The Revenge
Moments away from being given away in marriage, Selestina is stolen by the wealthy Don Alejandro who is seeking revenge. Being the daughter of his mother's murderer, Alejandro forces Selestina to become his mistress at his command. Giving in to his lustful demands is one thing, but she won't make it easy for him.
Chapter 2
The hacienda bedroom baked under the relentless California morning sun. Heat shimmered off the thick walls, blurring the edges of the sprawling estate. Selestina's face was buried in her folded arms, resting against the small writing desk.
She was restless. Held within these walls for days, the space decorated with muted colors that did little to soothe the palpable tension. Whatever Don Alejandro was trying to do, break her resilience, falter her strength or wear her self confidence down, she would never succumb to him.
Don Alejandro was a man sculpted by privilege and shadowed by a terrible past that he couldn't outrun. In his book, her father was the villain in this, but so was she, by name. Alejandro's solution was to hold her within these walls, imprisoning her body and mind.
His wealth was undeniable, evident in the meticulously manicured gardens, the imported silks draping the windows and her wardrobe as well as the army of servants and guards scurrying to anticipate his every whim. But behind his opulent facade lurked a simmering rage, a thirst for vengeance that had festered for years. And he held her responsible.
Don Alejandro had stolen her away, a whirlwind of guards and terrified whispers. He justified it as justice, a debt long overdue. Now, she was a pawn in his game, a way for him to enjoy his retribution, a weapon to wield against the man who had stolen his life.
Selestina lifted her head, the ache pounding harder at her temples. She stood, clasping her hands tightly, finding it difficult to refuse him the suffering.
The door creaked open, and Alejandro filled the doorway once again, a dark silhouette against the lit corridor. His movements were silent and predatory as a panther. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, burned with an intensity that made her shrink back.
"Tell me," he said, his voice a low growl that resonated in the stillness. "Tell me about your father's business."
Selestina lifted her chin, her dark eyes flashing. "I know nothing."
He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He advanced slowly, deliberately, until he stood before her, towering over her smaller frame. "Don't insult my intelligence. Your father may not confide in a woman, but I don't believe that you are ignorant to his "commercio". A pretty little bird like you hears no whispers?"
"My father protects me," she retorted, her voice trembling slightly but holding firm. "He doesn't involve me in his affairs."
Alejandro chuckled, a harsh, humorless sound. "Protects you? Remind me how you got this scar." He reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face by her scar. Selestina flinched. The touch was unsettling. How did he know about her scar from that night? He couldn't have been there?
"You are naive, Stina. That is not protection." He started and turned, taking a few steps.
"He uses you. By engaging in affairs that could cost you your life."
"I know what you want, Don Alejandro," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "You want to use me to implicate my father."
"And you would rather protect a man who stains his hands with darkness?" he countered, his voice hardening. "A man who destroyed my family?" She watched his expression darken, his eyes filling with pain.
"He is my father!" she exclaimed, the words laced with a desperate loyalty. "Regardless of whatever wrongs he may have committed."
Alejandro's eyes narrowed. "Wrongs? You call murder a wrong? He took an innocent woman's life. A mother and a wife, Stina."
A muscle twitched in her jaw. How could he be so certain? Her heart wept for him, but she had no part in all this and neither did her father.
"You are punishing me for the sins of my father."
"Punishing you?" He laughed again, the sound even more grating this time. He held out his arms, trying to simplify his reason. "I am merely seeking information. Information that will bring Mateo Garcia to justice."
"Justice?" Selestina asked. "Or revenge? There's a difference, Don Alejandro. A vast one. If you truly seek justice, hand him over to the constables with whatever evidence you have."
"They are useless," Alejandro spat. "Your father has bought and paid for them all. No, I will deliver my own justice."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "I can make things very unpleasant for you. Very unpleasant indeed. All you have to do is tell me what I want to know. Cooperate, and I will ensure no harm comes to you."
"Blackmail?" she accused, her eyes blazing. "Is that what this is? You'd sink so low?"
"Consider it leverage," he said coldly. "And believe me, I am capable of sinking much lower."
Selestina stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew Alejandro was capable of anything. He was a man driven by grief and fueled by a burning desire for retribution. Yet, something hardened within her. She would not betray her father, even if it meant enduring Alejandro's wrath.
"I will not help you," she said, her voice ringing with newfound resolve. "I will not betray my family."
Alejandro's face darkened. "You are more foolish than I thought." He shook his head, then straightened, his voice laced with steel. "Very well. You leave me no choice. You will do as I wish, Señorita
Garcia
. I will see to it. You will obey me in all things."
"Never," she spat, stepping in front of him, their faces inches apart. "You may hold me captive, you can use my body as you please, but you will never control me. You underestimate me Señor."
"You will learn your place," he said, his voice dangerous.
Their eyes locked, a battle of wills waged in the silence of the room. Alejandro met defiance staring back at him, a spark of resilience, something she was sure he had not anticipated. He expected a plain, weak, innocent girl, full of tears, pleas for mercy, perhaps even a desperate attempt to bargain. But Selestina stood firm, her loyalty to her family unwavering. This man was infuriating!
"You defend a man who is a villain,
hija
." Alejandro took one step closer to her, his voice calmer than before. "He does not deserve it."
"And you? You are not a villain? Abducting me, threatening me, trying to force me to betray my own father? Is this how you honor your mother's memory, by behaving like the very man who supposedly caused her death?"
Alejandro flinched, her words hitting him like a physical blow. Her point was well made and she praised herself. He was furious.
He reached for her arm, pulling her against him, the pressure of his fingers so painful. "Hold your tongue." He gritted.
"Let go of me, you beast." She hissed.
He released her and turned to leave and said, "I am tired and we will continue this later."
