ALESSANDRO'S POVI needed to clear my head after that hell session with Carly.I asked Marco to drive us to the Casino.He took his position behind the wheel of the blacked-out SUV.The drive was not as fast as I would drive myself but it was quite ok.The moment we got to the Casino and I've walked out of the car, I took in a deep breath of satisfaction.The two of us headed inside the Casino.The dimly lit interior, the faint hum of slot machines and the murmur of voices felt like heaven.As we made our way through the bustling crowd, Marco and I attracted glances and nods from some familiar faces, most especially I clearly noticed the ladies giving me the star-struck eyes and the watery mouth look, there was this particular one that caught my eyes, so I gave her a wink as we walked by.As I scanned around for the perfect game, the rhythmic clinking of poker chips caught my attention, I turned to see a poker table with a few players engaged in a high-stakes game. I love me a big cha
CARLY'S POVI woke up the next day to a slight headache.It was 5:35 am, the earliest I've been awakened in my entire life.I sluggishly dragged myself to the bathroom, the pounding in my head intensifying with each step. The cold tiles beneath my feet sent shivers up my spine, a stark reminder of the grim reality I found myself trapped in.As I turned on the faucet, filling the bathtub with warm water, I thought of the things I would have been doing at that time if I was home.I quickly submerged myself in the soothing water, trying to wash away not only the physical grime but also the emotional weight that burdened me. The steam enveloped my body as I closed my eyes and let myself drift for a moment into a world where actual freedom existed a world where I was not considered as some collateral.Just as I began to relax, Alessandro's voice pierced through the silence like a dagger. Startled, I jerked upright and clutched onto my towel tightly as he strolled into the bathroom without
CARLY'S POVThe moment my stomach let out that growl, I looked up at him, then looked back down.I summoned the courage to let him know that I was very hungry and I couldn't hold it, but I still couldn't even say Hi to that mean face.I watched as he drove past lots of eateries, worst is I can't get food in school because I don't have any money on me.My stomach growled again,"I think I'm hungry." I finally mumbled but to Leonardo's hearing.He immediately stopped the car."Wait in here." He said, then stepped out.Immediately he closed the car door, I had this pang of joy as I rushed to open my side of the car door, unfortunately he had locked the car doors.I tried pressing some buttons in the car to unlock the door, but they were all a useless attempt, the window didn't even roll down, if not I would have escaped through it.Yeah, I am that desperate.I let out a sigh as I sat down back looking through the window, hoping for some miracle.At a point, I wanted to scream, but that w
CARLY'S POVI purposely stayed in the School's library for hours until it was evening time, hoping Leonardo would get bored and leave, but he didn't.He stayed there like some robot, his eyes darted on me.At some point, I got so tired I had to leave.The drive back was a silent one.The moment I entered the big living area, I saw Alessandro seated in that dimly lit area with some dangerous looking men.They were all in suits, they were smoking cigars, and the sound of their grunting was terrifying.They seemed to be playing Chess, gambling, or loan shaking, I can't tell.I was too nervous to walk past them that I froze the moment I saw them, nerves gnawed at my insides like hungry rats in search of sustenance.Alessandro's gaze met mine for a fleeting moment, sending shivers down my spine, I quickly hid, turning back, but when I did, Leonardo was no longer there, but Marco was."Any problem Miss?" He asked with a stoic face."Um… No…no problem. I'm fine." I stuttered."Your room is t
THIRD PERSON'S POVAlessandro scoffed, while Carly stood still like one who was rooted to the ground.He walked towards her expressionless, she thought maybe this was the point where she gets beaten up or something, but instead he let out a deep, mirthless chuckle. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, a hint of respect in his voice. "You are doing it anyway."He said, standing so close to Carly that she could feel the heat emanating from his body.Her heart sank, "You can't force me to marry you, that's illegal." She defended."Illegal." Alessandro repeated with a scoff.He walked closer to her and whispered,"You will marry me and that's it."Carly's heart raced in her chest as Alessandro's warm breath tickled her ear. She couldn't deny the way his proximity affected her, despite all the anger and fear swirling inside her. His words echoed through her mind, and she knew that escaping this situation was going to be harder than she thought.She mustered up some courage, tr
CARLY'S POV"The Boss orders you put on the new clothes, he's taking you somewhere with him." He stated and immediately turned to leave."Where?" I asked making him stop deaf in his tracks."Where is he taking me to?" I asked again my eyes darting at him."You will know when you get there." He said. "And be ready in fifteen minutes." He added."That doesn't answer my question!" I yelled out as he walked out the door.I sighed and took out the dress and heels from the shopping bag I left them in.I looked at them for a while."This must be so expensive." I said to myself as I hugged the dress.I slipped into the black elegant dress, its silky fabric gliding over my skin. The soft scent of the material enveloped me as I carefully zipped up the back. The dress clung to my curves, making me feel a little bit exposed. After looking at myself in the mirror for a while, I stepped into the high heels, their clicking sound echoing through the room as I walked around to test my balance.As I s
CARLY'S POV"Thanks." I muttered as I took the glass from him, feeling a little bit shy as his gaze lingered on me. The wine was rich and velvety, with a hint of spice that left a warm sensation in my throat. I sipped it slowly, enjoying the taste and the way it made me feel."So," Alessandro said, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "What do you think of my collection?""It's amazing," I replied honestly, looking around at all the beautiful paintings hanging on the walls. "I've never seen anything like this before.""I'm glad you like them," he said with a smile."For how many years have you been collecting?" I asked, taking another sip of my wine."I've lost count." He plainly said.We sat there for a while longer, talking about art and life and everything in between. It was easy to talk to Alessandro - he had a way of putting me at ease that made me feel like I could tell him anything.As we chatted, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing creeping up inside me. There
CARLY'S POVThe moment Marco opened the entrance door and I stepped in, I sighed, a beautiful young lady.She seemed a little bit older than I am, but she looked so beautiful.The moment she saw me walk in, she stood up and walked towards me with this grin that one can mistake for a friendly grin.I tried walking past her, but she stopped me, and ordered Marco to leave us."Who are you?" She asked boldly like she owned the place.I looked at her head to toe without saying a word.For Marco to obey her like that, it's either she's Alessandro's sister or maybe cousin."Are you Alessandro's sister?" I asked naively.The moment I asked her that question, she laughed at me so hard."Sister? Wow. I see he hasn't told you about me yet. I'm his fiancée, and I know the name Sandra rings a bell." She said."No it doesn't." I cut in."Hmm, you seem to be the slave he got recently. Um, you don't look like a slave, though." She said, walking round me slowly like she was checking my looks and outfi