Chapter 3 - Carrying Out Punishment 

I was severely wrong. Hours after my tour of the huge property a red-faced Damien storms into the living room, slamming the front door shut. I snap my head away from the windows and toward him. My heart sputters for a split second as I sink deeper in my chair. 

"Master Alferenzo do you need-" "Cut it, Antonio." Anthony flinched away at the man's harsh and bitter tone. The ravenette storms off down the hallway off to surely, his basement gym.

I grit my teeth and look at Anthony, "What's wrong with him?" My voice holds annoyance and slight anger. Whether I admit it or not, in the short time Anthony has proved to be a great man and I trust him. Maybe I trust too easily but the pudgy man is very kind and considerate. 

"Something must have happened, he's typically never quite this upset." I nod in acknowledgment., Getting up from my seat I inquired, "Should I at least go check on him?" "No, if he went to his gym it's best to leave him alone until he emerges later." Speaks Mari as she walks into the living room with a towel in hand. 

With a curt nod, I remark, "I'll be in my room for now trying to get adjusted." They acknowledge my words in a short indication for going back to work. I rush off to the staircase and to my elegant room. 

The room is massive and grand with a huge bed and tall windows placed behind dark gray blackout curtains. The hardwood floor is cold under my bare feet so I rush to a large carpet in the middle of the floor. I look towards the television on the wall in front of the bed, as well as a couch and two chairs facing it. 

Any other person would love and cherish this room but I dreadfully loathe it. Why couldn't I have simply had a small room with only a bed and some small decor? But no, I'm greeted by this luxurious room that people would only dream of.

With a loud audible sigh, I fall back on the plush and inviting bed. The soft mattress has me wanting to sleep more than ever as I crawl on top of it more and pull the white blankets away. I never liked white blankets but I guess it will do for now… 

Curling up in bed, I throw the blankets over me and almost purr as my body heat comforts me. The mass of warmth the blankets allow me to collect is soothing and inviting. Yet my soul, stupidly enough, longs for something more. 

I shake my head annoyed at the thought and feeling. You know what? I don't fucking care if 'Master Alferenzo' is mad, I'm going to go find him.

Throwing off my blankets I hop out of the plush bed. I make my way out the door and storm off down the hall and the staircase. Pausing to listen, I hear no noise and I stalk down the hall. I stay light on my feet to not produce any noise as I finally come in contact with the basement door.

Opening it, I look down at the stairwell and hear loud heavy breathing. Slowly but surely I make my way down the stairs. I'm greeted by the smell of sweat in the air as well as--begrudgingly--eye candy.

Sir is shirtless while doing push-ups. I watch as his arms, back, and shoulders flex each time he goes up and down. His back and chest appeared to be covered in scars as well. I blush softly but shake it away as I clear my throat loudly to get his attention.

He stops and turns to glare at me, "What are you doing down here, boy?" His tone is harsh and cold as he stands up from his push-up position. 

"I was simply wondering why you were upset, Sir," I say with evident sass in my tone. "It's none of your worries Alexander, now leave." The way my name rolls off his tongue causes an involuntary shiver to wrack through my body as I bite back. "Yeah, well Sir, I have nothing better to do and I'm permanently stuck here so may as well tell me." 

I watch as he grits his teeth noticeably, "Fine brat, if it makes you fucking happy I lost a deal I was severely counting on. Now behind the scenes, I have to do the dirty work and pull some strings so I can get what I want." 

I was tense at his wording but he seemed slightly relaxed after spilling his thoughts. Fully letting the information sink in, I nod. Quickly, I usher myself up the stairs without a second glance back at the man.

I open the door and close it behind me as I breathe out a sigh. "Are you alright, Sir?" I'm startled out of my thoughts by a shy tentative voice. I look at the girl in a very formal maid's dress. Simply, I smile and nod my head.

She blushes with a shy smile and paces off quickly. My thoughts are filled with the visions of the man working out and the shy maid. Making my way down the hall and back up the stairs, my mind races with possibilities. What will my future with this dark, mysterious, and brooding man withhold?

