Babel Novel
Chapter 17 "I'Ll Be Making Full Use Of You."
Chapter 17 "I'Ll Be Making Full Use Of You."
Chapter 17 "I'll be making full use of you."
I couldn't decipher Antonio's expression and wanted to ask, but my better judgment told me to refrain. Antonio was a mafioso, a fact I had to keep in mind at all times-everything about him was perilous, and I needed to stay away from his life.
Our meal was served promptly. I ate the sausages on my plate in silence, occasionally stealing glances at Antonio with the corner of my eye. He elegantly sliced the veal shank, tenderly placing the juiciest piece at my lips.
I hesitated when I saw it, and he maintained his gesture, waiting for me to bite. As more people turned their eyes towards us, a tingling sensation crept up my scalp, and I felt exposed under their gaze, but Antonio seemed unfazed, his eyes increasingly domineering.
I shivered, battling internally under his gaze, realizing I was subconsciously submitting to him, yet I knew I shouldn't. Antonio was patient. He stared at me until I relented, hastily biting into the meat. The delicate beef burst with rich juices in my mouth, and even the flavors could not hide away the natural taste of the meat, making me want to devour it entirely.
"Delicious!" I exclaimed, my eyes sparkling, unaware of Antonio's fierce, warning glance around us.
He tasted some low-alcohol apple cider, then suddenly lifted my chin in the dim light, offering me a sip. His tongue swirled in my mouth, "Indeed, it's delicious."
I felt the envious and teasing eyes of men and women on us, my face burning with a mix of shame and silent thrill. I realized Antonio flaunted me unabashedly as his possession, using it to humiliate me, pushing me to total submission.
Yet, infuriatingly, my Stockholm syndrome flared-I feared him yet depended on his attention. As Antonio kissed me, his face bathed in a soft glow, he seemed angelic, mesmerizing. I constantly reminded myself not to drown in this false affection, a manipulation tool of the mafia.
Meanwhile, my heart raced abnormally.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Antonio, a fearsome mobster and a seasoned lover, threatened me with a mistress contract while attempting to tame me with tenderness.
If we were a normal couple, I couldn't have enjoyed the admiration of men and the jealousy of women. But standing with Antonio, I became the center of attention.
I pinched my thigh hard, the sharp pain bringing me back to reality-I had to stay alert and not fall too deep.
This dinner was not an easy one eventually; Antonio's never stopped with his feet and hands under the table, but I dared not make a move.
After leaving the restaurant and the public gaze, I felt sweat covering my body. The food was delicious, but I'd rather eat McDonald's fries and burgers or a pizza-l swore never to return.
"I should go home," I said weakly to Antonio, testing my refusal to fulfill the mistress's duties.
Antonio scoffed, stopping my hand as I tried to hail a cab. "I gave you enough time for personal matters, thinking you'd adjust to this role. You should be undressed in my bed by now, not continually thinking of escape."
I knew Antonio wouldn't let me go easily. I argued, "Even a regular employee has the right to sick leave."
"Are you sick?" Antonio scrutinized me. "Tell me, maybe I can do something for you."
I crossed my arms, cursing his pervert obsession.
Antonio laughed heartily, turning me around to push me into Dante's car. "Your feisty demeanor is cute, Sienna, but remember your role as a mistress. I'm satisfied with today's trial; I'll be making full use of you."
He was infuriatingly arrogant. Am I some product he can order anytime for a trial?
"I need to pack; I have things I need," I tried to delay.
"I believe that camera is all you own. My apartment has everything, including clothes for a mistress; I'll arrange it as a proper employer," Antonio's frame blocked my path, cutting off my escape.
I didn't want to agree, but the crushing debt of $80 million weighed on me like a mountain-I feared my refusal might provoke Antonio's violent mafia nature.
So, I endured, keeping my voice even softer, disgusted by my own words: "Please, let me go home to rest and pack. I still have some files for my graduation project on my computer."
Antonio, uninterested, toyed with my camera, viewing the photos. When I saw some with Nico, I snapped, "Give it to me!"
Antonio easily held it out of reach, his expression cold. "Who is this man? Your boyfriend?"
"It's none of your business."
"Manners."
"He's... my ex-boyfriend."
Antonio's expression softened slightly, tossing the camera back to me, which I caught in a half-crouch.
"Delete it. I don't want to see my mistress with another lover."
Muttering under my breath about his hypocrisy-he had many mistresses, yet demanded my fidelity-I looked at Nico's photo, realizing I would have deleted it anyway.
Antonio seemed disinterested in further confrontation, instructing Dante to take me home. He watched me enter before driving away. Damn it, I realized I was out of shower gel.
I quickly changed, grabbed my wallet and keys, and stepped out in my slippers to the local supermarket, which had my usual brand of lemon mint shower gel. Luckily, I grabbed the last bottle.
"Would you like some gum to make exact change?" the cashier asked politely.
I glanced at the gum shelf, not finding my preferred flavor. "No, I should have some coins."
I rummaged in my cluttered wallet, pulling out a few bills. As I did, two $1 coins fell and rolled away. I sighed, bending to pick one up. As I reached for the second, another hand swiftly grabbed it and handed it back to me.
S
I looked up, startled, and felt an inexplicable surge of unease.
He was imposingly tall, with broad shoulders and towering height. His deep, black eyes scrutinized me rudely, sending a chill down my spine. I quickly thanked him and hurried to leave.
I rushed out of the supermarket and jogged a short distance before stopping to catch my breath. I looked back; he hadn't followed.
It was just a scare. I sighed in relief. Recent events had turned my normally calm life into chaos, and I was on edge.
As I turned into the alley leading
home, a strong force yanked me backwards. The bag with the shower gel fell from my hands, and before I could scream, a large hand covered my mouth and dragged me into a dark alley.
"Mmm! Mmm..." In the faint light from the alley entrance, I saw the black eyes of the man on top of me gleaming obscenely. "Pretty girl, you smell wonderful..."
No, no! My eyes widened in terror,
my hands pinned behind me. I kicked wildly, and after a few hits,
the man winced in pain, his eyes n
turning fierce. "Damn, bitch, why can
Antonio fuck you and not me? A slut with such big tits..."
"Hold on, let me have her first, Antonio's woman..."
"What about my woman?" A devilish growl echoed in the man's ear as Antonio raised his gun.
"Bang!"
The close gunshot sounded like thunder next to my ear. I felt a warm liquid splash onto my leg as the man suddenly knelt before me, screaming in
agony.