Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

Chapter 8 Chapter Eight


Camila's POV

I spent the entire morning doing odd jobs and cleaning, it was a walk in the park for me since I'm already used to doing house chores. When it was time for my interview, I cleaned up, wore a three piece suit I found in the wardrobe to cover up my bruises and hailed a taxi there. It took all day but I got the job.

“Where do you think you're coming from?” Marco's irritating voice questioned the moment I stepped into the mansion.

“I went out.” I replied to him, dismissively and walked past him only to be violently pushed back and I twisted my ankle, falling as a result.

“Ah!” I winced in pain.

As I attempted to stand up, he slapped me hard across the face which sent me crashing to the ground.

“What did I do?” I yelled.

He guffawed and ran his fingers through his hair. “You talked back at me and dinner isn't ready yet. This is your punishment for slacking off in your duties.”

Though I felt something twisted inside of me as my legs gave out, I suppressed the tears and clenched my jaws. “I'm sorry, I'll go make you some dinner.” I offered and ignored the shooting pain in my shoulder then stood and walked like it was nothing. I could feel his watchful eyes on every movement I made but I managed to put on a facade of strength.

I prepared a simple meal for dinner and was about to serve it when he threw a vase at me, I narrowly dodged being hit.

“Give it to the maid, don't bring your filthy body close to me.” He threw at me, hotly.

Relieved I wouldn't be subjected to having to stay in his presence one more minute, I nodded, handed the food over and just went to my room without saying another word. Exhaustion made me collapse on my bed every inch of me ached badly and the strength to stand up dissipated from me, into thin air.

My stomach growled and I laughed sarcastically. ‘You better stay put else you'll put us both in trouble.’

I uncomfortably turned over in bed and stared at the white marble ceiling. The design was intricately perfect and accurate, a subtle flaunt of creative art, too bad it resided with a narcissistic monster. Just as I was about to close my eyes and sleep. The door flung open and I sighed.

“How may I be of assistance now Mr Terenzio?” I asked, lazily.

I didn't hear any movement so I just sat up and saw him staring icy daggers at me.

“I have guests, prepare some edible food. Seems you're good at that.” He taunted, it was a backhand compliment.

“Why? Thank you Mr Terenzio for your kind words, I'll be there in ten minutes.” I replied, smiling forcefully.

He narrowed his eyes and frowned. “Get down there, immediately.”

I didn't argue nor did I back down, I just dragged my feet and followed his lead, with a swift move, he motioned to the kitchen and I understood what he meant. From the corner of my eyes, I saw three men dressed in formal attire seated by the table, they spoke in hushed tones which meant business.

They looked decent, more decent than the hoodlums Marco had around him for as long as I can remember.

“Mr Sheffield, it's pleasant that you agreed to have dinner wirh me this evening.” I heard Marco's rich voice reverberate.

“Of course, where else would we discuss such an important meeting? I'm honestly sick and tired of almost every aspiring CEO trying to fix an appointment at my workplace.” One of the men replied.

“You said we could discuss business over a nice dinner, why decline such an offer?”

I sneered and muttered a curse under my breath as hot oil splashed on the back of my palm. My inner thoughts drowned out their conversation which I had no interest in listening to in the first place.

Half an hour later; I brought out the food accompanied by other maids and dished it for them. One of the men leaned back instinctively and sharply exhaled, slightly wrinkling his nose when I served his food. His eyes reeked of disgust and it was evidently directed towards me.

“Mr Terenzio, does your household dress this poorly or this one just has a bad sense of hygiene and fashion?” The man asked, his arrogance evident in his tone.

Marco paused then looked at me disdainfully. The other men also momentarily looked at me then looked away like I was an eyesore. I scoffed, arrogant assholes such as themselves have long been a pain in the ass to me and the best way to deal with them was to give them a dose of their own medicine.

“I apologize, she's new here and was brought from the slums, surely she knows better than to upset me.” Marco lied, his tone was razor-thin then he shot me a dirty glare and spat vicious words. “Get rid of the trash you're wearing.”

