Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

As the day drifted by, I couldn’t bring myself to tidy up my things, if there were any to tidy at all because I had done nothing or gone through any files since morning. I found myself sinking into the back seat, my head gently leaning back, eyes shut tight. My mind was in turmoil, thoughts swirling endlessly around about the looming announcement.

Honestly, I am contemplating on what to do, does he have to publicize it? What does he intend to do with this? But he signed a damn contract!!

Signing, I took a deep breath, realizing the so-called monster had been next to me this whole time as the driver drove us to who knows where. Just looking at him, eyes closed, head leaned back, he appears so calm and innocent. It’s hard to believe how dangerous he is. I feel the urge to strangle him, but as I gaze at his tempting red lips, I hesitate.

Memories started flowing in as I continued staring at those lips, if not that he was a demon…… a dangerous alien that day, I could have so much enjoyed the sex because those lips were so soft and fascinating that when they trailed down my skin I felt…….

“Fuck it!!”

“Snap out of it, Ashley! This is a demon, you can’t succumb to his charms,” I groaned, hitting my head and murmuring, while ignoring the unsettling gaze of the driver and the guard in the front seats.

My silent murmuring and constant hitting of my palms on my head draw Damien’s attention. Twitching his brow, with a scowl, he slowly tilted his head to his left to glance at me. “You know that we can easily stop at the rehabilitation center if you don’t mind,” his smooth voice echoed in the car as it rolled out sarcastically.

I stopped instantly, composing myself with a gulp as his words snapped into my head. Giving me a long look, he sighs before looking forward. “Are we there, yet?” he asked.

“Yep, just now,” the driver replied as the car came to a halt.

Damien stared at me before muttering, “Wait here,” and then he opened his side door and came down before closing it. I gulped and continued sitting as I watched him from the glass window stop in front of my door and open it. “Here,” he said, stretching out his hand with a sly smile tugging at the bottom of his lips.

I knew better not to leave him hanging, so I took his hand, and we both started walking toward a boutique. My face scrunches in disgust as I watch women giggling and drooling at him as we make our way toward the breathtaking boutique ahead of us.

“He is so fineeee!” I heard a female shriek in euphoria, dreamily.

“I just hope he is mine,”

A sudden cough escaped my lips unexpectedly at the girl’s next word. Damien c***ked a brow at me, but I shook my head dismissively, acting like nothing happened. I think we should be mindful of what we wish at times. I unwish that for you, little girl. This man shouldn’t be anybody’s wish at all. He was once mine, and now those silly wishes have brought me close to my doom.

“Welcome, sir,” the security guy standing at the door bowed his head in fear as soon as he laid eyes on Damien. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the unexpected change his presence had in the place.

He disregarded the security guy and strolled in, his hand still holding mine as we made our way inside. I flashed the security guy a small smile, acknowledging his greeting to ease his tension. The atmosphere was tense, and I could sense the unease in the air as we entered the room.

“You’re welcome, Sir Damien,” a woman in a yellow corporate jumpsuit sauntered toward us, her lips adorned with a seductive smile. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, adding an air of problem to her presence.

I rolled my eyes at her, feeling a bit uneasy as I took in her appearance. Why does she have to act like that….. Whore? It’s so unnecessary and off-putting.

“Yeah, yeah… Pull yourself together,” I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off the sudden discomfort.

“What brought you to our store, Sir Damien?” she asked, her face beaming with a nasty smile. Seeing how she was flattering those lashes at Damien, I slowly tightened my grip on him before clearing my throat. Didn’t she also see me here or am I so small that I seem so invisible?

Damien noticed my reaction and a small smile appeared on his lips. “I want my wife to check around and see if she likes anything here,” he explained, glancing at my puzzled expression. I could feel a mix of emotions bubbling up inside me as I tried to make sense of the situation.

I stared at him, bewildered. “This is a boutique… Did he bring me here to shop for my clothes? But he has already loaded thousands of clothes in my wardrobe at home, so why this now?” The angry look on that woman’s face didn’t go unnoticed by me. It felt like a mix of confusion, surprise, and a tinge of excitement all at once.

