Chapter 7
1960 Words
Nayana
I hate how hyper aware I am of Leonardo's eyes following my back as I stalk my way back into the house.
Goosebumps break out on my skin and the hairs on the back of my neck stands at attention. He is still looking at me. I can feel it.
Why is he not driving out of my house yet? I really hope father is not back yet because I don't know what he will do to me if he catches me being dropped off by the man who’s marrying his favorite daughter.
I steady my irregular heartbeat and walk past the guards who act like they don’t even see me. I somehow hope they don’t say anything to my father. I can't deal with father's wrath right now.
My mind goes back to the moment I saw Leonardo outside, standing nonchalantly with his hands dipped in the pockets of his long coat. He looked so devastatingly handsome that it made me speechless at first. He probably thought I was shocked to see him there but really, it was how unreal he looked that made me speechless for a few minutes.
His hair looked so disheveled like he was running his fingers through it all day.
His dark coat was perfectly filled in with his muscles and his face was unreal. It isn't fair that anyone should be that good looking.
Stop thinking about him like that, Nana.
He's a bad man and even if he isn't, he belongs to someone else. Your sister.
I really hope this will be my last encounter with him because I can't stand being around him. I just can't.
I must be lost in my thoughts because I don't notice the movements behind me once I'm inside until it's too late.
Shit. Please be the housekeeper. Please.
I slowly turn around and my eyes clash with my step-brother's furious ones. I don't know if I should feel some relief that it's not my father or even more scared that it's my toxic step-brother. Luca's expression is hard as his eyes go over my frame, lips pulled in a tight scowl. What does he want now?
"Hey, Luca. " I manage to send a fake smile his way. He smiles back, but it doesn't reach his eyes at all. He looks upset, like he's thinking of something sinister.
Fear grips my whole body but I remain stiff and act like I'm not Intimidated. Luca is huge and buffly.
His hand is the size of three of mine so I know I cannot
fight with him and come out in one piece. He can probably crush me if he wants to and he never fails to remind me of that which is why I always try to avoid him.
"Hello, sister. Where have you been?" His voice is dangerously low. He slowly walks towards where I am standing close to the staircase.
“Went out with my friend, Gwen.” Despite the anger stirring in me at being questioned by my brother as if I am a f*****g child, I will my voice to remain calm.
"I thought Gwen was out of the country, Studying overseas?"
"Well, she's back now and I had to catch up with her."
He stares at me for a bit, as if trying to decide If I'm telling the truth. Who does he even think he is?
"I don't like that tone, Nana. I told you this before"
That's it. My patience is wearing thin and the headache building at the back of my skull is making me cranky.
"Look, brother. I'm not in the mood tonight. Maybe tomorrow, we can talk. Good night or morning actually."
I say and turn away from him.
Big mistake.
Before I can register what is happening, my head is slammed into the nearby wall and stars erupt behind my eyes.
A strangled gasp leaves my throat as a blinding pain consumes me from the force of his hit.
"Luca..." I gasp. "I...Can't breathe.."
"I was trying to be f*****g nice but I guess you don't like me gentle. You prefer me being rough, right baby?” The dangerous edge in his voice freezes my whole body. My insides feel like jelly because I know where this is going.
Tears burn behind my eyelids and I try to hold it in but they eventually fall. His eyes follow the tears dropping down my face and miraculously, his grip on my throat eases just enough for me to drag air into my burning lungs.
“Ah, f**k. I don't like it when you make me hurt you by mistake, Nana. You're my girl and I would never hurt you. If you don't misbehave, that is."
I almost laugh at how delusional this mother fucker is. He says he doesn't want to hurt me yet he has me painfully pinned to the wall.
“Then let me f*****g go, Luca. You're literally crushing my windpipe." I whimper.
"Then tell me where the f**k you went to all night and most especially, tell me who the motherfucker who dropped you is."
My lips part in shock. Oh s**t. How did he see him from inside the house?
I try to swallow but the pressure on my neck won't let me. I shut my eyes tight and try to come up with a lie to get out of this situation. The wild expression on his face scares me to death and I realise this can get really bad for me.
“I..I told you. I went out with my friend. I was dropped home by that same friend!"
“You're still f*****g lying to me princess." An evil grin spreads across his harsh face. His dark hair is sleek with sweat and he looks like a demon out for blood.
