6 months later
"Hey girl, how's California?" Larisa asked over the phone.
"Em, you've gotten even prettier than I remembered."
"Of course — that was six freaking months ago! What do you think about this tube dress or this off-shoulder one?"
"Girl, this ox-blood tube dress is to die for. You're gonna look great. Just slay in whatever you wear," Larisa said.
"Larisa!!"
"What? I'm being honest."
Knock knock.
"Who is it?" Larisa asked.
"I'm about to find out!"
It was Mia, holding a package.
"Miss Meena, Mr. Adrino sent this for you."
"Thank you, Mia." I closed the door.
"Girl, who was that?" Larisa asked.
"Oh, just Mia. Your brother sent a parcel."
"Open it up!"
"I'm about to." Inside was a royal blue slit gown with matching heels, and beneath it, a diamond necklace.
"Oh my God! It's beautiful," Larisa gushed.
I couldn't believe it. Where did he get such expensive jewels? This was just too much.
"Larisa, this is too much."
There was a note attached:
Wear it to the gala tonight. Both would look good on you.
Yours, Adrino.
"Girl, he wants you to wear it! So it's settled—you're wearing that! Make sure to send me a picture of you both."
"But my hair..."
Knock knock.
"Uhhh, what now?" I opened the door to find a woman with Mia.
"Signora, I'm Caterina, your hair stylist and makeup artist."
"Larisa, my hair problem is solved!"
"Come in, Caterina. I'm Meena."
"Si, Signora," she said in a thick Italian-English accent.
"Yes, madam."
"No, please, Meena."
"Okay, Meena," Caterina smiled.
"Larisa, I'll call you back later," I said.
An hour later...
"Oh my goodness, this hair is beautiful! I love it!" I exclaimed.
"I'm glad, Meena," Caterina smiled. "Now, let's get to your makeup."
Lights out.
Later that day...
"Girl, this is so lit! My brother is a goner today," Larisa complimented.
"Thanks, Larisa. I don't even know I was this beautiful. I have to go now—I need to put on my heels and get picked up."
"I wish you the best of luck! Rock tonight!" Larisa said as she ended the video call.
I took a deep breath, picked up my heels, and headed downstairs.
"Ma, you look beautiful tonight. We'll meet up with Mr. Adrino later."
"Okay, Alex. Thanks for the compliment."
Lights out.
As the limo stopped, I saw a pair of dark blue tuxedos waiting. I knew it was Adrino.
I pretended not to notice as the driver opened the door.
I raised my chin, kept my head high, and smiled as beautifully as I could.
"Così carina ecco come farei un entrante."
(So pretty—that's how you make an entrance.)
Adrino whispered in my ear, sending a familiar chill down my spine.
"Grazie, Adrino. You're not bad yourself," I whispered back.
"My bad, Miele (honey). Permit me to say, you look too beautiful—I don't want any extra eyes on you tonight."
"Adrino, let me go or instead of a good night, you'll be sleeping outside tonight."
"Then I'll be as quiet as a snake tonight."
Haha.
He smiled as we walked in hand-in-hand.
All this seemed too good to be true, my subconscious warned.
Adrino left me to talk with some men I suspected were Mafia leaders.
I'll admit, Adrino was young to be Don of such an empire, but I guessed he worked hard for it.
As I settled with my tequila, admiring the room, a symbol of wealth, I looked for Adrino but couldn't find him.
Suddenly, I saw a tall man in a broad blue tuxedo heading to the balcony upstairs.
I followed and found him speaking with a woman — a model or superstar by the looks of her.
I hid and listened.
"Baby boo, you still look handsome and sexy. I miss you so much."
"Natalie, I'm not interested. In fact..."
"See, you got a date, but Adrino, she's not even close to me in class or style."
Shouldn't be listening, but I needed to know if he wanted or accepted me for who I am.
"Natalie, I'm very busy now. Why did you really call?"
"Adrino, I'm sorry for leaving so harshly. I waited for you to apologize but you never did."
"Natalie, you know I never apologize or beg anyone."
I eyed Adrino, feeling the pain deep inside.
"You—your stubbornness and arrogance are the parts of you I miss the most."
"Natalie, what in God's name do you want?"
"I want you, Adrino. I want all of you."
"Do you want me for sex or what, Natalie?"
"I want that huge cock in me, but I also want you to be my husband."
I couldn't take anymore and quickened my pace to find somewhere cool to rest—my heart pounding.
A garden.
My mind raced with a million questions—pain, self-doubt, feeling not good enough.
I don't want to fall like this. I really don't. But I can't help it. Why do I feel this sharp sting?
Is it heart pain, emotional hurt, or just coincidence?
I couldn't cry—I didn't want to break down in tears.
I always thought I was good enough, but what...?
I guess I need to do what I do best—
Be a slave, an emotionless one.
I'm just...
