Damned: Chapter 7) Pain & Pleasure

What did he just say?

My throat felt suddenly sore and my insides clenched in the most confused manner.

What did he just say?

Turning to me, he locked his eyes to mine. The blue seemed to almost suck me in and take me deep under, straight to his infernal soul.

Getting off the bed, he neared me. Every step he took, I felt an immense rush of weakness wash over me. He was too close now, way past my personal space boundaries. Gently placing his hands on my shoulders, his desirous expression seemed to falter and was soon replaced by a low wicked chuckle. It was too wicked to even be hot.

“Sweetheart.” he cooed leaning his stubbly face closer to mine, gently kissing my neck, “What a gullible little thing you are.”

Trying to push him away from me, he locked me in his arms.

“You bastard.” I breathed, embarrassment drowning me.

 His chuckle seemed to turn into somewhat of a vile laugh, such a maniac. He was the incarnation of the bloody devil. Within a second, he nonchalantly pushed me aside and dropped himself back on the bed in laughter.

“Come on, Angel,” he tried to stop himself from smiling and held a hand out to me, “Let’s sleep together, and tomorrow we’ll have nine kids and be happily married.”

The sarcasm was dripping with such humour in his voice.

I honestly never felt this pathetic in my entire life. Before I could even open my mouth to say another word, I ran into the bathroom. My emotions were all over the place. I was angry, confused, embarrassed, and distraught- I was so unsure.

No. No. Don’t feel like this!

Why was I feeling like this?

What was wrong with me?

God, I hate being on my period.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath and tried to swallow the agony that I just caused upon myself. He’s such a bastard. I hate him more than I ever did right now! Who did he think he was to keep playing with my emotions like that? My anger almost knocked me over but thank God I had at least a little self-control in order.

Giving myself a time out, I opened the door out to the room after five minutes.

He wasn’t there.

Thank God.

I noticed that at the side of the room, my suitcase was neatly placed. Maybe it would be a good idea to take a bath. I needed to cool down anyway, just to relax. Grabbing whatever clothes I needed, I headed back to the bathroom and filled the tub. I removed my clothes, threw my robe over me, and sat on the vanity of his bathroom. Again, it was such an elegant place to be in, mixed with a pinch of modern men’s style.

Leaning my head against the mirror, I closed my eyes.

“Katrina!” a voice roared, suddenly bringing me back to my senses.

Jumping off the vanity, I quickly closed the tap and listened until the beast spoke again.

“So help me God, if you don’t open this bloody door right now I swear I would fucking murder you inside there and enjoy it.”

“Calm your tortillas, Grandpa, I’d be done soon.” I retorted with a tired yawn, frustrated at him.

“I’ve been waiting for over one hour.” his voice seemed impatient.

One hour? Wow, I really knocked out.

“What are you doing in there?” he knocked on the door in annoyance, “Open the bloody door for me right now.”

“Um…no?” I scoffed sitting back on the vanity spitefully.

I swore I even heard him growl at me, “Open. This. Door.”

“I’m indecent you idiot.”

“Katrina!” he seethed and in the exact moment, the door swung open, causing me to jump off the vanity.

“Vitaly!” I squealed in angst upon seeing him. 

“Yobanaya suka.”

“Look, I find it highly disrespectful to enter upon a lady when she’s indecent.” I scowled tightening the robe around me.

“I’m tired of your shit, Miss Donovan,” he stated walking towards me.

“And I’m tired of you, Mr. Rostov.”

For some reason, I took a step back for every one he took towards me.

“Are you?” he asked with a wicked tease.

“Y-yes.” I staggered a bit.

“My sweet little baby’s afraid of me?”

“I never said I was afraid. I said I’m tired of you.”

He smiled in content.

Taking one more fatal step back, I tripped and plunged into the tub. Vitaly looked at me in almost pity and he shook his head. Trying to get up, I couldn’t. My ankle ached so badly I couldn’t even stand up.

“Let me help you.” he smiled extending his hand towards me while leaning over the tub.

“No! I don’t need your stupid help!” I slapped his hand away, attempting to get up but it was futile.

Almost as if waiting for me to say that, he suddenly scooped me up, into his arms.

“What are you doing? Put me down! Put me down right now!” I frowned hitting him uselessly on the chest.

