"Fuck you, Ace!" she spat through gritted teeth and was about to storm out when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back with so much force that she stumbled and fell on top of him.
She was startled.
When she looked up, he was already staring with the usual powerful intensity, so strong that she froze.
She was very conscious of how close they were, but for some reason couldn't do anything about it.
She could feel his arousal pressing against her thigh and could feel his heart beating fast... or maybe that was hers.
"I find your attitude sexy. The fact that you don't allow anyone to boss you around turns me on" he paused, "Other times I find it freaking annoying how you're always trying to impose your power on me."
She was more concentrated on their position… Her hands were flat on his broad chest, his face was some inches below hers,
Was it bad to be feeling lustful feelings at a time like this?
"You're not Nicholas Gambino's daughter anymore, and we're certainly not under your dad's roof.
You're Don Ace Smith's wife, My wife. And as far as that marriage certificate which we signed is still valid, I'm in charge, I'm the dominant one here".
Her lips arched upward in disapproval.
"Meaning what? I'm the sub? Does this look like some sexual relationship to you?"
He reached out to stroke her head, but she flinched away.
"If the shoe fits..."
"I'm not doing that shit with you. If you think I'll be like all those submissive girlfriends of yours, then think again! I work on my own rules. And if we're going to live together peacefully, then you'll have to learn to act according to them and give me my share of respect"
She pressed against his chest to stand up, but he tightened his grip on her wrist and pulled her back.
"You weren't listening, Love" he smirked.
"You've forgotten that your father's life is still in my hands."
Her eyes went wide with horror.
"All it'll take is one phone call and you can wish your beloved old man goodbye forever... That of course is just an imaginary picture. Cause me trouble and I'll make sure it becomes a reality" he warned in a husky tone that sent fear rolling through her.
She was confused though.
Who exactly was this man?
Less than an hour ago he was telling... assuring her that she could trust and rely on him.
Was she supposed to trust someone who wouldn't even think twice to kill the only family member she had left?
"Surely you wouldn't want to put his life at risk."
She grinded her teeth.
"I hate you, Ace Smith, I fucking hate you so much."
She roughly tore her hands out of his iron grip and stomped upstairs carrying a million emotions with her.
She didn't stop until she was inside her room, alone and with no one else to bother her.
She closed the door behind her and headed for the wardrobe.
She took out the pack of sanitary pads and removed the bag of the pea-sized multi-colored pills.
She dropped the sanitary pad back in its position and went to her bed.
When she opened it and took one out, she was hesitant to take it.
She studied the purple pill in between her fingers, so small and so harmless looking.
Could what he said about these things be true, were they taking more from her than what they were giving her?
All the motivational lectures he had given her were now clouding her judgment, and she was now hesitant to trust even a pill of something that had been helping her for as long as she could remember.
But it was the only way to make it all go away.
The pain, the hurt, the memories, the dark thoughts...
She picked up her phone.
"Maybe talking to someone she trusted would help," she thought but as she scrolled through the contacts, she realized that everyone might be busy. So, she called the only person she knew would answer.
The phone rang and rang countlessly without an answer.
She hung up.
Even Zara disappointed her.
She set it aside, placed the pill in her mouth, and lay back on the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, she couldn't help but think that life had been very harsh on her, this probably being the harshest lesson it could have taught her.
It brought someone into her life, someone with sugar-coated lips that actually made her think she could trust him.
She placed another pill in her mouth.
She thought that he was being sincere, that he wouldn't break her trust...
She placed yet another pill in her mouth.
That he was different and was nothing like the others who had done the same to her...
She took another one,
Clearly, she was wrong. When was she ever going to learn her lesson...
She took another one.
She should have never been so vulnerable to believing some cheap insincere lines from his Playboy handbook...
She swallowed another one.
They were all the same. She should have understood that by now...
And another
Aunt Bianca, Uncle Philip, Uncle Anthony, Kyle, Jenner... even her mum. The worst part was that they were all family...
She coughed and swallowed another one.
If even your own family members could betray your trust in them, what hope was there that a stranger who had forced you into a lifelong agreement wouldn't do worse?
A drop of tear escaped from her eye.
She closed the bag, slipped it under her pillow, and folded herself into a fetal position.
She became drowsy and lightheaded.
Sweat glistened her head. And as they escaped her body, she felt lighter and lighter.
Everything including sound around her became a blur.
She could hear her heart beating, her breathing loud and heavy, the faint whisper of air now barely audible.
Her eyelids began drooping over her eyes, each one bringing her closer and closer into the empty space of sleep.
She stopped fighting and allowed it to win and transport her into the dark, serene, numb clutches of Peace.
************************************************
Funny how guilt and regret work hand-in-hand with each other.
Don has learned that firsthand.
His throat burned. And not from the alcohol which was remaining less than half a quarter of the bottle, but from saying all that to her.
His intention was not to hurt her, it was just to set the impression that he wasn't going weak for a gorgeously beautiful lady. Even though he knew he was.
The hurt, shock, and confusion that swam through her eyes when he threatened her father again would haunt him forever.
On his way to his room, he approached her door. He lifted his hand to knock but paused before his fingers reached the wooden material it was made of.
He folded his hand into a fist and dropped it to his side.
Some time away from him and toxicity would be best for her.
He went to his room, discarded the bottle, and lay on his bed.
If he hadn't said all that shit, he would have been able to convince her to come to bed with him.
Even if it weren't for sex, he would have been happy to just hold her in his arms all through the night.
But