Olive Tree
Sabrina
Whack!
I clutched my cheek as my fiance slapped me. Tears flooded my eyes as my breath came in short gasps from taking him completely in my mouth.
“You can’t even do this properly,” He snarled, his fingers still twisted tight in my hair as he dragged my face closer again to his thickness.
His cock was still hard, glistening, inches from my swollen lips. “Open,” he ordered.
Maybe if I do this good, he’ll treat me better.
So I took him deep again, eyes fluttering shut, letting him fuck my mouth while my knees burned from sitting on marble floor for so long.
Tears slipped down my cheeks, mixing with the spit dripping from my chin and he soon came grunting, spilling down my throat without warning, like every time.
“Ahh” I winced as he suddenly gripped my throat. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re on your periods?” His disappointed voice reached my ears.
I disappointed him, again. I inhaled sharply, eyes squeezing shut.
This is my reality, where nobody loves me and the person I loved…left.
My face turned left as he slapped it from the back of his hand.
“Answer me!”
“Sorry—“
“Fuck off” he muttered, as he pushed me back hard enough to make me fall back on the floor. He walked out of the room, rattling the door shut, so loud that the painting above my bed shook.
Falling in love and being loved was my dream, one thing I wanted for myself in the life I am chained to.
I did fall in love, once, four years back but…
I squeezed my eyes shut, letting a tear slip down my cheek before placing my palm on cold marble floor and standing up on shaking legs. I walked toward the mirror and picked up my foundation.
I carefully dabbed it over the forming bruise. If my father saw the mark, I would only receive another slap for failing to hide it properly.
I had to look perfect today. At my engagement to Ryder Cassano, heir to the Cassano family, the mafia dynasty that ruled Belladonna, the same city where the Whitemores adopted me years ago.
I forced a smile at the girl staring back at me in the mirror. Black wavy hair. Pale ivory skin. Tired eyes.
It’s your fault. Be practical, I told myself.
After all, who would want sex when I was bleeding?
He did. I pushed the thought away as soon as it came.
The only time Ryder ever showed me affection was when he was inside me, so maybe I was pathetic for craving it so badly.
When he texted that he would arrive in twenty minutes, I shaved my legs, swallowed medicine for my cramps, and put on light makeup.
Stupid girl. He doesn’t care. The voice in my head rebuked me.
I pressed my fist to my lips and swallowed. The stubborn ache in my chest wouldn’t go away. I looked at the white engagement dress on my bed, knowing this dress would witness the day I become a Ryder’s sex doll.
***
I stepped into the grand hall of the Whitemore Estate with my friend, Ivana, by my side.
Her fingers tightened around my forearm as we walked toward Ryder while applause echoed around us.
“We can still run away together,” she whispered into my ear with complete seriousness.
For the first time in days, I smiled. “I wish I could,” I whispered back.
Ivana clicked her tongue softly. “I don’t like the way he talks to you.”
I glanced at her, her forehead was creased and she was glancing at everyone with disdain. A faint smile touched my lips, if only she knew everything else, she would probably sneak into my room in the middle of the night, kidnap me, and drag me out of Belladonna herself.
And the terrifying part?
I would let her.
If I didn’t belong to the Whitemores.
It was over for me, for today I was just a body, a pretty face brought up to nod and obey. Hope drained from my heart as I reached in front of Ryder.
He smiled at me, a charming smile, which would seem gentlemanly to everyone there except me. I know the monster behind, whose touch still lingered in purple marks across my skin.
He wrapped his fingers around my gloved hand too firmly, a reminder, I owe you.
“You’re beautiful”
He pressed a light kiss to my forehead and the ache rose so sharp that I blinked rapidly to stop the tears from falling. He knew how to treat a woman well, he always did in public but he chose not to, with me.
I stood silently beside him, eyes fixed on my white sandal as he said something on the mic.
“Who’s that?” Ivana’s soft voice reached my ear.
“Who?”
I followed her finger and my lips parted in shock. I couldn’t believe what I saw, my hands rose up to clutch my heart.
It can’t be him.
I shook my head and looked again. Same broad shoulders, same little smirk. He swirled a champagne glass in his hand as he talked to Ryder’s mother.
He left Belladonna. He told me he would never come back which means he lied to me. A fresh wave of tears flooded my eyes. Ivana was saying something…tall…hot but all I could do was curse myself for still remembering how he smelled, how he kissed my forehead every morning, how he made pasta for me every Saturday evening just because I mentioned it once and how he just left me…
“Hey are you okay?” Ivana held my hand but before I could answer…
“Sabrina!” A hand clamped around my arm. I looked up, mother.
“Why’re you looking sick?” Her nails dug into my skin. “Why didn’t you apply makeup properly? Trying to play the victim card?”
Ache in my chest intensified, tears filled my eyes blurring my mother’s beautiful yet cruel face.
I lowered my eyes but it wasn’t because of her today, it was because of him. Because I couldn’t fathom why he would be here that too on the day I am getting engaged.
“It’s a waste that he bought such an expensive ring for you, won’t suit you”
Right. I’m worthless.
I winced as she dug her nails further into my skin.
“Mrs whitemore…” Ivana tried. “It’s her engagement”
She didn’t look at her. “Interesting. Looks like charity guests were invited today too”
Ivana went quiet, and I felt so bad that she had to go through this because of me. My mother smirked at her verbal victory and left.
My arm kept stinging from where she held me. I again glanced at where he was standing, he wasn’t there anymore. Did I imagine him?
I could. I hallucinated about him for a long time after he left.
Soon, Ryder’s speech was over and we exchanged rings. I didn’t even look at the ring properly, just smiled like I was expected to.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom” I whispered to Ryder after at least thirty people congratulated us.
He whispered back in my ear “Return fast”
I nodded, held Ivana’s hand and moved towards the restroom. Midway Ivana crashed into somebody and a red drink spilled on her pale blue dress. I tried to hold her as she fell back but strong arms held her and she was straight again. She blinked “Wow”
I looked to see Mr Moretti. One of the very few good people of Belladonna.
She’ll be fine with him.
I didn’t wait for a second longer and rushed straight to the back door, opened it and ran through the garden my white dress flowing behind me.
I only stopped when I reached the huge olive tree at the end of the garden and sat behind it, escaping my harsh reality. I held my face in my hands and cried. Maybe the last time when I can cry freely.
A mother who hates me.a
A fiancée who will never appreciate me.
A man who I loved me, who I thought lovef me left me, and apparently also lied to me.
Why does nobody chooses me?
My shoulders shook as I cried my heart out, trying to find the strength to live the rest of my life. The ache of seeing him again, surpassed everything else. My mind couldn’t stop replaying how he ran behind me when I stole his sweatshirt, how he loved biting my lips…
I hit my head. Stop it!
“Hi”
I paused at the heavy, firm yet soft voice. I know that voice, from the bottom of my heart.
He stood in front of me. My eyes fell on his polished black shoes. I know these shoes.
Don’t look at him.
My heart thudded, despite knowing he lied to me, he left me.
I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. He had become so much more beautiful now, more masculine, beard covered his jaw and his skin had tanned making him look more ethereal.
Alex.
“Recognise me?” He asked.
