3. Intensity

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Verona reached the black door at the end of corridors. She contemplated going in. He was going to be very shocked to see her. Maybe it was a bad idea to see him. Maybe he wouldn't find out. But that was what she hoped for. It was a possibility that he was going to hear about her being there from his team mates... There was nothing worse than him finding out she had showed up at a boys' sports building from someone other than her. He could go crazy. She had to see him and find a way to convince him why she was there.

She took a deep breath and was about to knock but the door suddenly opened and a very serious looking Ottavio opened the door. The shock of seeing him suddenly made her take a few steps back but at the same time she noticed the change in his expression as he laid eyes on her. His serious expression softened "Verona..." But then he narrowed his eyes "What are you doing here? You should not be here... This is a boys only building with restricted controlled access especially during out of hours ... Which boy has brought you here? Who? Or is it whom? Give me names..."

Verona gulped. The questions had been fired at her one by one.... She was in so much trouble. She was aware she should not have entered this boys' building... Not because it was against the rules... Ottavio was very very jealous and possessive of her... But that was not all that was wrong about what had happened... Those boys who had left their duffle bag and that boy in court could be in so much trouble too if he found out she had showed them any kindness and mercy.... Her explanation could change alot of things. How could she word her explanation of why she was there so he did not get mad at other and no one else go into trouble but her. She was not worried about the consequences for her. She worried for others. He always went easy on her. She was the only one he went easy on. Mercy and forgiveness were not in his dictionary unless she was involved.

Ottavio asked again "Well? Verona... Tell me why you are here... Tell me how you ended up here... Why aren't you answering the questions that I am asking you..."

Verona jumped at his hard tone. She started explaining slowly "Well... Its a long story..."

Ottavio said "I have time..."

Verona cleared her throat trying to think. She decided to start again talking as slowly as she could to give herself some thinking time how to avoid letting him know that she had saved a couple of people on the way. She explained "So... I was studying at the library... For hours... I did not notice how the time was passing..."

Ottavio said "And? Then what happened? I am listening..."

His tone was impatient. There was no way in hell he gave anyone else this much time to explain themselves before he judged them if he demanded an answer when they had done something wrong.

Verona hesitated and said "Well...As I was saying... I was in the library... I had been there for hours studying... Then suddenly I looked at my watch... I noticed that it was dinner time... I wanted to go to my dorms and put my backpack there... And decide where to go to have dinner... You know it's the first night of school.... Everyone is out there socialising.... The campus is buzzing... This place has some nice places to eat or so they said but I dont know where is best ... Its nice to have dinner with other students who can show me around the campus... So ... As I was walking to my dorms, I lost my way to my dorms and .... I ended up here... No one let me in... I know how to open locks you know..." She wanted to smack her forehead. Was this her genius explanation to get herself out of trouble? She had been looking away as she had been talking and did not dare look up. She kept telling herself "Please don't ask me any questions... Please don't..."

To her surprise she heard him chuckle. She slowly found the courage to look up and saw him smiling.

Ottavio said "So you need some student to have dinner with you and show you around... I volunteer gladly..."

Verona could not believe it. He had accepted her story as it was and had not asked any further questions. But wait. He thought she was there to have dinner with him. She said "Oh... I mean.. I am sure you are busy to have dinner with me... I can... use a map..."

Ottavio said "Nonesense... You come all the way here trespassing into the boys's building to find to hang out with me at dinner... And you expect me to just say no to that.... I am never too busy for you Verona... You should know that by now... Just wait here... I will be right back... I just need to finish off in my office... Don't enter ... This will only take a minute ... or two or let's make it three actually"

Verona nodded as she watched him enter his office and close its door soundly. She swallowed hard. When he asked her not to enter a room there was a reason for it. She knew some sight was inside that he did not want her to see. She took his warning seriously. If he told him to wait outside it was within her best interests to wait outside.

Minutes later, he opened the door and said "I am ready to go...Follow me..."

Verona nodded. She had to play along. She did not feel bad. She had not lied in her story. She couldn't lie to him. Ever... If she questioned her she would have told the truth... But luckily he accepted her story and misinterpreted it which was bonus.

As Verona was following him down the corridor, he said "Wait a second.." He opened the door to that common room. Verona became very nervous as she realised he could find out what happened.

He shouted "Are you finished with that idiot?"

One of the boys shouted "Yes... He is gone...Case closed..."

Ottavio said "Good. About time... See you tomorrow in early morning training..." He then closed the door to common room "Let's go..."

Verona was relieved. So far he had not found out about her journey to him and the reasons behind it. She knew he did not like her releasing his victims and prisoners. He never did.

As they walked outside the building he asked "American or Italian food?"

Verona said "Oh.... Both are great... I don't mind..."

Ottavio looked at her "All right... I guess I choose for tonight then.... We will go to the American Den to have burger and chips tonight... Follow me...."

Verona said automatically "Sure..." She did not mind where they went. As long as no one got into trouble.

Ottavio said as he was walking "You can trespass into this building any time if you come see me... But try calling first... Your innocent heart maybe scarred for life if you drop by unannounced... Just a heads up..."

