JOSI

Josi sticks by the pond that entire afternoon, until the sun dips and begins disappearing behind the horizon. She spends time under an oak tree, swaying from a swing which doesn't look like it gets much attention, but it keeps her busy.

There's not much security around her. They leave her to her leisure because she knows better. An escape attempt will land her in waters too hot and scalding, full of regret and consequences. But it's not exactly like she can pull one off if she tried. The estate stretches on for miles. She would need a miracle.

They allow her time for herself with unrestricted access to the mansion - not because they trust her, but because there are cameras serving as secondary guards. Josi is at least thankful for this, despite the constant scrutiny.

Idris has been gone for the past couple days. He disappears for what Josi thinks must be his occasional venture. He finds a victim and decides he'll wreak some havoc, then returns to the estate all frivolous and moves on with his life. Or whatever it is mafia dons do. As long he's out of her hair and is tyrannizing some place else.

The trip back inside the mansion is troubling. Too many eyes on her. The guards all stare as though she were a sheep in a den of wolves, as if she were the first of her kind. But all they can do is stare. No one has the courage to approach her, not while their boss remains alive and well. Josi relishes in the fact that she has that level of invincibility. She could spit on each and every one of them and they would only go as far as throwing her a pointless glare.

Josi finds Martha in the bedroom with a basket of clothes that need folding. She comes to a stop by the doorway, a bit surprised to see her. "Hey."

Martha turns to her with a smile. "Hey. Was the pond fun?"

Josi nods. She's come to find comfort in places other than her bedroom, away from the window. Martha recommends places around the estate that may be of interest, such as the pond. She tells Josi to try the sunroom next and warns her about the billiard room. Apparently, lots of the guards seem to hang out around that area.

"The golf course is a good place too. It's very peaceful out there."

Josi makes note of this. She'll snag a golf cart and take a look around the place-wherever those vehicles may be.

Martha goes back to tidying. Meanwhile, Josi busies herself with the TV. It feels like a waste tucking in so soon, though the sun has already set. She scrolls through the channels, lingers on some programs, then continues browsing. Nothing seems to pique her interest.

"Is the indoor pool still open?"

Martha laughs. "It's always open."

Josi smiles a little and offers the maid some gratitude. The pool is situated at the end of the east wing, a journey that costs her some time and patience. The cameras above follow every step she takes up until the moment she arrives.

Another waste of space. Much like the rest of the countless rooms to the estate, the area is large. The moonlight hits Josi from above, through the sunroof that covers as much of the perimeter as the pool itself. She slips her robe off and goes to gauge the pool's depth. Not too deep or shallow. Somewhere in the middle.

Josi takes her dress off, along with her bra, but leaves her underwear on. She sits in the pool and simply soaks under the night sky. With how things are unraveling, it won't be long until the estate starts to feel like home, and she fights to keep that future buried. What happens when the mansion becomes "her house", and not just some cell to which she's been confined to? Josi shudders at the thought. She will not lose herself to such obscenity.

After minutes of lounging, Josi calls it quits. The fun is over, after mere minutes only. Nothing seems to last in the estate. It's as she steps out the pool that she hears the sound of chatter approaching. Josi freezes. She's only spared enough time to glance towards the direction. And standing there by the entranceway, with a group of men, is Idris Verdonni.

~《¤》~

IDRIS

Idris returned rather late that evening. Some meeting with some business colleagues of his. It's all he's been doing these past couple weeks. Striking deals. Weighing contracts. It's a wonder he even has time for sleep. It's a wonder he still has time to think of Josi.

Friendships precede partnerships. That's why he brought his colleagues home, for some time of leisure. He first offered them drinks — because alcohol is the first step towards all great partnerships. Then he ushered them towards the pool area to continue the fun. But the fun he was chasing immediately diminishes. Because Josi is there. And half naked.

She tries covering up her chest with her robe, but Idris - and his colleagues - have already caught glimpses.

