THE ITALIAN BOSS

CHAPTER 7: THE COLLAR

ANASTASIA GRIFFITHS

I couldn't wait to go home, but this devil was surely taking his own time. I hate him so much for what he has just done to me. He violated me and he does not seem to be remorseful. The least he has done was to nurse my wounds. The leather whip has teared up my skin so bad on my butt—I cannot even sit down properly on the chair; even though he put a pillow for me to sit on.

"Eat your food, signore." He says, while taking a spoonful in his mouth.

"I'm not hungry." I said.

"I was not asking you, Ana. Eat your food or I will have to force it down to your throat." He warned, but I was not moved.

"Oh well, if you care so much about this food, you can eat it. I'm going home." I flinched to the pain, getting up. He banged the table with his fists and gave me the 'I dare you' look.

"Signora, you are so beautiful, but you are making me angry. I would hate to repeat what I did to you. Sit down and eat your food." He said so calmly, one would swear that he is sane.

"My daughter is waiting for me at home. She will not go to bed unless I am there, sir."

"Maurizio. Call me Maurizio. And, your daughter will have to get used to you being absent. You are going to spend most of your nights here. Sit your ass down and I will drive you home." Most of my nights here? Oh no… this is my first and last time I ever set my foot here. He would rather kill me, because I am never coming here.

"You are the devil himself, why would I want to be here most of the nights?" He cackled.

"Oh, that I am and I am glad that you know that too. And I believe you know what I am capable of doing already." I slowly sat back on the chair. "I need chef at my cafeteria. You will start working as from tomorrow and I mean it this time. 8AM sharp or the worst can happen to you and your family. I will have your house bill sorted, school fees, your mother's hospital bill, and the stay-in nurse. You just need to come to work at my Cafeteria every day. You get your salary month end."

"How do you know about my home situation?" He seemed to know more about me already. Has he been following me?

"I have my ways."

"You have no right to invade my privacy!" He chuckled.

"I run this town, so I have every right to know who's who and what they do in my territory!"

"You are demented." He rolls his green eyes.

"Whatever. Now, what is it going to be?" I sigh.

"It is a tempting offer, but I know that nothing is for free. So, what is it in for you?" This bastard smirks at me. I knew it that he wants something and it can't be good.

"Why don't we give it time. Get comfortable first at your new job and just think about the good and comfortable life that you can give your daughter."

***

Throughout the whole way home, I kept thinking about the offer. I felt like a load has already been lifted off my shoulders — that's how tempting it is, but I am not sure if I should accept it or not. It is tempting, but like, what if I pay for the price for the rest of my life – with my life even?

"I hope you are not thinking about that boy. If you know what is good for you, you will stay away from him." He brings me back from my thoughts and I stare at him so confused.

"Huh?"

"If I ever know that you have secret meetings with that Lorenzo boy… I think you already know what is going to happen." This man is dominating my life!

"Lorenzo is my…"

"Go in, you have to rest, because you are starting a new job tomorrow." He cut me. I stare outside and I only realise now that we've been standing at the driveway of my house.

Without thinking twice, I hold the door handle attempting to open it and get away from this devil, but he pulls my arm and grabs my neck, before he forcefully kiss me aggressively.

As much as I tried to free myself, he was very tight and strong on me. He sucked and bit my lips so painfully, my tears started forming in my eyes. I managed to hit him on his cheek with my fist, that is when he let go. He smirked and unlocked the door. This time, I managed to get out and free myself to the house. Without even looking at who is still awake, I ran upstairs to my bedroom and locked myself in there. Ignoring the whip-pains, I slid down to the floor and I cried, silently.

"Mommy, open!"

"Beverly, not now!" I yell. I should have not done that, because she started crying outside the door.

I slowly got up from the floor and opened the door. Her back is facing me and her head is looking down… softly sobbing. I carry her and she wraps her arms around my neck, burying her head on my chest.

"Did you eat?" That's the first thing I say to her. She shakes her head.

