"St-stay where you are," I extended my hand as if to ward him off. His upper lip curled at my raised hand.
"Or else what?" He stomped my way until my raised hand touched the lapels of his coat. It's silk smooth texture couldn't hid the hard muscles laying underneath it. Even now, after listening to his accusations and waiting for his judgement, I feel my body react to his nearness.
What is wrong with me?
My cheeks heated yet I held stern, fear and anger mixing inside me until I'm afraid they might burst through my chest.
"Mr. Salvatore, we could talk this in a civilised way"
Gosh!! Why would I say that? There is nothing civilised about him. Neither in his mannerism nor in his appearance. Even with all the glint and gleam of his suit that he adorned, there is a rugged roughness to him that is hard to conceal.
Like a roughened wood that even when chomped, chiseled and cut to make a decorative piece doesn't lose its wildness, Vitali Salvatore also doesn't lose his dangerous aura under that so-called sophistication.
"So, cheating me, ruining my life is civilised for you Mrs. Salvatore?"
"Please Mr. Salvatore. I already told you-"
"Enough!! This is going nowhere. Now, do what I say Mrs. Salvatore. My patience is running thin"
I once again gripped my clothes, fisting them in my hands tightly.
"N-n-no"
"That's it! You either strip and lay on that bed right this minute or you wouldn't like the consequences Mrs. Salvatore"
"What? Getting confused which option to choose Mr. Salvatore?"
My lips formed the words before I could process them. It's like it is having its own show.
"You mean whether to hit, to rape or to kill you? What makes you think I won't do all three?"
My face blanched, color draining from it.
"Or I could torture you endless. All those possibilities..."
His voice trailed away as he scrutinised my face for god knows what. The tension in the air is so thick that you could feel it like a living, breathing thing, caressing my skin and creating goosebumps in its wake. I can literally choke on it.
"Or I could turn you to the law. After all, what you conspired with your friend is illegal. What do you say Mrs. Salvatore? Do you want a new jewellery to adorn your wrists?"
He cocked his right eyebrow trying to garner some reaction out of me.
"Ille... illegal? You know it's not like that. Why would you-"
He cut my words before I can finish replying, "why won't I? What have you done for me? Are you someone I shall protect? Who are you to me? Let me tell you Mrs. Salvatore, nothing. You are nothing to me but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy tormenting you."
I grit my teeth at the vehemence in his voice. The amount of loathing in his tone doesn't match the mistake I unknowingly committed. Why can't he see it was a genuine mistake? Or doesn't he want to see?
"You wouldn't."
"Won't I?"
Doubt flickered inside my heart. But then, I squared my shoulders, strengthening my stance and replied, "yes. I'm sure. You won't involve police in your personal matters. Aren't you the Capi? What will your Capo's think of it if they find out? And they will!! And not to forget your involvement with the underworld. You yourself informed about it to me openly. Who's to stop me from giving testimony against you? You think I won't. But I will. What do I have to lose?"
My chin couldn't be anymore higher. My nails made small mountains on my palms as I fisted them for all they are worth. I widened my eyes to not let the wetness gathered in them to fall. I WON'T cry before him. No. I won't give him the satisfaction of reading my thoughts.
The brightness of the light hurt my eyes as I tried hard to keep my tears at bay yet a single drop fell from my left eye.
It didn't go unnoticed as he watched its descend in fascination. The mere inches that separate us became too far yet too close for me. I don't know whether to borrow on his chest or slap him until he leaves this nonsense behind us.
Was it just yesterday I was convincing myself to settle here?
"You have done your homework Mrs. Salvatore or perhaps you know about this already? Somewhere from the past?" His lips barely moved yet I could feel the anger emitting from his every pore like hot, smouldering heat that is blowing directly over my face.
My brows furrowed in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" I asked in bewilderment. No doubt he must have drunk something weird before coming here.
He cocked his head sideways staring hard at me. Staring. Always gazing at me. I squirmed where I stood, my knees knocking each other.
"Very well. We don't involve the law. For now. That doesn't mean I can't use that option Mrs. Salvatore. I very well can and I don't give a fuck if anyone finds out about it. Because you mean nothing to me. Do you understand?"
"Why tie me down then!"
"I won't repeat myself Mrs. Salvatore."
"What do you want from me?" I shouted my emotions mounting over the top.
"You will find out soon. Since you refused to do what I told you, be ready to face the consequences."
With that he turned and exit the room. Pretty soon, the revving up of the engine and screeching of the tyres sounded outside the window facing the house entrance.
He left. To visit her home.
I don't know how to feel about that. I don't know where to start to process it even if I want to. It's all mucked up mess.
What is he going to do? What does he mean I will soon find out?
My thoughts reflected on my sleep as restlessness gripped me and refused to let go. The next day I was on pins and needles the whole day, jerking at smallest sounds, my heart prattling in my throat all the while.
What are his plans? My mind couldn't rest even if I want to stop for a second.
It's not until the clock stuck 9 and he entered the room once again this time in a new, crisp suit as if he is going somewhere that I realised he is really going to punish me.
"Wear this and come downstairs. Be ready in ten minutes. I don't have time. We have to leave," he said in a flat voice, his eyes blank, the rage that nested yesterday surprisingly absent tonight.
His calm more than anything worried me. Before I can question him further he countered, "unless you want to pile up your punishments, I would suggest you to not cross me and do as I say."
He didn't wait for my reply as he marched toward the door.
My hands trembling I touched the silky material on the bed, my teeth sinking into my lower lip in worry. Should I do as he orders?
Do I want to?
No.
Do I have a choice?
I could refuse but something in me niggled, whispering to chose my battles with care. What's the harm in wearing a dress?
If things start to bother me, I could really refuse to do it. For all his words, he has not yet raised his hand on me. That fact rather than anything soothed my worry.
With a deep sigh, I lifted the dress to myself not knowing I'm going to do something that will be marked permanently on my soul. Something that would be etched on my memories forever.