Beatrix Smith stood confused in front of one of the penthouse units in the main building of the De Luca Suite Hotel & Casino. Beatrix knows that this unit is occupied by River De Luca, owner of the De Luca Suite Hotel & Casino, where she has worked since graduating from college one year ago.
Beatrix didn't understand why she was suddenly transferred to housekeeping, even though she had worked in the front office all this time. Her transfer was sudden, and she immediately had a big responsibility.
The bodyguard standing guard in front of River's unit immediately opened the door for Beatrix. "Come in, Mr. River has been waiting for a long time."
Beatrix wondered if she should clean this place while the owner was inside. Beatrix hesitantly stepped in while pushing a trolley containing cleaning equipment.
Once inside, Beatrix was stunned. She knew the penthouse unit must be large and luxurious, but Beatrix had never seen it in person.
Beatrix subconsciously muttered, "Where should I start working from?"
Suddenly, Beatrix felt someone approaching and then stopped right behind her. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, then turned Beatrix's body to face each other.
"Mr. River?" Beatrix whispered in surprise. He could immediately recognize River's face because they had met before.
"You can start by accompanying me to enjoy a glass of wine," said River as he looked at Beatrix with a deep gaze.
For a moment, Beatrix seemed hypnotized by River. His figure seemed mysterious, even though she had to admit his face was handsome. Everything about River gives a masculine impression. His black hair is the same color as his eyes, and he has a defined jaw and nose line. His tall, straight body was decorated with tanned skin. It's not surprising that many women are willing to become lovers of this 32-year-old man.
"But I was assigned to clean this place."
"That's not what I need from you." River pulled Beatrix's body closer, then whispered in the girl's ear, "What I want is your body."
Fear made Beatrix push River's body hard, then step back. "I can't do that kind of work."
River smiled sarcastically. "No one cannot do such easy and pleasant work."
"I can't."
River looked at the girl in front of her from head to toe, then gave her a condescending look. "I will pay you a high price."
"I'm not a cheap woman!" Beatrix snapped. She didn't care if, after this, she would be fired for daring to go against the wishes of the highest authority here.
"Don't act naive and self-righteous, Beatrix! I know you're not that different from your sister."
"Don't speak bad about my sister!" Beatrix replied boldly.
"You naive!" River pouted, amused. "I will make you realize what your sister is like."
River's words made Beatrix shudder. What does this man know about her sister? How can Amadea deal with members of the De Luca Family, who are known to be decisive in San Diego and even all of California?
While Beatrix was thinking about Amadea, River grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her.
"What do you want, Sir?" Beatrix tried to free her hand from River's grip.
"Don't be noisy!" River shouted angrily. "I don't like talkative girls."
River's steps stopped in front of a bedroom. He pushed open the unlocked door, then pulled Beatrix close to the bed.
"Change your clothes!" River pointed to a bright red dress lying on the bed.
"I don't want to!"
"Will you change it yourself, or do you need me to do it forcefully?" River hissed threateningly.
Beatrix froze with a horrified look.
Seeing that Beatrix was silent, River grabbed the girl's uniform top and pulled it roughly. "I'm tired of seeing you in this boring suit!"
"Please, don't!" Beatrix screamed while holding her torn clothes. Some of the buttons even came loose.
River grinned evilly. "Do you need my help to continue, or can you do it yourself?"
"I will do it by myself," said Beatrix shakily.
"Smart girl!" praised River, satisfied. "Don't be too long. Come out as soon as you finish changing!"
Beatrix's body trembled when she was left alone in the room. What will happen to her? If she got lousy treatment from River, there wouldn't be anyone who could help her either.
Finally, Beatrix was forced to remove her uniform and put on the dress River had provided. She shuddered when she saw her reflection in the mirror. The bright red dress she wore exposed her backside down to her waist. The front part has a very low cleavage, while the length only falls an inch from the hips.
"Come out quickly!" River's shout sounded very impatient.
