a little and wanted to taunt him. "Why." I sneered. "Did she leave you when she realized what kind of monster you are?"
In a blink, his hands were around my throat, and his fingers tightened, squeezing the life out of me, I gasped, my fingers clawing at his wrist. His eyes were empty. Hollow. "Please," I choked. "Don't— hur-r-t m-e," I was struggling for oxygen. When Something shifted, he blinked, his grip loosened, and confusion filtered across his face before his hands dropped away.
I stumbled, coughing. cradling my sore throat. He didn't apologize. He Just stood there, staring at me like I'd peeled a part of him he didn't want to be seen. Then his smug smirk returned, cold and controlled. It made me wonder if he was bipolar.
"Are you afraid of me, Bella?" He asked softly. But I said nothing, even tho I was scared. But I'd never admit it, not to him.
I don't know what else was going to trigger him. But I needed to be alive if I was going to escape this monster.
He took a step back, gaze still locked on me, "I can't promise I won't kill you if you keep taunting me Topolina, but for now.." his eyes glint, voice dropping into something lethal and calm,
"I'll keep you safe. Because you are mine. And I take good care of what's mine."
He turned and left. The door closed with a soft click and I was all alone again in my newfound prison, breathless and shaking.