"I'm not lying!" I whimper as the pain on the side of my head gets intense.
Whack!
My yelp echoes across the room when he backhands me a rough slap on my exposed check. I can feel my face bruising already. More tears stream down my burning face.
Why can't you fight? Where is your strength? I think to myself
"You are still lying to me. I f*****g saw the figure of a man all the way from here. Are you going out with other men now? Have they touched you? f****d you? you filthy w***e”
My eyes bulge at his horrific words. The next thing I feel is Luca's rough hands at the hem of my skirt. My eyes widen when I realize what he's trying to do. No!
"Don't you f*****g touch me, Luca or I swear to God, I'll—"
"You'll what huh? you can't do s**t. You are mine and mine alone and it's time you accepted that."
"What is going on here?" A female voice interrupts, which stops Luca's hand from going further. I could almost weep with relief.
Luca swiftly removes himself from my body and turns to his mother with a smile on his scary face.
"Mother dearest! didn't see you there. I was just having a little chat with my baby sister here." Franca's eyes roams back and forth between Luca and me.
She takes in my rough state for a second, my scattered hair and tear-stained cheeks. Her eyes narrow at me and I hope she just realized what a psychopath her son is.
She turns to her son, a smile on her perfectly made up face.
"Luca, your father just called and he needs you at the site right now. He's waiting for you. I arranged the SUV for you already, baby."
Luca looks between I and his mother before he slowly nods and walks away.
My body visibly relaxes women he's out of the room. Even though l and Franca are not best of friends, I'm glad that she read the situation and stopped me from getting assaulted by her unhinged son.
I turn to her and the smile that was building on my face dies when I see her watching me like she's disgusted by me. "What do you think you are doing?" I blink in confusion.
"What am I doing?" I repeat her question like I didn't hear her correctly.
"You don’t think I know that you're trying to seduce My son? Are you really that desperate? You couldn't set your sights on someone else but your step-brother?"
“What the — Your son attacked me! I was by myself when he tried to assault me!" Despite how defeated I feel, my voice comes out strong as I glare at my pathetic
step mother who does nothing but protect her children's terrible behavior.
"You shut your stinky mouth, Nayana or so help me God, I will report you to your father. Maybe I should, so he can get you married off to whoever will have you. This is why he chose your sister to get married to the most eligible bachelor in the city. Because you could never dream to have the grace she has."
I stare at Franca in shock. I can't believe not only is she making excuses for her son, she's blaming me too.
"I don't give a s**t about who your daughter is betrothed to, and I would rather eat s**t than seduce your sorry excuse of a son."
Franca's eyes widen as she raises her hand up to hit me but I catch it before it can reach me.
My gaze blazes with fury as I hold her hand mid-air in a tight grip.
"How dare you? " Franca's voice is shaky and that is how I know I've rattled her. She expected me to cower in fear and shame like I usually do. But not this time.
“No, how dare you try to hit me after watching your son almost do something so horrible to your step-daughter? Tell him to stay the f**k away from me.” I shove her hand away which makes her gasp as she stumbles a bit backwards.
I don't wait for her response and speed up the stairs. I find my way to my room and it is only when my door is locked do I break down in tears.
Why was I so unfortunate to be born into this family? Why?
I think about the swimming pool and the overwhelming urge to visit there right now.
Leonardo's thick voice suddenly booms in my head.
You better not think of going near that swimming pool again.
I close my eyes and try to calm my nerves down.
"It's okay. You're Okay, Nana." A sudden knock on my door makes me yelp and jump upright as fear grips my body once again. I decide I won't open this door no matter what.
Is Luca back again? God please, no.
"Hello, ma'am, it's me. Carla." The house keeper's small voice comes through the door.
I Instantly relax before reluctantly opening my door and I find Carla holding an ice bag. She looks at me sadly before stretching the ice bag to me.
Slowly, I take the bag from her, wondering how she knew I needed this.
"I heard the madam talking to you and figured you need this. I'm sorry miss." Her eyes shine with unshed tears.
I thank her and close the door before putting the bag on my bruised face. I release a sigh as the pain starts to reduce. At least someone cares around here.
After a while, I check my phone to see if Gwen has texted me but what I see instead shocks me to my bones. The i********: notification has been there since I left stepped out of his car.
Leonardo Voss followed me back!
***
- Writer