I sat her on the bed and took out the lunch box from my handbag. It is the food I brought from Mr Fe… Maurizio. It is enough for two people, but I'm okay.

"I'm sorry my baby, okay? Stop crying now and eat. I'll go and get your juice downstairs."

Oh my God, my mom. Has she eaten? Is her nappy clean? Again, I ignore my pain and rush downstairs. "Sis, where have you been? Are you alright?" Junior inspects me in the kitchen.

"Ek is alright. Waar is ma? Did she eat?" (I'm okay. Where is mom?)

"Yes, leftovers. She is sleeping in the guest room. The nurse was here earlier and said that she was already paid for the job. She will move in the house as of tomorrow." Okay, that is a relief. I am tired for the night. I was abused very badly and all I want to do is sleep.

"Okay. And what about you? Did you have anything to eat?" My siblings can't even cook to save their lives!

"No, but it's okay. You don't have to cook for us. You look exhausted. It's a little late by the way." I smile at him, because I really want him to sleep with a fed tummy, but I will just give him the food that's left in the lunch box. Beverly won't eat everything on her own.

"Uhm, where is my daughter's carton of juice?" They know very well that they should never touch what's for my daughter to eat. I mean, I always make sure that I buy juice for my daughter and another one for them, because my daughter also has to carry it for lunch at school.

"I don't know. The men surely put everything back to place; I saw them."

"Then where is it? It's not here!"

"What's that you are looking for?" Sandra asks, walking into the kitchen holding a carton of what looks like my daughter's juice!

"Where the hell did you get the permission to have that?"

"Oh, this? Gosh, it's so nice I wish there was more." She proudly says.

"You come into my family's home and you don't know what is what, yet you think you have a right to anything in this house? I wasn't there when you made that baby, so don't you involve me in your pregnancy. If you want a juice, go and find work so you can afford it. Dare to touch things that aren't yours without asking, I will kick you out. In fact, you are going back to your parents tomorrow. You are not my responsibility." I pushed her out my way and went back upstairs.

I have a lot of responsibilities and I certainly don't need more. I really mean it though, I am not going to take care of another child who is probably coming from a privileged family. I have my own problems too.

"Dude! Just get me through Mr Two-Sec, please," I was on my way back to my room when I heard Dewald in the bathroom talking to someone, probably in the phone. "I want to join the gang, come on. Okay, Friday it is then." The door opened and he stepped out of the bathroom.

"Were you listening to my private conversation!?" He shouts at me.

"Dewald; have you lost your respect? What happened to you?"

"People change Anastasia! Stay out of my business. Oh, and… I'm not your father's son, remember?" He walked away, whistling.

"I hope that you know what you are doing, Dewald. Whoever that Two-Sec is, I hope that he will help you raise your child."

***

Two weeks later, without any problem I had already started working at at Maurizio's company cafeteria. He hasn't bothered me ever since, but I do see him often. He has been very neutral when I was around him, like he had forgotten that he almost killed me.

Either way, the staff here is very kind – not knowing if they are afraid of 'The Italian Boss' or they are only being professional.

Tomorrow it is a Good Friday and I got paid today. I was thinking of passing by the shops and by ingredients for tomorrow. I want to cook the best meal for my family, while they will be attending the church service in the morning. Pity, this year I will have to stay home and prepare lunch for my family and while I'm on it, hide Easter Eggs which I will buy as soon as I go to the shops after work.

"Easter breads are ready to be served!" I shout at the waitress in charge.

"You make your job look so easy!" Denis, the waitress says as she collects the plates. Funny how this is a company cafeteria, but the staff that works here are forever ordering food as if they don't have work to do. But, I'm not complaining. They love my food, even though they put so much pressure on me.

"What can I say; I love what I do."

"And they love you too… Oh, here comes the boss." She says, scurrying away out of the kitchen.

Oh-oh! He doesn't look happy. Someone is about to get fired. Wait, I think I'm getting fired. Why is he looking at me like that? Why is he coming to me?

