~~

Cavillor POV

Four years and several months later.

"How long are we going to keep her here? She already gave over the Italian Mafia to us; what's the point of keeping her alive?" My father's second in command, Arthur Willows, protested. "It's been nearly five years, but you still haven't disposed of her yet." 

I clenched my jaw. It was so hard to not react to his words. The worst part? He has a point. 

"Wonderful question, Arthur. Cavillor," He turned to look at me, "Why are we still keeping her around?" 

To be honest, Father? I don't know. 

I have no idea why I still want to see her here. Alive. With me. 

For almost a year since her dear brother was gone, she was numb. Unfeeling to anything, no matter what I did. No matter what anyone did, actually. She didn't try to kill anyone, except for the occasional arse that tries to pick on her, but no one of importance at all. 

What would the right word for her be..? Ah, yes! 

Tame. 

That's what she is. Tame. K pl

Who would have thought that a scrawny, insecure boy who had the self-confidence the size of a mosquito would be the one who is able to tame the bloodlusted tigress. 

The wildest thing about her now is the glares that she gives. Those deadly eyes that are still more red than violet were very… Terrifying.

But instead of telling all this to my father, I answered, "What's the matter with her being here? She's practically just chopped liver at this point. Useless." She's not, but he doesn't need 

He leaned forward on his desk, glaring at me. "Exactly. What more do you want her here for if she's just useless, as you said?" 

Damn, Father. You're catching up to me quickly aren't you?

"As I said, what's the matter with me keeping my– her here? She can't retaliate. She won't, knowing what will happen to her brother if she ever did." Seeing that both of them were still unconvinced, I forced the next words out, "Don't worry. I'll get rid of her when I get bored. Just let me have this, yeah?" No, I won't. I doubt I'll ever. 

I then left the office and the building, not looking back. Getting in my car, I drove to my apartment. Since I brought the former Mafia Princess to my apartment, all of my friends had moved out and bought their places.

Now, all left in my penthouse is me, and my little toy.

~~

"Honey, I'm home!" 

I quickly ducked, narrowly dodging a stiletto that was headed to my eyes. Damn, I eyed the six-inch heel with wide eyes. If that hit me, I doubt I'd have any sense of sight in one of my eyes right now. 

"Tch. So close."

Grinning cheekily, I gloated, "Boohoo, what a bad aim! Better luck killing me next time, my little nightmare!" 

"Oh, trust me. I'll succeed eventually." Regina sneered, then walked away, heading to the kitchen. "You brought it?" 

I shrugged, following after her. I opened my mouth to answer, but suddenly, just as I was about to enter the kitchen, a sharp pain erupted on my nose. 

"Ow, ow, ow! Why'd you shut the door on me?! My poor, poor nose!" I groaned painfully. Seriously though, it really hurt. 

Remember when I mentioned that she wasn't aiming to kill or hurt anyone for a whole year? Well, for three years after that one year of a cold shoulder, she's been doing shit that would most definitely harm me. 

I could still feel my ribs throbbing from when she pushed me down the stairs. When I got home alive and, well, partially unharmed, she merely clicked her tongue and shook her head in disappointment. 

But I'm sure that if she really aimed to kill me, she would have done more. I think she's merely venting out on me, which I don't mind. I think. 

This Regina is definitely better than the numb Regina. 

I opened the door, seeing her sitting on the counter with a spoon all ready, and an impatient look on her face. 

I shook my head, handing her the box she's been awaiting from my hands. "I seriously don't understand your weird obsession with this. It's unhealthy and disgusting, you know?" 

"… Shut up." She then snatched it from me and put it on the counter beside her. "Your only job is to get it for me."

"You should be more thankful, you know? I get that shipped all the way from New York, to here. Since you don't want anything else, even from the branch of the bakery —MagnifiSweet, was it?— here." 

Watching as she carefully took the waffle out, I grimaced. I remember the first time she spoke to me, and it was for this.

~~

I looked at Regina weirdly, what is she doing, standing here in front of me willingly?

"… Is there something you need..?" I asked slowly, showcasing my wariness. Is this a trap? It's a trap, isn't it?

To my shock, she nodded. It was only once, but it's something!

"What is it?" I asked, almost too quickly.

Yes, it really is strange that I'm eager this much, but I'm really curious about what she wants. She's been silent and uncaring for about a whole year, and now she suddenly wants something! I swear that if it's reasonable, I will… Ponder… About it.

A few silent beats passed with only us making eye contact, then, she suddenly opened her mouth.

