Chapter 0005

•ISABELLA•

I hated Antonio.

His face repulsed me, and I wished to evaporate from the face of the earth so that I wouldn’t have to breathe the same air as him.

He was a murderer, and I could never look at him differently.

He always had an evil smirk on his face and looked like one of those guys who could strangle you in your sleep.

There was no way that I would stay in the same house with him.

So, I had to do something before I ended up as one of his many victims.

When we got to his house, the pervert asshole led me inside and took me into a room that he said was mine until I got comfortable enough to share his bedroom with him. How dreamy of him!

“Melo will be outside the door in case you need anything, love.”

“I will get myself out of here before you even touch a strand of hair on my head,” I hissed.

He looked amused as he walked towards me. He towered over my 5-foot-2-inch frame with his 6-foot-3-inch height, and I swallowed.

“Your hair is lovely, angel.” He pulled a few strands behind my ear and caressed them.

I couldn’t believe his gut. He just did that to prove a point. Gosh, I hated him. I hated him so much that I felt like punching him in the face.

“Get your dirty hand off me,” I snapped as I yanked his hand off me and leaned backward.

Whatever plan I had to get away from him was supposed to work fast. It seemed impossible that he and I were going to tolerate each other for more than a week.

“We both had a long night, love. Get yourself cleaned up. The house chef will come and bring you your dinner.”

“I don’t want your food, and I don’t want to be here.”

“You are mine, Bella. This is where you now belong.”

“I will never be yours. Over my dead body.” I snarled.

“Suit yourself, love. I will be in my bedroom if you need me. It’s opposite yours, by the way,” he winked at me before he walked out of my room and closed the door behind him.

And then it sank in that my father, the one who was supposed to love and protect me as his daughter, sold me off to a monster.

I stumbled on the bed and cried as I sat down. My father was many things, but I never thought that one day he’d sell me for money.

It would've been better if he were man enough to kill me the day my mother gave birth to me if he knew he'd ruin my life.

But hell no, I refused to stay in that room and feel sorry for myself.

I quickly straightened up and wiped the tears on my face. I took a deep breath and came up with an idea.

I would show Antonio that he shouldn't have purchased me. He should've known the trouble he was bringing into his house when he brought me in.

***

A few minutes later, after showering, I went to the closet and found a towel. I took it and wrapped it around me.

The club taught me that men would do anything for you if they wanted you, but couldn't get you.

The next thing I did was to head out to Antonio’s room. When I got outside his door, I knocked on the door once and waited for him to open it.

“That was fast,” he smirked when he saw me.

He had no shirt on, and for a second, I thought he looked hot with those tattoos on his chest and scars.

I cleared my throat and looked up at him. “I don’t have clothes.”

“Oh yes. Don’t worry, my PA will take you shopping tomorrow,” he answered as he looked at my hands holding on tightly to the towel as if it would fall.

“I mean, if I were home, there wouldn’t be any need for a new wardrobe, would there?”

“Bella—” He frowned, but I quickly cut him off.

“Oh, don’t worry. I will go home tomorrow to get myself some clothes before you spend more money on my head,” I answered with a half smile before the towel slipped off my body.

“Oops, my bad,” I scoffed as I reached for the towel and quickly wrapped it around me. “Anyway, good night.”

I bit my lip and headed back to my room, and when I got inside, I leaned my back against the door and breathed.

I wasn't sure if I was excited because he almost fell for that act, or because I knew he'd grow out of whatever fetish he had toward me.

***

In the morning after showering, I didn't bother putting on clothes, but walked out with the same towel, so it would give Antonio a reason to send me home.

When I got downstairs, I found him talking with someone. It seemed serious, but I didn't care as I walked past them to the clinic.

I didn’t know where his kitchen was, but I had all the time in the world to find it.

If I had to keep myself locked up in that room, he would think that I feared him, but I didn’t want him to think that.

But Antonio lost it when he saw me. “What the fuck are you doing down here with no clothes on, Bella?” He fumed with rage as he rushed towards me and grabbed my arm. His grip was so tight that I gasped.

“Let me go, you pervert!” I snatched his hand off my arm, and when my towel fell, Antonio shielded me as if I were under attack.

“Get out, Paul, before I shoot you dead right now!” he yelled at the man he was talking with.

“Yes, sir. I'm so sorry.” The poor guy stumbled as he tried to get his things on the couch.

I stood there and rolled my eyes.

“Out!” Antonio exclaimed.

Paul was out the door before Antonio could blink again. He quickly picked up my towel from the floor and covered me with it.

"You're in trouble, Miss Albero, and will be punished for it.”