Strange word... Love
Luca's POV
The question rang in my head multiple times... Growing louder each time.
'Are you in love with her?'
Was I in love with Aria?
No.
I wasn't.
I couldn't be.
Why?
Because I still wanted her submission. I still wanted the same thing I had wanted right from the very start.
For her to be answerable to me. For Aria to be broken... That strong spirit she thought she had.
I wanted to mend her, mould her into my image.
The only difference was that... Lately, I no longer had thoughts of torturing her mentally to make that happen. I wanted her to be submissive to me... Completely, with both her body and heart.
I wanted her to want me.
But that was it.
There were not many omissions from my original plan, just a few additions.
And that was it.
That didn't necessarily make me fall in love with her... Right?
"Why would you ask me such a question?" I barked, glaring at Payson with so much intensity. "Aria is the daughter of my greatest enemy. The man who killed my brother... Why would I fall in love with her?"
Why would I?
Why was I?
"I don't even believe in that word... And you know it." I added, turning away from both Payson and Marcus.
Yes.
I truly didn't believe in that word.
'Love'
It was strange. A foreign thing in my world.
The word wasn't used on people. Rather objects, ideas, or qualities.
Not people.
"I'm sorry, boss, for questioning your loyalty." From the corner of my eye, I saw Payson bow in apology. Then he raised his head again.
"It's just that... You're said to be spending too much time with your captive. Speaking of unnecessary things... Laughing with her even."
Laughing...
My eyes narrowed. The temperature in the room dropped by a few degrees.
I turned to look at Payson, and he had his head still bowed, but I could tell he could feel my intense gaze on him.
"I wonder how you know such things when you haven't been around for a while."
He had been gone for the past few days on a business trip, yet he seemed so up-to-date about my activities.
The thought of there being a mole in my guards sent a shiver down my spine.
No... Not again.
Payson finally raised his head, and his brown eyes met my black ones. "Boss, I truly am sorry."
"When arriving from the airport this morning, I asked to be briefed on all the happenings in the mansion since I had been gone. So I would be fully aware of how to serve you." He responded smartly.
I smirked, strutting towards my desk.
"So... You had nothing else to talk about with the guards, than my personal affairs?" I accused, turning the situation on him.
But Payson, ever calm shook his head. "I wouldn't dare boss. The captive came up in our discussion and I asked to be fully informed about her. You occasionally came up, and I was worried."
"You don't have to be... I know what I'm doing." I said calmly, staring him in the eyes.
But... I didn't. If anything, I was even more confused than ever.
The way my body functioned around Aria was different. I would blame it on the illness, but I knew it wasn't that.
That girl was making me feel things I had considered impossible.
But I couldn't tell that to Payson, or anyone. It was a secret I was willing to take to the grave... Which was in less than 5 months.
"I'm sorry boss." Payson apologized again, lowering his gaze.
A sigh escaped my lips.
I had narrowly escaped being questioned by my man... The only person who could, just because of Aria.
Looking away from Payson, I turned to the other person in the room who had been pretending to be invisible right from when my conversation with Payson started.
Marcus had retreated so close to the wall. He had his back on it, watching us talk.
As soon as he noticed my gaze, he stood up straight, lowering his head.
"Marcus..."
"Boss." He answered almost immediately.
I felt a sudden surge of anger as I stared at him.
How dare Aria beg for this bastard?!
What on earth does she see?
I examined the man from top to bottom, giving much attention to his facial makeup.
Marcus was good-looking... I couldn't even bother to lie to myself, but I also knew that I was even better looking than him.
Compare to me... The man looked like a troll.
And then there was his physique.
He was taller... But I was muscular, with much more experience in fighting.
If I...
Fuck.
A curse left my lips as soon as I realized what I had been doing.
I was comparing myself to a guard... To Marcus.
Fuck.
I turned away for a second, tightening my fist.
I had to stop this.
Fast.
"This would be your final warning," I said to Marcus sternly. "Stay away from Aria Bellani. I don't want you near her at all. Not even as friends."
Marcus took a while to answer, as though trying to fully weigh his options.
But he didn't have options. Because, there was only one that guaranteed his safety, and that was affirmation.
He had to stay away from her.
Aria was mine. No one else's.
I hated it how much I wanted that... At the same time, I loved how much I could have it.
She was under my roof. Anyone under my roof was under my control.
So... That meant she was either mine or no one else.
"Yes." Marcus eventually affirmed. "I would stay away from Aria."
Finally.
Hearing him say those words felt... Calming.
I sat down on my swiveling chair, moving around on it a bit.
It felt weird letting a person go without any kind of punishment.
I wasn't known for doing such things.
But...
Aria had begged for him.
She fucking pleaded for him, just so no harm would come to him.
Payson was also here. If I had any form of severe punishment for Marcus, it would only solidify his thoughts of me being in love with Aria.
The perfect punishment suddenly appeared in my head. One that was suitable for both Aria and Marcus.
"And for your punishment..." I began, drumming softly with my fingers on the table, a small smirk on my face.
"Your punishment is that you will be Viola's personal bodyguard until she decides to leave this mansion."
Marcus's eyes widened.
I could tell by his expression that he wanted to object.
But how dare he?
I was already being generous enough as it was... Letting him go without any new scars on his body after he outrightly disobeyed my instructions.
Marcus bowed. "Thank you, boss, for your benevolence."
"You're dismissed."
Marcus bowed again and left the room, leaving Payson alone with me.
"Boss." Payso
n began. I leaned on my desk to listen. "Remember this, Nothing good ever comes from a Bellani, it is best to either stay away from them...or trample on them. But never, never fall for one."