C3 Isabella's POV

Isabella's POV

I had no choice. I had to see to it that Mr. Gaius received whatever he desires.

I remained where I was, helpless and I was unable to control the tears that were silently streaming down my cheeks and out of my eyes.

Mr. Gaius motions for me to take his hand, so I did while relinquishing control. He takes a seat in the large wingback chair behind his desk after guiding me back there.

Reluctantly, I let him drag me down onto the area between his legs as he reclined and opened up his legs.

I take the seat, turning my back towards him, because I didn't want to look him in the eye or, more likely, be around him right now.

Mr. Gaius wasn't to blame. He always had the finest intentions, but I was powerless to stop my animosity from building up when he just adjusted himself and hugged me from the front completely unaware of my own distress.

I keep sniffling and try to hold back my tears, but I can see I failed miserably when he sighs and puts his hands on my stiff shoulders. "Isabella" he talks as though he is aware of my anger.

He does not comprehend. My shoulders are being rubbed and massaged by his hands, but I don't feel any better.

"I know you had Columbia or New York University in mind, and trust me, I heard all your cries. But you must understand that I'm acting in your best interests. He continues to stroke my shoulders while speaking quietly into my ear.

"How so?" I whimper as I blot my tears. I'd prefer him not to touch me at all. He sits up so that his chest is now crushed against my back while he continues to rub my shoulders in a soothing motion.

"You are aware that I value you highly. You have greatness in you. He inhales deeply and thrusts his head forward, burying it in my hair. It would be extremely difficult if you were far from us because you are such an important part of our community. You, my precious kid, are the Outpost's future. He hums and murmurs into my hair.

I didn't say anything as I considered his remarks and made an effort to empathize. I needed to use reason, but I was unable to.

I had never felt so devastated. There wasn't even hope when Jonathan fled, at least then, I hoped to relocate to New York City someday. I hoped to run into him again.

The man behind me sighs again and lowers his hands to massage my arms. You realize, don't you? If you are so far away, I would be really concerned. He mutters and pulls me back into his chest while rubbing my waist with his hands.

I nod despite not understanding where he's coming from. Being given this unique treatment by him was an honor. I was unable to be resentful.

He rests his chin on my head and moves one hand to hold me to him by encircling my waist. He continues to hold me to himself, his other hand stroking my hip as he occasionally lets out a contented moan, and he whispers, "Very well."

He buries his face in my hair, and we sat there in silence, with me engrossed with thoughts of my new reality. He mumbles infrequently about how precious I am, how wonderful I smell, or how he has wonderful plans for me.

However, I didn't pay attention to his babbling since I'm too busy trying to understand this strange new world.

I eventually start speaking when I get impatient and have had enough of his constant intrusion. "Well, if that's all, Mr., I should be on my way. As I stand up, I utter this.

He releases me, and I start to rise up when I feel his hands grab my hips and turn my body around so I'm facing his seated form.

Actually, there's still something. He comments as he moves to the edge of his chair and turns to face me.

As he bends forward and reaches behind me into the side drawer of his desk that is to my left, his arm brushes against my hip.

I tilt my head in perplexity as he holds up a rectangular gold foil packet in front of my face.

Since you're about to graduate, you will need to fully integrate into The Outpost at some point this week. As he speaks, I can only watch as my brows furrow. Your assigned person will anticipate that you engage in Coitus.

I nodded while listening to him, trying to suppress the blush that appeared on my cheeks at the thought of talking about such things with the Mr. of the entire Outpost.

Mr. Gaius looks at my responses and chuckles softly as he gets up from his chair. He then tucks a small gold foil into my palm and says, "But when Antonia is ready for you, I want you to use this."

I look over the tiny package. I had never seen anything like this before; however, it has folded edges, indicating that the true object is underneath the plastic wrapper. "What is it used for? I asked, opening it.

Mr. Gaius wraps my palm with his right away, stopping me in my tracks. This is a condom, a form of contraception. It must be unlocked before the action. He explains, gritting his teeth as he speaks and clenching his jaw slightly as he casts a sidelong glance. When your assignment pierces you, it serves as a safety barrier. I will explain this to him, but I need you to watch out for him in case he doesn't do it. He ends tensely, as though the concept had angered him.

Uncomfortably, I move. Although he doesn't appear uncomfortable like I do, he instead narrows his eyes in an almost vindictive manner.

I nodded while still not comprehending completely and turn to walk away when I suddenly got an idea. Why aren't the others required to employ them?

The Coitus act was essential to establishing our membership in The Outpost as full members. It was how we spread out and expanded our community. Nearly everyone was compelled to become pregnant immediately after graduation; some were even permitted to do so at the age of 16. I couldn't figure out why he didn't want me to assist with reproduction.

But eventually, everything falls into place. We currently only have two licensed doctors here in The Outpost, so if I had become pregnant before the start of the academic year, I would not have been able to attend college. And after graduation, I was going to be the third medical doctor.

Perhaps because we needed more doctors, he didn't want me to have a child just yet. But as I tilt my head back to look into his eyes, they appear to be telling me something different.

When I take a step back to create some space between us while he is standing at full height, my back bumps into his desk.

My face is raised and tilted by his hands as they rise to hold each side. "My sweet, sweet Isabella," he muttered. He gives my forehead a kiss while muttering to himself against the skin there.

He looks at me again, his gaze promising as he mutters the words that only serve to further perplex my already inquisitive thoughts.

You won't be carrying Antonio's children, Mr. Gaius said.