The Don's Captive

Giulia's POV

''You are quite brave to confront me, Giulia Mancini." His deep voice echoed in the room, commanding attention.

I had walked into this office with all the boldness I could muster to demand for my father's release but this didn't seem to go as planned.

The opulent decor seemed to intensify my anxiety, and my legs were trembling, but I managed not to show it.

I took a deep breath and decided to say something, "You are holding my father hostage and I want him released."

A playful smile that disappeared almost immediately curled his lips.

"Oh, yes... Your father owes me a substantial debt."

My eyes welled with tears as my sweaty palms clutched my small purse containing my last savings. "I'll pay it, whatever it takes."

"Lorenzo." He called out.

A man in his late thirties who stood behind his table the whole time watching in silence walked towards him and dropped a file on the table after which he went back to his initial position.

He went through the file for a split second and looked back at me.

"You know..." he began as he leaned back on his chair, steepling his fingers, "what your father owes me goes beyond monetary value." His gaze caused an unnerving intensity as he didn't take them off me.

"Take me then." I blurted out even before I could stop myself as I took a step forward. My words felt like a betrayal.

Don Antonio laughed dryly and stood to his feet. "You seem to amaze me young woman"

Why won't I? My mind screamed, but I dared not say a word.

"What could I possibly use you for?" Don Antonio asked as he walked towards me. He lifted my chin, his gray eyes staring deep into mine, burning with a mixture of curiosity and desire.

He immediately lift my chin and snapped his fingers. He had an idea. "If you are willing to be my companion for three years, I'll let your father go."

My eyes widened at the sound of the word "companion". The word tasted like hell.

"I'm willing." I knew fully well that I was walking into hell, but did I really have a choice?

Don Antonio put both hands in his pocket and turned, allowing his back to face me, and he took a step forward.

"Your determination seems fueled by desperation, Giulia."

He turned to face me, his eyes not leaving mine. " Do you understand what you are agreeing to?"

This was when it dawned on me that I didn't know what I just agreed to. I shook my head as I let the tear that hung on my eyelid drop.

Don Antonio took his eyes off me and walked back to his desk. " Giulia" He called as he sat down, leaning forward so his elbows could relax on the table.

I felt shivers run through my spine the moment he called my name. My heart began to race.

"Being my companion, means you are going to be my pet. You are to answer to me alone and must obey my commands."

"And what if I don't?"

"Oh, Giulia!" He laughed, his deep voice dripping with amusement. "Failure to comply risks your father's life... and yours too."

I was speechless. My father's life and mine were dependent on my decisions.

"What do you say, Giulia?... Are you still willing to be my companion?"

"Yes, I'm willing," I replied, with my voice barely audible.

Don Antonio's eyes gleaned with triumph and it sent shivers down my spine.

"Excellent! Our contract begins now"

Lorenzo walked towards me with a blue file, handed it over to me, and showed me where to sign. My fingers trembled as I signed on the paper.

"One more thing young woman, you are to address me as master and nothing else." He added with a sly smile.

"Yes, master," I muttered

"Good." He said as he rubbed his palms together before standing up.

"Lorenzo will now show you to your room and as for your father, I have sent words for him to be released immediately." Don Antonio said and walked out even before I could utter a word.

"I thought I was supposed to go home to get my things?" I asked Lorenzo, who neatly arranged the file on Don Antonio's desk.

He looked at me for a while with a blank expression and began to walk out. "Follow me," he said, ignoring the question I asked earlier, and I hurriedly followed him out.

We walked through a large passage. After taking so many turns, we arrived at a door, which he opened gently.

A maid who seemed tired walked out after a slight bow to Lorenzo. We walked into the room and it was beautiful. The maid must have done a lot to make the room look like this.

The room was twice the size of the room my father and I shared.

"This is your room." He said and turned to walk out. He got to the door and stopped, "Don't get too comfortable" he murmured and then left.

What did he mean by 'don't get too comfortable'?

That didn't matter right now, all that mattered was that my father was free and I had somewhere to lay my head.

I dropped my purse on the table and let myself drop on the bed. I knew I was in grave danger but that didn't stop me from taking a little nap.

I had to prepare myself for the terror ahead.

"Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am," a lady in a white apron called as she tapped gently on my legs. I sat slowly and rubbed my eyes.

I looked at the wall clock and realized that I hadn't even slept for an hour. I was about to complain when I turned to see Lorenzo and I remembered where I was.

"You are to freshen up and get dressed in less than thirty minutes. Your master needs you."

I jumped out of bed at the sound of the word 'master'.

