Chapter 51 51
Sofía stood frozen before the mirror, staring at her own reflection. Her face was unmistakably flushed, a deep, betraying red that refused to fade no matter how long she waited. Her heart thudded erratically against her ribs, loud enough that she swore she could hear it.
Yet her gaze wasn’t on her blushing cheeks.
It was fixed on the purplish mark blooming against her skin.
He had ordered her not to hide it. No concealer. No scarf. Nothing.
Why?
Because he was possessive to the core an untamed beast who wanted the world to see that she belonged to him. That he had marked her.
The thought alone made her stomach twist with unease. Where exactly was he taking her? If anyone saw them together really saw them it would be disastrous.
She tugged on a loose black shirt, pairing it with high-waisted jeans. For a moment, she considered tucking the shirt in, then dismissed the idea. Her hands hovered uncertainly at her sides. Somewhere deep down, she knew she was beautiful soft, thick, feminine. But years of cruel words from bullies echoed louder than reason, convincing her she wasn’t enough.
She settled for a swipe of light pink gloss and a coat of mascara.
That was all.
Pulling on her sneakers, she stepped out and headed downstairs. He was already waiting in the lounge.
She approached quietly. He acknowledged her with a single nod before turning and heading outside. Inside the car, her nerves coiled tighter and tighter until she finally forced herself to speak.
“W-where are we going?”
Fernando didn’t look at her. His eyes stayed locked on the road ahead.
“Grocery shopping,” he replied casually.
Her brows knitted together, disbelief flickering across her face. Him? Grocery shopping? The image clashed so violently with everything she knew about him that a soft giggle escaped her before she could stop it.
A beast like him pushing a cart down an aisle? It was absurd and strangely endearing.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, voice rough.
She startled, realizing too late that he’d heard her.
Her lips snapped shut, and she quickly turned to stare out the window, heat crawling up her neck.
He parked the car, and they entered the grocery store together. Fernando took control of the trolley while she walked beside him, her steps hesitant. They reached the end of an aisle before he stopped.
“Ana.”
She looked up at him.
“Do I look like someone who does grocery shopping?” he asked calmly.
She considered it, then shook her head.
“That’s why I brought you,” he said smoothly. “Pick what we need. Fill your kitchen.”
Your kitchen.
The words sent a flutter through her chest, her heart tripping over itself.
“O-okay,” she whispered.
They finished in about half an hour. Sofía paused near the chocolates, eyeing them longingly but she didn’t reach for any. Fernando noticed.
Without a word, he grabbed multiple packets of snacks and chocolates, tossing them into the cart.
She stared at him, stunned.
At the checkout, the cashier smiled warmly at Sofía, who smiled back shyly. Fernando paid and carried the bags outside. As Sofía followed, the cashier leaned closer, lowering her voice.
“You’ve got yourself a handsome hunk,” the woman whispered, eyes flicking to the mark on Sofía’s neck. “Bet he’s amazing in bed.”
Sofía recoiled, eyes widening in horror.
“Lucky you,” the cashier added with a knowing grin.
Sofía fled after Fernando, her face burning like fire.
How mortifying.
What was wrong with that woman?
Still, she couldn’t deny the tight twist in her chest as she remembered how every woman in the store had stared at him like he was something to be devoured.
She slid into the passenger seat while he loaded the bags into the trunk. Once inside, he started the engine and pulled onto the road.
“What happened to your face?” he asked suddenly.
She bit the inside of her cheek. What could she possibly say?
“N-nothing,” she mumbled.
He wasn’t convinced. She could feel his scrutiny sharpening so she blurted out the first thing she could think of.
“You shouldn’t have bought all those snacks.”
His brows furrowed. “Why?”
“B-because now I’ll w-want to eat them,” she said softly. “And I c-can’t, because that’ll make me m-more fat.”
The car screeched to a violent halt.
If not for the seatbelt, she would’ve gone flying.
Fernando slammed his hand against her seat and turned fully toward her, fury blazing in his eyes.
“From where the fuck are you fat?” he growled.
Her words vanished. Her throat closed.
“I” Nothing came out.
“I k-know I’m f-fat,” she whispered at last.
“Look at me.”
She flinched but obeyed.
“You. Are. Not. Fat!” he snarled, each word laced with raw rage. “I want to fuck you right here, right now. You’re a busty doll, my doll. And that thickness of yours?” His voice dropped, dark and dangerous. “It’s perfect. Exactly where it should be.”
Her breath hitched violently. Her heart slammed against her ribs, her body reacting faster than her mind.
“Am I fucking clear?” he demanded.
She nodded quickly.
“Good.”
He started the car again like nothing had happened.
Sofía sat rigid, thighs clenched, fighting every instinct her body screamed at her. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing how deeply his words had affected her.
Once home, he unloaded the bags while she carried the lighter ones inside. They set everything on the kitchen island.
Without warning, he grabbed her arm and spun her around.
Her breath caught as electricity sparked where his fingers touched her skin. She couldn’t bring herself to look at his face her eyes stayed fixed on his chest, her breathing uneven.
“I’m hiring you as my cook,” he announced. “You’ll be paid on the first of every month.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in.
Then the butterflies came wild and overwhelming.
This man was stealing her heart piece by piece, and he didn’t even seem to notice.
“Thank you,” she whispered, smiling shyly.
“I need more than that,” he said hoarsely.
And then his mouth crashed onto hers, stealing her breath, igniting sparks that left her dizzy and aching.