SUBMITTING TO MY FATHER’S DRIVER

ARIA POV“Smile, Aria.” My dad said quietly. The warning in his made my spine stiffen. I've heard that tone my entire life.Around us were ballroom decorations, the hall and lounge were filled with wealthy guests, expensive champagne, and fake laughter.Everyone looked happy.It was the perfect ball party. But standing beside my father, forced to greet people I barely knew, made me feel like a decoration placed beside him.My smile stayed on my lips, but my fingers kept tightening around the champagne glass.I found myself staring at the ballroom doors again… wondering how long before I could leave. I kept the smile on my face anyway. Years of practice made it easy.“Mr Bennett, your daughter is stunning tonight,” one of his business partners said his eyes lingering a beat too long.“Pervert,” I muttured under my breath. “Thank you,” my father replied grinning, resting his firm hand on my shoulder. “Aria understands how important these events are, and she makes sure to dress her be

Aria POVAdrian did not rush me. He took his time, which made me feel a little more at ease. He led me down a narrow hallway covered with black silk curtains. The deeper we walked, the quieter it became. My heels slammed loudly against the floor, and my heart beat fast in my chest each passing seconds.He stopped in front of a plain wooden door. It looked simple and normal on the outside. He opened it slowly and stepped aside for me to enter.The room inside was smaller than the main hall. A warm amber lamp glowed in the corner, which lighten up the space gently.At the center of the room was a wide black leather bench, with a hand cuffs attached to each corner, then at the other end was a longer cuff which caught my attention. “What is this,” I asked pointing to the second cuff, about to walk towards it, but Adrian held my hand stopping me from moving further. “Spreader bar, itʼs used to cuff the leg.” The mention of that made my clench my leg in anticipation. But I said nothing

ARIA POVMy father finished his coffee as if nothing unusual had just happened.Like the man standing a few feet away from me wasn’t the same man who had spent the night making my entire body burn.My father finally stood from the table adjusting the cuffs of his suit.“Adrian.” He called. “Yes, sir,” “You will drive Aria to her university today.”“Of course, sir.”After he picked up his tablet and walked out of the house without even bidding me goodbye. Well I wasn't new to that. Now I was left with him. Adrian. I sat still, staring at Adrian. He didn’t look at me, he even didʼnt spare me a glance. He remained where he was, his face hard as steel.I forced my legs to move. I slowly went back to my room to grab my bag. I slammed the door, running my hand through my hair. “This is a bad idea,” I cried out in frustration. I took my bag and walked toward the door. Adrian was still standing in the exact same spot where I had left him. I walked out anyway. He moved behind me like