Poisoned

Tracey's POV

Two days! It has been two whole days since Damien had me locked up in here, and I was already getting suffocated without human contact. Well, except for Ann, the elderly maid who treated me like I was worse than trash whenever she was here.

She’d come in to bark orders, shove food trays at me, and act like my very presence offended every bit of her.

It was obvious she hated me. I could see it in her sharp glances, the way her lip curled into disdain when she looked at me was enough to tell me that I wasn’t welcome here—not by her, not by anyone else.

And honestly? I didn’t blame them. I didn't want to be here either. I hated everything about it. Being confined under Damien's wrath was worse than death itself.

I leaned against the wall, wrapping my arms around myself as tears welled up in my eyes. I hated crying. It made me feel weak, but I couldn’t stop. The pain I was feeling wouldn’t let me.

The decision to escape had been the dumbest decision of my life.

I didn't know what I was thinking, or where I intended to go with no plan, no money, and no backup. I hadn’t even gotten far before Damien caught up with me.

Of course, he found me. He was Damien Black, the Mafia King. What was i expecting?

I couldn't bear to imagine what the Italian stand owner would’ve done to me if Damien and his men hadn’t shown up at the right time.

Then there was my father. My chest tightened as I thought about my father.

That man... I hated him. He didn't even try to save me. He gave me away like I was nothing. I knew he wouldn’t fight for me, but some small, stupid part of me had hoped he would try.

I didn't even want to imagine what, my little Rosie must be going through without me and Mum by her side.. She didn’t deserve any of this. She was innocent, Sweet, And too young to be left unprotected. The thought made my chest ache so badly that it felt like I couldn’t breathe.

____

A sudden knock at the door broke my thoughts. It must be Anna. Oh, well, she was the only one who ever came here. Not like I was expecting anyone else either.

I shot up, wiping my face quickly. I didn't want Anna to have another reason to mock or scold me today.

When I opened the door, she stood there, her arms crossed and her face as sour as ever.

“Mr. Black expects you in his office. Five minutes,” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut me deep.

I blinked at her, half-expecting her to shove a plate of food into my hands and leave. But she just stood there, looking me up and down with a sneer.

I stared at her, my stomach twisting.

"H—He wants to see me???"

“Don't think you're so special because he keeps you around,” she hissed. Then, after looking at me, she wrinkled her nose. “And change into something decent. I wouldn't want him thinking I'm not doing my job”

Before I could respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, muttering something I didn't quite hear under her breath.

Sure she was far down the stairs, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, my knees threatening to give out.

He wanted to see me. My heart leaped at the thought of Damien sending for me.

What does he want this time? What is he going to do to me? I remember the Last time he was here, he talked about punishment...was that the reason he sent for me? Is he going to put a bullet through me as he does to every defaulter...

A shiver ran down my spine as my mind ran towards every terrible possibility.

I glanced down at my wrinkled clothes. Ann had told me to change, but I didn’t bother. What was the point? If I was going to end up dead, it shouldn't matter what I wore.

Dragging my sour feet, I made my way down the long, winding staircase. Each step was more dreadful as I raised my legs closer to his office. By the time I reached the door to Damien’s office, my hands were trembling.

I stared at it for a moment, memories from our last encounter flashing in my mind. He’d been cold, mean and ready to kill. I wonder if he was still angry.

With a trembling hand, I took a deep breath, pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Damien was sitting there, behind his massive desk, his wheelchair positioned neatly as he flipped through a book in front of him. His cold unreadable face only made him more terrifying than ever,

“You sent for me,” I said softly. My voice crack, barely loud enough to reach him.

He didn’t look up. “That’s not a good morning, Tracey.”

“Good morning,” I mumbled, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.

“Have tea with me."

I hesitated. “I—thank you, but I’d rather stand.”

He finally looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. My breath hitched. His eyes were unsettling, both soothing and unnervingly intense. I looked away unable to hold his gaze.

“You’re in no position to negotiate. Now, Sit!”

I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling the intensity of his command. Swallowing my pride, I sank into the chair across from him, and he pushed a tea cup towards me.

I stared at the cup of me, My senses relaxing as I recognized the aroma of the tea in front of me. I didn't need to be told further. It was just what I needed right now. I picked the cup and took a sip from it, letting the warmth fill me.

For a long moment, Damien didn’t speak, neither did he even look at me. I watched as he returned his focus to his papers, ignoring me completely while casually sipping his usual herbal tea. We were practically in a tea sipping competition.

I sat there anxiously in silence and when I finally couldn’t take it anymore, I stood up.

“Mr. Black,” I blurted,“I know you’re angry with me. " I began, my words tumbling out in a rush. "You have every right to be. What I did was stupid, and I—”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. But I didn’t stop.

“I shouldn't have tried to escape, okay... but I didn’t think it through. And because of me, you lost a lot of money. I know my father and I have caused nothing but, trouble for you —"

I watch his lips curve into a faint, sinister smirk. It sent a chill down my spine, and my head suddenly began spinning but I forced myself to keep going.

“I know you probably want to punish me. Maybe even kill me,” I continued, my voice breaking. “But I just... I just want you to know I’m sorry.”

“Enough,” he sparked, raising his hands to bring me to a halt.

I froze at his sudden action, my mouth snapping shut.

He leaned back in his chair, watching me with that same calm, unexplainable expression that made him more dangerous.

“Tracey,” he said softly, almost mockingly. “Do you really think an apology is enough to fix this mess?"

“Do you know what I hate most about you? Your guts. You think you know what’s coming, You think you can predict me. But you have no idea, Tracey.”

My breath halted at his words with fear hanging at my throat.

“If you’re going to punish me,” I whispered. The strong girl in me was finally shattered completely “Just do it. Please. I can’t take this anymore.” I cracked.

“Is that what you want?” he asked, his tone almost mocking.

I didn’t answer.

“You’ve caused me trouble, Tracey,” he continued, his voice calm. “More trouble than you’re worth. And yet, here you are. Do you know why?”

I shook my hurting head, my pulse racing, my body numb.

“Because you owe me,” he said simply. “And I always collect what I’m owed.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I didn't bother blinking them away.

“You want me to punish you?” he asked, his tone almost mocking.

"Fine! Get on your knees, Tracey,” he commanded

"Huh?" I muttered, stupified by his order.

"I hate to repeat myself, Tracey"

My weak legs gave out before I could think of what was happening my body. I dropped to my knees, letting the cold floor bite into my skin.

"Do you think this is a befitting punishment for you?" I hear him ask.

“What have you—,” I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. My legs buckled, and I collapsed onto the cold floor.

The last thing I saw before the darkness consumed me was a wide grin on Damien’s face.