Laurent looked at the food and the lady who had now given up on her futile attempts to feed her as they lay on the floor, untouched.
"Hel..help me with some food" Laurent pleaded as she felt her stomach growl in pain.
"Please, eat," she said, scurrying to her side and picking up the bowl to feed her.
Kieran stared at the dark clothes that sat on the bed, waiting for him to have them on his skin.
"Boss, do not be offended by my question," Giovanni said, his head bowed slightly.
"Go on" he consented, taking off his robe.
"Why do you persist on keeping the girl?, she's quite stubborn," he asked "Do not take offense boss, I'm quite curious" he added.
A smirk escaped from Kieran's lips, turning to him "She's feisty, just like before, I'm happy she never changed" he scoffed, taking the glass of wine that sat on the side table.
"We have a history, she just doesn't remember me or our history," he said, taking a sip of the burgundy-colored wine as he walked to the window.
"Okay boss, I didn't intend to pry," Giovanni said "I'll be leaving if there's nothing you want me to do" He added, withdrawing himself to the door.
"Laurent Astrid, I'm never letting you out of my sight again," he said, taking a gulp of the remaining wine.
The next morning seemed rather too fast but not fast enough for Laurent, she looked over to the side of the bed, a hand laid on her head, his bare body next to her, his dark brown eyes showing more color. His hair lying still on the bed.
Laurent looked at him "Get out of here!" She yelled, awakening the unclothed man, his eyes slightly opening, adjusting himself, he placed his hand on the bed for support as he stared at the startled woman.
"I thought you would need some company since I cuffed you up alone," he said, a smirk forming on his lips.
She looked at her hand, still cuffed to the bed like a prisoner.
"Get me out of these cuffs, as you can see, I ate of my own accord" she persisted, wringing her hand uncontrollably.
"Careful, you don't want to cut your wrist" Kieran answered, getting up from her side.
"I'll get you out of those cuffs, if you promise you'll behave," he said, raising a brow.
"I'm not your dog…. I will never do what you ask of me" she said, averting his eyes as she turned sideways.
He stared at her long enough to bore holes into her head and then he came closer, leaning in, so much so, that his face seemed only inches apart from hers.
"Well.. that wasn't a negotiation, that was a command," he said, pulling away from her gaze.
"Get her the clothes and the keys on the table, unlock the cuffs, and get her dressed," he said, turning to the maid at the door who stood, quivering, taking the robe from across the bed.
Kieran wore his robe before exiting the room, he paused, turning to her "Don't make a fuss, just wear what you're given" he said as he headed out of the room.
"Why would I want to wear what he's picked out?" She scoffed as the young maid quickly grabbed the small key and rushed over to her side.
"Miss.." she said, quivering, looking at the door, her face pale, her eyes moving side to side.
"What is it? Tell me?" Laurent asked, her hands still cuffed to the side.
"The boss is a very scary man, you mustn't get on his bad side," she said, her hands shaking as she put the tiny key to open up the cuff.
"He's not just a normal man" she added, pulling closer to her "He's the strongest mafia leader in the whole country. The others are quite scared of him" she whispered.
"That doesn't mean that I'll succumb to him," Laurent said, pulling off her hand from the loosened cuff.
"Thank you" she muttered, taking her wrist as she noticed the red mark on her hands
"Here's the dress," the maid said, holding up a black laced gown.
"I'm not wearing that" she protested, furrowing her brows at the dress.
"Please, miss, just wear the dress, it'll be better to do this than let him face you" the maid pleaded, holding the dress in her arms.
"I won't wear it! You can tell those guards to tell him to get me something at least more appropriate if we're leaving the house" she said, folding her arms.
The maid, seeing how futile her efforts had been, walked out calmly.
"Please tell the master….th..the guest..she's unwilling to wear the dress" she stuttered.
"What right does she have to give the boss orders?!" Salvatore asked, his eyes reddening.
"Just shut it!" Giovanni said in a deep voice, intervening, his lips curled, his eyes low, one who hadn't encountered the boss once before would mistake him for the leader of the mafia group.
"I'll relay the message, take the dress back to her room," he said to the maid before heading to Kieran's room.
"Boss, we have a problem," Giovanni said.
"She refused to put on the dress" Kieran answered, buttoning the sleeve of his shirt as he stood, looking at the mirror, his black shirt looked rather eloquent instead of casual.
"Tell everyone to leave her room and the door" he ordered, walking to Laurent's room.
Giovanni nodded slightly and quickly heeded his order and made himself and everyone else scarce.
"What's this about not wanting the dress?" He asked, closing the door almost immediately.
"I'm not going to wear that" she answered "Especially when you've gifted it, I'm not going anywhere with you either" she added angrily.
"Really?" he asked, a smile formed on his face.
"What's so amusing?" She asked, her eyes boring holes into his head.
"You, you're amusing" he answered, walking towards her.
"Stay away" she warned, pointing at him.
"You're mine now Laurent and you'll do what I ask of you, or else. I'll make you get into the dress" he said, leaning closer to her, his face inches apart from hers.
"You wouldn't dare," she said "You can't" she added.
"Watch me" he answered, taking hold of her wrist and pulling her in his grasp "I'm never letting go of you, Laurent, not anymore," he said, determination in his eyes.