XX. Starving, again?
. . . . .
'If I want to get out of here, I need to formulate a plan.'
I needed more information about this place. Every detail could be crucial to my escape. What were Dakari's routines? How often did he come and go from the villa for work? Did he have any regular meetings or appointments that would keep him away for extended periods? And most importantly, how many guards were stationed outside these walls, and what were their shifts like? Each question sparked new ideas in my mind as I considered how I might gather intelligence without drawing attention to myself.
The villa itself was an imposing structure, with high walls and a grand entrance that belied the confinement within. I had noticed that Dakari often spent long hours in his office, but I needed to confirm if he had any predictable patterns that I could exploit. Perhaps he had a particular time of day when he was less vigilant or when he took breaks.
I also needed to assess the guards. Were they alert and trained, or did they grow complacent over time?
"Hmm. . . One can only hope." I hummed, wondering about who I can exploit for information. The staffs? The guards? Or the devil himself.
Regardless, all I can do now is outline my plan for escape.
Observe.
Engage.
Exploit any weakness I could find.
I'll be able to escape here if I put my mind into it. I won't be swayed by anyone, especially not by him.
As I paced the room, my mind raced with possibilities. I would need to be patient, observant, and cunning.
Dakari was no fool, and he would be watching me closely. But I am determined to outsmart him.
'Thinking about it. . . Are there any hidden cameras here?'
As I formulated my plan, the urgency of my situation became clear. If Dakari was indeed monitoring me, I'd have to be extra cautious in my movements and conversations.
'It's best to find them before making any moves toward my escape.'
Knock knock.
The sound of a knock echoed through the room, jolting me from my thoughts.
It creaked open and it revealed the familiar brown hair I usually see before the devil visited me peeking through the slightly ajar door. "Ms. Viviana. . ." Came Gabriel's voice. "I'm here to deliver your meal."
I remained silent, my gaze fixed on the tray he held as I sat on the bed.
"Boss also said that he'll personally come if you won't eat your meal, Ms. Viviana. It's best to finish your meal."
"Gabriel." I said slowly, weighing my words carefully, "If you appreciate your life, you better run along and never come back."
At that, he dashed away again from my threats, yet, as always, he made sure to leave the food tray behind. It was his routine now.
He's the delivery boy.
With a heavy sigh, I lay down on the bed, not bothering to eat anything until I fell into slumber once again.
. . . . .
"Mmm. . ." I groaned as I fluttered my eyes open. As my senses began to sharpen, I became acutely aware of a presence nearby.
Turning my head slightly, I noticed someone sitting quietly at the edge of my bed, their gaze fixated on my sleeping figure. The warmth of their stare was incredibly unsettling.
I mumbled darkly as I shot him a glare. "Dakari. . . What are you doing here?" The words tumbled out, laced with confusion and irritation.
My heart raced as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep that clung to me like a heavy blanket.
Can anyone blame me? Sleeping is a bliss. Besides, I'll have to preserve my energy for my escape from this villa.
He chuckled and asked me in a deep voice, his tone laced with mischief and something else— it was dark and something I cannot quite wrap my mind around it. "You refused to eat again, darling?"
"I told you stop with the nicknames." My eyes narrowed.
"Why aren't you touching your food?"
"That is not your concern, leave me alone!" I pulled the blanket over my face and held onto it tightly. Refusing to talk to him any further.
"Do you want me to feed you?" He asked but there's something in his tone that suggests otherwise.
I narrowed my eyes. I had a nagging suspicion that Dakari had a different motive behind his seemingly innocent offer, and I didn't like it one bit. In fact, I disliked him more than I could articulate. Everything about him. . . his teasing smirk, the way he always seemed to know just how to push my buttons— set my teeth on edge.
'It can't be that he plans to do. . . that. . . again right?' I paled at the thought as I recalled what had transpired yesterday.
"Lucrezia. . ." His voice dropped to a low, threatening whisper.
"What do you want from me?" I shot back, pulling the blanket tighter around myself as if it could protect me from his piercing gaze. My heart hammered in my chest, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. "You think you can just waltz in here and act like you're concerned for my well-being? If you truly were, you would return me back to my home."
"And my answer is no. No, you're not going home. Yes, you're staying with me." His words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Thinking about it, I've been locked up in this place for days.
What about my marriage with Zephyr? He needed a partner to proceed with his plan on succeeding the Italian-American mafia.
Neither of us will be able to fulfill our ends of the contract if Dakari keeps me captive.
I couldn't help but wonder how Zephyr was doing, if he was searching for me, or if he had already moved on to find a new partner to help him succeed. Though, I would understand if he truly moved on and went to meet with another lady to get engaged with.