"Leave us!" He orders everyone out of the kitchen and stands in front of me, with his hands in his pockets. Everyone runs out, and I also want to follow them, but as I was about to, he held my arm and sternly said "stay".

When everyone was out, he let out a sigh. "Are you avoiding me, signora?" He asked.

"Huh? Sir, why would I?" I asked, so confused. I can feel his eyes piercing on me – I don't dare to look at his green eyes. They are very intimidating.

"I summoned you hours ago, signora." Oh God, he really did and I forgot.

"Signore, it was hectic in here, even I didn't even have lunch. I had a lot of oders to prepare."

"Look at me, signora." He says, already lifting my face at him. When I did not expect it, he hold me waist, lifting me to sit on the empty counter, right where I prepare the food.

"Sir, you can't do this. It is not appropriate." He spreads my legs apart – exposing my underwear beneath my skirt and gets in between them.

With his hands massaging my waist, he leans to my face, to the crook of my neck and whispers;

"I can do anything I want, anywhere I want. Now, next time when I call you, you leave everything and obey to me, am I clear?" My heart is already beating out of my chest, through my chef uniform. He licks my lips before he pulls my lower lip between his teeth. "Am I clear?" I still don't answer.

He then attacks my neck with his mouth, devouring it and I quickly push him away from me.

"Are you challenging me, signora?" He looked pissed as he asked. I silently prayed, asking God to save me out of this.

"I don't want any trouble, sir."

"Then stop causing one!" Firmly, he said. He then forced his mouth again on my neck, giving it a harsh bite, and I let out a moan. That is when he released me and plastered that devilish smirk. I was at the verge of crying, but I won't.

"Get your butt off my counter and clean it up. Be sure to be at my office when you knock off." He keeps his face serious and I finally breathe out as soon as he leaves the kitchen. I get off the counter and i started cleaning it, while the waiters and waitresses enter the kitchen, giving me questioning eyes. I feel like I was being discussed out there.

"Are you f*****g with the boss?" Denis blurts out and I choke on my own saliva.

"What!? No, how do you take me?"

"Well, he is a snack. I would definitely jump into the opportunity to be his mistress. Do you know, he used to f**k with…" Did I tell you that she is the paparazzi of this company? She knows everything. I wouldn't be surprised if she was dishing out lies about me just now.

"Denis, in order for us to leave on time, can we finish our work?"

"No problem, we will continue this gossip after work." See what I mean?

***

I took steady breathing before I knocked at his door.

"In!" He shouted and I walked in. He had his eyes on the computer screen, while he was typing something on it. "Two seconds, and I will be with you." He said.

I sat down on the couch and admired the humongous windows. I really like the view; one would swear that this skyscraper has gotten in the clouds. It is so high and I can clearly view the whole city from here.

"Beautiful, signora. Do you love it?" I shifted my eyes from the windows, to him. He has turned his chair, leaning back on it, facing me. Has he been staring at me?

"It's nice." I quietly say.

"See that grey box over there? Take it, it's yours." He points at the cabinet. I slowly got up and fetched the box. I was scared of refusing.

"Choker?" I asked. He got up and stood in front of me.

"In my world, I call this a collar." It is a silver collar, with a heart shaped lock. "Let me help you," He takes a small key out from his pocket and unlocks it.

"I can't wear that." I step back.

"Oh yes you will." He places it around my neck and locks it in. "With this on your neck, I own you. I dominate you and you can never say no to me. I own you… I own your life. Only when I release that collar off you, you will be freed from me. Otherwise, I am your master, and you are my little girl. You are going to listen to me. When I call you, be it at night or morning, busy or not I want you to answer." He ran his hands all over my body, until he reached my v****a.

"Sir, please don't do this."

"Signora, I can't. Remember, you said you will do anything right? This is what I want you to do. Be my sub."

"And if I don't submit to you?" I bite my lower lip after asking.

