MasukA harsh laugh, devoid of humor, echoed in the confined space. “Where you belong, princess. For now.”A hand, large and calloused, brushed against her cheek, a touch that made her skin crawl. She flinched away, a desperate, futile movement.“Don’t touch me.” Her voice, though still weak, held a surprising edge of defiance.“Feisty, ain’t she?” the gruff voice mused. “James sure picked a spirited one.”James. The name, a cold shard of ice, pierced through the fog of her disorientation. This wasn’t random. This was connected to him. Her affair, the dangerous game she played, had finally caught up to her. The realization settled in her gut, a heavy, sickening weight.“What do you want?” She forced the words out, her breath catching.“That’s for the boss to say,” the higher voice retorted. “You just sit tight.”Days bled into each other, marked only by the shifting shadows beneath her blindfold and the sporadic appearances of her captors. Food, bland and unappetizing, was shoved i
She arrived at Aria’s apartment, a small, vibrant space filled with books and art, a stark contrast to the elegant, controlled order of James’s house. Aria greeted her with a warm hug, her eyes, sharp and perceptive, instantly scanning Ella’s face.“Hey, El! You look… tired.” Aria pulled her into the living room, gesturing to the overflowing coffee table. “I made your favorite.”Ella managed a weak smile, sitting carefully on the edge of the sofa. “Thanks. Long week.” She kept her head slightly averted, hoping the soft lighting and her careful makeup would hide the discoloration.Aria poured them both coffee, her movements fluid and graceful. “Tell me about it. Classes are insane. But you know, I was thinking about what we talked about last time…”“Oh, Aria,” Ella interrupted quickly, trying to steer the conversation away. “It’s fine. Everything’s fine. James has just been busy with work.”Aria paused, her coffee cup halfway to her lips. Her gaze sharpened, focusing on Ella’s
“You are mine, Ella. Understand that.” His voice was a low growl, a promise and a threat. He didn’t wait for an answer, his mouth descending again, this time trailing down her jaw, tasting the faint salt of her tears. He reached her bruised cheek, his lips brushing over the tender skin, a bizarre combination of apology and assertion.His hands moved, deftly unbuttoning her blouse, his fingers brushing against her skin, sending goosebumps dancing across her flesh. She shivered, a mix of fear and arousal. He pushed the fabric from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor in a silken heap. Her bra followed, and her breasts, heavy and sensitive, spilled into his waiting palms. He cupped them, his thumbs circling her nipples, which instantly hardened into tight peaks.“Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire, a stark contrast to the harsh words of the previous night. He lowered his head, his mouth closing over one engorged nipple, suckling deeply. A gasp escaped her
Tears pricked at her eyes, blurring his sharp features. “My gratitude? I am grateful, James, but I’m not a servant. I’m a person. I thought we had something real.”“Real?” He dropped his hand, his expression hardening. “What’s real, Ella, is the roof over your head. The food in your mouth. The opportunities I provide. That’s real. Your romantic fantasies are not.” He turned away, picking up his glass again. “Perhaps a reminder is in order.” He rarely spoke to her directly, preferring to issue commands or dismiss her efforts with a wave of his hand. The vibrant, passionate man from Paris had vanished, replaced by a rigid, demanding overlord.Ella tried to talk to him, to penetrate the icy wall he had erected. She chose a quiet evening, after dinner, when he was reading in the study. She poured two glasses of his favorite Scotch, hoping the gesture might soften him.She approached his armchair cautiously, the soft lamplight illuminating the tension in his shoulders. “James,” she
Aria sighed, a hint of frustration in her expression. “Maybe. I just I worry about you, El. You’ve been through so much. And he’s… well, he’s a lot older, and he’s your guardian. It’s just… complicated.”“It’s not complicated,” Ella insisted, a touch of irritation creeping into her voice. “It’s perfectly straightforward. He’s a good friend to my family, and he’s looking out for me. End of story.” She knew she was pushing too hard, but she couldn’t back down. Not now. The thought of Aria, or anyone, knowing the truth, sent a wave of icy fear through her.Aria studied her for another long moment, her dark eyes still holding that unshakeable concern. Finally, she relented, though a flicker of doubt remained in her gaze. “Okay, okay. If you say so.” She pushed her empty espresso cup away. “Just… be careful, El. Promise me.”Ella managed a weak smile. “I’m always careful, Aria. You know me.” The lie felt like ash on her tongue. Careful was the last thing she had been. With James, sh
Ella turned, a wide smile breaking across her face. Aria, a whirlwind of bright colors and boundless energy, was practically sprinting towards her, her long, dark hair streaming behind her. Aria, her best friend since kindergarten, the one person who knew her better than anyone, even if she didn’t know everything Aria launched herself at Ella, a bone-crushing hug that momentarily stole her breath. “I missed you so much! Paris, huh? You lucky bitch!” She pulled back, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Spill. Every. Single. Detail!!!!!!!!!!”Ella laughed, a genuine, unburdened sound. “It was amazing, Aria. Truly.” She linked arms with her friend, pulling her towards their favorite coffee spot, a small, bustling café tucked away in a quiet corner of the campus. “You would have loved it. The shopping, oh my god, the shopping!”They settled into a booth by the window, the aroma of roasted beans filling the air. Ella ordered a latte, Aria a triple espresso, her usual fue







