Blossom in Winter

by Melanie Martins

  Chapter 28

  Alexander Van Dieren

  “I’m so happy to have met her, Alexander. She’s such a wonderful enigma,” states my mother, sitting beside me on the sofa.

  I smile, quite flattered. I knew she would like her. “I’m very glad to hear that.”

  “You know… God works in very mysterious ways.” I raise an eyebrow, although not surprised—Mother has always been quite religious.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Her father was telling me about that incident when she was seven. Isn’t it incredible? This young lady loved you even before knowing what love is. And despite all the efforts from her family to remove you from her memory, no one managed to remove you from her heart. And do you know why?”

  I’m perplexed, knowing Roy has shared such a secret. “No, I don’t.”

  “Because she gave it to you, Alexander.” Her lips twitch into a sly smile. “While stealing yours.”

  She then opens her jewelry vault, standing on the low table, and hands me a small midnight-blue velvet box.

  “What is it?” I ask, opening it. “Mother! It’s your engagement ring.”

  “Not really…” She has that twinkle in her eye. “It belonged to me, to your grandmother, and to your great-grandmother. It dates back to 1870 when Mr. Van Dieren found the finest and purest sapphire of his time in Sri Lanka. He took it to a jeweler, who polished it and created this unique piece that has been worn in our family ever since. If you take a closer look, you’ll see our family name has been engraved inside. We only pass down this ring if we truly believe our oldest son will get engaged to the right woman, with the right heart and the right mind. It’s hers now.”

  I gasp, speechless. And just when I think I know every single custom and tradition in my family, my mother still manages to surprise me. I look down and try to find the right words, but they aren’t coming. “I don’t know what to say… I… Thank you, Mother.” I hug her tight. “How did you even know about my intentions to propose to her so soon?”

  She smiles at me, caressing my jawline. “Oh, Alexander, I’m a very resourceful woman.” But I remain staring at her, confused. “Well, Roy spoke to me about it. After all, that’s what best friends do.”

  “Indeed. Roy will never stop surprising me. Just like my future wife.”

  I’m still quite emotional as I head back to my bedroom, the velvet box held steadfastly in the inner pocket of my jacket. I wonder where I can take her for the proposal. After all, it has to be somewhere as special and magical as her.

  I also wonder if she’s still mad at me. C’mon, Petra, just because of some rough sex? Really? I have to talk to her, but as I step into my bedroom, I gasp and my heart skips a beat. “Oh, dear Lord…” My cock grows hard at the sight of her. Petra’s sitting on the edge of my bed, her lips red, her wavy hair styled like a fifties diva, the red corset I gave her wrapped very tight around her body to accent her delicious waist and chest. She’s also wearing her new black lace thigh-high stockings and stilettos. She smiles, waiting for me quietly and silently. Just like I’d imagined. She’s so hot. Fuck, my Christmas present is right here, waiting for me to possess her again. I smile with pride. She’s so perfect, docile, and obedient, just as I wanted.

  “Do you like it?” she asks in the sweetest and meekest voice I’ve ever heard.

  Wow. I blink twice to be sure I’m not dreaming. “Very much so,” I reply, barely containing my excitement.

  “Take off your clothes.”

  I obey immediately and prompt myself to undress as fast as possible. She’s not mad at me anymore—she wants me!

  “I believe you forgot something, Mr. Van Dieren.”

  I smile again and remove my boxers, revealing my cock, already long and hard, ready to pound her again.

  She doesn’t look down, doesn’t blush, just wets her lips. “Come closer.”

  I move forward excitedly, ready to lie down on top of her.

  “I said ‘closer.’ Not ‘over.’” She presses her heel against my chest, moving me backward.

  I stand right in front of her, perplexed, confused. What does she have in mind?

  “Now sit on your knees.”

  I raise both eyebrows. “What?”

  “I said ‘sit on your knees,’” she repeats, emphasizing every word.

  I want to protest, but I’m too damn curious and excited to see what she’ll do next. Therefore, I obey and sit on the floor on my knees. Fortunately, there is a carpet underneath.