Beatrix couldn't help but force herself to step outside but stood scared in front of the door. Beatrix could see River sitting, relaxing on the sofa with a bottle of wine.
"Come here!" River patted the sofa while grinning with satisfaction. He looked at Beatrix's appearance and assessed her. "Not bad."
This 23-year-old girl has the ideal body that many women dream of. The most beautiful part River couldn't wait to touch was Beatrix's long neck and legs. River also imagined how those wavy strands of golden hair would feel on his fingers.
River's hand grabbed the girl's waist when Beatrix was about to sit down.
"Please put your hand aside." Beatrix felt uncomfortable sitting on River's lap.
"I won't," River replied casually. Instead, he brought the wine glass in his hand to Beatrix's lips. "Drink!"
Beatrix shuddered with fear. "I don't want to."
In her entire life, Beatrix had never tasted a sip of alcohol.
River did not comment.
Beatrix thought the man wouldn't push anymore. However, River suddenly grabbed Beatrix's chin and kissed her forcefully. Slowly, Beatrix felt the wine touch her tongue. Immediately, Beatrix coughed. Either River's forced kiss or the acrid taste of the grapes was the cause.
Seeing Beatrix's reaction, River chuckled, "It turns out you're not experienced in either."
"If you already know that, can you let me go?" Beatrix asked with a pleading look.
"Why should I let you go?"
"I won't be able to satisfy you because I'm inexperienced."
"So wrong!" River snorted sarcastically. "Inexperienced girls are more fun."
Suddenly, River pushed Beatrix and pinned her down on the sofa.
"Please let me go," Beatrix whimpered in fear. "I don't want to do this."
River's eyes flashed as he whispered, "You had no choice, Beatrix."
"Why are you doing this to me?" The corners of Beatrix's eyes started to get wet.
River traced Beatrix's face down to the girl's neck very slowly. "Do you want to know the reason?"
"Tell me..." Beatrix asked softly.
"To make you pay for your sister's mistakes," River hissed coldly.
Beatrix could see River's eyes thick with hatred. "What did she do wrong to you?"
"Time by time, you will know." Now River's hands began to touch the beautiful curves of Beatrix's body. "But for tonight, I just want to have fun with you."
Not wanting to see what River did, Beatrix closed her eyes tightly. The man was touching every inch of her body. There wasn't a part that River didn't touch. Beatrix's dress was already taken, and nothing was left.
However, a sudden realization filled Beatrix's mind that she would soon lose something precious. She couldn't just stand by without fighting back and let this man take away her honor by force. When River's lips were caressing her sensitive spot, Beatrix dared to open her eyes.
The man's broad shoulders made Beatrix unsure if she could push him away, but she was determined. In one swift movement, Beatrix raised her head and bit River's shoulder, then pushed the man's body hard. She was stunned when she found River toppled over due to her push.
Beatrix immediately used this opportunity to get away from River. Unfortunately, Beatrix was free for only a few seconds because River managed to catch up and corner her against the wall.
"Your courage is commendable," River said with a mocking smile. River surrounded Beatrix's body with both strong arms.
"Please let me go. I have to finish my work," Beatrix said pitifully.
"You forgot that this place is mine?" River asked as he brought his face closer, making Beatrix press her back tightly against the wall. "No one will dare to question you who haven't left my place."
"My supervisor will probably think I'm dereliction of duty."
"If I told your supervisor I wanted you, he wouldn't dare do anything." River grabbed Beatrix's waist tightly and pressed their bodies tightly together. He kissed Beatrix's lips quickly and roughly. "That means you will stay with me until I allow you to leave."
"Do you always do things like this to other female staff?" Beatrix asked desperately. She didn't see a way out of this situation.
"You are the first." River grabbed Beatrix's hands and held them above the girl's head. With a quick movement, he pulled down Beatrix's remaining underwear. "Usually, they are the ones who came to me, but this time, I made the choice."
River's sharp gaze seemed capable of killing her and made Beatrix suffocate. She tried to look down so they wouldn't have to keep looking at each other.
