Matteo De Lucca's

I shivered to a chill travelling up in my whole body and with this took notice of my burning body. I woke up to feel my body going numb and couldn't help the groan. He was fast asleep but half of his body over mine had made me exhausted. Making use of my free arm I tried to pull up the blanket without having him awake but having control over my shivering body was not in my hands.

"Stop moving," He groaned before getting off me and lay on his back while I pulled the blanket over me even more. I whimpered when in a few seconds his hand came to rest on my arm but suddenly came to check my forehead.

"Fuck!" I heard him groan before I felt him getting out of the bed.

I could imagine that he was angry but I couldn't care. My head felt heavy and I soon give in to sleep and only woke up to realize my body damp in sweat. I opened my eyes to notice a woman standing beside me. "Hello, Mrs Lucca…how are you feeling now?" I moved my eyes to witness how she was injecting something in the infusion. I was quick to notice Barbara standing at the end of the bed and pressed my mouth before replying. "I am fine,"

"Do you have any pain?..." She asked me while I shook my head in no and tried to sit. "Are you sexually active or missed your periods earlier?" She asked making me look at Barbara before shaking my head in no. "I only asked because I had prescribed you a medicine that you can't take if you are pregnant." Barbara came beside me to help me sit while I found that lady doctor busy on her phone.

"Barbara? Can you show me to the loo?" The doctor asked Barbara while I was massaging my temples. Both left making me remove my cover to see the situation with my Tattoo. How much I wanted to have it erased as soon as possible.

I take a look at the branded bag that might be that doctor's before getting my eyes to the case that had some medical supplies but what got my attention was some pregnancy strips. A look at those had my hand twitching. I had everything in my bathroom that a married woman could need but those. And, even if I will ask Barbara she will never help me out. And, what if...what if I am pregnant and taking some medicine could cost me. I heard the sound of heels coming closer and was surprised when I find myself getting some in my fist before getting my hand under my blanket.

Barbara was passing me a smile before she asked. "Would you like some orange juice?" I nodded my head thinking she will leave the doctor alone with me but she was smarter enough to use the intercom.

"I am leaving you my personal card. Please call me for anything." I knew she was telling me this out of her professionalism. I could tell from her robotic tone.

I looked at the watch to find it is twelve in the afternoon. Barbara was reading some magazine in my room when I left for the bathroom. I let my robe fall to only stare at the words. This is Matteo De Lucca's. The words were written in Italic font and the skin was still a little inflamed and red. I felt like a labelled commodity.

Don't Julie, don't. He wants you to think the same. You can't let him win. My head was throbbing and recalling how much torture being in his arms is I huffed in frustration before walking under the shower.

I left to have a walk with Barbara following me. Breathing in the fresh air I tried to forget about how I was caged here. It was after the sun was setting down when I decided to head back to the mansion. I inhaled feeling myself withering like a plucked flower. It was as if I was dying slowly but very painfully.

Mr Colombo was busy conversing with the maid who often brings me sandwiches. They were standing in the driveway and got my attention. They too stared at me for a brief moment but I left for my room thinking how I should actually try to befriend this woman sometimes. She really didn't tell anyone about me asking for a phone from her. I don't know why but I had this feeling that she will help me if I pressed her a little more. It was after three hours when I heard a knock on my door that was followed by, "Mr Lucca has called for you. He is in the living room."

I was in a cream coloured jumpsuit. It was nothing so revealing and without any makeup, because after yesterday events I had no energy to doll up for him. Plus, I felt so lethargic after this fever hit me. He looked at his back to stare at me and I could see he wasn't expecting me in this attire but I find a smile coming upon his face in an instant. Now, I should be worrying.

"How are you holding up?" He asked while I only walked to him telling him as you care with my eyes.

"You should be thankful. I was the one who paid that doctor." He spoke with pride etched on his face but then smiled before forwarding his hand towards me.

"Thank you," I spoke before holding his hand and followed his lead to sit beside him. I could tell from the satisfaction of his face that he has something to tell.

"You look pretty no matter what you do," His hand came to rest on my cheek but I narrowed my eyes sensing some evil vibe.