  “Head down.”

  I smile and look at the floor.

  She stands up, walks around me, and stops right behind me. “Now bend over, forearms on the bed.”

  Fuck. This is too much! Who does she think she is? “Petra…”

  She brutally brings her heel down on my back, forcing me to bend.

  I whine.

  “Do not contest my orders,” she yells like a general.

  I grudgingly obey again and brace my body and forearms on the edge of the bed.

  “Head down,” she repeats louder.

  I shake my head, displeased with her childish behavior, but I find myself putting my head down between my arms. Is she crazy or what?

  At that moment, I feel a light caress on my back. But it doesn’t come from her fingertips, it feels like leather. Leather? Wait—

  “I let you have me the way you wanted. Now it’s my turn.”

  And with all the strength and rage boiling in her, she violently strikes me with my riding crop.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” I snarl.

  “Shut the fuck up! Or I’ll do it harder!” She hits me again with even more strength. I try to endure it, but my body twists instinctively and my back starts burning. She hits me again, again, and again… I bet she loves hearing the sound of the strong leather violently hitting my flesh. It’s probably drenching her little pussy… Damn! I’m trying hard to handle the strikes, but I whimper at the last one. I feel my back growing hot as hell—it’s probably marked. Her breath quickens as she beats me even more enthusiastically.

  I can’t stand it any longer and start whining. “Petra! Fuck! Stop!”

  She finally shows some mercy and stops, while observing me—more precisely, while enjoying my pain and my reddened back. She violently grabs my neck and bends down to my ear. “Look, there’ll be times I might just want to whip you without foreplay, without tenderness, without cuddling, without being gentle…” My body shivers instantly at my words repeated back to me. “Do you feel comfortable with that?”

  My heart skips a beat. I’m not sure if I love or hate her behavior. “Does punishing me like that turn you on?” I ask, my voice broken.

  She smiles, triumphant. “Very much so.”

  Damn. I sigh loudly. “Then yes. Let me turn you on.”

  I hear only silence.

  “As you wish,” she snaps icily, before letting out a breath of annoyance. Wasn’t that the correct answer?

  Fuck! Another stroke. Looks like she’s decided to grant herself as much pleasure as possible by flogging me even further.

  I whimper louder and louder, then swear and snarl at every hit.

  But she ignores me. After all, I didn’t beg her to stop yet. My pride tries to endure every flog. I bet my back is in terrible condition by now, covered with wounds.

  Thankfully, she finally stops, and I hear the riding crop fall to the floor beside me.

  Petra Van Gatt

  He whines as I press the cotton with the antiseptic cream against his bright red marks. He then sighs loudly but hasn’t said a single word the whole time I’ve been taking care of his back. His silence is unbearable. I know he wants to say something. I feel it…

  “I’ve never let any woman flog me before,” he finally snaps, his tone cold as ice.

  While I feel pity for his poor back, I have no intentions of apologizing. I actually feel quite relieved, the pain in my chest gone. Margaret was right: taming him was the perfect antidote. “I see.” I tr
emble thinking about the question stuck in my throat. “Have you ever flogged a woman with that kind of strength?”

  “What strength?” he teases.

  I press the cotton firmly against his worst bruise.

  “Ouch!” He stays silent for a moment, pondering, then lets out a sigh. “Yes… Many.”

  My heart drops, hearing the truth. I get goose bumps picturing him being so violent.

  “But I won’t do it to you. Even if you beg me to.”

  I burst into laughter at his serious tone. “You’re so funny. Don’t worry. I have no intention of begging you to do such a thing. Seems way too painful,” I reply. “Quite interesting how everything is relative.”

  He chuckles at my observation. “Well, what I did to you didn’t leave any bruises…” Okay, he’s got a point. I might have gone a bit too far. “Ouch! Can you take it easy on my back?”

