8 - ZARA

Marcello took me to his house. His sister Aurora scoffed at me when I made my way back inside, but he warned her off and told her not to say anything to me.

When I got to the bedroom, there was already an outfit laid out on the bed for me. It was a dark red bodycon minidress, paired with black heels and gold jewelry.

Ready to make me look like a prize possession. A trophy fucking wife.

I slid into it, dabbing onto my face with make-up, making sure that any bruises or marks weren't visible from when I'd been struck. As I stared at myself, I couldn't help but to feel a little insecure. Aurora's snide marks of calling me fat and ugly burning at the back of my mind. I'd never taken much notice of my appearance before, but suddenly, I was paranoid. Was my ass too big? Were my boobs too big? Did my belly stick out? Were my thighs too thick?

I heard the door creak, and Marcello made his way into the room.

"You look beautiful, baby girl," he rasped, eyeing me up and down with a predatory regard. "Your figure is beautiful." He drifted off his sentence, heaving his chest. "Are you hungry?"

I swallowed down a lump in my throat, before shaking my head No.

"Aurora told me you haven't eaten all day. I don't want you to get dizzy. At least eat a little fruit and drink some water," Marcello stated.

"Okay," I complied, and followed him to the kitchen.

As soon as I took a bite of an apple, I was suddenly ravenous. Suddenly, how hungry I was began overtaking me. I began eating faster, messier, making myself some sandwiches, and ate the remaining pizza on the tabletop. Marcello let out an amused chuckle. I wiped my mouth, dusting myself off, doing my best to digest the food quickly.

"Don't eat too much, you don't want to look bloated," he stated. "I knew you would cave in eventually."

The corners of his mouth curled upwards into a smirk.

"My Arabian princess."

He narrowed his eyes, before bringing up his thumb to brush against my lips, causing me to churn internally with disgust.

"Your lips look bare. You should put some red lipstick on to complete the look," he commented.

"O – okay," I mumbled obediently.

"Go. I will be waiting by the door when you're done, and then we can leave."

I did as I was told, and before long, we set off in his car.

I wondered how the rest of the night was going to unfold.