Suddenly, River took out his cell phone and made a call. Beatrix felt River's grip on her hand loosens slightly at that moment. Of course, Beatrix didn't waste this opportunity. She pushed River again and ran stronger.
The door was the first place Beatrix thought of. She didn't care if she had to run away without wearing clothes. Her eyes stared when she realized the door was locked.
River approached while looking at Beatrix with a mocking look. "Do you think you can escape?"
Beatrix knew she was cornered. She immediately looked around, trying to find a way to escape or a place to hide. Beatrix saw the door leading to the balcony was open. She immediately ran there, not caring that this penthouse was on the highest floor. It would be better for Beatrix to die altogether than to be tarnished at River's hands.
River was surprised to see Beatrix climbing the balcony railing. He didn't think the girl would dare to act this recklessly. River immediately went after Beatrix but was too late. Beatrix had already jumped out. She crept along the narrow steps on the outside of the balcony.
"Hey, you might fall!" River exclaimed, reaching out to grab Beatrix.
Beatrix tried to get out of River's reach. She ignored her footing correctly because she was too nervous. Beatrix slipped, and her body almost slid if River was too late to grab her hand.
"Stupid! What are you thinking?" River shouted.
River grabbed Beatrix's arm tightly and tried to pull her up. Slowly, he managed to carry Beatrix's body back to the balcony, then dragged the girl inside.
"Let go of me... I beg you!" Beatrix doesn't care anymore, even though she now has to beg.
"Shut up!" River threw Beatrix's body onto the sofa, then put her on top of her again.
However, instead of touching Beatrix, River turned on the television. Not long after, the television screen showed surveillance camera footage from a salon. River grabbed Beatrix's chin and forced the girl to watch the television.
Beatrix widened her eyes in horror when she recognized that the place was Amadea's salon.
"Would you rather watch your sister serve my guards?" River asked cruelly. "I will gladly grant it."
"Don't do that!" Beatrix screamed in fear, seeing the burly men surrounding her sister. "Don't bother my sister."
"I will let her go if you obey all my orders," River said coldly.
Beatrix couldn't make a choice.
Annoyed waiting for Beatrix's answer, River made another phone call. "You guys can start enjoying it."
Immediately, Beatrix saw two men starting to hold Amadea's body.
"Don't... don't do it... I beg you!" Beatrix gave up. She gritted her teeth as she clenched her fists tightly. "I will do it."
"Good! You should have done it the first time." River smiled with satisfaction. He got up from on top of Beatrix, picked the girl up, then moved her into the bedroom. "You should know that you will never win against me."
For her sister's sake, Beatrix would keep quiet. She didn't fight anymore and accepted everything River did. Beatrix's world collapses when River robs her of her prized possession. She had already lost and had no desire to fight anymore. It's too late. Beatrix bit her lip hard so she wouldn't shed tears, but her heart was crying.
"Stop biting your lip." River wiped Beatrix's bleeding lips. "Open your eyes and look at me."
Beatrix slowly opened her eyes. He tried her best to keep the tears from flowing but failed.
"Turns out you're not as slutty as your sister," River whispered in Beatrix's ear as he reached his release. After that, he just left Beatrix and then headed to the bathroom.
After River left, Beatrix continued to curl up in bed. Beatrix's heart and body seemed to go numb. She was so devastated because she felt that she was very despicable and dirty.
When River exited the bathroom, he saw Beatrix curled up, hugging herself on the bed. He looked at the girl for a long time and felt a little bit of revenge when he saw that the girl looked devastated.
"I don't know how you survived this long without being affected by your sister's rottenness," River said as he moved closer to the bed.
Beatrix was not at all interested in responding to River's words.
"I'll tell you something." River sat on the side of the bed and said coldly, "I was the one who first to touch you, and I don't allow other men to do so as long as I still want you. From today on, you are my woman."
Beatrix didn't care what River said at all.
"You no longer need to work as a hotel employee, but you will always serve me."
"What if I refuse?" Beatrix muttered with a blank look.
