The Art of Obedience

Julian DeLuca had barely caught up with me before he was already itching to whisk me away to a hotel room.He was the hotshot of Italvia, with a family that was a force to reckon with.I paused, unsure."Isn't this moving a little too fast?"However, he was full of urgency and eagerness. "Too fast? My dear, how could it be? Don't you love me?"He pouted, and his eyes suddenly looked misty, like a puppy left out in the rain.I almost caved right then and there.He had that look of an innocent golden retriever, but a part of me was still holding on to some sense."Julian, if we're going to do this, can we at least do it my way? I don't want you to get hurt..."He barely listened to my concerns, nodding eagerly."Absolutely, my dear. Whatever makes you comfortable!"I gave in, just a bit.He turned away, smug, and started showing off in the mafia group chat.[She's easy pickings. A little charm and she's all mine!][Stay tuned for the photo!]I expected a round of applause

I could not be bothered to make a fuss.I pressed a soothing kiss to his cheek, my whisper brushing his ear. "Be good for me, will you?"His intense stare did not faze me as I pulled away.In the shadowy room, I reclaimed my seat on Julian's lap. Moonlight spilled through the window.Ethan could do nothing but watch, silent and seething, as I slipped out of my clothes.He left the room without a word, his frustration audible only in the sharp thud of the door closing behind him.Julian, ever vigilant, looked up and asked, "Who's there?""Just a stray dog I found. He was too greedy with his food, so I sent him packing," I replied.The eye mask was flimsy, and I worried he might catch a glimpse of too much. I cupped his face, guiding it back to me, and playfully tapped his nose."Ruining the surprise would spoil the game," I mused."Do dogs know how to close doors?" he questioned, a hint of doubt in his voice.To keep his mind from wandering, I grabbed his hand and placed it

Turf war drama was not my scene. I ducked into my room to escape the noise.Vincent and Julian locked eyes.One barely covered in a towel, his hair still wet, his cheeks flushed and not yet cooled. It was clear as day what had just gone down.One guy, all dressed up in a suit jacket, but with a lacy bra peeking out from underneath.Around his neck was a collar emblazoned with bold, gold letters that read 'Sofia's very own pet'. His desire for something more to happen could not have been more blatant.Julian was still in shock when Vincent's fist came flying at him.Gritting his teeth, he spat, "You bastard! What are you even doing here? I get it, you're here to snap some secret shots of Sofia's intimate moments, aren't you?!"Julian quickly glanced at the bedroom, making sure I had not appeared.Then, he turned back to lock eyes with Vincent, both fuming."Zip it! Don't spew garbage! I'm her boyfriend! What secret shots? If she gets the wrong idea about me, you're toast!"Vin

I woke up with the sun high in the sky.The scent of a home-cooked meal filled the air from the kitchen.Stretching with a yawn, I settled in for the breakfast Vincent had made.Say what anyone would, but the mafia heir had a surprising knack for cooking.It was one of the reasons we had kept the arrangement going for so long.Vincent watched me eat, a nervous energy about him.Feeling his unease, I set down my fork and met his gaze. "Spit it out."He hesitated, fidgeting before he finally voiced his question. "What are we now?"His question caught me off guard. "Just friends with benefits," I replied.His face fell, a mix of disappointment and reluctance. With a hint of challenge in his voice, he asked, "Then, why can Julian be your boyfriend? Why am I not good enough?"I could not help but chuckle."Julian had his own agenda, but he wooed me relentlessly before all that."Good morning texts, surprise gifts, dinner dates, rides to and from work, and showering me with the w

However, Ethan quickly recovered, tilting his face to show off the lipstick.'Here we go again,' I thought.I leaned on the car, pulling out my phone to play some games.Ethan chuckled with a taunt, "So, you're the one who snuck into Sofia's bed this morning. Totally shameless! She's dumped you, and you're still fawning over her like a lost puppy!""Who said she dumped me?"Vincent's jaw was set, his teeth grinding.Ethan replied with a smug certainty, "Sofia's made it clear that she's single."His voice dripped with sarcasm, sparing no chance to mock. "So, what's it gonna be, Mr. High-and-Mighty? Are you ready to come clean as her secret lover, or are you just slumming it with me, the love child, for a quick fling?"Vincent's hands balled into fists.Meanwhile, I was nearly gagging on the overpowering scent of flowers and sneezed.Vincent turned to me with concern."Sofia, are the flowers too much? I'm sorry, I didn't think it through."I waved it off, signaling that I was f