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 black 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. They're obviously worth thousands of dollars, if i may assume.
• 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?”