Being left alone in the cage for a day, I had time to think. Time to carefully carve and perfect my plan. Time to analyze all the possible setbacks and think of solutions.

Ermanno had left early hours of the morning and still wasn't back yet. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't waiting up, I actually enjoyed the peace him being away brought.

My insides twisted and turned and my stomach growled. I had tried to get the pack of berries, a meter away from me but I failed.

My eyes stared longingly at it and my mouth watered. I was still in the summer gown I had worn yesterday and I would want nothing more than a refreshing bath right now. I sigh defeatedly, still staring at the berries so far away from me until I hear a knock.

My head immediately jerked up as I became alarmed. Ermanno would never knock on his own room door. I pulled my knees closer as I heard the knob turn.

Naturally, I eased up as the middle aged lady walked in. She was slightly obese and in a long green gown. Her dirty blond hair was braided into pigtails, which was weird to see a grown lady wear and she had a bunch of cleaning utensils in her hand.

“Oh dear,” she ran towards the cage immediately sighting me. She pushed a key into the lock and began turning it.

Almost immediately I grabbed her hand, stopping her. “No, please don't do that. He might punish you.” I shook her head, my eyes pleading.

She was silent for a second before she continued to unlock the cage. “Don't worry, he won't. He sent me here.” she pushed the door open. “I'm Julía, I clean here everyday.”

I was still In the cage, not sure whether I could come out.

“Mr Sandrino wouldn't be home tonight. He has business to attend to. He said I should let out the lady in his cage once I got here.”

How could she say that with a straight face? Wasn't she overwhelmed? Wasn't she surprised?

My wobbly legs stood up as I held the bars for support and stepped out of the cage.

“Thank you.” I said in nothing more than a whisper.

I stared at fairly genetic face, she must've been beautiful in her youth. She had a big healed up scar riding along her face. Starting from her forehead, going down to her chin.

I didn't know what to say, I wanted to ask her questions about Ermanno, about the Sandrino family but I didn't know if I should. I had only just met her.

“It's nice to meet you Julía.” I flash her a small smile which she returns with a much warmer one.

“No problem. Now run along, I have to clean Ermanno's room.” I nodded and left, my body shaking.

She had to be part of whatever this was. I doubt Ermanno would've let someone who didn't know about his dark life into a place so personal like his room.

I finally had a warm bath and slipped yet another summer gown.

I lay in my bed, my legs crossed. I had to get Gia to trust me again, trust me enough to take me on other outings. I had pretty much blown the last one she took me for. I hadn't seen her since then, she hadn't come over. Gia wasn't a bad person and I wanted to trust her so bad but I couldn't. I had only known her for a week and she was loyal to the bones for Ermanno.

And then Jovani, maybe I'd be able to get some information from him. He didn't scare me as much as Ermanno did. Jovani just couldn't keep his mouth shut, he either made a snarky comment or normalized talks about death. That man seemed so fucking bipolar at times.

I sighed and threw my head back on the pillow. I was still very hungry.

I got up from the bed and strolled to the window. I pulled the curtains away and popped my head through. My muscles relaxed as the warm evening breeze teased my cheeks. The mansion was almost empty, except for two fully armed guards who stood by the gate. Ermanno had gone with almost all his men. Must've been something important he went for.

I moved away from the window, left my room and was walked into the corridors, everything seemed so dull and empty and I really hoped I could see Gia. I didn't necessarily like her but I've grown fond of her. Despite me being a hostage, she was so eager to make me feel comfortable.

She seemed like a decent girl and I wonder how girls like her survived in the mafia.

Going down the stairs, I bumped into the Julía again. She was done cleaning by now and offered to make me dinner. I felt uneasy accepting but I was so hungry.

In the kitchen, Julía poured me a glass of orange juice and set it on the counter while she began dicing onions for pancake.

Moments like this, I didn't feel like a hostage, moments in pure luxury. I felt like I was a princess, a celebrity maybe.

In reality I was a hostage receiving queens treatment for reasons I didn't know why.

I stared intently at her scar, it most have been a grave injury for it to look so open and disfigured even after it had healed.

“Are you going to ask me what happened or are you going to keep on staring?” Julía looked at me from the corner of her eyes.

I immediately looked away, a bit embarrassed that I had been caught staring.

I didn't ask her about her scar but she spoke anyway. “It's been over seven years now. My husband and I where robbed on a bus, we didn't have much money so they killed him and beat my brutally, slicing my face open with the door frame” she paused, getting a little flour. “I was on the verge of death but La famiglia saved me. I owe them my life.”

La famiglia? What was that?

I nodded slowly. I wanted to sympathize with her, bit I didn't know how. I was silent.

“I knew your father.” she spoke again.

“You did?” I found myself asking without thinking.

She nodded.

“He and the former don grew alongside each other.”

The former don? Could that have been Ermanno's father? Mr Luciano that Jovani mentioned?

Could job Mercedes, you're already getting information.

“I heard he was a traitor.” I chirped in. The word traitor didn't roll off my tongue easily. Especially when it was my father I spoke of but I needed to get all the information I could.

“I heard so too” Julía glanced at me. “You see, all loving and caring memories are forgotten once betrayal enters the picture.”

“You do know he's dead? Over a decade now.” my heart sank as I spoke. I hated the fact that It'd  been years but I hadn't healed over my parents death.

Julía didn't respond, infact she didn't talk till the pancakes were done. She served me and herself and when we were done, she promised to return tomorrow evening. Not mentioning another word about La famiglia, Ermanno or my father.

I lay in my bed, curled up as I played with strands from my hair. My heart bit violently against my chest as I pictured how I would approach Ermanno once he returned.

'I've considered being your toy.'

'I'm ready to be your toy.'

'Use me as you like.'

'I've come to terms with reality and there's no escape. I'm yours'

I replayed what I was going to say and how I was going to say it.

I cringed at how it sounded in my head and hoped it came out much better.

I felt my thighs heat up and I grinded them together, just thinking about what he was going to do when the words left my mouth.

I know he was a mafia boss, I know he didn't care for my consent but it made me feel much better that I'd be giving it.

What scared me was the fact that I was inexperienced and he was probably too experienced. Our little kiss had showed me just how experienced and dominating he was. The mafia was all he knew, he was rough and violent. And I didn't like violence.

I grinded my thighs and shut my eyes as once more, I remembered the kiss. Every kiss he dropped down my neck left me wanting more and his tongue ignited a fire in me, a wanting for the unknown. But I didn't show it, I still won't show it.

Even if his touches awaken me in a way that I'd never believe it could, I can't afford to show it or let it get to me because all I can afford to look forward to is my escape.

An escape he'll never see coming.

__________________________________Alright everyone! The fourteenth chapter of GATM.
Please vote, comment and share.

Till next time!