Chapter 8

• Astrid
• He kisses me. No, more like he grazed his lips against mine. That was my first kiss. I've never been with a man, not even a boyfriend. My childhood was difficult, and things only got worse as I grew up, there was never time for a boyfriend. How could I have a boyfriend when I was busy trying to make money for the family?
• After kissing me, he told me to be good, freshen up, and wait for the doctor. What has my father gotten me into? Tears stream down my face as I remember how doomed I am. Very doomed.
• He's Kai Nakamura. The unhinged Kai Nakamura. Everyone who knows him fears him. I never knew it was him. I've only heard rumors of that name and how ruthless he is. The Mafia leader who killed his family and did so much more.
• I don't know much, but the rumors say he killed his parents and brother just to become the Mafia leader. He's done terrible things to make him the most feared man in Los Angeles.
• How did I stumble onto him? "Oh God," I sigh, letting out a shaky breath. I blink away my tears, take a deep breath, and look around.
• The room is huge, bigger than my whole house. A king-sized bed lies in the middle with black sheets. Everything about the bed is black, even the pillowcases.
• Two sofas, also black, sit in the room. There are no pictures, nothing. The room is painted gray. A drawer by the bedside, black, and finally, I see something white - the clock. This room screams loneliness, like nothing but that.
• I take a deep breath and decide to use the bathroom. I feel uncomfortable, and there's dried blood on my head. I'm still injured.
• I drag my feet to the closet, and damn! It's as big as his room. My eyes land on the clothes neatly arranged. Male and female clothes, undoubtedly belong to me. The accessories, shoes, jewelry - all male and female.
• I pick out something to wear but freeze when I see the clothes set out for me. There's no way I'll wear that. It consists of dresses, skirts, and shirts that leave little to the imagination.
• There are sweaters, but very few, and no trousers at all. After rummaging through the closet for what feels like an eternity, I finally settle on a sweater and his sweatpants.
• The skirts are too short. I won't wear them. I'll just pretend I had no idea the sweatpants were his since they look somewhat unisex.
• I enter the bathroom, locking the door behind me. His house is huge, and his bathroom smells exactly like him - fresh mint and bergamot. He has this intoxicating minty smell that even makes him look more attractive and hot. I take a quick shower, relaxing my nerves as it washes the sweat and blood off my body.
• After bathing, I dress in the bathroom. His sweatpants literally swallow me up. I have to fold them repeatedly to make them fit.
• I look at the mirror, inspecting the wound on my head. There's a cut and a bump. Thanks to my Dad. My eyes well with tears at the thought of him again.
• He gave me up as collateral. Taking a deep breath, I fight back my tears as I proceed to pack my hair into a ponytail. It's long and wavy, stopping just above my waist, so I love having a hair band on my wrist just in case.
• I gasp the moment I step out of the bathroom. Kai is standing right outside the door. He's gorgeous as hell - a good-looking tattooed man with piercing blue eyes and a dangerous aura.
• "Why are you wearing that?" he asks, his face displeased.
• I stammer, feeling at a loss for words. "To...I..."
• "That's mine," he says, pointing at the sweatpants.
• I slowly nod. "I'm sorry. I had no idea."
• I swallow deeply as he takes a step towards me. "The skirts are...the skirts...they...are too short," I say hastily, taking a step back. Gosh, I hate him.
• "I want it that way, doll. It gives me easy access," he deadpans. I'm not foolish enough to miss what he means.
• "Please just let me go. I'll pay you the money. Just let me go, please," I beg, tears filling my eyes once again. I hope he'll listen and release me.
• "You're here to stay, doll. Nothing is going to change that," he says firmly.
• Doll? I hate that name. Why call me a doll?
• "Sir, please...I..."
• "Shh," he interrupts, his stern look intensifying. "You'll start wearing skirts tomorrow."
• His voice leaves no room for argument.
• "Akira is here. Come with me. You need to get checked up," he says.
• A shaky breath releases from my lips, and I begin to follow him. We arrive downstairs, where two men wait - an elderly man, supposedly the doctor, and a huge, handsome man.
• "Sit." Akira instructs, and I slowly sit on the couch. He draws blood from me with a syringe before treating the wound on my head, placing a bandage on it.
• "How long have you been feeling sick, miss?" he asks, examining my eyes.
• "For weeks." my voice is low, and he slowly nods.
• "And the vomiting?"
• "It's been going on for about a week now."
• "Do you feel tired most of the time?"
• I nod, my heart racing. I've been suspecting it might be a pregnancy. God, please, it shouldn't be. I pray silently.
• "Are you having protected sex or on the pill?" he suddenly asks, and my face pales. I wasn't on the pill, nor did Kai use protection that night.
• "I...I...I..." I stammer nervously, feeling his eyes staring intently at me.
• "What are you insinuating, Akira?" Kai suddenly interrupts, curiosity on his face.
• "From the symptoms, I think she's pregnant!"
• Damn it! Why am I so unlucky?