Julie's POV

I limped my way back to the bed and groaned sitting in. I rubbed my right feet over the left while I fisted the sheets recalling his sinister smile. This is what I want from the wife who can’t give me a status. I don’t know what kind of status he wanted. Isn’t accepting his like of a human as a husband was enough? I managed my best to get to the intercom.

“Hello?” I never knew whom I was talking. All I knew this was a feminine voice and I was thankful.

“Hey, it’s me. Mrs. Lucca. Can you send me some breakfast, a painkiller, and an antiseptic cream?” I said and there was nothing for a few seconds.

“Yes, of course, madam. Do you want room service to be there?” Of course, I always ask for room service whenever I call for breakfast. But I gulped looking at the bloodstains on my bed before replying, “No…not yet.”

I went to freshen up but didn’t have the energy to take the bath and only settled for brushing my teeth. I came into my room and not a few seconds later I got breakfast. I didn’t let the staff come into my room and received the food on the door. I closed the door to look for my medicine. I took the tablet and got the cream to the bathroom to apply it at the corner of my mouth and the crook of my neck that had a small cut, and in the end where I had the major tear last night…in my ass. I replaced the sheets and removed the stain before dumping it off. I stared in my reflection to only find very blank eyes staring back at me. I couldn’t get back to the food and decided to pass out on my bed.

I groaned at the knock on my door and sat over my bed holding the cover to my chest given my nightdress was see-through. “Come in,” I replied and got the very same woman who is used to come into my room.

“Mrs. Lucca? Mr. Colombo would like you to get ready to leave for the shopping…” I narrowed my eyes and wondered recalling my last time of shopping.

“Can you set me a sandwich?” I asked instead,

“Sure,” The woman replied before leaving but I stopped her, “…And, also my bath…can you make me a bath? I will be very thankful...”

I didn’t have the strength to move. The pain had subsided because of the painkiller but I felt exhausted. I leaned my head to the headboard before recalling. How many men you are thinking about? I knew I can take medicines for the pain but what I was supposed to do about his voice that refuses to leave my thoughts.

I inhaled feeling physical pain in my chest. I used to experience this pain only after I lost my father. Baggage on the chest was draining me. Recalling the incident from yesterday was draining my energy. I wonder if living here is any different from living on the streets.

Maybe I should really get out of here for some while. Even if it will be a prank like last time I will be out of here for some while. I get on to take the bath before I came back into my room to change into a black dress that passed my knees. I chose simple sandals and only used lipstick to hide my cut. As for the neck I covered it with a scarf because I didn’t have it in me to apply foundation over these.

The sandwich was delicious. And, the staff knew by now how much I like mayo and chicken. I got out to the living room and waited for Mr. Colombo who was going to accompany me. I was standing with black shades hiding my eyes.

“Julie?” I heard and recognized the voice before turning around.

“David?” I was still in disbelief. The guy I was supposed to go on to date.

“What are you doing here?” He gave me a shy smile before uttering. “You are the same. I thought you won’t recognize me…” I wanted to jump over him but only had both hands on my mouth in surprise. His voice was like a faucet open to all that I used to be. I…I should have gone to that date.

Never had I imagined that I wanted love now more than ever. I longed to be looked at the way he was looking at me right now.

“Are you fine?” He asked making my hands let go of my mouth before I said. “Yes, I am…and you?” I asked to which he smiled again with his red ears. “I…I am your new driver. Mr. Lucca sent me for you and has asked me not to leave your side whenever you step outside…of course, your husband is the exception…I mean…you don’t need any protection when you are with him, right?” He didn’t seem to taunt. He actually meant those words while Mr. Colombo walked in.

“Mrs. Lucca? We are getting late for your appointment.” I didn’t know what it meant but I got out while David walked ahead of me.

“David? I will appreciate it if you don’t disturb Mrs. Lucca with your unnecessary talks.” I passed a glare to Mr. Colombo but he didn’t look at me before he got into the car behind the one I was supposed to get in. I was standing still with David to what just happened. David is a person who is always very professional no matter what he does. And, he had done nothing that should come under the radar.

I got into the car noticing David wasn’t looking at me now. I got my seat belt and said the moment he was about to start.

“You can talk all you want. We are friends. Don’t worry about Mr. Colombo. He is a very good person…he just doesn’t want you to get into any problem.”

“What problems?” He asked and I wonder what I am supposed to tell him.

“You know…the usual. Matteo always has many important guests…and…”

“About your husband?” David cut me off. “I met him in the morning.” I didn’t know why but only imaging what must have gone wrong had my heartbeats fast.

“And?...” I asked.

“He seemed off about something I guess. Or who would talk to someone they just met like the way he did,…”

“Was he rude with you?” My voice came out with panic.

“No…it was nothing…you don’t worry.” He smiled getting his attention ahead on the road before I asked.

“Do you know where you are supposed to go?” I asked to which he replied.

“GPS honey?” I laughed shaking my head. “Yea…” I sighed letting my back relax. I don’t know how but seeing David had lifted my mood completely.

“I have gotten a girlfriend too. And, she will be here in a scholarship program,”

“Really? Wow…I am happy for you.” I replied,

“Thanks…her name is Veronica. And, the moment she came to know that I am going for Italy she dropped her semester to join a university here.” I don’t know why my heart squeezed. Was I jealous of him? I shouldn’t be, right? I wonder if Matteo has talked about me like this to anyone as I stare at the sidewalks.

“I am really happy for you,” I told him. I was so thankful for the shades over my eyes.

