10 ~ Fire To The Rain IV

Brinda

Francesco pushed me till my back hit the wall behind and I whimpered as I tried to free my neck from his firm hold.

“I was just…” My voice trailed off as tears clogged my eyes. Not because of the pain Francesco is inflicting on me but because of Peter's betrayal.

Why?

Why did Peter do that? He was alive yet he did not bother to tell me. He survived falling off the cliff but he is planning to kill me. Why had I fallen in love with such a man?

Mafia?

Yes, mafia. How did Peter turn out to be Marshall? How come he is the don of the Fernandez's family? What was his connection to the Mafia world when we were together? Was his love and everything we shared all a lie?

“You were just what?” Francesco questioned. “You couldn't accomplish a simple task. And for what? Just because of your stupid ex-lover. I hate it when you cry for other men.” His voice came out yelling and he squeezed my neck more.

I tugged at his arm for some time before I finally broke free. I kicked him hard on the knee and moved forward.

While I gasped for air, the shattering of a glass on the marbled floor stunned me. “Francesco,” I thundered as I turned around to see his jaw clenched in rage.

My heart raced like a train on track as I made my way to the door. Before I could exit the room, Francesco caught up with me and pulled my hair.

I let out a slight moan filled with pain. “You’re a fool. You’re stupid. I am saving you yet you are still trying to act as a strong woman. The man…” His laughter was full of mockery. “Marshall or Peter… Whatever you may call him. He doesn't appear to be what you see him to be. He is a liar. He is double-faced. Do you know why he approached you?” He swirled me around, letting our chest touch each other.

My chest tightened as the familiar position reminded me of the good old days.

To add to my dilemma, he leaned in close, his breath whispering against my ear. “I own you. I own every single thing that belongs to you. Your life. Your love. Your personality. Everything. Don't forget that you are living for me. And every one of my orders has to be obeyed.”

“You are a monster,” I said with a heavy height weighed down by grief. “It's all a lie. Don't deceive me. You did all you've done on purpose to ruin my relationship with Peter because you know I'm in love with him. You are a fucking jealous beast.”

Francesco's face lit up with a warm smile. He exhaled deeply after and tilted my head up to look at his eyeballs. “Really? I want you to say that again!” He commanded.

“You are fucking jealous beast!!!” I said only for a resounding hot slap to be bestowed on my right cheek echoing like a song of battle which sent my face pointing downward and a little to the left.

Sweat glistened on my brow, while my muscles tensed effortlessly. I smirked as I turned to face him. “You will REGRET every single thing you've done to me. I promise you that.”

Francesco’s whole being radiated happiness and satisfaction as he walked to the wardrobe near us. “A mosquito can't threaten an elephant. Do you know that?”

“If I can't threaten you, how will I make you regret it? Nevermind, if I can kill you or not, I will make sure I drag you to the pit of hell with me. I swear with my dead mother’s soul.”

His face burned with indignation as he turned around. He dropped the file he picked from the wardrobe. Every step he took towards me was meant to make me scared and try to run away but I didn't flinch.

“You are a fool! Now… I'm left with no choice. I will show you what it means to cross Francesco Dante's path.”

Francesco's rage could be unmatched as he ordered his foolish followers to tie me up. Like Boss, like servants. They obliged and bound me as if I was a piece of trash.

Francesco picked a horse's whip I didn't notice since we entered his room from the table and advanced towards me. His men assisted him and let me kneel.

I shut my eyes as Francesco inflicted pain upon pain on me without remorse. As the whip kissed my skin, my thirst for vengeance only increased.

When he was done, he left the room with his men while I was left alone to think of what the future holds for me.

A few hours later, Francesco returned with a plate of food. I guessed it was morning already and they all had their breakfast. As he brought the food closer, the thought that consumed my mind was to eat it as I was really famished.

It has been over twenty hours since I had my last meal.

“Bad morning, she-goat.” Francesco greeted with a bright smile on his face. I refused to talk back and kept a straight face. I wanted to hit him but I couldn't as I was still tied up.

“Open your mouth. Let me feed you.” He instructed.

When I thought Francesco changed his mind about making my life a living hell by offering me food, the unexpected happened.

I let out a cry of agony and spat the food after I realized that I was fed a dog's food.

To prevent me from spitting the rest of the content, Francesco grabbed my neck and yanked my head up to face the ceiling. He let out a wild laugh as he shoved more and more of the disgusting food into my mouth.

“Please…” I managed to say amidst his clear line of wickedness.

He didn't reply till I swallowed almost all the food.

When he was satisfied, he left my neck. I bent my body to empty the content in my mouth but all I could remember was the cold feeling of a hand on my skin as it knocked me out.