Elaine woke up breathing heavily after her not so pleasant night spent in bed next to Cristofero. She had dreamt nightmares.... All about people getting your tortured...

When Elaine opened her eyes, she was surprised to find the bed empty. He was gone. It gave her relief, so she could get more time in bed alone. Without him, the fear was lessened. When he came close, he put her on edge. He made her feel fear but he also made her feel guilt. She feared what he was going to do next. She feared if he could get any worse. She feared for whoever was his victims that day.... But she felt guilt also.... She felt guilt of her old feelings coming back. All those feelings she had locked away for him poured back in and it made her feel guilt. Why did she love this monster? She cursed the day she met him. She cursed the day he told her his name and they fell in love. She cursed the day he claimed her as his girl which was the same day that they met. She cursed that day too because she did nothing to avoid him. She didn't run away. She didn't push him away and condemned herself to being his by returning his affections and falling in too deep for him. She had no idea who he was and what he was capable of back then. When she found out who he was, it was too late. He already had claimed her as his. There was no escape if Cristofero Constantini wanted you... and the worst part was she did have feelings for him.... Howver, her level of affection towards him didnt come close to how much he loved her. He was madly in love. He only saw her. There was only her. He hated the entire female population and treated them cruelly and rudely but he was gentle to her or rather he was as gentle as he could get with her and only her.

Elaine got up and went to the shower and got dressed. Just when she was putting on her cardigan, she heard the door open.... She was startled because she thought anyone who came in would have knocked but of course Cristofero was not anyone. He barged in and announced " Good morning beautiful...."

Elaine whispered as she was looking at the mirror "Good morning. You scared me."

Cristofero walked to her and embraced her from her waist. He inhaled her scent "You smell great.... How did you sleep last night?"

Cristofero let her go and she turned around. She shrugged "I didnt sleep well. No thanks to you. Do you really think I could sleep after what you did?"

Cristofero sighed "Fine. I wont play a joke on you again. You need to learn to take jokes."

Elaine couldnt believe his cruelty. He actually didnt get it. She breathed "You still killed someone."

Cristofero nodded "But I didnt kill your uncle. Did I? So drop it Elaine before I lose my good mood."

Elaine nodded "Fine... Sorry." . She knew she couldnt go too far. He had a very short temper and was easy to anger but it was difficult to put him in a good mood. And he was surprisingly happy.

Cristofero smiled "Good...." He then reached into his pocket and took out a velvet box and handed it to Elaine "This is for you..."

Elaine took it from him and opened the box "Thank you. Its looks beautiful." It was a pair of diamond earings with a necklace.

Cristofero waited and waited. When she kept staring at the present he sighed "But dont you like it? If you don't, I can exchange it for something else. I just liked this one because it was the only emerald collection they had. Emerald is green. It matches your eyes."

Elaine looked up. She didnt know what to say. She had seen this collection before at the town's jewellery shop. There was one thing missing. A ring. This was part of a collection and they only had one of a kind of this rare Emerald pieces of Jewellery. The ring was not there and it made her feel worried. He must ahve bought the ring.... She knew he was going to propose to her soon. He had promised him the last time he saw her that he was going to propose the next time he saw her. She had to delay it... There was no way she could say yes, if he asked any time soon. Loving someone was not enough....

Elaine cleared her throat "I like it alot... Thank you... Let me put it in the suitcase." She then turned around trying to put the thought of the ring to the back of her mind. They had just caught up after a long time. He couldn't be proposing or rather she hoped. He definitely was not going to take rejection very well even if she just needed time. If she got married, she had yo become pregnant instantly. That was Cristofero's mindset.

Elaine took a step away from him but he caught her arm and pulled her towards his chest. She saw his hard expression "I want you to put it on... If you like it then whats the problem? Dont you like to wear what I give you?"

Elaine gulped "Of course I like it... But its too much. I am not used to wearing expensive jewellery." She thought to herself "And this is too soon. Whats next? The ring? No way."

Cristofero argued "Nonsense. Wear it. Now. Am I not man enough for you? Is there someone else?" His grip on her became tighter as he gave her a look he gave others who he ordered around. He was harsher than usual.

Elaine almost choked " What? Don't talk like that. You are scaring me."