  I giggle like a child. “Stop complaining, Mr. Van Dieren. Otherwise I’ll leave you just like this.” He turns to face me, starting intently at my mouth. But I have more to say. “I love you, Alexander. But never take me for granted. I’m not like those women you can tame and do whatever you want with. If you repeat what you did in the library, I’ll punish you again.”

  But Alex is still obsessively staring at my lips instead of my eyes. I smile, catching him distracted. I wait patiently, and he finally blinks up at me.

  “I see,” he mumbles vaguely, his mind far away, probably still pondering my words. “And once we are married?”

  My jaw drops in shock. “Does it make any difference?”

  Alexander Van Dieren

  I can’t help but chuckle at her astonished face. Yes, Miss. Not possessing my wife when I feel like it is a bit too much to ask. “Not for now. I’ll keep that in mind, Ms. Van Gatt.” And I finally manage to kiss her lips. She’s so young, so innocent—she’s got so much to learn. After all, she has her entire life for that. And I have the firm intention of teaching her everything. Everything, like I promised her. I know she enjoyed it in the library. Her pussy has never been so soaked. She’ll learn to submit to me and enjoy it entirely without guilt, shame, or prejudice. She’ll most likely punish me again. But seeing her scarlet face, tears rolling down, and feeling her at my mercy—so fragile, frightened, and weak—is totally worth some red marks on my back. I know the more I do it, the more she’ll enjoy it—and the more violent I will have to be to keep her face and body wet for me…

  “Good,” she reaches to meet my lips, kissing them intensely. “Now undress me,” she instructs.

  My heart begins thundering in excitement. I open the clasps of her corset one by one, like a Christmas present, until it’s finally wide open. I toss it away and contemplate her pale, soft skin, delicately caressing her tits. I move to her right one, sucking and licking her hardened nipple. She closes her eyes and moans. While devouring her mouth, I pin her body against mine, and she spreads her legs wide apart.

  Petra Van Gatt

  I’m not sure why, but I’m already so wet and horny again. More than usual. Maybe it’s the idea of having him in his family house. Damn, I recall how he’s never brought any woman here before. He’s finally being tender like he’s always been, kissing my lips, sucking my neck and my tits, fondling my skin, and squeezing my thighs. I open my mouth wide to drag some air into my lungs. My pelvis arches, following his rhythm. “I love it so much when we make love this way,” I murmur between panting breaths.

  He gives me that cheeky smile, intrigued. “What do you feel?” he asks while slowing his thrusts.

  I sigh and blush at his question. I feel too shy to tell him. Instead, I bring his hand down to my abdomen.

  I see a twinkle in his eye and his mouth twitches into a smile full of pride. He knows the meaning, and I feel our bodies get closer to cumming. “That I’m giving you a child?”

  “Ahhh…” I shut my eyes, but my mouth remains wide open and my body can’t stop trembling. I’ve never felt so drenched at a simple question. I nod. How does he know me so well? But suddenly I recall that stupid promise he made to my dad, and decide to apologize. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have…”

  “It’s alright.” He smiles, staring at my sweaty face, then kissing my forehead. “I feel it too. Most of the time, that’s what I’m thinking when I cum.”

  What? I can’t believe what I just heard! Does he also want a baby? I feel like cumming at his words, and I can’t help but moan louder than usual. “Oh, Alex, don’t say that,” I plead between squeals of pleasure as he keeps pounding harder and farther in.

  “One day, you will bear our children, I promise,” he declares, while finishing deep inside. He kisses my lips, enjoying and cherishing the sound of our heartbeats.

  Oh, Alex, why not now? Why waste so many years? I couldn’t have hated my father more for making this request. I sigh, irritated. This is exactly the type of obedience that I despise the most. “It takes so many years to graduate… I can do both, you know…”

  He chuckles at my words. “You have plenty of time, Petra.”

  I do, but he doesn’t.

  Nevertheless, since I don’t want to ruin the evening, I smile at him and silence my thoughts.

