Chapter 3

The car abruptly came to a stop, jolting me out of my daze. I desperately hoped that we had reached a checkpoint or something similar. Maybe a police officer had pulled us over and I could scream for help.

The trunk popped open, flooding the confined space with blinding light. I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut to shield them from the sudden brightness.

"Out!" Paolo barked, causing me to squint and slowly emerge from the trunk before he forcefully slammed it shut. Did he always have to scare me like that? I took a moment to take in my surroundings. A magnificent mansion stood before me, exuding elegance that captivated me. Could this be the Genovese mansion? It was even more impressive than the rumors suggested. I couldn't wait to explore every inch of it.

"Francesco!" Paolo called, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned and faced him. "This way," he instructed, leading the way.

I followed Paolo's lead, my eyes scanning the area. I caught sight of the Lamborghini Huracán Alessandro had arrived in, but Alessandro himself was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he had already gone inside the house.

As Paolo led me further into the mansion, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by its grandeur. I forgot, momentarily, about the circumstances that had brought me here. The only thing on my mind was how much Flavia would love to see this.

"Francesco!" Paolo's voice thundered, causing me to freeze in place. He had wandered further ahead, leaving me rooted to the spot, enchanted by the mansion's beauty. His echoing footsteps intensified as he approached me, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I couldn't move backward because the man in front of me looked more dangerous than a ravenous lion. He grabbed my arm with a vice-like grip, causing me to cry out in pain. "The next time you waste my time, I'm going to have you killed!" he warned, his voice dripping with menace.

"Tranquillo, Paolo. Non devi trattare una donna come Alessandro." (Calm down Paolo, you shouldn't be like Alessandro when treating a woman). A feminine voice interrupted, saving me from further torment. I turned towards the source, a woman gracefully descending the staircase with her eyes fixed on me, accompanied by a warm smile.

"Let me guess, another one of Alessandro's prisoners?" she said, approaching us and examining my face, gently guiding it from side to side. "Such a shame. She doesn't look like a criminal."

"Non si vede in faccia, signora Micola," (It doesn't show on the face Mrs. Micola). Paolo responded, causing me to narrow my eyes at him. Why was she taking an interest in me? Could she potentially help me? A glimmer of hope sparked within me.

"Non sono un criminale, signora Micola," (I'm not a criminal Mrs Micola). I began, my voice filled with desperate tears as they streamed down my face. "Please help me," I begged, hoping against hope that she would offer assistance.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear, but I cannot meddle in Alessandro's affairs," she replied, her words crushing my already dwindling hope.

"What?" My shoulders slumped, realizing she was incapable of helping me.

"Paolo!" a commanding voice called, and I felt a chill run down my spine. It was Alessandro.

"Yes, boss," Paolo replied in a low voice, a clear indication that my conversation with Micola wasn't supposed to take place.

"Hello, Alessandro. I didn't know you were back," the lady Micola beamed, leaving my side to approach him, walking closer to him... my supposed savior.

"Sai bene che non devi intrometterti, Micola,(You know better than to meddle Micola)." he chastised her, a mix of surprise and rage etched on his face.

"Yes," she replied, undeterred by his warning.

He tore his gaze away from her and locked eyes with me, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"Salvatore will be back soon," Lady Micola continued. "I was hoping for a family dinner."

Alessandro didn't respond to her, instead, he walked towards me and took my hand without saying a word. With an intense pull, he led me away, choosing a different route that led to another staircase. As we ascended, we arrived at an open door, where he stood silently facing it, leaving me standing outside, curious.

"Get in here!" he ordered, his back still turned towards me. I mustered up the courage to ask the question that might have dire consequences.

"Why should I enter your bedroom?" I challenged, realizing the potential danger of my words. He whipped around in surprise, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.

"What did you say?" he demanded.

"It's a simple question," I replied, crossing my arms, refusing to back down. His eyes followed my defiant movement.

"You don't want to do this..." he began warningly.

"Why not?" I reveled in my newfound defiance. "You just took me from my father and think you can control me? I..."

"Francesco!" he thundered, his rage causing him to shatter a nearby vase. Storming towards me, I turned to flee down the stairs, but it was too late. He grabbed my arm, forcefully dragging me into the room, and pressed me against the wall, gripping my neck tightly. I struggled to breathe as his grip tightened.

"Your father owes me a great deal. He nearly ruined a crucial deal, and yet here you are, daring to disrespect me!" he seethed.

"L-let go..." I choked out, my attempts to speak suffocated by his unforgiving grasp.

"No one, absolutely no one, disrespects me, Aria Francesco. Do you understand me?" he growled. "And don't you dare fold your arms when I'm speaking to you. Do you understand?"

I couldn't respond, gasping for breath as tears clouded my vision when he finally released me. I collapsed onto the ground, clutching my neck and coughing uncontrollably, desperately trying to fill my lungs with air. What kind of monster was he? He had nearly killed me.

"Maledetti figli di puttana,(bloody mother fucker)" I heard him whisper, but I refused to look at him. Slowly, I began to move towards the door, only to be stopped by his voice.

"You still don't get it, do you? Do you honestly believe you can repay his debt to me? Maybe I should involve Flavia—perhaps things would improve somehow."

"Don't you dare involve Flavia in this," I choked out.

"Why? You're not even worth half of his debt to me," he sneered, causing me to look away as I whispered the words I had heard from him too many times before.

"Maledetti figli di puttana."