" I told you not to get too comfortable"

Giulia's POV

"Where are we going?" I asked as Lorenzo led me down a dimly lit alley.

"My boss has a special job for you." For the first time, I saw Lorenzo smile, and it sent shivers down my spine.

The alley led us to a nondescript door. Lorenzo brought out a key card and swung open exposing us to a stairway.

As we descended the stairs I adjusted the annoying short black dress I was forced to wear.

We climbed until we reached the door. The bouncers outside gave a slight bow to Lorenzo and pushed the door open.

The door revealed a smoke-filled room, and my stomach churned. I had never seen a place like this.

"Welcome to Black Heaven," Lorenzo said as he gestured for me to go in. I was hesitant and my legs felt too numb to take a step.

Before I realized what was happening, Lorenzo grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.

The clamor of clinking glasses, unpleasant laughter, and shuffling cards overwhelmed me. The air reeked of smoke and desperation.

"Follow me," Lorenzo muttered to my hearing as he let go of my arms. I could feel the burning stares of both young and old but I dared not look around.

Lorenzo halted in front of a sleek black counter and a man with tattoos and numerous piercings walked out of the shadows with a package, his eyes not leaving my body.

The tattooed guy eyed me for quite some time as he dropped the package.

"Thank you, Raymond," Lorenzo said as he opened the package and beckoned me to look inside. It contained several bags of white powder.

"Your job is to sell this." He instructed, his tone firm but low and intimidating "every one of them, before tonight runs out."

I was speechless. I knew Antonio was ruthless, but compelling his so-called companion into selling drugs for him was extreme. I burned with rage but there was nothing I could do other than obey. This was worse than I had imagined.

Lorenzo handed the package over to me and led me to a crowded table. My heart sank.

"Smile, Giulia. You don't want to chase these people away"

I forced a smile to hide my anger.

Lorenzo took a few steps backward and watched me do my thing. His presence was unbearable.

My hands trembled as I exchanged packets of powders for wads of cash. All eyes were on my body; the men seemed like they were waiting for an opportunity to devour me.

Not long after, I felt cold fingers running through my lap, and I shivered. I looked down to find the middle-aged man who had his fingers on my body watching me.

I was scared to pull away. His fingers ran around my lap for quite some time and he began to move them up to my undies.

My eyes widened in shock as I turned to look at Lorenzo. A sly smile hung on his lips.

"The boss has ordered that no one touches her," Lorenzo called out to the man from where he stood.

"I didn't get to have a taste of you, my darling," the man said as he moved his hand away, letting a deep frown rest on his face.

I quickly moved away from the table.

My heart raced uncontrollably as I walked around. Both eyes of old and young were on me and they kept calling out to me.

I am not a slut for crying out loud! I yelled mentally.

The only thing that kept me intact was my master's order for me not to be touched.

All I wanted was to quickly distribute the drugs and leave the atmosphere. It was becoming intoxicating and I was exhausted.

Just when I was about to lose it, Lorenzo nodded towards the exit.

"Time to go," he said, collecting what was left.

I let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly walked out of the room grasping for a feel of fresh air. Lorenzo followed from behind.

"I'm letting you relax because this is your first. Next time, you'll finish distributing it all." Lorenzo said as we entered the car.

I turned to look at him for quite some time and kept my head straight. Did he hate me this much or was this my master's order?

***

"How did she do it?" Don Antonio asked, his eyes roaming my body immediately after we got to the dining room.

"Better than expected, Boss," Lorenzo answered without sparing me a glance.

"Good... If you were so good at this, then there's more you could do," Antonio said, rubbing his palms together.

My heart skipped a beat. There was more I could do? Tears immediately flooded my eyes. This wasn't as easy as I thought.

I immediately felt the urge to run away but how easy was that?

"Go and freshen up Giulia and join me at the table... you did a good job this evening"

I took a look at the table and it was filled with varieties of meals I had always wanted to taste.

"Yes, master," I answered with a slight bow and walked away. I could feel Antonio's stare from behind but I didn't look back.

"Giulia" Don Antonio called the moment I got to the door. I turned to face him but his eyes were on his food.

"You'll join me in my bedroom, too, as my companion after dinner."

I stood there dumbfounded but he never looked up. I slowly turned at walked out.

"Your bath is ready, ma'am," a slender-looking lady in a white apron said as I walked in.

I went to take a bath and I felt better. I walked out and found that a dress had already been prepared for me.

I picked up the dress and saw that it was shamelessly transparent.

"I can't wear this." I blurted

"This is what the master insists on ma'am"

"Tell him I'm no slut and can't wear this to the dining room" I yelled, throwing the dress back on the bed.

