XXIII. A Wager?
. . . . .
I feel like I'm dying from boredom in this room. "HEY YOU DAMNED FREAKS, OPEN THIS DOOR!!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the cold, unyielding walls as I pounded my fists against the heavy door.
As usual, no one opened it, choosing to ignore my scandalous outburst.
I can feel my sanity fraying at the edges with each passing moment I stay here. I can't take it anymore. I'm so lonely in this room with no one to talk to, always seeing the same faces each day.
The feeling of paranoia is creeping in, a relentless whisper in the back of my mind that I might be trapped here forever, with no glimmer of hope for escape.
Should I just agree with Dakari's terms? Break off my engagement with Zephyr officially and then marry him? Something tells me I will have a higher chance of escaping here if I did.
I suppose I should consider it seriously. This might be one of my final options.
Seduction could be a viable strategy, but I know deep down that Dakari is astute. He would likely see through any ploys I attempt to weave. The risk of him catching on to my schemes is too great, and I can't afford to tip my hand now.
Therefore, if I accept his proposal, I will gain more freedom as his wife, as his mada'am. They will have no more reason for me to be kept in here like a prisoner.
I don't truly know Dakari well enough to gauge what his behavior might be like after marriage. There's a nagging fear that he could simply confine me here again, just as I am now.
I paced the room for what felt like an eternity, my anxiety mounting with each step. 'Would accepting his proposal really lead to freedom, or would it just be another gilded cage?'
Creak creak.
My head snapped around at the sound of the door opening, revealing Dakari as he stepped into the room.
"Dakari. . ." I mumbled his name under my breath.
"Had you thought it through, Lucrezia?" He asked, his expression neutral, almost detached. He moved closer, each step deliberate and measured, as if he were assessing my every reaction.
'Should I? Should I really agree?. . .' I pondered. Finally, I exhaled a shaky breath and muttered. "O-okay. . ."
His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "What?"
I gulped. "I-I agree. I'll accept your proposal. I'll end my engagement with Zephyr and I will marry you."
"You're not just saying that, are you?" Dakari's voice cut through the silence, sharp and probing. He studied me intently, his gaze searching for any hint of hesitation or deceit.
"No." I replied, trying to sound more resolute than I felt. "I mean it."
I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes. Why couldn't he just take the bait already?
I wanted to shake him, to urge him to believe me, to accept my words as truth. The stakes were high, and I needed him to see that I was committed to this path.
Make him believe I'm doing this because of free will.
I stepped closer, trying to convey the depth of my conviction through my gaze. "This isn't just a ploy or a desperate attempt to escape. I've thought about it, and I believe this is the best choice for me right now. My father abandoned me. I have no one to rely on. . ." I forced myself to cry, stammering to add effect. "I-I c-can't. . . I'm too h-hurt. I'm afraid, Dakari. I'm afraid that someone will use me again for their own gains."
I hoped the tears would add weight to my words, making him see that this decision stemmed from a place of vulnerability, not manipulation.
For a moment, there's something that flickered in his eyes. Before it came back to its usual guarded expression. My heart raced as he stepped closer, and then, to my surprise, his hand gently cupped my face.
"Lucrezia. . ." He started, his tone unbelievably gentle.
"Y-yes?"
". . . What games are you playing?" His voice turned cold.
Well fuck. He actually caught on to that?
Panic surged through me as I realized my facade was crumbling. I had hoped to convince him of my sincerity, but now I felt exposed, like a deer caught in headlights.
"I'm not playing games, Dakari," I insisted, forcing my voice to steady despite the tremor in my hands. "I'm being honest. This is me, always vulnerable and afraid. P-please. . ."
He chuckled, a sound that sent a chill down my spine. It was mocking, as if he found amusement in my distress. "Do you really think I'd fall for such a performance?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Performance? I'm being serious here! Why are you not taking me seriously?!" My voice rose in frustration, the tremor of fear mixing with anger. I stepped back, trying to create some distance between us. "I'm not acting! I'm standing here, baring my soul to you, and all you can do is laugh?" My heart raced, and I fought to keep my emotions in check. "I thought you might understand that you're my only hope in my life. I have no one anymore Dakari. You heard it yourself, my father abandoned me when I told him you kidnapped me."
His expression shifted slightly, but the coldness lingered in his gaze. "Desperation can lead people to say things they don't mean." he replied, his tone still skeptical.
"Maybe," I shot back, my voice steadier now. "But this isn't one of those times. I'm terrified of being used again, of being trapped in a situation where I have no control." I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze with unwavering determination. "I want to marry you because it feels like my only chance at true freedom. Please, just believe me."