"There will be consequences. We don't want to go there now do we?" I swallow hard. "Go now and think about it. I have work to finish. Happy Easter." He went back to his desk, throwing the key back in the small pocket of his shirt.

***

'Happy Easter, Signora. See you in a few!' – Enzo. I smiled at his message. I invited him over for lunch.

It is finally the good Friday that I have been preparing for. Junior, Sandra and my daughter had gone to church, but they should be here now. As for Dewald, I don't know where he went to and I won't even bother myself asking.

I looked at myself on the full length mirror in my room. How will I explain this collar on my neck? The bruise on my neck? My mother, the only person I wish I can talk to, but she is the reason I am being owned by the 33 year old Italian man. I don't know what to expect from him – what he might do to me. He keeps harassing me and feels that he has the right to, because he saved me and my family from being homeless.

I quickly wipe my tears and fix my knee length cotton winter dress — thankfully it's a polar neck and it's covering the collar. I think I heard voices downstairs.

"Mommy, we are back. Look what the pastor gave me, mommy." Beverly excitedly shows me her bunny toy and an Easter egg.

"Did you say thank you?" I ask her with a smile.

"Yes."

"Okay, put it here and you will have it after lunch." I hold her hand as we went downstairs. Lorenzo has already arrived. Be brought a chocolate brownie cake for dessert. I made at least calamari, fish hake and salads. We all sat around the table, including mom and the nurse and started eating.

Sigh. This is our first Easter without dad.

"Mommy, can I go and find the Easter eggs?" Beverly didn't even finish her food, but she already cannot wait to seek for Easter eggs.

"We will have to wait for everyone else to finish eating first. And, we are working in teams here." I say.

"Count me out. I don't think I will stomach sweet things." Sandra says.

As soon as we were done eating, I placed the dishes in the dishwasher and I teamed up with Lorenzo as Junior and Beverly teamed together. I couldn't tell Lorenzo where the Easter eggs were as I was the one who hid them… that would be cheating right?

After finding only two, we started strolling around the yard, chatting.

"You look different… in a good way. You are glowing." Is he flirting or genuinely complementing me?

"Thank you." I must be so beautiful that even my face doesn't show how depressed I am.

"This is one of the best Easters I have ever had. Thank you for inviting me over. The food was delicious." More complements. I don't mind.

"It was nothing. I liked having you over here." We stand under the shade of the tree. "Thank you for coming." He opened his arms for me. I got into his embrace and stayed in there for a few seconds until I felt like someone was watching us. That is when I pulled away.

"Is everything alright? You look so jumpy."

I look at my surroundings, and I see no one.

"I'm sorry, I…" I don't even know what to say.

"Mommy, your phone is ringing!" Beverly runs and I answer it same time. I don't even know the number that is calling.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Be ready in 10 minutes. A car will come and collect you then." This is Maurizio's voice.

"Why? It's holiday, sir."

"Do you want me to come personally and drag you there in front of your boyfriend?" I gasped and looked around and yet again, I don't see anyone.

"10 minutes, signora." He hung up.

"You look shocked. What was the call about?" Lorenzo put her hands on either side of my shoulders, worriedly looking at me.

"I—I need to get ready and leave in ten minutes." I am already running into the house.

"Mommy, you promised to tell me a story of juice."

"Not today! Mommy has got to go." I snap and she starts crying. I'm so scared, frustrated and I'm not thinking straight. I close the door in my bedroom and start searching for something comfortable.

I allow my tears to roll down my cheeks while I'm at it. I sold my life to the devil the day I allowed him to save me from the most that I was going through. Even though I thought I was at least starting to feel free; I still have my life being controlled by someone else. I have to pay with my life, just so my family would eat and my daughter to go to school. After months of sadness and exhaustion, I thought this Easter would be different, but here I am, having to submit to an abusive man. My daughter's excruciating cries pierce in my heart. I have no choice, but to end our Easter right here.

***