“What is it?” His tone was snappy and arrogant. I just wanted to boycott this whole dinner and go back to my bedroom. But I plowed through.
“Can I have my phone back?”
Lorenzo slammed his chopsticks down, and I almost jumped out of my seat with fright. “Why do you want your phone so much?”
“I’m worried about my friend—”
“You mean your boyfriend,” he said in a bitter tone.
I was taken aback. I shook my head in denial. “No. Gian is my friend. He left me a voice message on my phone, but I never got to listen to it. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
Lorenzo ignored my plea and went back to his food. His fingers gripped the chopsticks so tight, his knuckles turned white. An expression of anger slid across his face for a short moment. He was upset and angry about something. I could tell by the way his jaws clenched together. I tried pushing further. Maybe he’d relent and give me back my phone.
“Please. What do I need to do to get my phone back?”
That question caught his interest. Lorenzo’s facial expression changed that instant. He watched me for a couple of seconds, with a slight glint in his eyes, and smiled. This smile represented everything evil. I was scared of his request now.
“Make me coffee.”
I shuddered at hearing the word coffee. Images of Jenny with ground coffee on her face and her infectious laughter invaded my mind. God! I missed her. It was only my second day here, and I missed her like crazy.
Where was she right now? I hoped she was okay by herself. Jenny was a strong person and was capable of living on her own. I didn’t doubt her ability. But as her older sister, I couldn’t help feeling protective of her. I hoped she would be staying somewhere safe right now. Unlike me. Although this place was grand like a palace, so beautiful and luxurious, but the fact still remained that this was my hell.
“I don’t know how to make coffee,” I confessed, my hope of getting the phone back diminishing by the second.
In our family, Jenny was responsible for making coffee. She even won barista awards for her skill in coffee making. She took after Mama. Whereas I…
“What can you do, Amelia?” Lorenzo asked, jerking me back to the present. I was only too pleased to reply, glad for the distraction. I refused to let my mind travel down that dark tunnel again.
“I can make tea. Would you like some tea?”
Lorenzo just sat back and stared at me, his indifferent facial expression back on. I took it as a yes. I walked to the kitchen and started boiling the water. “What kind of tea would you like? There’s chamomile, green tea, or mint.”
Lorenzo still didn’t reply. Had he gone mute? I made the decision for him. “I’ll make you green tea.”
He didn’t reply again. I went ahead with the preparation, doing my best to ignore the death stares beaming at my back. As soon as the water was boiled, I poured it in a cup and handed it to him.
“Here’s your tea,” I said, and I was about to head back to my seat when his hand snaked out and locked on to my wrist. With his other hand, he gently picked up the teacup and started sipping.
I couldn’t do much but just stand there watching him drink his tea, like he had all the time in the world. Well, this was his world, and he could do whatever he wanted. But I couldn’t help noticing how his large hand was holding on to that small teacup. How could a brute like him have such refined skill? I watched him as he brought the cup to his lips again and—
He turned the whole cup upside and poured the tea on the floor.
My eyes went as wide as the teacup saucer. I was completely speechless.
“What did you do that for?” I managed to articulate at last.
“The tea is not up to my standard,” he said. “Clean it up. Now.” And he released my hand.
I cursed him silently all the way to the kitchen, wishing he would just go to hell. I took the cloth and went down on my hands and knees to wipe the spillage. I did a fine job until I saw his foot in the way.
“Move your foot. You’re in the way.”
Lorenzo really wanted to push my limits. And right now, he planned to destroy the last shred of my dignity. He crouched down to my level until we were face-to-face. There was a delightful glint in his eyes, as if he enjoyed seeing me in this state.
“You think I would simply hand that phone over to you just because you politely asked and used the word please. Don’t forget who you are, Amelia. You are nothing but my possession. I paid four million dollars for you. I intend to make every use of you. Make sure you clean every single spot. Or else…”
And he left me sitting on the floor with the dirty cloth in hand.
I had finally come to a conclusion regarding Lorenzo. Not only was he a madman who hated me to the bones, but he also wanted to make me suffer, including tearing up my pride and tramping on it.
Chapter 11
The Dream
I was lying on someone’s lap, the heat of the afternoon sun shining on my face. I heard the soft whisper of the wind whistling near my ear, and the sound of the birds chirping in the trees. The intoxicated scent of roses lingered nearby and somewhere in the far distance, a river flowed. I was so warm and comfortable; I didn’t want to move from my position. Until someone nudged me and whispered next to my ear.
“Wake up, Rose. It’s time to head back.”
“No. Let me sleep a bit more. It’s so nice here,” I found myself saying.
Was I dreaming?
“My legs are getting numb,” came that voice again.
It was a man, I could tell, because that voice sounded deep. And it sounded familiar, too, like I’d heard it from somewhere before. I racked my brain trying to find answers but lost focus when his hands came to play with my cheek. My heart rate quickened, and my cheeks flushed red.
“You look so beautiful when you’re shy.”
I flushed even more.
Who was this man? I wanted to see him.
I urged my eyes to open but my body wouldn’t obey me.
“Come on, Rose. If you don’t open your eyes, I’ll kiss you.”