"A waffle"

Holy shit, I almost forgot what her vo– wait, what?

I looked at her weirdly. "A waffle..?"

"Yes."

"A waffle?"

"Yes."

"…A waffle…"

"Yes."

I clapped my hands, I bet I have an enthusiastic look on my face right now. Not that her unmovable face would tell me anything. "Alright, how many waffles do you want? I'll get the most prestige, expensive, and delicious triple chocolate--"

"No."

I frowned, pausing. "What do you mean 'no'?"

She shook her head. "Not a chocolate waffle– how the hell do you even know my preferences? "

Hold on, she said what?!

I shook my head. I've been missing sleep for a few weeks already. I guess it's taking a toll on me now, huh? Who would've thought I'll start hearing things now?

After slapping myself to wake up, I turned to her and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I haven't been having proper sleep, so I'm hearing things now." I whipped out my phone, getting ready to order online, "So, how many triple chocolate waffles was that again?"

For the first time, she showed emotion by frowning. Frustration. "No, you idiot. I already said I don't want a chocolate-flavored one."

My phone toppled to the floor.

W-what phenomenon is this? Regina not wanting to eat chocolate?? B-but chocolate is Regina's one and only favorite flavor! It's basically her kryptonite since we were children!

"Are pigs flying?" I muttered to myself.

"Cavillor?"

"Hell must have frozen over…"

"Cavillor."

"It's the apocalypse, isn't it?"

"For fuck's sake, Cavillor. Is this even that much of a dilemma?!" She snapped, glaring at me now.

"Yes, yes it is." I nodded vigorously, but stop as soon as her glare got even deadlier. Don't anger the devil. Don't anger the devil. "What flavor do you want instead?"

Her eyes flitted to the distance for a second, looking as if she was reminiscing something, before snapping out of whatever that was and faced me again, answering, "Nothing. A plain, unflavored waffle."

Hello, Darkness, my old friend.

~~

When she told me to get it at a particular restaurant, I grew suspicious. Regina? Carving a plain waffle? And at a certain bakery with a cringe name? It had 'suspicious' written all over it. So I had the entire place investigated for whether she has any ties to anything there. The place, the owner, the workers, the landlord, and even the regulars that were always there. 

But even though I had our best investigators check the whole place inside out, there was nothing strange. Nothing at all. So I did what she said, and bought the disgusting, plain cake for her. When I handed it to her for the first time, I was surprised at what she did. 

She stared at it.

Didn't do anything for almost half an hour. I was beginning to think that there might be a bomb in that when she started to cut it up. Then, I noticed her hand trembling. Why was she trembling? I didn't question her, and just watched as she put it on a small plate and then… Stared at it. 

Now I'm thinking there's poison in this. 

There is, isn't there? She's thinking suicidal thoughts now, isn't she? She probably is, with that blank face of hers--

Holy shit, she just ate it. 

She just ate it. 

I eyed her cautiously, waiting for her to fall unconscious at any moment. 

After she finished the slice, I then noticed a faint smile on her lips. With the happy yet sad look on her face, I realized something. 

That waffle must be delicious. 

Taking a piece for myself, I tried it. Then almost gagged right after. 

Nope. It's not. It's really not. 

I glanced at her satisfied expression. So then why is she smiling like that?

~~

Regina POV

Four years, seven months, three weeks, and five days. That's how long I've been here in this golden cage. Bright and shiny, but a cage nevertheless. 

If I'm being honest, the blonde mutt has… Manners. If we weren't fucking, that was. 

Over the past years with nothing to do but watch shit on the fucking internet and television all day long, I've noticed something that I bet even he himself didn't know. 

That motherfucker was in love with me. 

I wanted to both laugh and punch him every time he looks at me with that disgusting lovestruck expression. Like, dude. Remember, I hate you, and you hate me. Maybe it was because we both crave misery, so now, we're both sadomasochists! 

Of course, me being me, played his little heart in my palms. This country is boring anyways. I remember when he brought me here in England.

~~

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling my consciousness come back to me but by bit.

What the… Where the hell am I?

Slowly looking around, I saw myself on a large bed. Just as tried to stand, I felt both of my hands being restrained. I looked down and saw--

The hell?! They fucking shackled me?! Who the hell do these people think they are?!

"I swear when I get the fuck out of here…" I'll bring hell to your doorstep.

"What?" I abruptly turned my head to the door, glaring at the silhouette of a man, holding a glass of something. "What are you going to do when you're out of there? Kill everyone in here? Are you perhaps forgetting that we can easily kill your brother?"

