THE DON'S DESIRE

TANYA'S POV

They say life can fuck you up within the glimpse of an eye. Well they didn't lie because my Father did.

Never did I think I will be standing in front of this ruthless man my Gambler of a Father sold me off to, in a bid to pay off his debts.

I could feel his eyes glued on me in the desperate attempt to get under my skin, probably to find out what I was thinking.

We were standing inside a club. I was looking at my feet, ignoring the other girls around me. Some of them changing into another wear while some adjusted their make-up.

I felt my heart pounding so loudly against my ribcage. My hands were shaking vigorously while I bit on my lower lip to stop myself from breaking down.

My Father ruined me. He just jeorpadized every chance of me going back to school again just like back then that I had to drop out because we ran out of money while he continued to show up with betting tickets.

I thought his addiction would only last for a while and maybe soon he would lose interest but I was very wrong. He started to bet everything and anything we had, till this happened.

"Remind me your name." He said, his masculine voice thick and fearful.

It sent dread through my spine. My heart made a huge flip out of fear.

"Tan...Tanya, Sir." I sauntered while trying to sound as polite as I could.

I had no idea of what I was here to do.

"Good." He responded.

I felt him run his eyes over me once again taking as much detail as possible. He then turned his head sideway towards the others.

"Olam!" He called out.

The next I heard was her heels clanking hard against the floor. It stopped immediately she got closer to us. My eyes were now glued on her neatly painted toenails and those smooth glowing skin.

For a second, I was jealous. But I had other things to bother myself with.

"Glam her up and bring her to main bar." He ordered.

I heard no response from Olam and only brought my head up to watch his retreating back. Letting out a sigh, I squeezed my eyes briefly.

I could feel my life breaking apart. Feel every wall of sanity I have grown to build being carefully demolished as their laughter rang loudly in my head, taunting me like some nightmare.

"Follow me." Olam ordered, making me drag my eyes toward her.

She was dressed in a Red glittery crystal Bra and short skirt that I could barely call a skirt. For me, it felt too revealing but I sensed how comfortable she was with the way she carried her body. Her Brown short hair pulled behind her left ear. Her face was made. Her lips was covered in a bright shade of Red.

I watched her catwalk forward and I followed closely behind. Bead of sweats breaking across my face from the stream of nervousness that threatened to consume every inch and part of me.

I knew I didn't deserve to be here.

This was definitely no place for me.

****

Olam was done 'glamming' me up. Dressing me up in a Yellow crop top and a pair of Black shirt that felt too short for me. I brought my right hand near it and attempted to pull it down but it wouldn't work.

Because I still felt naked.

"Can I get a change of cloth?" I managed to ask her.

One of my hand clutching onto my top while the other managed to hold my skirt. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, staring deeply at me.

I felt a combination of anxiety and dread. My palms getting sweaty as I managed to maintain eye contact with Olam despite the questioning look she sent me. My heart rate increased while my stomach fluttered terribly.

"Can I meet Beyonce?" She responded, arching her brow up. "We all have wants, girl. That doesn't mean we get it." She added, giving me a last glance then turning around to leave. "Follow me." She ordered and started to walk away.

I felt the urge to stand my ground and tell her I won't leave until she gives me a change of cloth. However, the words only form on the tip of my tongue but I never got the courage to. I feared what she might do if I disobeyed her so I walked behind her instead, my hands still holding my clothes in place.

We walked into the crowded room. The colored light gracing the whole place with their beauty while song emanated from the speakers all around. I could see the waitresses dressed in a White cropped shirt and skimpy Black skirt while they went about with glowing trays of drinks and some had empty cups in them.

We stopped right in front of the man from before but only this time, he isn't alone. Sitting beside him, was a man with viking golden hair.

I watched him closely as he picked up his glass cup to take a sip from it. His slender long fingers holding onto it gently and without stress. He had bristly eyebrows that clung so perfectly to his face. His hawkish nose sitting prettily to compliment his well defined cheekbones.

His concrete jaw held high, giving me a clear view of his titan shoulders.

"Mr. Rodrigo. This, here, is the gift I have for you." He informed, pointing towards me.

Gift!

I was a gift?

I hated that he called me that. It made me feel the urge to step forward and hit him on the face and leave but deep down I knew that would only aggravate things. My Father's life was on the line here. Even though he wasn't exactly the best Father, he was still the only family I had.

