Chapter 4: The Little Doll's Apartment

Luca's POV

“Thanks for the invitation, Mr De Rossi, but I suggest you don’t contact me again.”

I sat there, phone pressed to my ear, listening to her voice. She said it carefully, like she was trying to convince herself more than me. She paused for a second before adding quietly, “I’m not a little doll.”

Then the line went dead.

I leaned back, staring at the phone. For a few seconds, I didn’t move. Then I laughed. Softly. She must’ve felt proud of herself for saying that. Brave little thing.

“Alex,” I said.

“Yes boss.”

“The little doll’s apartment. You know where it is?”

“Yes boss.”

“Take me there.”

The ride was quiet. I kept my eyes on the city passing by. The sky was still a little grey and the streets were still wet from an early drizzle. 

Maria's apartment wasn’t far. It was on the part of town where people with big dreams and small savings lived. A place that smelled of work, work, work and not money.

Maria’s building looked simple from the outside, but neat. No guards, no marble floors. Just quiet.

I knocked softly. She opened the door after a few seconds, still wearing that same surprised expression she’d had the first time she saw me.

“Mr De Rossi?”

“Maria.” I nodded. “I tried to politely invite you to an exhibition I’m sure you’d love and you rejected it.”

“Mr De Rossi, I..."

“Why, little doll?” I cut in before she could finish. “Do you know how many women would’ve jumped at that?”

Her eyes met mine. “I’m not like other women. Especially not the ones who don’t care about what you really are.”

I almost smiled. “And what am I?”

“I’m not your little doll.” Her voice softened at the end, like she didn’t mean for it to sound that vulnerable.

“I never said you were mine,” I said quietly. “But you could be.”

She exhaled in frustration, and that made me smile.

“Are you afraid of me, Maria?” I asked, stepping a little closer. “Is that what this is about? You’ve probably heard the rumours.”

“Mr De Rossi…”

“I won’t confirm or deny any of them,” I said, brushing off the thought. “But what I do know is that I have an exhibition tonight, and I want you there.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Because I want you to and I know you will love to be there.”

I paused, watching her expression shift. “Alex will bring something for you to wear. I'm sure It’ll suit you.”

Without waiting for her to answer, I stepped inside and she didn’t stop me.

The apartment was small but tidy. There was something real about it. There's the smell of coffee, a half-read book on the table, a few sketches near the window. This was her world. Simple and honest even though it felt strange standing in it.

“Coffee?” she asked quietly.

“Sure,” I said, even though I knew I wouldn’t drink it.

Alex called a few minutes later. I told him to bring the dress up. When Maria opened the door and took the box from him, she didn’t say a word. She just turned around and went into her room.

I waited. I could hear her faint movements, the dress rustling and the sound of a zipper. She was taking her time.

The coffee sat on the table, untouched. I leaned back, watching the cup until it stopped steaming. I wasn’t used to waiting, not for anyone. But for her, I didn’t mind.

Then the door opened.

She stepped out slowly, adjusting the dress at her side. The dress fit perfectly. It was soft on her skin, dark against her tone. Her hair wasn’t fully done, she just tied it loosely with a few strands falling across her face. She looked beautiful in a way she didn’t even notice.

She didn’t look at me at first.

“Look at me, Maria,” I said quietly.

She lifted her eyes. I nodded once. “ I knew it would suit you.”

She crossed her arms. “I’m only wearing it because you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

I smiled. “I didn’t ask for one.”

She reached for her purse. Her hand trembled slightly as she touched the counter.

“Nervous?” I asked.

“No,” she said too quickly. “I just don’t know what I’m walking into.”

“You’ll be with me,” I said. “And you’ll be fine.”

I opened the door and placed a hand at her back. She didn’t move away.

As she locked the door behind her, I caught a sound, like a step somewhere in the corridor. It stopped as soon as I looked and I knew something was going to happen later.

I nodded my head and looked at Maria who was still adjusting her dress.

"You're going to be mine, little doll." I said to myself quietly as I took her hand and took her out of the building.