Dakari pulled the blanket off of me. "You can try to escape but you can't hide from me, Lucrezia." he said. "Aside from that, why do you keep refusing to eat?"
He's literally asking the obvious right now. Is he just dense or does he like seeing me getting all riled up with all these stupid statement of his. "Oh I don't know. Maybe I want to go home, Sherlock!" I sarcastically retorted as I tried to pull the blanket back.
"That or you just want me to kiss you again?"
Wait what the fuck?—
It's not like it's my first time kissing someone! But strange. . . I should feel nauseated since it was him that kissed me but I feel somewhat blessed that he did it?
What what in the actual fucking fuckery am I thinking!!? 'It must be because he's handsome! Ugh! Talk about pretty privilege.'
"I'll take that as a yes."
I felt my cheeks flush a deep crimson at his bold statement, and I shot him a look that mixed disbelief with embarrassment. The audacity of his words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was at a loss for how to respond. "You're fucking delusional! Get your mind out of the gutter!" I managed to stammer, my heart racing as I glanced away, trying to hide my reaction.
Dakari chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my flustered state. "Am I delusional? Or am I just stating the obvious to you, darling?" His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Stop calling me that!"
"Darling. . ."
"You are in no position to call me that! Stop it." I coldly demanded.
He caught me off guard once again when he suddenly pulled me towards him, and in an instant, I was no longer lying in bed but instead found my face buried against his hard chest.
My breath hitched in my throat as surprise coursed through me, leaving me momentarily speechless. "You damned devil! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed, my voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt as I struggled against his tight embrace. I pushed against his chest with all my might, desperate to break free from his grasp.
This man is fucking deranged!
Insane!
Dakari held me firmly, refusing to let go despite my protests. "Calm down, Lucrezia. . ." he said, his voice low and soothing, as if he were trying to tame a wild animal. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want you to eat."
"D-Dakari, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, a mix of surprise and embarrassment flooding my senses. I tried to pull away, but he held me in place, as if savoring the moment.
His actions makes me think that instead of him saying "I just want you to eat." It converts into "I just want to eat you." And that— is wrong! Terribly wrong!
I'm not a vulgar woman but he's being devious!
"H-hey— let go!" I demanded.
I could hear his heartbeat through the fabric, a steady thump that resonated against my cheek as I pressed against him. Each beat seemed to echo my own racing heart, amplifying the tension in the air between us.
What's up with him? Why is he acting like this? He's being childish! Annoying! A creep!
This is inappropriate.
"Lucrezia. . ." he muttered as he continued sniffing my hair, slowly making his way down to my face. The intimacy of the moment sent a jolt through me, and I felt my heart race as he held the back of my neck, forcing me to look up at him. The proximity between us was overwhelming, and I could feel the heat radiating off his body.
I did not dare move.
In fear that if I moved, it would only encourage Dakari's increasingly inappropriate behavior.
My heart pounded in my chest as I remained frozen, hyper-aware of his every action. "Let go of me and I'll eat! Okay?! I'll stop starving myself! Just let go!" I stated in a frantic panic, desperate to find a way to diffuse the situation before it escalated further.
Escalate something more. . . Worse than this. . .
Dakari paused, his grip on me loosening slightly as he processed my words. "You promise?" he asked, his voice low and rough with emotion. "You'll take care of yourself?"
I nodded quickly, my heart racing. "Yes, yes, I promise! Just please, let me go!"
He studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine for any sign of deception.
I held his gaze steadily, willing him to see the sincerity in my words. Anything to get him to release me, to put an end to this horrifying and weird situation I got myself into.
"Alright," he said, his voice rough. "You win. But you better keep your word, Lucrezia." Dakari's grip on me loosened as he relented.
I can only sigh in relief as he slowly brought the food tray to my thighs. As he set it down, I glanced at the food, my stomach growling despite my earlier resolve to refuse.
"Here." he said, his tone softening slightly. "Just take a few bites. You need to keep your energy up."
I picked up a fork and took a tentative bite, forcing myself to chew slowly.
The food was. . . tasty. . .
I chewed on the food and swallowed. Stiffening when I felt his gaze linger on me.
His eyes traced the movement of my throat as I gulped down the sustenance, a hunger in his expression that had nothing to do with food.
I stiffened involuntarily, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
I felt uncomfortable down there, an unsettling sensation creeping through me as his gaze lingered longer than it should have. . .
It was as if he were dissecting me, peeling back layers of my clothes with every glance. The intimacy of the moment felt suffocating, and I struggled to maintain my composure.
