3
868 Words
Leah’s days in Luca Russo’s house followed the same slow pattern.
She woke up early every morning, long before anyone came to check on her. The room was always clean, always quiet, always too big. Nothing felt personal. It felt like she was living in someone else’s life.
The maids came in gently, never loud, never rude. They helped her bathe, dressed her, and brought her food. They spoke to her with respect, almost fear. At first, Leah thought they were pretending. Later, she realized they were only following Luca’s orders.
She was never treated badly.
That was the strange part.
Guards stood everywhere. The gates were always locked. She could walk around the house, but she could not leave it.
Luca rarely stayed around her, but he could always come into her room to check on her
One evening, while Luca was in Leah's room to check on her
“You don’t have to act kind,” she said, her voice tired. “I know why I’m here.”
Luca looked at her. “Why?”
“Because you want me,” she said. “Because you own me now.”
He stood up slowly and kept a distance between them.
“You say it as if you're a mere property, you're about to be my wife,in case you forgot and I will not force myself on you,” he said calmly.
Leah laughed without humor. “You expect me to believe that?”
“I will only touch you when you want it,” he continued. “Until then, you are safe.”
She stared at him, confused and angry at the same time.
“I didn’t choose this marriage,” she said.
“I know,” Luca replied. “But I won’t turn you into something you’re not, and remember that's the only way you get to live- it's my appreciation for serving my life”.
One evening, as Leah was walking round the house, she heard a loud scream
She could tell that the person was in grave pain
She ran towards the direction where the scream came from
Shockingly, it was a man in the pool of his own blood, trembling before Luca, before she could blink Luca shot the gun which ended the man's life.
She unintentionally screamed which drew Luca's attention to her.
She ran back to her room, Luca walked in after her
“Why did you kill him” she screamed at him
“He stole my money, lots of it” he answered
“ You weren't meant to see that, I'm sorry” he said reaching out for her hands
“Leave , get out”
Luca couldn't believe his ears, that's the first time a girl is talking to him in such a tone .
But he left, understanding that she was terrified.
A day to her wedding.
The maids came to bring her food and a dress
“ You're going out for your wedding dress testing, the car is outside waiting for you” the maid said to her, as she dropped the tray of food and fruits and a dress .
Perfect opportunity for my escape, Leah said to herself.
After dressing up she left the house with two guards to the wedding dress boutique.
After wearing the first outfit she didn't like the way it made her feel
“This is absolutely gorgeous, but if you're not comfortable with it, there are more.” The sales girl said.
“Alright, give her another one “
As the sales girl went to get the second outfit, Leah ran out through the back -she had previously called Victor because she has no one else to go to.
Fortunately for her, he was there waiting for her.
She jumps into the car, Victor drives off before the sales girl starts screaming to the guards who ran after Victor but he was too fast.
While in Victor's car, Leah lets out a long sigh of relief before Victor offers her a bottle of water, but that wasn't just water.
For a brief moment, she believed she was safe.
She drank.
At first, nothing happened.
They talked for a few seconds. Victor acted normal. Too normal. He smiled. He touched her shoulder. He told her everything would be fine.
Then the atmosphere began to feel strange.
Leah’s head felt heavy, like it was filled with cotton. The sounds around her became slow and far away. Victor’s voice stretched, blurred, like it was coming from underwater.
She blinked hard. “Victor… I don’t feel well.”
Her legs weakened.
She tried to feel her legs, but she couldn't. Her body no longer obeyed her. Her fingers went numb. The bottle slipped from her hand and hit the floor.
Fear hit her all at once.
“What did you give me?” she asked, her words slurring.
Victor didn’t answer.
That was when she knew.
Her heart raced, but her body slowed. Panic screamed inside her head while her muscles refused to move. She tried to open the door, but her arms felt too heavy to lift.
“Victor… please,” she whispered.
Her vision blurred. Tears filled her eyes.
- Writer
