When Lucas returned home, he noticed Ms. Thomson preparing to head out with an apple pie. He knew it was for the Bennetts'and couldn't resist the pull to see Dimitri up close again. Lucas approached her with his usual charm.
"Ms. Thomson, is that for the Bennetts'?" he asked, feigning casual interest.
Ms. Thomson smiled warmly. "Yes, it is. I thought I'd bring them something nice. They've been through a lot lately."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully. "Would you mind if I took it over for you? I've been meaning to meet them properly. It would be a good opportunity."
Ms. Thomson looked at him with a hint of surprise but nodded. "That's very kind of you, Lucas. Thank you. Just be polite and respectful."
Lucas took the pie from her, feeling a surge of anticipation. The Bennetts' mansion was an imposing structure, much larger and grander than the Morton residence. As he walked down the long driveway, lined with meticulously trimmed hedges and ornate iron gates, he couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size and opulence of the place. The mansion loomed ahead, a sprawling estate with multiple wings, tall windows, and a grand entrance framed by marble columns.
When he reached the Bennetts' front door, he took a moment to compose himself before knocking. The heavy oak door, adorned with intricate carvings, opened to reveal Mrs. Bennett, Dimitri's aunt. She was a striking woman in her late forties, with sharp features softened by a kind smile. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and she wore a tailored dress that spoke of elegance and refinement.
"Hello, Mrs. Bennett. Ms. Thomson made this pie for you," Lucas said, holding up the pie with a polite smile.
Mrs. Bennett beamed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's so thoughtful of her. Thank you, Lucas. Would you like to come in for a moment?"
Lucas accepted the invitation, stepping into the house. He glanced around, noting the luxurious decor. The foyer was expansive, with a high ceiling and a chandelier that sparkled with countless crystals. A grand staircase with a polished wooden banister curved gracefully to the upper floors. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork and family portraits, and the air was filled with the faint scent of fresh flowers.
"Please, follow me to the kitchen," Mrs. Bennett said, leading him through the house. The floors were a polished hardwood, and Lucas could hear his own footsteps echoing slightly in the vast space. They passed through a sitting room filled with plush furniture and a library with towering bookshelves before reaching the kitchen.
The kitchen was a chef's dream, with gleaming countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, and a large island in the center. Lucas placed the pie on the counter, feeling slightly out of place in such an opulent setting.
"Dimitri is in the living room, resting," Mrs. Bennett said, her voice tinged with concern. "He's had a rough couple of days."
Lucas nodded, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. "I'd like to see him if that's alright."
Mrs. Bennett hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Of course. Just be gentle with him. He's still recovering."
Lucas walked to the living room, where he found Dimitri lying on a large, comfortable couch, looking pale and fragile. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The furniture was elegant, with soft, inviting fabrics, and a large fireplace added warmth and coziness.
"Dimitri," Lucas said softly, approaching the couch.
Dimitri looked up, his eyes widening in surprise and fear. "Lucas... what are you doing here?"
Lucas forced a smile, trying to appear friendly. "I brought over a pie from Ms. Thomson. I wanted to see how you were doing."
Despite his apparent fear, Dimitri couldn't hide the excitement that flickered in his eyes. "I'm... I'm okay. Just resting."
Lucas sat down in a chair across from him, studying Dimitri's face. The bruises and cuts were still visible, a stark reminder of their violent encounter. "I'm glad to hear that. If you need anything, let me know."
Dimitri nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Lucas. There was a tension in the air, a silent understanding of the power dynamics between them.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Dimitri shifted slightly and spoke. "Do you want to come to my room? It's more comfortable there."
Lucas's eyebrows raised slightly, but he nodded. "Sure, if you're up for it."
Dimitri stood up carefully, wincing a bit as he moved. He led Lucas through the grand hallways of the mansion, passing more opulent rooms filled with art and antiques. Finally, they reached Dimitri's bedroom, which was large and elegantly furnished. The room had a large bed with a plush comforter, a desk with books and papers strewn about, and a window seat overlooking the expansive gardens.