"Dakari. . ." I began, my voice faltering slightly as I tried to break the tension. "Can you look away for a moment? This is. . . really uncomfortable."
He blinked, seemingly pulled from his trance, but instead of turning away, he leaned in closer. "I can't help it." he said, his voice low and almost husky. "You're just so captivating."
I moved away, instinctively creating distance between us as my heart raced.
What is even going through his mind?
He's being crazy. . .
Why is he looking at me like that?
Why am I feeling like this?
Questions popped in my mind as I hurried to finish my meal just so he won't look at me any longer. Each bite felt like a race against the intensity of his gaze, and I couldn't shake the discomfort that settled in my stomach.
"D-Done!—" I handed the plate over to him, waiting for him to reach for it.
Finally, he reached out, taking the plate from my hands with a careful grip. "Alright," he said, his voice low and steady. "I see, you're done."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, feeling a rush of relief mixed with lingering tension. "Yes. . ." I replied firmly. "You may go now. . ."
He only nodded as he brought the tray along with him.
As he turned to leave, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension wash over me.
'W-what was that?—' I began to question his actions. My mind perplexed slightly as I replayed the earlier moments in my mind.
The intensity of Dakari's gaze, the way he had leaned in closer, and the hunger in his expression— it all felt surreal and unsettling.
Despite his calm posture, I could tell that Dakari was struggling to contain his emotions. . . or perhaps. . . his desires.
Fuck. . . This is crazy.
"I'm afraid that he might get too comfortable soon. . ." I mumbled.
Handsome he may be and no matter how manly he smells. . . I-i— "W-wait w-what am I thinking?!" I exclaimed out loud, startling myself with the sound of my own voice in the quiet room. I couldn't believe I had allowed myself to be distracted by such frivolous observations, especially given the gravity of the situation I found myself in.
Dakari's intense gaze, his possessive behavior— these were not the actions of someone I should be admiring or finding attractive. They were the warning signs of a dangerous obsession, one that threatened to consume me if I wasn't careful.
Those type of men like Dakari Dimitri are red flags!
Red flags, I tell you!
I swear I'm not attracted to red flags. I'm not. I'm not. . . Not. . . I'm not insane to fall for one!
I needed to stay grounded and remind myself of the importance of setting boundaries. I deserved respect and healthy interactions, not the turmoil that came with someone like Dakari. It was vital to trust my instincts and keep my eyes open to the reality of the situation, regardless of any fleeting attraction I might feel.
This is just infatuation.
'Wait. . . Is this what they call Stockholm Syndrome?' The thought sent a shiver down my spine. It was unsettling to consider that I might be developing feelings for someone who had effectively taken me captive, someone whose actions were driven by obsession.
But then again. . . Even when I first laid my eyes on him I was already attracted to him. I was captivated by him in a way that it felt so strange.
But. . . I also never even knew his true nature when I first saw him from my room back then. I only peered through the curtains just to catch a glimpse of the said esteemed guest of our manor.
It was just pure curiosity and was only a fleeting attraction to the handsome guest I had seen. Which is someone whom I simply admired from afar, I was captivated by his appearance and presence. It was just innocent admiration— nothing more, nothing less.
So those feelings doesn't count, right? They were based on a fantasy, an idealized version of him that didn't include the complexities of his character or the danger he posed now that I truly know his motives and true nature.
On top of that. . . He is my enemy.
He will remain that way.
He deserves my wrath for always acting impulsively and threatening me back then. Also now for kidnapping me and humiliating me in such a childish way.
Whatever my heart and brain debates about, there's one thing I know for sure. Dakari is someone that I cannot trust. No matter how complicated my feelings become, I will remain vigilant and committed to my own well-being.
That way I can survive here, know my way around and then escape from his grasps.
I will never forgive him for kidnapping me and trying to manipulate me to agree to his whims.
I refuse.
I will also go after my father right after. I also cannot forgive him for abandoning me with the devil.
Everyone kept hurting me.
I'm truly alone in this world.
Am I truly meant to be used by everyone? To be possessed and to be paraded as a trophy?
Gosh! Even when I was still under the guise of Lucia Mendez, people admired me with blatant motive etched on their faces.
I cannot trust anyone.
I had thought that once I return here in Italy I'll know everything right away. Oh how wrong I was. I had to figure things out like a puzzle.
These people that surrounds me likes charades and I'm someone who hates charades.
"Calm down, Lucrezia. . . You only have yourself. . ." I mumbled to myself as I closed my eyes to meditate.
I need to focus to formulate a plan.