I could feel the intensity of Rodrigo's eyes on me. It unsettled me. Gave me the chills yet I felt this excitement.

Weird!

"You didn't have to do that, Enzo." He responded, his eyes not leaving me. "You know I don't have a thing for..." He paused, as though thinking of not saying it. "Escorts." He added.

I heard Enzo laugh. The same man who brought me here. I was more than baffled to know that he had intended to use me for 'this'.

Prostitution.

I despised the thought of that. He lied to me. My Father had lied to me when he said all I would have to do here was work. When he went on his knees, shedding tears as he promised to change after this.

News Flash: HE DOESN'T CARE

"You don't refuse a gift. That's what people say." Enzo said while I gulped down a lump of saliva.

My hands on my sides, grabbing tightly to the hem of my skirt.

Rodrigo let out a laugh. A soft yet dangerous laugh.

I watched him wave a hand to one of the men in suits that stood all around to them. He whispered something into his ear while the bodyguard nodded then walked to me.

"Follow me." He ordered.

I dragged my eyes to him and nodded. My breathing rate increased, sending a signal to my heart to do the same as I feared what my fate would be now.

***

My eyes accessed the whole room while I sat on the edge of the bed. A part of me knew where this was heading but it also wished it was wrong.

I didn't want to bed a stranger. Not now. Not with...

I heaved out a sigh as I cussed my fate for making things complicated for me right from the start. Mom died while I was young, then I had to do minion jobs to keep the family together at the age of thirteen.

Exhaling deeply, my eyes take in every detail of the room as I tried to figure out if there was any way to escape.

Maybe jump down and run away.

But that would be impossible due to how high the room was from the floor.

Fuck!

My eyes landed on a brown file that sat on the wooden table beside the bed. Curiosity finding its way into my mind, urging me to go forward and check it out. A small voice at the back of my head telling me how it would help me kill time and take my mind off the dangerous stranger I met earlier.

Giving in to its tactics, I stood up from where I sat and walked towards it, bending to pick it up. My fingers moved so fast, flipping the top open to reveal the papers in it.

I pulled them out one after another, my eyes running over them carefully.

There were details on them that made no sense. Details that I didn't understood. It was something about a company and it looked like some analysis.

It caused my head to ache. Of late, I have had way too much on my plate and I wasn't ready to add to that.

So I had no interest to look further. I proceeded to put the ones I laid on the bed back into the file, thereby causing more to fall out.

I could feel sweat gathering in the back of my neck as I thought of a million things that could go wrong if he ever found me here. Fidgeting, I struggled with them, putting them in as fast as I could even though they only increase in my sight.

"What are you doing!" I heard a familiar deep masculine voice roar loudly.

My head turned immediately to land on him. His sea-rover blue eyes threatening to consume me.

My heart skipping.

TANYA'S POV

I knew things were about to go from worse to terrible when he stormed over to me, snatching the file from me. I watched as his eyes ran over them. My breathe hitching to announce the fear that was about to devour me.

He raised his eyes to look at me.

Being up close, gave me a clearer vision of his looks. He looked dangerously breathtaking. He excited me.

You know that feeling when you are scared to hell while watching an horror movie but you can't stop watching because it excites you.

Yes!

Something of that sort.

"Who asked you to take..." He was saying, his voice harsh, showcasing his anger.

He paused to drag in a breathe. His jaw clenching together as he probably thought of the best thing to do to me.

Was he going to kill me?

It looked like he would.

Before I knew it, he pulled out his phone from his pant's pocket and dialed a number then placed it on his left ear. He was putting on a Blue suit that hung so well to his broad shoulder, doing it little justice.

"I found the file in my room. Who brought it up?" I heard him say, his look so stern with his eyes still not leaving me as though he feared I would run away the second he stopped looking.

He was silent for a while.

I couldn't stop admiring the way his lips moved.

He scared to me to the core but I still couldn't bring myself to look away.

"Ask him to come to my room." He said then ended the call, placing the phone back into his pocket.

Strong arms.

Nice!

"You shouldn't pick everything you see especially if that thing belongs to me." He reprimanded. His voice so stern and cold.

I swallowed another lump of saliva. My body starting to shake while I tried to hide it.

Annoyed, his left hand grabbed my right arm, his fingers wrapping around it tightly. Pulling me closer to him.

"Do you fucking understand?" He roared, his grip getting tighter.