Rose? Who is Rose? But I didn’t get to think further when the word kiss had my full attention.
I told myself to wake up, or just to open my eyes, so I could see who I was talking to, but like all dreams, I had no control of my actions.
“Then kiss me,” I said.
I was gobsmacked at my own behavior. Was this my true self? Was I hiding my real nature all this time and only revealed my true self in my dream?
I begged myself to say no, but my body wouldn’t listen. Before I could even do anything, soft lips were already touching mine. And I was kissing those lips back, my hand reaching out to feel for his face, his jaw, and there was a hint of stubble there. I cradled that jaw and brought his lips closer to mine and deepened the kiss.
This kiss was passionate and intense, but also soft and pleasurable, so unlike the one I had experienced in real life. Whoever my lover was, he must have loved me very much. I could feel it in the way he touched me and caressed me, carefully guiding me back to his mouth when I broke free. I wished I could open my eyes so I could see him.
My lover nestled his head at the nape of my neck, kissing me there before moving down to my breasts. My fingers went to grab his hair. I pulled him closer to me. And I felt all of him, his arms and legs entwined around me.
I needed to see him. I wanted to see him. And my wish came true. I opened my eyes and I saw all of him. From his white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck to reveal the expanse of his fair chest, to his golden-blond hair, shimmering in the light of the afternoon sun. But yet, the face I wanted to see the most remained blank, like a canvas without paint. But I knew all the same that he was my lover.
And then something unexpectedly happened that whipped me out of my mind. My lover had his hand up my skirt. Instead of refusing him, I urged him on.
“Please,” I whimpered. “I want this.”
“Do you really want this
? Out here?” my lover asked.
I wanted to resist, but my dream-self begged him for it. “Yes. I want you. I want this.”
He made a rumbling sound, as if he was satisfied with my answer. I felt his large expert hand running up my thigh until it found its destination.
I blushed at the intimate contact and waited with bated breath as his fingers played me, brushing that area again and again, like an expert musician making me sing. And when I least expected it, he nudged a finger in. The sensation rocked through me and had me spinning out of control. Until he pulled me back. And then did it all over again.
“Please. Don’t torture me like this,” I mewed.
He laughed, a deep rumble vibrating from his chest.
“I want you to enjoy it,” my lover said.
“I am,” I said, palming his cheek and bringing his face closer so I could plant another kiss on his lips. “But I want you now.”
I loved his lips. But I loved it more when those lips were on me.
“If you feel pain, let me know.”
“Mm-hmm.” I nodded.
He hauled me up so I ended up positioned on his lap. I found my comfort zone, going immediately to rest my face at the crook of his neck.
He started slowly by sliding his hands under my skirt again, then pulling my undies off me. I helped him, sliding my butt off his lap, and with one flick of his finger, my undies disappeared. I was now naked under my dress. He made his move, unzipping his pants and pulling his length out.
I was mesmerized by the sight of his length, long and large. My heart pounded, thinking how it could possibly fit inside me. But my dream-self had other ideas. I felt my hands reaching out for that length and grasping it.
“Fuck! Rose. What are you doing?” I had startled him by my intimate contact.
“I want to feel you,” I said, and my hands started pumping him.
My dream lover was grunting and groaning, his head thrown back as he experienced the pleasure I gave him.
Until he growled, “Fuck! Rose. Stop! I’m going to come.”
“Then come,” I said, urging him on as my hands picked up the pace, moving faster and faster, until I heard him moan one final time, and then he released himself before falling slack against me, his breathing slowly recovering.
It took him less than a minute to regain his senses, and then he made his move. He positioned me, lifting me up until I hovered just above his length. And then with a slight push on my body, he slid right into me. He filled me right to the core, his length stretching my inside until I found I couldn’t breathe.
“Fuck, you’re so tight,” he growled. He moved, slowly at first and then faster and faster, as if he wanted to give all his pleasure to me. And I felt it, the sensation ripping through my body, creating a fire that kept burning and burning. “Are you okay, Rose?”
I was lost to the beautiful torture. I begged him for more. And he complied, pounding into me, his length stretching me, until I couldn’t take it anymore and flew, higher and higher until I reached to the sky. A burst of lightning shot through the air and I was falling and falling and falling. When I finally came to, I was clutching on to him, and his beautiful deep voice was whispering beautiful words into my ear.
“I love you, Rose. I love you so much.” His forehead was wet with sweat as he rested it against mine.
“I love you, too,” I replied. I tried to control the trembles in my hands, but I was so shaken by this wonderful, earth-shattering experience, I responded by crying.
“What’s wrong?” he asked me as if sensing my sadness.
“Why didn’t you come find me? I was waiting for you.”
Tears ran down my face. What was going on? Why was I crying?
“I’m sorry, Rose. I’m sorry,” my lover said, his large hands coming to cup my cheeks.
“I was waiting for you,” I muttered, my lips trembling.
My vision was blurry with the tears streaming down my face, and I couldn’t see my dream lover properly. Until his large hands came to wipe my tears away and my vision became clear. I looked up at him and I saw perfectly clear heterochromia blue and green eyes staring lovingly back at me.
