Chapter 16 ~ Isabella
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My alarm clock on my phone is blaring jarring me from my sleep.
I reach out, fumbling around on the nightstand trying to find it.
I roll over, stretching my arm out farther, and let out a scream as my phone falls to the floor.
Instantly I clutch my boob, which is throbbing in pain as I roll back over onto my back. Ouch, Jesus!
The night comes rushing back, and my face turns red. Alexander bit my boob, made me cry, and kissed me like I was the sexiest thing on the planet. Then he had his fingers inside my body driving me crazy till I peed all over his hand.
I slap my hand over my face as I gently cup my breast and sit up. Oh my god. One day under his roof and I'm a slut.
I look around and sigh. So this is my room now, or for the next two weeks, anyway.
Soon I’ll be moving across the hall where he can do whatever he wants to any of my body parts.
The thought makes me shudder. Tossing my feet over the side of the bed, I sit up slowly, still holding my abused breast, and pick my phone up off the floor.
No new messages from Anna.
Probably better to talk to her at work anyway.
I have a million questions. I head off to the bathroom to pee once I’m done, I brush my teeth and turn on the shower.
Tossing my tee shirt on the floor, I look at my breast in the mirror.
Bright red teeth marks circle around my areola, leaving purple bruising around the outer edge of my breast.
Holy shit, he literally almost bit my nipple off. Jerk!
I grab a cloth and run it under cold water, gently placing it on my abused nipple. He is never getting near my boobs again, the animal.
I get in the shower and dump some shampoo in my hand; it smells heavenly, like lavender and vanilla, momentarily taking my mind off my throbbing breast and last night's… whatever that was. I groan and bang my head softly on the tiled wall. I still have to face him for breakfast.
Once I’m done, I pick up a towel, carefully wrap it, conscious of my sore chest, and head to my suitcase to grab my clothes. I check my phone for the time. It’s just after 7:00, so it gives me plenty of time to have our “breakfast” and still get to work to have a coffee with Anna.
Slipping on a simple pair of leggings with a soft tee shirt; I pull out my favorite cream cardigan and slip my feet into my runners.
I head back to the bathroom, put all my clothes into the laundry hamper from the floor, and run the brush through my hair. I put it into a simple braid and let it hang down my back.
I open my door and look over at Alex’s door. I don’t see any light under the door, so maybe he is still asleep, good I can avoid the whole thing. Hurrying down the hall I have to get a move on, so I’m not late to have time with Anna.
I’m almost at the last three step of the stairs and the front door opens and Carlos steps inside, shutting it behind him.
“Well, good morning.” I beam at him. He breaks out into a grin and moves towards me.
“Morning Izzy. Did you have a good rest?”
“Yes, I actually did. I slept like a log.” I beam back at him.
“That’s what happens when you finally trap a bunny and give them nowhere else to go.”
His voice booms across the foyer, and we both look up to the upper landing. Alexander is standing there, his hands in his suit pockets, looking like a bloody GQ model, with that cocky smirk on his face.
My face heats and I look back down at the floor, trying to hide my red cheeks.
I can hear his steps as he gets closer. He’s one step above me and I jump when I feel his hand on the side of my head, bringing me closer to that vanilla musk scent.
I close my eyes and he leans down, lightly kissing my temple.
“Good morning, Bella.” He breathes in my ear.
I look back up at him over my shoulder, and he’s staring down at me. The smile dies on his face as the anger once again pinches his features. We stand still, both not knowing what to do.
The shock on his face lets me know he has no idea why he kissed me, either.
Shaking out of his two seconds of kindness; he straightens his shoulders and walks past us both, turning at the base of the stairs he heads toward the dining room.
“Breakfast is ready. Hurry up.” He snaps behind him.
“And he’s back,” I mumble.
Carlos laughs and puts his hand on my back, guiding me to the dining room door.
“I’ll be in the office if you would tell him for me.”
“You’re not coming to eat?” Hoping I won’t have to face Alexnder on my own.
“No, I’ve already eaten, and I have to get a few things done before we take you to work.”
Shit!
I step through the dining room door and Alexander is in his usual seat at the head of the table. Mine is right next to him, again so there is no getting away from him as I had hoped.
As I cross the room, I bite my lower lip and take my seat, unfolding my napkin and placing it on my lap. My eyes bug out of my head as I scan the table. There are so many platters laid out that I think there is enough food for 20 people.
Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes with toast, hash browns with fresh herbs, and a little tray with pots of jam, honey, and peanut butter are off to the side.
I feel queasy. I rarely eat breakfast. Diane makes a breakfast cookie and I have coffee with it. My eyes water and I look at this amazing breakfast and guilt washes over me from missing her and not being able to eat this. I fill my plate and pick up my fork and knife.
Alex points with his fork, breaking the silence between us.
“Eat. You only have a half hour before we have to go.”
I look up at him and watch as he rams half a pancake into his mouth.
I lift my fork and stab a few hash browns, bringing it to my lips. I chew and am surprised they taste wonderful. I put a few more in and reach for the coffee decanter.
“Here, let me. My arms are longer.” Alexander pours my coffee into my cup.
“Cream? Sugar.” He raises his eyebrow at me in question.
I hesitate to respond as I look at him, but I do. "Two sugars, one cream, please."
He puts it in my coffee and I grab the spoon to stir it, but he’s already mixing it with his spoon. He sets it down in front of me.
“Drink it before it gets cold.” He has this weird smile on his face, more like an upturned grimace.
I can't help but feel distrustful of his kindness, my boob is an example of how devious he can be.
I pick up my cup and watch him closely out of the corner of my eye.
It is only a matter of time before his pleasant facade changes.
I can sense it. Holding the warm cup to my lips, blowing across the top like I always do before I take a sip, my eyes close as the delicious taste of freshly roasted coffee beans coats my tongue.
Alexander is watching me, and I take another sip doing my best to ignore him.
“How’s your tit today?” He asks and puts a hunk of sausage in his mouth.
I forget to swallow and take a breath out of shock at his remark as the coffee enters my lungs.
The rest spills onto my plate as I cough and spit half of it back into my cup as I hold it in my shaky hand.
I wipe my face and cough as more liquid from my lips drips down my chin while attempting to place the cup back on the table.
As I inhale more air, more fluid is drawn into my lungs, which causes me to cough violently in an attempt to expel the liquid back out.
I’m really choking now.
With each breath I take I can feel the liquid dribbling deeper and I turn to the side, covering my mouth with one hand as I put the cup on the table with a shaking hand, spilling even more of the hot liquid all over the plate.
Alexander gets up, but I put my dripping hand out, stopping him.
I cough some more and finally, the coffee comes up. I grab my napkin and cover my mouth as I try to whip away the spittle without him seeing.
“Jesus, sorry I asked. Are you all right?” Alex is scowling at me like i’m a petulant child.
As I hold the napkin over my mouth, trying to cough like a lady, I nod my head. Most of my food is floating in coffee as I look down at my plate. I sniff a few times and then look at him. The heat is rising from my chest to my forehead. I’m probably purple from coughing as well.
“Sorry about that.” I pile my cutlery on top of my plate, covering the mess I made with my napkin, and stand trying my best to recoup from the humiliation of spiting coffee all over the place.
“Do you think I could just take this back to the kitchen? I’ll just grab a coffee and I can meet you out front.”
Alex is glaring at me and jabs his fork in the air, pointing at the door in the back of the room.
“Through those doors. The cook’s name is Rose. Don’t be long. I have a lot of shit to do today, so hurry and get your ass in the car.”
He stands up and throws his napkin on the table. I turn and take about five steps before I remember I was to tell him about Carlos.
“Oh… Carlos said to tell you he’s in the office.”
My face is on fire as he looks me up and down with disgust. He nods and walks out of the dining room leaving feeling like a total idoit.
My shoulders relax somewhat now that he is gone and I head to the back of the room.
I open the door and head to the kitchen.
There are three people bustling around and the older woman from last night is there. This must be Rose.
“Excuse me,” I say but the noise of the room drowned me out.
Raising my voice a little louder, “Excuse me?”
All eyes turn to me and the room stops. The only noise is the sizzle of pans and the tap running water in the sink.
“Ummm… hi!” I give a small wave. “I just thought I’d bring my dishes back. Is it possible to get coffee for my to-go mug?”
Rose immediately moves towards me, waving a hand at the people behind her who pick up where they left off.
She takes the dishes from my hands. Noticing the eggs and potatoes floating in coffee, she passes them off to a younger-looking girl with brown hair.