HIS POSSESSION

Aria perspective

As soon as Enzo stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him, I struggled to stand up. My body felt heavy, my head pounding from where he had slammed it against the wall. Pain radiated through me, but I ignored it. I couldn’t let myself stay down. This was my moment. Whatever it took, I had to act. I groaned as I finally got to my feet, clutching the side of the bed for support. My head throbbed, and I pressed my fingers against the sore spot, wincing at the touch. Without wasting another second, I stumbled into the bathroom. The first thing I needed was to get rid of his touch. The thought of his hands on me made my stomach churn. The memory of his scent still lingered, clinging to my skin like a curse. I stripped off my clothes hastily, throwing them into the corner, and stepped into the shower. Cold water rained down on me, chilling my skin, but I didn’t care. I grabbed the soap and scrubbed my arms, my shoulders, my neck, anywhere his touch had lingered. But it wasn’t enough.

No matter how harshly I scrubbed, I still felt him on me. His hands, his grip, his scent, it was like an invisible stain etched into my very being. The frustration built up, and before I knew it, I slid to the floor of the shower, water still pouring over me. My knees hit the cold tiles, and I wrapped my arms around myself. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free. I cried. It's harder than I ever had before. The sobs wracked my chest as I poured out all the disgust, the anger, and the helplessness that had been building inside me. His actions had scarred more than just my body; they had scarred my soul.

After what felt like an eternity, the tears began to slow. My breathing evened out, and I wiped my face with trembling hands. I leaned against the wall, staring at the showerhead above me as the water continued to fall. “You’re stronger than this,” I whispered to myself. “He doesn’t own you.” With renewed determination, I stood up. My legs wobbled, but I steadied myself. I shut off the water and grabbed a towel, drying off before slipping into fresh clothes. I wasn’t going to let him break me. Not today. I grabbed the pocket knife I had hidden earlier, slipping it into my pocket. It was my only form of protection, and I wasn’t going to take any chances. I stepped out of the bathroom and headed downstairs. The sound of chatter and movement filled the air. The staff was busy, and Maria, as usual, was barking out orders. The first thing I needed to do was get rid of her. If Enzo had given her specific instructions to keep me from certain areas, I needed to ensure she wouldn’t get in my way.

“Maria,” I called out as I descended the stairs. She turned to me with a polite smile, bowing slightly. “Yes, donna? How can I help you?” I forced a smile, keeping my voice calm and even. “Umm, can you ask the chef to make lasagna for me? I’ve been craving it.” “Of course, donna,” she said with a nod before heading toward the kitchen. I sat in the lounge, my mind racing as I tried to come up with my next move. Getting her out of the way was just the first step. I needed to wait for the right moment to act. A few minutes later, Maria returned. “Donna, your food will be ready in about half an hour.” “Thank you,” I said with a nod, watching her closely. Maria turned her attention to the staff. “Half of you will deep clean the weapons room. The rest of you, split into groups, one will clean capo’s personal office, and the others will clean his second office.” My stomach dropped.

Now, how was I supposed to sneak in if the maids were cleaning? I glanced at the clock. It was 6 p.m. If Enzo came back before I even had the chance to get into his office, I was screwed. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the rising panic. I’d have to wait until the staff was finished. That was my only option. I just prayed Enzo would stay out late tonight. This was my only chance, and I couldn’t afford to mess it up.

After three hours

I stood on the top floor of the penthouse, leaning against the railing, looking down at the main gate, my nerves on edge. The staff had been in Enzo’s office for hours, cleaning and organizing every nook and corner. It felt like time was crawling. “How long is this going to take?” I muttered to myself, tapping my fingers against the rail. My plan relied on their absence, and every second, they lingered felt like an eternity. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, I saw them exiting the building. They carried cleaning supplies and chatting amongst themselves as they walked out the gate. Relief coursed through me. "Game on, Aria," I whispered to myself, pushing away from the railing. I hurried to the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar as I crouched near it. Sitting down, I pulled one leg up, holding my foot while brushing my hair back from my face. My heart raced, but I steadied my breathing, reminding myself of the stakes. This had to work.