"Trying to sneak away?" A deep voice echoed through the hallway, causing me to halt abruptly at the familiar timbre. I turned around to find Giovanni, his piercing gaze locked on me as he leaned casually against the wall, a massive cigarette dangling from his lips. My heart pounded in my chest, but I tried to maintain composure, "I was just heading to the restroom," I fibbed, feigning surprise. "I had no idea," I lied further. Giovanni moved closer, his steps deliberately slow, cornering me against the door. "You should know that I haven't claimed you yet, and the thought of losing you...it fills me with dread," he said, his voice laced with an unnerving mixture of threat and amusement. As he started unclasping the delicate straps of my dress, his eyes darkened with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
