Doubts and Certainties

**Petros**

I watched Liandra leave my office, that forced smile plastered across her face. She thought she was in control, but I knew exactly what I was doing. Everything was planned: her every move, every word we exchanged, every reaction I provoked.

She was beginning to feel the weight of the engagement, and that gave me a sense of absolute control. I didn’t care how she felt. What I wanted was to ensure she could truly measure up to the role she was about to take on.

I knew the physical attraction between us had always been intense, but now it was time to test her resilience. The lack of sex wasn’t just about emotional distance; it was an experiment. A test to see how long she could endure this drought. I wanted to see how far she would go before trying to break the barrier I had deliberately put up.

Liandra had always been so predictable in her behavior, so focused on what she needed to do to secure the marriage and the stability it promised. She was so immersed in family matters and wedding preparations that I could almost anticipate her next moves. But something told me she would start questioning the situation soon, seeking answers to this growing distance. And that thought excited me.

It was no secret that her family depended on my financial support. I held the key to what she wanted most, and she was fully aware of it. But it wouldn’t be easy for her. I didn’t just want an obedient wife who would fulfill expectations.

I wanted her to surrender to the need for me, to understand what it’s like to live without what I can offer. That would make her stronger, more obedient, more loyal, more willing to serve me. After all, a woman who completely submits to me, who’s willing to fight for all that I can give her, is far more useful than one who simply gives in to pleasure.

Of course, she didn’t know everything that was coming. She had no idea people were watching her every move, analyzing her actions. My team of security personnel and investigators was tracking her closely—every meeting, every call, every gesture. Everything was being monitored, and I was reviewing every detail. I knew she was trying hard to keep up appearances, to prevent anything I was doing from interfering with her life. And so far, she had managed to maintain that facade.

But the real test was yet to come. And deep down, I could hardly wait to see what would happen when Liandra was confronted. When she finally understood the role I was preparing for her. Only then, and not a moment before, would I grant her what she so desperately needed—the aid her family so urgently sought.

The weight of it all would fall on her in ways she couldn’t foresee. And when it did, she would know she was mine. She would finally understand what it meant to be my wife. And I would have total control over what she did from that moment forward.

As I had planned days ago, I reached out to some business partners and confirmed yet another private gathering, where pleasure was part of the transaction. They all knew it; everyone involved understood, and no one cared. What was about to happen with Liandra would be no different.

I would bring her to one of those private meetings, and observing her reaction would be pivotal.

Jennifer failed my test. But Liandra...

Liandra was still in a delicate position. She was an enigma to me, and I wanted to see how far she would go to please me, to understand her limits. I wanted more than just her loyalty. I wanted to discover whether she was willing to follow me wherever I led her. I believed she had never truly faced what I had in mind. She was so used to manipulating, to keeping things under control, but I intended to destabilize her. It would be fun.

After organizing everything, I made the necessary calls and handled the details. Liandra had no idea what awaited her. A business trip to England on my agenda was the perfect excuse to disappear for a few days. I knew her curiosity would be piqued, though she wouldn’t let it show. Maintain the mystery, maintain the control.

When I called her, I was straightforward.

"Liandra, I'll be traveling to England in the coming days and won’t be able to see you. But on Saturday, when I return, I want you to be ready. I’m taking you somewhere special," I said, keeping a hint of mystery in my tone.

She asked a simple, almost predictable question: "What should I wear?"

I smiled, knowing exactly how she’d react.

"Dress especially for me," I replied, adding a trace of malice to my voice. "I want to see that you’re ready to give yourself to this, Liandra. It will be an unforgettable night."

Her answer didn’t matter as much as her reaction. I knew she’d be curious, that she’d start building expectations. And that was precisely what I wanted.

*******

The trip to England was a success.

Contracts were finalized, and the projected profits were astronomical. But my mind was elsewhere. Each day dragged on as if time itself were testing my patience. The anticipation of returning to Curitiba—and especially of seeing Liandra—was an irritating distraction. I didn’t like losing control over my focus, but this time it seemed unavoidable.

On Saturday, as soon as the plane landed, I called her.

"I want you ready by 9 PM," I said bluntly.

"I’ll be ready," she answered with a calmness I couldn’t discern as confidence or indifference. It made me suspicious, but I didn’t waste time dissecting her tone.

At the agreed time, I arrived at her house. When she stepped into the car, my eyes scanned her from head to toe. She was elegant, flawless, but... too understated. The navy blue dress, with its straight cut and minimalist design, felt more suited to a corporate event than the night I had envisioned. My irritation began to rise.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her inquisitive gaze piercing me as it always did.

"That’s not important," I replied, attempting to keep my composure.

"Are you upset?" she asked as if already knowing the answer.

"I expected more from you," I said, making my displeasure clear.

She tilted her head slightly as if considering my response.

"I have more to offer," she said, with a calmness that intrigued me.

Before I could reply, she did something unexpected.

With deliberate slowness, Liandra began undoing the small buttons at the top of her dress. I watched in silence, trying to decipher her intention. As the top of the dress slipped down, it revealed a plunging neckline that descended to her waist. I was momentarily speechless. The fabric hugged her chest perfectly, accentuating every curve with almost artistic precision.

I couldn’t decide whether to be impressed or infuriated by her calculated move. She had anticipated my dissatisfaction and chosen to challenge it, to regain control in her way.

For the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of uncertainty—a sensation I both loathed and craved.

She turned, revealing her bare back, the dress slipping down to her hips, held together only by the delicate structure of the lower portion.

The air in the car seemed to vanish. I held my breath, my gaze fixed on her, every detail etching itself into my memory.

"I just wanted to be sure of what you expected from me," she said, turning back to face me. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of defiance, a veiled provocation that made my blood boil.

For a moment, I remained silent, processing the spectacle she had just delivered. She was bold—bolder than I had anticipated. And because of that, perhaps she truly was perfect for the role I was shaping for her.

"You’ve surprised me," I admitted, my voice rough but maintaining its authoritative edge. "Tonight promises to be... interesting."

I wasn’t sure if she was playing to please me or to manipulate me, but either way, I liked it. It would be fun to figure it out.