To Love in Full

Chapter 7: Aplomb

Aplomb (n.) Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.

Arabella's P.O.V.

I felt too impure and flawed as my feet came in contact with the spotless marble floors, leaving a faint trail of grime and blood that I have gathered throughout the night. And, as I turned towards the shower, even my stained hands had befouled the shining, silver knobs, as I waited patiently for the warm water to run through.

Now facing the mirror, I stared at my unclean body, shaking my head in disappointment, as if my reflection had tainted the mirror itself. While unbuttoning my blouse, my eyes were drawn towards the wound of my chest while my finger lightly trailed the ridges of dried blood that had trickled down and almost reached my waist.

With one last sickened look into the mirror, I followed the steam of hot water and stepped into the clouded shower. But, I had winced in pain as the raining droplets fell onto my chest and began to wash away the blood, exposing my wound. All I could do was stand still, feeling the pitter-patter wash away my tears while seeing the pure water come as one with the filth of blood.

While closing my eyes, I began to lose track of time as the world continued without me, but I soon put an end to this therapeutic remedy once the heat and lightheadedness caught up to me. I stopped in front of the mirror and gave myself a sad smile once I saw that my body was no longer stained with the events from tonight, but a sigh escaped my lips as I looked down at the garments in front of me.

The pieces of clothing had barely covered anything, but luckily, Viviana had lent me a robe, which I gratefully wore and tied tightly. I found my way towards the bed and sighed in pleasure as I felt the cold and relieving lotion against my skin. My hand glided along my thighs so gently as I applied more of the soothing cream, but before I could work my way higher and untie the ribbon around my waist, the bedroom door had suddenly slammed open.

"Nicolo," I gasped in shock.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he scowled and began to walk towards me.

My glare followed him with confusion, until I started to remember, and my widened eyes trailed upwards to the ceiling of the room, where the camera had been all along. How could I have been so stupid to forget?

I then turned towards Nicolo, who was beyond furious and now stood directly in front of me, waiting for an explanation. He had taunted me earlier with the disturbing device, but his teasing behavior was now completely gone, and that had only made me want to play along in this game of his even more. It is only fair that I return the same vexatious manner, I thought to myself menacingly.

"You said that I could give you guys a show, did you not?" I asked as I tilted my head and looked up into those darkened eyes.

"If you wanted to give me a show, Arabella..." he trailed on and traced his hand along my waist.

"...you could have just said so," he said while his fingers traveled along my arm, then grabbed the fallen sleeve of my robe and placed it back onto my shoulder, lightly brushing past against my chest.

My breath hitched in my throat as his warm touch sent shivers throughout my body, but I dismissed the intriguing sensation and continued on with this game of his. I stepped off of the bed and confidently stood before the clueless man, which had surprised him as he slightly stumbled backwards, but I laced my arms over his shoulders and held him close.

He had looked down at me with a smirk, and my eyes gazed in return, wide and innocent, but purely deception. It was fascinating to me, the way this man believed that he could get anything that he desired, even after behaving as a complete nightmare, and so I entertained myself even further, giving him exactly what he wanted within reach, but not enough to taste.