“You really are a pain, Donovan.”

He placed me on the sofa nearby and stooped to my level, “Show me.”

“What?”

“Where you’re hurt.”

“No.”

At that precise moment, he pulled my ankle for his view.

“You bastard!” I cried.

“Be quiet, you’re giving me a headache.”

“Don’t touch me!” I tried pulling away but he kept a sturdy hand on me.

“Nothing’s wrong with you, you’ll be fine,” he stated grazing his hand on my foot.

There was something about the way he was touching me, slowly moving his hand up to my calf. I was having this odd sensation, it felt drugging almost.

“Stop.” I forced myself to say and turned my head slightly away, “Your girlfriend wouldn’t like this.”

He chuckled at that, “There you go again.”

“Just leave me alone. Please. I promise I’ll get ready quickly.” my voice felt almost sore.

“Let me help you.”

“Help me what?” I arched an eyebrow, suddenly realizing what he meant.

“It won’t be long.”

“No. No way.” I pulled away from him, “No.”

Why did it sound like I was trying to convince myself?

“You’re being stubborn, Katherine.”

“No, I’m being decent. I’m not one of your call-girls, Vitaly.”

He stared at me for more than a few seconds than he usually does, “I never said you were.”

Breaking contact, he got up and walked towards the door, “Be quick.” he said and closed it.

I did. Luckily, my ankle stopped aching a bit and I was able to function a little normally. Quickly slipping on an oversized sweater and pajama shorts, I entered his room. He sat, leaning on the headboard of the bed, with a laptop and coffee in hand.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, keeping his eyes glued to the screen.

“No.”

“When was the last time you ate?”

“I told you I’m not hungry.”

“You’re such a child.” he furrowed his eyebrows.

A suddenly thought washed over me, “W-where do I sleep?”

“Here.”

“But I don’t see another bed.” I frowned.

He didn’t answer.

“No. I won’t.” I replied, understanding what he meant.

“Then you’ll sleep on the floor.”

“I’m not sleeping with you, Vitaly.”

“Your choice, Angel.”

Turning the laptop off and placing the coffee at the side, he dimmed the lights and fixed himself to sleep. My body ached from today and there was no way I was going to sleep comfortably on the cold hard floor. Swallowing my ego, I got on the other side of the bed and grabbed a few pillows placing them between us.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a raspy voice.

“Making a barrier, so don’t you dare even dream of crossing this and touching me or else.”

He chuckled, “Or else what?”

“I will murder you in your sleep.”

“Blunt. I like it.” he laughed.

I sank myself into the sweet goodness of the bed and let the softness heal me. This felt wonderful. Now I’m glad I didn’t sleep on the ground.

“You know,” I began, staring at the ceiling, “I never met anyone from the Mafia.”

“You don’t say.”

“Listen, Mr. Piss-Me-Off, you could try to at least be nice to me.”

“Nice? What is that?”

I rolled my eyes and was covered with the blanket. He was just too much.

When I thought no one would talk again, he spoke breaking the silence, “Natalia’s my sister. So before your curiosity kills you, you should know. We’re all family.”

Turning towards him, I smiled in triumph, “Are you opening up to me, Mr. Rostov?”

“No. I’m just telling you so that you know your place and where you stand in this house.”

Asshole.

The sunshine licked my face, forcing my eyelid to peel open. Sitting myself up, I stretched and yawned looking around the empty room. Vitaly was nowhere to be seen, which was good. Looking at the bed, I realized that I was on his side and my pillow barrier was scattered elsewhere on the bed. How the hell did I get here?

Getting off the bed, I felt much better than I did yesterday. Someone softly knocked on the door and entered.

“Good morning, Miss Donovan.” Maria smiled.

“Good morning, Maria. How are you?”

Yep, I was definitely in an oddly great mood today.

“Oh, I’m fine madam. What would you like to have for breakfast today?”

“You’re asking me?” It was funny because I almost felt like a princess being asked in that matter.

“Well of course.”

Before I could say another word, someone interrupted at the door.

“Feed her what we serve the dogs. She’ll like that.” Natalia smirked.

Well, my morning just completely flopped. I’d rather Vitaly than her and that’s saying quite a lot.

“You don’t have a lot of friends, do you?” I arched an eyebrow.

