LINA
My mood worsens during the private elevator ride to Bruno's penthouse suite located in one of the most expensive condominiums in the city.
Of course the man lives on the top floor,I think,he wouldn't settle for anything else.
Bruno doesn't dare say anything but just enters the pass code.The ride is agonisingly slow making me cross my arms impatiently.I hated to be alone with Bruno in such a small space for so many seconds.Especially when I feel his intense stare on me the whole way.
When the doors pings open,I can't help but be the first one to step out into his penthouse.
At this point Bruno's wealth should not come as a surprise to me but I am taken aback all the same.I pause,awed by the minimalistic architecture, handmade pieces of furniture and beautiful views of the city that could be seen in the living room area.
"Home, sweet home,"Bruno says,moving past me."Make yourself comfortable,precious. "
I want to ask him to please stop calling me that but I haven't found my voice yet.Instead I meekly follow him into the sitting area slowly.
There we are greeted by a thin and short middle aged woman with a severe expression standing in the middle of the room with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Welcome home,sir.And Ma'am, "she adds while looking at me.
"How are you doing,Anna?"asks Bruno politely.
"I'm perfectly fine sir,thank you,"she says,bowing her head slightly.
"Lina,this is my live-in housekeeper,Anna and Anna this is Miss Adelina Rivera."
"Pleasure to meet you Ma'am,"she says stepping towards me and reaching out a hand.
I can't help but notice that her face reveals none of that pleasure she feels on meeting me.
I'm starting to think that everyone in Bruno's life hates me.Nevertheless,I shake her small hand before letting go quickly.
I'm not a fan of anyone who works for Bruno even if she probably doesn't know of the circumstances that brought me to this place.
"I'm sure you're already aware that Miss Rivera will be staying with us from now on,"he says for her to nod quickly."I trust that you will treat her well."
"Of course sir,without out a doubt,"she replies smoothly.
"I can show her around now if she wants,"says Anna,quick to do her Boss's bidding.
"No ,thanks,"I tell her quickly."I'm really tired right now.Maybe tomorrow,"I suggest for her to frown a bit.
"I understand Ma'am,"she tells me with a once more polite expression. "Would you like something to eat though?"she says,giving pleasing her boss another chance.
"No thanks.I'm tired and jet lagged and would really just like some to freshen up and get some rest," I tell her.
"We're starving Anna,Is there somethingwe could ear?"Bruno asks her,like I didn't just say anything.
"Yes.There is some soup in the refrigerator.If you want it,it will take a couple of minutes to heat up,"she says to Bruno with a smile and completely ignoring me.
Now I really don't like this woman.It's clear to me is that all she gives a damn about is pleasing her boss.
"Perfect,"Bruno says."But we will have it only after we've freshened up.Have you unpacked Miss Rivera's clothes?"
"Yes,sir.They are neatly arranged in the closet in your room,"she says.
"Okay.Thank you,Anna.You can go to sleep.Lina and I will manage by ourselves."
"Alright.I'll see you in the morning then.Good night,"she says to us,Bruno in particular.
"You too Anna,"Bruno says as she dissapears in the hallway.
I shoot Bruno a scathing look,pissed at him and his housekeeper.How could they just ignore me? I didn't want to eat.
All I want is to freshen up and then cry myself to sleep.
Wait a minute.Where the hell will I be sleeping?Where are they keeping my stuff?
I gasp out loud,quickly forgetting about what I was going to say to Bruno.
I had a bigger concerns.
"Why did your sycophantic housekeeper say that she unpacked my clothes in your bedroom?"I say, slowly moving to stand infront of him.
"Because that's where you'll be sleeping,"he says in a way that tells me it should be painfully obvious to me.
And it should.But it's not.
"N-no,"I tell him from the bottom of my heart.
I absolutely cannot sleep in the same room as this man.I can't,especially after what happened earlier.
"I didn't ask,"he says while pretending to think.
