Chapter 2: Meeting the Little Doll

Luca’s POV

I hadn’t planned to come to this gallery, but I needed to be seen—remind a few people that I was still very much in control. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to see some beauty, in art… or in women.

Most of the people here were what you'd expect—rich, boring, desperate to flaunt what they’ll never understand. The kind who know the price of a piece but never its value.

And then I saw her.

She stood in front of a painting, sipping champagne with fake confidence, but those eyes… curious. Focused. She didn’t come here to show off. She came here because she wanted to be here.

Then she turned.

For a second, I forgot where I was. Alexa?

I called out—“Alexa.” She didn’t respond at first, but when I said it again, she turned. The illusion shattered. Her brows were fuller, her gaze slightly different. Not Alexa. But… close.

“Excuse me?” she said, trying to be careful.

I studied her. That dress wasn’t expensive. Not from this world. She definitely snuck her way in. A little thief, but a very pretty one. Eyes like a doll.

"I'm sorry," I said, regaining my composure. "Thought you were someone else."

"Alexa?" she asked, head tilted.

Smart. Sharp.

She said her name—Maria. Her hand was warm when I took it, and I held on a second longer than necessary. She didn’t pull back.

“Luca De Rossi,” I said. She repeated it—Mr De Rossi. I liked the way she said it. A little too much.

We spoke. She had opinions—real ones. Not the usual fake nonsense these people throw around. She was passionate. Her hands moved when she argued.

I took her glass, placed it on a passing tray. “You know, for someone with such an eye for detail… you’re very good at pretending you belong here.”

She froze for a second. Then laughed. “Excuse me?”

I smirked. “Something tells me you’re not supposed to be here.”

She didn’t deny it. Instead, “Does it matter?”

“Not to me. But if security finds out...”

She raised her chin. “And what do you intend to do about it, Mr De Rossi?”

“Nothing, little doll. Nothing.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She inhaled, but didn’t step back.

“You don’t belong in this world,” I said softly.

She didn’t respond, so I added, “I’d like us to meet again, Maria.”

“And why is that, Mr De Rossi?”

I stepped even closer. Her scent… raw, natural. Real.

“I just would... little doll.”

Then I left. But I knew she was watching me leave.

**********

“See that little doll I just spoke to?” I asked Alex, my bodyguard. “Find out everything you can about her. And find it fast.”

“Yes sir.” Alex said as he left. I didn't turn to look at Maria. I knew her eyes were still on me. I could feel it, but for now, I needed to get back to business.

“Boss.” Emilio called, “I've been waiting for you.”

“I had to take care of something, Emilio.”

“I think you mean someone.” He whispered, smirking at me like we're supposed to be buddies.

“What's the update on my shipment, Emilio?” I asked him, keeping a straight face. I saw his smirk turn sour. I liked the sight of that.

“Boss, I…”

“Emilio…” I interrupted him before he said what I thought he was about to say. I gently grabbed him at the back of his neck and led him to a private room. Sat him down on a sofa as my other security closed the door behind us.

“You better think carefully about what you're about to tell me, dear Emilio.”

“Boss, I know you already know something is wrong but I assure you, I'll fix it with my every being.” Emilio said, I could feel the fear in his eyes.

I said nothing for a while, just watching him. Then I said, “Emilio, I do not need to remind you that this shipment is more than my last 3 shipments combined. I've collected payments from my distributors in New York, London, Germany, Tokyo and South Africa.”

“I completely understand you sir but this attack on our shipment is from a group even I or Patricio have never heard of.”

I pressed his neck harder. “I don't care if you've heard of them before or they are a new group just coming from heaven.”

“Boss please…” Emilio squirmed like a little girl.

“You better fix it, Emilio, before the end of the Thursday. Otherwise, your every being won't even exist when I'm done with you.”

“I'll do everything I can, boss.”

I left him and stepped out of the room. I looked around to see if Maria was still here but I couldn't find any trace of her. I signaled to my other men to let's move.

In the car, Alex was already waiting like he had something for me already. “Sir, I have some information.”

“Get in and tell me and our way home.” I said as I got in the car.

“Her name is Maria Santino. She works at a coffee shop around 18th street. The Red Coffee. I believe you've had a meeting with someone there before. And she lives just 2 streets away from where she works.”

I commended Alex, within just a few minutes, he already knew where she works and lives. He surely understood me when I said fast.

“Impressive, Alex. But I want more. Her family, where she's from, her favourite shopping centre, favourite colour, favourite food, ex-boyfriend, history, everything.”

“Yes sir.”

***********

I made some calls in order to make arrangements for if whatever Emilio was planning should fail. He has never failed me but I couldn't risk it now. Especially since I'm expecting a very huge shipment. One bigger than my last 3 shipments.

I stepped into my bathtub, letting the cool water penetrate my skin. As I absorb the feeling, the thought of Alexa kicks in.

I remembered our last night together, we had had sex in this very bathtub before we finished up in the bedroom.

The thought of that night sent a sensual feeling through me.

A feeling I haven't felt in a while since she left.

She made me have sex with her like a weak man, said it was called making love.

I felt used, like a weakling.

Letting a woman I had picked up from the street define how I pleasure myself. In fact, she used me to pleasure herself. And when she had had her fill, she left me and never came back to me again.

Alexa was my little doll for years. I loved her and I had thought she loved me too but why she left me when I needed the most still baffles me.

I had given her everything and she had given me her own soul and body. I never thought of any other woman except her and everyday I wait, hoping she'll come back to me again.

So when I saw Maria today, I thought she was there for me.

Alexa knew I loved art and so she wanted to wait for me there but it wasn't her. It was someone else. And now that I think of it, Maria does look like a younger version of Alexa.

I closed my eyes and went deeper into the bathtub, stopping my nose from going in.

Even the smell of the water reminded me of that last night. I felt myself get hard. “Alexa, you bitch.” I cursed as I tried to think of her face.

But instead of Alexa's face, I remembered Maria. I pushed the thought away. Trying to remember Alexa. I did but somehow Maria found her way back.

“Stop, you pervert.” I said to myself as I adjusted in the water. “How old is she? 21, 22. She's too young for you.”

I tried again to get Alexa back. Maybe if I stroked to the thought of Alexa, it'll make her stay. Better that bitch than young Maria.

As I stroked, our last night replayed in my head but that's not the night I wanted to recall. I wanted to remember a night I dominated Alexa but I couldn't.

“Why can't I? I used to dominate her almost every night, why can't I remember it?”

I forced my thoughts to create a scene, and I did. There I was, spreading Alexa's leg like a doll I had just bought. I touched her and she moaned.

“No sounds.” I ordered.

“Yes, Mr De Rossi.” She replied. But it didn't sound like Alexa but sounded like Maria.

And so It was, Maria… in Alexa's body.