I own you

Camilla 

Bleak. Blank. My mind went blank. I wondered why. Well, Stephano freaking Maddens was phoning me. I couldn't think properly. I could barely breathe properly, my knees became shaky, my palms were sweaty, my stomach burned and my heart ran a mile. I was freaking out!

“S-Stephano Maddens,” I let out.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said, his voice diced with sarcasm, the same tone that used to make my skin crawl. "Long time no talk.”

The only coherent string of thought that my mind could form was, "W- Why are you calling me?" I asked, my voice shaky. I couldn't even tell when I said that out loud. My heart pounded in my chest, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. I felt like I was going to faint.

"W-why are you calling me?" I repeated, trying to keep my tone neutral despite the anxiety threatening to overwhelm me.

"Oh, come on," he said, his time condescending. "Don't play dumb. We're old friends, aren't we?"

I could almost see the taunt behind his words, the way he was trying to manipulate me. We were never friends, not in the way he implied. He was my tormentor, my bully, and I knew he reveled in my discomfort. What on earth did he want from me?

"I...I don't know what you want," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check.

"Aw, poor thing," he said with fake sympathy. "You're still so jumpy. I just wanted to see how my favorite high school project was doing."

Favorite high school project? The way he said it made my skin crawl. He knew exactly what he was doing, pushing my buttons, testing my boundaries. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized he was enjoying this, that he was getting off on my discomfort.

"I'm doing great," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.

I clutched my purse with a death grip, my knuckles white with tension, I was desperate to know why Stefano was calling me. Why was the devil, himself, contacting me after all these years? I couldn't believe I had once had a crush on this heartless man in high school. I couldn't believe I had once thought he was charming and attractive. Now, I saw him for the devil he truly was. 

"Oh, well, as you might have heard," he scoffed, "Pfft! Of course you've heard! That I recently acquired an asset. And now, I'm the head of your pathetic little boss' firm." His words were like a knife to the stomach, rubbing salt in the wound.

I had been sad when Elvis told me about losing the firm, but it hurt even more to hear Stefano say it. It hurt even more that he rubbed it in my face. I couldn't imagine the pain Elvis must have felt when he heard those words. I thought about the countless hours he had poured into building that company, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices he had made. And now, it was all gone.

I was pretty certain that he simply saw it as an opportunity to line his own pockets? 

“Or to prove to Elvis that he’s superior and better,” my mind countered.

All of this, just to prove a point!

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself, but my heart was still racing, and my palms were still very much sweating. I couldn't believe I was still reacting to him like this, after all these years. I needed to get a grip and remember that I was no longer that vulnerable high school girl. I was a strong, capable woman, and I wouldn't let him get under my skin. But as I listened to his gloating, I couldn't help but feel the anger and hurt I had once felt.  How could he be so cruel and heartless? And why was he still affecting me like this?

As I spoke, my voice trembled slightly, and I couldn't help but think that I was being too audacious. My mind raced with a million different scenarios of Stefano firing me on the spot. “Okay, what does that have to do with me?" I uttered, my throat tightening with fear.

"Oh, it has everything to do with you, Camilla," Stefano said. "You work for me now."

"No, I work for Elvis," I corrected him, trying to keep my voice steady.

Stefano chuckled. "Wrong, Camilla. You work for the firm, and now I own the firm. That means I own all of its employees... including you, Camilla."

My heart sank, and my jaw dropped. "You don't own me," I protested, trying to sound brave.

Stefano's laughter sent shivers down my spine. "Don't I, Camilla? I think I do. And soon, you'll realize that too."

The only audible sound was the unsteady rhythm of my breathing. 

"Now relax, Camilla," Stefano said. "I just thought you might be interested in knowing that your days of being a doormat for your incompetent boss are over."

My breathing quickened as I tried to process his words. What was he planning to do? Was he going to fire me? The thought sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't imagine anything more terrifying.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to speak, my voice still shaking slightly. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," Stefano replied, his tone smug. "I just wanted to let you know that things are about to change."

As he chuckled, the sound chipped on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I was breathing hard and slow, trying to calm my racing heart. I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack.

In my mind, I was screaming, "What do you want from me?! Just tell me already!" But I couldn't get the words out. I was frozen in fear, unable to move or speak.

Stefano's silence was oppressive, and I knew I had to say something. "Okay..." I stammered, trying to sound calm. "Thanks for letting me know, I guess."

"See you at work tomorrow, Camilla," Stefano said, his tone groggy. "Just remember, I'm always watching."

The line went dead, and I was left standing there, shaking and sweating. I knew I had to pull myself together, but I couldn't shake off the cold feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach.

“I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!” I screamed.

Catching my breath, I cursed under my breath,"I hate this man," I muttered, my fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles turned white. 

my mind responded, "Yes, you do. Me too. But you love your job. And you need it." 

"I can't believe I have to work for him," I groaned. The very thought of it made my stomach clench. I was so doomed.

"Yeah, me too. But we need the money." 

I cursed him again. I called him every name under the sun. I wanted to rip him apart, limb from limb.

I hailed a cab, my hands trembling with rage. As I climbed into the backseat, I crossed my arms, and gritted my teeth. I had fought so hard to get where I was, to build a successful career. And now, it was all at risk because of Stefano. 

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I could feel the tightness in my chest. I tried to relax, to let go of the anger that was consuming me. But it was difficult.

I returned home, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of facing Stefano tomorrow felt deadlier than ingesting my mindsbane. It was all I could think about.

I entered my bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, my body trembling. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the thoughts that were swirling around in my head. But it was no use. 

All I could think about was Stefano's smug face. His words kept echoing in my mind, "I own you, Camilla." It was impossible to relax, after hearing those words. 

Just as I was starting to drift off, my phone rang. I groggily reached over to my nightstand and picked it up, praying to the goddess, "Please, not the devil."

I took a peep at the screen, and my heart sank, immediately after a shot relief. It wasn't the devil, it was Elvis. I was still pissed at him, and I didn't want to talk to him right now. Not after the way he had spoken to me. Not after realizing how very little he thought of me.

I pulled the covers over my head, and squeezed my eyes shut.

****

The streaks of sunlight landed on my eyelids, spreading through the room. I groaned, pulling the covers over my head to block out the intrusive light. 

I slowly opened my eyes, taking in my surroundings. I yawned and stretched, feeling the softness of my bed beneath me. Reaching for my phone, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

I glanced at my phone. I saw a string of texts and missed calls from Elvis. And one other text, from an unknown contact.

Curiosity murdered the cat, and I clicked the message.

It read: “Good morning, Camilla. I hope you're ready for your first day of working for me."