Cassie's POV

I went to bed with the last shred of dignity I had plotting how not to ever let that psycho cross that close boundary again, only to wake up with a grumbling stomach. The glass window gave off the exquisite view of the city and also served as punishment for waking up late.

I rubbed my eyes furiously while trying to adjust to the sharp rays I was realising at once. I walked to the bathroom… the only safe space I had to myself and the only place I might miss after a successful escape from here. Of course, there was no way I was letting a Mafia boss lock me up on the top floor of his luxury apartment.

“Ma'am,” I recognised the woman's voice as the housekeeper who had come to serve me yesterday.

Good. Now this was an opportunity to represent the good upbringing I'd always lived by. I rushed out of the bathroom, adjusting the robe.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I greeted, wearing the most welcoming smile I could put on. “Please call me Cassie,” I extended my hands towards her when she wasn't responding.

“Okay, ma’am,” she kept her reply brief and ignored my extended hand. “The boss demands you get ready in thirty minutes and join him at the dining,” she informed with her gaze fixed in the space between us.

“What?” I almost exclaimed.

“Also he'll have the fashion designer take your measurements today, so you can tell me if you like a specific de—”

“I'm sorry, but who is your boss again?”

“Lucien Valez, Monroe,” he cut in sharper than anything could cut in the air, making the housekeeper shudder in fear.

I watched as she quickly stepped back while Lucien stepped into view.

“I expect that when instructions are given, Cassie, you follow. She has been assigned to take care of you and please, you also don't want two hefty men standing behind your door too.”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked not just out of curiosity, but because in less than forty-eight hours, I could feel something change about me being here. A very cold and unsettling truth— I might never be able to leave his sight again.

He stepped back, as if hesitant for a bit, but then glanced at the small marble table close to my bed where a bowl of fruit sat.

“Now, you have two options, Cassie. You can try the exits or slit your wrist with one swift move,” the corner of his lips tugged upwards as I followed his gaze.

I felt a sharp pang in my chest when I caught a glimpse of the knife. I stared back in disbelief, but his demeanour showed no remorse and no hint of emotion.

“If you can't make use of the options, then obey every order I give.”

His words sent chills down my spine more than they've ever done since I arrived here. It felt more like he woke up on a different term and I was suddenly inhuman in his eyes. I shut my eyes and waited to hear the clicking sound of the door before I could blink properly.

The door clicked shut and the housekeeper cleared her throat.

“You should head to the shower now, ma'am. For every task you fail to accomplish, the boss has selected a punishment for it. I'll be back with your clothes before you're done and I'll show you the dining room.”

I nodded in response, for once weighing the outcome of my actions.

“My name is Cassie,” I repeated, hoping to learn hers politely.

“Call me Mirian, ma'am,” she bowed before leaving the room.

I nodded slowly while making my way to the bathroom. Again, I let the hot liquid bring back to life, every cell numbed by fear. I started with my hair, before scrubbing my skin. I wasn't done, when I heard Marian's voice again.

“You have eighteen minutes, ma'am,” her voice held both urgency and terror. As if she was scared for me if I failed to meet up with the time I had left.

I quickly washed the soap off my body, wrapped a towel and stepped out.

“Here,” she pointed to the clothes she brought and thankfully it wasn't anything revealing. She turned to face the opposite wall while I quickly changed.

“Is there a dryer or..?”

“I'll help with that,” she said hurriedly, urging me to sit.

“What's the punishment if I don't meet up?” I asked curiously after observing the look in her eyes. She was literally pale at this point.

“Only he gets to decide.”

“Were there previous ones before me?”

“No, ma'am.”

“Do you have any idea what he plans to do with me?” I blurted out hoping she had useful information other than answering me like a robot.

“You have five minutes, ma'am,” she said, stepping back after she put the dryer down and brushed it off, ignoring my question completely.

“I feel suffocated here, Mirian,” I couldn't help but explode, not angrily but out of frustration. “The least you could do is to stop sounding robotic, besides I'm just his prisoner.”

She swallowed hard, holding up a small clock.

“Shit! Which way is it?”

“I'll take you there,” she sprinted to the door holding it open for me.

We both ran to the elevator with her leading the way. She pushed the button to the last floor while I focused on steadying my breath. She rubbed her palms together as if muttering silent prayers to her God. Seeing her act this way utterly terrified me and I couldn't help but wonder what it was about Lucien that made everyone tremble at every command.

“Thank you," I muttered, not caring whether she replied or not. I couldn't stress her more than she already was, but she surprisingly pulled my hand.

“You're operating on new terms with the boss now, ma'am. The biggest favour you can do yourself is just to obey and never get on his bad side,” she whispered, with her forehead showing visible folds from fear.

I could feel her hand tremble against my skin, so I placed mine against it in case it offered a sort of comfort, then nodded. She pushed the door open and the masculine voice sliced the tension in the air.

“She's here, boss.”