Elena's Pov

ELENA'S POV;

I remembered the first time I walked into this place, completely traumatized by the kind of person that Antonio was. I'd struggled to settle in, being so fearful of who he was and how ruthless he was. I still was terrified of Antonio, because I knew there was a side of him that could never be toyed with. I feared that side more than anything because it appeared that he really didn't care about what happened next as long as you trespassed. So many things I realized over the times that I'd spent with Antonio. He was a wealthy man and a workaholic who had everything together apart from his relational life. When I first came in here I looked around and noticed how enchanting everything was. It was all so beautiful. From the mattress to the sofas and the well-polished dressing table...but I knew deep down that happiness didn't reside in here only fear, because I was always on the edge or at the point of breaking down. I couldn't deny him sex no matter what. He'd still have sex with me even if I said no. He was good at giving me mixed emotions, but as possessive as fuck. As his wife, I had to succumb to everything he said. And I never knew this before but he was into drugs. That was illegal but I dared not question him to avoid it. I could say that throughout my life, I never planned on getting married, but a married life with Antonio wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

After getting down from the bed, I had a shower before changing into her nightie. Antonio had left the room already, probably working with Ray. But I have to say that I had the best time last night. I realized it was the first time ever we actually cuddled. I was actually happy that the kind of life that I had with Antonio was different from the life my father and mother had. I didn't want to have to greet my husband like my mom did my father. He was pleased to use my mother as a slave every time he came home. But I was like three years old at the time. He ran away when I was six. From then on, my mother tried her best to take me through school and study so I could get a degree, at fourteen I tried everything that I could to make sure she was comfortable even with finances. It wasn't easy for me, especially when I heard that my mother was cancer-positive. I sighed, the memory was just so painful. I didn't have the money to take her to the hospital, and that was when my uncle arrived at my school, took me from school and promised to take my mother to school if I went with him. I did, for the sake of my mother. Little did I know he would continue using that to threaten me so I could sleep with his customers. It continued that way until I realized my mother was dead. Even though she was admitted to the hospital, my uncle never gave me a chance to see her; threatening me with her life. I wanted to escape so many times but he always punished me each time he realized what I was up to.

I remembered Vito, the night we'd spent together was the night I wished he helped me to escape, but he didn't. Maybe because I didn't ask him for help. But I wish he had. But I thought there was safety in his arms that day, I never knew he'd go to this extent even after he knew that I was with Antonio.

Everything that I've been through made me understand that her father never really loved me. He only got married to my mother because of what he wanted. Having a male child was what he had hoped for because he felt females were more prone to manipulation. They were too emotional, thinking only with their hearts.

Love wasn't part of his language. My father had never once given me a hug, he'd never held my hand, never kissed me good night, never even carried me to my bedroom. All these things my father had not given me I wished to find in the arms of her husband. My father had never made me feel safe, I hoped to find it in my marital home. I was comfortable with Antonio because even though he scared me, he still gave me the security I needed.

After unpacking, I escorted myself out of my room, wanting to explore every part of Antonio's mansion. From where I was, I could see the swimming pool, glistening as a result of the sun's rays. I loved the beautiful sky-blue colour. Everything was bright, the sun seemed happy. The marble around the pool was so neat it was unable to reject the rays of the sun. With it glistening that way, she had to squint instinctively.

I definitely wanted to swim in it. Even with all that I was thinking, I couldn't deny the temptation trying to overwhelm me by looking at the pool. What if I tried this once? If he caught me and used me for his satisfaction again, then I wouldn't go near the pool again.

Before I knew it, I undressed and wore my bikini before putting on my robe. Hurrying down the stairs, I greeted the workers before going out. I paused once I was outside, taking a good look at the pool. The weather was perfect and it made me feel a rush of excitement. The environment gave no form of negative energy. That was a green light, and I didn't want my subconscious to tamper with it.

I dropped my robe and slowly stepped into the water. It was warm as it engulfed my feet. Savouring the feeling, I continued downwards until the water engulfed my whole body. I felt the tension in my body reduce. Inhaling, I began to move in the water, forgetting about everything else in order to enjoy the feeling of the water. My eyes closed as I deepened myself into the water.

Once I came out of the surface again, I gasped the moment I opened my eyes. What else could have made me gasp aside from the presence of Damon Antonio himself. When he came in I had no idea. I hadn't even heard his footsteps, so when... My eyes were on his, but his gaze travelled down to the middle of my chest. This was what I was trying to avoid.

Why was it when I had made the decision to enter the water that Antonio decided to show up? I expected him to say something to me. But all he did was check me out before walking away. I let out the breath I didn't notice I'd been holding.

Unable to continue my swimming, I got out of the water and shrugged my robe on before hurrying into the building. Once I reached my room. I pressed my hand to her chest. I hated the way I felt weak but was too afraid to overcome it. My father was my weakness, Antonio was my second. What could I possibly do? I would fall even on the verge of turning against the world's most powerful man.