ALESSIA
I didn’t see Claude at home for two days. But even when he came back, he didn’t speak to me. He deliberately avoided me. Even when we were at home and face-to-face at the dining table, we didn’t talk. If we did talk, it was only to avoid our son noticing the tension between us.
We also didn’t sleep next to each other anymore. I asked about it last night. My heart ached at Claude’s response.
“How can I sleep beside you when all I can think about is the betrayal you committed? You’re filthy! You just wasted my love for you!”
“I didn’t do anything wrong to you. Why won’t you believe me? You’re so smart, aren’t you? You have money too. Why don’t you use it to find out the truth? I can’t lie to you. I can’t deceive you even more.”
Claude remained silent. He just laid down on the sofa. When I approached him, I noticed that he had his eyes closed. I decided not to continue my attempt to talk to him.
I wanted to apologize to him to end our quarrel. I would ask for forgiveness even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. Maybe I could soften Claude’s heart. But I would probably do it another day.
I couldn’t stand our fighting anymore. I was not the type of person who could endure being under the same roof as someone angry at me. If Claude didn’t speak to me again, I might decide to go back to Pia. It would be better to be with her for now because she was leaving soon.
Even though Claude was angry with me, I still tried to fulfill my responsibilities to my husband. I still prepared his clothes when he went to the office. I also prepared his lunch.
Before, we used to have lunch together, eating what I cooked. But we hadn’t eaten lunch together for three days. It had also been three days since I didn’t go to the shop. My employees just called me when there were problems there.
But my shop might not survive without me. Just earlier, Dorothy called and said that a delivery arrived yesterday. There were a lot of books. They couldn’t sort them out because there were many customers in the shop. So now I had to go to help my employees.
I wore a long floral skirt, paired it with a sleeveless blouse and a short blazer, and headed to the shop. When I parked my car and walked toward the elevator, an SUV stopped in front of me.
The passenger door’s window rolled down, revealing Haven grinning at me with delight. I frowned, ready to turn away to avoid her, but my knees stiffened at her words.
“Put her inside!”
I was so surprised I couldn’t move. Two men stepped out of the SUV and approached me. I tried to step back, but one of the men quickly closed the distance, pressing something against my face. My vision blurred, and I felt dizzy. Darkness overtook me, and I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, I was in a different place. I was on a bed in a room, staring at a mirrored ceiling. My mouth was taped shut, and my hands were tied to the headboard. My feet were also bound. The room looked like a fancy hotel suite with a split-type air conditioner, a large TV, refrigerator, sofa set, study table, and side tables with lampshades.
How did I get here? Why am I tied up? Where is Haven? I was sure that she was behind this.
I glanced at my watch, twisting my neck to see the time. Itwas already ten in the morning, two hours since Haven abducted me. That woman was infuriating!
Then the door suddenly opened, and there she was-the reason I am tied up.
“Hey! The queen is awake. That’s good. My godfather will be pleased with my gift.”
I raised my eyebrows. Who was this godfather she was talking about? What gift?
“Let’s wait for my godfather, Sia. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you. He’ll never let you go. So Claude will be mine once you’re gone.” Haven laughed crazily.
Goosebumps formed all over my body. What danger awaited me here? Is Haven also behind the scandalous video? She had planned everything to separate me from Claude.
“Don’t worry, Sia. You’ll also enjoy being with my godfather. He’s good in bed. I’m sure your eyes will roll back when he claims you. He’s delicious. I’ve tasted him. Claude is just better.” Haven laughed again.
I felt a wave of revulsion and fear. What kind of nightmare had I fallen into?
I shuddered, feeling nauseated at Haven’s words. She had a relationship with this godfather she mentioned and planned to offer me to him just to get Claude. The image playing in my mind is disgusting. What kind of depravity is Haven thinking of? How could I escape? I didn’t care about separating from Claude as long as I didn’t end up with another man. The thought of another man claiming my body revolted me. Claude is my husband, and I loved him. Only he had the right to claim me.
Haven’s phone suddenly rang.
“Oops! My godfather is calling.”
She pressed a button and put the phone to her ear.
“Yes, godfather!”
“Of course! I’m here!”
“I’ll wait for you here. Bye!”
Haven grinned as she ended the call and turned back to me.
“My godfather is on his way,” she said with a smirk.
I avoided eye contact, not wanting to see her smug grin. If my hands and feet weren’t tied, I might have attacked her. I wouldn’t allow her plans to succeed. I am not going to fight fair. This woman is a traitor.
“By the way, are you familiar with BDSM?”
I didn’t respond or even glance at her.
“My godfather is a dominant. He likes his women in chains and ropes. So he’ll be pleased when he sees you like that.” Haven laughed loudly again.
If my mouth weren’t taped shut, I would have yelled at her. Her laughter was revolting, surpassing witches and lunatics.
‘Just ignore her, Sia. Focus on how to escape now. When her godfather arrives, it might be the end for you. Think, Sia. Hurry!’
Before my mind could work, there was a knock on the door.
Haven quickly approached it.
I broke out in a cold sweat. I probably had no escape. My whole body trembled, and it felt like my stomach was about to turn upside down.
“Hello, godfather! Come inside!” Haven greeted enthusiastically.
I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see who stepped into the room. Just imagining what could happen to me made me want to give up. I heard footsteps approaching, so I squeezed my eyes tighter.
“She’s all yours, godfather! I gotta go! See ya!”
I heard the footsteps moving away. It was probably Haven. That beast of a woman had finally left me!
I flinched when I felt someone touch my hair. I was forced to open my eyes.
“Hello, sweetie! Welcome home!”
I stared at the man in front of me. He was almost the same age as Claude. Was he Haven’s godfather? The man was handsome. I am sure he had a good physique even though he was wearing a business suit.
He was looking at me with those intense eyes. His gaze seemed to penetrate my soul.
If I hadn’t met Claude, I might had been attracted to this man. If what Haven said about him being good in bed qas true, he was probably similar to Claude. Both chased by women and both skilled at making them cry.
How many women had he made cry?
Carefully, he removed the tape from my mouth. I winced as it was pulled off, causing my skin to sting slightly.
“I’m sorry about that. Haven is just jealous,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow.
“How are you, Cali?”
“Cali? I’m not Cali! I’m-”
My words were cut off as the man’s eyes narrowed suddenly. He grabbed my jaw and squeezed it.
“Don’t give me that crap, Cali! Stop pretending! I know you very well! Do you think you can escape me? You know me! I collect from everyone who owes me, including you!”
I gasped. I could hardly breathe as I stared into the stranger’s eyes.
Who was Cali? Why was he calling by that name?