I trembled as his bloodstained hands caressed my cheeks, my body weak from crying nonstop.
"Please, I want to leave here," I murmured, twisting my hands in the cords. "Please let me go." I begged.
Something danced in his orbs—amusement.
He said nothing for a moment, but his next words knocked the winds right out of me.
"The only way I'd let you go is by killing you, amor. You know too much now," he stated, and with that, he turned to leave.
At his signal, Hugo untied me and led me back to my room. My feet wobbled as I walked.
All I wanted to do was disappear. Luca hadn't shown it if he believed all that Ricci had said, so I didn't know what to expect.
Thankfully, Hugo was a bit more patient with me and didn't drag me like Luca had. I winced at every junction, and he waited for me to catch my breath.
When I got to my room, he opened the door and only gave a curt nod of solidarity before shutting the door behind him.
Once I got to the room, I placed my back to the door and slid down it. That was a damned close. I couldn't believe I was still alive. I had thought they Luca hadn't believed me about Ricci, but it turned out that he did, and he had made his investigations.
Ricci was dead now, and it was almost unbelievable. A part of me felt relieved that I wouldn't have to watch over my shoulder so much, but I knew that wasn't true.
As long as the person who had tried to posion hadn't been found, I couldn't be free. In fact, as long as I was in Luca's mansion, I could never be free.
I pulled myself up with much effort and trudged to the bathroom to give myself a good bath after the events of today.
Luca's last words played in my head over and over again.
"The only way I'd let you go is by killing you, amor. You know too much now."
It made me want to get this mission over with and step into my freedom. It made me want to awaken from this terrible nightmare.
My body was red now as I scrubbed it repeatedly, trying to erase the disgusting feel of Ricci's hands on me. I could almost still feel the crawling sensation. It sent a chill down my spine.
I remained in the bathroom until a knock came at the door.
"W-Who is it?" I choked out.
A female answered, "Ma'am, are you alright in there? It's been over an hour."
I sniffled, opening the shower again to wash away the tears that wouldn't stop flowing.
"I'm fine," I croaked. "Please leave. I really don't want to have anyone around."
There ws a slight pause before the voice responded, "But the don asked me to arrange a spa for you."
My heart skipped a beat. "What?"
"Yes, ma'am. Please hurry up, or I have strict orders to being you out myself."
My eyes widened, and I rounded up my bath. The last thing I wanted was to be bundled out naked.
I slipped into the connecting closet and shrugged on a simple flowery gown that stopped at my knees. The cotton material gave me a tiny sense of comfort.
My reflection in the wardrobe mirror almost sent me flying back in shock. I had a dark eye from Ricci's punch, and my cheek was swollen. My neck had also turned dark red from his choking.
Shame enveloped me. I didn't want to be seen like this. I peeked out of the closet to see over three ladies prepping my bed and laying some instruments on it.
I thought of dabbing makeup to hide them, but a knock came at my door again. It was impatient this time.
"Mrs. Castillo, I'm coming in in ten seconds."
My eyes widened, and I rushed out with my head lowered. I didn't want anyone giving me looks of pity and wondering what happened to me.
The woman came over to me and lifted my head slowly. I recognised her instantly. She was the one who had told me to be careful of accusing the wrong person. She looked older and reminded me of my mother in a way.
"Oh, mi cariño," she gushed, taking my face in her hand and caressing the swollen parts softly. Her eyes were warm. "Come here and let these professionals paper you."
I let her lead me to the team. They only looked at me and nodded before heading to my bathroom.
"Where are they going?" I questioned the woman, but she only smiled.
"They are preparing your spa bath."
I didn't understand a word of what she had said until I was in the 'spa bath'. I had to press my lips into a thin line to refrain from releasing a sound of pure pleasure. This was bliss.
I did feel a little pain and discomfort when they massaged my back and my face, but every other aspect of it was pure luxury and perfection.
By the time they were done with they massage and treatments, I could swear I was in heaven already. My body felt much lighter, and my face even ached a bit less.
"Thank you so much," I said to no one in particular as they gathered their things to leave, but only the older woman responded to me.
"Oh nonsense. Thank your husband, mi cariño," she laughed before turning to leave.
I suddenly missed her warmth. I didn't want her to leave. Her humour and motherly warmth had made me feel even lighter than the spa had. "Um, you didn't tell me your name."
She paused and, with a toothy grin, responded, "I'm Lucia, mi muñeco."
"Nice to meet you, Lucia. You remind me of my mum," I stated, a warm smile gracing my face.
She placed her hand on her chest with doe-eyes and went off saying some things I didn't understand in Spanish before pulling me into a small hug.
"Thank you, Lucia."
She was about to pull away when I remembered something. "Lucia, you said I was suspecting the wrong people when I got poisoned. Do you know something I don't?"
She paused slightly, her eyes avoiding mine...