I nod, bitting my lower lip as tears started to gather at the back of my eyes.

"Use your words!" He ordered, twisting my arm sideway, causing terribly unbearable pain to jot through me.

"Y..es...Yes...Sir." I stammered, my throat getting cloaked from the sobs I held back.

A part of me hated the fact that I had to pick it up. Maybe I should have just say still like a nice little girl.

Only I wasn't nice or little.

He doesn't let go, instead he stared at me keenly.

My bladder became pressed, desperately wanting to let the pee out for relief. My nostril filled with the scent of him. My brain letting out screams of danger.

I could feel his breathe on my face. I could breathe him in and each breathe only made my heart continue to beat so loud that I feared that I might pass out.

The sound of the door opening to reveal one of his bodyguard caused him to let go of my arm as Rodrigo turned towards him.

"You sent for me, Sir." He said, his head bowed with his hands stretched downwards, right in front of him.

"What did I tell you about order, Leo?" Rodrigo asked, his words and voice commanding respect and fear.

I could see Leo shiver a little.

"Never joke with something confidential, Boss." Leo responded and Rodrigo nodded in response as he made his way forward to get closer to Leo.

"Now explain to me why something of this importance was left in the same room with this woman." He demanded, his left hand on his waist.

This woman!

I hated that he called me that.

"I...I...I never...you said...leisure...work...and..." Leo stammered as he tried to come up with something to save himself.

I knew Rodrigo had to be so dangerous to instill this much fear in a man like himself. Maybe they weren't similar in physique.

But I felt guilty. My heart squeezed tightly that I had put this innocent man in trouble by touching the file.

I watched Rodrigo run his fingers through his hair before dipping his right hand into the back of his pant and pulling out a gun.

I let out a gasp, both of my palms finding my mouth as it hovered with it. They were shaking vigorously. My palms getting all sweaty.

More bead of sweats broke across all part of me that it could access. My armpit, between my breasts, everything it could reach.

Before I could comprehend anything, I heard a loud bang following Leo dropping to the floor. Blood oozing out from between his eyes.

The sobs find their way out while my legs got so wobbly that they could give out on me.

At this moment, I regretted not walking out on them the second I found out why I was here. But now it was too late.

A man just died and I was a witness.

Just a witness but I caused it. I killed him. I made him kill the poor guy.

"I hate disobedience." I heard him say before turning around to look at me.

He pointed the gun towards me. I gasped again out of disbelief that he would really kill me when all I did was check some papers with words on it.

Well, he just murdered a man for putting it in the same room as you.

The voice reminded me.

I felt tears dampening my cheeks as the fear of how easily he would dispose of my body came running through my mind. I envisioned myself falling just like Leo did and losing all track on life.

I didn't want to die. Not in this way. Not before I actually...

Maybe I grew up hating my life and wanting to die.

Being faced with actual death made me realize that death was more tougher than I thought it was.

I knew deep down that I couldn't just give up without a fight. I had to try to stay alive. I had to do something.

"Please don't kill me." I managed to get my voice, pleading with him.

He let out a loud laugh that sounded like he was mocking me.

"And why shouldn't I?" He questioned, his voice firm. "You know too much already." He added.

I swallowed an lump of saliva as I thought of what to say to him.

I knew he was right. I really did know too much.

But I still wanted to live.

"Well, goodbye. This was fun while it lasted." He said, cocking his gun, ready to fire.

I let more tears stream down. My lips getting dry. My throat as well.

Suddenly I got an idea.

"Take me prisoner instead." I let out. My breathe heightening as I prayed that it works.

He paused for a while, running his eyes over me.

"And why would I want to do that?" He asked.

I thought hard of what to say to him to save myself but nothing came forth. Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I heaved out a sigh while I decided to tell him the truth.

"Because I don't want to die." I responded truthfully.

His gun still held in place. He was quiet for a while before his fingers intertwine with his hair.

I watched him bring the gun down to put back in its place. He took steps towards me, looking so composed and collected for a man that just killed someone and attempted to kill another.

He stopped in front of me. His Blue eyes looking so scary. He leaned his face in.

"I'm giving you another chance. Say one thing to anyone and I will kill you." He said in a whisper and I found myself clutching hard onto my dress till my knuckles become white.

He meant it.

His words made my stomach unsettle.

Made me want to disappear.