“By the way, you didn’t come to see your family. Or not even invited them…I talked to Rachael…she said she misses hearing your voice…”

“I really don’t get a lot of time here…I am in contact with Anna. I message her every day to tell her about my day…Rachael is mostly busy in the store…so…”

“Oh yea,” He replied but I opened my cell phone to look at the messages.

It had been a week since I last talked to Anna. And, the group with my friends’ was blowing up with texts too. I opened it to see multiple messages mentioning me. Some had videos of Cecilia's son. Or their meet-ups for Josephine’s wedding.

“Hey girls,” I sent the message with hearts.

No one was online right now but I got to see the pictures of Katelyn with her husband. I wonder if I will ever click a picture with Matteo like this. No…I already knew the answer.

The car was pulled in front of an outlet. I was welcomed by two women as they were already aware of my arrival. I was taken to a somewhat VIP section…and was offered tea with different kinds of cookies.

“Mr. Colombo? Can you get David here too? I won’t feel good if he will stay outside. He is my friend before being my driver.” He looked at me and tried to say something but then decided against it and left. Only after a few seconds, the women came out with five dresses…the green one was long and didn’t have a back. I recalled the handprints that I could have on my back. The blue one seemed royal and had my heart but it had a deep neck…I think I could go with this one. Because it will be easy applying makeup in the front. And, then came the black one that had a long slit on the leg and had long sleeves. I loved this one too.

Soon, I noticed David and Mr. Colombo coming in. They were served the tea too. “I liked these three…but…do you have something else.”

“Not…not black,” “not the black one,” Both men spoke and I wonder why but smiled before replying. “I liked this one…just look at this one.”

They shared a glance as if they know something I didn’t but I got up before saying. “I will try the black one.” I left but find Mr. Colombo telling the salesgirl to show more dress.

I came out wearing the black one and from their reactions, it didn’t seem bad. Even in the mirror, it was great.

“But…there are many other colors.” David spoke before adding, “…you already have a lot of dress in black,” This earned him a look from Mr. Colombo but I guess he was right. Even today I came out wearing black.

“Fine,…I will try this one.” I pointed to the blue one but the moment I changed into this one I stared in the mirror to graze his marks on my breasts. And, there were many…some from three days ago, some from the last night, and others from the last week that still had some little mark left.

I changed into my dress before announcing. “I am keeping this dress.”

“That’s unfair. You should have shown this to us.” David spoke making Mr. Colombo clear his throat.

I tried the dress alone afterward and some needed alterations and I left them there to get it in my size. I was still able to get four dresses. We bought shoes afterward before my next stop turned out to be a hair salon. I was told that I was here to get rebounding and get some light streaks.

“Excuse me,” I laughed a little.

“Mr. Colombo?” I asked to which he replied,

“Mr. Lucca has requested,” Mr. Colombo replied with his face hidden behind some magazine. But I knew he didn't request. He ordered. I went on with the procedure scared of how it would turn out.

I had my hair straight after the procedure and got out looking like a new person. I don’t know but I was looking forward to what David will say about this.

“You look good,” He said the moment I was back in the car. “…But,…” He trailed off and that got my heart.

“You look big for your age now. You are not looking like you are eighteen anymore.” I didn’t know if I was to laugh over it or be mad.

“I am not eighteen…So, I don’t know…maybe I should look like this now, David.” This made him turn to look at me.

“Why?” He asked making me shrug my shoulders.

“I don’t want anyone to look at me and wonder if I still attend high school.” I laughed and was surprised since when I have started finding for the reasons.

It was four when we returned and I get back to order some lunch. I got out things to get ready for dinner. I was all ready to leave at six in the evening and started waiting. It was past eight when his car arrived…I waited for him to come out but instead the driver came in to inform, “Mrs. Lucca…Mr. Lucca is waiting for you outside.” I don’t know why I was worried…but how much I hoped for this night to pass without any issue.

I walked out and the driver opened the door, for me to only inhale in his thick cologne. I get in staring at Matteo who had his head leaned into the seat and had a drink in his hand. He was sitting very close to me...hardly giving me any place to sit.

“Good evening,” I greeted him making him look at me lazily. He smiled before uttering, “Today,…I am so…” He trailed off looking at me.

“Fuck…you look tasty.” His arm came to rest over my shoulders before he pulled me in. I was wearing the same blue dress but had my marks covered with the foundation.

He seemed drunk. “I…I said I will take you to the dinner, right? And…for the ride…ride…I love riding you,” He slurred leaning into my ear. His warm mouth trialed from my ear to my jaw, making my breath hitch but then he turned to get his whole drink. I inhaled deeply when the car’s engine started.

“But now I think I am going to eat you.” The glass from his hand fell on the thickly carpeted floor of the car while he effortless had my bosoms out of my dress. I shivered as a chill ran over my body with his fingers pulling my body to him. His eyes seemed dark when he stared at my mouth. I knew I should have never bought this revealing dress when he pulled my hair down and had his teeth sinking and sucking my flesh already.

___Please leave your comments.

I know many of you are thinking that Matteo is in love. Remember, that I give great care to writing dialogues. But for Matteo,...he says the things without meaning it. He might say she is beautiful or he is excited to see her but remember for him, his money, his status, and his power come first. And, that is my readers can't be true love. He can say he loves her but to sacrifice any of the above things to keep her?... I guess we know the answer. But to get him to that point...this character has to go through a lot of development. And, that development will require an accident!!! (Not literally an accident...more like an incident.)

You will have a glimpse of Matteo's childhood in the next chapter and be ready to creep out and hate him even more.

Plus...who is ready for the part of the synopsis...because that is close too (What do you think Julie will do? She is insanely in love with kids.)