My eyes widened in rage. "The hell?! I already gave you my Mafia! You're not supposed to hurt him anymore and just leave him alone!"

Cavillor chuckled, "Oh, please. Like I will let my last leverage on you go that easily. Nah, I still have my eyes on that guy. Interesting how that old lady kept on trying to convince him that he was adopted though. But the drug is strong, so even if he remembers, he would be old and crumbling by then."

I gritted my teeth, watching him near me. He wordlessly put the flute of champagne down on the bedside table and put his fingers on my chin. Slowly, his hand went lower, caressing my clenched jaw, and then my bare neck. He then proceeded on encircling his fingers, and now, his hand was in the position of strangling me.

Silently, we stared at each other. I knew —we both knew— that if he willed it, he could kill me, right here, right now, and no one would bat a lash.

I was annoyed and felt insulted. Very much so. Look, we both already know who between the both of us has the advantage, so you don't need to flaunt your dominance that much, you proud ass.

He then smirked, seemingly knowing the intense rage I felt. "I could easily kill you, you know."

I raised a brow, "Oh, yeah? So can another human being. Or a dog. Even a dedicated duck can so don't feel special."

He frowned, giving my neck a final squeeze, he then let go and proceeded to exit the room, not saying another word or looking back even once again.

I looked out the window, and stood up--

Wait, no, I'm still shackled.

Dammit.

~~

After that, I didn't speak another word to him for an entire year. He tried, oh, he did, but I was persistent in my massive silent treatment. Until, of course, I craved something. 

The plain, cheap squared pancake that I was incredibly disgusted at. 

Every time I eat it, and can't deny the fact that it's… Simple. But, of course, I don't want it for the flavor. I want it for the… Sentimental value. 

Smiling to myself, I could still remember the hesitation on his face when I told him to order something. Poor boy was too shy and decided on ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. Of course, I couldn't allow my brother to eat that on our first time eating out together, right? 

Well, at least the look of utter bliss on his face was very satisfying.

I sighed to myself. Now, what to cook for dinner? For almost three years, I've been the unofficial cook since Cavillor didn't want anyone to just prepare our food. Hmm, what about steak? 

This time, I chuckled. I remember our first meal together was a steak--

Oh, fucking hell, Regina! 

I slapped myself multiple times. Remember, Regina, he's living well now. Probably in college with a few years or so before he graduates. The least you could do is... Be content.

~~

"Here's your daily dose of poison which will hopefully kill you one day," I said, full of seriousness as I placed the coffee on his desk table. I am this close to pouring the hot liquid all over those papers… 

"Thanks– where did you get that? I swear I hid them better this time…" Cavillor froze, glaring at the item in the middle of my lips. 

"Oh, this?" I took it out and blew the smoke right in his face, "From your room, in your drawers, underneath the boxers. If you're going to hide something, at least do well." I should know.

Walking out, I thought about the cigarette I'm holding in my fingers. I'm sure that if he really wants me to stop smoking, then he would have actually disposed of all these from his penthouse. What's the point of letting me find it again and again?

Wait, is he… Toying with me? 

I scoffed, actually starting to prepare the steak for tonight after throwing away the small suicidal object. 

There truly is something fascinating about smoking cigarettes. It's like… In this remaining life of mine which is being a prisoner, this is the only way I could feel like I have control of my own life. 

Death does come hand in hand with smoking, doesn't it? But yet… Why does it feel so good? 

Almost finishing the preparation of the food, I snorted at my thoughts. Maybe it doesn't really feel good, but the knowledge that something like that can kill me and not just anyone is oddly… Satisfying. 

I mean, I already know that I'll die one day, whether it be from my own hands or someone else's.

As I put the cooked meat on the plate, I unintentionally clenched my jaw and fisted my hand. Whether I die early or not, I'll be sure that I get my revenge. 

After all, I swore to someone that I'll bring hell to their doorstep. 

But for now… "Hey, you blonde mutt! If you don't want to starve, eat this!" 

When he got here, he looked at his steak, and then at mine with a mixed sorrowful and hurt expression. "You hate me that much, huh?" I nodded. "I mean, yeah, I know you do, but… Don't you think this is a little too cruel?" 

I raised a brow. "You want to starve or not? In my opinion, choose the former."

"… Fine…" He then took a very hesitant bite of the food, grimacing in disgust right after. I didn't even bother hiding my satisfied smirk. 

Ah, burnt steak. Just how I like to torture him with.

If I can't kill him instantly, I'll just torture him. Respectfully.

~~

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