Chapter 10

Marissa

As I pull on my dress there is a knock on the door. “Are you done?” His dark voice easily travels through the door.

“Yes. I will be out in a minute.” I call out and search the drawers along the sink after a hair tie or a brush. I find a hair tie and put my hair up in a messy bun of damp hair.

Mr. Falaguerra is standing by the door waiting for me as I exit the changing room. When he sees me his face falls into a frown. He reaches out towards my hair and pulls it free from the bun.

“I prefer your hair out.” He says and smooths out my hair as best as he can.

“I couldn’t find a brush or hairdryer.” I mumble with my gaze cast down, feeling embarrassed about his attention.

“Then I will make sure that every changing room has one from now on.” He says matter of factly and then takes my hand. He starts for the door with me following behind, leading the way to the sitting room.

The sitting room is large, luxurious, elegant and made to receive guests, to brag about his wealth. There are no personal items, nothing that shows what kind of man lives in this house. Couches, armchairs and high tables littered around the room to appease all tastes in comfortability. The artwork on the walls is classic and expensive. The style is somewhat conservative with light, warm and neutral colors, hardwood floors and crystal chandeliers.

“A drink?” He asks me as we enter the room and I nod. He leaves me on a couch by a large glass door and a view of the back garden.

There is a long but slightly narrow terrass outside that holds some tables and café chairs to sit in if the weather allows. There are stairs leading down from the terrass to the large patio and the outside pool. Beyond the patio there is a huge lawn that ends with a high wall, that I’m sure is topped with the same barbed wire as the wall by the gate. I see two dark clad people walking along the wall. Probably guards.

“Here you go, my love.” Mr. Falaguerra sets down a glass of sparkling wine on the table. I’m sure that it is real chapmange. He also sets down a tumbler of whiskey and then sits down close to me.

“Too bad with the weather.” He says as he looks out on the rain clouds covering the sky. “Otherwise it would have been nice to take a walk and show you the grounds.” I reach for my drink and take a large and much-needed sip. It tastes much better than the cheap shit I usually can afford to drink, not that I drink that often.

We sit in silence. I stare out the window on the rain falling from the sky and glancing at Mr. Falaguerra with a sideways glance from time to time. Mr. Falaguerra’s eyes never leave me as he takes in my facial expression and the movement of my hands as I sip my champagne. He seems content even if I don’t speak or look at him. My thoughts are running wild with questions. I keep sipping my drink, trying to gather the courage to ask them and soon enough I can’t hold back any more.

“Why do you want me as your wife? I’m sure there are dozens of women that would love to be your wife. So why me?” I keep my eyes straight forward but I can’t see the view, all my focus is on the man beside me. I hold my breath as I wait for his answer. He takes his time, slowly sipping his drink and thinking of his answer.

“I have wanted you since the first time I saw you. You were not even legal then so I had to wait. Then, when I met you at your eighteenth birthday and I got to touch you, my need only grew. I know that you felt it too that evening. The shocking electricity streaming through our touch, the intense attraction brewing beneath our skin.”

He gently strokes his fingers along my jaw and hooks them under my chin to turn my face towards him. “My need for you, my lust, was greater than any feeling I have ever felt. To secure you, I used your parents’ addiction to gamble. Offer them a membership and then some loans.” His eyes caress my face, shining with possessive obsession. “The rest they took care of. And then their own cowardice and will to live was strong enough to abandon their own daughter to the hands of the devil.”

“They would never abandon me! They love me!” I angrily grit out between clenched teeth as I feel the burn of tears behind my eyelids. The smile that creeps up on his lips doesn’t hide the resentment swimming underneath.

“I’m sure they love you but they still let me take you. There was not much of a discussion of which proposition was most favorable for them. And you have to admit there was not much of a resistance when we left. It is hard to love somebody more than your own life.” Tears fall down my cheek at his cruel words and with gentle fingers he dries them. “They are not worthy of your tears, my love. They are selfish cowards not worthy of a treasure like you.”

I turn my face away from him and look out at the grounds again. My tears keep falling silently down my cheeks and I angrily dry them. Mr. Falaguerra gives me a handkerchief and I accept it. He starts speaking again without giving me a moment to gain my bearing.

“As my fiancée and eventually wife there are a few things that I expect of you.” His voice is all business now, stern and cold. “At all times that we are out in public I expect you to behave, to act as a devoted fiancée and wife. I expect you to act with dignity and not engage in unnecessary fights. This also applies to when we host parties in our home. Of course I demand you to be faithful to me and not engage in any adultery. If you misbehave I will punish you.”

“What kind of punishments?” I ask when he takes a small pause to sip his drink. He smirks at me with a nautghty gleam in his eyes.

“The punishment will be set according to the crime. Never physical harm, of course. I will never raise my hand at you and will not deal out a punishment while angry. If you have misbehaved you will be asked to return to your room and the punishment will be dealt with later.” I nod at this. I don’t know if I can trust him with what he says but I can hope he holds to his promises.

“What if I disagree? What if I don’t want to be your wife?”

“Would you rather be a whore?” I gasp and turn my face to his. “As I expected. It would have been a shame to waste you on filthy men who want to use a beauty like you to fulfill their disgusting fantasies.”

“Instead it will be you that will fulfill yours.” I sneer at him, disgust coating my voice and face. He only smiles at my outburst. He reaches out to cup my cheek.

“Yes. It will be me that fulfills my fantasies with you. And some will certainly be filthy.” I snap my face away from him in anger and disgust and he sighs. “I am not blind to my actions and know that what I’m doing to you is not accepted in our society, Marissa. I just don’t care about the social norms of a relationship. Besides, there are still arranged marriages on this day.”

“This is not an arranged marriage!” I grit out between clenched teeth. “You are forcing me under the threat that you will kill my parents if I don’t comply. Or sell me as a whore!”

“Yes.” He says thoughtfully and takes another sip. Then he stands up, takes my glass and goes over to the bar to refill both our drinks. When he’s seated again he speaks. “Most arranged marriages have some sort of threat hanging over their head. It could be loss of businesses or heritage. A marriage is not doomed because it is arranged.” There is a knock on the door and a servant enters.

“The dinner is ready to be served, Mr. Falaguerra.”

He stands and reaches out a hand to me with a smile on his lips. I place my hand in his despite the anger that’s burning inside and allow him to lead me to the dining room. Luca and the men that ate with us this morning are standing behind their chairs waiting for us. Mr. Falaguerra pulls out my chair and then sits on his own and the others follow. The servers come a few seconds after everyone is seated. The dinner was vegetarian lasagna and it tasted delicious but I only managed to eat a few bites.

“I am sure that you are tired after this eventful day. I will take you back to your room.” Mr. Falaguerra says as the dinner comes to an end. I nod and place my hand in his outstretched one.

Outside my door he places his hands on my hips and pulls me flush against him. He leans down and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. I see no use to turn away or refuse his kiss. He will only force me anyway. “If you need me for anything I will be in my office. You can always call me on the phone in your room or call Luca if you can’t reach me.” I nod and he kisses me again.

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