SOLD TO THE MAFIA BOSS

The rain had been falling for hours. Emily Vale stood beside the living-room window, watching the drops race down the glass. She glanced at the clock. 11:48 p.m. Her father still wasn't home. Then headlights appeared outside. One black car. Then another. Emily's stomach tightened. She heard the front door open. "Dad?" Her father stepped inside. His clothes were soaked from the rain, and his expression made Emily immediately uneasy. "Emily, we need to talk." "What's wrong?" He looked toward the window. "They're here." "Who?" Before he could answer, three sharp knocks sounded at the door. Knock. Knock. Knock. Her father closed his eyes. "Damien Moretti." Emily frowned. She knew the name. Damien Moretti was a wealthy businessman who owned several companies throughout the city. Rumors followed him everywhere, but Emily had never met him. Her father opened the door. A tall man in a black suit stood outside. Behind him were two security guards. Damien entered calmly, carrying a leather folder. "Mr. Vale." Her father stepped aside. "Mr. Moretti." Emily watched them carefully. Damien placed the folder on the table. "I wish this meeting were happening under better circumstances." Emily looked at her father. "What meeting?" Her father said nothing. Damien opened the folder. Inside were several documents. "Three years ago," Damien began, "your father borrowed eight hundred thousand dollars from Moretti Holdings to keep Vale Industries operating." Emily stared at her father. "What?" Her father lowered his head. "I was going to tell you." "When?" "I thought I could fix it." Damien continued. "The loan was secured against the company, the warehouse, and your family's remaining commercial property." Emily looked at the documents. "So why are you here?" Damien turned a page. "Because the final repayment was due six months ago." Emily's father finally spoke. "The company failed." "I know." "I lost everything." Damien nodded. "And according to the agreement, Moretti Holdings now has the legal right to take possession of the remaining assets." Emily looked at the papers again. "How much does he still owe?" "Nearly four hundred thousand dollars," Damien replied. Emily's father looked ashamed. "We don't have it." "I know." The room fell silent. Emily looked at Damien. "Then what happens now?" "Normally, I would begin the process of taking possession of the company's remaining assets." Her father stared at him. "Please, Damien. Give me another month." "You've already had six." "I can find an investor." "You've tried." Her father's shoulders dropped. Emily suddenly understood. This wasn't some random threat. There was a real contract. Real money. Real consequences. But then Damien closed the folder. "There is another option." Emily looked at him. "What option?" Damien turned toward her father. "You mentioned that Emily graduated from business school last year." Emily's eyebrows rose. Her father nodded cautiously. "She did." Damien looked at Emily. "Your father needs someone capable of managing what remains of Vale Industries." Emily frowned. "What does that have to do with your loan?" "I am willing to restructure the debt." Her father looked surprised. "Why?" "Because the company still has potential." Damien paused. "But I won't extend the loan without conditions." Emily folded her arms. "What conditions?" Damien's gaze hardened. "You will work for me at my mansion." Emily stared at him. "As what?" "As a live-in servant. You will clean, cook, run errands, and follow the household rules I set." Her father's face went pale. "No. Emily shouldn't have to—" "She doesn't have to," Damien interrupted. Everyone became silent. Damien looked directly at Emily. "This is an offer, not an order. You are free to refuse." Emily's hands curled into fists. "And if I refuse?" "I will begin the legal process to seize your family's remaining assets. Your father will lose the company, the warehouse, and the house." Her father looked at her helplessly. Emily turned toward Damien. "How long?" "Until the debt is repaid." "How long will that take?" "That depends on how well you work." Emily's eyes burned with humiliation. She had expected to use her business degree to build a career. Instead, Damien Moretti was offering her a place in his mansion as payment for her father's debt. "You want me to become your slave?" Damien's expression remained cold. "I want you to work for me under a written agreement. You will be paid, given proper living arrangements, and allowed to leave if you repay the debt or find another lawful solution." "That doesn't make it feel any less like slavery." "Then prove you are more than a victim of your circumstances." Emily looked at her father. He was ashamed, frightened, and completely out of options. Then she looked at the contract Damien had placed before her. If she refused, her family would lose everything. If she accepted, she would have to live under Damien's roof and obey his commands. Emily picked up the agreement and scanned the pages. "Read it carefully," Damien said. "Have a lawyer review it if you want." "You already know I can't afford one." "I'll provide an independent attorney." Emily looked up sharply. "Why?" "Because I want your signature to be valid." The rain continued beating against the windows. Emily knew this wasn't the life she had planned. But it was a chance to save her family. She picked up the pen. "I'll do it." Her father stood abruptly. "Emily, no." She looked at him. "If I don't, we lose everything." Damien watched her sign. "Then we have an agreement." Emily put the pen down. "When do I start?" "Tonight." Her heart stopped. "Tonight?" "My driver will take you to the mansion." Emily looked toward the dark window, then back at the man who had just taken control of her future. Damien closed the folder. "From this moment forward, you work for me. You will follow my rules, complete your duties, and remain in the mansion until your debt is settled." Emily forced herself to meet his eyes. "I won't be broken." A faint, unreadable smile touched Damien's lips. "We'll see." He turned toward the door. Emily grabbed the small suitcase she had packed in silence while her father argued with the guards. She looked back at her home one last time. Then she stepped outside. The black car waited beneath the rain. As Emily entered the vehicle, she had no idea what awaited her inside Damien Moretti's mansion. She only knew that she had traded her freedom to save her family. And Damien Moretti intended to make her work for every dollar of that debt. Her life as Damien's servant had begun.