Before I could wiggle out of the quick sand I landed myself into, Vitali (I need some time to get used to his name) grabbed both of my hands in his left hand and dragged them behind my back, effortlessly locking them in an unmovable hold.
My back arched at the angle, pushing my chest forward brazenly. The hold is not painful but if held in the same position for enough time, my muscles will protest.
"What-"
He pushed my body with his own, advancing on me like a tiger on a prowl, his eyes glinting dangerously; his nose red otherwise unaffected as he took one forceful step after another.
My back slammed on the wall, officially cornering me when he brought his other hand and gripped my throat.
My heart pounded a mile a minute threatening to throw itself up through my throat. A small drop of sweat trickled from my temple.
My chest brushed his but he didn't seem to notice. Adrenaline is surging through both of them caused by my unexpected violence.
I was ashamed to have lifted my hand but after his goading I wasn't able to control my reaction. And now I may have to face the consequences.
Pranks and verbal sparring are fine at their place but I don't know this man. He has openly announced to be part of the mafia- a place where killing is part of their daily life. What if he kills me for my insolence?
Perhaps, it's time to try to control my mouth before it can land me into more trouble. I have to be wary. I should have been. But attraction (more like lust) has gotten the better of me.
It is then he started putting pressure with his fingers on my throat. My throat constricted, I could feel the lack of air in my lungs.
Human bodies are susceptible to the danger and when thrust into one they follow the instinct ingrained into their muscles.
My hands struggled in his hold to be freed. My throat worked up and down. I tried to move my neck to loosen his hold. I never thought he could hurt me. Even now, when he is holding my lifeline in his hand, I don't think he will do real damage.
Yet, my body struggled, trying to shift out of his hold. Black spots danced before my eyes making bright shards in the rest of my vision. I blinked to clear my head. My mouth failed to work.
Suddenly, his grip loosened yet he didn't remove his hand from the column of my neck.
Fearing the repeat performance, I brought my foot forward to kick him in the cap of his knee. Unfortunately, he predicted it before I could take a swing and with a low growl he said through gritted teeth, "do it and see what happens."
I glared with my eyes sending silent death threats hoping he will choke on it.
"Ah... I can see rebellion forming in your eyes. Try it Mrs. Salvatore and this time I won't control myself," he stepped back from my body finally releasing me.
I rubbed my neck with my right hand guilt tripping him into regretting his actions. His eyes tracked my hand, his lips thinning.
"I didn't ask to be cheated on. I didn't ask to remain married. If you can disregard our vows so easily no matter in what circumstances we took them in, what's the use of continuing with this charade? I told you already Mr. Salvatore. I couldn't abide by these rules where you could do whatever you want while I stand like a good-looking doll."
"What are you implying?"
"Either you promise fidelity or I too get to enjoy the same rules as you."
"Noo!!! You would not think of flirting with other men. I forbade it."
"Then I demand equal rights!"
Vitali snickered as he looked me up and down as if looking for the first time.
"Do you know Mrs. Salvatore, when you bring a pet to your home, you feed it, you bath it, you even play with it. That doesn't make it one of your family member. In the end, it still remains your pet- leashed and groomed to get entertained."
"Say it clearly what you have to say Mr. Salvatore. I didn't take you of a man who likes riddles"
"You are my pet, my firecracker. I get to groom you, play with you, even feed you. But that doesn't mean you get to start demands of your own"
"You!" I advanced towards him no doubt to scratch his eyeballs but he might have guessed it from my body language because the next thing I know, my back is to his front as he snaked my waist with his hand and pinned my hands closer to my torso with his other one.
His breath tickled the edge of my ear as he brought his nose near the base of my neck and slightly nuzzled it.
"You forget Mrs. Salvatore. It was not I who ruined someone's life. I was not I who sabotaged someone's wedding. I wonder... was it really such a coincidence?"
"What are you... what are you implying?"
"If you haven't noticed, I got money. And looking at your meagre wardrobe and your Visa problem, you got none. May be your plan to marry has another step I don't know about? May be, you purposefully sought me out, singling me for your grand scheme?" He whispered right over my ear sending tingles through my body.
"Are you accusing me? I said it was a pure coincidence," I tried to turn, to look into his eyes but couldn't shift an inch.
"On the contrary, all the evidences suggest otherwise"
"How could you?" I scoffed at his ridiculous claim. What is he talking about? Aren't I the one who should be angry?
"How couldn't I? With just few strategic moves you placed firmly in my life Mrs. Salvatore. I would say, a job well done."
"You couldn't be thinking what I'm guessing. I'm not a gold digger," I spat the words as if they burned my tongue.
"Then what are you? Not a single tear shed from your eyes since you learned the reality of our marriage. Not a single call went through your phone to your roommate who was supposed to be your accomplice in all this. In fact, you are ready to lounge away in the bedroom and get pampered through my maids. Now, tell me Mrs. Salvatore, aren't I right in accusing you? Aren't I right in finding my solace in the woman who has been the real victim in all this? The woman whose place you took, the woman about whom you never asked. Forget about an honest apology to her. Why should I care about the feelings of some selfish woman who doesn't see beyond her needs?"
I don't have anything to say. What he said was in fact true. Every single bit of it. I didn't even try to escape. Instead, I settled right in as if it was the plan all along. How could he not doubt me? I would doubt myself if it happens to someone else.
But their is one truth to all this doubt that he can't ignore.
"Because I'm your wife."