CHAPTER 13

ANALISE’S POV

“Ahh.” I cry out in pain as I open my eyes. My head is aching. It is like it is struck with some heavy thing.
My throat is dry. It hurts to even open my mouth. I look at my side to see Luciano sleeping.
It is 5:00 so it is still dark outside. I see a jug on the bedside table. I immediately pour water into a glass and gulps it in seconds.

What happened last night? Why my head is throbbing so much. I remove the comforter to get up but after looking at what I am wearing I am shocked.
I am wearing sexy red lingerie which does nothing to cover me. Beneath it, I can see my black underwear and bra.
Why I am wearing this thing? My legs are not hurting. It means we didn’t have sex last night. What happened yesterday.
I get up and move towards the bathroom to fresh up. I run a hot bath to soothe my muscles.

Now I am sitting here in the bathtub trying to remember what happened last night that made my head hurt so much.
I was roaming the mansion. I found the library and wine cellar. Then I started drinking wine and everything is black from there.
What happened after? I don’t remember. I try hard but to no avail. Getting out of the bathtub and I wear a robe.

I stop when I see myself in the mirror. My eyes are bloodshot red. Maybe I should just find some painkillers before this headache kills me.
I get out of the bathroom to see Luciano already dressed and ready to leave. I move past him and sit on the bed.
“Good morning baby.” Luciano greets me. “Morning.” I greet him back because I know better than to not reply to him.

“Do you remember what happened last night Tesoro?” Luciano asks with a smirk on his face.
“No,” I say true because I am in no mood for games.
“When I returned you were drunk and I must say that you were looking ravishing.” I look at him in horror. Only God or Luciano knows what happened after that.
I look down to hide my blush. He must have seen me wearing that thing.

“Anyways take this. It will help you with the hangover. Come down for breakfast after dressing up.” Luciano says handing me medicine and a glass of water before leaving.
I instantly take the medicine. I move into the closet and choose a dress for today. It is a light pink top with an almost blue skirt. I decide to wear a pink floral cardigan over it.

I look at myself in the mirror and I look perfect. I enter the dining room and I am surprised to see that we are not alone today.
Niccolo is also sitting beside him. I don’t want to talk to him after what happened in Alice’s house.
I ignore him and sit on the other side of Luciano. I start eating breakfast silently.
“Hello, Analise.” Niccolo says to me happily. Luciano is looking at me while sipping his coffee.

“Hi!” I say to him dryly.
“I am leaving. We shall meet in the evening Tesoro.” Luciano says getting up and kissing me on the forehead.
He nods to Niccolo and leaves. Now we are alone here. Doesn’t Niccolo have to go too?
“Are you still mad at me?” Niccolo asks me. I don’t reply to him and continue to eat.

“Look I am sorry. Let’s be friends again. The thing is that... I can never say no to Luciano. I follow his every order. So, I had to do what he ordered.” Niccolo explains to me.
“If you want you can punish me. I will not mind but don’t be like this.” I ignore him again.
Maybe I should forgive him. He is trying so hard. I also need a friend because I am bored here. If we look closely, it was Luciano who ordered him to shoot.

“At least say something. I even brought you a gift.” He says handing me a box wrapped in gift paper.
Except for everything he is a nice guy. I accept the gift. “Thanks.” I say to him with a smile on my face.
“So, am I forgiven?” He asks expectantly. I pretend to think for a second and then nod my head.

“Thank God.” He dramatically sighed. I laughed hard looking at him. He is such an actor.
By this time, we have already finished breakfast. I look at the gift sitting beside my plate on the table.
“Why don’t you open it? I assure you there is no bomb in it.” He jokes laughing.
I open it and am surprised to see a beautiful spiral wind chime in it. It is so beautiful.

I take it out and roam my fingers over it. It makes a beautiful sound.
“Thanks a lot. It is so beautiful. I love it.” I say to Niccolo genuinely happily.
“Come let’s hang it in your room.” He says going towards mine and Luciano’s room.
We hang it on the balcony. Wind moves through it and a harmonious sound echoes. It is so comforting and pleasing to the ears.

“Whenever you are sad it will light up your mood.” He says to me getting out of the room.
“Hey, are you free today?” He asks me halting his steps. “I am always free here.” I say to him sadly.
“Would you like to go shopping with me? I am free today too.” I agree instantly because I just want to go out.
I am tired of being here all the time. It has been days since I stepped out. How pleasurable it will be to see the hustle-bustle of the city.

“Hey! Do not get your hopes high. Let me ask Luciano first.” He says shattering my hopes. I know Luciano will never agree. He doesn’t want me to get out of the mansion.
Niccolo signals me to be quiet. I move past him and sit on the couch in the living room. He comes and sits beside me.

“Luciano. Possiamo andare a fare acquisti?” Niccolo says on the phone. (Luciano. Can we go out to shop?)
“Nessum.” I hear Luciano on phone. (No)
“Ma perché? Sulla mia responsabilità. Niente accadrà a lei.” Niccolo says to him back. (But why? On my responsibility. Nothing will happen to her.)

“Ok. Ma lei non dovrebbe scappare.” Luciano says. (Ok. But she shouldn’t escape.)
“Non ti preoccupare. Non la lascerò fuori dalla mia parte.” Niccolo says to him in a serious tone before ending the calls. (Don’t worry. I will not let her out of my sight)
He looks towards me. “He agreed?” I ask him hoping his answer is yes.
“Yes. Now let’s go before he changes his mind.” Niccolo says.

I get up and get out of the mansion with him. Wow, his car is so beautiful. We sit inside it and I look back to see that three more black cars are coming behind us.
“Analise. Don’t try to run. We will find you wherever you are. But remember that after you escaped you will never be able to go out again.” Niccolo says to me suddenly becoming serious.
I wasn’t going to run. Luciano told me that if I ran then Alice will die. I can’t put her life at stake.

“Don’t worry. I will not run.”

Night

I enter the mansion carrying a lot of shopping bags with me. Niccolo and I shopped a lot.
He also bought things for his son and wife. He told me his son’s name is Antonio. He is only four years old.
As his house is not so far away from here so he promised to bring him here someday.
He showed me his picture and he is so cute. We also ate lunch and dinner out and it was so fun.

He is a good friend. I enter the room but my step halts seeing Luciano sitting in bed working on a laptop.
“Hi.” I greet him with a smile.
“Welcome Tesoro. I hope you had a great day.”
“Yes.” I say to him and put shopping bags away. I do my routine and lay beside him on the bed.

He pulls me to him and snakes his arm around me tightly hugging me.
I am so happy. After so many days I enjoyed myself. I let sleep take over me. At some point in my sleep, I heard Luciano kiss my shoulder and whispering something. Maybe it was a dream.

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