"Freedom?" he echoed, his tone softer now but still laced with skepticism. "You think marrying me will give you that?"
To be honest, I'm not quite sure either. But I should give it a shot. I will have a higher chance in meeting his sister if we are to be wed. That way, I can ask for help to her.
It's funny I have so much hope on his blood relative. Not even considering the possibility of her snitching on me.
However, there's just something that tells me I can trust her. A stranger whom I still have yet met.
"Yes." I replied firmly, meeting his gaze with renewed conviction. "I believe it will give me the freedom I seek."
Once again, he chuckled darkly. "You amuse me, Милая."
"Amuse you?" I echoed, trying to mask my frustration. "This isn't a game to me, Dakari. I'm serious about wanting to change my circumstances. I'm serious about wanting to marry you. To have more freedom."
'Yes, that's it. To have more freedom to escape from you.' My mind cheered.
"If that's what you want, darling. I hope you'll be prepared to talk with Zephyr about the engagement. Make sure to make it clear that you want to end it all with him." He suddenly pulled me by the waist and smirked. "I'm going to 'believe' you this time, my beloved."
"End it all with Zephyr. . ." I echoed softly.
The thought of confronting him filled me with dread. Would he understand? I hope he won't be too sad about this. We already built our relationship as friends. It's not my intention to break off our engagement anyways.
I'm just in a tight spot right now and it calls for drastic measures to be done.
Dakari's grip tightened around my waist, his smirk lingering as I was still and reluctant in his arms. "You'll do it, won't you? After all, you want your freedom. . ."
"Yes. . ." I whispered. "Uhmm. . . Dakari?" I ventured, tilting my head to meet his gaze.
What's that in his eyes? I can't help but feel uneasy as I stared at it. He held my gaze, those striking blue eyes of his piercing through the dim light, glinting with a playful confidence that both captivated and unnerved me. His smirk lingered, as if he knew something I didn't. As if he already knew, foreseen my actions and the reasons behind what I'm doing now.
I already anticipated the possibility of him already catching on my plans of deception. He already caught me into his trap. It's best to confront him now.
"Dakari, y-you're looking a-at me as if I'm a liar. . ." I began, my voice wavering slightly as I still maintained my helpless character portrayal. "Y-you know I would never-"
He interrupted me with a soft chuckle. "Never what? Try to outsmart me? I know you better than you know yourself, darling. That's why I'm letting myself fall into your trap, whatever it may be."
Should I just push my luck here? Continue pretending to be naive and gullible? Weak and will only rely to him after marriage?
HAHAHAHA!! What a joke.
"Dakari," I said, searching for the right words, deciding to push my luck even though I already knew I'm getting nowhere at this point. "I'm not trying to trick you, I just. . . I-I just want to h-have someone I can actually trust."
He leaned closer, the space between us charged with tension. "You're clever, but so am I." he replied smoothly, his voice low and teasing. "And that's what makes this so interesting, Lucrezia."
A bitter laugh escaped me. 'Yeah, the devil won't buy it.' I took a breath, steadying myself. "Then let's see who outsmarts whom." I retorted, finally dropping the act. Narrowing my eyes as I stared at him.
"Ah. . . There it is." His grin widened, revealing a hint of admiration. "There's my goddess." In a swift, unexpected motion, he nuzzled into my hair, inhaling deeply as if savoring my scent.
"What are you doing?" I asked sternly.
He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just appreciating my goddess. . ." he replied, his voice smooth and teasing. "Is that so wrong?"
I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to maintain my composure. "You can't just invade someone's personal space like that."
"Ah, but you see," he said, leaning in again. "In this game we're playing, personal space is just another boundary to be tested. Isn't that right, my wife-to-be?"
I guess. . . He's not wrong.
"Tsk. . . Enough about that. How am I going to tell Zephyr by the way?" I said in attempts to change the topic.
Dakari raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh? Not even considering his reactions? You think he'll take it well? You're so cruel, Lucrezia. You won't even hesitate on dismissing your agreement with him for the sake of your own need." He said, then chuckled. "As expected of the Viviana's. Always such a traitor to their own words. . ."
Oh for fucks sakes. He's obviously referring to the contract between the two families. The contract that will maintain the peace between the Italian Mafia and Russian Mafia.
"It's not like that." I protested, crossing my arms defensively. "This is about my freedom, not betrayal."
"Freedom?" He echoed, leaning in slightly as if my response intrigued him. "Or is it more about your desire to escape the confines of obligation as an heir? There's a fine line between the two, you know."
"Don't twist my words." I shot back, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Zephyr has always been understanding of me, I'm sure he'll understand why I'm doing this. This is my choice and I need to do what feels right for me. I'm being true to myself and that alone is what matters."