  Chapter 29

  Dieren, December 26, 2019

  Alexander Van Dieren

  I’ve decided to propose on New Year’s Eve. Tight schedule, I know. I have not even a week to plan a romantic escape. It has to be somewhere that surprises her, takes her breath away, and makes her eyes sparkle. A place where we can spend a memorable evening. Maybe somewhere in Venice? Or Paris? I can’t wait to see her face when I finally bend down on one knee and ask her: Ms. Van Gatt, will you marry me?

  Damn, I can’t help but shiver at the thought of it. While looking at the ring nestled in the box, a tender smile alights on my lips. This ring is so perfect for Petra. I know she’ll look sublime wearing it—after all, I already saw her doing just that in my dream.

  I hear knocking on my office door. I close the box, put it back inside my jacket hanging on the chair, and order the person at the door to come in.

  A security guard from the gate steps inside. “Mr. Van Dieren, my apologies for interrupting, but we have an unexpected guest.”

  “Who?”

  The guard moves closer and shows me on his iPhone the live feed from the gates.

  “Let her in,” I reply.

  “Mr. Van Dieren, are you sure?”

  I nod.

  He takes his walkie-talkie and conveys my answer to the security at the gates.

  “Kindly stay here,” I instruct. “I might need you to escort her out, in case she becomes violent or doesn’t want to leave.”

  My heart starts pounding as I serve myself a glass of Macallan from the crystal decanter. I will definitely need more than one.

  After a few minutes, I hear knocking.

  I know she is here.

  I take a long drink and sit slightly on the edge of my desk.

  The door opens, and Stuart lets her in.

  “What can I do for you, Ms. Hagen?” I dare to ask, despite knowing exactly why she’s here.

  “Don’t get engaged to my daughter!” barks Tess furiously, swaggering toward me until my guard restrains her from getting any closer.

  “I see news travels fast.” I take another sip. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hagen, but this will be up to Petra to decide, not you.”

  “Don’t destroy her life, Van Dieren! You know she deserves better than you! She deserves to meet someone who doesn’t have your past, who hasn’t done the things you have. Someone good. Stop this relationship now. This is beyond evil!”

  Damn, the high-pitched sound of her voice is deafening. “Ms. Hagen, I’m sorry you can’t see beyond my past and the mistakes I made then, but you should get used to this new reality. Petra and I will be engaged soon, and she’ll ultimately become my wife and the mother of my children—your grandchildren.” Her face flushes instantly, boiling with rage. Not a good sign. “I’ll ask you to leave now
,” I order.

  But she has no intention of doing so. She points her index finger at me in disgust. “You’re repugnant! You and my ex-husband might have the money and power to hide everything, but I have nothing to lose! I only have one daughter. ONE. And I’ll make sure to protect her from your evil grip! You can bet I will!”

  “That’s enough,” I shout louder. “How dare you threaten and insult me in my own house.”

  “I have people who are ready to testify in court and share their stories with the media, Mr. Van Dieren. People who know how dangerous and cruel you and your family are.”

  I give a quick head signal to the security guard.

  He grabs Tess by the arm and drags her to the door, but she violently resists. “I know where the exit is, thank you!” While walking backwards, she glares at me one last time. “Leave my daughter alone! Or I’ll destroy you, my ex-husband, and your precious family. You’ve been warned.”

  The security guard escorts her out until she gets into her car, making sure she leaves the property without any further damage.

  I’m still in shock. I can’t believe Tess came here, screamed and threatened me on my own family estate! It all seems like a terrible nightmare. Except it’s not. I take a deep breath, refill my glass, and call Roy to come urgently.

  It doesn’t take long for him to knock on my door. After all, my tone over the phone was quite alarming.

  “What happened, Alex? It looks like you just saw a ghost.”

  “Worse than that…” I rub my eyelids. “Tess came here. She knows about my intention to marry Petra, and she’s not happy, to say the least.”

  “What? Tess came here? She’s insane.” Roy shakes his head. “I spoke to her yesterday over the phone. She asked me to withdraw my blessing, but I refused. I won’t break the hearts of my daughter and my best friend.”