"You know what I could do to your sister," River said calmly.
Beatrix fell silent. She knew River could do terrifying things to Amadea if she didn't comply with the man's wishes.
"How long?" Beatrix asked blankly.
"Until I get bored of playing with you."
Beatrix pondered all night in one of the luxurious bedrooms in River's penthouse. Beatrix will stay in this bedroom until River gets bored of using her as a toy and kicks her out of there.
Beatrix really couldn't understand how she got involved with River. So far, her life has been so simple. She is just an ordinary girl who lives alone with her sister.
Amadea Smith, who is 16 years older than Beatrix, is like a mother to her. Amadea has been taking care of and supporting Beatrix since 20 years ago, precisely when their parents died in an accident. At that time, Beatrix was only three years old.
It wasn't easy for Amadea to raise her young sister, but she didn't want to hand Beatrix over to an orphanage. Therefore, Beatrix really loves Amadea. She was willing to sacrifice herself to ensure her sister was safe from River's clutches.
Beatrix stayed awake until morning, and once the sky turned bright, she decided to leave the room.
"Where are you going?" River scolded when he saw Beatrix coming out of the bedroom wearing a uniform, which was slightly torn due to his actions last night.
"I want to go home," Beatrix answered without turning around. She just walked past the dining table where River was sipping coffee.
"I told you that you would live here from now on," River said coldly.
Beatrix turned and looked at River with suppressed anger. "At least give me a few days to say goodbye to my sister and pack my things."
"You don't need that long just to say goodbye." River snorted sarcastically. "A few minutes will be enough. Tell your sister that you won't be living with her anymore. I'll take you there myself."
"I may only need a few minutes to talk to my sister, but it will take me several hours to pack my things," said Beatrix angrily.
"You don't need to bring anything here."
"After all, I need my clothes. What do you think I will wear while staying here?" Beatrix hissed sarcastically.
"It doesn't matter even if you don't wear anything," River said unconcernedly.
Beatrix stared in disbelief. "Do you want to see me wandering around here wearing nothing?"
"What is wrong with that?" River smiled sarcastically. "You are just a toy that I will approach whenever I need release. So, it makes no difference whether you are clothed or not. In the end, you will still be lying with nothing on my bed."
Beatrix felt so insulted hearing River's words. That anger made her dare to ignore River's orders and keep walking towards the door.
"As soon as you move another step, I will order my guards to vacate your sister's salon," River said cruelly. "They will tear up your sister's place and kick her out."
"What right do you have to do that?"
"Of course, I can evict a tenant who hasn't paid for months," answered River arrogantly.
"But you're not the owner."
River smiled slyly. "I have bought the building."
Beatrix's knees went weak for a moment. She really didn't understand what was going on. "What do you want, actually?"
"As I said before. Taking revenge and watching you suffer every day."
Beatrix's throat felt like it was choking when she heard the thick hatred in River's every word. "Why don't you just kill me as well?"
River shook his head and smiled evilly. "That's too easy."
"What will happen to my sister?" Beatrix was more worried about Amadea than about her fate.
"As long as you obey my command, your sister will live in peace." River smiled with satisfaction, seeing Beatrix helpless. "I'll let your sister use my place without having to pay for rent."
Beatrix feels defeated and helpless against River. This man was too powerful and was no match for them at all. Finally, Beatrix walked towards the dining table, pulled out the chair directly opposite River, and then plopped herself down there. She didn't have the energy to fight anymore.
"You are quite smart." River nodded in satisfaction. "Sit quietly. After this, I will take you to meet your sister."
***
"What's wrong, Bea?" Amadea asked anxiously. "Why do you suddenly want to leave our house?"
Amadea was scared to see her sister leaving the house to go with a man she shouldn't be near. Someone who had never crossed Amadea's mind would appear in their lives.
"I'm just tired of our difficult life." Beatrix tried to look calm. "Now I have found someone who can guarantee our lives. You don't need to worry about rent anymore because River has already bought it. From now on, you can use the place without having to pay anymore."