"Make yourself comfortable," Dimitri said, sitting on the edge of his bed.
Lucas took a seat in a nearby armchair, taking in his surroundings. "Nice room," he commented, his eyes scanning the details.
Dimitri nodded. "Thanks. It's quiet up here. I like it."
There was a moment of silence before Dimitri spoke again, his voice softer. "Why did you really come, Lucas?"
Lucas met his gaze, a small smile playing on his lips. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. And... I guess I was curious."
Dimitri's eyes held a mix of emotions—fear, curiosity, and something else Lucas couldn't quite place. "Well, here I am."
Lucas's smile widened slightly, a glint of something dark in his eyes. "Here you are."
Lucas stood up from the armchair and walked over to the bed, sitting down beside Dimitri. He reached out and gently took Dimitri's face in his hands, tilting it to inspect the bruises and cuts. His touch was soft, almost tender, but his eyes held a cold, calculating look, an early sign of his growing psychopathy.
"Does it hurt?" Lucas asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dimitri swallowed hard, his breath hitching. "A little."
Lucas's fingers traced the edges of the bruises, his touch lingering. "You know, Dimitri, you look almost... beautiful like this. Vulnerable."
Dimitri's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of something like amusement crossing his face. He smirked slightly, despite the fear in his eyes. "You think so?"
Lucas's hand paused, his thumb brushing over Dimitri's lips. "Yes. There's something about seeing you like this that... excites me."
Dimitri's smirk grew, even as his eyes reflected intrigue. "You're messed up, Lucas."
Lucas's smile turned cold. "Maybe. But you like it, don't you?"
Dimitri's smirk faltered, his eyes searching Lucas's face. "What do you want from me?"
Lucas leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I want you to remember this feeling. The fear, the pain. I want you to know that I can make it stop or make it worse. It's your choice."
Dimitri's breath quickened, his eyes locked on Lucas's. "You're insane."
Lucas chuckled softly, the sound chilling. "Maybe. But I'm in control. Remember that."
Dimitri's smirk returned, bolder this time. "You know, for someone who pretends to be in control, you seem pretty desperate to come here and remind me."
Lucas's eyes darkened, his grip on Dimitri's chin tightening slightly. "Desperate? No, Dimitri. This is just a reminder. I don't need to prove anything to you. I already know how this ends."
Dimitri's eyes flickered with fear, but he held his ground. "And how does it end, Lucas?"
Lucas's smile widened, a chilling promise in his eyes. "With you knowing your place."
Dimitri swallowed hard, his bravado fading. "And if I don't?"
Lucas leaned in, their faces inches apart. "Then you'll see just how far I'm willing to go."
There was a tense silence, the air thick with unspoken threats. Dimitri's breathing was shallow, his fear palpable. Lucas finally released his grip, standing up and stepping back.
Lucas walked to the window, looking out at the expansive gardens. "You know, I often see you watching me from here. It's almost like you're obsessed."
Dimitri's eyes followed Lucas as he moved around the room, but he said nothing. Lucas continued his inspection, wandering around the room with a calculated air, opening drawers and inspecting shelves. He found a drawer with various weapons, including a small knife. Lucas's eyes lit up with a dark glee as he picked it up.
Dimitri watched him, tension evident in his posture, but he didn't stop Lucas. Lucas returned to the bed, knife in hand. He used it to carefully cut open Dimitri's shirt, exposing the bruises and cuts on his torso.
"Let's see the rest of the damage," Lucas murmured, his voice filled with a twisted curiosity.
Dimitri shivered under Lucas's touch, a mix of fear and something else in his eyes. "You really are a psychopath," he whispered.
Lucas smiled, tracing the edge of a particularly nasty bruise with the tip of the knife. "Maybe. But you intrigue me, Dimitri. And I think you like this more than you'd admit."
Dimitri's breath hitched, but he didn't respond. Lucas leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Dimitri's lips. He paused, their faces inches apart, and then gently touched Dimitri's lips with his thumb.
