2

“What is this?” I mumbled, unable to believe it. Alexander Gabardini is a sadist who likes masochism among other things.

“It is not obvious?” He raised an eyebrow, flirtatious.

"I want to go." I moved quickly towards the exit but Alexander grabbed me by the waist. His eyes were blacker now that I was up close. He felt like someone with strong, dominant arms. I swallowed hard thinking those things.

“Mariela, please” he brushed a lock of hair behind my ear “you behaved badly and I have to punish you.”

“I don't know what the hell you're talking about. You're crazy!”

“Maybe.”

“Let go!” I growled.

"What would your father think if I told him you don't obey me?"

“My father no longer has the right to demand anything from me, he lost me when he decided to sell me to you.” I demanded, something seemed to slip from Alexander as the self-assured countenance disappeared and instead I noticed some bewilderment in him.

There was a somewhat awkward silence but the sound of the cell phone made it disappear.

"Tell me," Alexander answered without letting go of me. I liked his grip on my waist, why do I like it? It can't be, this is so confusing. Being with Alexander seemed normal, as if we had known each other forever. Even though he is a stranger I feel like I know him. The treatment, the touch, the adrenaline... and surely I'm going crazy or it's just this man's perfume that makes me hallucinate things. "I forgot, I have some problems around here," he murmured, looking at me, "but we'll be ready in an hour. Don't worry, I'll make her obey," he cut in.

Deep down I knew they were talking about me.

"You were saved this time, but your punishment remains pending," he released slowly. “Now I want you to get prettier because we have dinner with some friends in an hour.” He kept a rope that I didn't know he had taken.

"I don't even know them.”

"You'll meet them. They don't know that our marriage will be by contract, so act as if you were the most in love woman in the world, Mariela, because if you say something, anything that I don't like, I swear” he looked into my eyes “that your father will pay very well. expensive." He threatened me.

Did he seriously dare to threaten me?

"Come with me, I'll take you to the room," he took my hand, leaving that horrible place. I didn't know what to say to him, I didn't even object to his leading me down the hall. My mind wandered between so much information. Would he be capable of hurting my father? I had to talk to him. We got to the room, I didn't even notice how big it was or how many luxuries it had.

"Here I will leave these dresses and shoes for you. I didn't have a chance to go shopping besides not knowing your tastes, we can go tomorrow after going to the office. Get dressed, I'll wait for you downstairs.” Alexander finally left, leaving me alone. I took my cell phone out of my bag and dialed dad. It must be early morning there but I had to get this doubt out of my mind.

He rang and rang until he finally answered.

"Mariela?"

"It's me," I answered, I had sworn I would never speak to him again, "I want to ask you something, did Alexander threaten you?"

Silence.

“Talk, dad, I have to know everything.”

"Daughter..." he sighed.

“You need to do it because otherwise I swear I'll run away from here.”

“Yes, he threatened us. It is capable of hurting your mother and me, Mariela, it is dangerous. Forgive me for putting you in his hands but I had no choice” I felt that he was crying “I'm sorry, please, if you love us, obey him because I fear for your mother.”

I swallowed thick. I hadn't realized the monstrous man I had a few meters away. He was dangerous. Now I knew.

“It's ok don't worry. I will try to be a good wife.” I hung up, I know my chances of escaping were gone because if I decided to run away it would be like killing my parents. I was held captive here, enslaved to this heartless man. I wiped my tears and chose any dress, I don't care.

I put on my heels, let my hair down and put on some perfume. I left the room and went down the stairs. I heard voices, I assumed that the guests had arrived. When I got to the room there was a dim yellow light, which gave the place a more homey and elegant touch. When I appeared on the threshold, Alexander looked at me, I don't know what I saw in them, but there was admiration, I noticed it. His friends were a couple, a girl and a boy about Alexander's age.

"Hello, you must be Mariela," the boy tells me, approaching me. I was smiling. Nothing to do with Alexander's ice. Without knowing why he inspired me with confidence.

“Yeah”

“Nice to meet you, I am the best friend of Alexander Augusto Dixon and this is my wife Margarita Wallace.”

The girl named Margarita approached me.

"Nice to meet you, Mariela." She gave me a half hug.

"Same," I replied.

“Come, sit next to your future husband.”

I approached Alexander who was left without saying anything, he seemed strange. I sat next to him while a cleaning girl gave us wine in glasses.

"How long have you known each other?" asked Marguerite. “Alexander gave us the surprise a few days ago that he was getting married.”

I looked at Alexander because I have nothing to say, I don't know what story he made up and I don't want to screw it up.

“We met a few years ago but things happened that made us separate but now we're back together” he put his hand on my leg, which bothered me.

"Wow, congratulations, brother. Mariela, you are very pretty. About time you settled down Alex, a lonely life is not pretty.” Augustus murmured.

“When is the wedding?” Marguerite wanted to know.

“In a week.”

I was surprised, why so fast? My heart beat faster as I realized that in a week I would be tied to this man for who knows how long. Why does this have to happen to me?

“So fast?” I came out to answer, I didn't think about it.

"Yes, my love," he squeezed my leg but it was in a threatening gesture. “Remember that we have plans after that.”

I smiled fake.

“True, I have so many things on my mind lately. The wedding, the children…” I shrugged.

Margarita and Augusto looked surprised and Alexander stood up quickly leaving the room. And now that he happens to this one?

“I said something wrong?”

"Didn't he tell you?" asked Margarita.

“About what?”

They gave each other a knowing look.

“It's not a secret to anyone that Alexander can't have children.”

Oh.

Now I understand why he was like this.

After all, Alexander does have feelings.