"I don't need that, Bea." Amadea shook her head hard. She held Beatrix's hand tightly, hoping that her sister wouldn't go with that man. Amadea was really scared right now. "I just want us to continue living life as usual."
Beatrix couldn't look at Amadea as she said, "Sorry, I can't, Amy. I have already made a decision."
"Please think about it again," Amadea asked hopefully.
"Not at the moment, Amy. I'm sure of my choice." Beatrix bit her lip hard; she had to stop herself from crying."
"Bea...," Amadea whispered sadly.
"I have to go, Amy." Beatrix needed to leave as soon as she could before she cried here. "River has waited long enough."
Now, Amadea is begging to River. "Please don't take my sister away."
River just stared at Amadea coldly. "You have heard your sister's decision."
Amadea couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
"We're leaving now." River took Beatrix's hand and held it. "Until we meet again, Amadea. Take care of yourself."
Amadea sat on the floor and sobbed. She was so scared that her whole body was shivering with cold. Amadea knew who the man was who took her sister away. She knew because River had met her a few weeks ago.
Amadea felt strange seeing a neatly dressed man who had been sitting in the waiting room. When the salon was quiet, Amadea dared to approach the man. "Excuse me, Sir. Is there anything you need?"
"I was just waiting for an old acquaintance." The man glanced around Amadea's salon. "She's been very busy since earlier, but it seems like she's free now."
"What do you mean by me?" Amadea asked when she realized there were only the two of them there.
"Sit down." The man smiled stiffly.
Even though she was confused, Amadea obeyed the man's words. She sat across from him while trying to remember the figure of the man in front of her. Amadea didn't feel like she recognized his face.
"Long time no see, Amadea. Looks like you've forgotten me," said the man sarcastically.
"Sorry, I don't remember you. When have we met?"
"It's been a long time. Maybe around 20 years ago."
Amadea thought hard, trying to remember the man in front of her, but failed. It's hard to remember his face because 20 years ago, this man might have still been a teenager, even a child.
"If you don't recognize my face now, I think that's normal. However, I can still remember your face clearly. You are still as beautiful as before, Amadea."
Amadea felt afraid when she saw the man's eyes, which radiated hatred. "Where have we met?"
"It's that easy for you to forget about me." The man chuckled in amusement, then smiled sarcastically. "I'll tell you a little story to help you remember."
Amadea twisted her fingers, which suddenly felt cold.
"Do you remember a boy who was shivering in the cold in front of your fence?" asked the man. "He was the one who waited in front of your house for three nights and almost died of hunger."
Amadea's eyes widened at the man's question. However, she was speechless.
The man continued, "Do you remember the boy who cried for mercy so that he would be given the opportunity to meet your husband? Unfortunately, your husband threw him out cruelly."
Amadea's body began to tremble.
"Your husband kicked him as if he were a disgusting street dog. Do you remember that day, Amadea?" asked the man hatefully.
Amadea clearly remembers the incident. However, how did the man in front of him know about it? "What happened to the boy?"
"He lived well, as you can see now."
Amadea froze, then asked timidly, "Is that you?"
"I'm here to keep my word." The man continued to stare at Amadea, who was full of hatred. "I will see you again. I will make you pay for what you did to me. It's a shame that your husband died before I could touch him. However, I'm happy because you and your sister are still left. "
"What do you want?" Amadea asked tremblingly.
"It's simple. Just want to make you feel what I used to feel." The man shrugged. "I will make your and your sister's lives miserable, just like I lived mine before. I won't let you live in peace from now on."
"I'm sorry for what happened to you before," said Amadea pitifully.
"Too late, Amadea."
"Please don't involve my sister. She didn't do anything wrong to you," Amadea asked hopefully.
The man shook his head coldly. "Unfortunately, she is the beloved younger sister of the person who destroyed my life. Destroying her will make you tormented, right?"
"Please stay away from her."
"She will be mine soon, Amadea." The man snorted sarcastically, "Just enjoy your regrets and live in fear."