Because I knew that now or later. I would die by his hands.

****

It had been hours since the incident. Ten hours since the other bodyguards disposed of Leo's body without any of them questioning him. I watched his body dragged out of the room after wrapped up in a big leather like a pile of trash. Ten hours since I came face to face with death and I managed to survive it.

But did I really?

Thoughts of how he could get rid of me easily over here enveloped my mind.

I sat in the back of his car, my hands still clutching to my dress while my eyes glued to the floorpan.

I dared not say anything or look at him even though he was sitting directly opposite me.

My breathe seized at times out of fear of the unknown. I had no idea what fate had in store for me next.

We were now in his country. He had booked me a flight and had my passport sorted within ten hours and that only showed me how powerful he was.

Behind us were other cars that came to pick us. Him. Turned out he had more bodyguards than I thought and he was probably never going to miss Leo.

He also doesn't say a thing. His eyes still glued to his phone.

I bring my eyes up carefully to see him still fully engrossed in the act.

Thoughts of pushing the door open and running out of the car enveloped my mind.

But I knew better than to dare the devil.

"We are here, Boss." The Driver said, pulling the car to the right side and switching off the engine.

I raised my eyes out of curiosity.

Well I never learn.

They landed on the big White mansion. It was captivating. It was beautiful.

I quickly dragged my eyes away, pulling them back to the floorpan because I was scared that I might annoy him again.

TANYA'S POV

I fluttered my eyelids open for the umpteenth time while a sigh escaped my dry lips. I was bored, so bored that I could see myself losing my sanity because of that.

Today marked the third day since I got here. I had thought Mr. Enzo or Father would come looking for me but little did I know that was never going to happen because I was stuck here.

I haven't stepped out of this space since then. Since the night we got here and he coldly ordered his guards to look me in this room, I haven't laid my eyes on him.

Annoying freak!

I despised the fact that he was really going to take me prisoner. A part of me had believed the words would make him melt and he would let me walk away alive after a stern warning but I was totally wrong.

Huff!

Another sigh ran pass my lips.

Being in an enclosed space for too long was start to make me dizzy. My lungs desperately demanded some fresh air, inhaling deeply, I got on my legs and walked towards the window. My hands aimed at pushing it open and my eyes take out the details below.

This was the first time I was seeing it in broad daylight. I never attempted to because I was scared that it would piss Rodrigo off.

But fuck him!

I inhaled the air coming from outside, my head now brought out. Peace. It held peace.

It was nothing compared to the last one I took in.

I heard the door open from behind me but I don't bother to turn around because I knew it was time for the morning meal. Plus I had no idea of how long I would be able to stay like this before they would take it all from me.

"Your meal, ma'am." A young feminine voice informed.

A satisfied smile curled up my lips while my eyes ran over and over the clear blue sky. It looked so pretty.

"Just place the food on bed." I responded.

I wasn't ready to eat yet. Throughout yesterday, I hardly touched any of the meals due to my recent lack of appetite.

I couldn't stop wondering what my fate would be.

What if he showed up to gun me down too because he obviously had no use for me?

I could feel the fear crawling up my skin, making my hair stand on edge.

Maybe I should jump down and run now that I can.

I thought, my eyes darting around to read the best way to escape.

It wasn't going to be an easy way due to the distance of the room from the floor. I knew it was going to be a suicide mission.

Operation die early!

I squeezed my eyes briefly and dragged a breathe in.

Either way, he was still going to get rid of me. He would...

"Looking for an easy way out?" I heard him say causing me to startle as I turned around in shock.

My breathe hanging in my throat for a brief second.

"Huh!" I exclaimed.

He had a cold expression on his face and his hands in his pocket. I swallowed a lump of saliva because I knew my fear was about to come true. My hands trembled badly and I quickly brought them together in order to hid that.

"What brings you here?" I nervously said and a dry laugh followed immediately.

It was his house after all. I shouldn't ask him that but I sure was the type to spew meaningless words whenever I felt tensed.

"I live here." He responded, his voice lacking all form of emotion. His eyes were still glued on me keenly, it felt like being prickled by sharp needles. I felt like this room was filled with sharp daggers and I had to be mindful of what to say or where to step.

I let out another loud laugh.

"I know, right." I responded, looking away briefly. My teeth finding my lower lips. I felt so embarrassed, so stupid.

Fuck!

