Bound By Invisible Chains

Chapter 5

Matteo's home office was silent except for the soft click of keys.

No one was allowed to disturb him once the door closed. That rule was absolute.

Two floors above, Lucy sat cross-legged on her bed, a library book open in her lap. The words were beginning to blur when a light knock sounded.

A young woman a few years older than Lucy stepped inside carrying fresh sheets and cleaning supplies. "Rosa asked me to change the sheets and tidy up," she said politely.

Lucy quickly closed the book. "I can do it myself-"

"It's my job," the girl insisted with a small smile. "Really, it's fine."

Lucy still took the clean sheets from her hands. "At least let me help with this."

While the maid began sweeping, Lucy worked on the bed. After a moment of quiet she asked softly, "What's your name?"

"Tracy."

Tracy glanced around the room as she worked. "You know, almost no one ever comes up to this floor except Rosa and me. Mr. Moretti doesn't like extra people in the private wing. Most of the staff only ever see him when he walks past. Some of the newer ones are still scared of him. The house feels... empty sometimes, even though it's so big."

Lucy listened quietly, changing the pillowcases.

Tracy's eyes landed on the new phone resting on the nightstand. "Is that yours?"

"Yes. It's... new."

Tracy raised her eyebrows. "And you're still reading those thick books instead of using it?" She walked over, picked up the phone, and started tapping. "There's so much you can do on these. Games, videos, music... things that aren't boring."

Lucy stood and peered over her shoulder, clearly lost.

Tracy sat on the edge of the bed and patted the space beside her. Lucy sat. Within minutes Tracy had saved her own number, shown Lucy how to open apps, how to search for things, and how to play movies. She even queued up a popular film she thought Lucy might like.

"You've really never used a phone before?" Tracy asked, stunned.

Lucy shook her head.

Tracy smiled. "Well, now you know a little. Watch that movie later. It's good."

"Will you stay and watch with me?" Lucy asked softly.

Tracy glanced at the time and stood. "I wish I could, but I've already been here too long. Rosa will start looking for me." She gave a quick wave and slipped out.

Lucy stayed exactly where she was. She pressed play on the movie Tracy had chosen and within minutes was completely absorbed, blue eyes fixed on the screen.

---

Across the city, Matteo sat in a private lounge with three people.

Adrian lounged in an armchair with a drink. Leo scrolled on his phone. Isabelle - elegant, sharp-eyed, and carrying an unmistakable aura of confidence - sat beside Matteo, one leg crossed over the other.

Adrian smirked. "You two look cozy. Should we start planning a wedding or what?"

Leo chuckled. "Come on, Matteo. You're being awfully quiet."

Isabelle turned her head, a playful challenge in her voice. "So? You jealous? Go get your own girl."

Matteo didn't answer. His eyes stayed on his phone, though he wasn't really reading anything. The joke rolled off him the way most things did. Still, the moment the conversation continued without him, his mind drifted.

Long black hair. Soft blue eyes that always looked down. The way she had sat on his lap the night before, stiff and flustered.

He stood abruptly.

"Where are you going?" Adrian called. "We're not done."

Matteo didn't reply. He simply walked out.

---

Hours had passed.

Lucy was still in the same position on the bed, completely lost in the movie. She didn't hear the door open. She didn't notice the tall figure until a pair of black shoes stopped directly in front of her.

She looked up.

Matteo stood there, expression unreadable.

He gestured once for her to stand.

The moment she rose, he swept her up with one arm as if she weighed nothing and carried her out of the room.

"W-where are you taking me?" she asked, voice small and frightened.

He said nothing.

She looked around the hallway, already suspecting, heart beginning to race. He pushed open the door to his own bedroom, walked inside, and placed her carefully on the large couch. Then he went to his desk, opened his laptop, and sat down as if nothing unusual had happened.

Minutes of silence stretched.

Lucy kept her head down, hair falling forward to hide her face. Finally she forced the words out.

"W-why did you bring me here?"

Matteo glanced up. A slow smirk tugged at his mouth.

"Because I missed you. Just sit there looking pretty for me."

Her brows furrowed. Is he serious? I'm just supposed to sit here? For how long?

She didn't dare ask. She only nodded and kept her eyes on the floor.

Time passed. The soft clicking of his keyboard was the only sound. Eventually her eyelids grew heavy. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she felt a presence close.

When she opened her eyes, Matteo was crouched in front of her, dark gaze locked on hers. She moved forward on instinct to sit up properly-

-and her lips brushed his.

Her eyes flew wide. She jerked back instantly.

"I-I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I didn't mean to-"

Matteo sat beside her on the couch. One arm slid around her waist and pulled her firmly against his side. Her soft hands pushed at his arm, trying to create space, but he only drew her closer.

He leaned in, lips near her ear.

"What? You don't like my hands on you?"

Lucy froze. Her mind spun. She didn't know what she was allowed to say. Part of her wanted the warmth of his arm gone. Another quieter part... didn't. She stayed silent.

Matteo smiled against her hair. "Good. That means you do."

She shook her head quickly. "No. I... I don't."

"You don't what?" he teased, voice low.

"I... don't like your hands on me."

He gave a quiet scoff. "Then get ready. Because tonight, they'll be all over you."

Her heartbeat spiked. What does he mean?

He stood, lifting her with him in one smooth motion,

"What do you mean?"

That wicked grin returned. "You'll see."

Panic fluttered in her chest. She started to struggle, twisting in his arms. The sky outside the windows had already turned dark; she had no idea how long he planned to keep her here.

The grin faded. His expression turned serious.

He carried her back to the bed and set her down, bracing both hands on either side of her shoulders so she couldn't sit up. His body hovered over hers, close but not crushing.

"You don't like my hands on you, huh?" His voice was quiet, almost thoughtful. "That's too bad. I'll just have to change your mind."

Lucy's heart hammered. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "I... I'm so-"

"Shhh." He pressed two fingers gently against her lips. "No need to be sorry, princess. You can tell me everything you don't like... and I'll fix it for you. Understood?"

His hand left her mouth and trailed slowly down the side of her neck, stopping at the base of her throat. The touch was light, but the possessiveness in it made a shiver run through her. She closed her eyes, breath catching.

His fingers returned to her chin, tilting her face up.

"I said... do you understand me, Lucy?"

She nodded quickly, eyes wide, holding the tears back with effort.

Matteo studied her for a long second. Then the smirk returned. He pushed himself off the bed and walked back to his desk as if the last few minutes hadn't happened.

"Go get dinner."

Lucy didn't need to be told twice.

She slipped off the bed and left the room as fast as her legs would carry her. The moment the door shut behind her, the tears she had been holding spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and kept walking, heart still racing, the ghost of his touch lingering on her skin.