Chapter 18 - Trying to Escape

CHIARA

I shake my head a bit to shut out the "love" thought. I and this man still have a lot to talk about.

"Hold up mister. You kidnapped me, you drugged me, you raped me, you chained me up and locked me up in your dungeon and you fucking drank from my blood!! And you are calling me yours? I don't belong to you!"

"You don't belong to me, you belong with me." I ignore his words and get up from the bed to start pacing.

"I'm not a good man Chiara...”

"You have made that very obvious Massimo". I cut him off.

"Now what? Will you let me go?"

"No."

"Whyyyyy?? You wanted me to remember you, now I do, so let me go."

Massimo's expression doesn't change, but his eyes seem to gleam with a sinister intensity. "I didn't bring you here for you to get back your memories, Chiara," he says, his voice low and husky. "They were just a... bonus, a little added extra so you would know our history. My main plan is to keep you with me."

I stop pacing and turn to face him, my eyes narrowing.

"Why? Yes, perhaps I was or I am your peace, I can be your peace from home. We could meet from time to time, hell you could even stay in my home with me!"

Massimo laughs and I feel a shiver run down my spine. The sound is rich and deep, like a warm, velvety blanket that wraps around me, making me feel all cozy inside. It's a pleasant sensation, one that I hadn't expected to feel, especially not in this situation. I look at Massimo and notice that his laughter brightens his face, making him look different, more handsome. The harsh lines and angles of his features soften, and his eyes crinkle at the corners, making him look almost... human.

For a moment, I forget about the danger, the fear, and the uncertainty that I've been feeling. All I can see is the man in front of me, laughing with abandon, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

It's a mesmerizing sight, one that makes me feel like I'm drowning in the depths of his dark eyes. I feel a flutter in my chest, a sensation that I hadn't expected to feel, especially not for Massimo.

But as quickly as it started, the laughter stops. Massimo's expression turns serious, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me.

"You think it's that simple, Chiara?" he asks, his voice low and husky. "You think we can just meet from time to time, and I'll be satisfied with that?"

"Uhm yes" , I try to make my voice defiant but my argument begins to feel like nonsense, even to me.

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes burning with intensity.

"I tried that. I watched you from the shadows, I stayed away to keep you safe. I did nothing when you met that macaroni haired man. But then you had the audacity to let him put a ring on you and take you as his. And that was breaking point."

Ohhh, is that why I got kidnapped that very night? Did he feel betrayed?

"I want all of you, Chiara," he says. "I want every moment, every breath, every heartbeat. I want to own you, body and soul."

I feel a shiver run down my spine as Massimo's words hang in the air. I know that I should be scared, that I should be running away from him as fast as I can.

But a part of me is drawn to him, to the darkness and the danger that surrounds him. A part of me wants to surrender to him, to give him everything he's asking for. But I won't give in.

"Body and soul..." My mind goes back to his promise to me on our very first meeting in his hallway. If he is still holding on to his words from that long ago, then this has to be some kind of sick obsession.

I take a step back, trying to create some distance between us. "You're obsessed with me," I accuse, my voice shaking with a mix of fear and anger. "This isn't love, Massimo. This... I don't know what it is but it can't be love. It is fucked up and unhealthy and dark and dangerous ."

Massimo's expression doesn't change, but his eyes seem to gleam with an intensity that makes my skin tingle. "Perhaps," he says, his voice low and husky. "But what's wrong with that? I've waited a long time for you, Chiara. And now that I have you, I'm not letting you go."

I feel a chill run down my spine . He is so unpredictable.

Massimo's smile grows wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll see about that, Chiara," he says. "We'll see about that."

"Now get back in bed, you haven't recovered fully. Irene would bring you food soon."

"What if I don't want to? I don't want to get in bed."

Massimo's expression turns cold, his eyes narrowing. "Don't test me, Chiara," he says, his voice low and menacing. "You're still recovering, and you need rest. Get back in bed, or I'll put you there myself."

I should probably do as he says but I find myself crossing my arms over my chest and giving him a "do your worst" look.

I look up at Massimo, meeting his gaze. "I don't want to get into bed," I say, fixing him a glare.

Massimo smiles grows, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll see about that," he says, his voice dripping with menace.

Before I can blink, he closes the distance between us and picks me up like a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down! You evil piece of dog shit!!" I screech in his arms, hearing his muffled chuckle.

The hit comes when I least expected and I gasp. He takes the opportunity to lower me onto the bed.

"Did you just spank me? I swear to God, I will be the one to kill you!"

"Yeah you will", he covers me with the sheets and smoothens it out. "You can't kill me while you are like this. Make sure you get better and strong, then you can try stabbing me again."

I shoot him a glare but I don't attempt to get up."Fine! I'll stay in bed and eat like your little doll. But don't think for a while that I won't..."

My words are cut off when he pressed his lips to mine in a chaste kiss.

The kiss is short but I feel my heart speed up and my eyes widen.

"You look very cute when you are angry. I couldn't resist. See you later baby", then he gets up and exits the room.

I lay in bed still in shock, and my heart racing from the sudden kiss.

That asshole and the way he confuses me and makes me feel stuff I shouldn't.

"Aishhh fuck you Massimo Scallise!!", I scream hoping he hears me wherever he is.

Irene opens the door just then, carrying a tray with a steaming hot meal and she laughs after hearing my outburst. She comes in fully and sets down the tray on the bedside table with a warm smile. She poured me a glass of water and added a slice of lemon to it, her movements efficient and energetic. "Eat, Chiara, you must be starving! You were out for 3 days! How do you feel now?" she exclaimed, her voice bubbly and friendly. She pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat down, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I don't know your favorite dishes yet and I will find out soon enough, but chicken parmesan with pasta. I hope you're feeling up to eating it." She chatted on, trying to keep me company and lift my spirits, telling me about her day and the latest gossip from her parents. She was like a breath of fresh air, and for a moment, I forgot about my troubles and just enjoyed her warm and lively presence. As I began to eat, Irene kept up a steady stream of conversation, asking me questions and listening attentively to my responses. She was determined to make me smile, and eventually, her efforts paid off. Despite myself, I found myself laughing at one of her silly jokes, and Irene beamed with triumph. "See, I told you you'd feel better with some food in you!" she exclaimed, patting my hand.

I didn't even know I was out for 3 days, and this bubbly woman won't let me comment on it.

"Your parents don't stay near here, right?" I ask after realizing something from her earlier words.

"Yes, they stay in town".

"How do you contact them then? Do you have a phone?" Irene seems to know where I am going with my questions and she hesitates before answering.

"Yes, I have a phone."

"Can I borrow it?"

I don't think Massimo would do anything to Irene's phone, since she is staff and she would need to call home. If I can reach mt dad on her phone then he would get me out of here, and maybe let Massimo off since he is his friend's son. I really hope this works.