LOGINI nodded.Not because I knew exactly what he meant. But because of the way he looked at me, the darkness in his eyes, the tone of his voice that dropped half an octave lower than usual.Alexandro stood up from his chair. Slowly, like a predator that had just decided it was time to hunt. He walked toward me, past his large desk, past the papers still scattered on the floor, past Nathan's document that had fallen on my lap.He stopped right behind my chair.I could feel his warmth before he touched me. The scent of his cologne hit my senses. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and inhaled it.He bent down. His nose touched my hair near my ear. He inhaled. Deeply, like he was enjoying the scent of the rarest flower."You smell good today," he whispered."I'm not wearing perfume.""Exactly. This is your scent. Your natural scent that you've been hiding behind soap and lotion." He inhaled again. "I like it."I bit my lip. My hands, which had been resting on the desk, now gripped the edge of m
Afternoon.I was busy copying data from the third file when the door opened without a knock.Marco walked in with a tense face. Behind him, a man stepped in quickly.Nathan.He didn't look at me. His eyes were fixed directly on Alexandro, and in his hand, there was a sheet of paper, maybe more than one, which he held tightly like a weapon."Alexandro De Luca," Nathan greeted, his voice full of anger.Alexandro lifted his head from his laptop. His face was flat as usual."There's no appointment today," Alexandro said."Appointment?" Nathan laughed bitterly. He walked closer, passing my desk without looking at me, and stopped right in front of Alexandro's desk. "I don't need an appointment to say this."He threw the papers at Alexandro's face.The papers scattered in the air. Some fell on the desk, some fell on the floor, one floated for a moment then landed on my lap. I looked down. It was some kind of official document, with a letterhead, a signature, a stamp.Alexandro didn't move. T
We arrived at the office at exactly nine o'clock. Not late, but not early either. Usually Alexandro was already sitting behind his desk by half past eight, but this morning he chose to have a longer breakfast.I sat down at my desk and opened my laptop. An email from Marco had already come in with new attached files. Q3 sales report. Warehouse inventory report. Operational expense report.Numbers, numbers, and more numbers.Soon I would be starting college. I had already filled out the registration forms. Alexandro paid for it, of course. But at least it was an investment in my future. If this contract ended, I would have a degree. I would be able to get a good job out there, and then I could cut off communication with my uncle's family forever.I would not go back to that house. Never again.I glanced at Alexandro.He was focused on his laptop. His brow was slightly furrowed, his eyes moving quickly, reading something on the screen. Occasionally he typed, occasionally he stopped and
That morning, I stood in front of the bedroom mirror with Alexandro's white shirt lying on the bed behind me.I had already showered. My hair was still a little damp at the ends. I had already put on my black pencil skirt, already put my glasses on my nose. Only the shirt remained to be put on.I picked it up. Soft cotton fabric, cool in my hands. I put it on slowly. Button by button.One. Two. Three.Then I stopped.The fourth button wouldn't go into its hole. My chest was too full.I sighed. I left the top two buttons undone, just like yesterday, just like what made Alexandro look at me with eyes I couldn't forget."I can't button it," I said to my reflection in the mirror."Leave it."I was startled and turned around. Alexandro stood in the bathroom doorway, still with a towel wrapped around his waist."Put some clothes on first," I said."No need." He approached. His steps were slow, like a predator approaching its prey. I stepped back. My back touched the mirror.He stopped right
I was still sitting on the edge of the bed when the sound of water from the bathroom finally stopped.On my lap, a book lay open. I didn't remember when I took it, maybe when I was trying to distract myself from Alexandro's words still echoing in my head.You should be apologizing to yourself.I stared at the page. The letters were blurry. Not because of my eyesight, but because of the tears that kept welling up in my eyes. I blinked. One drop fell, then another, and then I couldn't hold it anymore.I cried.My shoulders shook. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to muffle the sound of my sobs. But the tears kept flowing, wetting my cheeks, dripping onto the book page on my lap.After the contract ends, that's my own business.I said that to him as if I were ready.But the truth? I wasn't ready.I wasn't ready to not see his face every morning. I wasn't ready to not hear his low, cold voice calling my name. I wasn't ready to not feel the warmth of his body beside me when I slept.
The car stopped in front of the house gate. Alexandro didn't move. He just sat beside me, his face staring straight ahead, his jaw hardened like he was holding back something he couldn't say.I waited, but he didn't speak.I opened the door myself. Gianna had already gotten out earlier, opening the door for me, but I was faster. My feet touched the ground, and without looking back, I walked into the house. I heard his footsteps behind me.In the living room, I stopped. I wanted to talk. I wanted to say thank you, but he had already walked past me, going up the stairs without looking at me, without saying a single word.I looked down."Maybe Mr. Alexandro is tired," Gianna said behind me."Yes. Maybe."I waited almost half an hour in the living room before finally deciding to go upstairs. I brought a cup of warm chamomile tea, his favorite, even though he never admitted it.In the bedroom, I didn't find him on the bed. I turned to the bathroom. The door was slightly open, dim light see
"A makeup tutor?""Yes, Madam. Mr. Alexandro arranged it. He said you need to learn how to do your makeup for future family events.""Al... alright. What time?""At ten o'clock, Madam. So you still have time for breakfast and to get ready."I nodded.A short while later.I was still sitting on the
That night I slept alone.Alexandro never came back down from his room. Maybe he slept in another room, maybe he left again. I didn't know.I just sat in my room, staring at the pile of lingerie on the chair, and wondered how my life had come to this.The next day.I showered, cleaned myself, then
The priest began to recite the prayer in a steady voice that echoed throughout the church. I stood still beside Alexandro, my hands feeling stiff as I held the bouquet. The scent of lilies was too strong, almost making me dizzy."We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Alexandro De Lu
I showed him everything I had learned from Mira.I sat on his lap, both arms wrapped around his neck. My breath was slow, rhythmic, exactly as Mira taught. "Breathing is the key," she said before. "Proper breathing can make a man lose control."I whispered in his ear. "Where do you want me to start