My heart kicked against my chest. My dream lover was…
Lorenzo!
* * *
I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart beating fiercely against my rib cage. My arms and legs were tangled and twisted around the bedsheets, a result of the wet dream I’d just had.
Oh God! That was crazy. Why did I dream of Lorenzo as my lover? And on top of that we kissed and had sex.
Sex! I was still a virgin in real life. What made me dream of Lorenzo, of all men, to be my lover?
This wasn’t right. And I didn’t feel right. In fact, I was still hot and sweaty. Just the thought of him had me thinking about my dream again. I touched my lips, remembering his hard lips pressed on mine, and my heart rapidly increased in speed again. I pulled the blanket off, my head going dizzy. But that still didn’t help alleviate my symptom. I was hot and bothered.
I rushed to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. It didn’t help. My breathing only deepened, and I felt a throbbing sensation between my legs. What was wrong with me?
I jumped into the shower stall and turned on the nozzle. Ice-cold water bit at my skin, but I welcomed it, wanting those unfamiliar sensations to disappear from my body. But it didn’t work. I needed release.
I shut my eyes, but all I could see were images of Lorenzo and me, making love like in my dream. The throbbing increased and my heart rate sped up.
Oh God! I knew why my body was reacting like this. I was aroused. And it was all because of that dream.
I didn’t think I could view Lorenzo in the same light ever again.
Chapter 12
Hot Under the Shower Part 1
It had been a week since I last saw Lorenzo. All this time, I was alone by myself. Sometimes Ming-May would accompany me with the housework. And I was grateful for her company because I had someone to talk to. But once night arrived, I was alone again.
I wasn’t used to staying by myself, all alone in this huge penthouse. Back home, I’d always had company. Either having conversations with Papa during the evenings or chatting with Jenny over dinner. There was always something to do. But here, once my job was done for the day, I was left to my own devices.
I wanted to go out, to see the world, but I was stuck here. If I escaped, then Lorenzo would hunt me down, or worst-case scenario, he’d hurt my father. I knew first-hand what his power could yield. I wished there was some way to ease the boredom, though. There was only so much I could do here.
Was that why I’d dreamed about Lorenzo?
I tried to shove that thought away. He was a distraction I didn’t want. But whenever I became bored, my mind would spin back to Lorenzo. At night I would lie awake thinking of him and his heterochromia eyes staring at me. Then I would listen to the sound of his footsteps walking along the hallway until they reached at my door. He never came in though. I wouldn’t know what to do if he did.
After dinner that night, I found myself in Lorenzo’s bedroom again. I had already cleaned his room twice, but Lorenzo still hadn’t appeared. It wasn’t like I was waiting for him. Far from it. I was enjoying my own company. But sometimes being alone by myself scared me and I preferred to have him here with me, even though we bickered all the time. But then again, I was also grateful he didn’t show up, because that dream was still vivid in my head, and whenever I closed my eyes, I could see him kissing me, making love to me, and then my whole body would rush up in heat.
It was absolutely unbelievable. I’d never experienced this sensation before. Throughout all my twenty-one years of life, I had many men hit on me, and some even go so far as to kiss me, but my body had never reacted the same way as when Lorenzo had touched me. I just wished I would stop seeing him. Or missing him.
Was this why I was in his bedroom again? How many times had I been here? I lost count.
I gazed at
his bed. Did he have a lover? A mistress maybe.
Why was I thinking of him this way? Even if he had a mistress, it had nothing to do with me. If he brought a woman here, it still shouldn’t affect me because I was not his lover. But my dream had totally ruined me.
I had to get out of here or else I would do something stupid, like lie on his bed and sleep. I was just about to head back to my bedroom when I heard the sound of footsteps.
Thud! Thud!
I jerked back to reality, my body going still as I listened to the sound of those footsteps again.
Who could be here at this hour? It was already past nine at night. Ming-May had already gone home. Unless…
Lorenzo!
I panicked and went to look for a hiding place, except before I even found one, Lorenzo was already inside his bedroom. I dashed into the bathroom just in time before he saw me. I immediately pressed by body against the door.
There wasn’t really anything wrong if he’d appeared and I was in his bedroom. Because I was his personal maid. But today, I didn’t want to face him. I was too vulnerable. And I didn’t have the energy to fight him. Worse, I might even think I was in my dream and do something stupid like kiss him. And that was something I could never forgive myself for. He and I, we were enemies. He hated me and I…
I didn’t know what I felt for him. I used to hate him but now…
I wasn’t so sure what my feelings were anymore. After that dream, I didn’t know what to think of Lorenzo.
I needed to be clear where he stood. I should learn to separate dreams from reality. Lorenzo, the man in my dream, was a nice gentle guy, but this Lorenzo, the real-life one, was dangerous and mean and handsome and…
Oh God…
I needed to separate myself from Lorenzo. Yes. Separation was a good idea. But the only thing separating us right now was the bathroom door, and if he decided to come into the bathroom too, I would be a goner.
At that moment, I heard footsteps approaching the bathroom and knew I was in trouble if I didn’t find a hiding spot soon.
Beautiful Hell: The Mafia and His Maiden: Book One Page 7