"Remember, Dimitri. I can make it stop or make it worse. It's all up to you."
Dimitri's breath quickened as Lucas's thumb brushed against his lips. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the sound of their breathing. Lucas's eyes, cold and calculating, held Dimitri's gaze with an unsettling intensity.
"You enjoy this, don't you?" Lucas whispered, a dark smile playing on his lips. "The fear, the pain. It's like a game to you."
Dimitri's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—fear, defiance, and something more primal. "You're the one who's enjoying it, Lucas. You're the one who gets off on control."
Lucas chuckled softly, the sound chilling. "Probably. But at least I'm honest about it."
Dimitri's smirk returned, though it was strained. "Honest? Is that what you call this?"
Lucas leaned back slightly, the knife still in his hand. He traced the blade lightly over Dimitri's chest, not cutting but applying enough pressure to make Dimitri flinch. "I call it understanding our dynamic. You see, Dimitri, you need me as much as I need you."
Dimitri's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think that?"
Lucas's smile widened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Because without me, you're just a broken boy in a big house. But with me, you have a purpose. A role to play."
Dimitri's expression hardened. "And what role is that?"
Lucas leaned in close again, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The role of my willing victim. My partner in this twisted dance."
Dimitri's breath hitched, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination. "You're sick."
Lucas's smile turned predatory. "But you're not so different, are you?"
Dimitri didn't respond, his eyes locked on Lucas's. The tension between them was palpable, a charged current that neither could ignore. Lucas, still holding the knife, let it trail down to Dimitri's stomach, tracing the muscles there with a feather-light touch.
"You know," Lucas murmured, "it's fascinating how the human body reacts to fear. The way your skin tightens, the way your pulse races. It's beautiful."
Dimitri shivered under Lucas's touch, his fear evident but mixed with something else—an undeniable intrigue. "You're enjoying this too much, Lucas."
Lucas's eyes darkened, his grip on the knife tightening slightly. "And so are you, Dimitri. Don't pretend you're not."
Dimitri's breath quickened, his eyes never leaving Lucas's. "What do you want from me?"
Lucas leaned in even closer, their faces inches apart. "I want your obedience. Your submission. I want you to understand that I am in control, and you are mine to command."
Dimitri's eyes flickered with defiance, but he didn't move. "And if I refuse?"
Lucas's smile was cold and calculating. "Then you'll see just how creative I can get."
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken threats and dark promises. Dimitri finally looked away, his defiance faltering under Lucas's unwavering gaze.
"Good," Lucas murmured, releasing Dimitri's face and stepping back. "Remember, Dimitri. You're mine now."
Dimitri watched as Lucas placed the knife back in the drawer, his body tense and eyes wary. Lucas turned to leave, but paused at the door, looking back with a dark, satisfied smile.
"Take care, Dimitri," he said, his voice soft but filled with an underlying menace. "I'll see you soon."
As he headed to his room, Lucas's mind was already working on his next steps. Dimitri was a puzzle, a challenge, and Lucas was determined to stay one step ahead. The stakes were higher now, and he relished the challenge.As Lucas was about to leave, he saw Mrs. Bennet waiting by the door. Shifting effortlessly into his innocent demeanor, he gave her a warm smile. "Thank you for letting me visit, Mrs. Bennet. I hope Dimitri's feeling better."
Mrs. Bennet returned his smile, though it was tight and forced. "It was no trouble at all, Lucas. I'm glad you could come."
As Lucas turned to head out, Mrs. Bennet slipped a folded note into his hand. Her grip was brief, but her eyes flickered with a hint of unease before she quickly masked it with a bright smile.
"Just a little something for you," she said, her voice steady but betraying a subtle hint of nervousness.
Lucas glanced at the note but didn't open it. "Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. I'll read it later."
With that, Lucas left the mansion, unaware that Dimitri was standing in the shadows of the grand staircase, observing with an emotionless expression, showing no sign of discomfort from his injuries. Dimitri's rigid posture and detached gaze went unnoticed by Lucas as he made his way home.