"Darling, do you remember your neighbour Liam…well, I kind of offered a job and he will be joining in two weeks. Do you know what it means?" He whispered while I got my breathing stop.

"…He won't be enjoying the position you congratulated him for…" I opened my mouth in disbelief before getting my hand over his hand that was travelling from my cheek to neck,

"Why you would do that? Why…I am no one in your eyes. Then…then why you would destroy someone's future."

"Well, it was because you congratulated him." I blinked my eyes twice before shaking my head in disappointment.

"It shouldn't come as surprise to me. You…you always love to abuse power."

"Now, this is exactly what I won't receive from you." He seethed pulling me from my nape.

"Or?" I challenged feeling his hot breaths on my mouth.

"You do realize that it is your mistake..." This got my mouth fell.

"...you never congratulated me for my projects or when I got to become Europe's richest man." He whispered having his focus on the strand of my hair that came to stray on my face.

"Well…it is because you never told me…" I tried to reply but he cut me off.

"Don't lie to me. Just don't. I know you were reading about it all…and, you were fine replying to your friends when they congratulate you on this…Why Julie…"

"You read my messages?" I was really surprised. Because it was something I was sure he won't be interested in.

"Well,…someone has to reply sometime to show you are still breathing this side." These very words were enough to tell me I was held captive here. I got my throat constricted recalling how it should be the least of my worries or how nothing could go to normal until I got free from this bond.

I inhaled when he held my hand and said, "I have a very huge gala coming in two weeks. It will be good for you to be on your best behaviour. I wasn't interested and didn't realize I had my eyes damp until I felt him kissing my forehead softly.

"Don't take much stress. You are mine…you should be the happiest." He said and I found two women coming into our room.

They were invited to talk about our dress that Matteo and I will be wearing at some party he mentioned a few minutes ago. I smiled when I was required and selected the one Matteo signalled me for. A woman came to ask for the refreshments. She wasn't wearing the uniform and the way she smiled at Matteo I knew she was one of those.

He didn't come tonight. And, the way he was looking at the woman I knew what could have happened. I knew it didn't matter to me. If anything, it was good. Maybe he was finally getting tired of me and would leave me. I closed my eyes the moment I felt him coming into the room. He went inside the bathroom and I don't know why but for a second, I think about a parallel reality…where Matteo turns out to be the kind of man I thought he was. It didn't take him long to come out and I couldn't help but soak my pillow the moment he placed his arm over me. Only a few minutes later I felt his body going relax behind. I could hear his heartbeat and wonder how he could be real…what exactly keeps him going. How can he sleep so peacefully knowing he had destroyed many lives?

It was as if I was burning under his arm and the moment he took the other side I got out of the bed to sit on the floor as I stared at his sleeping figure leaning to the bed. I recalled about the strips. I wanted to check for once before taking any medication. I went into the bathroom to look for the strips. It was the only time I knew I will be getting because the moment Matteo left Barbara will come.

I didn't have any way to predict…this. I always had irregular dates sometimes not getting my date for two months straight. But…I didn't want to take any medicine that I wasn't supposed to be taking if...

I stood in front of the mirror and held the strip waiting impatiently for the rest of the minute to up when I heard the bathroom door getting open. I turned around to find Matteo's curious eyes. "You fine?" He asked annoyed and I hid the strip under my palm that I rested on my thigh. Before I could react he added, "Isn't it beautiful?" He made me stare at my tattoo. I was only in my lingerie. I looked back at him to only be disgusted by his eyes full of himself.

"You better take your medicines." I found his eyes on my shoulder as he neared me. I inhaled feeling his hands on my waist. "…because I so want to feed on you," I tilted my head back feeling his mouth in the crook of my neck and held the strip up behind his back.

Two lines stared back making me gasp and hold onto his shoulders for the balance. I blinked feeling his teeth on my neck and fingers buried over my waist. Matteo pulled away after leaving a mark I guess and got into the enclosed toilet seat. There was no voice in my head and my hand automatically got to place on my belly.

This is not happening. It is not possible. Is it real? I wonder and stared at my belly while the words on my lower belly stared back at me silently.

This is Matteo De Lucca's.

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