Cristiano's Craving

Five

Rose

When I was kidnapped, my whole life went downhill.

It was nightmarish.

I was forced to be part of an auction where innocent women were locked up, chained, abused and treated like animals. Every single time any of us would try to defend ourselves, we would be severely punished. It was a unjust system where women were treated like slaves and seen as inferior to men.

During that time, I lived by myself in a small flat in a normal area. It was good but slightly lonely. I didn't have much friends. I mainly went to work as a baker in a cafe then went back home and did nothing.

I wanted to be a nurse. I had all the educational qualifications for it and I had enough experience but I was slightly holding myself back from looking for a job. I wasn't too sure yet. Perhaps I was just nervous to commit to a highly demanding job.

Meeting Cristiano in that cafe that night was the best thing that had ever happened to me in a long time.

We spoke and stayed in that cafe until two am, hours after I was supposed to close up shop and be at home sleeping. It was nice being with him and not just myself. That was part of the reason why I was so willing and kind towards him.

Something about that handsome intrigued me.

There was always something between Cristiano and I. A connection you could call it but I wasn't sure. We had something. Every time we spoke, I was attracted to him. But was I even ready for a relationship or love? I wasn't even thinking that far.

I didn't know him too well but I felt like I did. He was sweet, caring and amiable. He clearly had some secrets but I didn't really care.

I was walking out of the bathroom and went back into the dining room to see finished plates with only stains of food left on it.

"Oh, my gosh, Rose. The shits I'm gonna be taking in a few hours. I can only imagine. Pheww. ." Jordan groaned, still eating. I chuckled, sipping my water.

"This is so much better than take out, Rose, thank you," Gage politely said, standing and holding his plate and drink. "You're welcome," I replied with a kind smile, beginning to take the plates away.

"No, no, it's okay, I'll do it. You've done enough," Gage offered, taking the plates from me. I smiled at him, "thank you."

I glanced around, noticing that Cristiano was still on the phone elsewhere. I followed Gage into the kitchen and he placed the plates in the sink. I put on the gloves and grabbed the sponge.

"I'll do it," Gage kindly offered and I looked at him, a little confused. "It's fine, I don't mind, honestly. You can go watch the movie with the guys."

"But I want to help you."

I studied his face before licking my lips and saying benevolently, "Okay. .well you can dry." He smiled back, taking a clean dish towel.

I started washing the dishes and he started a conversation by asking me, "so, how do you and Cris know each other?"

I glanced at him with a polite smile. "Well, we met once in a cafe," I explained, "we talked and well, we never saw each other until yesterday. What about you?"

"Well," Gage began, his eyes twinkling as they looked at me and he dried the dishes, putting them where they belonged. "We've always been best friends since high school. Just last year we all moved in here."

"Do you guys box?" I curiously questioned, "the ring downstairs. Do you guys use it?"

"Not much of us. Didn't you know that Cris is Cristiano Rossi? Like one of the hugest underground boxers?"