Why? Is there something that he is not telling me? Or was he not that bad? My heart was racing and I was flipping excitedly inside, huh, that’s strange.

“Hmm… Sorry, ma, please this way,” the woman said, but her eyes held something unpleasant, like a hint of hatred and maybe a touch of jealousy.

“Hmm, sorry, I don’t think I want to shop in this boutique again, darling,” I said, tightening my grip on Damien’s hand as I leaned into his touch, trailing my finger on his hand with my eyes fixed on that woman. My words took the woman by surprise. Her gaze felt like a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off about her….. Perhaps one of those his admirers!

I felt Damien tense under my touch. “You haven’t taken a look, ma,” she said with a gentle smile, but her eyes revealed a deathly glare beneath that fake smile. It was as if she was hiding something sinister behind her pleasant facade.

“I think we should try another one then,” Damien said as we started walking away.

“Wait!!” I heard her speak, but Damien ignored her, and that brought a smirk to my lips. As we walked out of the boutique, I still couldn’t fathom why I had reacted that way back in there. The unease lingered, like a puzzle I couldn’t solve.

“I think you should take a look here,” Damien pointed at the next boutique, and we walked inside.

“Hello, welcome,” the security guy at the next boutique greeted us with a respectful bow.

“Hello, welcome, Mr. Damien Albrecht,” a woman from there stepped toward us. “How can we assist you and your lovely wife?” Her warm greeting made me feel at ease as I glanced at her, exchanging a knowing smile with her.

“I want you to find something elegant and stylish for my wife,” he said, smiling down at me. I gazed back at him, returning the smile, momentarily forgetting about the announcement and his dangerous aura. The boutique’s soft lighting and the sound of hushed whispers from other shoppers created a sense of intimacy as if we were the only ones in the room. It was a moment of respite from the chaos outside, and I was grateful for it.

We started choosing clothes as Damien settled on the couch, I picked out three gowns and made my way to the fitting room. Among them, I was drawn to a striking red gown. The gown is a deep rich shade of red with a fitted bodice and a flowing, floor-length. The neckline is a modern off-the-shoulder style, adding a touch of elegance. And I love the fact that the fabric has a subtle sheen and will definitely be catching the light as you move and it has a shimmering beaded belt to accentuate the waist. The back has a dramatic, low-cut design, adding a hint of allure. Overall, it exudes sophistication and luxury. It was absolutely breathtaking! I couldn’t wait to show Damien and get his opinion.

I giggled at the idea of having Damien see me in this breathtaking dress. Grinning, I gave myself one last look before stepping out of the fitting room. The anticipation of his reaction made my heart race with excitement…. This sudden reaction of mine seems strange though.

“Wow! You look amazing,” the woman blurted, her mouth hanging in disbelief as she glanced at me. Her eyes widened, and I could see the genuine admiration in her expression.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Thanks,” I mumbled with a smile as I looked around the place for Damien. He wasn’t sitting on the couch anymore. Where could he possibly be? My heart raced with excitement as I searched for him.

The woman noticed my discomfort and let out a sigh. “Mr. Damien left five minutes ago,” she said, receiving a sharp look from me. My heart sank as I realized that he just left.

“L…. Left,” the word stumbled out of my mouth. “Where?” I asked, feeling a pang of hurt deep in my chest.

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t help with that,” the woman said, looking confused and sympathetic.

I know I am not that important but he had said that we should be all lovely outside, right?. Was he so bored that he left? I wanted him to be the first to see the dress.

“He didn’t tell you where he was going,” the words were still lingering in my mind as I opened my mouth to ask when suddenly the boutique door swung open, and in walked Mason. My heart raced and for a moment, I was suddenly lost in thoughts as I stared back at him. Slowly turning around, our eyes connected, and I swear I saw something like admiration in them. It was as if time stood still for a moment, and the air was filled with unspoken emotions.

Just now again…… Not here!!