I open my door and sigh, I want some much-needed sleep. Everything here is exhausting me and I still have jet lag, at least that's what Anthony said. Everything is so new to me. I rode in a car for the first time and a jet! Both were terrifying, especially the jet! 

I huff and flop down on my bed. I sink into the comfortable mattress and fight the urge to scream. Everything is so terrifying! I just want to go back to my normal life without all these new and complex people…

They have so much more than I ever thought was possible and it's scaring me. Why can't I go home and sleep forever? Or at least until I forget about everything here. 

My eyes well with tears as I hold them back from falling. I want to go home… I curl up in the plush bed and silently let the tears flow down my face. My body shakes from the quiet sobs.

My head is full of pain as I shake and shiver. The tears now fall rapidly.

I. Just. Want. To. Go. Home.

Without a second thought, I scream and drop to the floor as tears rush down my face. My throat is ragged but I couldn't care less as I scream more and more.

Soon enough I begin to go numb as my body rapidly shakes. My anxiety begins to run out of control as I let out an ear-piercing scream.

 A calloused hand quickly, but gently, begins to rub my bare arm soothingly. Not soon after, my anxiety calms and my heart slows. Through foggy eyes, I look at Damien. 

His eyebrows furrowed in concern as he's sat on the floor beside me. He's silent but I can spot the hidden relief in his eyes. I huff and lay my head on the floor. 

The silence is comforting as he slowly rubs my back instead. "You were having a panic attack, why?" Never mind, I regret enjoying his company. His tone was harsh and almost accusing as I remained silent and curled into myself. 

He stopped rubbing my back and gritted out, "Answer me, boy." I grit my teeth and fight the urge to flee and cry for help. "I want to go home. Everything is overwhelming and bulllshit!" I sit up and glare at him with a dagger-like stare. 

His face morphs into one of anger, "You will not cuss in front of me boy or disrespect me like that again." My level of rage only rises tenfold at his statement. "You can't just treat everyone you know like fucking shit! I just had a panic attack because of you and all of this! You took me from my family and dared to act as you know me when we had only met when I was forced to fucking marry you!" 

Before I'm allowed to say anything more, I'm flipped over and held in his lap. My brain is barely able to process the motion before he begins to beat my ass. I cry out and try to pull away. As he speaks his voice is low, dominating, and angered, "If my words won't teach you from right and wrong I'll use my hand instead."

I cry and quit trying to get away as he finally stands while holding me bridal style. I self-consciously rest my head on his chest as tears run down my face. I close my eyes as I feel the motion of him walking. 

My sobs start up again as I feel the soft silk of a blanket underneath me on a bed comfier than my own. I panic and look around the massive bedroom. My breathing is irregular as I spot out the bedroom, the dark interior with warm overtones gives it a relaxing feel. Yet in my state, I'm panicking. 

"Shhh, Alex… I'm going to pull down your pants and boxers a bit so I can add a soothing balm to the marks. Just relax for me…" I can't detect the emotion hidden in his voice but as he rolls me over and tugs my pants down I begin to panic.

Though the soothing hand rubbing my back tends to calm me I can't help being self-conscious. I whimper as I feel a cold substance slowly applied to my stinging cheeks. He spreads it around as I begin to relax due to its tranquil feeling.

"Whether you accept it or not, my husband, I own you. Learn to at least respect me. Maybe then I'll even leave you on your own." I've relaxed now but I'm still tense as I listen with bated breaths.

"Now, do you understand why you earned this punishment?" I pause and shake my head but then remember his rule of audible answers, "N-No Sir…" He sighs, "You disobeyed my rules and words, then you also wouldn't listen to me. In return, I had to carry out a punishment. I understand if everything here is overwhelming and you will get adjusted in due time- but, you had no right to take your emotions out on me."

I huff and close my eyes slowly, fully relaxing. "Get some sleep here for now." He pulls my clothing back on as he pulls a silky, white blanket over me as I whimper. "Sleep is one of the best ways to relieve stress, which you're feeling a lot of." 

The bed moves as he gets off of it which I hadn't noticed he was on until now. My eyes flutter open as I watch him retreat from the room silently, shutting the door behind himself.