"A whore for us?" One man says with a smile too wide. "Idris, you shouldn't have."

The other three begin laughing at the remark, until Idris gives them a glare that puts a wrap on the buzz. He grabs Josi by the arm and pulls her away from the crowd. It isn't until they arrive in a room much smaller and privacy advocating than the pool area does he let her go.

Josi takes the time to cover her body with the robe. Meanwhile, Idris has succumbed to anger. Well, more so frustration than anger. And he directs it all towards Josi. "Why are you so fucking stubborn?"

Josi is staggered, but soon finds her words. "Me? You guys are the ones who barged in while I was busy."

"So I'm supposed to believe you didn't know we were coming?"

"How would I know? You're barely even around, anyway."

"And you seem to be having the time of your life exposing yourself." Idris tells her, but his eyes aren't fixated on her face anymore. They have traveled down her body and made it to where her chest is. He can still see much of her cleavage, and immediately his own arousal settles in. He quickly casts his eyes to the side. He can't handle seeing her that way any longer.

"Go put some clothes on." Says Idris, too flustered to even look at Josi. He mutters some profanities in all the languages he speaks on his way to a sofa-and when he sits, he does so facing away from her. Best if he removes himself from the situation.

Josi doesn't heed his command. She seems to be doing so more and more lately. She goes and stands in front of him.

"Does seeing me like this turn you on?"

Idris can't find a thing to say; too worried about trying to hide the fact that he's aroused beyond relief. But Josi isn't doing much to help him. She squats down and at the same time, the belt around her robe loosens, revealing more of her cleavage.

"Cade," Idris croaks. "Stop."

Josi gives no reply. Her silence troubles him. And even more so troubling is the way she looks at him, as if studying him. As if trying to turn him inside out. He can't even move an inch, can't even steady his heart. This isn't good. He's losing himself.

As if to rub more salt into the wound, Josi climbs and sits on his lap with legs astride. Idris completely freezes. So close she is, right in front of him. So close that he can feel her scent. So close that if he were to lean in just an inch, he would meet her lips. And now, he thinks about it. About leaning in. He could take that chance. But he's grown so tense that he can't move. All from her touch alone.

Josi grabs his arm and runs it over her body, past her breasts, and up to her neck. "Do you want to fuck me? Is that why you have me locked up?"

Idris's grip tightens around her neck. He knows her claims aren't far from the truth. He wants to wake up breathing the same air, under the same covers after a long night of pure lust. He wants to savor every inch of her body, something he's been thirsting for ever since his feelings came to light. He wants her in every way possible.

But he can't have that reality, not after what he's done. So he keeps her there. Because it's the only option open to him.

Idris swiftly brings Josi down on the couch with his hand still around her neck. The space between the two is compact to the point of their noses touching. Josi looks him in the eye, the one thing that betrays Idris completely. He may look cool on the exterior, but he's desperate inside. Desperate for her. Desperate to hold her close, to call her his.

Josi pulls a hand away from his arm and brings it up to his cheek. She runs a thumb over his lips with eyes still searching his. "You want me that bad?"

The truth is bitter. It leaves a taste in Idris's mouth that makes his face grow sour. He yearns for Josi, craves her scent and seeks her attention. But this fact alone makes him realize one thing. He's growing weak. He's impatient and can't seem to keep his thoughts intact. There's no space for anything else in his mind except Josita Cade. She's turned into a driving force, stemmed from the seed of infatuation planted inside him.

The control Idris once had is quickly dissipating, and there's nothing he can do about it.

Out of his own helplessness, Idris lets Josi go and heads for the door. This is truly what his life has come to, at the complete mercy of a woman who he knows despises him. This must be his own punishment. And he brought it upon himself. He lit the fire, and yet it is with that same fire that he scorched himself with.

How laughable, this entire situation. Because now the roles are reversed.

_________________________________________