"Is that so?" A deep, familiar voice asked, and I froze.

Giulia's POV

I didn't turn to look at the door. I was so scared. The aura he exuded was menacing.

The maid bowed and rushed out. He must have signaled her to leave.

I heard his footsteps as he walked towards me. Soon, he stopped. I could feel him behind me as his warm breath rested on my neck.

"Giulia." He called, his voice deep and fierce.

"Yes, master," I answered, my voice barely audible. I stood still and didn't look back.

He walked slowly from behind and stood in front of me. I could see the rage in his eyes.

"How dare you disobey my orders?"

"I'm sor..." he didn't let me finish. He put his index finger on my lips. He looked at me for a split second and turned his back on me.

"I own you now, young woman." He let out a dry laugh. " You have no choice but to do as I say."

He turned back to face me. He took a step forward and I took a step backwards. This continued until I got to the wall and he was two steps away.

"I asked you to wear a dress Giulia, and you declined." He paused to look me over with both hands folded behind, "You mentioned not being a whore; who are you to decide who you are?"

My throat went dry, I couldn't say a word. I couldn't even look at him; his gray eyes seemed to pierce into my soul.

"Don't keep me quiet, look up at me and say something."

"I... I can't... wear that... dress" I stuttered with tears clouding my eyes. I still didn't look at him.

Before I could realize what was happening, he had covered the distance between us. He had his fingers clawed my throat and I was forced to look up at him.

He was so close that I could feel his breath against my face. There was just a thin line between us.

I was uncertain about what was going to happen next but I knew for sure he wasn't going to kiss me.

Nothing on earth prepared me for what he said next.

"You know Giulia..." He removed his fingers from my throat and hung both hands on the wall leaving me in between. " I hate you as much as you hate me."

My heart skipped a bit as he said those words. How did he know?

He smiled but the smile didn't get to his eyes. His eyes still displayed a burning rage.

"Yet still, there's a huge difference between us." He continued, " I'm in charge. I own you; I dictate whatever you do with your life until this contract is over, and you dare not disobey... Do you understand me?"

I nodded as a tear fell from my eyes.

"Do you understand me, Giulia?... Answer me." He said raising his voice.

"Yes, master" I answered shakily. My vision was already blurred by tears but I managed to see his angry expression.

"Now, your master commands that you wear that dress." He said pointing at the dress that lay rumpled on the bed

"I can't..." I muttered in tears.

"Giulia..." he yelled, "You either wear that dress or walk naked."

I was shaken. What was the difference between wearing nothing and wearing that dress? There was a tiny difference though; at least I had my underwear on.

I managed to take a step forward. I went to pick the dress up and took a look at it. I could feel his eyes on me.

I took off the robe I was wearing, leaving me with my undies. I picked up the dress and Antonio stopped me.

"Take off your underwear Giulia; put the dress on like that." I opened my mouth but no words came out. " I'll be waiting at the table." He concluded as he walked to the door.

"Don't keep me waiting." He said and walked out.

I sat on the bed frustrated. This was worse than expected. It was just my first night here and I already felt like running away.

I took my undies off and put the dress on. I looked at myself in the mirror; it was a beautiful silky, peach but transparent dress.

I walked to the door and held the handle. I was going to walk through the hallway naked with bodyguards and maids looking at me. Don Antonio was terrible.

I took a deep breath and pulled the door open. I walked quietly down the hallway and didn't find a single soul. The building seemed empty.

I walked into the dining room to find just Antonio sitting with his head bent over his meal. The hall was empty; even Lorenzo wasn't there.

He didn't raise his head until I was beside him.

"Sit here." He gestured at the seat beside him. He didn't spare me a glance.

I sat quietly. I then observed that the dishes on the table were different from what was there before.

I picked up my cutlery and munched slowly on the meal on the plate before me.

"You are quite stubborn, despite being helpless and hopeless," Antonio said sarcastically not caring that his words would hurt.

"You sent everyone away," I said calmly, ignoring his previous statement. "Why?"

He looked at me, and for the first time since I got to the table, he examined me properly. He let his eyes linger from my face to my chest and then back to my eyes.

"I asked you to wear this dress for me. I own you, not them." He sounded quite possessive.

After a few moments of silence, Don Antonio drew his chair backward and stood up. "Follow me."

I stood up immediately and followed him. We walked through a different hallway with beautiful artwork hung on the wall. They're obviously worth thousands of dollars, if i may assume.

He got to a huge door and pushed it open only to find a lady sprawled naked on the bed.

"Oh, darling, where have you been?"