Suddenly, a hand touched me. I knew it wasn't Adrino.
I turned to meet—
Antonio Walton.
The nightmare I ran from—besides my father, Azazel.
His presence disgusted and frightened me; even his cologne made me sick.
"Principessa, sei finalmente arrivata."
(Princess, you finally came.)
"Scusi, cani."
(Excuse me.)
"Come stai, principessa?"
(How are you, princess?)
I'm alright, though his Mexican-Italian accent still chills me.
"Well, I've missed you and you've become sexier than I remember."
"That's because you last saw me three years ago."
"You still got that feisty spirit—it makes me wanna fuck it out."
I don't know why, but when Adrino said that, it was kinda hot and made me wet.
"You still got that small stick. Makes me wanna chop it off and feed it to the dogs," I spat back.
"Princesa, you're exceeding your limits."
"Antonio, this isn't your turf. You fell off a cliff a long time ago."
"I'm speaking frankly—no, your dick, I mean your penis, isn't worth being feisty for."
"You whore! I'm gonna show you where you belong!"
He raised his hand to hit me, but a pair of hands pushed him back, slamming him against the wall.
Let me guess—Adrino.
"Meena, are you—?"
"I'm fine," I cut him off. I knew that line too well; it's in every mafia romance film.
I kicked Antonio hard in the balls, slapped him, and walked away.
"I said I was afraid of Antonio—not fear. I meant fright—because he was the first to sleep with me when I was 11."
I walked to the car, sitting as I waited for Adrino, my mind racing over what I overheard between Natalie and him.
I brought out my phone and typed Larisa:
"Um hey Larisa, please, who's Natalie?"
"Arino's ex or something. I believe they had a thing before."
"Okay, thanks. Hope no problem."
"Nah, just curious. I've met her."
"Don't mind her, she's no good news. Don't worry, Adrino loves you more than that shit."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"He literally adores the ground you walk on. Don't you see how he looks at you? Even a billion dollars couldn't hold a candle to that look."
"Haha, thanks Larisa."
"I know I'm the best."
"Chill and spice up California."
"Sure will."
"Who are you chatting with?" Adrino asked as he got into the car—quietly enough I hadn't heard him arrive.
"Larisa, why?"
"You seemed so focused and happy."
"That's because of Larisa."
"Umm, please, who was that guy?"
"Umm, that was Antonio Walton—the Mexican mafia and drug lord boss. He was my first."
"Wasn't he too old for you?"
"He is, but nobody cares how I feel, so what's the point?"
"I promise no one will ever see or call you a whore again."
"Okay, thanks."
"It's okay, darling. Now let's go home—and talk about our unfinished business."
Haha.
Black out.
Adrino's POV
I can't keep my mind off the gorgeous lady waiting in the lobby.
Natalie came looking for me, sent by my father. I didn't want to see her, but I had to.
After finishing with Natalie, I went looking for the beauty who's been on my mind.
I figured she'd be somewhere quiet—probably the garden.
I hurried there and saw her, but to my surprise, an ugly bastard approaching her.
I got there just in time to stop him from harassing her further.
She kicked him and walked away, very like Meena. She pretends not to want help, but deep down she does. She's daring and smart—the major thing I love about her.
Meena and I head home, and I can't stop thinking about how I'm gonna fuck her brains out.
I couldn't take my eyes off her erect nipples through the royal blue gown and her exposed thigh. I could see there was no undergarment beneath.
"Adrino, stop staring. It's making me hot already!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, my lady, but don't blame a man—you're too beautiful to resist."
"You flirt too much but paid so much attention to Natalie."
"Thanks," I muttered.
As soon as we got home, Adrino followed me like a lovesick puppy.
Once inside the bedroom, the door closed, and our stored lust exploded—the sexual tension between us so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Adrino pushed me against the wall, kissing me roughly in a way words can't describe.
He started leaving love marks on my neck.
I stopped him and he carried me to the bed, removing his shirt.
I was about to remove mine, but he said no—implying I was gorgeous in the outfit.
He moved his head down, lifting the gown off my stomach as he started eating me out.
He sucked on my clit as my hips moved, my eyes rolling back.
My moans grew louder and faster.
"Ahh, Adrino... just like that. Mmm, Adrino... yes, please don't stop, don't fucking stop. Aaaa, mhmm..."
"Just like that... oh my fucking God..."
He continued in such a dirty way.
Soon, I was in cloud nine as he unbuckled his trousers and suit jacket.
He pulled me closer and slammed into me roughly, moving in and out.
He groaned:
"Fuck, Meena, you're gonna be the death of me."
"Fuck! Adrino, I'm gonna cum..."
"Baby, hold up—let's cum together, badly."
"With pleasure, baby..."
On and on he slammed into me as I felt his hot seed flow inside me.
"Fuck, that was intense," I muttered.
"Baby, rest. We've got a long night ahead."