Chiara's POV -

Locked inside this dismal room, my only hope lies in the slender metal bolt that separates me from the monstrous reality outside. When he left and I turned that key, it was as if he'd sealed my fate, at least for the night. But I know it won't be long before he comes back. That man, that demon who buys human lives, specifically young ladies like me. I shiver uncontrollably, my body an assemblage of trembling limbs and fractured resolve.

As I huddle in this corner, the cold floor beneath me seeping through my thin dress, I wonder how many girls have stood where I stand now. How many have faced the same horrors and ultimately lost their lives to this heartless creature? The thought haunts me, and I can't help but imagine their silent screams echoing through the walls, their souls forever trapped in this nightmarish place.

The sudden, thunderous knock on the door sends shockwaves through my already fragile heart. "Tiny claws!" a sinister voice hisses from the other side. "Did you lock the door?" His words are a venomous reminder of my captivity. "You have a choice. Open it now, or I will open it in a way you won't appreciate the consequences."

I grit my teeth and clench my fists. Fear courses through my veins, but I refuse to submit willingly. I won't surrender my body to that monster. Never.

A few days ago, I couldn't have fathomed the depths to which my life would plummet. I was just another girl with dreams, aspirations, and a belief that the world held some measure of goodness. Now, all of that is gone. I don't even own my own body, let alone my soul. Everything, every last piece of me, has been sold to this man—the heartless man.

Tears stream down my face as I reflect on my past, a stark contrast to this bleak present. My family, my friends, the life I once knew—all distant memories, fading like whispers in the wind. I clasp my hands together, fingers trembling, and pray for a miracle. I pray that somehow, against all odds, I will find a way to escape this living nightmare.

In this moment of utter despair, as I cling to the last vestiges of my humanity, I promise myself that I will not go down without a fight. No matter what horrors await me behind that door, I will resist. I will cling to the shreds of my dignity, and I will find a way to break free from this monstrous grip that holds me captive.

The door swings open, and my heart leaps into my throat. I scramble backward, trying to put some distance between me and the looming figure that's now entering the room. It's him, the man who bought me for a staggering one billion dollars. Vincenzo Salvatore, Zo, the monster who now owns me.

He moves with an intimidating presence, his steps purposeful and commanding. Before I can even think of responding, he grips my jaw harshly, his fingers pressing into my skin like vices. "Ouch," I whimper in pain, my voice coming out as a feeble protest.

"I asked you to open the door, damn it," he growls, his voice laced with frustration and impatience. His grip on my jaw tightens, making me wince. "This is my place, and everything is under my biometric control. Do you think I am a fool who paid one billion dollars for you?"

I don't have the chance to respond before he lifts me off my feet and carries me toward the bed. My feeble struggles are futile against his giant frame. In an instant, I find myself thrown onto the bed, the impact sending shockwaves through my body. The world seems to shake beneath me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I growl, attempting to sit up, but it's as if an invisible force is holding me down. I look at him, and my fear deepens as I meet his blood-red eyes. It's like staring into the eyes of a predator.

"Tiny claws," he seethes, his anger palpable. "You have no other option but to be my sleeping partner."

"Not even in your dreams, you demon," I retort, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. I can't let him know how terrified I am. Giving in to him would be a victory I can't afford to hand him.

"It will happen in reality. Don't worry about that," he replies, his words dripping with menace. He begins to shed his clothes, starting with his blazer and then his tie. Panic claws at my throat as I watch him, my eyes unable to look away.

"W-Wh-What are you doing?" I stammer, my voice barely audible. The room suddenly feels too hot, and my throat is dry as sandpaper.

"Did you ever find anyone to sleep with extra clothes on?" he asks as he continues to undress, now down to just his boxers. I close my eyes, unable to bear the sight any longer, and hide my face with my palms.

I feel the bed shift as he crawls onto it, and my heart races in terror. Is he really going to rape me now? By keeping my inner tigress aside, should I beg for mercy and hope that he'll show some semblance of humanity? These thoughts whirled through my mind in a frantic storm.

Before I can react or say anything, his strong arms encircle me, and he pulls me upright. My legs are trapped within his, and his head rests against my shoulder. His left arm is wrapped tightly around my thorax, pinning me in place. I can't move even an inch, every muscle in my body is frozen.

Still, I try to move but it's seemingly impossible. 'What does he eat to be so heavy?' I wrench.

"Anything but not human flesh despite being a demon as per your point of view." He whispers and holds me more tightly than before. And he is sleeping now. I frown at this moment.

What's happening? My mind is a jumble of confusion, surprise, and dilemma. I had expected the worst, but now he's sleeping? His warm breath tickles my neck, and I can feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest against my back. I thought he bought me for something unspeakable, but it seems he meant something entirely different by being his "sleeping partner."

I lay there, wide-eyed, caught between shock and disbelief. The man who could have done anything to me, who owns me like property, is now asleep. His body, heavy and imposing, presses me down into the bed. The weight of the situation bears down on me, and I can't help but wonder what kind of twisted game he's playing.

With my heart pounding and my thoughts in turmoil, I close my eyes, but sleep eludes me. The room is enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of his steady breathing. I'm a captive in his world, forced to share a bed with the very monster who bought my life, and I have no idea what he has in store for me next.

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My cute readers,
What is going on in Zo's mind?
To know, stay tuned.
Thank you all.
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