𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭| 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+

Chapter 59 | Beneath the monster

Updated one day earlier, what???
Enjoy!
********************************

I can't stop my thoughts from spiraling. All night I have tossed and turned, feeling sick to my stomach, replaying the moment in mob boss' office over and over again. His cold words. His indifference. That cruel smirk as he talked about selling me like I was a thing, a piece of property. I feel shattered- betrayed in the deepest way possible.

I tried to build a wall around my heart with him, to not let him in, but piece by piece, I let it down. And now... now I'm paying the price. He told me to forget about everyone. He promised that I was his now. That he wouldn't give me away to anyone else. But those were just lies. I was so stupid to believe them.

But at the same time... I don't understand these feelings I have. Feelings I shouldn't have. He's a monster, a murderer, a torturer. There's nothing good in him. I know that. And yet... God, I feel something for him, something twisted and wrong, but it's there.

Maybe it's because he's the only thing I've had, the only constant in this nightmare, even if he was the one causing it. ...omg I have stockholm syndrome.

Anyway, I tell myself I should be glad. Leaving this mansion should be a relief. It's what I've wanted for so long, right? I'll be with Ana, my best friend. She saved me. I can't even believe it, but she did. And yet... there's something about all of this that feels wrong.

Mateo. Something about him sends a shiver down my spine. It's not the way he looks at me- he's never been inappropriate, never given me that hungry, lecherous stare like so many others. No, it's something deeper. It's like he's wearing a mask, and I can't see what's really behind it. Every time I think about him, I feel like something terrible is just out of sight, waiting.

I really need to talk to Ana. Maybe she can help me make sense of it all.

I find her in the lounge of her floor, lounging on a velvet chaise, looking as radiant as ever. She lights up the moment she sees me.

"Cali!" She beams, waving me over. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you. You vanished the other night! What happened?"

I force a smile, sitting down next to her. "I don't know. I don't really remember any of it. I know you dragged me to the dance floor and we danced for a bit and then- nothing."

But apperantly I wanted to have sex with your half brother and danced like a whore.

She laughs, shaking her head. "That's probably for the best. I barely remember anything either. Just me being drunk and embarrassing. Good thing Mateo came to get me before I made a total fool of myself."

I try to laugh along, but it feels hollow. I'm too anxious to keep this light, to pretend everything is okay. I need answers.

"Ana," I begin, my voice soft but trembling, "I have to ask you something... about Mateo. About what's going on. Because, truth be told, I'm a little freaking out here."

Her smile falters slightly, but she brushes it off quickly. "What do you mean babe?"

"I mean your fiancé, Mateo,... buying me." I swallow hard, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "Was that... your idea? Did you convince him to... to do that?"

She doesn't seem fazed, not at all. "Of course, Cali. I told you I'd get you out of here, didn't I? I made a promise, remember? And this is how we're going to do it. Mateo would do anything for me, this is the only way to free you from this mob."

So the only way for me to leave this mob is to be sold into another...

Her words do make sense, but still they don't quite settle the storm in my gut. "But... how did you even convince him?" Now I know it probably won't do me any good to ask this but- "And... your brother... how did you convince him into selling me?"