When the door swings close behind the servant I can't help but to feel a bit antsy. And it's now more than clear I'm alone in the room with the man which isn't something I'm used to. Usually, Enzo is just lurking in the corner. I don't feel safe with him exactly, yet his presence seems to offer some sort of imaginary buffer at times.
Now that I'm along with Giovanni, I can't help but to wonder if he's like his brother, if he's going to fuck me on the table against my will. I mean he didn't have me sign a year long contract just to poorly investigate his club.
He wants something else.
I squirm in my seat at the thought.
"You have a question." I'm surprised by the words that leave his lips and I turn slightly, confused.
"What?" I ask.
"All morning you’ve been looking at me with a question in your eyes, but you know better than to ask it." He leans back in his chair slightly. "So I am giving you permission to speak, so I have to ask, what is it? What do you want to ask me?"
I bit down on the inside of my lip as I debate on what to say. This could be a trap, a chance for him to tell me I can do something only for him to punish me for it.
But he didn't the last time he gave you permission to speak freely.
Once again, I glance at the door but I know Enzo isn't coming back until Giovanni wants him to. Even if he did, what could he do?
Make it worse.
Just like the situation with Maximo.
"Ask, Winter, I don't have the time to sit around here all day. I'm an important man with many things to do."
"Did you pick out my outfit for today?" The question blurts out of me before I can stop it.
His face remains a blank mask. "No."
My heart beats a little quicker in my chest. "Who did?"
"Maximo."
It feels like cold water has been splashed over me even though I had an idea of the answer to the question before I asked.
"Why is it important?" Giovanni asks and there's a thin layer of interest that can't be hidden.
I don't give him an answer, my vision swirling slightly.
"I answered your question, now you'll answer mine." His voice is low and harsh, the warning clear.
My stomach is churning and my throat is tight. Quickly, I come up with a lie. "I just thought it was a different choice than everything else you've already picked out for me. The pants and flats," I add on quickly.
Giovanni continues to watch me and from the scrutiny of his gaze, I know he doesn't believe me, but surprisingly he doesn't push me.
He stands, the sound of his chair sliding across the floor making me wince. "You're not working tonight. You are to stay in your room for the rest of the day." The instant he says it, I know it's a punishment for lying to him and I want to take it back. Even with what happened at the club last night, I enjoy getting out of my room. The last thing I want is to be trapped in my room all day.
My eyes burn.
It's one fucking thing after another.