Chapter 6: Order

LUCIA

“Dad, what do you mean you are confiscating my phone?" I heard Carlos say from God knows where and I saw my last glimmer of hope crumble before me.

My throat tightened and my grip on the door handle stilled. There goes the little hope I had.

“It’s only until the wedding” Alejandro’s cold voice rang through the hallway and I felt my belly pound in disgust.

Wedding? No fucking wedding was going to happen. I was getting out of here before that scumbag would even think about marrying me into his family.

Irritation coursed through my veins, and I released my grip on the handle. Footsteps echoed through the hallway and I turned to the direction of the sound.

Carlos popped out, clearly looking pissed and frustrated. He walked closer to me “I'm…I'm sorry. I got to my room and I found out my phone wasn’t there, only to realize my father had taken it” he tried to apologize.

I shook my head, and smiled. There was no need to apologize. This wasn’t even his fault. It was that Devil’s fault.

I sighed, my shoulders slumped in disappointment. I thought that this time there was going to be a way for me. I thought I could escape him this time.

Clearly I can't now.

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. We will figure something out” I whispered.

He nodded, and leaned in a little “you sure we won’t go with your idea of running away?” He grinned and I let out a little laugh.

“Well…we didn’t entirely discard that idea did we?” I smiled.

We both chuckled, and for the first time since I arrived here I actually had something to laugh about.

It was calming for some reason.

Until something had to ruin it, or rather someone.

“Look at you two bonding. I knew I made a good choice in taking your phones” Alejandro’s voice came through the hallway and my smile died down.

My belly twisted and I knew it wasn’t from joy, but from pure hatred. I hated this man, and I wasn't going to hide it.

I rolled my eyes and muttered “yeah no shit, but i think that might be one of the dumbest choice you have made since i got here”

Carlos' head snapped towards my direction and his eyes widened like he wasn’t expecting me to say that. Well I wasn't expecting to say that either. It kind of just slipped out of my mouth and to be honest I didn't mind riding with it.

Alejandro stood still, his eyes darkened. I watched as his fist clenched tightly and I felt a pang of fear grip me. The memory of the time at the airport came flushing back. The cold metal rush, the threats, my legs that gave in like jelly.

At that moment, I started to realize that maybe I shouldn't have said that. But to be honest, now was too late and he would just have to live with it.

I took a deep breath and turned to Carlos “yeah…i think i have to go up to my room now” without waiting for any response and turned around and started to walk to the stairs.

All of a sudden, I felt a force pull me back and I landed on something hard.

“What the heck?” I groaned as I realized I had landed on Alejandro’s chest. His grip tightened on my elbow as he squeezed tightly.

“Let me go you scumbag!” I tried to force myself out of his grip but it was basically useless. My flimsy strength was no match for this six foot three giant.

“Not until you repeat what you just said to me little one” he said calmly but i could feel the sternness from his tone.

I so badly wanted to comment and curse him out for calling me a little one but now wasn’t the right time.

“Let me go Alejandro…” I barely whispered as I had stopped trying to fight my way out of his grip. Fear had completely taken over now and I was at his mercy.

I hated this, but there was nothing I could do.

“Repeat what you said Lucia” his grip had lightly loosened on my elbow now but i still couldn’t move.

With no other choice, i yielded to the only way i knew might help me out of this situation “i’m sorry okay, please let me go”

Immediately I said those words, his grip completely loosened and he roughly pushed me away, almost making me trip but I gathered my stance.

“Lucia…look at me” he asked, but I didn't.

I didn’t want to. My whole body creeped with embarrassment as I felt defeated in his presence.

“Look_at_me_Lucia… I won’t ask again” I heard him groan and I looked up immediately.

He moved closer, close enough for me to feel my ached back hit against the wall.

“This is my house. My estate,” he pointed to the building.

“And in my house there are rules. You don’t talk to me anyhow, and definitely not in that manner that you just did. Understood?”

I didn’t reply, only staring vaguely at him. It was the only way I could restrict myself from cursing him out. For not crashing out and blaming him for ruining my whole life.

His hand moved to my chin and he lifted it up slightly.

“Understood Lucia?” His golden brown eyes locked on mine, and I nodded.

“Good” he moved away from me and began to walk towards the stairs.

“Dinner will be ready soon, come downstairs when Miguel calls” he said.

“I’m not coming down for dinner” I replied immediately and he paused.

“It’s not a request, Lucia. It’s an order” he uttered as he began walking.

I stood here frozen in place and wondering what right he had to dictate and order me around like a puppet. Just because he took my will of freedom doesn’t mean he could order me around.

And so I said the one thing I knew could get me in trouble.

“What right do you have to order me around Alejandro?”