Cristofero let go of her hand and closed his eyes as he put his hands on his hips. He opened his eyes and spoke in a softer tone " Well, you make me angry. What do you expect? You are wearing them. I like to see them on you. This box is my gift to you... Dont be so modest. For years, you avoided accepting anything I gave you. Not any more."

Elaine bit her lip and thought to herself "But this is too soon. I cant accept gifts from you with no consequences. You read too much into it." She breathed " It's too much. Too expensive."

Cristofero sighed "And. What if it is? Money is no object. Besides I own that jewellery shop now. I bought it and want to open another branch in New York."

Elaine gasped. He was unbelievably wealthy. Buying a jewellery shop and this hotel over night and talking about it like mentioning the weather. She sighed " Can you help me put the necklace on please."

Cristofero smiled and complied as Elaine stepped in front of the mirror.

After Cristofero helped Elaine with the necklace he took one step away and watched her as she put her earrings in front of the mirror. He looked at her up and down admiring her body. " I like your dress. It looks sophisticated enough."

Elaine wanted to say " What do you know about sophisticated?" But of course she swallowed her words. Cristofero had a short temper. He especially didn't like anyone answering back to him. His aggressive reaction was really not worth it sometimes. She smiled weakly as she turned around " Thank you." She then grabbed her purse and turned to the mirror to check how she looked.

Cristofero stood behind her staring at her in the mirror now "Its good that the dress is not too revealing. I am taking you out for breakfast now. So I cant have anyone staring at you. You have a gorgeous body thats for my eyes only.' He then leaned close as he put his hands on her hips. His breath was on her ear "You are all mine...You know, if any one has touched you while I have been gone, I need to know now. Do you want to tell me anything?"

Elaine felt insulted. She pulled away slightly looking back at him in the mirror " I am not unfaithful. Also, we both know that no one has touched me. You had your people watch me non stop. I was followed everywhere."

Cristofero squeezed her hips "I asked you to tell me if anyone has touched you? I didn't ask if you have let anyone touch you. There is a difference. I know you are faithful... And damn right I have been watching you... But I still need to know if there is anything you would like to tell me."

Elaine shrugged " No one has touched me. Are you happy?"

Cristofero nodded " Yes. I am.... Lets go to breakfast now." He then grabbed her hand and lead her outside the room as she followed slowly.

Elaine didn't object or argue. This was to be her life from then onwards. This was her fate.... to be controlled by Cristofero. But this wasn't so bad. It could be alot worse. She knew it could be. He could be hurting those she loved with no warning and without giving her a chance to redeem herself.... Cristofero didn't forgive. He just didn't. Yesterday, she had pushed her luck. Any resistance of sign of it could have deadly consequences and she was lucky that all he had done was play a joke which didn't seem like a joke to her at all. She didn't care what Cristofero did to her. As long as those she loved were safe she didn't mind...

When Cristofero lead her outside, Elaine asked " Aren't we having breakfast? The hotel's restaurant is the other way..."

Cristofero walked to one of his cars and one of him men kept the door open for him. Cristofero shrugged " Obviously that's not where we are having breakfast... I bought this hotel. I know where I am going... Thanks for the concern."

Elaine knew that tone. He didn't like being told what to do.... He squeezed her hand tight and as she expected the lecture came " You know, I don't like being questioned..... So don't try to tell me what to do.... Do you understand?"

Elsine said " Sorry Cris."

He stopped in front of the car " After you Elle."

Elaine got into the car and he didn't let go of her hand. He got in after her.

As the car moved Elaine asked " Where is your brother?"

Cristofero shrugged "He is locked up in his room and having breakfast by himself there. He is not allowed to leave his room because he tried to pull a stunt in the morning. He tried to call my step father.... I told him he is not allowed to contact him until Christmas but he is stubborn. He thinks he is allowed to defy me with no consequences. I was in a rush to come to you so I left it as that. I will deal with him when we get back."

Elaine asked " Cris... He is only seventeen. He must miss your step father. Why can't you let him call your step father? It's only a phone call..."

Cristofero shook his head " Tsk Tsk. Elaine. I warned you. Don't tell me what to do. I don't like it.... Don't test me."

Elaine sighed " So I am not allowed to even talk to you?"

Cristofero stated " You are... That's why you are not being punished for telling me what to do.... But it doesn't mean I like it.... I may lose it Elaine. So be a good girl."