Sweet Sin

CHAPTER 4

The dining room stretched wide and elegant, bathed in the soft glow of a grand crystal chandelier that hung like a crown above the center. Polished marble floors reflected the golden light, and the tall arched windows were draped in ivory curtains that swayed gently with the evening breeze.

At the heart of the room stood a long mahogany table - so long it could easily seat twenty guests on each side. Its glossy surface gleamed beneath the chandelier’s shimmer, set with fine china, silver cutlery, and crystal goblets that caught the light like jewels. Each seat was upholstered in cream velvet, and a cascade of white roses and green vines ran the table’s length, weaving between the platters of food like living art.

The spread was a lavish blend of Italian and American cuisine, their aromas mingling deliciously in the air. A gleaming dish of lasagna layered with creamy béchamel sat beside roasted turkey carved to perfection. Platters of golden garlic bread and buttery dinner rolls rested near bowls of Caesar salad, tossed with crisp romaine and shaved parmesan. There was a steaming dish of fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti Bolognese rich with herbs, and baked ziti bubbling in mozzarella.

Beside them, American classics held their own—juicy steak strips drizzled with pepper sauce, mac and cheese with a golden crust, and a platter of grilled ribs glazed in honey barbecue. Bowls of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and sautéed vegetables completed the feast.

At the far end of the table, a dessert spread waited: tiramisu dusted with cocoa, apple pie crowned with whipped cream, and an assortment of cheesecakes glistening under the chandelier’s light.

The air was warm, rich with the scent of roasted garlic, melting cheese, and sweet vanilla—an irresistible promise of a meal fit for royalty.

The sight of the perfectly arranged dishes made my mouth water and I nearly drooled.

With a hand gesture from the lady, I sat down on one of the chairs.

“ Eat as much as you can now. You may not have these meals regularly as you will be on a diet soon”.

“Are you calling me fat”? I asked, feeling triggered .

“Buon appetito”! She replied with a smile , walking off briskly.

I cursed under my breath. “How dare she”?

The aroma from the feast in front of me made me forget my anger and the next second, I was digging into the dishes without pausing to breathe. They tasted so divine. Taking a huge gulp from the glass of pineapple juice to push down the food I stuffed in my mouth and nearly choking.

“Should I get you more”? I was interrupted by the lady.

“No, I'm okay”. I said as I looked at her with my eyes red from the choking effect of the food.

I was really full by now. She then asked me to follow her back to the room.

Back in the room, I was bored. I decided to play dress-up. Rummaging the wardrobe,I took out all the lovely gowns I saw. For hours, I wore the dresses, styled my hair into what I thought suited them,admired them in the mirror, posed and twirled round the room in them. Doing this for hours drained me. To ease my tiredness, I quickly jumped onto the bed.

……

I couldn't tell how long, but I knew I had slept for quite a long time. Still lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling, a thought instantly came to me and I jolted out of the bed.

I wanted to get a proper view of how this mansion looks. I sneakily opened the door and left. Not sure of where to go, I decided to take the left, that was the turn I and the lady took in the morning. Tiptoeing through the hallway, I couldn't help but admire the quality interior. As I walked past the doors, a particular one caught my attention.

It was at the only door at the extreme right of the hallway. It had a post on it “PRIVATE”. That interested me the most and I was eager to know what was behind it. Walking stealthily towards the door, I could hear some muffled noises. I leaned further to hear it properly. It sounded like a cry from a female.

I began panicking instantly as one million thoughts raced through my mind.

“Who is she”? “What if she was kidnapped like me”? “Is she going to be killed”? “Who's behind this?”

These questions flowed freely through my mind. In my state of panic, I heard clearer words from that same crying voice,

“Use me daddy, I'm all yours”.

My eyes shone. It sounded ….. freaky.

“Is that.. what I think it is “? I asked myself. “That's disgusting”.

Still trying to feed my curiosity, I peeped through the keyhole. I couldn't see properly… but the room was red from the lights. I heard a whipping sound then a “aargh, yes daddy”.

“Eww..”, I said to myself feeling grossed out.

Just as I thought of giving up on peeping through the hole since I could barely see, something caught my eye.

I saw a perfectly sculpted back with broad,muscular shoulders and nice biceps. The room was dimly lit, making it a struggle for me to get a clear view. In my attempt to reposition, my foot accidentally hit the flower vase close to me and made a sound.

I gasped and with trembling legs I ran back to the room I came from, closed the door as quietly as I could and lay on the bed to avoid suspicions. My heart was racing from fear. I listened to grab anything- voices or footsteps but I heard nothing. Then a few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I pretended to be asleep. I could hear the door being opened, then the room lights turned and the door closed almost immediately . I paused for a moment to make sure the person was gone before yanking the duvet off me.

“That was close”. I said, as I heaved a sigh of relief.

I got out of bed and headed to switch the lights back on. The housekeeper really thought I was asleep, that's why she turned off the lights. Immediately I put the lights on, I was startled.

“You almost got away”. A deep voice said as I stopped in my tracks, frozen.

I slowly turned to see who it was. A man in a black pants and a half buttoned white shirt,leaning on the wall close to the dressing mirror stared at me with hints of mockery in his eyes.

I shrieked. “Wh- h- ho a-are yo-u-u”? Stuttering as I stepped away in fear.

“I wouldn't be snooping around in an unfamiliar place if I were you. That's brave of you, you know.” He said, squinting his eyes while fixing his gaze at me.

My face was flushed red and my gaze wandered away from his.

He walked to one of the chairs and sat down, crossing his legs comfortably.

“Sit, Miss Aurora”. He said authoritatively.

“Wait, you know my name”? I asked him.

He didn't utter a word. Just stern looks at me and back at the chair across from him with a table in between. I got the message. I slowly walked over to the chair and sat down. He didn't say a word for a few seconds . Just seated, with his back leaning against the chair , arms and legs crossed, and his piercing stares.

I couldn't look him in the eye- I tried. There was something unsettling, more like dangerous about those greyish-blue eyes. I kept my head hanging in the air waiting to hear what he had to say.

Tossing a document on the table in front of us, he said, “ sign this”. He said authoritatively.

“What's that”? I asked glaring at the document without attempting to touch it.

He leaned forward and looked at me with what looked like disgust but with a calm demeanor..

“ I'll say this to you, I don't like repeating words or being asked stupid questions. Once I tell you to do something, you do it immediately. I hope I'm understood”?

“Rude-typical of men, I muttered under my breath”.

“Sorry?” He asked

“I understand”. I said stretching the words.

“Good girl”,he said. “Now read the documents and sign them accordingly.”

I could feel my skin crawl. I took a quick glance at him before picking up the documents to read. Scanning through it I came across something that seemed like a joke to me.

“Umm.. Sir.. you are joking, right ? I asked with a faint smile hoping it really was a joke.

His eyes were empty, he just looked right back at me.

That was when it finally hit me.

………..