CHAPTER 22

MIA POV.
“What do you think Dominic?” Vivienne's voice cut through the air, breaking the tension that was starting to build between him and me. "Are you satisfied with the dress?" she asks with a confident smile. I looked down at myself and decided that this was the one. It was the only comfortable dress that fitted me so far. I thought as Dominic's gaze lingered on me for a moment, his eyes scanning every detail of the wedding gown once again. He nodded curtly; his expression unreadable before clearing his throat to speak. "It's perfect."
With that, he hastily got up and strode out of the room, leaving Vivienne and me alone amidst the sea of dresses. Vivienne let out a soft sigh, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Well, that's settled then. This is the one." She said with a relieved smile that matched my own.
"Shall we get you out of that dress, Mia?” Vivienne asked and I nodded gratefully. I did love the dress, and it fitted me like a glove, but it was also a stark white reminder of my obligation. Vivienne helped me out of the gown, and as I got dressed in the clothes I came in, I turned to Vivienne who was carefully hanging the dress back up. “It really is a nice choice.” I said as I looked at the dress. It was the only one that felt comfortable to be in. I’m glad I chose it.” I said and Vivienne giggled. "You know, Mia, all the dresses here weren’t picked out by me.” She said and I looked at her in confusion. “Nor your father or Tony's, for that matter." She said as she labeled the dress as taken. "What do you mean?" I ask as I walk over to her to help her with hanging on the other dresses that I had tried on before.
Vivienne's smile grew wider. "Dominic chose every one of the gowns here himself. He has an eye for detail and knows exactly what he wants, no matter the price.
My mind raced with this new revelation. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized how far Dominic’s hand of control would go. He hadn't just chosen the dresses; manipulated everyone and anything to exert his control over that person or thing. Dominic was definitively trying to mold me into something or someone that he wanted me to be.
"Why?" I asked Vivienne, who turned to look at me with a frown. “Why what?” She asked before busying herself with the next dress. "Why would he do that?" I elaborated.
Vivienne's expression turned perplexing. "Why?” she asked before a laugh escaped her. “Why not.” She said and looked at me good naturedly. “If a man is willing to spend money on you, you don’t question it. You just say thank you.” She spoke and came to help me with the last dresses. “Besides, I can tell that Dominic is quite taken to you.” She said and I almost swallowed my tongue from shock. “W- what do you mean? I asked nervously and Vivienne laughed. “You are the future of his pack, Mia. You will one day carry the next heir into this world that will one day take over the pack from Tony as the next generation will take over from him. Dominic has high hopes for you, and he'll stop at no expense to make sure that you are comfortable and that you become the luna he wishes you to be."
Vivienne's words bounced inside my head as I tried to process what she had just said. Dominic was starting to control my life.
Repulsion wrestled with fascination as I considered the extent of Dominic's control. The clothes I wore, my extravagant room, even the scent of my perfume – all chosen by him. I felt like a puppet, with Dominic pulling the strings from behind the scenes. And yet, as I gazed at my reflection, I couldn't deny the thrill of being pampered. The dresses, the heels, the flawless makeup – it felt good. I thought as a smile pulled at the corner of my lips. I caught Vivienne staring at me and I quickly busied myself with something else.
As we carefully sorted and hung the remaining dresses, I saw Vivienne looking at me curiously. "So, Mia, tell me about you and Tony. What is the history between you two?" She asked. I hesitated, unsure how much to say, but what harm could it do. I thought to myself. "We used to date, but it didn't work out so well, so I broke up with him.” I said and Vivienne’s eyebrows shot up into her hair line in surprise. She uttered a laugh. “You broke up with a Romano?” She questioned me and I rolled my eyes at her. “I didn’t know his last name was Romano.” I countered. “And even if I did, I would still have done it.” I said and she just shook her head in disbelief.
"Why?” she asked curiously. “What happened? If you don't mind me asking.” She inquired and I had a feeling that she would still have asked, even if I did mind. I took a deep breath, the memory still stinging since it was only a few days ago when it happened. "He cheated on me.” I said and Vivienne didn’t look very surprised, but I continued anyway. “I wasn't ready for... certain things.” I said and Vivienne looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. I sighed. “I am still a virgin, and I didn’t feel ready to... you know." I said and my cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Vivienne uttered a laugh before forcing herself to shut up. "Ah, Mimi.” She said as her expression softened, and she reached out, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I'm so sorry that happened, but you know, if you are nervous about losing your virginity, then I might just have the thing to help you.” She said and winked at me. I still felt embarrassed but something in Vivienne’s eyes put me at ease. I could sense that she wasn’t making fun of me. I still felt embarrassed, but I was interested to know how she could help me. And how.
“You can.” I asked and she nodded her head confidently and before I could protest, she grabbed me by the arm and started to lead me to a door. What! I didn’t notice this door here before. Was it here the whole time? I wondered as we approached it. It did blend into the décor quite nicely; I must admit. I thought as Vivienne flipped a disguised lid of a keypad. She quickly entered the pin, and the door gave a feint beep before it opened ajar. Vivienne opened the door for me, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness and that was when I hesitated. I looked at her strangely before she started to laugh. “Oh, Mia. Don’t worry, you are safe with me. Besides, if anything were to happen to you, then I would be the first one they would torture to find out what happened to you.” She said and laughed before stepping through the door first, so that I could follow instead. I stood there for a moment, thinking. Would they really torture her for me? I wondered before Vivienne’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
"Follow me," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and I couldn’t help but give in to my curiosity. I followed her and made my way down the stairs, the air growing cooler and the shadows dark in the low lights from the walls. At the bottom, we turned the corner, and I found myself in a dimly lit, large room. As my eyes adjusted, I gasped in wonder. The basement was a replica of the mansion above, with room after room separating the different sections of the space.
"Welcome to Dominic's playground." Vivienne said, her voice low and excited. "He likes to have his own private place to… unwind from time to time.” Vivienne said and I got a strange feeling from the way she said it. What did he do down here? And why was this place so secret? I wondered. Vivienne opened a door to reveal a study of some sort, complete with leather chairs, a desk, and a television. However, instead of books or magazines, one would expect to find, the shelves were filled with videotapes. Rows and stacks of them. Vivienne pointed to the tapes I was already looking at. “These tapes will help you gain some… insight experience that will hopefully settle some of your doubts and fears.” She said meaningfully and I got closer to the tapes so that I could read the labels on what they were.
They were all neatly labeled, and I pulled one from the shelf and gasped. The label read "Forbidden Desires" in bold, red letters. My head snapped up towards Vivienne and she grinned at me from ear to ear as I just realized what I was holding. This room was filled with pornographic video tapes!