Chapter 1: Owned by Him

I don’t know what happened next. It happened so quick before I could even process it. The last thing I knew, I was inside his limousine, and we’re actually driving back to his place.

To say I was scared is probably an understatement. After my parents talked to him, my mother ensured that an agreement about our wedding was made, pushing me to go with him instead of returning home.

I casted a glance at him. He was leaning on the backrest with his eyes closed. His throat and Adam’s apple were exposed. His slicked hair has somehow lost its neatness and was now disheveled. He looked at peace, as if he wasn’t just about to ruin my life. However, despite that unfortunate fact, I couldn’t deny how attractive he was. He didn’t look like one of those guys I’ve ever seen. He was taller, more masculine, and goddamn hot.

But then again, looks can be sometimes deceiving.

Vicenzo isn’t someone I can trust my life upon. Although I am destined to marry him, that didn’t give me the full assurance that I’d stayed his wife for the rest of my life. He could just abandon and replace me for all he wants; he is that powerful. It was even a wonder to me how my parents were able to convince him to marry someone like me. Perhaps, he needed extension of connection, and my parents probably happened to have what he needed. In exchange, I was being traded. Both of them could benefit from it.

A sigh escaped my lips, and my heart suddenly became heavy.

In all honesty, I am scared. I don’t know what future awaits me the moment we reach his home. To ease the tension from my body, I reminded myself that this is for my parents. They raised me with a good life, and marrying a rich man like Vicenzo Romanov is just their way of securing a good future for me.

Right. Let’s just think positively…

“What are you thinking about?” a voice suddenly infiltrated my ears, making me flinch.

Shocked and scared, I dared not look him in the eyes. “N-Nothing…” I whispered pathetically.

He puffed an annoyed sigh as he straightened his back. I could see from my peripheral vision how he raked his fingers through his dark, disheveled hair.

“We’re approaching,” he uttered, referring to his house, and just the mention of it suddenly made me sick. This is it; my life’s going to be taken completely away from me, and I'd be his property for as long as I live.

The limousine eventually came to a halt, and I hesitated before stepping out into the cool night air. Vicenzo followed suit, his gaze unwavering. The exterior of the grand mansion before us hinted at wealth, but for some reason, I felt like there was tension and darkness that surrounded the whole place.

We entered, and the interior reflected wealth beyond measure. Ornate furnishings and dimly lit corridors created an ambiance that felt both enchanting and foreboding.

Vicenzo led me through the maze-like mansion until we reached a room that seemed to serve as his private sanctuary. He motioned for me to sit, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability in the luxurious space.

The atmosphere between us was charged with tension as we stared at each other. His piercing blue eyes were as cold as ice, and his gaze remained fixed on me.

Taking a deep breath, I wondered, What now? Are we supposed to stare at each other until the evening is over? This doesn’t seem right. He brought me back to his house for another reason, right? Then what was he waiting for?

Mustering the courage to break the silence, I took the initiative to start removing my clothes. He slightly frowned as he observed me, but I paid no mind to it. This is my duty as his soon-to-be wife, to tend to his needs. And I am just doing it for him.

After all, I am meant to fulfill these obligations.

As the last piece of clothing successfully left my body, leaving me naked, I stood in front of him and locked eyes. With a soft and quiet voice, I said, “Take me…”

I don’t care anymore. He’s going to be my husband anyway, so what’s the big deal about it? Giving him my virginity now is nothing because he’ll eventually get it, anyway.

“Do you even know what you’re getting into?” he said all of a sudden, his eyes burning with anger I couldn't comprehend. His jaws clenched as he gritted his teeth. Before I knew it, he grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me towards him.

And the next thing that happened shook me to the core…

Two gunshots echoed inside the room, followed by the thud of what seemed like a person falling to the ground from the impact. My eyes widened as I gasped, surprised by what had just occurred. It was as if the world stopped, my heart forgot to beat, and the ensuing silence deafened me.

Vicenzo cursed under his breath as his hand slowly loosened its grip on my arm, and I couldn't help but notice how it stung when he finally released me.

What… just happened?

Suddenly, he turned his back on me and threw the gun against the wall. My eyes nearly popped out from what I saw next.

There were two lifeless men lying on the ground, bathed in their own blood…

My knees trembled as I covered my mouth with my hand. Fear coursed through me as I took a step back, my stomach churning from disgust, and my heart erratically pounding in my chest.

After what seemed like years, he broke the silence with a voice that sent shivers down my spine. “You are mine, Annizah, and I don’t like sharing what’s mine.”

He sat down on his chair, staring at me coldly.

Reality struck me like lightning as tears cascaded down my cheeks. I trembled in fear, all the while staring at him. There was only one word I could use to describe him now. He was a demon…

“W-What… what did you do?”

He shrugged off his shoulders as he leaned on his chair, seemingly unbothered by the fact that he just killed innocent people.

“I had to kill them, for they had seen your body,” he nonchalantly said as he wandered his gaze over my nakedness. His blue eyes suddenly darkened, and his jaws clenched, as if he was just barely holding back.

Suddenly aware of my vulnerable state, I hastily picked up my clothes from the floor and covered my body. Embarrassment and humiliation ignited a fiery heat in my cheeks.

Vicenzo heaved out a sigh.

“You see, bellezza, I am a very possessive man. What’s mine is mine alone, and I don’t intend on sharing it with other people,” he coldly said. “I own you now, which means I get to own your body, your heart, and even your soul.”

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown at me as I froze.

For some reason, I couldn’t feel my own body, as if it had gone numb. My gaze was fixated on the man who claimed to possess me, and as unfortunate as it seemed, I knew he was telling me the truth.

Vicenzo Romanov… owned me now.