Page 9 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

He swallowed hard, like even breathing was a struggle. His fingers curled against the restraints, tension running through his whole body as he forced himself to keep looking at her. “I…”

The rest wouldn’t come. He just stared at her, stuck there, the sentence sitting heavy in his mouth, refusing to form.

Stella watched him. Then she stepped closer. Her voice dropped, calm. “Because you can’t keep your dick in your pants,” she said, like she was reminding him of something obvious. “Say it.”

Mano held her gaze, his jaw tightening. “…because I can’t keep my dick in my pants,” he forced out.

“See?” she said. “Was that really so difficult?”

“Untie me.”

She pulled a face, like she’d just remembered something. “Oh, shit.”

Mano frowned.

“I didn’t record it.”

His breath hitched. His eyes widened, something close to panic flickering through them.

She grabbed her phone, already unlocking it. “We’ll do it again.” She lifted it, the camera aimed straight at him. “From the top.”

“You can’t be serious…” His voice came out tight, unsteady, like he was barely holding it together.

“I’m very serious.”

“You can’t do this to me, untie me!” he shouted, yanking at the handcuffs.

She didn’t even flinch. “Say hi to the camera and start.” She watched him, making sure she had his full attention. “I’m sorry for the horrible way I treated you, Stella,” she said.

“You’re insane. You think I’m saying that on camera? Like this?” he yanked hard at the restraints, the marker smeared across his face.

“Then I guess we’re staying like this all night,” she said, a smug smile tugging at her lips.

His stomach dropped. Just do it. His jaw clenched hard at one thought. If she sends that video… Her friends, online. It would follow him everywhere.

He squeezed his eyes shut. There was no undoing it. He couldn’t stop her, couldn’t get free, couldn’t risk it. He had no choice.

“I’m going downstairs to eat and watch a movie,” she said casually, heading for the door. “I’ll come back in a few hours. Maybe bring you some water.”

Mano stared at her, a sick feeling creeping up his throat.

“Alright then,” she added. “Sleep tight.” She stepped out.

“Stella!” His voice stopped her.

She turned back, that same victorious look on her face.

Mano dragged in a breath, his chest tight. “I’ll do it…”

She walked back into the room, closed the door, and pulled out her phone again. She hit record and pointed the camera at him. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Mano didn’t move. His body stayed curled in on itself, like he could make himself smaller, less visible. His gaze dropped, fixed somewhere on the sheets.

“Look at the camera,” she said.

He didn’t.

“Look at it,” she repeated, sharper this time.