What could she say to that kind of statement? He was brutal beyond limit. Could she argue with him? Could she object to him? No. It could make things worse. Alot worse. She just had to look the other way. She had no other choice. Verona said as she was walking alongside him "Ok... Erm... I will remember your advice for next time..."

Ottavio said "So there is a next time? ..."

Verona said "What?"

Ottavio smiled "You said you will remember my advice for next time... I am so happy Verona... So there is a next time? We can have dinner again?"

Verona wanted to hit herself mentally. Did she just promise him a next time in her response? Yep. She just did... What was wrong with her.... She wanted to get away from him and have space but they got closer. Was there any escape from his love? What could she answer. She didn't. She just smiled.

Ottavio said "I can't believe it... You are allowing me to get closer to you... That is all I want... If you dont want to call yourself my girlfriend I can wait and give you time... You are my girl whether you accept it or not either way... But this is progress in our relationship... So there is a next time. This is great..."

Verona thought to herself "No. It's not..." She wanted to be treated normally.

Ottavio sighed "You know... I am so glad you ended up enrolling here Verona... I have no idea how you ended up here. I never thought you would attend the same school as me..."

Verona said "I guess the world works in mysterious ways..." What else was there left to say. She couldn't explain it any other way.

Ottavio said "It was meant to be so you ended up right here with me...."

Verona thought to herself "No... Not really... It wasn't meant to be...." She was meant to enroll across the bridge and ended up at the wrong place, with the wrong company that she had every intention of avoiding for eternity. Ottavio was wild. She was not. She wanted to experience a normal high school experience away from the attention that she got. Everyone said she was beautiful. Everyone said she was intelligent. Everyone worshipped the ground she walked on. She wanted to experience not being treated like a queen... Yet... The king of high school happened to be her childhood friend... Friend. Were they friends? Not according to Ottavio. According to him she was his girl and his white rose. Years apart had not changed his mindset or his feelings.

Verona's attention went to the route they were taking. She remembered. She had not even gone around to explore the campus properly. The place was massive and besides the academic life it was obvious the school had invested in social facilities and places for students to hang out and relax. This place was great... But she could get similar same facilities on the other side of the bridge where her dream high school life was.

As they were walking to their destination to have dinner, Verona looked around with curiosity. There was a lake, canal and a massive area covered with woods and hills in the distance. She stopped walking and looked into the distance. She pointed into the direction of the woods and said "Is that a castle in the middle of the woods on top of a hill?... How fascinating... It looks huge and fascinating... Great design... I didn't know there was a castle on school campus... Thats an interesting structure at this school site..."

Ottavio stood behind her and said "Yes... That castle has great design.. It is huge and fascinating."

Verona said "I would love to visit it... Can I? Which school department does it belong to?"

Ottavio said "It belongs to the military school of this campus actually..."

Verona sighed "So I have to ask you if I want to visit it. Right? You are a captain so you run the programs there... How can I arrange to visit it?

Ottavio said "Sure... I can arrange for you to visit it when it is not being used in any military school operations and will give you a tour ... Why not?"

Verona said "Thank you... I love architecture..." She kept looking at the castle that was lit up and looking beautiful from a distance in the heart of the hills in the middle of the woods as Ottavio was standing behind her still.

Verona felt him lean down closer to her from behind. He whispered "Do you remember what I warned you about and promised you years ago if you run away from me?... You must remember..."

Verona chuckled "Yes... I do remember... But remind me..."

Ottavio said with a low tone "I warned you that if you try to run away from me, I will lock you up in the highest tower of a castle and will make sure that no one can rescue you... I am a hellfire dragon king as people call me... I would then breathe my fire on any prince who tries to come and climb the tower... I warned you that you must always stay with me and rule my kingdom with me... as my queen.... I warned you not to try to run... I promised that I will catch you and will lock you up until you learn and accept that you are mine if you ran away from me..."

Verona said "Ottavio... We were much younger back then when we talked about castles, princes and dragons... Years have gone by? Isn't it time to change these promises?"

Ottavio nodded "Of course... Years have gone by... I should change my promises and adjust my words...Let me think.... I guess no prince will live long enough to get that close to you to come rescue you... I will slay any one who falls in love with you and rip their heart out before they even get that close... So you don't have to worry about any prince who dares come near you..."

Verona sighed. He was as possessive as always.

Ottavio said "You are correct.... Times have changed.... I don"t really think I would need to ever lock you up in the highest tower of that castle or in any castle for that matter... You won't try to run from me because you know full well that I will catch you no matter where you run to... Isn't that right? Castle or no castle I wont let you walk away... You are mine and I would use everything in my power to keep you by my side..."

Verona turned around. She wanted to argue with him but she decided against it when she looked into his eyes... She saw the intense look in his eyes. The look in his eyes said he was dead serious. He had meant every word.

Verona took a deep breath as she looked away "Can we please go to dinner now?"

Ottavio stated "Sure... Let's go...Remember you are my white rose... Even if you don't acknowledge it yet..."

As Ottavio walked away Verona followed. Verona sighed. He was the same possessive Ottavio who love her unconditionally with great intensity which was not comprehensible for her. How could he love her so much when he loved no one else.