I managed to bring my eyes back to him. Clearing my throat so I could project having everything under control.

"So...ummm..what brings you here?" I asked. The important question finally slipping out.

He was silent for a long while, his eyes getting darker. He looked dangerously cute.

My heart thumped against my ribcage so loud that I could hear them in my ear drums. The sound of the ticking clock sounding so clear.

I could hardly feel myself breath. There was on sign of noise from anyone. It was as though everyone on the planet earth had paused to hear what this dangerously sexy man had to say to me.

His prisoner.

"You are getting married to me." Came his words.

My brain taking a while to comprehend them and when it did, I found myself laughing so hysterically to the extent that my stomach was starting to hurt.

I knew him to be things like in-despicable, dangerous, evil, a murdered but never did I see him as a comedian.

Because that had to be a joke right?

"Oh! That was fun. You should try comedy some more." I muttered, my palms finding my now terribly aching stomach to clutch onto it.

He said no word. Had no expression on. For such an handsome face, he did act more like a controlled robot with no words of its own, with no feelings or emotions.

I watched as he slowly pulled his right hand out, beads of sweat finding their way to my forehead and gathering to showcase my nervousness. My heart taking more leaps than I ever have.

Was he going to kill me? Was it going to be a gun?

Millions of questions coursed through my mind. My eyes widening with every single second that passed out.

Phew!

I let out a sigh of relief on seeing that it's nothing but just his palm. Rolling my eyes, I let my legs take me towards the bed and I settled on the edge.

Annoying freak!

Trying to make me pass out.

I sent him an angry glare because I hated to see how calm and composed he was. It was crazy that he seemed unaffected by everything.

"You are getting married to me soon and it's not up for discussion." He informed, his eyes moving over me from head to toe. "Also dress in something nice tomorrow. The lawyer will be here for the contract." He added then turned around to leave.

Asshole!

Who was he to think I...

"I look good in anything I wear plus you, sir, didn't give me a chance to take any of my things." I snapped at him angrily.

It wasn't like I could access my room after all since Dad took off after the last debt and the landlady locked up the house.

I didn't want to think about it.

He stopped in his tracks, turning his head around to look at me.

"Okay." He responded then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

A scoff escaped my lips.

I was so shocked, annoyed too by his arrogance and his impudence. He was too full of himself and...

Wait!

Was he serious about us getting married? Why would? Why would I want to marry such a cold-hearted man? Why would I want anything to do with him?

I scoffed again.

The spirit of disbelief consuming me.

****

I could hardly believe my eyes as they land on the words inscribed on this sheet of paper while my hand continued to tremble badly. My breathe hitching.

I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe that this man before me was a Lawyer and that Rodrigo had been serious.

According to this contract, I had no choice but to marry him. It was either marriage or my life.

Who would come up with an absurd contract like that? Why would I?

"Sign here." The Lawyer said causing me to lower the paper and lift my head to look at him.

"I can't do it." I managed to say as I tried to compose myself even though I could feel the whole place whirling around slowly.

I couldn't.

I had always envisioned marrying for love and happiness. Growing a family with lots of joy. Having my first sex with someone who would cherish me.

And he definitely looked nothing like the things I mentioned.

Lawyer Joe had a shocked look on. It was obvious that he feared Rodrigo and he probably was scared on my behalf too.

Maybe he would watch me die and then Rodrigo would hold him captive too.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I didn't want to die but I didn't want to marry him as well.

"Okay then." Rodrigo chirped in, his fingers finding the back of his pant.

My body shook with fear as I watched him pull out his gun, pointing it towards me.

"Guess your second chance expired." He added, attempting to pull it.

Lawyer Leo gasped while my breathe hung midway.

It was either marriage or death.

I knew I had to pick one fast. I had to live. I had to...

"I will do it!" I yelled out, my voice quivering.

I watched as an evil smirk curled up his lips while he carefully lowered his gun.

"That's a good girl. See it as a sacrifice for me sparing your life. You owe me after all." He said, a mocking laugh accompanying his words.

I blinked back the tears in my eyes that threatened to blur my vision. My right hand shaking so bad while I tried to hold the pen in place.

I couldn't do this. I couldn't afford to do this. I couldn't...

I broke into more tears, my left hand gripping hard onto my right.

Maybe this was the right thing to do.

I owe him. I owe him my life after all.

I mumbled to myself as I appended my signature.