His words stung and I felt a sharp twist in my gut then raised my brows innocently, my eyes grunting with amusement. I nodded my head and began to undress, he looked bewildered by my act and almost doubled over.

“Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?” I asked, sarcastically and pretended to realize that I was undressing in front of him. “Oh, this? Since you wouldn't allow me to change it, I thought I might as well do it in front of you, afterall you did force me to strip right in front of everyone yesterday and even danced. What's up today? Do I also need to dance for them or do they require a more exquisite performance?” I taunted, my voice laced with sarcasm and poison.

I could visibly see veins bulging out his head, he clenched his fists, trying to hold back his anger while his guests were obviously taken aback by all that's happening around them.

“Mr Terenzio?” One of the men called out, an unsaid request for an explanation.

Marco's expression darkened but he managed to purse his lips into a thin smile, evidently this business partner of his had no knowledge of his shady identity.

“Ignore her, she's new around and doesn't know the rules.” Marco said, calmly. Too calm for comfort and I could feel bugs crawl on my skin as he looked at me, chewing meaningfully.

He gently dabbed a napkin at the corner of his lips and rose to his feet. “I apologize for her unruly and crude behavior, I'll see her to her room so she can properly rest and learn how to be polite.” Marco suggested, accentuating every word he said.

I felt a fresh wave of fear seized me as he approached me but I didn't dare show it, I pushed my chest out, head held high. He chuckled softly but his eyes held hostility. He grabbed my arm then began to pull me away. “Let's go.”

I didn't protest, his grip was firm and impossible to break free from so I just danced to his tunes, with the door securely locked behind us, he dropped the facade and pushed me away, I fell to the ground and felt I had bruised my arm but I didn't wince in pain.

“What the hell is wrong with you!” He thundered, I snickered, looking away.

“What's wrong? They said I was filthy so I showed them a more interesting part of me.” I retorted.

He snickered. “By throwing your cheap nudity at them? I never expected you to be a shameless shut! To think I had mercy on you since you cried bitterly yesterday when you stripped in front of me.”

I clenched my fist at the remembrance of the unpleasant moment then I laughed, short, sharp and bitterly.

“What's wrong with being cheap? Were you threatened by me? Do you think they liked it? The look in their eyes was that of desire and lust.” I remarked, provocatively.

“Camila!”

“Marco Terenzio!” I yelled back, which shocked him.

“Why are you being a hypocrite? Isn't that what you want? To see me humiliated, I'm beginning to think it turns you on.” I spat, shamelessly.

“What?” He blurted, taken aback by my vulgarity.

“You enjoy the attention and embrace of high class shuts don't you? You hold yourself in high esteem as a monster but in reality you're just a coward who hide under the guise of cruelty and power.”

Pah!

I spat out blood at the impact of Marco's slap.

“Are you mistaking my patience for weakness?” He asked, his voice flat but dangerous.

I burst into laughter, the metallic taste of blood in my mouth intensifying. “Is that supposed to hurt me?” I asked lightly and watched the anger in his eyes morph into fury.

Good. Let him feel the rage coursing through my veins. Marco thrived on pain, seeing others cry but me? I'd rather die than give him that pleasure.

“What stupid trick are you trying to play here?” He muttered darkly.

“What trick do I dare play on a demon like you? Don't you have guests to attend to?”

He held back from speaking, I could see he was restraining himself from acting. Good. Just the frustration I intended to inflict on him.

His eyes twinkle with an unholy glow then he stepped back and chuckled darkly. “Trying to be brave now little tigress? Do you want your father's tongue for breakfast or lunch?”

My smile faltered. That sneaky bastard! His threat was subtle but the message was well communicated.

“Don't you dare lay a finger on him!” I hissed, my body trembling from anger.

“Then you'd better pray to whatever deity you believe that my investors don't back out of this deal because of your foolishness, else….” He threatened, his words trailing off.

I kept mute, biting down on my lips. By the time I raised my head, he was gone, his footsteps echoing.

‘Marco Terenzio, even if it kills me, I won't let you hurt my father or ever see me cry!’ I swore vehemently, ignoring the sizzling pain that washed over me.