I felt violated

I stood there, completely frozen in that cafe. Cindy’s voice rang in my ears like a gunshot.

“I’m seeing someone. His name is… Drego knight.”

My stomach twisted, and my lips felt dry. I managed a smile, one that was more of a sneer or a grimace, barely reaching my eyes.

“Drego… that’s… a strong name.”

She giggled like a schoolgirl. “I know, right? He’s intense and hot. He treats me like a queen and is even thinking of getting a place here, just for us to cohabit and then get married.”

My vision blurred, and a dizzy nausea crept up my throat. He told her all that? Was he serious with her?

This wasn’t some game to him. He wasn’t just toying with her or having a night stand. He was in a whole damn relationship.

And yet, he touched me, kissed me, claimed me like I was his, while loving someone else.

The betrayal stung more than I wanted to admit. And you know what’s even worse… I let him do all that to me.

I felt stupid and used.

I quickly dismissed Cindy, but in order not to look eccentric or weird I gave her my phone digits when she asked. She said she would FaceTime me, that we needed to catch up, but honestly, I wasn't interested in all that girly chit-chat. At least not for now, or anytime soon.

———

Back in the car, I found myself staring blankly out the window as the city blurred by.

I hated him.

I hated how he made me feel wanted and vulnerable. How he pulled me out of two years of numbness, and made me crave things again.

And now… I hated myself for still thinking about him.

What was I to him? Just a one-night sexual conquest? A desire to subdue the urge? Or a sextoy he fantasizes about?

If I weren’t married to his twin I would have just let it slide, maybe open up to Cindy so she knows the kind of man she wants to end up with.

But damn it, I’m the married one here, and that will be the dumbest thing to do. I'll just end up looking like a villain.

When I got home, I slammed the bedroom door behind me.

I needed to forget, erase it all. Pretend it was just a bad, lustful dream.

I headed to my closet and grabbed the small black box where I’d hidden the broken camera.

I opened it and stared at the shattered pieces inside. I threw them down the WC not minding if it gets blocked, and then I flushed.

“Done,” I whispered. “That part of me is gone.”

———

The next day, David had cooks and chefs come over. The smell of Brunch casserole, Buddig sandwiches, and chicken and cheese taquitos filled the entire mansion.

“I’ve got guests and direct business partners coming over. Do stay around, I want to get you introduced as my wife,” David said with a bland face the moment I stepped out of my room.

“I thought you said you won’t? Besides, don't you think that will cause unnecessary attention to me?” I asked him quickly before he could walk away.

“I didn’t want to, at least not now, but what difference does it make if I do it now or later? Besides I need to get hold of an important contract and they are considering married, eligible businessmen first before bachelors. According to them, having a wife equals being truly responsible, so yeah I need to stay, look, and act married…” he explained.

“That’s what I am to you obviously. A contract wife, and nothing more. It's always for business. I almost forgot I’m just a trophy you bought, I was thinking we were beginning to get into something real.”

“Can you not nag about this? This is not the time.”

Nag?” I chuckled. “I won’t do that. Forgive me for thinking ahead of myself”

“Your personal guard will resume work tomorrow, because you’ll now get popular, you need to stay protected!” That’s all I heard him say as I slammed the door behind me.

I slipped on a long satin dress that accentuated my curves, applied some light makeup, and packed my hair into a pony with flyaways in front. I walked down to the sitting room, smiled at everyone, kept my distance yet tried to blend in.

And while the little party was buzzing with laughter and excitement, unexpectedly I saw him

Drego.

Leaning against the kitchen counter in a fitted shirt, sleeves rolled up, watching me with that same heat in his eyes.

I turned instantly and through the back door I walked away.

“Elena” he called out following me like a prey that had just seen its food.

I ignored him.

“Elena, please.”

I spun around hissing, “Don’t you dare talk to me.” You creep.

“Can we just talk, let’s discuss this quietly so we don’t get people's attention on us. Only two people know I’m here.”

“No Drego. There’s absolutely nothing to speak about. You have her, Cindy. Go be with your woman and let me be, I’m your brother's wife.

He flinched. “Where did you hear about Cindy? Who’s spreading such rumors?”

“Rumors?” I laughed so loud that the chefs in the kitchen glanced at me. “A rumor but at least you know who she is. Don’t you?”

He didn’t reply and that told me what I needed to know

“Your silence says a lot, so save your explanation for whoever needs it, definitely not me.”

“Tell me you don’t miss me like I do. Tell it to my face like you mean it!” he roared

“It doesn’t matter. I’m your brother's wife Drego. Whatever happened between us was a big mistake, forget it.” I sneered.

Deep down I knew I missed him, I wanted him again and again. I wanted to tell him how he had me dickmatized, and how the thought of him makes me wet, but I wouldn’t dare say such nonsense.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter right? But you didn’t say this when you cum in my mouth as I sucked starvation off your juicy p*ssy, nor did you say it when you were screaming my name in utmost ecstasy…”

“Shhhh!!!” I exclaimed, gesturing to him to shut up, with my index finger crossed over my lips.

“Read the room! Are you slow or are you trying to look crazy” I yelled at him, trying as much as I could to keep my voice below the music.

“I want everyone here and even the whole world to know it’s you that I want, it’s you I like, and I’m not ashamed about it!” He said with an annoying smirk.

“Drego you’re mad!”

“Mad for you baby”

“You need help, you seriously do. Leave me alone, I’m now publicly your twin’s wife so let me be”

“I will leave you for now but there’s something you need to see.” His hand brushed my wrist in an attempt to hold me.

I yanked away. “Don’t touch me.”

He pulled out his phone. I was about to walk away but came to an instant halt when I saw the screen.

That was a video of me, naked and breathless, of me arching under his touch, of me moaning his name like it was the only word I knew.

I froze.

“No…” I whispered, as I tried to grab his phone. “You… you said the camera was off. I broke it.”

He smirked, low and dangerous. “You broke the camera after it was done recording. It was synchronized with my phone.”

My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“No no no!!! That can’t be.” I gulped.

“It can. I recorded everything,” he whispered. “You were just… extra special, sweet like sugar mixed with honey, and you were tight as hell” he smugged.

My fingers trembled, my blood boiled, I vibrated with rage, I felt violated, and used. “You recorded me, without my consent?” I hissed.

“Technically,” he leaned closer, “you never said no.”

Smack!

I slapped him, hard on the face.

The sound echoed through the hallway like a gunshot and made my palm tingle.

He didn’t even flinch. He just licked his bottom lip like he enjoyed it.

“You’re disgusting.”

“And yet,” he said softly, “I gave you the satisfaction of your body's sole desire. See how glowy you look. My body fluids at work right?

I pushed past him, my skin crawling and heart racing.

David passed by, catching the sharpness in my tone. His brows furrowed, and seeing tears almost gathering in my eyes he turned to Drego.

“What did you do to her?”

“Nothing really, we were just catching up”

“Catching up for what? Drego I have warned you before that this isn’t your usual playground.” He said pointing at me. “You’ll stay off or have me to contend with, and trust me this time Dad won’t be able to settle our dispute”

Drego didn’t say a word, he just shrugged his shoulders, let out a mischievous laugh, and walked away.

David turned to me, “Elena? What happened?”

“Nothing,” I gasped, running up the stairs and back to my room. I needed to cry so I could manage to feel better.

But something had happened, something dangerous.

Because now I wasn’t just betrayed, I was exposed. And I had no idea if I’d ever feel safe again.