I sound so selfish. I'm not even sure why he gets on my nerves. Is it because he's spewing the truth? That's why it stung so much?
"True to yourself or true to your whims?" Dakari challenged, his gaze unwavering. "There's a difference, and you know it."
I opened my mouth to retort but found myself at a loss for words. The truth was uncomfortable, and Dakari seemed all too eager to exploit that discomfort.
"See, my dear. I told you I know you better than you know yourself. I know your true nature." He hugged me tightly and continued sniffing me. "Aside from that, I must say, you acting so helpless and naive doesn't really fit you, yet. Whatever you're planning, I hope it all fails and you will have no choice but to only rely on me."
"Gee. . . Thanks." I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes in annoyance. The last thing I wanted was to be reminded of how predictable I apparently was to him. "That's really encouraging."
He chuckled softly, clearly unfazed by my irritation. "Oh, come now. You know I'm only looking out for your best interests."
"Looking out for my best interests?" I echoed incredulously. "Or looking out for your own?"
"Is there a difference?" he countered smoothly, a playful glint in his eye. "In this world we inhabit, our interests often align more than we'd like to admit."
"You really think you have me all figured out, don't you?"
I'm confident that he doesn't know about me knowing his sister. She's one of my last cards now. And I'll use her well to escape here.
"More than you realize," he replied confidently, leaning closer again as if to emphasize his point. "But that's part of the challenge, isn't it? You keep me guessing."
"Well, don't get too comfortable," I warned. "I might surprise you."
"Is that so?" He pulled away and looked me in the eye. "Let's spice things up by making a little wager, shall we?"
"A wager?"
Now that's unexpected. Why the sudden suggestion of making a bet?
"Mhm. A wager."
"And what's the wager about?" I raised a brow.
"If you managed to run and hide for an hour. . . I will consider letting you go. I will forget about the deal made by the two families and you will return home, safe and sound."
Wait what the fuck? Did he really think I was naive enough to accept such a ridiculous challenge? The very idea was ludicrous. I won't be able to run and hide in this villa of his, much more, for an hour. I'm sure he has a lot of cameras set up in place. Besides, it's impossible to know the layout of the villa if I've never left this room.
"But. . . If I catch you. I'll keep you, of course." He continued with a grin on his face.
My expression hardening as I scowled. "I refuse." What did he even mean by keeping me? Keep me locked up in here? I'd rather not. If I marry him, I have a higher chance of leaving here.
The odds are not on my side. Either choices I take, accept or decline. I was bound to lose.
His grin faltered for just a moment, replaced by a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Really? Such a shame then."
I'm already certain. I can use this game of his as a chance to explore, however, I have so much to lose. Not that I made any progress on escaping but who knows what this guy will do. I can't read him at all.
He might as well just catch me the moment the timer starts. Making it an unfair game.
"What games are you playing here?" I asked with a glare.
"Games? I'm not. I'm serious, Lucrezia. Won't you even consider accepting the wager?"
"Accepting the bet and then lose in an instant? Yeah, fuck no. Keep the game to yourself."
"Aren't you curious how the game will work then? You're missing out, darling."
"I'm not. So drop it already." I insisted.
"This might be your only chance of escaping from me, Lucrezia. Once we're married, you won't be able to escape me."
". . ."
"I'm giving you a chance here, Милая."
Why am I suddenly getting tempted to accept? Is it because he's coaxing me into accepting or am I just desperate for freedom? What a manipulative bastard.
"No."
He smirked. "Don't regret it later, my dear. One last chance to accept. Won't you at least try? And who knows. . ." He moved forward, his hand slid around my waist, pulling me toward him. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "You might be able to escape as you run away."
". . ."
He whispered into my ear once again, "Ты мой."
'If I remember correctly that means. . . You are mine.' What the hell? This russian man is a lunatic! "Move away. . ." I managed to say.
"What?" He asked with an innocent smile on his face.
Oh how much I want to bash his head on the nearby wall right now. If only I could just-
"Well? Are you going to accept the deal, my dear? It's a once-in-a-lifetime offer."
I immediately shook the thoughts out of my head. Considering his previous words.
'I might be able to escape as I run away?. . .' That statement alone is quite tempting.
But then again, what if this is my opportunity to break free?
I know that I'm on the losing side. . . But what if I will be able to make it? I'll be free then. . .
Should I?
No. . . I shouldn't.
That's right I shouldn't.
I could see the allure of his proposition, but I also recognized the risks. He was a master manipulator, and I couldn't let myself be drawn into his web so easily.
Now I know what to say.
I'll decline.
I won't play.
". . . -I accept." The words slipped out before I could second-guess myself, surprising even me.
Huh?