I could feel my pulse quickening, the sound of my heartbeat so loud in my ears that it drowned out everything else.
He was too close, too close for me to think clearly. His cologne, rich and dark, invaded my senses, the scent intoxicating, and it made my knees weak in a way I hated.
I wanted to step back, to put distance between us, but I knew better than to show any weakness.
Bruno watched me for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing as if he could see the battle raging inside me. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile, a smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
"I just needed space to collect my thoughts. I'll soon go back inside" I said quickly.
"Space," he repeated, the word rolling off his tongue slowly. "That's an interesting choice, Maria. But you should know by now, there is no space between us. You can't run from what you are, from who you are…"
I swallowed hard, my fists clenching at my sides.
"And what am I, Bruno? What exactly have you decided that I am?"
He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath on my skin, sending chills racing down my arms.
"Mine," he whispered, the word sinking deep into my core like a knife. "You're mine, Maria. You always have been. You always will be."
I wanted to scream, to shout at him that he was wrong, that I didn't belong to anyone, but the words wouldn't come. Somewhere along the line, I had become his, whether I wanted to admit it or not.
"You don't own me," I forced out, my voice weak but defiant. "I'm not one of your possessions, Bruno."
His smile widened slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Is that what you think? That I see you as some possession? No, Maria, you're far more than that. You're an extension of me. My other half."
The air felt heavier now, thick with the tension between us. I couldn't look away from him, even though every instinct in me screamed to run. But where would I go? He had already made it clear there was no escaping this, escaping him.
"You're wrong," I said, my voice trembling with the effort it took to stand my ground. "I'll never be what you want me to be."
Bruno's eyes darkened, a dangerous edge creeping into his expression.
"You already are, Maria. You just don't realize it yet."
His words settled into my bones like a sickness, twisting everything inside me. I wanted to argue, to deny what he was saying, but there was a terrifying part of me that knew he was right.
Bruno reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek, and despite myself, I flinched at the touch. His eyes narrowed at the movement, but he didn't pull away.
"Do you really think you can resist this forever?" he asked softly, his fingers trailing down the side of my face, leaving a burning sensation in their wake. "Do you really think you can fight me?"
My heart hammered in my chest as I struggled to hold on to the last shred of defiance I had left.
"I won't give in," I whispered, though the words felt hollow, even to me.
Bruno's smile returned, this time darker, more dangerous.
"We'll see about that."
His hand dropped away from my face, and the loss of his touch sent a strange, conflicting wave of relief and disappointment through me.
I hated it, hated that I had come to crave something I should despise. But that was Bruno. He was poison wrapped in allure, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fully shake the hold he had on me.
"You're coming with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Where?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, though I could feel the anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface.
It was always like this with him, never knowing what he would demand next, never knowing what I was walking into.
His gaze locked onto mine, and there was a flicker of something I couldn't quite place, something that made my stomach twist with unease.
"We're going for a drive. You could use a reminder of why you're still here."
Every alarm in my head went off at once. A reminder? That couldn't be good. I had learned the hard way that Bruno's lessons were never gentle, never easy. But what choice did I have? If I resisted, if I fought him, it would only make things worse.
And as much as I hated to admit it, a part of me was curious. What exactly did Bruno think I needed to be reminded of?
I didn't have time to argue, anyway. Before I could voice any more protest, Bruno had turned and started walking back toward the mansion, his posture rigid, every step confident and assured. He knew I would follow. He knew I had no choice.
Reluctantly, I followed him, my heart thudding in my chest as we walked in silence toward the waiting car parked just outside the gates. The driver, a man whose name I didn't know but who had become a familiar face in Bruno's entourage, stood by the door, waiting for us.
Bruno didn't say a word as he opened the door and gestured for me to get in. I hesitated for just a moment, my gaze flickering between him and the car.
With a resigned sigh, I climbed into the backseat, sliding across the leather upholstery. Bruno followed, sitting beside me, his presence filling the small space with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.
The door shut behind us with a soft click, and the driver slid into the front seat, starting the engine with a low rumble.
We pulled away from the mansion in silence, the city lights blurring into streaks of gold and white as we sped down the road.
"So, where are we going?" I asked, breaking the tense silence that had settled between us.
Bruno didn't look at me, his gaze fixed out the window.
"You'll see."
I hated that answer. I hated the way it left me in the dark, the way it kept me on edge. But that was how Bruno operated, always keeping me guessing, always making sure I never felt completely at ease. It was part of his game, part of the control he exerted over every aspect of my life.
The car drove on, taking us farther from the city center and into an area I didn't recognize. The streets were quieter here, the buildings older, more worn down. I glanced out the window, trying to get my bearings, but nothing looked familiar.
"Bruno, what is this?" I asked, my voice sharper now, the anxiety rising in my chest. "Where are we going?"
He finally turned to look at me, his dark eyes unreadable.
"You'll understand soon enough."
The cryptic answer only made my pulse quicken, and I clenched my fists in my lap, trying to steady my breathing. Whatever Bruno had planned, it wasn't good.
I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, a sinking sensation that told me I was about to walk into something I wasn't prepared for.
The car came to a slow stop in front of an old building, its brick facade crumbling in places, the windows dark and grimy. I stared up at it, my heart racing with uncertainty. What was this place? Why had Bruno brought me here?
Bruno opened his door and stepped out, leaving me in the backseat for a moment before he turned to look at me, his expression unreadable.
"Come on, Maria."
I hesitated, my fingers gripping the edge of the seat. Everything inside me screamed to stay put, to refuse to follow him into whatever nightmare awaited me inside that building. But I knew better than to defy him outright. I had learned that lesson too many times already.
Swallowing hard, I climbed out of the car and followed him up the worn steps of the building. The door creaked open as Bruno pushed it with ease, revealing a dark hallway beyond.
The air was musty, filled with the scent of decay and neglect. My stomach twisted with unease as I stepped inside, the door closing behind us with a final, ominous thud.
Bruno walked ahead of me, his footsteps echoing in the narrow space as we made our way down the hallway. The further we went, the more the feeling of dread grew inside me.
I had no idea what was waiting for me at the end of this path, but I knew it wasn't going to be good.