Boldly, she walked into the room. “Listen suka, you should learn when to shut that mouth of yours.”

“Why? Afraid of the truth?”

“Don’t make the mistake of feeling special darling. Vitaly is only reasonable to you because he wants something. When he gets it then that’s it.”

“You don’t have to tell me what I already know. Now please leave.” I frowned.

Natalia took one more step towards me and seethed, “Know that if he hadn’t spoken to me, then I would without a doubt kill you.”

And with that, she twisted her hips out of the room.

Turning around, I pulled my clothing tighter to my body and walked in the same manner Natalia did.

“Miss Donovan.” Maria laughed, “What are you doing?”

“Oh! I’m just twisting my ass like Natalia. Is this alright Maria?” I asked walking as disrespectfully as I could.

“Miss, you’re too much.” Maria laughed shaking her head in disbelief.

“Oh! Or should I walk sluttier? Is this slutty enough Maria?” I continued hiking my clothing up higher and tighter, twisting my hips like a tornado.

“Miss,” Maria’s voice suddenly wavered.

“What? Is this not indecent enough? Should I walk naked then?” My teeth edged, angry at the witch that came to me.

“Miss Donovan,” Maria called again.

Taking a step back, I bumped into a rock-like body.

Dropping my clothes and untightening them, my eyes widened at the person in front of me.

Shit.

Vitaly stared down at me with a smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.

“I’d like to see that.” His voice was cool and silky like melted dark chocolate in winter.

 He looped an arm around my waist and pushed me back. I tried not to make eye contact with him. God, this was too embarrassing. Chuckling, he turned to Maria, “Leave, I’d like to spend some time with, Miss Donovan.”

“No! W-why does she need to leave? M-maria you stay right here.”

“Wouldn’t that make things awkward, Angel?” he teased.

For the first time in my life, I felt unsure of how to respond.

“Leave now,” Vitaly’s stated in a harsher tone towards the maid who left at once.

“You didn’t have to scold her.” I frowned.

“Now who are you to tell me how I should speak?”

“Stop it Vitaly, you’re hurting me.”

“Last night,” he began in an annoyed manner releasing me and walking towards the window. He stuck his hand in his pocket and rubbed his stubbly chin almost looking for words. I couldn’t help but noticed how on point this man was with his dark suits.

“What about last night? What did you do to me? So help me God Rostov, I warned you.”

“It’s what you did to me, Angel.”

“What?”

“You’re fucking nuts at night.”

“Well since you put it that way.” I arched an eyebrow nonchalantly.

“I mean, you toss and turn and kick way too much, Donovan. Is that normal for you?”

“Hey, you wanted me to share the bed. Your funeral.” I scoffed.

“You need to get out of that habit.”

“Okay, daddy.”

He turned around with an indecipherable expression, “Do something about that Donovan or you’re sleeping on the floor next time.”

With that being said, he walked past me, out the door.

Well, he was a reasonable man.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to get myself together. These people in this house were going to drive me insane. More than I ever was. Well, you know what they say, if you can’t beat them- join them. Maybe if I did things differently I would get a better result. With a grin, I decided to put that plan into action.

Quickly getting dressed, I rushed out the room and down the staircase in jeans and a casual sweater with dinosaurs. Yeah, I’m such a rebel. Looking into the kitchen, I saw just the person I wanted to find.

“Natalia!” I smiled brightly, walking up to the girl who was making breakfast.

She arched an eyebrow at me, mixed with repugnance and confusion.

“Let me help you.” I offered and took another onion up to chop.

“What do you want?” she scowled.

“Well, I was thinking. I’m going to be here for some time and it isn’t very healthy for us to constantly be bickering. So, how about we bury that hatchet and become best friends, what do you say?”

“Best friends? What are you five?” she rolled her eyes, “You have no place here, Donovan. Stay in your corner.”

Breathe Kat. Breathe.

“I’m just trying to make peace with you, Natalia. We don’t have to be friends to do that.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Katherine.” She shook her head, staring at the knife in her hand, “There is no peace here. I suggest if you’re looking for that then you should leave.”

“I’m not giving up on my brother.” I stated, standing my ground, “If you were in my position what would you do?”

“I’d run.”

“Maybe that’s the difference between you and me.” I sighed.