"There must be other rooms for me to sleep in.This place is huge,"I says reasonably,gesturing wildly with my hands.
"I'm aware, " he informs me."But you're sleeping with me tonight and every night after that,"he says while looking at me with those deceptive brown eyes.
I gulp when I think about what he is proposing.
How can I keep up my determination to keep Bruno out of my heart and my body, If I sleep in the same bed with him?It's not going to be possible.
It's not happening.
"Y-you promised that you wouldn't touch me,Bruno"I point out to him desperately.
"I said that I wouldn't do it without your consent,"he corrects me.
"Anyway,since you're sure you'll never let me lay a finger on you,you should not have to worry about us sleeping in the same room,right?"he asks.
I lick my lips, panicky, but I become even more nervous when he starts to get in my face,intimidating me a little more.
"Yes but..."I start only to be cut off swiftly.
"No buts,Lina.It's decided.We are roomies from now on,"he declares.
The next second he grabs my hand and says."Let me show you our new room before we freshen up.We will eat right after ."
Without so much as another word,he pulls me by my hand towards our new room.
As he leads me by the hand,I reck my brains,wondering how I could get out of this.
Several hallways later,I find myself infront of a room with a mahogany door.
Bruno let's go of my hand so that he can open the door.That's when I strike.
When he leasts expects it,I push his huge bulk with all my might.
It catches him by surprise and he staggers backward.As he does this,I push open the door and shut it as quickly as I can before locking it.
As I lean against it,breathing heavily,Bruno tries to open it,only to find out that he can't.
I just have to laugh out loud.,thinking about how angry he must look.
"What are you doing, Lina?"He asks through gritted teeth.
"Getting my own room,"I say to him with my smile.
"You can't do this,Lina,"he says.
"Just did, "I tell him."I'm not going to sleep in the same room as you let alone take a shower."
"Okay,but where do you expect me to sleep and shower?"he asks me.
"I don't know.I'm sure you'll figure something out.You have a guest bedroom somewhere, right?"I ask but the truth is that I don't really care.
He deserves this and more for what he is doing to me.I don't feel guilty at all.
"Lina,If you don't open this door right now..."
The sound of a phone ringing cuts off Bruno's ranting,thank God.
It is not my ringtone so I guess that it must be Bruno's phone that is ringing.
"I'm going to take this call but I will be back.This door better be open when I do,"he tells me before I hear him walks away.
I respond by snorting loudly,like a lady.
"Not fucking like likely,"I say quietly.
I don't know where he is going and I don't care.He is gone and that's what matters.
And If he comes back,I am still not opening that door.Not even if he begs,pleads,yells or demands.
For tonight and every night that I'm forced to stay with him, if I can manage it,this is my room only.
Now I can shower and get some sleep,I think turning from the door and towards the room.
I glance around it in distate.
It feels like I'm in a huge villain's lair instead of a bedroom.
Everything here is the colour of death.
From the sidetable,the nightstands,the chaise lounge and even the comforters on the bed.It is all black.
And there were no pictures or personal touches to be seen anywhere.
It's just a cold existence,I think, shaking my head.
A small and stupid part of me kind of wants to change everything immediately ,for him.
I absolutely hate the idea of him living in this darkness.
'There you go again,Lina,sympathising with the enemy,'I berate myself.
Stop it already.None of this is your concern.You are leaving Bruno's life soon.
I should just stick to the plan and not bother myself about anything else,I think,nodding to myself like a crazy person.
With a bit of effort(okay,a lot of effort),I manage to turn my thoughts away from Bruno and towards the current situation.
Now that I had successfully gotten rid of Bruno,I should shower quickly and get to bed.
His bed.
I wonder if It smells like him.Like if I go take a whiff of that pillow will his...
"Okay,stop it!"I yell, at myself.
I am so loosing it,I think,while pursing my lips.
I should get some sleep before I do any other crazy things.
Where the hell are my clothes? I wonder before franctically looking around the room and spotting what seems like a walk-in closet.
Great.