Sold to Mr. Giordano

Arielle

Arabella didn’t want to leave, she could see me sulking the entire ride home. I just want to be alone, but she insists on staying.

Sitting on the couch next me back at my family’sChicago penthouse, she asks me questions.

“Hello?” She waves a hand in front of my face.

“Sorry, I got distracted.”

“You’re not still thinking about your wedding night, are you?”

“I can’t help it.”

“It’s not that bad, trust me. Just lay down, let him crawl on top of you, he’ll do his thing—you won’t have to do anything. It’ll hurt just a little bit, but he’ll probably be done quick.”

“That sounds horrible,” I frown.

“It kind of is, the first time always is. Hey, you’ll probably like it by at least the third time.”

“How? How could you like something like that from a man you don’t love?”

“How do people have one night stands?” She shrugs. “They do it for pleasure. If you just close your eyes and picture some famous hot guy, I guarantee you’ll find yourself enjoying it a lot,” she smirks.

I shudder imagining myself lying in bed and just taking whatever savagery he’s going to do to me.

“He’ll know what he’s doing, all guys—well most guys, love to see their woman get off. It’s like bragging rights for them whenever they make a girl orgasm. He’s probably very skillful in that art.”

I curl my lip in disgust. “How many girls has he slept with?”

 “I could name over ten, but I don’t know how many exactly. He had a fling with one of my best friends last summer, her name is Velnia, she told me—against my wishes—that he was hung like a horse and that he liked it rough. She also told me his stamina was unlike anything she’s ever known.”

 “I thought you told me it wouldn’t last long,” I gulp.

She laughs nervously. “Right, I did say that didn’t I? I mean one can hope.”

“There’s no way he’ll let our wedding night slide?”

 Arabella snorts. “No, there has to be the proof.”

 “Proof? What are people coming in to watch?!” I shout.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Not that kind of proof. It’s tradition to ensure the bride was a still a virgin before her wedding night. Someone will come in the morning to collect the sheets. The evidence of your first time will be on them.”

“Like blood?” I pale.

“Yeah. I know it’s embarrassing, but—”

“Embarrassing? It’s degrading!”

“Calm down, Arielle. Everything will be okay, it’s not as horrible as you’re making it seem. Besides it’s the twenty-first century we have knowledge know that not every women bleeds her first time. They’re just keeping the tradition and taking the sheets. It’s a ceremony.”

“Not as horrible? I’m forced to have sex with a man I don’t even know nor do I love!”

 “He will protect you, you are his family now. You should feel safe and wanted.”

 Tossed from one cold family to the next.

“And if it’s so horrible to think that… at least think that now I am your cousin. We can be friends and do all kinds of things together!”

A smile tugs at my lips. “I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am, now let’s pop some popcorn and watch a movie.”