*******

Verona was eating her burger and chips inside one of the school's night time food venues. Music was playing in the background. A few students were even dancing in a corner.

Ottavio was not looking at anywhere but her. He was silently watching her eat. He had been watching her for a while.

Verona was looking around the place and avoided looking at Ottavio mostly. Sometimes she glanced at the students dance on the dance floor as she was eating and sometimes she looked at the other students at other tables.

When Verona finished her food she announced. "The food is lovely... Thanks for bringing me here..."

Ottavio had finished his food and was drinking from his glass of water. He did not say anything back and just stared at her silently.

Verona became nervous at his silent stare and said "Well... I think I should go..." She had no idea what he was thinking of. There was something about him that unsettled her always. It was impossible to read his mind. She preferred to not know what was on his mind sometimes. It was best if she didn't. His mind was a dark place. She had struck an unlikely friendship with him when they were younger and as years had gone by she had realised she was the only one he cared for and showed any kindness to. To the rest of the world he was not caring or kind. .

Ottavio said "Stay..."

Verona said "The meal was lovely. I think I should go..."

Ottavio said "I was thinking ... maybe you could come to my place tonight.. We can have a drink..."

Verona said "What? To your dorms? No..."

Ottavio said "Not dorms. House. You know, the Orsino mansion... It is nearby. I do have a dorm room just in case I need to stay the night but most nights I go home. Why don't you come tonight?"

Verona said "No. I am not your girlfriend."

Ottavio said "Not officially. Not yet. But you will be one day ... Very soon..."

Verona stood up "I am not sure if it's a good idea... Thank you for the meal... I will see you tomorrow..." She felt so nervous around him always but now when he invited him to her house, she wanted to run a mile. She then walked away.

Verona knew she shouldn't have walked away but she did. He did not like that. As she left the Burger Den, she heard him behind her. "What did I tell you about walking away? There is no point. I will catch up with you in the end. You might as well stop running from me now..."

She found herself face to face with him. Verona closed her eyes "Ottavio... I can't...."

Ottavio said "Why not?... What's wrong in coming to the Orsino mansion? You are almost an Orsino ..."

Verona opened her eyes. She pressed her lips. She said "I am a Rosario..."

Ottavio said "For now... But I will marry you one day and you will change your family name to Orsino..."

Verona shook her head "Ottavio... Stop....  You can't say that..."

Ottavio said "Why not? You know it's going to be true..."

Verona looked away "I just want to go to my dorm room..."

Ottavio said "And I want to invite you to come home with me tonight. Just for one drink. Then you can come back..."

Verona said "No... Ottavio... I am not your girlfriend."

Ottavio said "But you are mine... Verona... You will be mine one day... It's only a matter of time... You just haven't accepted it yet... But you will. I will make you mine..."

Verona said "I am not yours... I may never be..." She took a step back as she noticed Ottavio's reaction. His eyes were blazing with a fire within them.

Ottavio took a step towards her and she retreated by stepping back. He said in a low tone "Are you daring me to prove that you are mine? Are you Verona? I will prove it ... I will prove it that you belong to an Orsino..." He then walked away.

Verona gulped. His words scared her. It was possible that she was going to become his. It was not impossible. She wanted to marry one day. She wanted to have a family. But for any guy falling in love with her would have meant taking on Ottavio. Who could fight Ottavio and live? Never mind win.

****

Verona woke up from her deep sleep the next morning very early. She got up and got changed ready to start the day. She looked forward to today. Maybe she could make some new friends that day. She was hopeful.

Verona had breakfast at her dorm and made her way to the school's main building. She made her way to her locker first. She opened her locker and was taking books out of it when she realised the busy corridor become silent. Dead silent. She sighed. The king must have been walking around his kingdom. She could her footsteps approaching. She took her books out and as she turned around she came face to face with him. She took a step back at the shock. He put one hand on the wall near one side of her head.

Ottavio gave her a cocky smile "Good morning Verona..."

Verona did not think he would do this. This was his revenge. He was making another display to show she was off limits and connected to him and protected by him.

Verona forced the words out "Good morning... Ottavio..." She tried to sound genuine and hide her annoyance and frustration at him singling her out like this again. She wasn't his girlfriend. She wasn't his queen but he made sure to treat her like she was. He made sure to send the message to everyone that Verona was special to him. Very special. She could ignore him or not respond but it could make things worse. Defying Ottavio was not an option. It was a very bad idea.

Verona knew she could not take on this king in his kingdom. She knew from experience not to test the temper of this hellfire dragon. He could terrorise the entire school to a point they wouldn't dare say hello to her or glance at her at all if he wished it. He could change her schedule in any way he wanted. He had the power to do anything with her life in this school. She was stuck in here and she did not want to ask her family to come rescue her. That would have defeated the purpose of moving away. She had come away from the comfort of the Rosario school to this place to prove she could handle her life alone independently. For now she had to compromise as much she could. She was a princess in a land far far away from home.

Ottavio leaned close and whispered in her ear so only she could hear. His voice was

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