“No Kathrine, I’ve seen the world. It’s a cruel place. People aren’t as you see them be.”

“And Vitaly?”

Natalia stopped and turned to me, she didn’t hold that antagonist look again. There was something else in her expression that I wasn’t able to read. Before she could say another word, Maria interrupted.

“Mr. Rostov asked for tea.”

“Vitaly?” Natalia asked.

“Yes.”

“Then make it,” she sighed as she continued to chop the vegetables.

Maria went to the other side of the counter preparing the tea. Walking up to her, I watched as she made the drink.

“Is this the same which you made for me that day?”

“Yes, Miss Donovan.” Maria smiled.

“It was bitter.” I confessed, “Does he like it like that?”

“He hadn’t made any complaint against it.”

“Well, maybe I can fix it?” I smiled collecting some other of the ingredients to add to it.

Maria stood there in a horrid manner, “Miss if he doesn’t like it, he won’t be happy.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the blame. What’s the worst he can do to me?”

“You have no idea,” Natalia chuckled while preparing a dish.

With a pinch of ingredient one, a dash of ingredient two, and a few drops of ingredient three to the tea, I smiled tasting it.

Not bad for someone who can’t cook. Not bad at all.

Maria hesitantly took a sip and by her facial expression, I was assured that it was much better than the original recipe.

“What if he doesn’t like the new taste?” Maria asked in concern.

“I’ll give him.” I smiled pouring the tea into the cup and neatly placed it on the tray, “Where is he?”

“In the office, second room on the third floor.”

“Sure you want to do that, Donovan?” Natalia asked.

“Very,” I replied.

Upon arriving at the third floor, it wasn’t very difficult to find the room. With a soft knock on the door, I heard a nonchalant voice allow me in.

Vitaly sat at the huge leathered chair behind the massive porch desk in the middle of this completely breath-taking office room. The entire back wall of the room was a fitted window that gave a view of the endless green estate he owned. He hadn’t noticed me as he was deeply engrossed in some sort of paperwork. Maybe it was his murder list or something? Santa’s been naughty this year.

I sat at the chair opposite him and his eyes suddenly jumped to mine.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, perplexed.

“Tea,” I smiled sweetly placing it in front of him.

“Right.” He sighed continuing his work, ignoring me.

Nonchalantly lifting the cup, he took a sip while writing. I tried to find any difference in his expression but there was none. He took another sip and still nothing. He was such a rock. Well, that was a complete waste of my time. I was about to leave when I heard a soft short laugh from him.

“It’s delicious.” He smiled.

I blinked completely unsure of what I was seeing. Was he smiling?

“What?”

“This tea you made for me, it’s quite lovely.” His smile soon faded and he stared at the cup, “You should make this more often.”

For some reason, I felt filled with content.

“Well,” I gave a short sweet laugh, “I usually charge.”

“And you’re cost is?” he smirked.

“A smile.”

“What?” he laughed.

“I like it when you smile, it makes me believe you’re human and not some evil dictator.”

“I assure you, Miss Donovan, I am some evil dictator.”

“Vitaly, how long would it take to find my brother? What did you do to Cara? Please, for God’s sake, please tell me.”

“You only asked for a smile.” He teased.

“Vitaly, please. I’m serious.” Now I was more than desperate.

“I already told you that your friend is fine.”

“Did you hurt her?” I asked in dread.

“No. For the matter, she hurt herself.”

“What?”

“She fell and hit her head before I could even threaten her. Poor thing lost consciousness.”

“Oh my God, where is she?” I panicked.

“It’s funny how things work in my favour, don’t you think Miss Donovan?”

“I don’t understand, what are you talking about? Where is Cara?”

“I had someone take her to the hospital. She regained consciousness but can’t remember what had happened that night. You should consider yourself lucky.”

“And why is that?”

“Because your friend and you would be dead if she remembered and ran her mouth, you don’t know the measures I put in place to prevent the persons who break the code.”

He was right. I was lucky. Honestly, I was an idiot to even get Cara involved. I just panicked and I guess I didn’t know what to do at that point in time. I’m just thankful she’s fine now.

“I’m still working on finding that brother of yours.” He looked away and clenched his fist, “There’s a function tonight and I expect you to be with me.”

“A function? What kind?”

“Just be ready by eight.”

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